I’m rachel!

You want photos that capture you two in your natural element (i.e. exploring and tons of laughter)!!! When you book me, you get that plus alllll the resources you need along the way! Want to know more about what it's like working with me?!

PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE ADVENTUROUS COUPLES

meet your photographer!

explore the blog:

weddings

adventure sessions

engagement photos

portraits

wedding tips

photographer education

This was the most stunning Mendocino elopement of all time!!! Not only was it in the most gorgeous location, but it was just a few days before Christmas and I loved the subtle holiday details in the decor!

Sarah and Alex have the sweetest love story! They’d known one another almost their whole lives and were each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend in middle school!!! They broke up before high school, but reconnected later in life and knew they were meant to be!

Elopement Details

The whole day was such a beautiful testament to their story and everything was so thoughtfully personalized to the two of them!!!

First, the customized decor and handmade details were so perfect. Sarah handmade her Christmas bouquet and even put twinkle lights in it!! Alex’s suit had important dates and his officer number weaved into subtly. I loved it all!! Also, they have three dogs but unfortunately this location was not dog friendly. This was going to be the first weekend ever that Alex wasn’t with his police K9 partner, so Sarah decided to bring them creatively. After the ceremony, Sarah surprised Alex with cut-outs of them so it could still feel like they were there. Check out those pictures, Alex’s reaction is pure gold!!

wedding detail photo, christmas bouquet, bridal christmas bouquet, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

wedding rings, christmas boutonniere, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

customized bridal robe, bridal hair inspo, boho bridal hair, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride getting ready, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bridal makeup, bridal makeup inspo, christmas bridal bouquet,
christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bridal hair, bridal braid, boho bridal hair, bridal hair half up, bridal comb, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

black and white wedding dress photo, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

black and white groom reading wedding letter, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom photos, groom buttoning jacket, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom cufflink photo, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom getting ready, groom buttoning cuff, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride reading wedding letter, wedding dress train, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride reading wedding letter with veil on, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

My favorite moment!!

Lastly, one of my favorite wedding moments EVER happened too!!

Moments before we walked out for their ceremony, Sarah announced last minute she wanted a tequila shot so we grabbed Alex and set him on the other side of the wall and poured tequila into champagne glasses for them to toast without seeing each other…BUT as I counted down to 1 for them to throw it back, Sarah took hers like a champ and Alex waited for the OJ chaser to arrive in hand!! I started cracking up as I told Sarah he cheated and the photos really do say it all!!! hahah.

bride and groom cheers, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom toast, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom toast, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, mendocino, mendocino elopement inspo, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino elopement inspo, how to elope in mendocino, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

elopement beach ceremony, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

elopement ceremony ring exchange, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom waiting at end of aisle, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom laughing, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom first kiss, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

wedding ceremony first kiss, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom cheering end of ceremony, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom facetime, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom first look, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

wedding first look with dogs, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom with dogs, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom dip kiss, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom looking at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom sitting at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom walking in field, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom kissing in field, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom smiling at camera in field, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom kiss dip, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom walking in field by ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom walking towards field, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom walking with sun flare, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom ocean kiss, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom kiss at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom dip kiss at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, mendocino, mendocino elopement inspo, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino elopement inspo, how to elope in mendocino, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom airplane arms at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom hugs bride from behind, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bridal beach portrait, beach bride, bridal inspo, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bridal portrait, beach bride, sunset bridal portraits, bay area bride, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bridal portrait, wedding makeup, wedding makeup ideas, christmas bouquet, boho bride, bridal beach makeup, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom portraits, groom at beach, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom portraits, groom at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom close up, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom at ocean, beach elopement, sunset wedding photos, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom celebrating at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom holding hands at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom smiling at each other, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom kiss on cliff, elopement dress, wedding dress train, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom kiss on cliff,
Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom wedding rings, bride and groom kiss on cliff, elopement dress, wedding dress train, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

black and white wedding photo at ocean, bride and groom kiss on cliff, elopement dress, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom walking at sunset on ocean cliff, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

groom holding bride on ocean cliff, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom sunset kiss at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

black and white bride and groom looking at ocean, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

bride and groom walking during sunset at beach, Mendocino elopement, mendocino wedding, christmas elopement, best places to elope in california, norcal elopement, northern california elopement, elopement inspo, california coast elopement, mendocino california elopement, Rachel Christopherson Photography

Let’s do this!

I feel so lucky I live in Northern CA so I can photograph amazing couples like Alex and Sarah in such beautiful locations! If you’re looking for a place to elope in Northern California, I could not recommend this location enough!!! It has everything you could possibly want for an elopement or just a weekend trip: oceanside cliffs, redwood forests, open meadows. It’s seriously a dream!!!

Reach out!!