Alaska wedding photographer

Cooper Landing Alaska Wedding Day | Elijah + Olivia

Nestled in the heart of Alaska, Cooper Landing is a hidden gem that offers some of the most breathtaking backdrops for a wedding. When Elijah and Olivia decided to tie the knot, this pristine location was their number one choice. Cooper Landing, situated along the banks of the Kenai River, is a picturesque paradise surrounded by lush forests, glistening waters, and towering mountains. As their photographer, capturing their wedding was both an honor and an adventure. Here’s a peek into their sweet fall wedding day.

The day began with Olivia and her bridesmaids getting ready in a cozy A-frame cabin with large windows letting in soft, natural light. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and excitement, real life moments. Olivia’s wedding dress, an ethereal lace gown with intricate detailing, hung perfectly against the backdrop of pine trees outside. Elijah and his groomsmen got ready in a rustic log cabin elsewhere on the property. The groom wore a navy blue suit, complemented by a boutonniere featuring native wildflowers!

Elijah and Olivia had their first look in front of the river and took the moment to read each other private vows. This is always one of my favorite things that couples do; taking a moment for themselves without an audience to soak in the day and their promises.

Friends and family watched with joy as Elijah and Olivia became husband and wife in front of the mountains and the river. We frolicked around the venue taking photos, swinging from a tree, walking out onto the dock on the river, and making the most of Cooper Landing, AK in the fall.

After the portrait session it was time for the party! The reception was full of personal touches, heartfelt speeches from loved ones, and really good cake.

Congratulations to Elijah and Olivia!

Cooper Landing Alaska Fall Wedding Photography by Rachel Struve

If you’re liking what you’re seeing and are looking for a photographer to capture your day in all its glory, click here!


Kind Words

“She’s amazing to work with, so talented, and a genuinely great human being. I’m so glad that I found her and had the opportunity to work with her. I can honestly say we found a friend through her and can’t wait until we get to visit Alaska again so we can catch up with her!” — Bao & Bianca

Dreamy Alaskan Elopement | Connor + Alissa

Connor and Alissa chose Whittier Alaska, their 12ish favorite people and their pups to create the perfect elopement day adventure for the two of them. Everyone got ready in a big cabin in Girdwood before making the drive to the overlook of their dreams in Whittier.


We all hiked down to the most serene little beach spot; Alissa got dressed on the beach and hid in a cove while the groom skipped rocks and the rest of the crew set up their ceremony in front of a stream running into the ocean.

Their ceremony (performed by their dear friend) was sweet and emotional. I never want couples to feel any pressure to “force emotion” during wedding day moments, but I DO want them to feel relaxed, comfortable, and safe to have the space to be authentically themselves and in their feels on their big day.

We raced against the tide to take some one of a kind portraits by the ocean before hiking back up to a perfect snack spread on the picnic tables. We took photos with the crew, drank whisky, and frolicked around in a field.

Thank you to Connor and Alissa for choosing me to document this day that they did their way!

The shots of them out on the rocks in the ocean are maybe some of the most epic photos I’ve ever taken, enjoyyyyy

Planning your own epic but personal adventure elopement and need it photographed?! click here, let’s talk!


Kind Words

“She’s amazing to work with, so talented, and a genuinely great human being. I’m so glad that I found her and had the opportunity to work with her. I can honestly say we found a friend through her and can’t wait until we get to visit Alaska again so we can catch up with her!”

— Bao & Bianca

Jade + Nick in Hatcher Pass // Alaska Elopement Photographer

Jade + Nick’s Hatcher Pass Elopement // Alaska Elopement Photographer

This love story started with a heated conversation (argument?) about aliens, and other important things.

Jade and Nick recounted the details of their first long conversation in the vows they shared during an epic, windy ceremony in Hatcher Pass. After photographing these two for their engagement session and now their elopement, all I could think when I walked away was “They REALLY like each other.” 

From the way they teased each other to the way they kissed, their love and relationship was so strong and beautiful and I was so honored to be their elopement photographer.

Their day felt peaceful and relaxed from start to finish, and Hatcher Pass was of course stunning. Alaska brought all of her wild glory with the sun and wind, and the view from their ceremony felt like you were on top of the world. There’s a reason Hatcher Pass is such a popular elopement location in Alaska. I love photographing there because even though it’s always beautiful, the light and the atmosphere are always different, like much of Alaska - you never know what you’re going to get.

Here are just a few images (oh yes, there are so many more) from their elopement day - getting ready moments, first look feels, hanging out before the ceremony, windy vows, exploring around the mountains, and champagne toasts by the river later.

the ending

From Engagement Photos to to Wedding Photos | Alaska Wedding Photographer

Have you ever thought about the importance of having the same photographer from engagements to wedding?

I recommend an engagement shoot to ALL of my elopement and wedding clients. Not only do you get special, unique to you photos of the engagement season without the timeline pressure of the wedding day, but it allows US to get to know each other.

