• Imagine waking up in your dream Airbnb, feeling that electric buzz of excitement for what's to come

  • You hit the road, chasing breathtaking, easy to access views straight out of a movie, making memories as you go

  • At sunset, you wipe away a tear as you pour your heart out, saying vows that are raw, real, & just for the two of you

  • Under the stars, you laugh until your cheeks ache, basking in the magic of a day that’s unapologetically, wildly YOU


It’s so much more than "just" your wedding day — it’s your love story,
turned into art.

It’s so much more than "just" your wedding day — it’s your love story, turned into art.

See more love stories:

The Elopement 
Experience

A Bold, Authentic Wedding Without the Guesswork


Your hearts are ready for a meaningful, epic elopement that’s unapologetically YOU. But figuring out how to bring that vision to life? That can feel overwhelming as hell.

Here’s what might be running through your mind:

  • How do we create a day that’s authentic without losing our minds in the details?

  • How do we make sure this feels 100% true to us?

  • How do we balance intimacy and adventure while actually having FUN?

I’ll guide you through every step – from scouting epic locations to creating a relaxed timeline and helping with logistics.

Together, we’ll craft a day that feels like magic, not work, so you can focus on what matters most: your love and the memories you’ll create.



Your elopement should feel easy, exhilarating, and 100% you. Let’s make magic together.

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

Forget the clichés and outdated traditions. Let’s craft an experience that feels alive, exhilarating, and uniquely you — every moment as unforgettable as your story deserves.

A day that feels like YOU

Breathtaking locations

Stress-free planning

Personalized to your story

Together, we’ll create an adventure so unforgettable, you’ll wonder how anyone could settle for ordinary. Here’s what makes your day extraordinary:

This isn’t just another wedding day — it’s an electric, soul-stirring celebration of your love.

No cookie-cutter vibes here. Your day will be as one-of-a-kind as your love
Let’s skip the headaches and make magic happen instead
Every detail, every moment — we're creating it together, turning your love story into art
Panoramic views straight out of a movie, no long hikes required

Meet Your Joshua Tree Elopement Photographer

Hey there, I’m Luke (he/him) — part desert rat, part storytelling nerd, and full-time believer that the truth is out there (especially if it involves UFOs over Joshua Tree).

If otherwordly landscapes, spontaneous road trips, and raw, unscripted moments sound like your kind of wedding day, we're about to get along real well.

If you love the idea of saying "I do" at sunset, ending the night stargazing, and making your own damn rules – then yeah, we're gonna vibe. And if you're wondering if this experience will be totally fetch? The limit does not exist. 

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 daring 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.

Stress-Free Planning Support

From finding epic locations to crafting a flexible timeline, finding rad places to stay, and tackling permits, I’ll handle the details so you can stay in the moment and soak up the joy.

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

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 up, we'll plan and dream! From finding gorgeous spots for photos and rad places to stay, helping with permits, and designing a personalized experience that reflects who you are, this'll be a breeze.

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.

Alrighty, picture this: Waking up in your dream Airbnb, exchanging vows in jaw-dropping locations, and sharing your first dance as the sun sets.

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

"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."

A Full-Day Joshua Tree Intimate Wedding that Ended in a Pool Party

Your Guide to Getting an Airbnb for Your Joshua Tree Wedding

How to Elope in Joshua Tree in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide

Joshua Tree Planning Resources from the Blog:

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

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

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