Meet Meredith Washburn | Elopement, Wedding, and Couples Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meredith Washburn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meredith, what makes you happy? Why?
My soul feels happiest, most alive, and best connected to Jesus when I’m anywhere in nature. Things that make me the happiest: ○ Jesus (ALL are welcome)
○ My husband, Ben
○ Rescue doggies [we have FOUR of our own: Swift, Kato, & Fennec, and Pippen]
○ Sunrises, Sunsets, Stars, Night Skies
○ Traveling, Road Trips
○ Mountains, waterfalls, and GLACIERS!!!!
○ Water in nature that is very BLUE
○ Rainy/Overcast Days
○ Film (yeah, the old school kind)
○ National Parks
○ Iceland
○ Gardening + Houseplants
○ Trampolines!
○ Oversized sweatpants + hoodies
○ Comfy soft blankets
○ Mountain Biking, Road Biking,
…and yes, I’m a big Swiftie <3

What should our readers know about your business?
Over the past 18 years, I’ve built a pretty diverse photography portfolio as a hybrid photographer (both digital and film) all while traveling the globe specializing in adventure elopements, vow renewals, and destination weddings/couples/and family sessions. I think my biggest inspiration for photography stems from lengthy road trips chasing beautiful views and landscapes with my husband (Ben) and friends.

After photographing traditional weddings for years, I was finally given the opportunity to photograph an adventure elopement. It was as if a whole new light emerged from my soul and I just became obsessed. Everything I’ve ever loved about “getting married” seemed to be encapsulated in this sweet little “elopement” world. Couples were creating entire days based on things they loved in epic places which created these epic core memories and the most stunning photographs. Over the years I have loved watching couples incorporate their families, friends, children, pets into these beautiful elopements (some more adventurous and some much more low-key and chill). Every couple is so unique and I love how elopements and elopement photography can be tailored so beautifully to express the couple and their love story.

Not only am I a photographer, but I also offer services for guiding/planning their day or multi-day adventure (yes, some couples do multi-day elopements, and they’re SO RAD). I am obsessed with elopements for so many reasons. My motto is “Pioneer your own path, be wildly you” for a reason. I resonate strongly with people who like to ditch tradition and plan their day(s) to be full of activities/adventures that fully represent and express their relationship. I am an inclusive photographer (to ALL) and want everyone to feel loved and valued for who they are here on this earth. Capturing and documenting their love stories is what sets my soul on fire. Finding the uniqueness in each couple and their love story is what keeps my job so interesting. I have learned so much about love through photographing love stories, and I am so grateful to every couple who has bravely let me document it all.

Two of my favorite memories:
One memory that I’m most proud of is a week 1/2 long elopement I shot in Iceland. The couple let me help plan their road trip and sights/activities, and then we photographed at multiple epic locations along the way. I love traveling and road-tripping with couples. I get to know them really well and feel like I get a special “inside look” into their relationship which helps me document moments that are especially beautiful. If this sounds like something that resonates with your soul, then reach out, and let’s get to planning!

Another memory that really stands out for me is a family photo session in Joshua Tree with Kasey Fanton’s (a wonderful photographer herself) family. We stayed at the most stunning minimal desert airbnb together and I was able to capture sweet little moments of their family and a sunrise exploring Joshua Tree National Park. The night prior to our photo session, we relaxed at the airbnb and had dinner together. Then, once the baby was sleeping, we spent the rest of the night laying out on lawn chairs chatting by the pool under MilkyWay starlight. The memory was just so so sweet, and it’ll forever be a favorite of mine.

Things I’m excited about for my 2024 future are the intimate weddings and elopements I have currently scheduled. Getting to know new couples (and their families and friends) and photograph them experiencing new or beautiful places together sets my heart on fire with joy. I’m an “all about those core memories” type of girlie. I’m also really really really excited for the moments I have in-between “work” to travel and experience new places myself, mountain bike, to accomplish my “most miles road-biking” yet, and for the quiet moments at home with my husband and our four (two brand new puppies) rescue dogs.

