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Ciana Salisbury | Maryland Documentary Wedding & Elopement Photographer

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TERMS & PRIVACY

“Documentary-style” wedding photography has become

“Documentary-style” wedding photography has become such a buzzword in the world of weddings and elopements, but what does it *really* mean? What does documentary-style photo coverage *really* look like?

Well, it looks like this.

A, the absolutely stunning bride you see here, and her family spent the morning together candidly. They didn’t let the idea of perfectionism derail them from sharing this experience together authentically, in fact they did just the opposite.

They let the kids be kids, they shared belly laughs across rooms, they pivoted with the natural flow of the moment, and they forgot about the camera being close by so they could just exist in the happiness and excitement of the occasion.

It was chaotic. It was joyful. It was real.

As a photographer, creating imagery with this kind of depth and emotion attached to it comes from leaning into observation with one eye, and anticipation with the other.

It comes from only injecting when the moment naturally calls for it, and embodying what it means to act as a fly on the wall.

But as the couple getting married, creating imagery like this comes from embracing your humanity and imperfections, living for the experience and not for the “likes”, and following your heart throughout the day.

It comes from finding the magic that resides in between the biggest moments of the celebration, and doing things in whatever way makes you happiest.

Documentary wedding photography is just a fancy way of describing unscripted photos that truly feel like you.

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Winter has a way of turning this little corner of

Winter has a way of turning this little corner of Maryland into something that resembles something of a far-off, powdery wonderland when the conditions are just right!

Located just outside of Baltimore and an easy drive from D.C., this is one of those places where you can feel tucked into nature without being hours away from home. You’ll find trails framed by towering trees, beautiful overlook points, and a mirror-like reservoir that creates the kind of secluded environment that feels like it’s made for intimate vows.

(And yes - just like I mentioned before, your dog is a welcome participant!)

This is also one of the simplest locations to elope in the area, as there are minimal requirements, no tremendously steep fees, and there’s so much to explore!

Remember, your elopement can happen virtually anywhere, (even this close to home). If you and your partner have been daydreaming of a peaceful, low-stress winter elopement celebration that feels both close and far away all at once, this might just be the spot for you.

Send me a message, and I’ll share everything you need to know ;)

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Raging winds and floods of golden light can work i

Raging winds and floods of golden light can work in tandem with each other if you’ve got the heart to bear it, and these two did just that in order to announce their pregnancy to friends and family alike.

When the wedding and elopement season begins to wind down, my calendar suddenly becomes full of other celebrations just like this one. People tend to forget that there are so many things, both big and small, worth celebrating every single day - and the moments spent like this are truly the best reminders of all the miracles life has to offer.

I suppose I don’t have much to say, other than this. But, if there’s one thing I can encourage you to do, it would be to always remember the seasons of life you experience however it is most meaningful to you.

First babies, and last babies.
Old houses, and new ones.
First anniversaries, and tenth anniversaries.
Personal independence, and togetherness.
Warm days, and frigid ones.
Opening new chapters, and closing old ones.

They all matter the same. Don’t let the years slip by without slowing down for just a little, and documenting your life in its present form. These two lovely people featured above know what the road looked like to get here, and these images will continue to be a constant reminder of what this very special time will always mean to them.

If there’s something important you want to make time to remember, my inbox is open and waiting. Let me help you preserve your memories and your legacy in one of the most creative and personal ways of all.

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During the late summer, I was invited to photograp

During the late summer, I was invited to photograph a family I’ve had the pleasure of both knowing and working with throughout the last seven years. Although this project was out of the norm for me, I was eager to accept for two reasons:

I absolutely adore this family, and I felt honored that they chose me to be apart of something so deeply personal for them. These folks are true workers and lovers of the land, so to see them in this way felt so natural and authentic to who they are.

And

If you know me, you know that horses are a unique part of my life that I don’t get to indulge in very often these days, (boo to living in Suburbia). However, I jump at every opportunity to ride horseback, or to work alongside these beautiful animals whenever at all possible, (still manifesting a horseback elopement in the mountains one of these days 🤞🏽).

I don’t have much more to say as I sit and stare at these frames, other than I’m grateful to be trusted by so many of you in moments like this one. You all would be shocked to know how much your memories impact and inspire me every day. This is just part one of this really spectacular experience, and I’m looking forward to sharing more over time.

So, here’s to more photos on your homesteads. Here’s to celebrating on the land. Here’s to more time spent looking at the world on top of a saddle. Here’s to documenting more of your life at home, doing what you love.

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When most people hear the word “elopement”, they s

When most people hear the word “elopement”, they still imagine running off in secret or skipping all of the “big” parts of a wedding. But the truth? Eloping today is about leaning into what really matters - it’s about slowing down, being intentional with the decisions you make, and building a wedding experience that feels like you.

You have to remember that you’re not creating a production to serve everyone else, and you’re certainly not meant to follow cookie-cutter formats that don’t align with who you are, what you want, or what you’ve been dreaming about.

