Thistle + Wood Photo

Thistle + Wood Photo Hi, I’m Shelby! I photograph intimate weddings and adventurous elopements; my work is rooted in storytelling and the beauty of wild places.

If you're dreaming of a day that feels honest, meaningful, and uniquely you, I’d love to help you preserve it! I am not a JUST a photographer – someone who takes pictures because I have the ability. I am Shelby: a woman who thrives to share light with others through the outlets God has blessed me in. Photography happens to be an amazing role I am able to do that through. No matter what stage of li

fe I am passing through, I will always be a light seeker - moving to grow, wandering this pathway so that I can bring to other what God has given to me. Based in the North Georgia Mountains. Instagram: .woodphoto

Thinking about skipping the veil for your elopement? Let’s talk about why capes might just be the better choice - especi...
10/27/2025

Thinking about skipping the veil for your elopement?

Let’s talk about why capes might just be the better choice - especially for windy mountain tops, long hikes, and moody adventure days.

They flow just as beautifully in photos (if not more), but without all the tangles, tugging, or chaos that veils tend to bring.
From easier styling to wind-proof magic, these pieces bring the ethereal drama we all love - while keeping you comfortable and free to move.

I personally wore a cape in our Scottish Highlands wedding it was such a fun way to add to my dress!

✨ Scroll through to see all the reasons brides are trading in veils for capes and save this for your elopement outfit planning!

Lately it’s felt like I haven’t seen the clouds in months. North Carolina has been drenched in sunlight and dry air, and...
10/22/2025

Lately it’s felt like I haven’t seen the clouds in months. North Carolina has been drenched in sunlight and dry air, and while that sounds dreamy to most - I’ve been missing the mood. So you can imagine my unmeasurable joy when we were blessed with low clouds and fog rolling through the mountains on this day. These two decided to celebrate their marriage by venturing out into the beautiful landscapes of WNC and golly what a evening it was 🥹

There’s just something so unbelievably magical about foggy, rainy days - the way sound softens, colors deepen, and everything feels a little more like a fairytale. They’ll forever be my favorite kind of weather to photograph love in!

I’ve been fortunate to photograph two weddings in North Cascades National Park this year, and every time I return, I’m r...
10/14/2025

I’ve been fortunate to photograph two weddings in North Cascades National Park this year, and every time I return, I’m reminded that this place never stops showing off. Leah and Matthew’s elopement was no different.

My husband and I came out a week early to make a little trip of it, soaking in the bright, warm, too-sunny days that filled the week. The moody-weather lover in me was a little bummed (and the smoky skies didn’t help), but I still prayed that God might show off His creativity in the weather on the wedding day.

And goodness, did He ever.

We met Leah, Matthew, and their family in the shadow of Mount Baker - low clouds and fog curling around the peaks, the smoke completely gone, the air cold and clear. The light danced in and out of the clouds, painting the mountains in gold and gray. It was everything I’d hoped for and more.

Their day felt remarkable in its simplicity - the people they love most, a few private moments tucked away in the wilderness, and vows whispered among the ridgelines of the North Cascades. Watching their family hike over the mountain behind them with smiles on their faces was pure joy.

This place. This couple. This day.
It’s one I’d relive over and over again. 🤍

The start of busy season at Cloudland Canyon never fails me. 🌿✨I’ll be making several trips back here over the next few ...
10/02/2025

The start of busy season at Cloudland Canyon never fails me. 🌿✨

I’ll be making several trips back here over the next few months, and every time I step into this place it feels like something out of a storybook.

This evening was one of those nights - quiet, still, and hot in the thick Georgia air. But these two didn’t let the heat stop them. They leaned into it, laughed through it, and before I knew it, it felt like I was filming a fantasy fairytale! Frolicking in the water, joy echoing through the canyon walls… it was pure magic.

I kicked off my fall season last week with an intimate wedding in North Cascades National Park, and I can’t wait to bring you with me throughout this beautifully rich autumn season 🤍

When I first got to these North Carolina mountains, they were completely covered in with fog. The kind where you can bar...
09/16/2025

When I first got to these North Carolina mountains, they were completely covered in with fog. The kind where you can barely see a few feet in front of you. Honestly, I loved it - fog always feels so magical - but I also knew Lindsey + Zach had driven all the way from Augusta hoping for those wide open mountain views.

