Just north of San Francisco lies a land of grassy slopes and windy cliffs, plunging down into the sea. Point Reyes National Seashore feels less like a northern California tourist stop and more like it was ripped straight from a page of Wuthering Heights or Pride and Prejudice, making it the perfect location for a romantic styled shoot featuring actual couple Melissa and Kellen. We couldn’t have found better models for our shoot! Their classic elegance, highlighted by the hair and makeup artistry of Faces By Emily, combined with their real life love made for moments of incredible tenderness in our epic setting.

In engagement or wedding photography, the object is often to try and capture the essence of the couple, telling their love story in images. In a styled shoot, the story is ours for the imagining. We wanted to create a narrative about a powerful love connection that led to a romantic elopement in an equally powerful landscape. While nature cooperated with our theme by providing swirling winds, which whipped at Melissa’s hair and Claire La Faye blush gown, it almost swirled me right off the hillside! However, the sense of movement, adventure and exhilaration it added to the photos definitely made the breezy challenge worth it.

We were also able to photograph our lovely couple at a private residence in the Point Reyes area, where the wild, romantic elegance carried through to a stunning tablescape and a styled porch setting. The natural yet sophisticated floral arrangements by Vo Floral Design stole the show and were perfectly complimented by the silks from Poetry of Silk and the tabletop décor by Lost and Found Vintage Rentals.

The most fun part of any styled shoot is marveling as a variety of vendors come together to tell a story and to bring a single vision to life. This seaside Point Reyes elopement inspired styled shoot, styled and directed by both Tyler Rye Photography and Cali Nguyen of SmittenKiss Wedding and Events, was a striking example.

Enjoy a selection of photos from our styled shoot below and check out the end of the post for the full list of the incredible vendors who contributed to the day.

Workshop Host: Tyler Rye | Planning & Styling: SmittenKiss Weddings and Events | Models: Melissa Zeiglar and Kellen Lehman | Floral Design & Creative Direction: Vo Floral Design | Dress: Claire La Faye | Hair and Makeup: Faces by Emily | Table Top Decor: Lost and Found Vintage Rentals | Chairs & Flatware: The Chiavari Guys | Table & Lounge Rental: Seventh Heaven Vintage Rentals | Silks: Poetry Of Silk | Paper Goods: Oh Honey Paper Co | Rings: IoCollective