Storytelling in Wild Places
FLORIDA ELOPEMENTS • MICRO WEDDINGS • PROPOSALS
For couples who want something a little different. A quiet ceremony beneath the trees. A surprise proposal somewhere unforgettable. A beautiful place to slow down and celebrate being together.
Thoughtful photography for intimate moments and meaningful adventures throughout Central Florida.
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• Storytelling Photography • Location Guidance • Florida & Beyond
YOUR JOURNEY, EXPERTLY GUIDEDWhether you're exchanging vows beneath the Florida oaks, planning a surprise proposal somewhere beautiful, or simply escaping the everyday for a little adventure together, I want you to enjoy every bit of the experience. I'll be there to offer guidance when you need it, give you room to be yourselves, and preserve the moments you might have been too caught up in to notice.
Beautiful Florida Locations
From winding trails and natural springs to quiet beaches and historic towns, we'll explore settings that feel meaningful to your story.
Storytelling Photography
The nervous laughter, the way you reach for each other, and all those wonderfully imperfect little moments that make your photographs feel like you.
A Little Adventure
For couples who love taking the scenic route, our photography experiences leave room to explore, discover somewhere new, and make a few memories along the way.
Elopement Photography
Intimate Florida weddings and elopements photographed with care, allowing you to stay present and enjoy the day you've chosen together.
Ways to experience life together
Surprise Proposals
There is something incredibly sweet about the anticipation of a proposal. The nervous excitement, the careful planning, and that wonderful moment when the person you love realizes what's happening. Whether you're proposing beneath the oak trees, along a quiet Florida shoreline, or somewhere special in Orlando, I'll help you think through the photography details so the surprise stays a surprise and you can enjoy every second.
Engagement Sessions
Engagement photographs should feel like spending time with your favorite person, with a little adventure mixed in. We can wander through a beautiful park, explore one of Florida's charming historic towns, or find somewhere that holds meaning for the two of you. I'll offer direction when you need it, but you'll have plenty of room to laugh, connect, and enjoy yourselves.
Elopements & Intimate Weddings
Maybe the idea of a big wedding has never felt quite like you, or maybe somewhere along the way you realized you'd rather spend your day making memories together than entertaining a hundred people. From intimate courthouse ceremonies to romantic outdoor elopements throughout Central Florida, I'll be there to capture the moments, the emotions, and all the little pieces of the day that make it yours.
Couples & Adventure Sessions
You don't need an engagement ring or an anniversary to have a good reason for photographs together. Sometimes it's enough to celebrate the life you're building, the places you've discovered, and the person who makes even an ordinary afternoon feel special. Our Central Florida couples photography sessions are a chance to get outside, slow down, and create a memory of your own.
Anniversaries & Just Because
Whether you're celebrating your first year together or your twentieth, there's something wonderful about taking time to remember why you chose each other in the first place. Let's make an afternoon of it, find a beautiful spot, and capture this chapter exactly as it is, with all the laughter, affection, and little things you love about one another.
Some of the best memories begin with a little curiosity, a beautiful place, and the person you'd choose to get lost with. Whether you're planning a quiet Florida elopement, working up the courage to ask a very important question, or simply looking for an excuse to spend an afternoon together, there's always a story worth telling.
Come As You Are. We’ll Take Care of the Photographs.
PLANNING SUPPORTThere's a certain kind of magic that happens when you stop worrying about how everything looks and simply enjoy being together. Maybe you're a little nervous in front of the camera, or perhaps you're wondering how an intimate wedding or surprise proposal will photograph when you've never done anything like this before. That's okay. I've spent years photographing weddings and couples throughout Orlando and Central Florida, and one of my favorite parts of what I do is helping people feel comfortable enough to forget they're being photographed.
You don't need to arrive knowing how to pose, where to stand, or what to do with your hands. I'll help with the little things, watch for the moments that matter, and give you the space to enjoy the experience as it naturally unfolds.
Beautiful Florida Locations
Florida has so much more to offer than the places everyone already knows. From ancient oak trees and winding rivers to quiet beaches and charming historic towns, I'll share location inspiration to help you find a setting that feels like somewhere you'd genuinely love spending time together.
Thoughtful Photography Timing
Beautiful photographs often come down to knowing when and where the light will be just right. I'll help you choose a photography start time that makes the most of your location, whether we're catching the soft glow of a Florida sunset or the peaceful stillness of an early morning proposal.
