We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karen Castor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Karen, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is for every couple to have the elopement day of their dreams. An intentional, memorable, and stress-free elopement that’s personal and 100% focused on them. I eloped in Canada back in 2018 and it was the most perfect day. While I loved every part of our day, I wished I had someone to help me through the entire process of eloping. Especially in another country. That’s what really drove me to transition my photography business into solely elopements. I wanted to be the expert for couples to lean on in their journey to planning their elopement. I don’t ever want anyone to feel overwhelmed and end up giving up on their elopement dream because it truly is the best way to start a marriage.

That’s why I have spent years growing and learning how to make elopements even more intimate and intentional because I believe it’s more than just a pretty view for your wedding photos- it’s a whole day dedicated to making memories, sharing laughs and happy tears, and soaking in the moment.

Karen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Karen! I’m an adventure elopement photographer based in Arizona and I help couples elope here in the desert of Arizona and Utah. I started with photography back in 2016 and photographed everything- families, kids, seniors, weddings, etc. I had always loved traveling and hiking, so taking photos in epic places has always been a passion of mine. It wasn’t until I did an engagement shoot for a family member that I realized I love taking photos of other people.

In 2018, I planned my own elopement in Banff- it was a bucket list location for my husband and me. After starting to plan a traditional wedding I quickly realized it wasn’t for us. Each decision we were making was for our guests, none were really about us. It was overwhelming thinking about the money we were spending on those material things for one day. Plus, I was never much of a spotlight person, so even the thought of being the center of attention had me stressed.

Eloping was known as a ‘run away in secret’ type of wedding and I had never seen anything else about it. I discovered a photo of a styled shoot at Moraine Lake and I knew I had to make it happen somehow. My search for an elopement expert was tough- I never even found one actually. There were lots of photographers to choose from, but I never found one that could help me make my day extra intentional and special. I wanted it to be more than the ‘run away in secret’ type of wedding but had no clue how to make that happen.

That entire experience made me realize how much I enjoyed planning and how much I wanted to be the resource I was searching for. Someone who could not only tell me how to make it all happen, but also help me brainstorm ways to make the day more unique to us and less like a photoshoot.

That’s when I officially transitioned my business from photographing everything that came along to just elopements. I dedicated all of my time learning how to become that expert for couples. It was the best decision I ever made because now, I’ve combined my passion for adventure and landscapes with my passion for photographing couples in love. It’s the best job ever.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Elopement photography is my full-time business now, but it didn’t used to be. I had always treated my photography business as a side hustle- for 5 years to be exact. I had a ‘good’ job with the post office- great pay, benefits, schedule, and even loved my coworkers. But I wasn’t happy.

I quit my job with the post office back in 2021 and took my business full-time. It wasn’t easy and I technically didn’t prepare very well, but I knew my mental health needed it. I was run down by a job I hated and each day I felt like the life was sucked out of me. Even though it was technically a great job, it was not fulfilling in any way. I knew I wanted to do something I loved something that gave me purpose, and something that made me excited to wake up every day. Selling stamps and sorting mail was not it. I knew I wanted something bigger.

Switching to photography full-time has changed my life in so many ways. I’m a better wife, a better mother, and a better version of myself. I love what I do, I love the couples I get to work with, and I love the places I get to work in. It’s seriously surreal that this is my career now.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first went full-time, I also moved across the country to an entirely new state. I had to rebrand my business, learn a whole new market, and basically start from scratch. I almost gave up after 6 months of 0 inquiries and I had no clue what I was doing. Up until that point, I had invested thousands into elopement photography education and felt ready to be the expert couples needed, but I was struggling to get those couples in my inbox, let alone on my calendar.

Then, I hired an elopement photography coach. She was in the position I wanted to be in and knew exactly what to do to get there. She held me accountable and supported me when I didn’t have any faith in myself. It was a game changer and the sole reason I am as successful as I am today.

Now that I’m in the position I wanted to be in way back then, I have begun coaching other photographers as well. Helping others build this dream life is definitely another passion of mine that I just recently discovered, and I can’t wait to take this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://karencastorphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karencastorphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karencastorphoto/