"Buzz" , my phone went off in my pocket.
It was an email from my website, "elopement enquiry". Fun fact, I get anxious if I don't reply to clients quickly. So I stopped what I was doing to give the email my full attention. This email was going to be more than I could have imagined. The email was from a couple looking for a photographer. Not just any photographer though, they need an Adventure Photographer. According to Gizmodo. com-" Adventure photography is simply the act of photographing adventures, typically in the outdoors. It's a niche defined by stunning landscapes, dynamic personalities, and challenging, ever- changing shooting conditions!”
This is The area I long to establish myself. I want all the adventures, hell I long for them. So when I realized here was another chance to do what I love, with 2 new people, in a landscape I've never seen. I was all in.
Some of the beauty in the Gorge. Trees touching the sky and waterfalls pouring into the earth.
Dan and Matt can tell you their story far better than I can lay my Apple Pencil to my IPad so I will save myself that shortcoming. I will however cover the best parts that involve me.
We emailed back and forth for weeks and scheduled a Facetime meeting. They wanted someone up for a challenging hike, with a moody Aesthetic, and who shared the love of the outdoors that they shared with one another. Hello! My name is Jeremy and I check all the boxes. All that was missing was the actual personal connection between them and myself but 2 minutes into our Facetime meeting and I knew.
I was going to Kentucky one way or another. LOL
They were engaged at a place special to them. Dan hung hundreds of light in the trees in the middle of the woods. He invited their families who hid until the big moment. Matt hiked in on this day with one foot in a boot which is a testament to his love for Dan in my opinion. Fast forward to October 3rd, 2020 (“year of Rona" ) and I find myself in KY. My favorite camera bag loaded full and ready. Yes my Atlas Pack (I know, I owe you a review of it), my Canon EOS R , EOS RP, Leica M3, Fuji GW 690iii, Canon 50mm 1.2L, Canon 24mm 1.4L, RF 24-105f.4 and my DJI Mavic Mini. We Are headed to one of the most breathtaking places I've ever had to opportunity to see. We are at the "Red River Gorge of Kentucky" 29,000 acres inside the Daniel Boone National Forrest- more specifically a trail aptly named, "Cloud Splitter”!
I know I cannot truly, or fittingly show you the topography of this hike. I can't express fully how intense the climb up was. Crawling on all fours at times, and traversing, hand over hand up a single climbing rope, tied to the only tree allowing the way up or down. I was ellated! Im talking so steep, my 40lbs of camera equipment had to be hoisted down alone. I always keep climbing carabiners, among other necessities in my gear. I took my carabiner, pulled the rope to myself where I connected my pack and lowered it down before climbing down myself. This was before I met the guys for the actual elopement.
So all of that and I haven't even met Dan or Matt in person ever. That's what it takes. Long days, little sleep, dedication, preperation, and refusal to fail. I want this life, and will not stop until its how I'm known. Watch this VLOG for more, and most importantly.
Thank You to Matt and Dan. I wish you a long happy marriage, full of adventure, full of love, and plenty of ALE 8.
I spoke to Matt and he and Dan graciously agreed to allow me to share a link to their entire gallery. If you would like to see that please click HERE.
