Meet Lisa Ruschioni

Your Elopement Photographer Extraordinaire!

A passionate believer of being unrestrained by formalities or others’ expectations of you!

She’s also a passionate believer in the magic of fluffy pets, pizza, and wine!

Meet Lisa Ruschioni

Your Elopement Photographer Extraordinaire!

A passionate believer of being unrestrained by formalities or others’ expectations of you!

She’s also a passionate believer in the magic of fluffy pets, pizza, and wine!

A classic example of Lisa not knowing what to do with her hands.

Lisa’s Approach as a Destination Elopement Photographer

Real talk: I’m horribly awkward in front of the camera. So I totally get it. It’s weird and kind of uncomfortable and there’s a lot of pressure to not make that bizarre face you can’t seem to stop making when you’re nervous.

Because of this, my approach is to keep everything relaxed and super low-key. The photos you’ve seen of mine may look dramatic, epic and romantic… but I promise you, we were all totally joking around and being super goofy just seconds before they were taken.

I know this is going to sound wicked creepy, but I’m like a professional lurker with my camera (but not like in a True Crime podcast sort of way). Give me a good bush or tree and I’ll definitely crouch behind it while taking photos at one point during our time together. I love finding cool perspectives that put some space between us so you don’t have a camera all up in your business the entire time. Beautifully cinematic photos, honest candids AND personal space? That’s an all-around win!

You want help posing, I’ll provide direction! You want natural / spontaneous moments of laughter and affection? I’ll pop up from behind that tree to give you some fun prompts! Based on your personalities and dynamic as a couple, I’ll shape my approach to minimize the chances of you making that weird, awkward face!

In summation, as your elopement photographer / timekeeper / curator of random items you may need (safety pins, bug spray, sunscreen…), I help take the stress out of your celebration. Then, during your elopement or wedding, all you have to do is relax, savor the experience and have fun!

contact now

Lisa’s Approach as a Destination Elopement Photographer

Real talk: I’m horribly awkward in front of the camera. So I totally get it. It’s weird and kind of uncomfortable and there’s a lot of pressure to not make that bizarre face you can’t seem to stop making when you’re nervous.

Because of this, my approach is to keep everything relaxed and super low-key. The photos you’ve seen of mine may look dramatic, epic and romantic… but I promise you, we were all totally joking around and being super goofy just seconds before they were taken.

I know this is going to sound wicked creepy, but I’m like a professional lurker with my camera (but not like in a True Crime podcast sort of way). Give me a good bush or tree and I’ll definitely crouch behind it while taking photos at one point during our time together. I love finding cool perspectives that put some space between us so you don’t have a camera all up in your business the entire time. Beautifully cinematic photos, honest candids AND personal space? That’s an all-around win!

You want help posing, I’ll provide direction! You want natural / spontaneous moments of laughter and affection? I’ll pop up from behind that tree to give you some fun prompts! Based on your personalities and dynamic as a couple, I’ll shape my approach to minimize the chances of you making that weird, awkward face!

In summation, as your elopement photographer / timekeeper / curator of random items you may need (safety pins, bug spray, sunscreen…), I help take the stress out of your celebration. Then, during your elopement or wedding, all you have to do is relax, savor the experience and have fun!

contact now

Pretty/Bold Photography’s Core Values

Love + Equality for All

Lisa firmly believes that everyone is entitled to equal rights and protection under the law.

As an ardent supporter of LGBTQ+, women’s body autonomy, and movements that fight to end systematic racism, she fully supports/promotes other vendors who share these same values and will not tolerate discrimination or cult-derived conspiracy theorists of any kind.

The Environment Matters

Pretty/Bold Photography practices Leave No Trace, which essentially means that people leave the outdoors the same – or better – than we found it. To learn more, please visit Leave No Trace.

Pretty/Bold Photography’s Core Values

Love + Equality for All

Lisa firmly believes that everyone is entitled to equal rights and protection under the law.

As an ardent supporter of LGBTQ+, women’s body autonomy, and movements that fight to end systematic racism, she fully supports/promotes other vendors who share these same values and will not tolerate discrimination or cult-derived conspiracy theorists of any kind.

The Environment Matters

Pretty/Bold Photography practices Leave No Trace, which essentially means that people leave the outdoors the same – or better – than we found it. To learn more, please visit Leave No Trace.

Lisa’s Big Sur Elopement Story

From first-hand experience, I know that making the decision to elope or have an intimate wedding can be a challenging one.

Despite family expectations of a large, traditional wedding, my now-husband and I eloped to Big Sur, CA – just the two of us, a photographer and an officiant. We decided to elope based on two major factors. Foremost was the fact that I HATE being the center of attention, plus small talk is my worst nightmare. Second, we both couldn’t stomach the idea of spending so much money on something lavish (and a bit wasteful) when we had other financial priorities like travel and fixing up the dirt pit in our backyard. In the end, the best and easiest solution was an intimate elopement in California.

After we decided to elope, explaining why we made the decision to not include those who mattered most to us was a bit tough. Some feelings may have been temporarily hurt, but in the end, it was what we wanted – which is what mattered most – and we’ve never regretted it for a single second.

