Sedona, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Ouray, Colorado

Moab, Utah

Arizona Elopement Photographer

based in Sedona, Arizona

Helping couples who choose shared experiences in the wild tell their love story through bold, artful photographs

Start Your Adventure

You’re here because you want more than a wedding—you want an ADVENTURE! You dream of a day that feels like you—UNTAMED, BOLD, and UNAPOLOGETICALLY REAL. If your heart races at the thought of breaking tradition and doing something unforgettable, welcome to where your vision finally feels at home.

Let’s Romanticize your Life!

Mom and baby give a high five with baby girl on dad's shoulders inside slot canyon by Arizona elopement photographer Stratus Adventure Photography

Throw Out the Expectations, Keep the Magic

This isn’t about following expectations—it’s about creating a day that feels wildly true to you. Whether that means saying your vows on a mountaintop, in the middle of the desert, or dancing barefoot under the stars, your wedding should be anything but ordinary.

Make a full-fledged commitment to soaking in every moment, not letting your wedding day blur by like just another checkbox on life’s to-do list.

Because this isn’t just another event—it’s the start of something legendary.

couple sitting on a blanket looking at the view during their Sedona elopement by Arizona elopement photographer Stratus Adventure Photography

“I can’t believe how fortunate my husband and I are to have found and worked with Shannon. I happened to find her on an elopement photographer website and instantly fell in love with her photography. Not only that, but when I inquired as to cost and what she recommended for my specific day she was quick to respond, kind, and honest with her suggestions and advice.

Shannon really does think about every last detail and made the entire process so seamless by asking the right questions and truly understanding the goals we had in mind for our special day. Not only that but she was able to quickly make adjustments when we discovered that some of our older guests could not walk as far as we anticipated.

If you have the opportunity to do something exciting and different for your wedding, you should absolutely choose Shannon for your special day. Also did I mention she’s just an overall incredible human being? Thank you Shannon for everything 🙏🏼“

~ Caitlin & Zack

“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 & Ryan

“Absolutely best decision we made with our elopement. Once we chose the location- she planned out the day and it was truly amazing. We even had some issues with weather- and she moved things around without any issues. She even scheduled in some time to truly sit and enjoy the day and we appreciated it so so much.

And the pictures are absolutely insane- my friends joked that after seeing our wedding pics, they wanted to ‘elope’ and redo their wedding pictures.

Do not even hesitate, if you are looking for an elopement photographer- you found the best one. Thanks again for absolutely everything!“

~ Ashley & Keith

Hi! I’m Shannon Durazo

A former project manager turned Arizona elopement photographer, go-to problem solver, and Adventure Buddy

Are you ready for a nature-filled wedding or an epic Arizona elopement adventure? I’m here to do more than take photos—I’m here to help you create a day that feels as incredible as it looks. From scouting jaw-dropping locations and sharing vendor recommendations to crafting timelines that catch that golden-hour magic, we’re building more than a wedding day; we’re creating art while putting your experience first. Whether it’s hiking a mountain, off-roading to a secret spot, or chasing sunsets, we’ll make memories as unique and extraordinary as your love story.

I am based in Sedona, Arizona and specialize in capturing both intimate elopements and weddings in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Northern New Mexico.

Learn about Me Packages & Pricing
Shannon Durazo, owner and lead photographer of Stratus Adventure Photography- Arizona Elopement Photographer

Years Of Experience

Weddings & Elopements Photographed

Collective 5 Star Reviews

What’s included in every Arizona Elopement Package

  • Exclusive Stratus Elopement Guide & Planning Workflow which includes multiple planning calls to walk you through the process from start to finish- so you don’t feel lost or overwhelmed.
  • Custom location research, vendor recommendations, activity ideas, and timeline planning– because I know how to navigate the desert’s harsh lighting for your Arizona adventure wedding, so you don’t have to.
  • Behind the scenes videos/photos sent straight to your phone at the end of the day through AirDrop or a Dropbox link- so you can share them with family and friends right away.
  • Online gallery with unlimited high-resolution downloads, personal printing rights, and a convenient professional print lab for easy ordering– so it’s easy to add your favorites to your walls.
  • Sneak Peeks within 2 Days, so you don’t have to wait to relive your memories.
  • Custom album design, so you can flip through your day laid out in story format any time you want.
Packages and Pricing

Above all, i promise to fiercely protect your experience on your wedding day.

Arizona Elopement Location Guides

As your Arizona elopement photographer, I capture love stories across the state—explore Sedona, the Phoenix area, the Grand Canyon, Page, the Mogollon Rim, Saguaro National Park- and beyond.

Where to Elope

The four-corners states are where i call home…

Couple standing on a pedestal framed by red rocks during their Sedona Elopement in Arizona

Arizona

Ultimate AZ Elopement Guide

Couple standing above jagged mountain peaks during their San Juan Mountains Elopement in Colorado

Colorado

Elope in Western Colorado

Couple standing under an arch during their Moab Elopement in Utah

Utah

Elope in Moab

Bride and groom standing on a ledge on the Mogollon Rim

New Mexico

Elopement Guide- COMING SOON!

…but i’ll meet you wherever you may roam

I’m Ready to Begin Planning my Epic Wedding Adventure!

