STARRING:

you two

mother earth

carefree & cinematic elopements

for those called by nature.

new zealand elopement photographer

capturing & planning elopements new zealand-wide & internationally

1 - MIDDLE EARTH. PARADISE. AOTEAROA.

YOU’VE GOT TASTE

You couldn’t have chosen a more special place to elope.

Vast untouched wilderness, a great variety of landscapes & biomes within short driving distances, and quiet as can be (we still have more sheep than people!).

New Zealand is truly a utopia for nature lovers, which I am - and I’m sure you are!

2 - A GUIDED EXPERIENCE.

SO YOU CAN BE CAREFREE

Planning an elopement can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time in NZ.

You need a local + wedding expert, and that’s me!

I’ll help you narrow down a million options & guide your journey from start to end, so you can truly be as carefree as can be in the planning process AND your wedding day.

3 - WEDDING PHOTOS STRAIGHT OUT OF A FILM.

“She captures how it felt to be there.” —April + Brayden

YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS = ART

My photography style is cinematic — which means I’m not just taking photos of what your day looked like, I’m intentionally curating and capturing the story of your day.

So that when you look back at them you’re taken right back to how those moments felt.

in the land where movies are made

so will your own come to life

4 - I CAN HELP WITH THAT.

YOUR ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Kia ora, I’m Shelby, your local NZ elopement photographer.

My mediums are not only cinematic photography (aka turning your wedding memories into art), but also the curation of experiences (aka helping you design and bring your dream elopement to life).

Which means you can dream up your perfect wedding day & live it out fully, knowing that the admin of everything else is taken care of.

my packages

about me

“Travelling from Australia to New Zealand to elope with just the two of us, she made us feel like everything was taken care of, vendors sourced, options explored.” —Mikaela + Tyson

5 - HOW THIS WORKS.

Get from the very first ideas to your real life elopement day in 3 easy stages.

“Planning an elopement felt overwhelming but it didn't take long for Shelby to map it all out for us and make us feel at ease!” —Mikaela & Tyson

STEP 1 - REACH OUT & LET’S CHAT.

Fill in a quick enquiry form, and we’ll hop on a call to get to know you & your dreams for your day, and I’ll give you ideas or guidance specifically tailored for your vision.

STEP 2 - WE DESIGN YOUR DREAM DAY.

I’ll support you in planning out your dream wedding experience, and you get to be as hands on or off as you want. It might be your first wedding, but don’t worry it sure isn’t mine!

STEP 3 - RELAX & CELEBRATE.

When it comes to your elopement day, your only job is to be 100% present and relaxed — knowing all those irreplaceable moments will be captured truthfully and beautifully.

6 - READY TO GET THIS PARTY STARTED?

Your carefree & cinematic elopement experience begins here.

7 - DON’T JUST HEAR IT FROM ME.

"Not only our photographer, but so much more"

“My wife and I recently eloped in New Zealand and Shelby was our photographer, but not only that, she was so much more. Before embarking on this adventure, we were very lost as to how to even begin planning such a remarkable and exciting event.
Shelby was there with a very thorough and comprehensive way to help us navigate the planning and expectations. And, to top it all off, she captured some of the best and joyful fun moments from one of the most special days of our lives. We love Shelby's style of photography and she absolutely knocked this shoot out of the park.
The photos she captured, we will cherish the rest of our lives and we owe her so much gratitude for all of the planning she poured in to this event. We absolutely recommend Shelby with tu studios for anyone who is planning an elopement.
From the bottoms of our hearts, thank you.”
— Amber + Scott
"Her photography is pure art"

I am forever in love with our elopement photos taken by Shelby!!!! There are no words to describe how MAGICAL ✨ her work is! Her photography is pure art, and the shoot was an experience I will never forget. From helping me into my dress, to making us feel so relaxed and comfortable on the day, she is truly an angel. Thank you so much Shelby!! ❤️
—Emily + Andreas
"We can feel everything all over again"

We can’t put into words how incredible Shelby is. From the very start, she was so easy to work with. She is organized and truly invested in making sure our vision came to life. She has this gift for capturing true emotions, not just poses, but the real, raw feelings behind every moment.

One of the most unforgettable memories was when she played our song while we danced to it. We were completely in the moment, crying, overwhelmed with love, and she captured it so beautifully. She captured the emotion, the energy, the magic of it all. Looking at those photos now, we can feel everything all over again.

Her work is dreamy, nostalgic, and filled with emotion. She doesn’t just take photos but she creates art that tells a story. If you want someone who sees and feels the moment just as deeply as you do, she’s the one.
—Star + Neil
"So kind & supportive every step of the way"

If you're planning to elope in NZ and need a photographer to capture those precious moments between you and your partner, Shelby is the person for you.
She was so kind and supportive from the beginning and every step of the way, not just with helping me understand her philosophy and process, but also with scouting the perfect location for our ceremony and finding other vendors (e.g. videographer, florist) for our special day, which was especially helpful given we were coming from overseas.
She had a backup plan in case weather wasn't on our side (which came in handy!) and we both felt natural and at ease with her there to remind us to take deep breaths and focus on the present moment, prior to starting our vows.
The day was sweet and joyous, and her photos of us even made it feel magical looking back. Thank you so much, Shelby!
— Lydia + Kristina