Kayla Illies Photography

Fully Planned & Photographed Elopements & Intimate Adventure Weddings

  • Meet Kayla
  • How It Works
  • Contact
  • Free Resources
    • 1) Weddings and Elopements
    • 2) Adventure Sessions
    • 3) Planning Tips
      • 3a) For Elopements
      • 3b) For Weddings
      • 3c) For Sessions
      • 3d) Printing Your Photos
    • 4) Meet the Photographer
    • 5) Travel + Adventures

Contact

Send me a quick message by clicking one of the images below!

I am SO excited to have the chance to get to know you and hear all about your kick-ass plans for your elopement, adventure wedding, or fun adventure session! I’m currently booking couples for 2019 and 2020 and based in Southern California but travel across the U.S. with all inclusive travel collections available for you fun, adventure loving couples!

To inquire about working together click on the image below that best fits the service you’re looking for, fill the form out, click submit, and I will send all of the info over to you!! Or feel free to email me directly at kaylailliesphotography@gmail.com! I will reach out to you within 24 hours and if you don’t see my email in your inbox, be sure to check your spam or promotions folder just in case! I seriously can’t wait to meet you!

  • Meet Kayla
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  • Free Resources
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More about Kayla

Here at KIP we believe that couples should be able to get married THEIR way and not feel like they have to put on some big production to make everyone ELSE happy on their day! We're here to help our couples have a kick-ass day that is 100% their OWN!

Available in Southern California,

Las Vegas, Arizona, & across the U.S.

 

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Just when I was starting to get into our new routi Just when I was starting to get into our new routine here in Arizona with my husband going to school again, both of us working full time jobs, and still working on slowly making the transition to being a full time elopement photographer while growing my business this pandemic hits and throws it all back into a jumble again.
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I know I'm not the only one and I just wanted to reach out to let you all know that WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER and we WILL get through this.
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It absolutely breaks my heart to see so many couples having to postpone or even cancel their wedding days all together until this is all over. However, LOVE will always triumph, ALWAYS!
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Though things might not be going as we all want them to, there is still beauty and light amidst it all. You will still get to marry the love of your life and have a wedding day that is equally as beautiful - if not more beautiful because we now understand now, more than ever, that these moments with our partner, family, and/or friends are meant to be cherished and not taken for granted.
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If you've had to postpone or cancel your wedding date - I am so sorry but keep your chin up girlie because all is not lost.
Can I ask you something friend? After your wedding Can I ask you something friend? After your wedding day is over, how do you want to remember it?
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I know every single one of us have different ideas/opinions when it comes to answering this question but I'd love to know...
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What would be your favorite way to print and remember your wedding day or your life's favorite photographic memories in general?
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A beautiful photo album?
Framed prints hanging around your home?
Canvases?
Small 4x6 or 5x7 prints in a pretty glass/wood box sitting on your coffee table?
A few smaller tabletop frames displayed around your house?
______________ (fill in the blank)
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Let me know in the comments below!
Growing up I wanted to be a whole variety of diffe Growing up I wanted to be a whole variety of different things.
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A vet.
A horse rescuer.
A writer.
A rancher.
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But when it came time to choose a career path and what to go to college for - photography is what spoke to me. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like or where I'd be right now if I had chosen another career path but for whatever reason I just can't picture it because that's how much I love being a photographer and how ingrained into my blood it is. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I'm still not sure why it stuck out to me the way it did but I do know that I absolutely LOVE being able to tell a couples love story through my photographs so that they can relive that day all over again.
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The joy.
The happy tears.
The sense of wonder as they explore a beautiful place together.
The fun, silliness, and laughter.
The love.
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Photography to me, is a way to make sure that the moments that matter and the moments that make us into who we are - are never forgotten. It's my way of showing the world that there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for - even when life feels tough.
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What do you love the most about what YOU do?! Let me know below.
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PC: @bernadettemarciniak
I still can't stop smiling (my cheeks literally hu I still can't stop smiling (my cheeks literally hurt!) over how INCREDIBLE Hannah and Kyle's elopement day was! Getting to explore two National Parks with these two, meeting their families during their evening ceremony at Zion, and documenting their adventurous day was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had the chance of being a part of!
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The more I photograph fun, relaxed, outdoor adventure elopements like this one the more I realize that this is where my heart has been leading me to all along and I know that I’m “right on time” with where I’m supposed to be! (Right @ambermccue!)
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The journey here hasn't been easy over the last ten years but life is too short to do anything BUT what you absolutely love!
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So get out there and chase the things that make your heart happy - even if that means skipping the big, traditional wedding and opting for a more intimate and intentional day like this!
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You don’t need anyone’s permission but your own so go and own it friend!
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OUR KICKASS KIP ELOPEMENTS VENDOR TEAM:
Planner + Officiant - @sylver.weddings.and.events
Lead Photographer - (ME!) @kayla_illies_photography
Second Photographer - @bernadettemarciniak
Hair and Makeup Artist - @kanani.hmua
Florist - @florallyeverafter
Stationary - @writefullyyourskc
Groom Attire - @daziusa
During our latest trip to Utah for Hannah and Kyle During our latest trip to Utah for Hannah and Kyle's elopement we did a little location scouting in the Dixie National Forest and came across this INCREDIBLE view at the end of one of our hikes!
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Personally, Utah is one of my favorite states to explore, for this very reason! Everywhere you look it's just GORGEOUS and there's no shortage of outdoor activities that you can do YEAR ROUND!
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If you've been to Utah - what's your favorite area to explore?! Let me know below!
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PC: @bernadettemarciniak
ELOPEMENT PLANNING TIP: WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SPE ELOPEMENT PLANNING TIP: WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SPEND ON YOUR DAY!
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Are you wondering what an elopement will cost you vs. having a big, traditional wedding?!
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We recently noticed that there are thousands upon THOUSANDS of blog posts and statistics that show you what you can expect to spend on a big, TRADITIONAL wedding but NOTHING showing you how much an ELOPEMENT will cost specifically.
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So this week over on the blog we've done all of the research for you and we've broken it all down so you know what you can realistically expect to spend on your elopement or intimate wedding day! Woot woot!!!
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We're covering the average costs of your photographer, videographer, planner, officiant, travel, location permits, florals, attire, and a few other important things that you may or may not be including in your day so feel free to check it out if you're planning on eloping or having a small, intimate wedding!
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Simply visit my profile - @kayla_illies_photography - click the link in my bio and hop over to the "Free Resources" page on my website to read all about it!
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Have questions? Send us a DM or leave it in the comments below and we'd be happy to answer it for you!

