There’s a specific kind of quiet that only happens in the mountains in December.
The snow softens everything. The crowds are long gone. The light stays low and silvery all afternoon, and the whole world seems to slow down just enough for you to actually hear yourselves. That’s the feeling we wanted to capture in this styled winter elopement shoot just outside Mammoth Lakes: a little love letter to the Eastern Sierra in December, and to every couple who’d rather say their vows somewhere wild.
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”John Muir, letter to his sister Sarah, 1873
We found Jeremy and Clarissa on Instagram and sent them a message asking if they’d model for us, and to our happy surprise, they said yes! They came up to Mammoth and stayed with us in our condo, and it was our very first time meeting them in person. Within minutes it felt like we’d known them for years. They are truly the most down-to-earth, wonderful couple, and you can feel that warmth in every single frame.
We started at Hot Creek, on a ridge above the creek that snakes through the canyon like a ribbon, with fresh snow scattered across the sagebrush and the peaks tucked behind the clouds. Clarissa wrapped up in a faux fur stole over her lace gown, and later in a red buffalo-check blanket that we’re still a little obsessed with. (Practical and cute. Winter elopement tip #1.) Jeremy kept her warm the old-fashioned way: by never letting go.
As the afternoon faded, we made our way out to Benton Crossing, where an old white bridge spans the Owens River, with the water running wide and blue beneath it and the Sierra glowing in the distance. A felt hat, a slow dance, and a kiss with the whole valley as their only witness. It felt like the kind of day you’ll still be able to feel decades from now.
Jeremy and Clarissa, thank you for saying yes to a couple of strangers on Instagram, for braving the cold with us, and for being the best condo company. We’re so glad this shoot brought you into our lives!
Planning to visit Hot Creek yourself? The road turns to gravel and gets dusty and busy in peak season, so drive slowly. In winter the road can close with snow, and a 4×4 with high clearance is the way to go when it is open. Parking at the lookout is tight, so park in the nearby lot and walk, or pull as close to the side of the road as you can. Please don’t drive over the vegetation. We need to respect nature.
If you’re dreaming of a snowy Mammoth Lakes elopement, we would love to plan one with you. Mammoth is our second home, so we know which roads stay open in winter, where the light lands, and how to keep you warm between photos. Take a peek at our Mammoth Lakes page, then inquire here and let’s dream it up together.
Looking for a Mammoth Lakes elopement photographer for snowy ridges, river bridges, or quiet winter light? We’d love to hear about your day.
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