Awards & Publications:

Winner of the Elopement Legend Awards
Featured on Zion Brides
Featured on Insider Magazine
Featured on Wandering Weddings
Featured on What if We Elope
Featured on The Photog Journal
Featured on Trends Magazine
Featured on Brides & Weddings
Featured on Gay Weddings & Marriage Magazine
Seen on Wedding Rule
Featured on A Northwoods Wedding

The Process

Step 1

Book Your Discovery  Call

First, book a discovery call to connect and see how we click. Having someone you trust and who makes you feel comfortable is a HUGE part of your overall wedding day experience.

Couple standing in the red rocks in a green suit and black wedding dress by Arizona elopement photographer Stratus Adventure Photography
Groom holding bride with reflections during their remote offroad elopement in Arizona by elopement photographer Shannon Durazo

Step 2

Secure Your Date

Did our call feel like the perfect fit? The next step is to get your date secured. I only accept a limited amount of weddings and elopements each month so I’m able to give my couples the best service possible.

Step 3

Craft your Experience

Once you are booked, we will begin crafting your ideal day, from location scouting, vendor recommendations, timeline assistance, and laying out the important details that mean the most to you. If you can dream it, we will do our absolute best to make it happen.

Couple standing next to a helicopter before their sendoff by by Arizona elopement photographer Stratus Adventure Photography

Step 4

Enjoy Your core memory wedding day!

When your wedding day arrives, I will be your photographer, hype woman, stalker-azee and personal problem solver so you get to live in the moment and enjoy your day together- I’ve got you!

I’m Ready to book my discovery call!

We may be the dream team if:

  • You want to document the Full Story of your wedding day.
  • You want to capture All the Big and Little Details, epic little people-big-world landscape portraits, and all the candid moments throughout the day.
  • You love the idea of having a photographer who is a hands-on Personal Problem Solver on your team.
  • You want someone to help plan a day that allows you to Be in the Moment so you don’t feel rushed.
  • You want Epic Couples Portraits in the Wild, so you need a photographer who will help guide you in choosing your location and timeline based on the best lighting.
  • You envision having an Experience for just for the two of you as all or part of your elopement. Having a photographer willing to hike, off-road, and go adventuring with you to capture it is a must.

Elopement Planning Resources

Let’s start planning your Arizona Elopement Adventure

I can not wait to get to know you!

Recent wedding & elopement Galleries for inspiration

Answers to common questions

That’s what I’m here for. I will ask questions and go over a customized timeline that fits what you are dreaming up. Want to play around with it? Check out the Elopement Timeline Calculator.

I book out 12-18 months in advance for Saturday weddings during prime months. But don’t let that scare you away from reaching out. I have been able to squeeze in weekday elopements as soon as the same week in some cases. The great thing about specializing in non-traditional weddings is that they fall on all days of the week, not just weekends!

Choosing an elopement or wanting adventurous nature portraits does not mean you have to hike a mountain! There are plenty of gorgeous gentle access locations available.

This depends on your location, amount of people, and setup. If you are interested in a State Park, National Park, or BLM land, plan on needing one. This also affects how much planning time you will need, as they can take 30-60 days depending on the land manager. For many National Forest lands a permit is not needed for small elopements without setups (arches, benches, free standing decor).

Sure is! You benefit from my spread-out family 🙂

While I mostly work in Arizona and Utah, I have family members living throughout Colorado (where I moved from) and New Mexico (where I lived in High School). I love an excuse to pop in for a visit- so it’s a win-win in my book!

Many of my couples choose to have guests at their elopement. How many depends on the area and land managers. Some locations limit it to under 10, some 25, and some allow more with reservations. Check out this blog for more information- Eloping with Guests.

I help with location research, timeline creation, vendor recommendations, packing lists, gear items, etc. I give guidance, but it’s up to you to contact your preferred vendors and book your travel. Because I’ll be focused on documenting your wedding, I can’t be the one providing “day-of” planning or assistance (like vendor coordination or dinner set-up). If you’ll need an extra set of hands, adding our day-of coordinator is recommended.

Believe me when I say this is the rule, not the exception.  Most people feel this way, including almost every couple you see on my site.  

Don’t worry- I’ve got you.

I will watch the way you interact, and guide you with activities that bring out real emotions and connect you to each other.  The joy and connection you feel for each other are what make great, flattering photos.  We will make sure to grab a few of the standard portrait style shots, but the vast majority of our time will be spent capturing you being you.

Not sure what would best fit your needs? No problem! Let’s chat and I am happy to talk you through what you are sure of, and help fill in the gaps where you are not.

Are you still feeling unsure?

Set up a free, no-obligation discovery call and ask me anything you like. I am a no bs kind of gal and happy to help answer any questions and give general guidance on locations, how elopements work, how to have a larger wedding and still embrace the outdoors, and any other details that may be adding stress to your planning process.

Schedule my Discovery Call

Capturing love stories across the Southwest—here are some of the stunning places I work:

Arizona | Colorado | Utah | New Mexico

Sedona | Phoenix | Grand Canyon | Page | San Juan Mountains | Ouray | Silverton | Pagosa Springs | Moab | Zion | Kanab | Salt Flats | Taos | Angel fire | Glamis

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