Shell Creek Photography

Name: Shell Creek Photography
Address: 37047 US Highway 550, Montrose, CO, 81403, US
Telephone: (402) 615-3061
Price range: $$$$
Rating: 0

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Montrose, CO
Shell Creek Photography

Creating adventurous elopement experiences for couples who want bold + colorful images Hey, I’m Malachi! Contact me to get started!

I specialize in elopement photography & help couples create the most amazing wedding days in nature. I include planning assistance with every elopement to help you find amazing locations, the best vendors, coordination of permits, & so much more.

01/17/2025

Your elopement day, your adventure! 🙌🏼 Whether you're looking for quiet moments or big adventures (or both!), this is your chance to create something special for your day.

Some ideas for a laid-back vibe:
🌄 Off-roading tours with a guide
🌌 Stargazing late into the night
🐴 Horseback rides to explore stunning locations
♨ Relaxing at a hot spring or cozying up at a coffee shop
🍽️ Celebrate at a restaurant or with a private chef
💐 Go to a flower farm to pick your own bouquet

For something more adventurous:
⛺ Backpacking to a remote destination
🚁 Helicopter or hot air balloon tours
❄️ Snowshoeing in the mountains
🏄 Snorkeling, surfing, or paddle boarding
🧗🏼‍♂️ Rock climbing & rappelling
⛵️ Going sailing or taking a boat out

No matter what you choose, your day should be about you—not what anyone else is doing. For even more ideas, check out my guide at www.shellcreekphoto.com/how-to-make-elopement-special

Save this for later and start planning your perfect adventure today!

01/15/2025

Tori & Frank's hiking elopement in the Mt. Baker region of Washington was such a fun adventure! From sunrise to sunset we explored the rugged mountains, lush rainforests, & glacial blue rivers that make these mountains such a special elopement location.

I first got to explore these mountains quite a few years back & now this region is one of my FAVORITE locations to explore! I've been here in all seasons & I can honestly say I would recommend this location year round. Snowshoeing is a lot of fun & the amount of snow the area gets is crazy! Spring & fall are cool & foggy shoulder seasons where it feels like classic PNW. And summer is full of wildflowers, huckleberries, & gorgeous mountain views.

Right now I do have availability for small weddings & elopements for this region in July + August. So if you're still searching for the perfect mountain elopement location in Washington, maybe this is your sign to elope near Mount Baker!

01/13/2025

I remember the very first time I came here it felt like I drove into another planet because all of a sudden the red rocks were surrounding me. There’s something about Moab that feels otherworldly & special, like time just slows down out here a bit. That’s exactly why couples like Erin & Kenny choose to elope in Moab.

Their day was was raw, real, & full of meaning. I’ll never forget the moment Erin reached up & gently wiped away Kenny’s tears while reading her vows, surrounded by their closest family in Arches National Park. You could feel the love between them & that’s the kind of moment you don’t forget. That’s what eloping is about.

Whether you’re adventuring to a hidden arch, standing on the edge of a canyon, or stealing a quiet moment under a sky lit with stars, Moab invites you to make your wedding day exactly what you want it to be. Adventurous, laid-back, emotional, or all of the above—it’s your love story, & there’s no “right” way to tell it.

If you’re dreaming of something like Erin & Kenny’s day—something intimate, emotional, & totally yours—the deserts of Moab, Utah might just be the perfect place.

When you’re ready to plan your Moab elopement, I’ll be here to photograph every laugh, every tear, & every moment that makes your day special.

12/12/2024

Having lived in Colorado for years, & with my family being from here—I’ve discovered so many hidden gems across this beautiful state. One of those gems? The Cimarron Range, near the tiny town of Cimarron in western Colorado. Breinana & Preston found the perfect spot there for their intimate camping wedding. They gathered their friends and family, set up travel trailers in the mountains, & celebrated a whole weekend together. It was such a fun, laid-back experience, & the best part? It proves you can plan your wedding exactly the way you want!

12/11/2024

Your day has been a whirlwind of adventure—wandering through the mountains, soaking in those quiet moments, & just being together. Now the sun has dipped below the horizon, the sky is painted in twilight hues, & you’re here, on top of the world. The warm glow of string lights wraps around you as you dance together, feeling like the only two people around.

