welcome

I’M ELORA. YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER.

happy newly weds dancing at night
black boots with a camera balancing on top
a couple holding champagne glasses toasting each other on top of a mountain

BUT THIS IS ABOUT YOU: MY IDEAL COUPLE

You’re the kind of couple that cherishes authenticity and values the raw, unfiltered beauty of genuine emotions. You’re looking for a wedding day that feels intimate and real, where every moment is a true reflection of who you are.

On your wedding or elopement day, you want to be fully present, soaking in the joy of the day without feeling pulled away or asked to perform.

Your wedding isn’t about putting on a show; it’s about celebrating that you’ve found one another. You want to look back on your wedding day and see how it made you feel more alive, surrounded by the people you love most in a breathtaking setting.

You value quality and creativity, seeking high-quality, cinematic photography and videography that tells the true story of your love. You appreciate working with someone who takes the time to get to know you, understands your vision, and feels like a friend on your special day.

ALL THE LOVE

ALL THE LOVE

By the time your wedding comes you know you have a friend ready to help capture your big day. And then from there, Elora works wonders. Her creativity in how she put together our pictures and video is just so beyond anything I could have imagined and truly one of a kind. Looking through her portfolio I can imagine we aren’t the only happy couple that has worked with Elora.”

beautiful couple sitting on staircase sharing a kiss

Why Golden, BC is an amazing Place to Get Married —

My home of Golden, BC is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, offering breathtaking landscapes that make it the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. Far from the bustling tourist hubs, Golden boasts incredible views, romantic river valleys, and epic mountain top hikes. 

The tight-knit community here is welcoming and supportive, with local vendors who know each other well, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. Whether you envision a mountaintop ceremony, an adventurous elopement, or an intimate forest wedding, Golden’s natural beauty and charm make it an unforgettable place to celebrate your love.

With stunning venues like Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Hillside Lodge, The Red Barn, The Cedar House and lots of adorable vacation homes available for more intimate weddings, there is an endless amount of possibilities for the perfect wedding.

a beautiful bride and groom on top of a mountain holding each other
a couple holding hands walking together

Get to Know Elora -  Your Wedding Photographer and Videographer

I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and my journey as a wedding photographer and videographer. My story began in the stunning Canadian backcountry, where I worked at a heli-skiing lodge. It was there that I discovered my passion for photography and videography, capturing and editing unforgettable moments for guests.

One summer day, a couple got married at the lodge and hired me to edit a video from the footage taken by their guests. As I watched and edited their beautiful day, I found myself moved to tears. That was the moment I knew I was hooked.

  • landscape view of the rocky mountain range

    LIFE IN GOLDEN, BC

    Golden, BC, has been my home for the past nine incredible years. Living in this picturesque mountain town is like a dream come true. Nestled in a cozy forest cottage with my husband Shawn, our son Bo, and our sweet pup Willow, we embrace the mountain lifestyle to the fullest. We got married in our front yard in 2022, surrounded by our nearest and dearest, making it the best day of our lives.

    The accessibility and exclusivity of big nature here is something I cherish. Golden is far enough away from the major tourist towns like Banff and Lake Louise, yet it’s bursting with incredible views, romantic river valleys, and epic mountain top hikes. It’s the kind of small town where everyone knows each other and helps each other out. This strong sense of community enhances the wedding experience, as all the local vendors know each other and work together seamlessly.

  • bride and groom walking into a mountain top restaurant

    MY STYLE AND APPROACH

    In my approach, I seamlessly blend the sincerity of capturing unique moments with a cinematic aesthetic and emotional perspective. The essence of genuine emotions—laughter, hugs, smiles, and authentic expressions—is preserved in their purest form, creating timeless imagery that encapsulates the true essence of the moments captured.

  • elora may holding her mountain bike smiling

    BALANCING WORK AND LIFE

    I’ve found a career that allows me to explore the mountains while capturing love stories. At the top of Kicking Horse on a wedding day, I can spot new biking trails for the upcoming week. Or during my personal adventures, I’m always on the lookout for stunning locations to take couples for photos or recommend new spots in town.

  • elora may holding her drone equipment

    TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT

    I love using and learning unique techniques and equipment to enhance my work. My drone is one of my favourite tools so far, offering breathtaking aerial views that my couples adore. 

    Additionally, I incorporate Super8 film and 35mm photography to add a nostalgic touch to my work, alongside digital photos and videos.  I'm a very sentimental person so I want to capture a wedding day in all the formats possible.

