Lake City, CO

American Basin, CO

San Juan Mountains Elopement Photographer

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

Start Your Adventure

You’re here for more than a ceremony—a full-on ADVENTURE! You crave a day that’s UNTAMED, BOLD, and UNAPOLOGETICALLY REAL. If the San Juan Mountains’ rugged peaks and alpine meadows set your soul on fire and tradition feels like a cage, this is your spot. Step into a vision that’s yours alone—let’s make it epic.

Let’s Romanticize your Life!

Couple surrounded by aspen trees in San Juan Mountains, photographed by San Juan Mountains Elopement Photographer Shannon Durazo

Reject the Script, Embrace the Magic

Forget the usual—this is about a day that’s wildly you. Picture saying ‘I do’ on a San Juan Mountains ridgeline, in a wildflower glow, or under a starlit alpine sky—unscripted and raw. Vow to live every moment fully, not letting it slip into routine fog.

This isn’t just a ceremony—it’s the start of your legendary journey.

“I don’t think any other photographer could capture the scenes that Shannon envisions. She is incredibly dedicated and scouted out locations around Lake City, Colorado ahead of time, even offering to bring a chainsaw if there were any downed trees between us and the shots we wanted. She is knowledgeable, up for adventure, and incredibly kind. We couldn’t recommend her enough!“

~ Laura & David

“Shannon is an absolutely incredible photographer. She captured our wedding with such love and passion and we are so grateful. She went above and beyond to find special, intimate locations to capture that made the whole experience even more special. Everyone that has seen our photos has been extremely impressed. And besides that her and her dad built an amazing chuppa / arch which was perfect. I highly recommend Shannon for your next wedding!!!

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~ Liz & Benton

“Shannon was super fun to work with and my partner and I felt relaxed and comfortable. The photos were breathtaking and throughout the entire photo shoot Shannon was encouraging us to be ourselves. We were so grateful to have her as our photographer.

~ Tes & Luke

Hi! I’m Shannon Durazo

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

Are you ready for a nature-filled wedding or an epic 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 14er, off-roading to a remote alpine basin, or chasing sunsets above treeline, we’ll make memories as unique and extraordinary as your love story.

As a seasonal local, I spend my summers (June–September) in the San Juan Mountains, where the rugged trails and quiet campsites feel like home. I grew up on Colorado’s Front Range, graduating from high school and attending college in Denver before moving to Arizona. Now, with family in Lake City and Grand Junction, I’m back every summer, hiking 14ers and pitching tents in the wildest corners of the San Juans. These mountains are home to me, and I can’t wait to share their magic with you.

I specialize in capturing both intimate elopements and weddings in the San Juan Mountains, throughout Colorado, Arizona, 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 San Juan Mountains 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 San Juans’ dramatic alpine lighting and weather, 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
Couple and their pup in the San Juan Mountains overlooking alpine lake, captured by Stratus Adventure Photography, San Juan Mountains Elopement Photographer

top locations for Elopements in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado

American Basin

Red Mountain Pass

Telluride

Ouray

Pagosa

Yankee Boy Basin

Lake San Cristobal

And that’s just the beginning—endless possibilities lie ahead, shaped by your dreams. Want the San Juan Mountains’ soaring 14ers, vibrant wildflower meadows, or hidden alpine lakes? I’ll scout the perfect place to match your bold spirit. No matter which terrain calls to you, we’ll turn it into the stage for your epic elopement.

Planning and Location Guides for your San Juan Mountains Elopement

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

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 walks hand in hand before the sunrise during their elopement in the San Juan Mountains, photographed by San Juan Mountains Elopement Photographer Shannon Durazo
Couple embraces by a giant waterfall in the San Juan Mountains, photographed by San Juan Mountains 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 sits atop a rocky ridge in the San Juan Mountains, photographed by San Juan Mountains Elopement Photographer Shannon Durazo
Wedding ceremony overlooking an alpine lake photographed by San Juan Mountains Wedding Photographer Shannon Durazo

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.

San Juan Mountain Elopement & Wedding galleries for inspiration

Answers to common questions

For most elopements with fewer than 15 people, permits aren’t required in the San Juan National Forest, but popular spots like Red Mountain Pass or larger groups may need one. Contact the local ranger district for exact details.

I will help you determine how many hours you need for your Phoenix Elopement Photography. 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 (especially since I spend the summer up in Lake City). The great thing about specializing in non-traditional weddings is that they fall on all days of the week, not just weekends!

Absolutely! I love outdoor weddings of all sizes.

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, and even more if you are up for an off-road adventure.

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.

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.

The best way to feel like yourself and not like it is a full day photo session is to have Fun Elopement Activities planned throughout the day.

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.

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.

Still on the fence?

Grab a free, no-pressure discovery call and hit me with your questions. I’m a no-BS type, here to guide you on Phoenix’s desert magic, elopement details, or weaving outdoor vibes into a bigger wedding. If planning has you stressed, I’ll help you sort it out—let’s make your bold vision happen.

Schedule my Discovery Call

As your San Juan Mountains elopement photographer, I specialize in this mountain paradise—see my desert work by visiting:

Arizona Elopement Photographer

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