Wild Elements Photography
Maryland Documentary Wedding & Elopement Photographer

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

Digital + Film

Wild Elements Photography
Maryland Documentary Wedding & Elopement Photographer

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.

(and 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, reliving it. 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…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 that you can feel through the collection of our photos. Their passion for their work brings out your 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 through working with them. We are so thankful!
    kennedy + garrett | seven valleys, pennsylvania

Meet Ciana – Your Elopement Experience Designer & Wedding Photographer

Maryland-based Elopement & Wedding Photographer available for world travel to document your stories.

Hey, it’s so nice to meet you!

As a documentary-style destination elopement and wedding photographer, I have this overwhelming belief that all people, (yes – including you), should be able to recognize the importance of their stories. We all deserve to see our lives reflected in a way that feels true, including personal heirlooms that attest to the profundities of our lives.

You see, I’ve developed this passion to explore the moments in which the experience of the individual becomes an artistic rendition of the soul. Because of this, my work has evolved to be rooted in the act of storytelling – the subtle glances, the bursts of laughter, and the deep breaths – the parts of your story that feel most like you.

My approach is simple – relaxed but intentional, part gentle direction, and part quiet observation – so your photos feel like tangible replicas of the moments that are unrepeatable. I lean into a distinctly candid and earth-centric style, one that lends itself to balancing the ease of unposed moments with an editorial touch, resulting in imagery that demonstrates the profound dynamics of your story.

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A Wild Elements Experience is Different – It Transcends Tradition.

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 document what happens – I document 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.

Every elopement & wedding package includes:

exclusive elopement and wedding photo guides
logistical assistance & unlimited planning calls
no additional travel fees or surprise expenses
collaborative & expert timeline building
unobtrusive documentary approach

ECLECTIC | real | SOULFUL | emotional | CONNECTED

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

Destination elopements & weddings

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.

What happens next?

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!

Ready to start planning one of the best days of your life?

Fill out this form to reach out, and get started.
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE everything they have done for us.
    Ciana is hands down the only person I trust to capture my special moments. She has photographed/filmed our engagement, wedding, adventure shoots, anniversary shoot, and most recently our pregnancy announcement. When you invite Ciana into your life, you gain not only an incredibly skilled individual, but a person who truly holds your hearts and best interests close. She also has an amazing second, Ryan, who we absolutely adore, and brings another creative mind to the table to capture every idea to its fullest.
    Lauren + Isaiah | Frederick, maryland
Frequently asked questions about DESTINATION elopements & weddings

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.

planning resources, stories, and more

WILD ELEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Maryland Documentary Wedding & Elopement Photographer

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

DIGITAL & FILM