Leadership, Grit, and Heart in the Wild

There’s a reason so many couples choose to elope: they want something more real, more grounded, more them. No fluff, no chaos, just meaningful moments in wild places. And when you’re chasing a mountaintop sunrise or navigating a weather shift in the back country, you want a photographer who’s calm under pressure, quick on their feet, and prepared for anything.

That’s why hiring a veteran to photograph your elopement isn’t just meaningful-it’s smart.

Guest Author: Kat Simecek of Salt & Stone Adventure Photography

Hi, I’m Kat-an Army Reservist with 10 years of service and an elopement photographer based in Montana. I met Tabatha at a photography retreat in Alaska, and we immediately connected over starting out businesses as women veterans. That shared experience-of navigating both the military and entrepreneurship-has become our superpower. I’m honored to share this post on her platform and spotlight the grit, purpose, and perspective that veterans bring to the world of elopements.

We Know How to Show Up, Fully, Always.

As veterans, we’ve trained to lead in high-stakes environments, adapt on the fly, and stay grounded when things get unpredictable-which, let’s be honest, happens more often than not in elopement settings. We’re used to operating in difficult terrain, making split-second decisions, and doing it all while keeping morale high.

That translates beautifully to photographing elopements. Whether it’s navigating a surprise snowstorm, reworking a timeline on the fly, or wrangling gear at high altitude-we’re already wired for it.

Logistics Are Our Love Language

Planning an elopement isn’t just about pretty photos-it’s logistics, communication, gear prep, permits, safety, backup plans, and timelines that flex. We don’t just take pictures. We lead with calm. We plan thoroughly. We execute intentionally.

Hiring a veteran means you’re getting someone who’s likely built complex ops plans, worked with teams in the field, and knows how to keep things moving without stress. You’ll feel it in every email, every check-in, every moment of your day. At some point, I had the funniest realization: I wasn’t just making elopement planning guides-I was making strip maps and convoy briefs in disguise. Turns out, mission planning skills translate perfectly to wedding logistics in the wild.

We Care Deeply About Purpose

Most of us didn’t join the military for glamour. We did it because we believe in something bigger than ourselves-service, integrity, and protecting what matters. Those values still show up in our work. We don’t take this job lightly. We know how fleeting life can be , and how important it is to document the good, the wild, the sacred.

We don’t do this for the Instagram likes-we do it because it matters. Because you matter. And your story deserves to be told with reverence and heart.

It’s Not Just Patriotic-It’s Practical

Yes, supporting a veteran-owned business is meaningful. But isn’t about charity-it’s about capability. We’ve trained in grit, resilience, leadership, and problem-solving. And we bring all of that to your elopement.

Meet Your Veteran Photographers

Want to plan an elopement with a veteran who gets it?

If you’re planning an elopement and want someone you can truly trust-we’ve got your six.

This post was written for Tabatha of Hollenbeck’s Photography, an incredible fellow veteran and photographer who brings that same heart and hustle to her work. Inquire with her.

Hi, I’m Kat Simecek-Montana-based elopement photographer, Army officer, and outdoor logistics nerd, and someone who believes deeply in the power of story, service, and wild places. I specialize in helping couples get married in wild places like Glacier National Park, Iceland, and underwater. I’ve spent years leading soldiers, planning missions, and now I help people like you design and document once-in-a lifetime adventures. You can find me at Salt & Stone Adventure Photography.

Hey, I’m Tabatha Pfarner-New York based wedding and elopement photographer. I am not just a photographer but a fierce compassionate guide for couples who want to ditch the traditional script and create a day that feels like them. As a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, mom, adventurer, and storyteller, I bring strength, emotional intuition, and lived experience into every session. I specialize in guiding couples on their wild and intimate adventures within New York and beyond (Alaska, Utah, Iceland, and more). I help couples trade pressure for presence, and fear for freedom. Let’s plan your most meaningful adventure yet. You can reach me at Hollenbeck’s Photography.