Engagement sessions give you the opportunity to get comfortable in front of my camera BEFORE the wedding. You will spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than any other vendor, so it really helps if you’re not meeting for the first time ON your wedding day, ya know? I much prefer having already made memories with my couples heading into it!!

Let me introduce you to Caleb & Kenzie! They hired me as their photographer from their engagement to wedding, and I wanted to share their experience here so you get an idea of what it’s like!

Couples snowy engagement photos in Anchorage

When I chatted with Caleb and Kenzie on the phone for their initial planning call, after we talked through all of the wedding details, they asked "can we be friends?" to which I promptly replied YES.
This is how you should feel right off the bat! Please please please, click with your photographer. “Can we be friends!?” should be a question you want to ask them!

Even if you only get to hang out while shooting, it should feel organic and natural and fun to hang out together!

Couple embracing against a snowy backdrop for their Alaska engagement session
Couple wrapped up in a blanket with hot cocoa for their engagement photos in Anchorage

You can see their full engagement session on the blog HERE.

Couple playing in the snow by by Rachel Struve who was their photographer from engagements to wedding

For their engagement session we shot in winter on the frozen Eklutna lake. We attempted to start a fire, unsuccessfully because of the wind, but it was a good story for later lol.

Their wedding was the exact opposite - full sun in the middle of June and we were all TOASTY. We took full advantage of the noon sun and created dreamy frolic-through-the-field-of-flowers photos! I love their unique alaskan boho vibe - their whole look and the wedding decor came together perfectly.

Shout out to The Teal Door AK for the amazing florals!

Wedding details at a Summer Alaska boho wedding
Bride getting into her dress the woods for Alaska elopement
First look at Summer wedding by Rachel Struve, who was their photographer From Engagements to Wedding
Bride and groom kissing in the woods for their Alaska Summer boho wedding
Bride and groom walking through field of flowers in Palmer, AK

Caleb and Kenzie are BEST. FRIENDS.

They are so excited about life together it, made you feel SO excited for them. Their wedding was such a fun celebration of both of their journeys to each other and the beginning of their journey together. Apparently all their friends saw it coming for YEARS so there were a lot of cheers of "FINALLY."

Groom and bride spinning in a field of flowers
Couple on their wedding day by Rachel Struve who shot them From Engagements to Wedding
Groomsmen for boho wedding in Palmer, AK
Bridesmaids with bride for her Summer wedding in Alaska
Bride walking down the aisle for her Summer Alaskan wedding outside
Outdoor Alaska ceremony by Rachel Struve who shot them from Engagements to Wedding
Newlyweds showing off their wedding rings and wedding tattoos
Beautiful Alaska bride at her boho Summer outdoor wedding
Reception details at an outdoor Alaska summer wedding
Newlyweds sharing a first dance by Rachel Struve who shot them From Engagements to Wedding
Newlyweds cutting their cake at outdoor Alaska reception
Bride and groom sitting in camping chairs for their relaxed wedding reception
Guest dancing in a field at an outdoor wedding reception
Guests dancing at an outdoor wedding reception in Palmer, Alaska

Being able to walk with them from their engagement season to their wedding day was amazing and brought so much depth and happy feelings to the day of the wedding. I would call them friends to this day.

The better you know your photographer, the more comfortable you'll be with them and it creates an intimacy and comfortable feeling in photos that's hard to create otherwise.

If you’re ready to book your engagement session and start the process for your Alaska wedding, inquire HERE.

New Year's Eve Intimate Alaskan Winter Elopement

when Raven shared with me that she and her high school sweetheart were planning on eloping new year’s eve, I was THRILLED. not only did I love the fact that we had chosen the same day to get married (my husband and I got married that afternoon!), but I’ve shot with Raven and Wyatt before - they are adventurous, kind to others and to each other, and as you’ll see in these photos - so very in love. We met and hiked out to Thunderbird falls for the ceremony. Raven wore her grandmother’s fur coat and Wyatt wore his nice sneakers, and they both laughed and radiated love the entire morning.

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Raven was beaming as she barreled past me to her groom.

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since I had some leftover flowers from my bouquet I threw a couple together as a gift for Raven - she hid behind them for most of the ceremony because she was crying so much haha!

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Wyatt made fun of her after the ceremony for blubbering during their vows, but we have proof that he was JUST as emotional as she was.

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they had a short, sweet ceremony officiated by a friend with a few other close friends in attendance, and went out to lunch afterward.

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JUST MARRIED LIKE WHAAT?!

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there was a windstorm the night before so we had some obstacles getting to and from the location at Thunderbird Falls, but honestly, that just added to the excitement of it.

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ALSO WE RAN INTO THIS PUPPY

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also guys - he VOLUNTEERED to take his socks and shoes off, walk through ice cold rocky stream, and take his bride closer to the frozen waterfall for photos. can we say groom goals?!

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Raven bought her lovely dress at Nordstrom - the mud from our climb over just made it more beautiful.

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true love in action, folks

true love in action, folks

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I could not resist ending it on this note. happy marriage, you two.

are you planning an elopement? send me a message, I’d love to be your photographer!