SO MANY PEOPLE LIVE THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS. And that's B.S. Especially on your wedding day. You and your relationship is unique in every way, and it's ridiculous that the wedding industry puts us in boxes that we just aren't born to fit in. You were born to stand out. Imagine having an adventure elopement day that includes whatever floats your boat, whether it’s adrenaline-packed, laughter-filled, romance to the nines, or a combo of all of the above. Then add in a kickass connection between you and your partner that’s enabled by dedicating that day TO YOU.

I’m Sam, a TEDx speaker, author and adventure elopement expert for Oregon, Alaska, and beyond. My work has been featured in Travel Oregon, National Geographic, Junebug Weddings, Wandering Weddings, TEDx, and more.

And I regret my wedding. I spent part of my wedding day in tears, and not the happy kind. I had a day that wasn't really about the connection I had with my partner. It wasn't about who we were as people and about the things we loved. It wasn't “us”. And it's unacceptable for you to experience the same thing. I specialize in helping fun, & free-spirited couples create bold “Elope Your Life” wedding days. Days that are intentional, full of meaningful details, and do-it-for-the-plot adventure in dramatic places like:

• Alaska (A couple eloped in an ice cave via helicopter before attending the Iditarod start this past March!)
• Oregon (You can elope on a desert playa, have an intimate wedding on the Oregon Coast before whale watching, or witness sunrise above a volcano caldera)
• California Redwoods (Emily and Jessey eloped on a redwood canopy walk before walking a lantern-filled path through old-growth redwoods)
• Scotland (want to elope on the Isle of Skye and then witness the Jacobite Steam Train like Adrianna & Cam did?)
• Norway (two brides just boarded a sailboat to elope in the Lofoten Islands the first couple days of Pride Month)

Then my couples use that empowerment to transform the rest of their lives.

ELOPE

/əˈlōp/ – verb To have an intimate wedding that represents the interests and passions of you and your partner, however nontraditional they may be in terms of weddings.

ELOPE YOUR LIFE ®️

/əˈlōp yôr līf/ – verb To take the confidence and empowerment of eloping and use it to transform other areas of your life in order to live unapologetically and authentically. The ‘Elope Your Life' philosophy is built around a simple idea: choosing to elope, to design your day around what actually matters to you instead of what's expected, takes a specific kind of confidence. My couples leave with that confidence. They use it. I've watched it change careers, relationships, and how people move through the world.

***JUST FOR OFFBEAT BADDIES: LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN — SCROLL DOWN FOR MY ADVENTURE BUCKET LIST SPECIAL OFFERINGS & OPPORTUNITIES***

“ELOPE YOUR LIFE” ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT FAQ

We're interested in possibly adventuring with you. What are the next steps?

Check out samstarns.com for more inspiration and fill out the contact form at samstarns.com/contact — we'll then hop on a discovery call to see if we're a great fit for each other (a must for an experience that's so human-based, and not some robotic transaction). Couples walk away from discovery calls with more clarity, a sense of agency, and inspired, no matter who they end up working with.

Do I need to be super athletic to have an adventure elopement?

Absolutely not. While I carry heavy camera gear around and up mountains, there's no way I can run a marathon. In fact, while I enjoy hiking, I love capturing unique activities even more. You don't need to hike 3000 ft up a mountain, you just need to be intentional. Most couples, if they're not going on a big hike, incorporate a fun activity that's special to them, or something they've always wanted to do. You can hike on your elopement day. You can also hop on a sailboat, go whale watching, helicopter to a glacier, chase the northern lights, ride horses, go on a safari, and so much more.

What's included in an adventure elopement collection/package?

A custom planning portal dedicated to you, permit and planning assistance, planning calls, day-of elopement timeline, heirloom album credit, my travel, and so much more. More details are available at samstarns.com/pricing-info.

How far in advance do people typically book?

While engaged couples can book an elopement photographer as last-minute as a week out or less, I highly recommend booking 6-12 months in advance so you have a chance to explore, discover, and book the vendors and experiences you want. National park permits require detailed ceremony plans, and permit applications are usually due at least 30 days out. Many desirable lodgings book up well in advance. The earlier you start your elopement planning, the more intentional you can be! I'm here to help you curate something next-level.

What makes your approach different from other adventure elopement photographers?

Many elopement photographers take on 30-50 (or more) elopements per year. That allows a photographer no time to get to know you as people. This isn't just a photography experience, it's a human one.

What's the craziest/wildest elopement you've ever photographed?

That's a hard one to answer — each elopement is unique, but my favorites usually involve a fun activity and something that's special to the couple. I've had couples camp in their rooftop tent on a vast desert playa and stargaze, I've had couples helicopter to a glacier and overnight geodesic dome stay in Alaska, I've also had elopement couples fly to Norway and sail on a 75-year-old sailboat on the Norwegian Sea.

What are some elopements/activities that you'd love to photograph?

My latest bucket list elopements involve African safaris or trips to explore countries like Namibia, hiking and witnessing active volcanoes at sunset/sunrise in Guatemala, checking out the iceberg alley in Greenland, and more. Looking for something exciting like this? Reach out and let's brainstorm!  

Ready when you are. Submit an inquiry via samstarns.com/contact. I typically respond within 24 hours (usually within just a few hours or less) with a link to schedule a call to dive in, brainstorm, look over pricing/collections, and answer questions!

How I cater to offbeat weddings

My intake process starts with pronouns. My contracts use gender-neutral language throughout. I’ve photographed everything from queer elopements, same-sex weddings, and nonbinary couples across a dozen states and countries, and I don’t partner (or refer) with venues or vendors who aren’t fully affirming when possible.

If you’ve been wondering whether you’ll have to tone yourself down for your photographer, the answer here is no.

I’m here to empower you to have an elopement YOUR way. And for me, that includes being a safe haven and space for those who are different.

“Sam cares SO deeply about every couple she meets. From the first conversation we had, the first thing she did was get to know us as people and what we wanted, past the epic images.” - More reviews at samstarns.com/kind-words

SPECIAL PRICING/BONUSES FOR THE FOLLOWING ADVENTURERS:
— Two grooms/masc-presenting folks, especially if unique attire like a detachable skirt or cape is involved.
— Kenya/Tanzania/Namibia elopements
— Guatemala Volcano Hike elopement
— Gates of the Arctic, Alaska elopement

Mention Offbeat Wed when reaching out via samstarns.com/contact

Examples of my work

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