This isn’t about a perfect timeline or traditions that don’t resonate with you—it’s about creating a day that feels completely you. Whether it’s saying your vows on top of a mountain peak or ending the night dancing under the stars, your elopement can be as adventurous, intimate, & uniquely yours as you’ve always imagined.

12/10/2024

Eloping in the fall in Durango is an adventure that’s all about embracing the beauty of the season, no matter what the weather brings. When I photographed Aeriel & Paul’s elopement in late fall, the San Juan Mountains were shifting into winter mode—but we still found incredible pockets of vibrant aspen trees & made our way to a stunning blue pool waterfall.

Their day wasn’t about perfect skies; it was about their connection & their willingness to roll with the unpredictable. It’s a reminder that your elopement doesn’t need flawless weather to feel like the perfect day—it just needs the two of you and a little bit of curiosity about what’s out there waiting to be explored.

If you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement in the mountains, the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado offer all sorts of locations for your day. And I'm here to help you make it happen– rain or shine!

12/09/2024

Dreaming of a PNW elopement surrounded by nature's beauty? Port Angeles, on the northern edge of Olympic National Park, offers the perfect backdrop & "basecamp" for your elopement day. With stunning views at Hurricane Ridge & coastal areas along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, it's an ideal spot if you're looking for a variety in your elopement locations.

You could exchange vows amidst the meadows of Hurricane Ridge, with panoramic vistas of the glacier capped peaks in the background. Or perhaps a tranquil forest ceremony in the lush rainforests. The rugged beaches near Port Angeles provide even more location options!

Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony with a few guests or an adventurous day just for the two of you, Port Angeles offers diverse landscapes to make your elopement what you want.

Port Angeles is one of my favorite little towns in Washington & summer is the best time to explore the area. July is great for wildflowers & August is a good time for mild weather. I have more availability this next year for Olympic National Park & Washington state & would love to chat about photography for your elopement day!

12/07/2024

One of my favorite locations for the so called "shoulder seasons" of late fall & early spring in other mountainous locations, is Bishop, California. When it gets to be late fall in other areas, it gets cold, the leaves fall off the trees, & the snow hasn't started to blanket the landscape. When its early spring in other areas, it's still cold, the snow begins to melt, & the greenery hasn't started to grow.

Bishop is a great place to visit during these times because you still get epic mountains without it being as cold & the desert combined with the mountains still look the same without relying on things like trees having their leaves. Also Bishop is full of some great climbing routes, it is a fun little town to visit, you can find remote spots with privacy, & there are a ton of hot springs here!

12/06/2024

Hannah & Todd eloped at one of my FAVORITE locations this summer! Mount Sneffels & these blue alpine lakes truly made me fall in love with western Colorado. I've explored miles upon miles of this remote wilderness & have hiked hundreds of miles in the San Juan Mountains. They're the first place that *truly* felt like home for me & I absolutely love getting to share these special locations with couples. And watching others fall in love with these mountains is so special & (I know it might sound cheesy but) it warms my heart.

12/05/2024

Still looking to plan a last minute elopement this winter? The deserts of the western U.S. are full of hidden gems & warmer elopement locations for the winter months! You could elope in places like Death Valley, Phoenix, Joshua Tree, Southern Utah, or Tucson. Shoot me an email if you want to book something this winter!

12/04/2024

Sometimes I get asked if I just photograph elopements or if I photograph weddings too. The answer is that I do both! What matters is you as the couple & how you want your wedding day to be. If you vibe with me as your wedding photographer, I'd love to be a part of your day! And while I don't have a certain cap on guest count, I do specialize in more intimate weddings & also 2 person elopements.

I photographed Baily & Garrett's intimate wedding at & it was a day full of joy, intimate moments, & a bit of crazy weather came through just as they were wrapping up their outdoor reception.

Can't wait for all of the 2025 weddings to come!

12/03/2024

One of my favorite trends I have seen a lot from couples is sharing private vows with just each other during their wedding day. Sometimes there's deeply personal things you want to share with your partner but you don't necessarily want to say those things in front of a bunch of people. It's also a great way to bridge the gap between an elopement & a wedding day!

11/29/2024

When your elopement day ends, you're tired but so so happy, let me just say it can really be worth it to just take a little extra time for star photos. This photo was just taken in the parking lot of the trailhead we were at. You don't always need a big landscape when the focal point is the stars!