So I just whispered a little prayer that God would give us even a glimpse of His creation. And wouldn’t you know it? As soon as they arrived, the clouds started breaking apart. Little by little the mountains opened up, and it turned into the most incredible view.

What made it even sweeter was their story. Lindsey + Zach eloped on their 5th anniversary in their preacher’s backyard - super special, but Lindsey never wore her actual wedding dress that day. Zach had never seen it until this session. When she stepped out in her gown on the overlook… his reaction said it all.

The rest of the evening was pure magic. The fog kept drifting in and out, catching the light and making everything glow. By sunset the whole mountain felt golden. We hiked, laughed, spun around in the grass, and just soaked in the moment.

Sessions like this remind me why I love these mountains so much - no matter the weather, they always give you something unforgettable. 🌿✨

When Stacie and Kevin first reached out, their hearts were set on eloping in Ireland. But when logistics made that dream...
08/13/2025

When Stacie and Kevin first reached out, their hearts were set on eloping in Ireland. But when logistics made that dream tricky, they chose the next best thing: the wild beauty of central Oregon. And honestly… it couldn’t have been more perfect.

From otherworldly lava rock fields, to lush, moss-draped waterfalls, to 6,000-foot peaks with sweeping views - this day was an adventure from start to finish. My medieval-loving heart was obsessed with their outfits (truly straight out of a fantasy novel).

Whether they were getting completely drenched beneath the waterfall or hiking a mile straight up the mountain right after, they embraced every single moment. And to say I was impressed is an understatement.

Because that’s the magic of eloping - you’re not just saying your vows, you’re creating an experience that will be etched into your memories and hearts forever. And this day? It will be one for the ages. 🤍

She was the sixth bride in her family to wear the dress.A 19th-century wedding gown, passed down through generations sin...
08/06/2025

She was the sixth bride in her family to wear the dress.

A 19th-century wedding gown, passed down through generations since 1945—over 70 years of love stitched into every seam. Watching her step into that legacy on her wedding day in the North Georgia mountains felt like witnessing time pause for something so special.

The day had been clear, full of promise and light. But as we lined up for the ceremony, thunder cracked in the distance. I checked the radar - a wall of red storm cells barreling toward us. Summer in the South doesn’t play. But somehow… they made it. They said their vows, kissed to the sound of cheers and low, echoing thunder, and walked down the aisle with joy lighting up every face.

Moments later, the skies opened up. We ducked inside as the rain poured down, hearts still beating fast from the beauty of what we’d just witnessed.

It was the kind of day that makes you believe in timing, in grace, and in the beauty of family legacy. So much love. So many joyful tears. Everything a wedding should be.

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One of my little joys before a mountain session is checking the weather - secretly hoping for a little moodiness in the ...
08/05/2025

One of my little joys before a mountain session is checking the weather - secretly hoping for a little moodiness in the skies. This day? It was looking totally clear. Bright sun the entire drive up. But if you’ve spent any time in the North Carolina mountains in the summer, you know…the weather makes its own plans.

Sure enough, just as we began our hike, the rain moved in fast. I brought umbrellas, but it didn’t matter much- we all got soaked. I kept checking in with these two, ready to pivot if they wanted to turn back. But they stayed. They embraced it.

And the mountains rewarded them.

A rainbow arched over the ridge - disappearing only to reappear later on. The clouds opened just enough for a glowing, golden sunset. And as the light faded, twilight wrapped everything in this hushed, dreamy blue. It felt like the sky was showing off.

There’s something special that happens when you lean in rather than run. When you let go of the plan and trust the beauty in what is. Rainy sessions might be messy, but they’re also some of the most magical.

So here’s your gentle reminder: don’t be afraid to get a little wet!

