A Love Story at Sunset
Caitlin and Zach knew from the start that they wanted an adventure that blended Sedona’s wild beauty with intimate moments surrounded by their closest people. And what better place than Cathedral Rock, with its breathtaking valley views and fiery red cliffs?
The day kicked off at the Sedona Trail Shuttle, where family, friends, and their pastor lined up for the ride into the heart of the red rocks. Zach, ever the steady presence, rode up first with the family, while Caitlin followed a bit later so they could share a first look at the trail crossing—just the two of them, framed by Sedona’s iconic landscapes.
As the group made their way up, we quickly realized that even the mid-level overlook—chosen for accessibility—was a bit tricky for the grandparents. No problem. A quick pivot led us to a closer spot, and honestly, it was perfect. The golden light spilled across the red rock formations, wrapping everyone in warmth as Caitlin made her way to Zach.
Their first look was everything—Zach, waiting as Caitlin, looking like a desert princess, walked toward him. Her waist-length braid caught the breeze, and her tulle dress seemed to float in the sun. With their family gathered, they exchanged vows, rings, and a whole lot of love before sealing it all with a celebratory toast under the shade of a juniper tree.
Then, the real adventure began.
With the family cheering them on, Caitlin and Zach laced up their hiking boots—Zach in his Marine boots—and set off toward the top of Cathedral Rock. They hiked up the steep trail in their wedding clothes, her dress trailing behind like something out of a dream. There were a few tricky parts that Zach had to help Caitlin up, but that just made the adventure even more memorable.
And then we made it! The top of Cathedral is something to behold. The views stretch endlessly as the sun begins to dip in the distance. We ventured out onto the iconic ledge for insane images, with the light streaming through Caitlin’s dress as they spun and danced, overlooking the valley below.
Then we took some time for them to just be as they laid back on the warm rock, ran hand-in-hand across the plateau, and just existed in the magic of the moment. We began our route down the mountain with the setting of the sun. And then, as blue hour set in, we pulled out the lanterns, lighting up their final moments on the rock with a soft, intimate glow for a few farewell images.
Cathedral Rock is always breathtaking, but on this night, with Caitlin and Zach’s love at the center of it all, it felt like pure magic.


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 & Zach’s Vendors:
- Dress: Etsy
- Hair and Makeup: Elle Bliss
- Officiant: Their Church Pastor Zach
- Florals: Dried from Etsy


Hello! I’m Shannon Durazo
and I would love to be your Wedding Photographer!
I specialize in outdoor-centric weddings of all sizes—from two-person elopements to 150+ guest garden celebrations. If you are a nature lover and want to embrace that through your wedding story, I would love to help capture your day!