11/28/2024

Today I am thankful for the people I have in my life now. For me, sometimes family-focused occasions can bring up mixed feelings, as I’ve been disconnected from my family for years. But I am truly glad to have the people who have supported me & stuck by my side all this time. I hope everyone has a wonderful day today & whether you're with family or with your chosen family, what matters most is being surrounded by love & support, no matter where it comes from! Cherish the connections that bring you joy & know that you’re not alone in creating your own version of happiness. Here’s to finding gratitude in the people who truly see & care for you. ☺️

11/27/2024

This is one of my favorite ring photos I took this year! While I was hiking with Frank & Tori for their elopement in Washington, we came across a ton of huckleberries all along the trails & got to pick & eat berries as we went along. I saw the perfect lighting to create this photo with the huckleberries (and if you know me, you know I'm a bit obsessed with huckleberries).

While photos like this aren't the "banger" images, they show part of your wedding day & make up a whole set of images that tell your wedding day story. Also pro tip: if you want to display a set of images that tell your wedding day story, an heirloom quality album is one of the best ways to do that!

11/26/2024

The Pacific Northwest has some of the coolest & most epic looking mountains I've seen & I've traveled A LOT. These glacial covered peaks were seriously impressive to me the first time I saw them (and still every time I get to see them). Pair that with the lush, green rainforests, & it’s no wonder I fell in love with the PNW!

I took Zac & Tyler on a little adventure to this epic overlook of Mount Hood where we stayed out past sunset to watch alpenglow on the peak & create some romantic photos to end the evening.

11/25/2024

Let this be your reminder to just have FUN! Have fun on your wedding day & don't forget to have fun in your life. 🙌🏼

I had a lot of fun with Aimée & Rob during their day in New Zealand as you can see. During your day, feel free to goof off, laugh, & just have fun together!

11/23/2024

Can you spot the tiny couple? 👀 I LOVE the shots like this with a huge landscape & tiny couple. These are the kinds of photos that you could print big & display as wall art without there being massive people heads on your walls.

But how do these photos happen? Well, some landscapes & locations are more conducive to creating these images, so planning out locations for your day is important. I utilize a variety of techniques to get photos like this & these kinds of photos can be created in most locations where I can get far enough away from the couple. Sometimes I'm running off into the distance to get to the right spot for the photo & sometimes it's couples wandering far off to create images like this. And other times I utilize a drone, especially in flatter or coastal locations.

The fun part of this job is the variety in what I get to create for couples like you & then when I send these photos, your excitement is everything!

Address

37047 US Highway 550
Montrose, CO
81403

Telephone

(402) 615-3061

Website

https://www.shellcreekphoto.com/

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Looking for ideas of national parks you can get married in? These 5 underrated parks all have beautiful locations for intimate weddings & elopements! Pro tip: don’t get stuck on getting married in a national park. Sometimes you can find areas that are just as beautiful or even better, right outside the park boundaries! ☀️ Death Valley National Park: full of unique desert landscapes including mountains, geological formations, & sand dunes. One of the best winter elopement spots if you want warmer weather. 🏜️ Canyonlands National Park: miles upon miles of vast overlooks & winding canyons carved through the red rocks of Moab. Plenty to explore whether you want easy to access spots or adventure. 🏔️ Great Sand Dunes National Park: the tallest Sand Dunes in North America can be found in Colorado. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains & dunes that look straight out of a movie. 🌊 Olympic National Park: a lush national park where can you find mountains, coastal areas, & beautiful temperate rainforests. Lots of fun places to explore & small coastal towns to visit. 🌄 Black Canyon of the Gunnison: a lesser known national park that holds a special place in my heart. Steep canyon walls made up of beautiful layers of rock. Do you have a favorite? I have to say that I just LOVE Olympic. The greenery + mountains + ocean all in one location? Count me in!

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Specializing in elopements & intimate weddings

Hey! My name is Malachi & I am so glad you are here! I am a photographer with a love for color specializing in weddings & elopements, although I also enjoy photographing adventure sports, families, & high end realty occasionally as well. I usually call Colorado my home but I am always on the go!

My style of photography is very bright, colorful, and most of all- HAPPY! Life is hard and you deserve amazing photos of you having fun. Read more about me on my website: www.shellcreekphoto.com