I'm Laura Sparks
I shoot beautiful landscapes but I "put a happy little couple right there".
but sometimes I feel like Bob ross
like YOU
Happy little couples
Same dude. We’re really living this one life we’ve got to the fullest, huh?
Who believe in making every moment count.
Whose growth has been hard as hell, but oh so fucking sweet.
Who have spent years designing the life they want.
Who knew from the jump that an elopement was the only way to kick off their marriage.
“As a couple, we are not into traditions or formalities so we decided to have a small, intimate, and informal family get-together on top of a mountain…
Laura’s knowledge of shooting landscapes made our wedding photos look natural and ethereal! She has a very go-with-the-flow vibe that enables her to see the best in every opportunity, planned or unplanned. Every one of my guests thought we had known each other for years based on how comfortable we were.”
Whitney & Brock
I get you.
I was you.
It was crazy being the one all dressed up on the other side of the camera for a change. Practicing what I preach to couples daily by planning the wedding day of our dreams.
Everyday, working with couples like you, I’m reminded just how special eloping is.
In 2023 when my wife and I eloped
Our wedding day was about us and for us. (Ya know, the only two people in our relationship.)
We wanted to do whatever the fuck we wanted for our wedding without having the complications of extra bodies and accommodations necessary to make everyone else happy.
Huge shoutout to Nadia with Venture Ever After for taking such great care of us
Traveling down the coast in a camper van for our honeymoon
Trekking around to epic locations in Olympic NP
Sweet vows, salty air, bitchin’ views
A private chef making us food right on the beach
Focusing on us for our elopement looked like
MY HERSTORY
and up came the camera!
My dad had a photography business for 9 years. In middle school I helped at his shop after school and on weekends doing darkroom work, running the register, or assisting at shoots. Call it teenage rebellion or sour grapes, but I decided photography wasn’t for me. What was?
The drums.
Being a music nerd landed me an acceptance to college! Did I go? Of course not! I was playing in a band that was going to “make it” in Asheville. (Spoiler alert: we didn’t lol.) When the band was breaking up I realized there was another way I could scratch my creative itch…with none other than my dad’s old film camera.
I was sure I’d never be a photographer...
So, down went the drumsticks
I tried photographing a few big weddings. Which I hated. Being in nature and shooting landscapes is where it was at. No rush or frenzy of people or anything other than serenity.
Elopements sounded like they would attract the coolest couples. My kinda people.
Some friends of mine, aka the coolest couple, came calling. We backpacked into Nantahala National Forest with their close friends for a sunset, mountaintop ceremony. There we camped and the next morning we woke up before sunrise for portraits. I was HOOKED. I finally found my calling.
06
Laura's Deep Cuts & Greatest Hits
Equal parts deeply unserious & deep feeler
Life is too short not to laugh & love fully (according to a sign I read at homegoods)
03
Dogs love me–the feeling is incredibly mutual
Working in animal welfare for 10 years I can confirm ‘we don’t deserve dogs’
02
Came to AVL for the vibes, stayed for the breweries
If humans are typically 60% water, I’m more like 40% water 20% hazy ipas
04
Big on investing my money
in new experiences, camera equipment, and adventure gear.
01
Ginger & subsequent sunscreen worshiper
I only come in two colors - casper and lobster. I wear spf 70 on the regular.
05
Recovering people pleaser
Those who get it, get it. Saying no is not a crime … allegedly ..
