Meet Aubrey Fletcher | Adventure Elopement Photographer

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

Hi Aubrey, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work/life balance is an ongoing challenge for me. I have two young children, a husband who runs his own business, and my own business to run. Keeping my life at a balance is a MUST. If I neglect one aspect the other seems to fall apart as well. So how do I do it? I SET BOUNDARIES. I will preface this by saying, it is difficult for me to set boundaries, I hate saying, “no.” But, boundaries are a big deal for me to keep my business, home-life, and myself excelling in the right direction.

I’ve been running my own business now for over 4 years. Boundaries should be easy by now, right? Ha! It has been a goal of mine to get better at setting boundaries each year. For me, this has meant raising my prices and not overbooking my schedule with 7 elopements in one week (I’m looking at you Fourth of July week of 2020)! I also, make sure I don’t book more than 3 elopements/weddings/portraits in one week. I also don’t schedule back-to-back weddings or elopements if I can help it. I am setting aside dates for personal days, so I can hike, jeep, and spend time with my family without the stress of deadlines, emails, and my calendar.

Setting these boundaries for myself has allowed me not to feel burnt out, overwhelmed, and stressed. These boundaries have allowed me to have the freedom to feel valued and validated again, they allow me to pour from a full cup, not an empty one! I am better able to serve my couples and give them the most amazing experience when I am able to set these boundaries.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In Ouray, CO, where I literally walk out my front door into the kind of landscapes that belong in epic fantasy movies, it’s not all that surprising that a girl who once pestered her mom for more Polaroid film would eventually become a professional photographer. But when I realized I could blend my passion for photography with my lifelong love of adventure, my life changed forever.

Because of my photojournalism training, I excel at storytelling and capturing those candid shots dreams are made of. I specialize in capturing the truth of a moment and turning it into an immersive, jaw-dropping image. Who says you have to choose between intimate moments of connection or sweeping landscape photography? I’m here to give couples both! And through an experience that whimsically blends the silly and sophisticated, they’re sure to savor every second.

As a mom of two wild and crazy kids, I live a life filled with tickle fights, cookie baking, Lego building, and uncontainable joy. There are so many moments I wish I could freeze in time and just cozy into like a blanket fresh out of the dryer forever. But something that’s always struck me has been the way we connect in a distinctly powerful way when we step out of our ordinary, busy life (however beautiful it may be) and into nature. We laugh louder and love more deeply with nothing but the vast sky above us. This inspired me to bring that outdoorsy sprinkle of adventure into how I document love story connections on camera.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would have them come in late July, that way I could take them jeeping high in the mountains and show them the carpeted wildflower meadows and high alpine lakes of turquoise blue and the peaks that go on forever. After a day jeeping in the mountains I’d take them to the Ouray Hot Springs for a relaxing soak, then dinner at the Brickhouse 737 (my favorite restaurant)! The next day a nice hike to an epic alpine lake (Ice Lakes or Blue Lakes) would be the icing on the cake to an incredible time. We’d also have to go to Mouse’s for amazing chocolates and ice cream!

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?
When I first moved to Ouray, it was difficult to meet other wedding vendors in the area. Krysta Cossitt with Elevation Weddings and Events was the kindest and most welcoming person and we have developed such a fun friendship over the years! Krysta is a true professional with every sense of the word and I’m thankful for all the connections personally and professionally she has brought to me.

Website: www.aubreybethphotography.com

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Other: www.pinterest.com/aubreybethphotography