17 million
Visitors to the Lake District every year.
Leave Only Footprints - Help Protect The Lake District
While my very presence as an elopement photographer encourages tourism in this corner of the world, I recognise the importance of caring for the landscape in the process. As a generation we have to be more mindful of the environment and how we impact it.
Sadly, there is no governing body for how to treat the wilderness, its continued beauty relies on those who seek to enjoy it.
Now this isn’t a place for preaching, I am absolutely not perfect and there’s undoubtedly many many more things I could be doing but I am committed to learning and striving to provide an elopement service that is as conscious as possible. Not only to the landscape I have grown up playing in, but the wider world.
Here’s 6 simple ways we can all start to think about - either as a client or a fellow photographer - to help understand how we can respect the landscape (and the planet) while enjoying the wilderness on your day:
1 - Stick to the path as much as possible!
While it’s impossible to stay on a path 100% of the time, making a conscious effort to do so will go a long way.
Where you can’t stay on a path, or there simply isn’t one, teach yourself - and your group - which terrain can handle footfall.
YES - Stony, sandy and gravel surface are the safest to minimise your impact.
SOME - Wet grass and swamp areas should be avoided where possible, but where this can’t be avoided spread yourselves out to reduce the concentration, and make a special effort to use any large rocks that may be available to you.
NEVER - Walk over areas of moss, vegetation, wildflowers and other fragile plants.
2 - Take your litter with you…
…and anything else you find.
This one should really go without saying, particularly regarding your typical snack wrappers and tissues. But as people try new ways to create exciting images for their clients, we face new material finding its way outside, and ultimately being left there.
When planning that champagne spray, sparkler shot or smoke bomb moment.
Remember, you need to ensure you’re coming back with the popped cork, used sparklers and spent smoke bombs.
Trust me, a popped cork isn’t easy to find on a windy day!
Don’t get me wrong I am all for indulging a cool new idea or concept a couple have seen and want to try… provided everyone understands the additional commitment that might arise in pursuit of the fun request, i.e spending time hunched over looking for a cork, don’t say I didn’t warn you!
3 - Use nature’s backdrop
While on the topic of everyone understanding additional commitments… let’s talk about that Pinterest board you have with beautiful structures covered in pampas grass…
I honestly find nature’s backdrop to be all you’d need for any elopement ceremony, and I’m sure you’d agree. But in this modern world where anything seems possible and our feeds are flooded with styled shoots, I can’t blame anyone for having grand plans.
So what’s the middle ground? Where is the balance between appreciating the landscape as it is but complimenting it to create a special feel? Generally I’d advise sticking with decor items that you can carry on foot.
When vans and generators are required to make a dream installation a reality, we’ve definitely left the realm of considering the landscape.
Overall, a habit of bringing foreign materials into an environment, even temporarily should be avoided.
Just because we CAN take something somewhere, doesn’t me we SHOULD.
4 - Tag Responsibly
Let’s discuss… so, you’ve found an amazing location for the elopement, perhaps you’ve spent hours scouting the area to find it, perhaps you used to visit as a kid. Either way, you’ve picked this place for a reason and much of that reason is because it’s beautiful (and requires no vans bringing random decor).
It’s wild, it’s quiet, and the natural flora and fauna are in abundance.
The pictures from this place are epic.
You share them online, and you tag the exact location.
You return a few months or even years later to find fences have been erected, several people are milling around, the grass verges have been trampled to mud and there’s rubbish strewn around.
I recommend when tagging, unless you’re tagging a landmark or well known area, to tag a general area instead of the specific location.
Leave a little mystery, let people explore and find gems themselves.
It’s the best way to enjoy the outdoors after all.
5 - Your direct impact!
Okay, so this one is mainly for the supplier but I guess it can be applied directly to clients too.
While I’m not going to tell anyone how to run their business, I am going to strongly advise against settling into a ‘comfort zone’.
Often as an elopement planner/photographer etc… you find yourself doubling up as the tour guide. You bring people to beautiful locations that become a special place for you all. Each couple you take here with will in turn want to return with their own family and friends.
When this is just one couple with one family, the impact is negligible.
But If you’ve created a conveyor belt of elopement clients and you’ve taken them all to the same locations, that’s a lot more footfall in a place they wouldn’t usually have known about.
You want your business to succeed, we get it, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of the landscape.
Beyond just protecting the area, protect the memories you’ve just made with (and for) your clients! You owe them more than a cookie cutter offering.
From a clients perspective, ask to be taken somewhere new. Don’t show your photographer or planner places you’ve seen all over instagram, immerse yourself in the local area!
6 - Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…
…I’m talking all things second hand!
Now this one is mainly for the couples, however suppliers (planners & photographers) take note for when your clients ask for advice.
I know this route isn’t for everyone and I would never judge a couple for deciding not to do this, however given we are discussing how to have a more environmentally friendly wedding I hope you’ll indulge me.
I’m not going to discuss the politics and morality of fast fashion here and on the whole the wedding industry isn’t the biggest offender regarding this as wedding dresses and groom suits are usually bespoke items, made to order and tailored to you.
However for elopements we understandably see a greater desire for less expensive clothing for fear it might get dirty and ruined especially in pursuit of images in the wilds of the countryside.
Buying a second hand dress is a great way to get the designer dress you want but at a much more affordable price.
I won’t go into this topic too much here but get in touch if you want to know some other ways I advise my couples to save money and help the environment!
Hopefully something here struck a chord or will be helpful to you and your day.
Remember, when we fail to respect the nature we exploit we run the risk of these beautiful places becoming a shadow of their former glory!
Let’s be better together, Erin x