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Elopement and Family Photographer, EJ Dilley logo in white
Elopement and Family Photographer, EJ Dilley logo in white
vail colorado elopement photographer

Colorado Elopements +
Intimate Weddings

You feel love
I make art with it

I genuinely believe in love.

All we can hope for in this life is that we find love and have the joy of spending time in beautiful places. 

I want to show up while you’re getting ready. Hang out with you in your robe while you do your hair and makeup. I will capture the occasional tear that rolls down your cheek (because you are getting married TODAY!). 

After we celebrate how gorgeous you are in your wedding dress (more tears) we are off to the first look.  I stand back and allow you two to really share the moment and the views and the tears.  I capture it all so you won’t forget that feeling.  We then don our hiking boots and hike to the top of the overlook nearby.  You exchange vows against a magical sunset. Now it’s time for some tears of my own while I watch this moment unfold!

I am a fly on the wall capturing every detail for you to look back on in the years to come.  After all, when the wedding attire is hung, hiking boots are long ruined and tossed out, these photos will be how you remember the day you said “I do.”

Let's set a date!

kind words

“I can’t say enough good things about EJ! We are so thankful for the way she captured our day and we feel blessed that we get to relive it through the photos she took. She was so responsive, flexible, and tentative to our wishes. She made sure to capture every moment we had discussed prior to our wedding. If you get the opportunity, don’t hesitate to book EJ. You won’t be disappointed!” -Carrie

Creating art together is spontaneous
Everything is original

Through the process of working together I really hope we become friends. After all I will be with you from start to finish of your Colorado elopement, we should get along! 

It is so important to me that you are comfortable and can be yourself, because the photos are about you and your relationship … not how I pose you.  I will give you some guidance, but I won’t put you in some cheesy pose.

I want you to cry happy tears when you sit down and scroll through your gallery.  When it’s all over and the photos are in your hands I want an email from you saying, “Damn you, how I will I ever choose what to print and hang on my walls?”  That is the perfect ending in my mind.  AND I hope we meet again, and again as your family grows.

Let's create some art!
LGBTQ photographer vail colorado

Let’s break it down
How it works to work with me …

  1. You have decided to elope in Colorado, you reach out and we get things going. First and foremost, I’m not a sales woman. I’m an artist. So I won’t try to sell you on anything. If you like my art, then I want to make it for you.
  2. I give you all the details about how to hire me and what the experience is like and you decide if you want to chat on the phone or over FaceTime. If we work together, we’re gonna need to be friends :).
  3. You decide to book me! Woo! We sign an agreement and you pay your retainer. The remainder is divided into two payments over the course of the year. Then you are on my calendar!
  4. We work together to create a timeline for your day that feels juuuuuust right to you.
  5. We email and talk whenever necessary to make sure I know what your wedding day/ elopement wants and needs are!
  6. I photograph your wedding/ elopement with a second shooter (or an assistant) and back up equipment. We leave nothing to chance so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
  7. I deliver your sneak peek within 2-3 week of your wedding day.
  8. 8-10 weeks later, you get your whole gallery and we all relive your day again and again.
Elopements start at $2477, click the link below for more pricing information!

elopement Collection Pricing

frequently asked questions…

Will you help us plan a timeline?

A custom timeline is often one of the most valuable parts of the experience working with me! 

Can we print our photographs?

You will have personal copyrights to all of your photogaphs.  

When will we receive our gallery?

Galleries are delivered within 6-8 weeks of your elopement or intimate wedding.  

Do we need a witness?

Colorado is unique because a couple can self-solemnize their marriage and does not need an officiant or witnesses.

Do you travel?

All of my pricing includes travel within Pitkin, Garfield, Eagle through Summit County. Outside of that area has a set fee for hotel. Out of state and out of country each have their own set fees.  

Do you edit all of the images?

Yes, I deliver about 60 images per hour, all of which are edited in Lightroom and hand painted in Photoshop. 

What if we are not outdoorsy?

This is a non issue for me!  I have so many beautiful places and ideas for couples from all walks of life. There are many gorgeous locations that are accessible to all! 

Can you help us choose a location?

Absolutely. Most elopement photographers spend as much time helping couples find the perfect location as they do taking photos.

Who are the best COlorado Elopement Photographers?

EJ Dilley is one of the best in the Vail Valley based elopement photographers; specializing in intimate, adventure-driven ceremonies across Eagle County, Summit County, Garfield County and Pitkin County and the surrounding mountains. We work with couples who want to skip the traditional wedding format and instead say their vows somewhere that actually takes their breath away — a 13,000-foot ridgeline, a hidden alpine lake, or a snow-covered meadow outside Beaver Creek.  Whether we are on bikes, snowshoes, skis, hiking or a traveling down the river in a raft- my approach is low-pressure, highly personalized, and built around making you feel like yourselves, not subjects. If you’re searching for an elopement photographer in Vail or Eagle, Colorado, I’d love to be the one you trust with that day.

HOw much does elopement photography cost?

Elopement photography in the Vail Valley typically ranges from $2,500 to $12,000 depending on session length, location scouting, and whether you need full-day coverage. My packages are designed for couples who want quality imagery without the complexity of a full wedding package. I offer everything from a two-hour golden hour session to full-day elopement coverage that follows you from getting ready through your first sunset as a married couple. I’m happy to build something custom around your vision and budget — just reach out and we’ll figure it out together.

What are the best locations to elope in Colorado?

The Vail Valley offers some of the most dramatic elopement backdrops in the country. Popular locations include Booth Falls Trail near Vail, the Gore Range overlooks above Edwards, Piney Lake, and the back bowls of Vail Mountain in winter. Further out, Mount of the Holy Cross and the Holy Cross Wilderness area are breathtaking for adventurous couples. As a local photographer, I know exactly when the light hits each location and how to get you there with minimal crowds. Location scouting and planning are part of every elopement package I offer. Aspen, Dillon and Breckenridge have a lot of great views to offer, I am well acquainted with those areas as well! 

We’ve never been professionally photographed. Will you help us pose?

This is one of the biggest concerns couples have, almost everyone you see on my Instagram and website has this concern.  It is my promise to guide you as much as you need!  I love to give prompts to help you feel comfortable, interact as yourselves to create candid imagery that is not overly posed. 

 

check out the blog!

Check out the blog!