WILD ELEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Maryland Documentary Wedding & Elopement Photographer | Ciana Salisbury

Story-focused wedding and elopement photography for experience-driven and adventurous couples

DIGITAL & FILM

your wedding day should be a reflection of how your love feels.

(YOUR PHOTOS SHOULD, TOO.)

YOU’RE NOT just PLANNING A WEDDING

you’re crafting an experience that transcends tradition, reflecting your story in a way that feels authentic, immersive, and entirely your own.

FOR YOU, LUXURY isn’t ABOUT EXCESS.

it’s about elevating the depths of your experience. You see adventure as an essential part of this process, meaning that your celebration is where These two ideas become a natural pairing.
LET’S Turn the memories you’ll share with friends around the dinner table, and strangers passing by, into something tangible.

“I look back at them and can feel like I’m there all over again – it’s something I’ve never experienced before through anyone else’s work.”

“Ciana and Ryan do an amazing job at something I haven’t experienced through anyone else…and that is creating real, raw, genuine, memorable moments through the photography experience. As we started our session, it was not just poses and getting the shots. We were able to relax and create naturally beautiful moments for them to photograph and tell our story because they made us feel so comfortable. They brought out the joy, the laughter, and most importantly the love you can feel through our collection of photos. Their passion for their work brings out their passion for each other. Their energy cultivates photos that have an incredible amount of emotion and depth. My husband and I are obsessed with our photos. They truly deliver the most perfect experience every time. Ciana is so naturally talented and Ryan is her perfect teammate. They are kind, warm, and you become friends with them. We are so thankful!”

Hey, I’m Ciana.


a maryland-based Wedding & elopement Photographer that travels the world documenting Your Love Stories.

I’m a documentary-style destination wedding and elopement photographer with a passion to explore the moments in which the experience of the individual becomes an artistic rendition of the soul. In other words, my goal is to document the stories that unfold on your wedding or elopement day in their truest form. 

Using a distinctly candid and earth-centric style, I’ve developed an approach rooted in visual storytelling to preserve your greatest moments. I use the elements of the natural world, tides of untainted emotion, and a keenly observational eye to compose imagery that reflects you honestly. 

With a strategy combined of directional guidance and intuitive posing, I’m able to explore the personal and profound dynamics of your story through a range of digital and film mediums. My work has been described to possess a soulful quality that blends the candidness of uncoerced moments with an editorial edge.

Maryland Wedding & Elopement Photographer
I’m often asked…

“So, why do you do this?”

I believe that all people should be able to recognize the importance of their stories, and that they too should have personal heirlooms that can attest to the profundities of their lives.

AS SEEN IN

A WILD ELEMENTS EXPERIENCE IS different – IT TRANSCENDS THE TRADITIONAL.

When you choose Wild Elements Photography, you’re *also* choosing:
INTENTIONAL COLLABORATIVE DESIGN

Your story is one of a kind, which means your wedding day should be too. I work closely with you and your partner to craft an experience that feels personal, and as if it’s an incorporation of all of the meaningful details that are important to you. Intentionality is key.

VISUAL STORYBOARDING FOR CLARITY

Through a tried-and-true storyboarding process, I help you piece together the experience you want in a way that ensures your fondest moments are documented authentically. This unique process is designed so you can see the bigger picture before it even unfolds.

SEAMLESS ADAPTABILITY

Unexpected weather? Travel hiccups? A sudden change of heart? I navigate the unknown with a calm and creative approach, helping you embrace spontaneity with a Plan A, B, and C – because sometimes the best moments happen when you pivot.

Unwavering Guidance & Support

I only work with 20 couples (or less) a year to ensure every couple gets the utmost care and attention they deserve. From our first conversation to the delivery of your final gallery, I’m more than just your photographer – I’m your advocate and sounding board, making sure you feel confident in every decision along the way.

Immersive & Intuitive Documentation

I don’t just capture what happens – I capture how it feels. With a deep awareness of emotion, energy, and the subtle, unscripted moments in between, I create images that have the ability to transport you back to the experience itself.

