A March LGBTQ+ Elopement at Greenbrier Nurseries | Rita + Kara

It was a quaint and private celebration that I am honored to have been able to capture. In this blog, we will immerse ourselves in Rita and Kara’s elopement day session and explore the intimate details of their love story that unfolded that day.

For this particular photography session, I would be capturing Rita (they/she) and Kara (they/she) after their official ceremony, so there wasn’t much coordination or planning that had to be done with other wedding vendors. It would just be me, my camera, Rita and Kara.

After getting married at a separate location, Rita and Kara were so giddy and radiating so much joy, it was a breeze capturing their love because it was practically oozing out of their ears. Every time I get to witness true love up close and personal, it gives me the feels and is a great reminder of how powerful love can be.

A few notes on how to be inclusive and affirming to LGBTQ+ clientele

As a wedding and elopement photographer who focuses on affirming the LGBTQ+ community, there are a few things I kept in mind as we began our session:

1. I didn’t make assumptions about their identity and I strove to provide a safe space for Rita and Kara to provide that information to me, like asking what their pronouns are. (Side note: Asking for “preferred” pronouns is a practice of the past; just ask for pronouns).

2. I provided words of affirmation during our time together to make them feel empowered and seen.

3. I didn’t dictate which partner should be doing what for a particular moment. I communicated the end goal of the photo and described what I’d like it to look like and allowed Rita and Kara to figure out how they’d like to achieve that final photo. (i.e., you’ll never hear me say “I want partner A to dip partner B”)

This is something that I practice with all of the couples I work with, no matter who they identify as or what their pronouns are. At the end of the day, Rita and Kara’s vision, comfortability, and overall experience should be one that truly reflects their love story and one that they both treasure for a lifetime. This is something that you can always expect when you book with me.

Rita and Kara’s Elopement at Greenbrier Nurseries

Rita and Kara joined me at Farm to Table Greenbrier Nurseries in Roanoke, Virginia. Stepping into a plant nursery is like entering a botanical wonderland! It’s a sanctuary of lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and there’s a lovely smell of new plant life.

Having their wedding photos taken in a plant nursery was an experience all on its own. Being surrounded by so many beautiful plants and flowers has an immensely positive effect on you – and it showed in the photos I captured! It was a celebration of love and the beauty of life itself.

If you and your partner associate yourselves as being nature lovers, eco-conscious, being whimsical, or y’all are looking for a non-traditional and intimate venue, then a plant nursery or a greenhouse may be the perfect location for you to wed!

I extend my warmest gratitude to Rita and Kara for allowing me to be a part of their love story. May their journey be filled with endless love, cherished memories, and a lifetime of happiness. Cheers, to love, dreams, and an eternal pursuit of happiness!

Testimonials

I had an amazing time photographing Rita and Kara but don’t take it just from me, here’s what they both had to say about our experience together.

“With Cameron Warren Photography, nothing was left to question or up in the air. The entire experience was easy, breezy… We didn’t have to worry about anything before, during, or after; it was a pleasant experience. She always considered our feelings and thoughts along the way and every detail was accounted for. The photos captured our relationship in such a beautiful way and we felt very glamorous. We’re so excited to be able to print the photos out and put them around our home someday. The photos to us exude love and happiness and we were sure to send the photos to everyone we knew! Everything was just well done!” – Rita (she/they) and Kara (she/they).

Rita and Kara’s Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Greenbrier Nurseries (see venue here)

Clothing: Penny + Lou Gowns

Bouquets: Kai Wolfe, George’s Flowers

Jewelry: Jillian Spencer Studios

Stationery: Aja Gray

If you’re planning to elope in Virginia, I would love to be your photographer! Check out my pricing to learn more about my philosophy, process, and packages. If you’re ready to book now, fill out an inquiry form to get started!