We were lucky to catch up with Vannessa and Coleman Crawford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vannessa and Coleman, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most important aspects of what we do is to help couples connect with nature in a deep and adventurous way as they connect with each other on one of the most incredible days of their life. Last season, we met an amazing couple who had the goal of celebrating their Pacific Northwest adventure elopement in as many different types of Washington terrains as they could. Washington really has it all. From glaciated mountains to unique beaches to rocky deserts to what is only one of seven temperate rainforest ecosystems in the world, it’s a photographer and couple’s dream. To be able to document all the elements of Washington in one elopement furthered a pivotal shift in our business.

As adventure elopement photographers and videographers, we have been to some of the most beautiful, exotic and jawdropping vistas in the world. We’ve summited Mt. Baker with an eloping couple, flown part way around the world for an Icelandic ceremony under the midnight sun, and stood on the edge of Yosemite’s massive rock formations documenting “I do’s”, yet right in our own backyard is where we’ve felt some of the most immense inspiration.

With the couple who wanted to capture all of Washington’s terrains, we set off an incredible journey! Rock climbing, hiking, waterfalls, mountains, beaches, the magical larch tree season, and their sweet pup in a tux all came together to make their dream adventure come true. It was because of this couple and their adventure that we developed an entirely new package to offer to eloping couples called, “The Tour of Washington.” we absolutely love that this brand new package further helps couples connect with their roots and passions in the outdoors with such an elevated experience.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We are Coleman and Vannessa Crawford, a nature loving husband and wife photography and videography team who offer custom elopement adventures to couples in the Pacific Northwest and all around the world. Vannessa started the business back in 2010 when she was still working full time in accounting. With a cubicle in the center of the office, and no view of the outside world for 8 hours a day, she needed a huge change. There weren’t as many resources at the time to learn how to take photos and start a photography business, so she spent a year learning the ins and outs on her own and offering 100 free sessions to work on her art. Within a few years she knew she wanted to specialize in helping couples have their greatest adventure on one of the happiest days of their life together!

Before Coleman joined the business some years later, he spent five years in the Marine Corps followed by three years in the Army National Guard. After getting out, and with his passion for mountaineering, rock climbing, and hiking, it only made sense for him to team up with Vannessa to help catapult the business into the adventure providing experience it is today. He was also able to bring video into the business to create elopement films that allow couples to relive their experience again and again.

In our combined experience with photography, videography, and outdoor recreation, we are able to help couples safely live out their dream adventure wedding. If couples want to ski, backpack, summit a mountain, hike to a waterfall, or fly half way around the world, we help them plan the elopement of their wildest dreams. Experiencing the immense joy and success they feel as they are holding hands and exchanging vows after a successful journey, may be what makes us feel most proud!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

With the custom and personalized services we offer, we often develop very close friendships with our clients. We spend anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple years carefully crafting an ideal timeline, location and overall experience with each and every one of them. After we spend that time planning, we then finally get to meet up in person and have the most incredible day together! With so many of our couples, we continue texting with them, meeting up for dinner, and going to their kids’ birthday parties years after their elopement. It’s everything to us that we connect with our clients, be their biggest advocates and make it feel like they are spending their wedding day with some of their best friends.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

A book that had a huge impact on curating the confidence to offer couples such a niche experience is Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. Her emphasis on the importance of vulnerability, being willing to make mistakes, and living a courageous life is so empowering. There have been so many phases of transition in the life of our business to get to the place we’re in now. None of it would have been feasible without the willingness to step outside of what feels comfortable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecrawfordsphotography.com
• Instagram: @vannessakralovicphoto
• Facebook: vannessakralovicphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vannessa-and-coleman-crawford-66737a2a3/
• Twitter: @crawfordsphoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6KzuR2T6Hb3Q4yh9i8WyfA

Image Credits
All photos were taken by The Crawfords Photography