What's more romantic than preserved tattoos in a jar?
Nothing. My thoughts exactly.
Which is why when I had the chance to host a styled shoot at The Satanic Temple in Salem, MA, I jumped on it. I met up with Ivy, who coordinates the weddings and events at the Satanic Temple, to get a tour of the space and learn about the weddings they have there. The temple is small, but houses a gift shop, art gallery, library, throne room, and even an Airbnb style accommodation on the second floor that's complete with its own separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom- perfect for a stay in Salem, whether you're getting married or not!
This styled shoot was created for couples who feel a little outside the traditional wedding mold. The ones who aren’t interested in performing a wedding for the approval of relatives, trends, or Pinterest boards. The ones who want their day to feel intentional, personal, and a little rebellious in the best possible way.
Because the truth is: the most meaningful weddings I photograph are the ones where the couple decides the rules.
Maybe that means getting married inside The Satanic Temple and then wandering the surrounding Salem streets together afterward, taking portraits that feel cinematic, intimate, and completely yours. Maybe it means skipping the parts of a wedding that don’t resonate and leaning fully into the moments that do.
What I love most about photographing elopements and alternative weddings is the freedom they create. When the day isn’t structured around a hundred expectations, there’s space for something better, like real moments that happen between the two of you when you can be fully present with each other instead of managing a timeline. Then the photography becomes less about documenting a production and more about capturing your connection.
If you’re the kind of couple who wants your wedding day centered around the two of you, your portraits, your story, and the way you exist together in a place that feels meaningful, then you’re exactly the kind of couple I love working with. Salem is an incredible place for that kind of experience. The architecture, the moody atmosphere, the history, and the slightly mischievous energy of the town all lend themselves to imagery that feels cinematic and a little bit magical. Pair that with a ceremony at The Satanic Temple, and you have the perfect setting for a wedding day that feels bold, intimate, and unapologetically yours.
The kind of day that isn’t designed to please everyone, but the kind that’s designed to mean something to you.
So if you’re dreaming about an alternative wedding or elopement in Salem—one where the focus is on your connection, your portraits, and your experience together—you might just be my kind of people.
And I would absolutely love to photograph it.
I was joined by the disgustingly talented makeup artist, Megan Lynn Tamasanis, and the mind-bogglingly talented hair designer, Lindsey Massey. Together they created gorgeous artistry on our models (and real couple!) Colleen and Maureen. They're also disgustingly cute, I know. Believe me, I'm sure the real wedding isn't far off.
Want to snatch me up for your wedding or elopement? Pop on over to my contact form here!