Stunning Moonlit Night Sky Yosemite Wedding Photography

When JayMichael & Belem reached out to me about being their wedding photographer, we were super excited to catch fall color in Yosemite Valley. Little did we know that we’d be blessed with a winter storm and some fresh snow. The early winter storm provided the most stunning accents to the beautiful autumn colors!

We started with a morning tour around Yosemite Valley and got some amazing conditions at Tunnel View with frosty views. We then found some beautiful locations along the Merced River, and even a great location under Half Dome with both snow and fall colors.

After early morning portraits, we met up with their closest family for an intimate wedding ceremony in El Cap Meadow. It was a quaint ceremony with the wonderful Autrey Nassar officiating. After the ceremony, we all took time off during the day to rest and relax.  We then met back up in the late afternoon for several more locations, including excitement for photographing under the stars.

With clouds building throughout the afternoon, we created stunning images together, yet started to wonder if we’d still be able to photograph under the stars and moon. When the time came, we finished with astrophotography under the stars in El Cap Meadow while a clearing storm graced us with the most beautiful low-hanging clouds. It was beyond magical and fully exceeded our hopes and expectations!

This flow from late afternoon & evening into sunset & stars is one of my favorite photography flows with wedding couples. And if you also include a morning session, it’s an incredible way to have a complete Yosemite Experience.

Photographing under the stars is such a memorable experience. Especially when there’s just the right amount of moonlight to illuminate the couple and the landscape, while not being so bright that it blows out the stars. There’s something special about slowing down (you have to stand still for the photos) and appreciating the quietness of nature. You can really take some time for yourself and be in the moment. And feel the connection between the earth and the heavens. I live for these experiences.

If you’re looking for your adventure elopement photographer, or you are wanting to come to have an intimate wedding in Yosemite or the Eastern Sierra, please reach out through my Contact Page. I look forward to hearing from you, and hopefully creating lasting memories together that you will cherish forever.

I hope you enjoy these images from JayMichael & Belem’s Intimate Wedding in Yosemite. Scroll down to see some favorites and then a full collection showing the story of their Yosemite Wedding.

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.