First and foremost, if you're here -- you're probably engaged!! And if that's the case, I sure hope you've spent a good chunk of time soaking up this exciting season, popping champagne, and just celebrating getting to marry your person. Not to sound cheesy, but this chapter in your love story truly does fly by.
Alright, assuming that you've done a ton of celebrating, it's time to get into the fun part: wedding planning!! But if you've quickly realized that the whole "traditional wedding" thing just doesn't feel right to you + your partner, you're in the right place. If you've always dreamt of creating an intentional, emotional day - curated beautifully with just you two in mind, it's time to plan an elopement. And it just so happens, that's exactly what I'm here for.
Whether you dream of tying the knot in a towering forest of pines, exchanging vows on one of the many serene beaches of Minnesota's North Shore, or have always dreamt of taking golden hour bridal portraits on Palisade Head, I've gotcha covered.
Let's cut to the chase: I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I'm not like other photographers; I'm going to show you exactly why I'm not.
First of all, stiff posing isn't my thing. And while I'm definitely going to be your hype girl, I also place the utmost value in allowing my couples plenty of space to allow their love to shine.
My goal is to capture the way your nose crinkles up when your partner wraps their arms around you. The way your fingers intertwine as if they were pieces of a puzzle fitting together.
Just think of me as your professional third-wheel.
So if you're not afraid to get your dress a little dirty... lace up your hiking boots and let's document this sweet chapter in your love story.
I'm an Minnesota & Pacific Northwest elopement photographer with a heart for the outdoors and storytelling.
🌲 I love to smell the scent of pine trees in the morning.
🌲 I am one of the biggest Twilight fans.
🌲 I cannot go through the day without a bite of chocolate.
🌲 If you have a dog, I will be your dog's new best friend.
I'm here for the raw, messy kinda love stories. If your hiking boots have put on several miles, you don't mind getting your dress a little bit dirty, and you feel best up in the mountains or deep in the pines, I'm your gal.
“I’m so glad we chose Payton to be our wedding photographer! She did a wonderful job capturing our day. She was very professional throughout the whole process. Communication was never an issue, she uses her resources when needed but mostly she has a very clear way of showing exactly what she is communicating. Payton is very open and receptive to feedback and input. She has skills of a well seasoned photographer without the extreme price tag. We would hire her again without question!!”
- Carly + Jeremy
As an optional inclusion with any Payton Rademacher Photography Package (at no additional cost), the intimate nuptials of your dreams can be a reality.
Dedicated to creating a day 100% tailored to you, the customization doesn't need to stop when the ceremony begins. Whether you imagine a hands-on ceremony or you'd prefer space for private vows...
All are welcome here.
There's just something about a tangible, unedited photo.
I always loved sifting through my grandparents' wedding photographs in the basement, carefully dusting the boxes off before studying each yellowed photo.
Romanticize your wedding day, with a step back in time.
Select Payton Rademacher Photography packages include one-of-a-kind polaroid film photos.
Capturing every little moment: from the morning mimosas with your girls to the intimate last dance under the stars as the waves crash to shore with your honey, and every second in-between...
Capturing every little moment: from the morning mimosas with your girls to the intimate last dance under the stars as the waves crash to shore with your honey, and every second in-between...
Documenting a slow morning stroll along Black Beach, sippin' coffee from Cedar Coffee Company, a sweet ceremony perched atop a lookout at Tettegouche State Park, and ending the day with a champagne pop!
Designed with the "no-fuss" couple in mind. Perfect for a private vow exchange, a sweet little hike, and a picnic overlooking Lake Superior.
Documenting a slow morning stroll along Black Beach, sippin' coffee from Cedar Coffee Company, a sweet ceremony perched atop a lookout at Tettegouche State Park, and ending the day with a champagne pop!
Designed with the "no-fuss" couple in mind. Perfect for a private vow exchange, a sweet little hike, and a picnic overlooking Lake Superior.
Once your day comes to an end, I'll get to work on editing your images! You'll receive a handful of sneak peek images from your day within 24 hours. Then, your final gallery will be delivered within 6 weeks.
RELIVE YOUR DAY FOREVER
The hard work of planning your dream elopement has paid off! It's time to watch your vision come to life and experience all
of the joy and emotion that
comes with marrying your favorite person (in an epic place).
LIVE YOUR DREAM DAY
Eeek! You've decided on a package and picked a date! A contract and 30% nonrefundable retainer must be submitted to lock in your date. Once we've check those boxes off, it's onto the really fun stuff. We'll be in contact throughout the journey to ensure a stress-free, joy-filled elopement.
BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE
Once you fill out my inquiry form, I'll reach out within 2 business days to schedule a Zoom call. That's when you'll spill alllll the exciting details about your big day, answer any questions you have, and just get to know each other.
SHOOT ME AN INQUIRY!
"Payton is an incredibly talented photographer and a wonderful human. Our session with her was absolute magic. She created such a comfortable and fun environment. Leading up to the session she got to know us and communicated consistently so we felt prepared. The photos came back quickly and I am still in awe of how she seemingly captured our personalities in the photos. I highly recommend Payton to all!"
- Molly + Sam
1. is the travel fee included in your packages?
2. How many images are included?
3. Can you help us plan a location?
4. How does payment work?
6. How do we receive our images?
7. How do you ensure our images are safe?
13. What time of year is best for our elopement?
8. What happens if the weather is bad?
14. How soon will we get our photos back?
9. How early should we reach out?
11. Do you help in the planning process?
12. Can we bring family or friends?
10. Can we bring our pet?
5. Do we need to hike?
Not at all! Your day is customized to what most speaks to you. You can canoe, walk along an ADA accessible trail, ride snowmobile, have a picnic, go brewery hopping, roast marshmallows, whatever sounds adventurous to you! I’m here as a resource to help you find the perfect location(s) for you and your partner.
DO WE NEED TO HIKE?
I photograph on a dual-SD card camera - this means that if one SD card is corrupt, your images are still safe on the other one! All images are backed up immediately after your session to an external hard-drive. At this time, I also upload all images to an online Cloud for additional safe-keeping. The hard-drive is then stored in a fireproof, waterproof safe. I do not erase the hard-drive until all images have been securely delivered.
How do you ensure our images are safe?
Our schedule is set months in advance, so we don’t reschedule due to weather. But rain or shine, your wedding day is going to be magical. I’ve photographed adventure weddings in all kinds of weather: rain, windy, snow, and fog. I will always make sure we have a Plan B for every wedding, but we also have a Plan C (...and sometimes even a Plan D).
What Happens If The Weather Is Bad?
As soon as possible when you start planning your elopement or wedding. There are other people who are searching the same as you are. Many vendors can be booked out on the date you choose, even if it is a few years later. Book the vendors as soon as you can, and the sooner the better.
How early should we reach out?
One of my fave questions! From the second you book with me, you'll have a built-in planner on your side. From questionnaires to location guides and recommendations, to a customized timeline, and even permit assistance for elopements...My goal is to make your big day as stress-free as possible.
Do You Help In The Planning Process?