Jaakko Perala is a well-known elopement wedding photographer. He captures love stories in the wild beauty of northern landscapes. His photos blend emotion, adventure, and authenticity. Each moment feels real and timeless.
In this interview, he talks about moving from traditional weddings to elopements. He shares his love for nature and how he helps couples truly experience their wedding day.
In Conversation With Jaakko Perala
Journey Of An Elopement Wedding Photographer
Q.1 How did your journey as an elopement photographer begin?
Ans. My journey started long before I ever called myself an elopement wedding photographer. I photographed traditional weddings for nearly a decade, but over time, I realised something was missing – a sense of presence.
On my own wedding day, I remember feeling like I couldn’t fully connect with my wife. The day was beautiful, but it rushed past in a blur of schedules, people, and expectations. Years later, that feeling stayed with me. I realized I wanted to help couples experience their wedding day differently – quietly, intentionally, and in a way that actually felt like them. That’s what led me to elopements.
Q.2 What inspired you to focus on intimate weddings in the wild landscapes of the north?
Ans. I’ve always felt most alive outdoors, whether it’s hiking, running trails, or just wandering through foggy forests. The northern landscapes have this incredible way of stripping everything down to what really matters, mostly because such few people live in those areas.
When couples choose to elope in places like the fjords of Norway or the Swiss Alps, they’re not just choosing a backdrop. They’re choosing stillness, simplicity, and truth. Those wild spaces allow people to be their most genuine selves and connect with their spouses – and that’s what I want to photograph.
Q.3 What does “the spirit of the north” mean to you and your work?
Ans. To me, the spirit of the north is about humility and connection. It’s standing somewhere vast and realizing how small we are – and yet how powerful love can feel in that silence.
It is the wind that makes your hair move, the sound of snow underfoot, or the fog that rolls in just as two people say their vows. It’s the quiet moments where nature and emotion become one.
The Art Of Elopement Wedding Photography
Q.4 How do the northern landscapes influence the stories you tell through your photos?
Ans. The landscapes here don’t just frame the story – they shape it. When you’re in a place that wild and untouched, you can’t control it. You have to adapt, to let go, and that’s often when the most meaningful moments happen.
A sudden storm might delay the ceremony, but then a break in the clouds gives the most unbelievable light. Those shifts remind me that beauty is never forced. Truth told, it’s sometimes stressful to me, but my couples almost always love it.
Q.5 What do you love most about photographing couples who choose to elope?
Ans. The honesty. Eloping couples aren’t performing for anyone. They’re not trying to please a crowd or fit into traditions. They’re just there for each other: completely present, completely themselves.
Q.6 How do you make couples feel relaxed and natural in front of the camera?
Ans. I never start with the camera. I start with the connection and want my couples to feel like I’m a friend who happens to have a camera, not a photographer giving directions.
We walk, talk, share stories, and I observe how they are together – how they look at each other when no one’s watching. Once that trust is there, the photos take care of themselves. I often say it’s more about what you do before you start photographing, compared to the moment when I’m creating images.
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Q.7 How does music inspire your creativity and approach to photography?
Ans. Music is everything to me. I edit listening to it, I travel with it, and I always play music when I shoot.
A good song can make me feel the same way a photograph does – nostalgic, hopeful, or alive. Songs like Morning Heat by Mountain Boy capture that emotional build-up I try to bring into my work.
Adventure & Memorable Experiences
Q.8 Can you share one elopement story that you’ll never forget?
Ans. Rachel and Andrew decided to elope in Norway, and they wanted to do a proper hike as part of their experience. I guided them up a pathless mountain that climbed about 800 meters (2600ft) toward a secluded alpine lake surrounded by glaciers.
The weather had been unpredictable all day, shifting between fog, rain, and distant thunder – but when the forecast finally gave us a good window, we went for it. Halfway up, the fog grew so thick we could barely see more than a few steps ahead. I checked our route with my Garmin watch to make sure we were still on track, while Rachel and Andrew just laughed, hand in hand. “Well,” Rachel said, “we wanted an adventure – and here it is.”
Then, just as the light began to fade, the clouds finally opened. A glacier appeared out of nowhere, glowing blue under the evening sun. They read their vows there in the stillness – and minutes later, the fog rolled back in, as if the mountain had given us that moment just for them. It wasn’t the easy day we’d imagined – it was better. Honest, wild, and completely unforgettable.
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Q.9 What challenges do you face while shooting in remote outdoor locations?
Ans. The weather is the biggest one for sure. In the mountains, it can change in an instant. Wind, fog, rain, snow… sometimes all in the same day.
But I try not to see it as a problem. It’s part of the story. I always prepare for anything – years of orienteering and trail running have taught me how to stay calm in unpredictable conditions. I carry a Garmin inReach in areas without reception and always know how to get us back safely.
The challenges are what make the experience unforgettable. The most important thing is to communicate the possible scenarios to the couple.
Advice for Aspiring Elopement Wedding Photographer
Q.10 What advice would you give photographers who want to capture more real and meaningful stories?
Ans. Slow down. Stop thinking about the shot list and start thinking about the people in front of you. Ask questions. Listen. Be curious about who they are, not just what they look like. The most powerful images happen when the people you photograph trust you enough to be themselves. Don’t chase perfection – chase presence.
Q.11 What product or learning resource from PhotoWhoa would you recommend to photographers looking to grow?
Ans. I think anything that helps you refine your storytelling voice is worth your time. Composition and lighting matter, of course, but learning to build space for emotional connection – that’s harder.
Brett Florens’ Preparing for First Wedding Shoot is an excellent place to start.
Inspiration & Future
Q.12 How do you keep yourself inspired and creatively refreshed over time?
Ans. By getting outside – also without my camera. Watching movies and paying attention. Shooting film. Reading books and going to art museums. I think inspiration comes from living a full life, not just photographing one.
Q.13 Do you have any upcoming projects or adventures you’re excited about?
Ans. Yes! I’m launching my first online course later this year, focusing on building a meaningful elopement wedding photography business in Europe. It’s about everything I’ve learned from a decade of photographing in wild places: creating emotional experiences, storytelling, and attracting couples who value depth over trends.
I’m also planning a personal project that explores “the feeling of silence” in the Nordic landscapes – how isolation and mental health go hand in hand in the far north.
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Conclusion: Capturing Love In Its Purest Form
Jaakko Perala’s journey shows how love and nature come together in his art. His photos go beyond beauty. They tell stories of real connection and presence.
Through his lens, elopements become more than an adventure. They are moments of truth, emotion, and simplicity. His work reminds us that love is wild, pure, and timeless.