Yes, an elopement can be just the two of you, perhaps on a mountain peak just as the sun is cresting the horizon. Or, it can be deep in the forest on a rainy day like G + C above. It can also include your closest family, a beautiful dinner of delicacies, or traditions that are deeply meaningful to you. But, what it doesn’t include are the expectations of others, strict timelines, or pressure that never resonated with you in the first place.

Elopements are about reclaiming your wedding day, you know, saying “yes” in a way that attests volumes to your vision, values, and story. And the best part of it all? There are NO rules.

Curious if eloping is for you? In one of my featured blog posts, I broke down what an elopement really is, (and isn’t), how couples are reinventing the meaning of this choice, common myths, how to start planning, and why it’s one of the most empowering ways to get married.

Ready to learn more? Tap the link in my bio to read the full guide, or reach out directly if you’re already picturing what your day could look like. Let’s make it real, let’s make your “I do” feel like you’ve always imagined.

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There is really no rhyme or reason to this post to

There is really no rhyme or reason to this post today, but merely an opportunity to put a thought I had to (digital) pen and paper.

You see, I only work with a handful of couples getting married each year, twenty to be exact. And while most of the couples I work with choose to elope, the other 20% opt for something a little bit bigger, (often in some of the most beautiful places this world has to offer too).

I’m no stranger to complicated family dynamics, which might be why I find such a deep and unfamiliar appreciation for couples surrounded by large, loving communities that rally behind them through everything.

And it’s through them, I get to experience something I never have before - and wow, the profundity of something like that alters the spectrum of my creativity and understanding of relationships in ways that are hard to put into words.

When I saw all of these wine glasses lined up along a bar on the beach at a wedding I was photographing last fall, I stopped for a moment and thought, “what a gift it is to have a table so full”. I mean really, how lucky this couple must feel to have so many people in their lives ready to fill each of those glasses with wine, yes, but also with spirit, laughter, and their unconditional love.

Even for someone like me, someone who finds greater comfort in the unknowns and seclusion of elopement days, intentionally reserving a few parts of my year for celebrations like this feels like such a privilege.

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I feel incredibly lucky that this job invites frie

I feel incredibly lucky that this job invites friendship to remain ever-present in the relationships I form with new and returning clients.

I mean think about it - how many kinds of exchanges do you make on a day-to-day basis? Probably a lot, and probably even way more than you realize. Phone calls, text messages, likes, comments, purchases, returns, hires, and so on. Now, think about how many of those result in a genuine connection that blossoms into something greater over a period of years?

It’s actually quite astonishing.

This kind of phenomenon is so rare in our lives today. Everything is becoming artificial, hyper-simplified for over-convenience, and just downright transactional. But in this world, my world, my first meeting with someone often turns into an extended invitation to witness the happenings of their lives throughout every milestone or celebration, every year or anniversary, or even every decade.

The power of that thought alone is enough to humble me for a lifetime.

It’s not everyday that I share work outside of wedding and elopement days, but I’m starting to realize maybe I should. I pour so much of my heart and soul into planning and documenting these outrageously epic wedding and elopement experiences, but what about the kind of heart and soul that comes after?

Babies are born, houses are built, homes are made, anniversaries are shared, date nights are celebrated, families grow, and life continues to evolve.

Every time I try to imagine my life before this job, I find my memories are colored with a hint of grey. To think about the stories I wouldn’t have been able to share, the places I wouldn’t have been able to see, and the people I wouldn’t have been able to know without the path bridged by my camera is a truly troubling thought.

Here’s to another day surrounded by a community of people who decided that the preservation of their memories were worth more than a meager transaction, and wanted to keep the pages turning.

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It’s with a full heart that I get to share the fir

It’s with a full heart that I get to share the first glimpse into A + J’s late-summer celebration, surrounded by their dearest friends and family, and accompanied by their three smart, spunky, and beautiful baby girls.

This wedding was extra special because I’ve had the good fortune of being able to call A + J my friends for years now. The way these two compliment each other, love each other, and support each other is a testament to the stories they write about “true love”, (which believe me, I know sounds SO cliche, but it’s hard to find another way to describe the kind of relationship they have).

This experience was a whirlwind, but in only the best possible way of course. From the beginning of the day to the very end, there was nothing but unconditional love, celebratory shouts, fits of rolling laughter, sentimental tears, and killer dance moves. And believe me, if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that these two know how to throw a party, (the playlist was 10/10).

Though I rarely photograph weddings of this stature these days, I couldn’t think of a better way to close out my summer season other than with these two people, and their adoring families. All of the thanks to you guys for letting me be even just a small part of the whole story.

Here’s a special thanks and shoutout to the vendors that made this day possible:

Venue | @lauxmontfarmsweddings
Photographer | @wildelementsphotography  Hair & Makeup | @raeeleww
Catering | @sonsofsicilypizza
Desert Truck | @konaice
DJ | @crossingthelineent
Dress | @davidsbridal
Florals | @customfloraldesigner

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