FABULOUS ELOPEMENT VENDOR TEAM:
Planner + Officiant: @sylver.weddings.and.events
Photographer: (Me!) @kayla_illies_photography
Florist: @roguepetalco
When it comes to decorating your home with photos When it comes to decorating your home with photos it can be hard to figure out whether to use frames or canvases, what photos to use, what sizes to print, and how to lay it all out!
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Today I wanted to share 10 quick tips with you to help:
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1) Use images that you absolutely LOVE that showcases a favorite memory or story from your life.
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2) Use a variation of image sizes or keep them all the same size.
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3) Don't be afraid to GO BIG! Bigger images make a room feel more completed and will make a true statement piece in your home.
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4) Print your images at a PROFESSIONAL printing lab like MPIX (www.mpix.com) - not at a department store.
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5) Buy frames or decor pieces that really resonate with you that coordinate with the theme/color scheme of your home.
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6) Mix and match frame styles or frames with canvases or add in different decor elements to make it unique to YOU.
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7) Lay it all out on the floor and play around with the layout until you find one that you really love!
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8) When hanging them on the wall, hang the center of the cluster at eye level and make sure the top of the cluster is a few inches BELOW the door and window frames. Do NOT hang them up close to the ceiling.
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9) In most instances it's best to put 1-2 inches of space between photos when hanging them - no more than that or it won't look as "connected" or "put together".
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10) Don't want to put holes in your wall or have a hard time hanging photos up with nails? Use the 3M COMMAND PICTURE HANGING STRIPS instead! I swear by them and use them to hang 99% of the decor in my own home. You can find them on Amazon or at most department stores - Costco included.
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Need help? Feel free to DM me with your questions or drop them in the comments below and I'd be happy to help!
Life might be tough but darling SO ARE YOU! ⠀⠀ Life might be tough but darling SO ARE YOU!
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Stand tall. Fight for what you believe in. Chase your dreams. Find the things that light your soul on FIRE because let's be REAL - life is too short to do otherwise! So spread your wings friends and FLY friend!!!!!
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You TOTALLY GOT THIS!
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PC: @bernadettemarciniak
This little cutie was just hanging out on the side This little cutie was just hanging out on the side of the road last time we visited the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada and we got to see him or his buddy again this weekend while we were visiting again!
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He didn't seem to have a care in the world that there were cars driving by which shocked me because back home in Minnesota most of the deer just scatter whenever they see a car or a human. Not this little guy! He's fearless apparently!
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I absolutely LOVE when I get to see wildlife while I'm out exploring and I'm so thankful I have some damn good camera gear to be able to capture photos of them from a distance so I don't disturb them or frighten them!
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I'm still waiting to be able to go see the wild mustangs (we kind of seen them this past weekend but not in the daylight!) or the Icelandic ponies but I did recently find out that there ARE wild mustangs here in ARIZONA and I'm DYING to go see them!!!!! (So if you know where they like to hangout - LEMME KNOW!)
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What's the coolest wildlife YOU'VE seen while out traveling, exploring, or hiking?! Where'd you see them?!
Well it's OFFICIAL friends!!!! After months of pla Well it's OFFICIAL friends!!!! After months of planning their day with them, doing tons of research, scouting locations, and preparing for their elopement I'm so excited to announce that these two cutie pies are officially MARRIED!!!!!
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Their entire elopement day was a fun, relaxed adventure and their day consisted of them getting ready at their AirBNB, doing a first look at Bryce Canyon, reading their personal vows to each other overlooking the Silent City, walking through the Hoodoo's, sharing a piece of pie to celebrate at a nearby restaurant, frolicking + exploring around Zion, enjoying the beautiful fall colors, and ending with a beautiful, intimate ceremony with their families at the Timber Creek Overlook!
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It was everything they'd hoped it would be and so much more! To have been able to be a part of it by helping them plan it and to document their kickass adventure just fills my heart with so much gratitude and joy! I truly believe that how you get married MATTERS and we're just so overjoyed that Hannah and Kyle got to have a wedding day that was so uniquely THEM!
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To see more sneak peeks from their adventurous day head on over to our Instagram Stories and then stay tuned for their full blog post in a few weeks!
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KICKASS VENDOR TEAM:
Planner + Officiant - @sylver.weddings.and.events
Lead Photographer - (ME!) @kayla_illies_photography
Second Photographer - @bernadettemarciniak
Hair and Makeup Artist - @kanani.hmua
Florist - @florallyeverafter
Stationary - @

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