A Little Direction, A Lot of You
You never have to worry about being awkward in front of my camera. I'll guide you when you need it, make room for genuine connection, and probably laugh right along with you when things don't go exactly as expected. Those moments often become some of my favorites..
Permit Guidance
Some of Florida's most beautiful locations require permits for ceremonies or professional photography. I'll point you toward the right resources and share helpful information so you know where to begin. You'll handle the applications and approvals, leaving us free to focus on capturing your experience.
Adventure Along the Way
For couples who love the idea of exploring somewhere a little less ordinary, our INEOS Grenadier brings a touch of adventure to select photography experiences. Think scenic backroads, beautiful landscapes, and opportunities to create photographs that feel a little different from the everyday.
How Your Story Comes to Life
THE RIVER BRANCH EXPERIENCE
Every River Branch experience follows the same philosophy: less stress, more connection. Here's what that journey looks like.
Let's Dream a Little
Enjoy Every Moment
The Little Details
Your Story, Forever
1. Tell me what you're imagining! Maybe you've already picked the perfect spot, or maybe you're still figuring out where this adventure might take you. We'll talk about your ideas, your date, and what you'd love to remember most.
2.Once we've found the right fit, we'll work through your photography coverage, location, and timing. I'll share guidance on beautiful light, photography logistics, and any location resources you may need, while you handle the arrangements and permissions for your celebration.
3. This is where you get to be wonderfully, completely yourselves. I'll offer a little direction when it's helpful, step back when the moment deserves space, and capture everything from the big emotions to those tiny exchanges you didn't even realize were happening.
4.Long after the day has passed, you'll have photographs that take you right back to it. The excitement, the laughter, the way you looked at each other, and all the beautiful little things that made this chapter yours.
THE HEART BEHIND RIVER BRANCH
Why Connection Comes First
DeShawna has photographed hundreds of weddings over the years, and some of the moments that have stayed with her the longest are the ones nobody planned. A hand reaching for another beneath the table, the laughter that follows a happy tear, or that little look two people exchange when they think no one is watching. Those are the moments I love most, because they're the ones that tell me something about who you are together.
Whether we're photographing your Florida elopement, celebrating your engagement, or exploring a beautiful place near Orlando, we want you to feel comfortable enough to forget about the camera for a while. She'll give you guidance when you need it, but also make room for the little things that make your relationship yours.
Florida adventure elopements, proposal planning, travel design, guided adventures, and destination experiences.
River Branch exists to help you slow down, breathe deep, and focus on what matters most - each other.
Connection Over Performance
You don't have to perform for the camera or worry about getting every little detail right. Come ready to love on your person, laugh when things get silly, and enjoy being exactly who you are together.
Someone in Your Corner
I care about how your experience feels just as much as how your photographs turn out. I'll listen to what's important to you, offer a little reassurance when you need it, and help you feel comfortable every step of the way.
Wild Places. Real Moments.
There's something special about stepping outside your everyday surroundings and exploring somewhere beautiful together. From winding Florida trails to quiet stretches of coastline, I love finding places that give your story room to unfold.
Photos That Bring You Back
Years from now, I want you to look at these photographs and remember more than what you wore or where you stood. I want you to remember the way you felt being there, together, in that particular moment of your lives.
The Story Before River Branch
A New Chapter, Built From Real Experience
Every story has a beginning, and River Branch began long before it had a name.
Somewhere along the way, between photographing beautiful celebrations, exploring winding backroads, and discovering places that make you want to pull over just to take it all in, a little dream began to grow. What if we could bring together our love for adventure, meaningful connections, and the stories people carry with them long after the moment has passed?
DeShawna has spent 20 years behind the camera lens, photographing everything from life's quiet little moments to some of its biggest celebrations. With more than 400 weddings photographed, including years with Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, and the experience behind DeShawna & Co., she brings a love for storytelling and an understanding of how to help couples feel comfortable, cared for, and completely themselves.
Mike brings his own love for the outdoors, exploring new places, and finding adventure along the way. Together, we started imagining something that combined those passions with a simpler, more intentional way to celebrate love. Something for couples who would rather spend their day making memories together than worrying about whether they're doing everything the way they're supposed to.
That's how River Branch Adventure Co. began.