Things I want the world to know about me personally and my business/brand?
I want the world to know above all else that I am a believer in Jesus. ABSOLUTELY ALL ARE WELCOME with me and I want to SERVE to the very best of my ability. I am head over heels nuts in love with my husband — he is my best friend and my #1 adventure buddy in this life. Also, dogs are everything to me. I believe so much in rescuing doggies and giving them all the best home they could possibly imagine.

As a business owner, I have a motto of “Pioneer Your Own Path, Be Wildly You!” for a reason. I believe wholeheartedly in creating a “marriage experience” that is full of everything that is YOU while incorporating experiences that leave core memories. My goal as a photographer is to make the entire experience fun and stress-free. I want to make sure I know all of my couples’ desires before I show up for their day(s) so that they don’t have to have the responsibility of organizing people or putting things together. I want to SERVE. I truly believe in being the hands and feet of Jesus and serving my couples, their friends, families, and anyone else involved in any way possible. I work really really really hard and put every ounce of passion and creativity I have into each and every special day. Every couple deserves me at my very best, and I strive to give that to them <3.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I recently moved from Chicago, IL to Columbia, MO…so I will do my best at giving you a “best time ever” in Columbia experience from my point of view from what I know now. My favorite day in Columbia would be to wake up and grab breakfast and coffee at Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co. — their spicy chicken biscuit is SO good. Then, I would say to head over to Helmi’s Gardens for the most heavenly experience at a greenhouse. If you love plants and animals — this is the place for you!!! Seriously — I never want to leave when I go there, I am OBSESSED (plus, the owner Helmi is one of the coolest people you’ll ever meet). Next up, I would say to try and catch a local Mizzou Football game, or hike/bike at our state park; Rock Bridge, it’s GORGEOUS. I also love to bike ride the MKT trail and get lunch at Flat Branch Brewing Co.. When you finish up at Flat Branch, be sure to shop around the downtown area of Columbia and hit up all the wonderful little shops — the owners are all so sweet. One of my favorite spots is HITT Records/Ragtag Cinema/Uprise Bakery (they’re all connected and each so lovely). I really love food a lot, so I would say to check out Casa Marias for the most delicious Mexican food or Kampai Sushi for legit my favorite sushi I’ve ever had in my life (also, order the Brussel Spouts and whatever their daily/weekly special is…you’ll thank me later). Lastly, I’d head over to Capen Park or The Pinnacles to catch sunset on one of the cliffsides. Finish your night off strong by picking up some Ice Cream at Sparky’s Ice Cream or Andy’s! YUM!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I started out in Photography in a little town in Illinois called Pekin. I could not be more honored to be from a town. From the very beginning of my career, I have had the love and support from so many people. They have rooted me on, cheered for my wins, and constantly recommended me to family and friends. I would never be where I am at today without their love and support.

Later on in my career as a wedding photographer, I wanted to niche down more specifically into elopement photography and fell in love with Maddie Mae and her Adventure Instead Academy. She also teamed up with Henry Tieu and released additional education that I’ve continually purchased along the way. I really feel like Maddie and Henry together are the dream team for education. Both of them have a wealth of knowledge and so much experience under their belts that it feels like an honor to even be able to purchases classes and learn from them. Not to mention they are both stand up lovely human beings that I firmly believe in supporting <3. Seriously, go check out their work…they both will blow your mind.

Another few people who I specifically want to mention are Deidre Carlson (the first person to inspire me to get into photography), Jessica Buhs and Alex Thomas (for being my first ever photography buddies), Thomas Lucas of Indie Film Lab (who has inspired the heck out of me with learning and shooting film), Kasey Fanton (for being the ultimate friend and hype woman), and Libby Bennington/Grace Allison/Seth Lowe/and Karen Lombos for stepping in and second shooting & traveling the world with me over the years.

People who really inspire me on a daily basis: Abbi Hearne, Grace Adams, and all the people listed above <3.

Website: meredithwashburn.com

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