Some love stories are planned years in advance. Others come together in a matter of days and still manage to feel completely intentional. Tara and Taylor’s elopement was the latter. A whirlwind, yes. But also thoughtful, personal, and full of joy.

They were on a road trip through Texas, cameras in hand, working on a creative project. Both photographers themselves, they had talked for years about the big wedding. But in the middle of the drive, the question became: what are we waiting for? Within a week of inquiring, we were locked in. They were getting married that Thursday.

Even with the quick turnaround, nothing felt rushed. Tara and Taylor brought an incredible level of care to each part of the day—who they invited, how it was structured, what moments mattered most. They wanted something that honored their relationship, their creativity, and their shared love of story.

We started at home. Not just for logistics, but because they understood the value of a full narrative. The anticipation, the quiet moments, a conversation between Taylor and his best friend—it all carried weight. From there, we moved to a beautiful courthouse for the ceremony. And while it wasn’t a traditional venue, it absolutely held its own. The expressions, the emotion, the simplicity—it worked.

After City Hall, we headed to the Cleveland Museum of Art. Architecture lovers, art lovers, creative collaborators—they wanted something with edge. So we leaned into that. Clean lines, bold shadows, and intentional styling. A bit more editorial, a bit more Vogue. A lot of fun.

Tara and Taylor are artists through and through. They love film. They love process. And they noticed everything. As I rotated through different cameras throughout the day—a Contax, a Holga, a point-and-shoot—they peeked over, grinning. “You’re using a Holga? That’s so cool.” Watching them light up over the gear, the light, the process—it was a reminder of what drew us all to this in the first place.

What started as a spontaneous idea turned into a day filled with meaning, presence, and real joy. Tara and Taylor trusted the process and created something entirely their own.