Eloping in Big Sur gave us the freedom to specifically craft our union around our favorite things to do together as a couple. Our ceremony involved a short hike and was held in the forest, surrounded by giant coastal redwoods and then we took photos on a foggy, rugged beach. We splurged on an incredibly luxurious hotel, went on jogs together in the morning, swam in the afternoon and ate incredibly decadent meals each night. After a few days, we traveled down the coast and spent a few days wine tasting in Paso Robles. It turned out to be an intimate, stress-free celebration and a super fun honeymoon all wrapped into one!

Want to learn more about eloping in Big Sur? Check out this super comprehensive blog!

Lisa’s Big Sur Elopement Story

From first-hand experience, I know that making the decision to elope or have an intimate wedding can be a challenging one.

Despite family expectations of a large, traditional wedding, my now-husband and I eloped to Big Sur, CA – just the two of us, a photographer and an officiant. We decided to elope based on two major factors. Foremost was the fact that I HATE being the center of attention, plus small talk is my worst nightmare. Second, we both couldn’t stomach the idea of spending so much money on something lavish (and a bit wasteful) when we had other financial priorities like travel and fixing up the dirt pit in our backyard. In the end, the best and easiest solution was an intimate elopement in California.

After we decided to elope, explaining why we made the decision to not include those who mattered most to us was a bit tough. Some feelings may have been temporarily hurt, but in the end, it was what we wanted – which is what mattered most – and we’ve never regretted it for a single second.

Eloping in Big Sur gave us the freedom to specifically craft our union around our favorite things to do together as a couple. Our ceremony involved a short hike and was held in the forest, surrounded by giant coastal redwoods and then we took photos on a foggy, rugged beach. We splurged on an incredibly luxurious hotel, went on jogs together in the morning, swam in the afternoon and ate incredibly decadent meals each night. After a few days, we traveled down the coast and spent a few days wine tasting in Paso Robles. It turned out to be an intimate, stress-free celebration and a super fun honeymoon all wrapped into one!

Want to learn more about eloping in Big Sur? Check out this super comprehensive blog!

Let’s Connect

Lisa’s Favorite Elopement Details

Here are a few things that make Lisa extra happy when she photographs your elopement.

• A perfectly pink sunrise or sunset
• Fields of wildflowers
• Playing in (or near) water of any type
• Epic mountains
• Dirty dress hems + bare feet
• Incorporating your dog or adventure cat
• Handwritten vows
• When one partner surprises the other

Lisa’s Favorite Elopement Details

Here are a few things that make Lisa extra happy when she photographs your elopement.

• A perfectly pink sunrise or sunset
• Fields of wildflowers
• Playing in (or near) water of any type
• Epic mountains
• Dirty dress hems + bare feet
• Incorporating your dog or adventure cat
• Handwritten vows
• When one partner surprises the other

Lisa’s Favorite Non-Elopement Things

• Dry white wine, especially when enjoyed with her husband at a cute cafe.
• Her mini aussie shepherd Wilford Brimley and 3 rescue cats Cat Benatar, Puma Thurman, and Walter Cronkat, collectively known as The Jerk Pets.
• Carbs. And cheese. Preferably together.
• Hoarding houseplants (currently 100+)
• Swimming (in pools the oceans, lakes, wherever!) and hiking
• Bingin documentaries, Nicole Byer podcasts, and I Think You Should Love Me
• Planning her next travel adventure (Anyone down to elope in New Zealand???)
• Organizing parties with friends that involve swimming, carbs, and dry white wine.

Lisa’s Favorite Non-Elopement Things

Dry white wine, especially when enjoyed with her husband at a cute cafe.
Her mini aussie shepherd Wilford Brimley and 3 rescue cats Cat Benatar, Puma Thurman, and Walter Cronkat, collectively known as The Jerk Pets.
Carbs. And cheese. Preferably together.
Hoarding houseplants (currently 100+)
Swimming (in pools the oceans, lakes, wherever!) and hiking
Bingin documentaries, Nicole Byer podcasts, and I Think You Should Love Me
Planning her next travel adventure (Anyone down to elope in New Zealand???)
Organizing parties with friends that involve swimming, carbs, and dry white wine.

I’M SO READY. LET’S DO THIS!

Kind Words from Lisa’s Adventurous Elopement Clients

Ummmm LIIISSSA!!!! You are a goddess!!!!!! Oh my goodness, just OH MY GOD. We literally just looked at these and said, “Wow. Wow! WOWWW.” We are obsessed with these. You are literally a photography genius — this is INSANE!!! We don’t even have words.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! – Becca + Bryan

Where do I begin! We are incredibly grateful we picked you for our wedding day. You made us so happy and everything was stress-free and that’s what we liked about you. We are so pleased with our photos they look so amazing. Thank you so very much for helping us out and this wouldn’t have been so special without you there to capture everything.

Every time Ryan and I look at our photos it feels like we are reliving the moment again! – Laura R

Lisa is great! She captured us perfectly & took beautiful photos & video of our tiny ceremony. She knew the venue well & had great suggestions for places to take photos, how to pose, etc. Being someone who is very uncomfortable in front of a camera, I was so incredibly pleased with how our pictures turned out–and it was all thanks to Lisa’s guidance & expertise! – Ameena K