Meet Ayla Maisey | Elopement Photographer and Videographer

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

Hi Ayla, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Elopements have exploded since 2020 when couples were in lockdown and had to find an alternative way to marry. I’m lucky enough to live in one of the most popular elopement states, thanks to Colorado’s abundance of public land and epic scenery. However, eloping isn’t just saying your vows outside. My entire work is founded in respect for nature, which means abiding by STRICT Leave No Trace guidelines, and educating both my couples and my peers about leaving no trace. In my line of work, this means staying on the path (even when it’s not as pretty for photos), never throwing flower petals, using sparkling water instead of champagne for champagne sprays, and avoiding all ceremony decor.

I will also say, Colorado’s wilderness is no joke. My dad is a safety engineer and I grew up learning how to watch for dangerous outdoor situations as I explored. A lot of my couples elope in Colorado from out of state, and it’s my responsibility assess mountain passes, county roads, weather patterns, and wildlife presence to make sure it’s safe for my couples to be there.

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 first foray into wedding photography was as a photo assistant for a company that photographed extravagant weddings with hundreds of guests. The couples were exhausted by the time the ceremony started.

I thought, “This can’t possibly be what a wedding is supposed to feel like,” then promptly did a 180, moved to Colorado, and fully embraced elopements and intimate weddings. I love how grounded and connected an elopement can feel — just the two of you, your nearest and dearest, and some jaw-dropping scenery to surround you. It truly feels like the best way to get married!

My work is essentially a blend of everything I love the most — nature, film photography, and quality time. Bringing my own brand of connection and quality time to my couples has been the most rewarding, and it’s why I’ve stayed in this career.

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.
Colorado is a big state, so that’s gonna be massively dependent on what they like to do! Personally, my favorite places in Colorado (and where I spend the most time outside of Colorado Springs) are Crested Butte and Buena Vista. Crested Butte has stunning campsites, incredible wildflowers in the summer and aspens in the autumn, and a very sweet downtown with a fabulous pizza shop. Buena Vista is at the nexus of two mountain passes, and I love to drive up to the top of Cottonwood to take in the view! Eddyline Brewing is our favorite restaurant there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be where I am today without the love of nature that my parents instilled in me. I grew up in both Oregon and Colorado, and spent my childhood hiking, biking, rock climbing, tide pooling, roadtripping, and camping. My parents taught me to love nature and to respect it, and I feel unbelievably privileged to have all the activities I grew up doing be a part of my job!

Website: https://www.aylaraeelopements.com

Instagram: @aylarae.elopements