  • married gay couple holding each other lovingly

    WEDDINGS FOR EVERYONE - LGBTQ+ / Same Sex Wedding Friendly

    I believe in inclusivity and proudly serve all couples no matter who they fall in love with and how they choose to celebrate.

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bride and groom sharing a kiss in front of a river and waterfall

Exceptional Service & Storytelling, Every Step of the Way

I'm a fun time gal but a professional through and through. From our initial consultation to the final delivery of your wedding photos and videos, I'm committed to providing you with a seamless and stress-free experience.

I prioritize clear communication, attention to detail, and personalized service to ensure that every aspect of your wedding photography and videography exceeds your expectations.

Elora May Creative Studios is fully insured up to 5 million liability coverage.  This is enough to cover at local venue’s requiring this from the vendors.

“As a wedding planner, we work with a wide range of videographers and I can confidently say that Elora is one of my top referrals for my clients. She is talented, organized, attentive, hard working and such a pleasure to be around.”

Curious about what it’s like to work with me? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get a better understanding of my approach, services, and what you can expect on your wedding day.

  • I want my couples to know I'm going to be fully committed to them on their wedding day. I will know their wedding party by their first names, will dance with their aunties at the reception and let myself be fully caught up in their joy. By not taking on tons of weddings each year, I ensure full focus for each couple.

  • Yes! I love to travel and have an adventure! No matter where you say I do, I am there. I have captured weddings across the country and I will provide complimentary travel within a 2 hour driving radius of Golden, BC.

    For locations beyond that, I will quote for the transportation and accommodation for 2 nights minimum at the wedding location. I will be booking these myself to keep logistics simple, and will provide the travel quote to you when you inquire.

  • I have a small team of trusted associate cinematographer and photographers that I work with depending on the couple and their day.  One will join me for wedding days where I'm covering both photo and video.

    They will approach the day similar to me and will be by my side both capturing stills and video - just like me.

  • I do offer video only packages, however I do not offer only photo packages. I feel video plays such an important role in remembering the day and always want to offer it.

  • I pull lots of inspiration from my favourite movies and musicians.  If I'm needing some inspiration, my go to movies are Moulin Rouge, Big Fish, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Love and Basketball, Romeo and Juliet (with Leo and Claire), Ever After, Crazy Rich Asians, Amelia, The Shape of Water, Lady Bird, Brokeback Mountain, The Princess Bride just to name a few. 

    Before a wedding day, you can often find me listening to a playlist with artists like James Morrison, Leon Bridges, Sam Cooke, Bon Iver, Langhorne Slim, Otis Redding and The Lumineers.

  • Getting outside.  Lots of hiking and biking in the summer, skiing in the winter.  I want to take full advantage of living in such an incredible place like Golden, BC.  I'm a documentary and narrative filmmaker with lots of big dreams of seeing my work play at TIFF, Cannes, SXSW etc.  I could talk about my film passion projects all day.

  • I grew up playing basketball or doing theater.  I come from a world where working as a team or ensemble is critical to a game or a show's success.  I work hard for my couples to make sure they have the best chances of success to have the best day.  If I see potential issues I will work with the other vendors ahead of time or on the day to ensure the couple doesn't need to stress.

  • Both! I've added film in the form of Super8 video and 35mm photography to my packages.

  • I do love the Super8 add on which just brings so much nostalgia when watching it back.  To me it looks the closest like a wedding day memory.  A little fuzzy but oh so sweet and magical.

  • Make sure your day sounds like a good time.  I've spoken to couples in the past who I can tell are just going through the wedding day motions.  It's a day filled with tradition and certain expectations, but I say just plan a day that sounds like a good time.  Make sure your guests have yummy things to eat and drink. The rest will fall into place

  • My kit is chosen specifically for minimal impact on a wedding day. I use Sony Cameras. They are small and lightweight and keep a low profile.

    For audio for vows and speeches, I use a lavalier microphone which clips into a boutineer or collar. I will occasionally use lights for certain reception spaces to get great coverage of the speeches.

  • By your wedding day, I'll likely be on a first-name basis with your vendors. I love building relationships with fellow vendors, from your planner to your DJ and especially your caterer. I'll be respectful and considerate in my services to ensure they can do theirs seamlessly

Have questions for me?   Use my contact page to let me know what's on your mind.