Tuolumne Meadows is Yosemite’s Hidden Elopement Gem

All kinds of feelings came up as I drove through Yosemite’s Tioga Pass on my way to meet Samantha & Anthony for their Tuolumne Adventure Session. I felt a glimmer of hope to have clouds in the sky amidst a feeling of concern since those clouds were unleashing copious amounts of rain at the time. Living here in the Eastern Sierra, rain is always welcome and we can never get enough; BUT preferably not during a Yosemite Adventure Session with a couple.

As I drove through Tuolumne Meadows the rain only got stronger to where when I arrived at Olmsted Point to meet Sam and Anthony, it was raining really good. I suggested we get some quick images there before we tried to find some drier conditions. We were even prepared to drive out of Yosemite if need be to find some blue sky and better conditions. Yet as we made our way back to Tuolumne Meadows, the clouds started to lift and some blue sky appeared.

We went down to the Tuolumne River and found a beautiful small waterfall that was actually flowing much more because of the rains, and the rain seemed to be holding in the canyon heading to Tenaya Lake. With the clouds swirling above but holding off on raining on us, we were blessed with beautiful diffused conditions that helped me “see” Tuolumne in a whole new light.

After going to some of my favorite locations to photograph couples in love, we went to locations that I’ve never photographed at before. It was incredible to find locations come to life that a typical blue sky day just wouldn’t have been good to photograph in.

We ended up having an absolutely magical session that felt like a gift after being concerned about being rained out. I always love when Mother Nature offers us a gift, and we graciously received her beauty with open arms.

If you’re looking for help with your Yosemite Wedding or Elopement, or would like to plan an adventure together anywhere in the world, please be in touch! I hope you enjoy the collection of images that Samantha, Anthony, and I created together!

If you’d like to see my personal work, please check out my landscape photography and nature timelapse, and aerial films. I am also offering outdoor photography workshops starting in 2023 with the incredibly talented artist Brittany Colt and you can see our offerings at OutdoorPhoto Experience.