Meet Brenna Mellinger | Elopement Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brenna Mellinger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brenna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started my business, I was in a pretty bad place in my life. I was working a dead-end job that didn’t pay well and wasn’t making me happy. Then, to add insult to injury, my brother passed away suddenly in a car accident. I was feeling incredibly depressed and anxious. As I was putting together picture boards of my brother for his celebration of life ceremony, I realized we didn’t have any updated photos. The most recent professional photos we had of him were his senior photos from three years ago. I was really upset by that and told my family we needed to make a better effort at capturing our memories year to year. So much can change within a year’s time.

During this period, my friend, who was a hobbyist photographer, invited me out on a photo walk to learn photography so that I had something cathartic to do during this dark time in my life. I really fell in love with photography and decided that I wanted to start a business that would cater to capturing people’s memories. I started off photographing families and couples. However, as I progressed in my skill, I realized I really wanted to photograph elopements. I wanted a way to combine my love of the outdoors, travel, and weddings. That’s when I started my business in the outdoor adventure elopement industry.

I first opened my business in 2017 in Pennsylvania, but in 2021, my husband and I decided to move to Colorado to really jump-start both of our careers. Moving to Colorado allowed my business to flourish due to the scenic landscapes and ease of accessibility to the mountains. I now specialize in photographing elopements and couples and get to travel to beautiful locations around the world. I also photograph families, maternity, and brands when the opportunity arises.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what sets me apart from other elopement photographers is my editing style and overall customer experience. I have a vibrant editing style, whereas many elopement photographers in the industry have a more desaturated look to their photos. Regarding customer experience, I am deeply involved in the entire planning process. I like to consider myself more than just a photographer; I strive to be my couples’ planner, guide, and new best friend throughout our time working together. My planning process is thorough—I help my couples select their location, plan their timeline, recommend vendors and accommodations, create their ceremony, provide information on permitting and obtaining their marriage license, and even offer advice on choosing the best shoes for the day!

Getting to where I am today was not easy, and it’s a continual learning process. The industry can change significantly from year to year, so it’s crucial to be adaptable. In the beginning, I invested heavily in education and streamlining my client process. I wanted to make things as easy as possible for my clients. The best advice I can give is not to cut corners; invest in your business and yourself upfront. It’s challenging to spend a lot of money on something that you may be uncertain about, but it makes life much easier when you have the proper business setup, the correct gear, and the necessary knowledge.

I want the world to know that I am truly passionate about what I do, and I genuinely care about my couples. I want them to have the best experience working with me and planning their dream day. I want them to know that I have their backs no matter what. While some people might be in business for the money, I truly love what I do and want my clients to be happy at the end of the day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them to do all the outdoor activities! I spend most of my time in the mountains hiking, climbing and kayaking. I would definitely hit all the major outdoor hot spots like RMNP, Loveland Pass, Guanella Pass, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Breckenridge, Vail, and all the cute little mountain towns.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my husband, Garrett. He has been such an integral part of my business’s success. He has supported me from day one and has encouraged me to follow my dreams. He is someone I constantly look up to—patient, kind, empathetic, and business-savvy. I have learned so much from him. I would also like to recognize the photography community. I have met so many amazing people who have helped me understand this industry better and pushed my business forward.

Website: https://brennanicolephotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brennanicolephoto/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brennanicolephotography

Other: Google Profile: https://www.google.com/search?q=Brenna+Nicole+Photography+%7C+Colorado+Elopement+Photographer&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAA_-NgU1I1qLCwTLYwMzUxNTZJMTIyNzC3MqhISzI2Tko0SUlLS7Q0MjAyXsRq7VSUmpeXqOCXmZyfk6oQkJFfkp9elFiQUalQo-Ccn5NflJiSr-Cak1-QmpuaV4KkILUIAEnUoNpnAAAA&hl=en&mat=CR3m9OCwLEoqElcB7PxHsXSNdRFbk9fdFiJTeYBVBa9AhV4UpjHnKOyVoqKdxW7P2gyAcd6g5UX4aOsfXmd4yDBdOYDnmEov2ApnV7K1KQnkMfdkDiQzS0jEiCrcu2luh1I&authuser=0&dlnr=1&sei=T6uFZYKyN9eIwbkPq4KooA0#dlnr=1

Image Credits
Brenna Nicole Photography