The Elopement Expert

 When I think about my journey from my first wedding at 14 years old, to college, to staff photographer at Chapman University to now... A full-time photographer and entrepreneur, I have to smile. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has been empowering and rewarding.

My Experience.

My experience in this field is slightly unique compared to many other photographers stories. I actually set out to be a wedding photographer from the beginning. It seems to me that most photographers either fall into the field by accident or they wanted to be a photographer in a different category and sort of fell into wedding photography that way.

I started Taylored Photo Memories back in 2008 in Southern California. I photographed and side hustled for several years while working as a staff photographer for Chapman University in Orange. After my, now husband decided he wanted to move to Las Vegas, I knew I could join him and fulfill my entrepreneur desires and go full time in Vegas. I finished out my master's degree at Chapman and headed to Sin City to see what I was made of.

The Truth About Starting a Business.

It took a great deal of time, effort and loneliness to start a business. The amount of weddings that take place in Vegas is very high, but the competition is also high. So, I set out to create a niche for myself in the elopement arena.

Vegas is a Completely Different Market.

Since moving to Las Vegas, I average about 75-100 weddings a year. For me, my business works with a higher volume and more intimate wedding. This makes Vegas a very unique market in my opinion. My specialty has really become “elopement expert” and even more specifically those Red Rock Canyon weddings. The destination weddings I usually attract are couples looking for a little adventure, authenticity, and simplicity. We cater to those that are interested in the scenic beauty of the desert and are looking for an inclusive package to take care of their needs. We handle the couple’s permit for red rock canyon, the minister, photography, and florals.

Overall, I couldn't be more thrilled with my decision to do Las Vegas weddings and since I frequent beautiful red rock regularly as a rock climber, runner, and cyclist, it even makes me happier! Our goal is to make every wedding ceremony unique, special and fun while escaping the Las Vegas strip for wedding photos.

Both, Cactus Collective Weddings and Taylored Photo Memories have been amazing and I’m so grateful that I have been able to find my niche in a concentrated market of wedding photographers in Vegas. Nothing beats being an entrepreneur in my opinion!

McKenzi Taylor | Photo By KMH Photography