Eco-Friendly Wedding Photographer | Leave No Trace

I want to start off by saying I am not perfect, but I am trying to be the most eco-friendly wedding photographer I can be. You’re not perfect either. We never will be. This world doesn’t need a few perfect people, the world needs everyone to do better to create a lasting change for the environment. We can always do better!

I’m passionate about protecting the outdoors because that is where I feel at peace and at home; That is where my couples date, get married and visit on their anniversaries. I want to continue being able to explore the outdoors for the rest of my life and give my children the same opportunity.

Leave No Trace Aware Photographer

One of my mentors, Maddie Mae founder of Adventure Instead, inspired me to be more eco-friendly and create a sustainable, green wedding photography business. She spearheaded the amazing “How to Leave No Trace For Wedding and Elopement Photographers” course.

I’ve completed the course and now am an official “Leave No Trace Aware Photographer” woo! This course has zero shaming. It left me empowered to make better choices, communicate Leave No Trace principles with my clients, and prepared to interact with our environment with minimal impact.

I believe every single photographer out there should take this course! It is so needed (and also so relevant – do you know how many fires have been caused by smoke bombs for photoshoots…yikes).

If every photographer was more environmentally aware and started this conversation with their clients from the start, we would have way fewer problems. As permits get stricter and stricter, we could lose out on shooting in some of the most beautiful places unless we change as an industry.

You can sign up for the online course here and 100% of the profits go to the Leave No Trace Center.

Environmentally Friendly Weddings

I help my couples plan amazing, adventurous elopements that have minimal impact on the environment. Less is more. I love elopements because they are the most environmentally friendly way to get married. Less people, less stuff, less waste.

“The average wedding produces 400 lbs of garbage and 63 tons of CO2.

Green Bride Guide

You can plan an eco-friendly wedding by following the seven principles of Leave No Trace:

1. Plan ahead and prepare (Bring a bag for trash with you)
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces (Stick to trails when possible)
3. Dispose of waste properly (Leave nothing but footprints)
4. Leave what you find (Take only pictures)
5. Minimize campfire impacts (Make Smokey The Bear proud)
6. Respect wildlife (Keep your distance, respect their home)
7. Be considerate of other visitors (Don’t block trails)

You can support Leave No Trace and learn more about protecting our environment on their website https://lnt.org/

Eco-Friendly Wedding Photography Business

I strive to offset my own carbon footprint as much as possible in my wedding photography business. I give back to environmental groups like Leave No Trace, World Wildlife Fund, and Oceana. I send my guides, contracts, and invoices digitally instead of printing them. My wedding albums and prints are made by environmentally-conscious companies. I educate and help my couples plan low-impact elopements.

There is always more I can do to be a more eco-friendly photographer. I hope that you join me on this journey to preserve our precious lands!

You can start by educating yourself through and/or donating to The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Let me know what tips you have to minimize our impact on the environment in the comments!