STOKED - The Adventure Elopement Photographer Podcast - Build a Six Figure Elopement Photography Business

STOKED - The Adventure Elopement Photographer Podcast - Build a Six Figure Elopement Photography Business

Do you dream of having a successful elopement photography business but don't know where to start? Welcome to STOKED, the go-to podcast for adventure elopement photographers at every stage—whether you're looking to book your first elopement or take your business to the next level. Imagine confidently raising your prices, filling your calendar with dream couples in breathtaking locations, and feeling truly stoked about your business, your life, and your bank account! I'm your host, Megan MacPhail. After photographing over 200+ elopements worldwide, I can tell you with certainty that your dream elopement photography business is 100% possible. Tune in every Thursday as my elopement videographer husband, Todd, and I share our experiences, strategies, and lessons learned. We also bring in successful elopement photographers and industry experts for fluff-free, actionable interviews that will help you book more elopements and grow a thriving business. We're the only podcast specifically for elopement photographers, making STOKED your go-to resource in this niche. Not sure where to begin? Start with Episode 82: "The Secret to Booking and Planning All-Day Elopements " Get ready to be STOKED about your elopement photography business, life, and bank account! Cover photo by the amazing Henry Tieu → https://www.henry-tieu.com/ Check us out at → https://www.meganmacphail.com

Episodes

December 26, 2025 28 mins
Curious about what has and hasn't been working in the elopement photography industry? Well, the cool part about what I do is I get to work with hundreds of elopement photographers, so I get to see some of the biggest trends happening across the industry. And in 2025, some things stayed the same, but some really important things shifted. 

 

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Does the amount of time you spend editing photos make you want to rip your hair out? Editing is a huge pain point for elopement photographers. Whether you're drowning in galleries or struggling to create a consistent style, it's keeping you from the thing you want most, which is more freedom, more creativity, and a business that feels sustainable.

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Whether you're surrounded by Colorado mountains or based somewhere on the East Coast, you can build a successful elopement photography business anywhere. Don't believe me? In this episode, I'm chatting with Juliana Wall, who built a thriving six-figure elopement photography business in some of the most unexpected places: Washington, DC and Virginia.

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December 5, 2025 22 mins
Not all eloping couples are the same, and if you've ever wondered why some couples ghost you while others book instantly, this episode is about to make it all make sense. After several years as an elopement photographer, I've learned there are seven types of eloping couples, and knowing which one you're talking to changes everything.

 

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Does your post-elopement workflow feel chaotic, inconsistent, and like it takes over your whole week? In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact post-elopement workflow that blew up on social media after I shared it a few months ago, and how I'm able to deliver sneak peeks to my couples by 11 AM the morning after shooting an elopement.

 

You'll hear the step-by-step process I use the night o...

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Does the end of the year have you wondering if you're elopement photography business is ready for 2026? If you want to hit the ground running with your business at the start of the year, then this episode is just what you need. 

 

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What is the best way to get your elopement photography business off the ground fast? It's not constantly posting on Instagram or flying all over the world. It's actually doing 3 intentionally planned styled shoots in one location. 

 

In this episode, we break down ...

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If you've been in the messy middle of your elopement photography business, you know how defeating it can feel. You're showing up, posting blogs, and running ads, but you're still not getting the bookings you've been hoping for. My returning guest, California-based elopement photographer Kristin Smith, has been there too. Fast forward to today, and she...

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Having abundance isn't something that happens once and it's achieved. It takes conscious effort and needs to be practiced every single day.

 

In this replay, we talk about one of the most important and empowering mindset shifts you can make, and that's going from a scarcity to an abundance mindset. While this episode is from 2023, it's still one of the most important conversations we've had...

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If you don't think being an elopement photographer is political, think again. Between working on public lands, photographing queer couples, and running businesses as women, we are exercising freedoms that people literally fought for, and freedoms that could easily be taken away from us. 

 

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Can you imagine capturing an elopement as both the videographer and the photographer at the same time? How about running your elopement photography business without social media? In Todd's first solo interview, he interviews Caleb Clayton to talk about how he and his wife, Amy, run their business with zero social media and are still getting inquiries....

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Are you feeling like your mindset is holding you back from building the elopement photography business of your dreams? In this episode, I chat with California elopement photographer Christina Perhac, who once struggled with perfectionism, slow inquiries, and being unsure of how to attract the right clients. But after joining the Elopement Photographer...

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Have you thought about how some elopement photographers seem to create a business that actually supports the life they want instead of the other way around? During this episode, I chat with Hawaii elopement photographer, Aly Dove, who has proven that following your passion and investing in yourself can completely change everything.

 

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Ever wonder why some elopement photographers are hitting $20–30K months while others are saying bookings are slow? The truth is, couples are still out there searching, and the photographers I coach are already booking dream elopements well into 2026.

 

In this epis...

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What does it really take to launch your elopement photography business in less than a year? Estonia-based photographer Eva-Johanna Lepik has the answer. Just 9 months after joining the Elopement Photography Mastermind, Eva has gone from shooting micro-weddings to building a thriving elopement photography business.

 

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So, you want to charge at least $5k for your elopements, but you're not sure what a $5k client experience looks like? Don't worry, because we break down exactly what it should look like and why having high-quality photos isn't the only thing that you should be focusing on. 

 

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Are you still charging the same prices that elopement photographers charged years ago? If you are, it's more than likely holding you back from creating a profitable and sustainable elopement photography business. 

 

In this episode, we talk about why $5,000 should ...
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Inclusivity in elopement photography isn't optional; it's an absolute must. And with LGBTQ+ rights being under attack, it's more important than ever to step up. This is why I decided to bring on Virginia elopement photographer, Cameron Warren, to share how allies can create safer, more affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ couples.

 

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It's been two and a half years since we released our very first podcast episode, which is crazy to think about, and a lot has changed since then. If you haven't gone all the way back to the first episode, you may not know our story, so we figured it was the perfect time to reintroduce ourselves and share where life has taken us. 

 

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When you're hiking in a remote location or shooting in unpredictable weather, the equipment you have can make or break the elopement day.  

 

In this episode, I share the must-have elopement photography gear I rely on, including what's in my bag, why I chose each p...

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