My name is Jojo (find me on Instagram @imjojoortiz), and for over six years, I've been passionately involved in film and digital photography and videography, focusing on editorials, elopements, and weddings.
My work in the wedding industry has been recognized and published multiple times. One of my recent highlights was photographing an intimate elopement in the breathtaking Yosemite National Park — a “no bad spot” bucket list location for many photographers due to its sheer beauty. When shooting in such a picturesque setting, the real test is to encapsulate and convey its spirit through the photographs.
For this particular elopement, I used a Sony a7RII camera, utilizing 35mm and 50mm 1.8 lenses, and a medium format Pentax 645, fitted with a 45mm 2.8 lens for 120 film shots. The challenge of the shoot was heightened by the fact that I was working solo, alternating between digital and film formats, all while keeping pace with the unfolding events of the day.
Below are five crucial steps I followed to ensure a smooth shoot day. These tips span from preliminary preparation to in-the-field shooting techniques and cover the essentials for capturing the spontaneous and cinematic raw moments that make elopements so special.