Like most summer days in the South, the drive to Oakleaf Cottage was all sun and blue skies. But as soon as I pulled int...
07/10/2025

Like most summer days in the South, the drive to Oakleaf Cottage was all sun and blue skies. But as soon as I pulled into the venue, the clouds began to gather. The radar changed every few minutes, and the question hung in the air: would the rain shift the entire course of the day?

I’ve learned this lesson again and again: rain doesn’t ruin a wedding day, it reshapes it. I got married in the rain, drenched head to toe, and it’s one of my favorite memories of my own wedding. But I know that isn’t everyone’s dream.

Still, Lainey and James embraced it. They had their first look in the rain, surrounded by misty trees and quiet drops falling through the forest canopy.

Rain slows you down. It pulls you into the moment. You hear the thunder roll in the distance, the raindrops tapping on leaves around you, and suddenly the world feels a little more alive. 🤍 Oakleaf Cottage is one of my favorite places to photograph weddings - their team goes above and beyond to make sure every couple feels at peace, no matter the weather. (And their clear tent backup plan is next level!!)

Rainy wedding days? They’re some of my favorite to photograph. There’s something ethereal and unforgettable woven into the details that I can’t get enough of ☁️🌲

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We weren’t sure if the skies would cooperate—but in the end, the fog rolled in just right ✨☁️Jason and Victoria met on H...
06/04/2025

We weren’t sure if the skies would cooperate—but in the end, the fog rolled in just right ✨☁️

Jason and Victoria met on Hinge and got married exactly one year later, celebrating with an intimate church ceremony surrounded by loved ones. The only thing missing? Wedding photos. So they chose to revisit this season of their life, this time in a place that represented both of them—mountains for his Utah roots, and water for her Florida soul.

Cloudland Canyon gave us both. And on this rainy Georgia day, while most people ran from the weather, we stayed. The park was quiet. The cliffs were misty. The trees were draped in low clouds. And these two? They got to celebrate their marriage all over again—with joy, wonder, and fog that looked like it was straight out of a fairytale.

Sometimes the moody days are the most magical. ✨

“If we were in a romance novel, we’d be the grumpy/sunshine trope for sure.” — the bride 🌤️From the very first message, ...
05/30/2025

“If we were in a romance novel, we’d be the grumpy/sunshine trope for sure.” — the bride 🌤️

From the very first message, I could tell these two were something special. We connected instantly, and when I found out they were eloping in the North Cascades—my favorite state and one of the most breathtaking places in the world—I was all in.

We started the day at 3am, chasing sunrise and mountains… and somewhere along the drive, I spotted the most stunning lupine field bursting with color on the side of the road. I hesitated, then asked, “Would you be up for a quick detour for photos here?” Without skipping a beat, they were totally game. That’s just who they are—down for whatever, always ready to embrace the beauty and spontaneity of the moment.

Even with the Memorial Day crowds, the day somehow felt like a peaceful bubble just for the three of us. We wandered past alpine lakes and towering peaks, logging over 10,000 steps—and yes, this incredible bride did all of it in heels!

It was bright and sunny (and y’all know I’m usually team cloudy skies), but honestly? This day didn’t need a single filter. The light was radiant, the views were unreal, and the love between these two could’ve lit up the whole mountain range. ✨

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City weddings usually aren’t my usual rhythm—I’m more of a mountains-and-woods kind of girl. But stepping into Raleigh f...
05/19/2025

City weddings usually aren’t my usual rhythm—I’m more of a mountains-and-woods kind of girl. But stepping into Raleigh for Taylor and Hunter’s wedding at The Heights House felt like walking into a big, cozy hug. The whole weekend was filled with so much heart.

These two are the embodiment of intentional living. They started their wedding day the same way they live their lives—with yoga, meditation, and each other. I always encourage couples to carve out a quiet moment together before the festivities begin… and this was such a beautiful reminder of why.

Most of the guests stayed on-site, so breakfast was a shared moment too—filled with laughter, quiet excitement, and the kind of togetherness that sets the tone for something really special.

From their shared breath during the ceremony… to passing out digestive enzymes as dinner favors (yes, really!), every detail was a reflection of them.

Joyful tears. Belly laughs. Thoughtful touches. Deep presence.
It was everything a wedding should be.

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