A Hybrid of Digital & Film

I blend the modern precision of digital photography with the rich, nostalgic beauty of film, telling your story in a way that feels both timeless and artistically nuanced.

Eclectic | Real | soulful | emotional | connected

REAL WORDS USED BY REAL CLIENTS TO DESCRIBE NOT ONLY THEIR PHOTOS, BUT THEIR EXPERIENCES TOO.

“After seeing my engagement photos, there was no question of who I’d have as my photographer for my wedding!”

“My first experience shooting with Ciana was for my engagement photos.. prior to that I had never done any kind of professional photos. When I tell you she made it the best experience ever, I truly mean that! It felt so natural, and the photos came out SO beautiful! She truly has such a beautiful vision when it comes to photography and it shows in her work. Ciana is truly the best!”

this is where your love story takes form.

Destination Weddings & Elopements

Your wedding experience should feel like an extension of your story -intentional, immersive, and original to you. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a multi-day celebration, I blend documentary storytelling with an artful, cinematic approach to photograph the moments you’ll want to live ten times over. With a seamless mix of film and digital photography, I focus on creating images that hold the depth, emotion, and atmosphere of your day.

01

Schedule A Free Consultation

Once you’ve booked your free consultation, we’ll start uncovering the heart of your vision. This is our first opportunity to connect and make sure we’re the right match for each other!

02

Craft Your Photo Package

After our conversation, I’ll send you my complete pricing guide so you can start shaping your ideal photo package. When you’ve settled on the perfect fit, a signed contract and retainer will officially lock in your date with me!

03

Start Planning Your Dream Day

Once your date is secured, the real adventure begins! We’ll jump into the planning process, and I’ll share my exclusive resources to make it all feel effortless and exciting. It’s time to get excited!

Frequently asked DESTINATION WEDDING & ELOPEMENT QUESTIONS

Absolutely! Multi-day coverage is a perfect option if you’re planning a full wedding weekend or a multi-day elopement experience. From welcome dinners and group hikes to intimate morning-after brunches, I can photograph the whole story as it unfolds. This ensures that all the moments you’ll want to remember most—big and small—are beautifully documented for you to have forever. Just let me know what you have in mind, and we’ll create a custom plan that reflects the full scope of your celebration!

Weather can be unpredictable, but we’ll be prepared. I always keep an eye on the forecast leading up to your day, and I will always have a backup plan, (or two), ready if needed—whether that means adjusting the timeline, finding a sheltered spot, or embracing the elements for some truly magical, moody shots. Some of the most breathtaking photos happen in unexpected weather, so we’ll make it work extraordinarily no matter what!

Not at all! While I’m based in the D.C./Baltimore area, I regularly travel for weddings and elopements. Whether you’re saying your vows on a cliffside, in a quiet forest beneath the canopy of the Redwoods, or at a historic European villa, I’m always ready to document your celebration wherever it comes to life. All of my destination wedding and elopement packages are designed with pre-included travel costs, so you never have to worry about additional fees, or surprise charges.

Documentary photography encompasses a more story-focused strategy, focusing on the documentation of real moments in real time that happen with minimal imposition or coercion. For example, think of genuine emotions, unposed interactions, and the quiet in-between moments that tie the bigger picture together. Traditional photography, on the other hand, tends to be more structured, with posed portraits and strictly guided shots. My approach leans toward documentary, blending in a few artfully directed moments when needed to create a collection that feels true to you and the atmosphere of your day. If you want to learn more, I’ve curated a full blog post here.

Once we’ve refined the details of your celebration, I’ll collaborate with you (and your planner, if you have one) to build a thoughtful timeline that balances structure and flexibility with ease. I’ll ensure there’s ample time to photograph every meaningful moment that transpires, while allowing space for spontaneity and quiet pauses. The goal is to create a seamless, natural flow—so you can stay fully present while I document the day with intention, artistry, and a keen sense of observation.