Meet Danielle Tolson | Elopement Photographer & Planner

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

Hi Danielle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business really started with my education. I earned my BFA in Fine Art Photography and was always drawn to people, portraiture, and telling stories through images. Right after college, I had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding. That’s when it clicked. Documenting people in love, on one of the most meaningful days of their lives? I was all in. It brought me so much joy and felt like a natural extension of what I already loved doing.

Starting my own business seemed like the next logical step—not just to build something for myself, but to create a space where I could support couples in a real and meaningful way. After photographing larger, more traditional weddings, I found myself drawn to elopements and micro-weddings. I loved working with couples who were ready to ditch the rulebook and plan a day that truly reflected their unique relationship. What started as “I want to have a photography business” quickly evolved into “I want to help couples plan a wedding day that feels true to them, and document their experience start to finish.” So these days, I wear a lot of hats—planner, photographer, guide, problem-solver, emotional support human—and that blend of creativity and connection is exactly what makes this work feel so meaningful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is rooted in capturing real moments—photos that feel honest, personal, and full of life. While I’m primarily focused on photographing elopements and micro-weddings these days, my path here was anything but narrow. Over the years, I worked in several areas of the photography industry—processing film in darkrooms, working in print labs, editing and retouching historical photos and blueprints. I’ve photographed musicians, fashion campaigns, real estate, and just about everything in between. Each of those jobs gave me tools that I still rely on today, whether it’s understanding light in a studio or navigating unpredictable weather here in Colorado, adapting to different subjects quickly, or paying attention to the little details that matter.

All of those experiences helped shape the way I approach a wedding day. I’m not just focused on the couple. I’m tuned into everything: the location, the relationships, the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. I want their final gallery to feel like a full reflection of the day. Not just how it looked, but how it felt too.

Getting here hasn’t been without its challenges. Like most creatives, I’ve navigated burnout, slow seasons, and the pressure to do all of the things all of the time. But what keeps me grounded is remembering why I started in the first place: to create something meaningful for people. I’m proud of the way I’ve built this business. With dedication, intention, and a genuine love for people, connection, and photography.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s that I don’t just set out to create cookie-cutter photos. Those are nice, for sure, but my main goal is to help tell a story that’s personal and real. To make sure the people in front of my camera feel seen, celebrated, and fully themselves.

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 may be biased because I spend most of my time in the mountains, but when friends come to visit, I always like to start with a night or two in Denver. I spent a few years in RiNo, so I’ll usually take them to some of my go-to spots like Gold Point and Pon Pon for drinks, and grab a slice at Redeemer or dinner at Dio Mio or Temaki Den.

After a couple of days in the city, I highly recommend renting a car and heading into the mountains. Idaho Springs is a great little town not too far from Denver—perfect for a day of hiking followed by a stop at Beau Jo’s for classic Colorado-style mountain pie. If you’re up for a longer drive, Leadville is 100% worth the trip. It’s got that cool old mining town charm, surrounded by jaw-dropping views.

And of course, I always try to carve out time to explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether we’re hiking, spotting wildlife, or just driving through, it never disappoints.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! There’s no way I’d be where I am without the people who believed in me along the way. My parents are both entrepreneurs in their fields, and it was amazing having them to look up to. Watching them build their businesses from the ground up showed me that it’s possible to create something meaningful with enough dedication, passion, and hard work.

I also owe a lot to my friends and community for being constant sources of encouragement and support, especially during the early years of building my business. And, of course, I have to give a special shoutout to Darlene DeVita, who gave me my first few second-photographer gigs and quite literally kickstarted my wedding photography journey. Those experiences gave me the foundation and the confidence I needed to go all in.

Last, but certainly not least, a HUGE shout out to all the amazing couples who have trusted me with their wedding and elopement days over the years. They’ve let me into some of the most vulnerable, joyful, and emotional moments, and that kind of trust is something I’ll never take for granted. Many of them have continued to support my work long after their wedding day, referring me to friends or coming back for anniversary sessions, maternity photos, or just to say hi—and that continued connection means the world to me.

Website: https://www.danielletolson.co/

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