If you do not already believe in fairytales, Elaina and Christopher’s Sedona Anniversary Adventure Session will convince you!
There is an old saying that says, “actions speak louder than words.” This statement is especially true in relationships. In my opinion, that is why adventure photography with couples has become so popular. They also have become some of my very favorite sessions that I am able to shoot. I mean, there is no better way to capture the love someone has for their significant other than by doing something adventurous together.
There are a lot of variables that can affect your adventure session. The biggest variable? PICKING YOUR LOCATION. Lucky for you, that is one of my favorite parts! As an Arizona Adventure Elopement Photographer, Sedona is my jam. I have spent so much time exploring the area. I get so excited to help my clients pick the best locations for their Adventure Sessions. For me, scouting for that perfect location is absolutely enjoyable.
GETTING TO KNOW THE COUPLE: ELAINA AND CHRISTOPHER
Elaina and Christoper have been married for over seven and a half years after getting married in their early twenties. They first met in college while working at Elaina’s father’s Chick-Fil-A.
Together, they love adventuring and exploring the outdoors. Their favorite thing is to create new experiences. They hadn’t had professional photos done since their wedding so they decided to have a Sedona Anniversary Adventure Session. They are originally from Texas and both have never been to Sedona before. I was happy to show them around.
If you want to do an adventure session, heck, let’s do it at more than one location! When in Rome, am I right?
During Adventure sessions, I like to adventure to at least more than one location to show off the beautiful and different landscapes that Sedona has to offer. Together with Elaina and Christopher, we choose to follow the Munds Trail and Cathedral Rock Trail to find adventure.
ANNIVERSARY ADVENTURE SESSION: HIKING THROUGH SEDONA
Munds Wagon Trail
We began on the Munds Wagon Trail. According to AllTrails, this is a “6.4-mile out-and-back trail near Sedona, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 12 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.”
Here, I had Elaina and Christopher start in casual outfits. It was impossible not to smile as I captured them interacting with each other as they celebrated their anniversary.
Cathedral Hike Tailhead
We then drove to the Cathedral Hike Trailhead. The Cathedral hike is a gorgeous 1.5 miles round trip. There is a short section where you have to scramble up the rocks using your hands and feet. When couples book with me I always make them aware of what their adventure will entail and how to be prepared for it. For Elaina and Christopher, I made sure to tell them to pack their dress shoes to look great in the photos, as well as some solid hiking shoes to get there and back safely.
Cathedral Rock is one of the most popular hikes in all of Sedona which is also one of the pinpoints to one of Sedona’s vortexes at the top of the hike. Parking can be a little bit difficult when heading to this hike so definitely start earlier. In the summer months, the parking isn’t as hard to find spots vs. the fall and spring months.
When we finally got to the top of the mountains, Elaina and Christopher changed into their formal attire as we waited for the sun to hit “Golden Hour.” There is nothing quite like Cathedral Rock in the evening. It is known for the picture-perfect golden sunset overlooking the cliff. You just can’t go wrong with this location for a photography session.
As the sun fully set, we started the trek back and took photos overlooking the magical Sedona cliff-line. That view is unforgettable! It is one of the prettiest sights in all of Sedona. You can see the whole town encompassed by the red rock mountain landscapes.
PLANNING YOUR SEDONA ADVENTURE SESSION
WHAT TO WEAR
Sedona is known for its iconic desert palette of red and orange rock landscapes. Deciding on an outfit is a critical choice for my clients in order to look the best against the backdrop of the landscape.
Pro Tip: If you are ever having trouble figuring out what to wear, always consider reaching out to your photographer. Send what you are thinking of wearing and we will definitely let you know what works best.
Stay true to who you are when choosing an outfit. At the end of the day, it’s about capturing who you are. The easiest way to do that is to make sure you are comfortable with what you are wearing. However, also be sure to choose appropriate outfits for your adventure. Such as an extra pair of hiking-specific shoes to climb the 750 feet up to Cathedral Rock.
Although I recommend clothes that have been broken in, new clothes can sometimes be the extra confidence boost you need. In places like Sedona, you want to make sure you aren’t wearing red/ oranges to clash with the red rocks. My go-to outfit colors for Sedona are white, neutrals, and blacks. These solid colors against the red rock are very complementary. Another thing to consider is, to make sure one partner is in a dark color and the other is in a lighter color. One exception to this would be if you are going for the murdered-out, all-black look; which is very sleek looking in the desert.
CONSIDER THE WEATHER
In Arizona, I strongly recommend short sleeves and breathable fabrics in the Summer months due to the extreme heat. It is hard to look your best when you have excessive sweat stains! Make sure to choose comfort over style. While the point of the session is to get some amazing photos, it is still a legit adventure that you are experiencing and comfort is key.
You would be surprised how obvious it is when you are uncomfortable in pictures. Your face will tell me all about the tight pants digging into your waist.
Elaina and Christopher were so fun to capture and brought a fun and playful energy to the shoot! With both of them only having one photoshoot ever together, they were both absolute naturals!
If you are thinking you are wanting an adventure session, don’t hesitate! LET’S GO AND EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS TOGETHER!
Ready to book? REACH OUT NOW for my Sedona Location Guide, and we can get your session scheduled today!
Looking for more Adventure Sessions in Arizona? Check out these links below:
BREATHTAKING SEDONA HIKING ENGAGEMENT SESSION IN ARIZONA
