Marla Manes Photography

Marla Manes Photography

Based In: Seattle, WA
Business Attributes: Woman Owned
Photographer: Marla Manes Photography

Marla Manes Photography

Based In: Seattle, WA
Business Attributes: Woman Owned

Not into the whole “big wedding” thing? Let me guess– you’re looking for something beautiful and meaningful, adventurous and fun. You know there are so many gorgeous places where you could go, but you also know that no matter where you choose, it’ll be perfect because you’ll have your partner by your side.

You know that you want to feel like yourself on your wedding day, and actually be able to enjoy your time with your partner as you take this step toward the rest of your lives!

That’s where I come in 🙂

Hey, I’m Marla!

An elopement photographer that’s majorly obsessed with the gorgeous landscapes that encompass the state of Utah.

I moved out west from South Florida back in 2020, seeking out the kind of scenery that love stories deserve to be told in, and absolutely fell for the beauty found in this part of the country.

I’m here to guide you through the entire planning process, from finding your ceremony spot and securing permits to choosing your vendors and planning your timeline.

I might be the right photographer for you if you’re looking for…

  • Bright, true-to-life colors that will never fall out of fashion
  • An experienced elopement expert that’s able to help you create your dream day
  • And photos that capture not only the beauty of your day, but the feeling of it

My values:

Equity + Inclusivity

I will do everything in my power to make you feel comfortable during our time together and give you amazing photos, no matter the color of your skin, your ethnic background, your gender identity, sexuality, religion, or size.

Environmental Sustainability

My degree is actually in sustainability, and environmental stewardship is extremely important to me. I’m a Leave No Trace certified photographer, and I’ll never ask you to do anything for a photo that would harm the environment. 

All of my packages include:

  • Unlimited planning assistance and resources
  • Customized location recommendations and timeline creation
  • Officiant services (yup, I’m ordained!)
  • All travel costs, no matter where you elope
  • Expert elopement photography coverage and all digital images included

On my website you can find resources like: Ultimate Utah Elopement Guide, How to Elope in Moab, How to Plan a Bonneville Salt Flats Elopement, elopement timeline tips, and so much more😉

Want to get started, or have a few questions?

You can head to my website for more information, or shoot me an email using the form below! Whether you inquire through here or on my site, you can expect an email response from me in the next two days.

I do everything I can to make sure you feel comfortable and valued on your elopement day so that you can focus on the good stuff– the views, the vows, and the moments you’ll never want to end.

Sound good? Send me a message and I’ll get in touch!

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Marla is an absolute joy and she has immense talent. You can see her talent through her website and her Instagram, but what you don’t necessarily see are all the little details you get from her when you book her. She has an amazing, user friendly client portal where she asks you all the logistic questions and also meaningful questions about you and your partner and what makes your love story special. She is easy to get a hold of and she is very responsive. She is encouraging, supportive, kind, funny, and a wealth of knowledge. Marla was the first vendor we booked for our elopement and we didn’t really know how to elope in a National Park! She walked us through so many details and encouraged us that, yes, it can be done! Essentially all of our other vendors ended up coming from her recommendations and they were also all amazing! So in addition to being a stunning photographer, she knows all the lovely people in the industry!

Her photography speaks for itself- she has so much talent. On your wedding day, she’s definitely in her element. She has so much joy for what she does and she knows exactly how to capture magical photos of your love and of the beautiful surroundings. All of our guests loved her because she is kind and flexible and not the least bit bossy or demanding. I can’t recommend her enough. She is worth every single penny! Thank you, Marla!!!

Annelise & Jacob
2023; Olympic National Park

If you are searching for the best elopement photographer, Marla is it! She is an amazing human and photographer. Marla is personable, communicative, professional, and so incredibly talented. 100% recommend eloping and hiring her!

She helped guide us through the elopement planning process, gave us several location recommendations, and came up with a great timeline that helped make our day perfect. We needed a last minute officiant and within an hour, she was able to connect us with available officiants in her community and had a list for us to review. What could have been a stressful situation turned out to be just a mild hiccup in the process.

During our elopement, she radiated calm and confidence. We were able to focus on each other and enjoy the day. She made us feel absolutely comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera.

