Arizona Elopement Photographer
Elopement & Wedding photography for intentional Weddings in Arizona & across the southwest
Your wedding marks the beginning to your next grand adventure together!
How your marriage begins matters. Whether you are choosing an elopement or a wedding with a couple hundred of your favorite people, the day you say your vows to your partner is a step that deserves to reflect you, and your unique relationship. There is no “right way” to get married. The expectations that come with planning a wedding can be soul crushing. Allow yourself the freedom to create an intentional experience that will make the two of you happy first!
Forget what you’ve been told your wedding Should look like… Instead, imagine what your wedding Could look like!
What does it mean when a wedding photographer says they specialize in elopements?
My job as your Wedding Photographer
As an Arizona Wedding Photographer for more traditional weddings, my job is to anticipate and capture the emotions of the day with your loved ones and you as a couple so you can remember those moments, even if the day itself is a blur of activity. I help with shot lists, timelines, and making sure your images reflect your priorities. Most of the magic happens on your actual wedding day as I coordinate with your planner, DJ, venue and other vendors to keep order even if/ when things get off schedule. And then after as I diligently make sure to tell the whole story of your day in a way that you can look back and feel the love and connection with each other and your guests.
My job as your Elopement Photographer
As an Arizona Elopement Photographer, my role includes a ton of extra help in the planning stages. Think of me as a wedding planner-light. We work together to find your ceremony location (if needed), activities to include, vendors for your day, and build out timelines with more flexibility for you to pause and just soak in the moment. With less vendors to lean on, I am here to help answer questions from what to tell guests to wear, to where to hold your ceremony, and everything in between. It also means I regularly hike miles with my couples, drive off-road, and climb around precarious ledges in order to take those epic shots out in nature.
I highly encourage you to find someone who specializes in elopements if you are planning on getting married out in nature or want an Adventure Portrait Session with just the two the day after your wedding.
I love documenting both traditional weddings and elopements!!!!
Create a Wedding experience that truly Celebrates your Love!
What makes you Happy as a Couple?
Close your eyes and visualize what you would do on your very favorite day with your very favorite human… Now envision building your wedding experience around THAT perfect day or days- what does it look like?
Ditch the expectations
There are no limits to what your wedding can look like- Add something adventurous like hiking a mountain, going on a horseback trail ride, or taking a helicopter tour. Or keep things more calm while enjoying a picnic on the beach, hanging out all day in an cabin in the woods, exploring downtown, having a bonfire cookout at your ranch, or picking peaches at your favorite orchard. Still want a larger guest list? Choose a venue that allows your outdoorsy side to shine through while surrounded by your loved ones, then plan for a separate adventure for just the two of you. Seriously… anything goes. Include what you want, ditch the rest!
Strengthen your connection
Positive shared experiences are known to strengthen emotional bonds. Your marriage deserves to begin in a way that will help your love withstand the chaos life throws at you. If you are more private, design a wedding where you get to spend time together as just the two of you. If getting all your friends and family together for a giant party lights your soul on fire, then bring on the festivities! Do what you LOVE!
Freedom to be yourself
Once you embrace not trying to meet the expectations of everyone else, you give yourself the freedom to be yourself on your wedding day! Get messy, incorporate a theme that others may find cheesy, have your fist dance at the top of a mountain! You are no longer trying to fit into a mold, and letting your adventurous spirit celebrate your way.
This sounds exactly like what I’m looking for for my wedding!
Now what?….
Schedule Your Consult
Schedule your FREE Consultation Call. We will brainstorm your perfect wedding experience- the possibilities are endless!
Craft Your Day
Once you choose your location, we can work to make sure there is enough time scheduled to capture all the important moments.
Capture Your Moments
I will be your photographer, hype woman, stalker-azee and personal problem solver so you can feel free to live in the moment.
Curate Your Memories
Sit back and enjoy epic photographs of your one of a kind wedding experience while you begin the next chapter of your lives together!
reviews from past couples…
Shannon was our life line when planning our elopement in Sedona, AZ. Not only was she supportive and informative in advance she made the day of feel truly special. The photos were gorgeous and perfectly captured our day!
Don’t hesitate to work with Shannon if you’re seeking an adventure photographer.
~ Gabrielle R.
I cannot say enough great things about Shannon! My husband and I had never been to Arizona before our elopement. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least, to choose to elope somewhere that you knew nothing about. Shannon assured us she would take care of absolutely everything and made our whole journey essentially stress free! Her elopement guide was so detailed and ensured you wouldn’t forget a single detail on your big day. My husband and I knew we wanted to hike to our vows spot, so Shannon sent us a comprehensive guide of multiple locations, which included details for the hike itself, how busy they would be at what times, pictures, video guides of the hikes and the views, parking situations, and so so much more. Literally all we had to do was pick our spot and show up on time. AND THE PICTURES! OMG! We have the absolute most breathtaking wedding photos ever. She was so kind and thoughtful. I knew I wanted pictures of the starry sky and to get the perfect shot she let us climb on top of her nice SUV and stand on it!! She literally makes the day all about you (as it should be!) and makes sure you’re comfortable and having a great time. I cannot recommend her enough! Amazing work and she’s an amazing person!