Today, we're rooted in Florida, where ancient oak trees, winding rivers, quiet springs, and stretches of coastline offer some pretty incredible places to fall in love all over again. Through intimate Florida elopements, surprise proposals, and couples photography adventures, we're creating opportunities to slow down, explore somewhere meaningful, and celebrate the person who makes the journey worthwhile.
And getting to be a small part of those stories, while helping preserve the memories along the way, is something we feel incredibly lucky to do.
We can’t wait to hear your story
The River Branch Signature Experience
proposals • intimate & micro weddings • elopements • honeymoons • anniversaries • meaningful relationship milestones.
There's something wonderful about choosing to do things your own way. Maybe that means exchanging vows beneath the oak trees with only a handful of people beside you, surprising your favorite person with a proposal somewhere beautiful, or escaping for an afternoon together just because you can. Whatever brings you here, we believe the experience should feel as meaningful as the memories you'll take home.
River Branch specializes in intimate Florida elopement photography, surprise proposals, and couples photography adventures throughout Orlando and Central Florida. With DeShawna behind the camera and a shared love for exploring beautiful places, we bring thoughtful photography, a relaxed atmosphere, and a little sense of adventure to the moments that matter most.
We're currently welcoming a limited number of bookings, with select weekday evenings near Orlando and two weekends available each month. For couples dreaming a little farther from home, we may also open one dedicated travel week each year for an elopement in Georgia or Tennessee.
Download the River Branch Pricing Guide for founder pricing, what’s included, destination options, and the ways we help make the experience feel supported from the start.
Questions Couples Often Ask
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Not at all! Adventure means something different to everyone. For some couples, it's exploring a quiet Florida trail or watching the sunset somewhere beautiful. For others, it's simply choosing to celebrate their love in a way that feels right to them. You don't need hiking boots or an adventurous spirit to feel at home with River Branch. We'll help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, whether you're happiest exploring somewhere new or simply enjoying a peaceful moment together.
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Absolutely! We love discovering beautiful places throughout Orlando and Central Florida, and we're happy to share location inspiration based on the experience you're imagining. Whether you're drawn to ancient oak trees, natural springs, quiet beaches, or somewhere a little off the beaten path, we'll help you explore possibilities while you make the final arrangements with your chosen location.
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Some Florida parks, beaches, and natural areas require special permission for ceremonies or professional photography. We'll point you toward official resources and share information to help you get started, while you handle the applications, fees, and necessary approvals directly with the location.
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We keep our booking calendar intentionally small so we can give each couple the attention their experience deserves. We generally accept photography bookings on two weekends each month, along with select weekday evenings in the Orlando area. We have reserved and limited weeks available for Tennessee and Georga locations. If you have a date in mind, we'd love to hear about it!
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Our INEOS Grenadier brings a little extra adventure to select photography experiences, and we're excited about the possibilities it opens up. It can be incorporated into your photographs and scenic adventures, with any passenger transportation arranged individually where appropriate insurance coverage, permissions, and access requirements allow.
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Florida is home, and it's where most of our adventures take place. We may also reserve one dedicated travel week each year for an intimate elopement in Georgia or Tennessee. If you're dreaming about exchanging vows somewhere in the mountains, reach out with your date and location, and we'll see if the stars align.
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As soon as you have a date in mind! Because we accept only a small number of bookings each month, availability can fill quickly. That said, we know some of the most meaningful plans come together on shorter notice, so you're always welcome to ask about last-minute Florida elopements and proposals.
A few things couples often wonder before reaching out
We’re here to help.
LET’S PLAN YOUR PERFECT DAY
Tell Us What
You're Imagining
Maybe you've been dreaming about exchanging vows beneath the Florida oaks, planning a surprise proposal somewhere your person would never expect, or finding a beautiful little place to escape together for an afternoon. Maybe you have all the details figured out, or perhaps you're still in that wonderful stage where everything is a possibility.
Wherever you are in the process, we'd love to hear your story. Tell us a little about yourselves, what you're celebrating, and what you imagine this experience might look like. We'll talk through the photography possibilities, share a little inspiration, and see how we can make something meaningful together.
We're currently welcoming a limited number of Florida elopements, surprise proposals, and couples photography sessions, with select weekday evening and weekend availability near Orlando.
We can't wait to hear what you're dreaming up.