The final product blew us away. Marla’s talent shines through her work. She captured the breathtaking scenery, the adorable critters, and our joy as we made our commitment to each other. Marla truly captured the magic of the day and we will cherish our beautiful photos forever.

Oksana & Jay
2023, Mt. Rainier National Park

Marla is everything you want in an elopement photographer and so much more. She has an eye for beauty, connection, and love for both Mother Earth and between you and your partner. From the moment you book her until long after your special day, she has a clear investment in your happiness. She gets to know you personally, and on your elopement day you have her undivided attention.

She has incredible talent. My husband and I had the best day ever with her. If we were to do this whole crazy process all over again, the one thing we absolutely would never think of changing is our choice to book her. She is worth every penny and so much more. Book her. Just book her. You will not regret it. Marla, you are the absolute best! 💕

Melissa & Anthony
2023, Mt. Rainier National Park

If you are looking for an elopement photographer, look no further! My husband and I traveled from out of state to elope at the Olympic National Forest and booked a session with Marla at the Hoh Rainforest. She was super helpful before our trip with recommendations and we felt confident in speaking to her that we chose the right spot. She is very easy to talk to and wonderful with communication.
My husband and I don’t feel particularly comfortable in front of the camera, but she made taking photos so easy and fun and we had the best time exploring the forest with her - she is a lovely person and you can tell how passionate she is about capturing beautiful moments. It was wonderful to work with someone who loves what they do so much! The photos she took are so special - she captures the magic in the natural surroundings equally as well as capturing the love and joy that we have for one another. Each shot is not only stunning, but will help us remember the wonder-filled time we had exploring this part of the world and celebrating our love for each other.

Katie & Jason
2023, Olympic National Park

Marla made our wedding day process the most beautiful, stress free and unforgettable experiences. When we met Marla, we knew immediately we wanted someone so cheerful, kind and caring to adventure out with us on our special day! She helps you plan your elopement step by step and focuses on you and ensuring you have everything you want and more that day! Marla is so full of knowledge and doesn’t let you stress about finding an answer because she seriously will give you so many resources and is available every step of the way! When we spoke to Marla about wanting a winter elopement she was up for the challenge! Marla is not only your photographer, she is the adventurous friend, your biggest advocate for having fun and honestly your maid of honor because she makes it all about you and making sure you have the best experience! She is truly your cheerleader on your wedding day! Marla made our vision come to life! When we received our gallery we were in awe and so taken away by her talent and what she captured that day! She made us relive every moment of our wedding day! She is a true storyteller with her images. We couldn’t have been more thankful have her with us! You make a lifelong friend because she will always be an important part of your wedding day! She makes you love planning your special day and we will forever be thankful for the journey! Thank you Marla!!!

Mirka & Spencer
2023; Mt. Baker

Marla was absolutely incredible!! Her website caught our eye, and she got back to us quickly when we reached out for the elopement information. She was incredibly helpful with the planning process and sent us so much information about how to pace the day, along with a ton of fantastic recommendations for vendors! She was always available for any last minute questions and was able to perfectly capture the exact vibe (wildflowers, fairy, woodsy) we were going for on our wedding day, which was amazing!! Marla went above and beyond on the day of and made the entire process so easy! My husband and I are super introverted and were worried about looking awkward in our pictures, and Marla was able to capture the love between us perfectly! She had amazing cues to help us feel less anxious about our pictures and captured the most gorgeous candids I’ve ever had taken. We couldn’t be happier with Marla and her work!! Absolutely hire her, she made the eloping process feel effortless and our pictures are literal perfection!!💖

Emily & Nick
2023, Mt. Rainier National Park

If you need an elopement photographer drop everything and book Marla right now!! We changed our wedding last minute from Hawaii to Vashon Island WA and Marla was the only photographer whose work grabbed my attention! We had a great first call and I could not have asked for a better photographer. Marla was amazing in getting all the photos I asked for, traveling with us, and doing a first look on the ferry. She helped keep me calm and made the day feel just about Adam and I. She captured the joy we felt throughout the day and brought so much fun to our photos! I have had more people compliment me on our photos than I thought possible. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MARLA!!

Lauren & Adam
2021, Vashon Island
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Stress-free elopements for adventurous couples♥

Wandering Since 2020
Marla Manes Photography
Marla Manes Photography

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