• Imagine waking up in a cozy North Shore cabin on Lake Superior, feeling the quiet thrill of what’s ahead.

  • Say your vows beneath towering pines, chase waterfalls, or take in a misty sunrise by the lake in a canoe.

  • As the sun sets, you hold each other close, exchanging words that are raw, real, and just for you.

  • Under a sky full of stars (or maybe even the Northern Lights), you soak in the magic of a day that’s completely yours.


It’s so much more than "just" your wedding day — it’s a real, wild, once-in-a-lifetime memory turned into art you can feel forever.

NO RULES. NO PRESSURE. JUST YOU, YOUR LOVE, + A DAMN GOOD DAY.

The Elopement 
Experience

create your day

You're Not Here for Just Another Wedding Day

You're here to create something unforgettable – a story that feels like you, lived fully and unapologetically.

What might be running through your mind:

  • How do we make this day feel real, laid-back, and completely us?

  • How do we balance adventure, intimacy, and fun without stressing over details?

  • Where the hell do we even start planning something this different?

That's where I come in. I'll help with the good stuff – from scouting locations to creating a timeline that flows naturally – and leave space for you to breathe, wander, and just be.

Because your story deserves to feel as good as it looks – real moments, real memories, turned into art you'll carry forever.

we're in!

Your day deserves to feel effortless, intentional, and unforgettable. I'll guide you through what you need – so you can stay in the moment + walk away with a story you'll love to tell.

Ready to Create Memories You Didn't Know Were Possible?

A day that feels like YOU
Breathtaking locations
Planning help that fits you
Personalized to your story
Whether you're eloping in Minnesota or somewhere wilder, we'll create a day so real and unforgettable, it'll feel like stepping into your own piece of living art. Here's what makes it extraordinary:
No cookie-cutter weddings here — your day will be as real + unique as your love.


Low-stress planning, just the right support – so you can focus on the good stuff.
Every moment crafted with your vibe in mind – bold, intimate, and true.


Stunning backdrops from cliffs to secret forests – no long hikes required.

Meet Your Minnesota Elopement Photographer

get to know me

Hey there, friend! The name's Luke. 

I'm a Minnesota-based elopement photographer for adventurous, creative couples who crave something extraordinary. As a neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ storyteller and certified Mean Girls-quoting, Bigfoot and UFOs-loving weirdo, I bring a unique perspective that helps you feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated for who you are.

My approach is simple: let’s skip the boring and embrace your quirks, crafting a celebration as bold and unforgettable as your love! Through candid storytelling and creative direction, I’ll capture not just how your day looks but how it feels — raw, real, and entirely true to the magic of you.

Authentic Storytelling w/Artistic Vision

I focus on capturing real, unscripted moments. When inspiration strikes, I’ll step in with light creative direction to craft cinematic, deeply personal, and unforgettable images with a touch of edge.

Adventure Made Easy and Fun

You don't have to embark on long, grueling hikes to get epic photos. From scenic road trips to breathtaking, accessible spots, I’ll plan an adventure that’s as fun as it is stress-free.

Planning Made Simple (and Chill)

From picture-perfect locations to an easy timeline and rad stay ideas, I'll meet you where you're at, guide you through the key stuff, and help you keep the focus on the moments that matter.

Inclusive, Down-to-Earth Approach

As an LGBTQ+ photographer, I create a safe, affirming space where you can relax and be yourselves. Working with me feels like hanging out with a trusted friend. You do you, boo 👻

Luke payne photo

 Experience:

ThE

SEE ELOPEMENT PACKAGES

Reach out + say hey!

Step 1:

dream up
your day

Step 2:

get married
*your* way

Step 3:

You made it! Your freaking elopement day is finally here. All that dreaming, planning, and location hunting? It’s time to see it come to life while I capture every real, raw, and beautiful moment.

Next, we'll turn your ideas into plans. From beautiful photo spots to your timeline and dreamy stays, I'll help you shape the experience you're envisioning – jumping in wherever you want backup.

Ready to get this party started? Fill out your handy contact form to start your journey. We'll set up a video call to dream up ideas for your elopement and help me learn about you and your story.

CREATE YOUR DAY, YOUR WAY

Alrighty, picture this: Waking up in your dream Airbnb, exchanging vows at sunset, and sharing your first dance by the fire.

Later you’re chilling in the hot tub, sipping some bubbly, pointing out constellations and talking about how the day was even better than you imagined. You laugh together, thinking, “Damn, this is *way* better than boring chicken dishes and awkward small talk with people we barely know.”

Now, imagine the opposite: a day that feels forced, overwhelming, or like it’s for everyone but you. Planned with a cookie-cutter timeline and captured by a photographer who treats you like just another number.

Let’s... not do that. Let's create something bold, beautiful, and true to the amazing humans you are — filled with magic and brand spanking new core memories you’re gonna treasure forever.

Your Day, Designed with Intention

say yes to adventure

"It instantly felt like we'd known each other for years. I want to relive the day and I'd hire him again in a heartbeat."

My husband and I hired Luke for our intimate wedding in Joshua Tree National Park from sunrise to sunset and it instantly felt like we’d known each other for years. He made us comfortable and it felt like we had an old friend shooting our wedding. The photos are stunning and perfectly captured our personalities and our wedding day. He also had knowledge of the park and area so that we could trust him to location scout and not have to worry about it. In addition he is so creative and captured some amazing pool and lantern photos, coming up with ideas on the spot in different locations that ended up turning out great. I want to relive the day and I’d hire him again in a heartbeat.

– Emily + Tyler

"Our house is going to become a shrine of all our adventures because we can't pick our favorites!"

Everything went so perfectly. Luke made it so easy and effortless and fun. You can just tell he loves his job and that makes it so easy to work with him. He hyped us up which helped make some amazing artwork and because of that we have so many STUNNING memories captured. Our house is going to become a shrine of all our adventures because we can’t pick our favorites 😂 We are so blessed to have worked with THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER and hope that our paths will cross again in the future 🖤

– Samantha + Tanner

The thing I loved most and that everyone can just see is that he really was able to capture the love between my husband and I, in such a lovely way, I just really feel like it captured OUR love and that it wasn't staged, forced or posed. It was just us, dorkiness and all, and he captured that pure happiness and uniqueness. His eye is amazing and he just really made the day magical and fun.

– Ashley + Ben

"It was just us, dorkiness and all, and he captured that pure happiness and uniqueness."

Ready to ditch the stress and create something true to who you are?

let's do this!

Let’s transform your wedding day into the adventure of a lifetime — raw, real, and life-affirming.

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