~ Brooke S.
Shannon’s level of communication and professionalism made her the obvious choice for our adventure elopement from the very start, and her work speaks for itself. Her talent is positively unmatched, you can tell that she is deeply passionate and truly cares about the couples she photographs. We can’t imagine having shared this day with anyone else. She laughed with us, cried with us, and stood by us in the harrowing hours when my family heirloom ring was lost to a monsoon. Her positivity and warmth carried us through, and she was kind enough to continue our session the following morning – giving us the opportunity to collect ourselves and regroup.
Shannon gave us the wedding of our dreams. An unforgettable adventure in locations we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to access, and DANG does this woman come prepared. We are eternally grateful.
~ Olivia M.
Embrace the Freedom to have the wedding that fits you!
I believe your wedding should reflect you, and all the things that bring you joy. If that means eloping just the two of you- I want to help you find the perfect elopement spot! If an intimate wedding with a select few guests is more your style- I would love to photograph your day! And if a massive party with 200 of your closest friends and family getting down on the dance floor is your dream wedding- I’ll be out in the middle capturing all the great moves! I love all the ways to celebrate, and will help you capture every moment that matters to you.
Sound like what you are looking for? Let’s talk!
Hello! I’m Shannon Durazo…
and I want to be your
Arizona Elopement photographer & Adventure curator!
I call the Grand Canyon state home… but I will follow you wherever you roam!
I truly care about the success of your marriage and capturing the moments that help you celebrate your love, strengthen your relationship, and head into the next chapter of your lives together.
If you are wanting an Arizona wedding photographer who will not only take epic portraits, but also hike a mountain with headlamps before sunrise, drive up a 4×4 road to get you to that remote overlook you’ve been dreaming of, or wading through freezing water to get “the shot”, I’m your gal!
I’ve called Arizona home for over 20 years, with a second home base in the San Juan mountains of Southwestern Colorado. As an Arizona Elopement Photographer, I specialize in AZ Adventure elopements in Sedona and weddings across the state, but I am also available for travel to anywhere you want to wed!
Ready to learn more?
I’m here to help capture your adventurous love story surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Arizona and across the Southwestern United States
Wedding photography Packages
As an Arizona Wedding Photographer, I love documenting everything from your quiet moments with family, to the details and decorations you poured your heart into. Once the ceremony is done, you will find me in the middle of the dance floor capturing all the action and laughter as you celebrate your next chapter! I don’t charge travel fees in all of Arizona- and destination weddings are available worldwide!
Elopement Photography Packages
Whether you are eloping with just the two of you, or inviting a few of your closest family and friends, an elopement package should be just what you need! As an Arizona Elopement Photographer, I specialize in helping couples elope in Sedona, Arizona (Check out my Eloping in Sedona- A Step by Step Sedona Guide for planning help) . I also offer packages with *travel included* anywhere throughout the state of Arizona, and stretching up into the canyons of Southern Utah and over into the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado. Destination elopementsavailable worldwide!
Adventure Photo Sessions
Interested in epic photographs, but not getting married? Adventure Sessions can be used for anything from Engagements, Anniversary sessions, Family sessions, or added on to your wedding package as Day after portraits or Bridal sessions!
Not sure what kind of wedding you should have?
Take the Quiz to find out!
Arizona Elopement Guide
Do you need help planning your Arizona Elopement? This Ultimate Arizona Elopement Guide will help with everything from Where to Elope in Arizona, when are the best times based on location, and how to make it all legal. After years of helping couples plan and capture their weddings as an Arizona Elopement Photographer, I have answered all the most common questions and more!
What’s in a name?
Why Stratus Adventure Photography?
Have you ever laid in the grass looking up at the sky, imagining a whole other world in the clouds overhead? From dragons in far off castles, to bunnies hopping through fields of flowers, the possibilities of what you dream up are limited only by your imagination! Creating mythical worlds and adventures in the sky has been a favorite pastime of mine for as long as I can remember. The name reminds me to always keep this limitless, free spirited way of looking at the world at the forefront while capturing my couples cherished moments.
Not sure where to begin?
Check out these planning & Inspiration resources
A Step by Step Guide to Planning your Elopement in Sedona
Arizona Elopement Guide- Everything you Need to Plan an Arizona Elopement
The Top Outdoor Sedona Wedding Venues
101 Fun Elopement Activity Ideas
How to Choose the Best Place to Elope
Bell Rock Wedding with day after Adventure Session in Sedona, Arizona
Horseshoe Bend Elopement planning
Merry Go Round Rock Wedding & Elopement Planning
Ready to begin planning your wedding adventure?
I would LOVE to hear what you are dreaming up!