I’M CHRIS RAY AND I’M HAPPY TO SEE YOU HERE!
“We wanted an adventurous, stress-free day with some hiking and vows –
Chris blew our minds as to what that could look like and we’ll cherish our photos forever”
My Story Behind Why I Started Doing Adventure Elopements
Ever since I was a little girl, the idea of a big traditional wedding with hundreds of people didn’t make me dream — it terrified me.
I remember being five or six years old and already thinking that I could never share something as private and intimate as a first kiss in front of a crowd of people I barely knew. It felt overwhelming, unnatural — and that stuck with me.
That fear was so strong that I decided then and there: I would never get married.
As I got older, nothing changed. During my teenage years, I attended a number of traditional weddings — relatives, friends, friends of friends — and they all felt the same. The bride and groom always looked so stressed, so worn out. It felt more like a performance or an obligation than a celebration of love. I couldn’t relate to any of it.
Then I discovered elopements — and everything changed.
I remember stumbling across photos of couples getting married on picturesque cliffs, quiet beaches, boats, or even underwater.
Sometimes they were alone, sometimes with just a handful of loved ones. I was blown away as it felt so bold and unorthodox. It felt different. Real. These weddings weren’t about pleasing others — they were about the couple. That was the first time I thought:
If I ever do get married, this is the only kind of wedding I’d want.
Years later, I picked up a camera. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a career. I began working with small businesses, creating visual content for brands: restaurants, small businesses and big companies. I loved photography — but something was missing. The images were short-lived — used in ads, then forgotten. I craved depth. Emotion. Meaning. The images I took felt fleeting. I didn’t want to do fast food photography: created, consumed, discarded. That’s when it clicked.
I didn’t want to take photos that were useful. I wanted to take photos that were meaningful.
Photos that would last. Photos that people would cherish for the rest of their lives. My love for photography and lifelong fascination with elopements finally found each other — and I knew I’d found my calling.
WHAT YOU GET BY WORKING WITH ME
AWARD WINNING PHOTOGRAPHY
This is visual storytelling without forced poses — just real stories and real emotion. I will direct you to help you feel relaxed, connected, and completely yourselves in front of the camera. No stiff poses or forced smiles, my photos will help relive your day and remember how it actually felt.
VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Are you dreaming of a pagan ceremony or a wedding on a glacier? I’ve got you covered! I work with only the best professionals in the industry that will help you elevate the whole experience, from glacier guides to hair and make up artists and florists.
PLANNING ASSISTANCE & TIPS
Need help planning? I’ll craft a custom timeline, recommend unique hidden gems, share local tips for the best light and how to avoid crowds, and help shape a day that feels effortless, meaningful, and entirely yours. My clients receive a detailed Planning guide with fun activity ideas, outfit recommendations (with specific brands) and so much more!
FEATURES AND AWARDS
I bought my first professional camera in 2017 and have been working as a full-time photographer since 2018
Each couple has their own unique story and I feel it’s an honor to have been a part of them
Finding hidden gems is a passion of mine, I can spend hours on Google maps looking for new spots off the beaten path
I’m obsessed with traveling and exploring this beautiful island, I believe one life might not be enough to see everything!
Things that I enjoy doing apart from photographing elopements are..
Travelling and exploring the world
I love exploring places I have never visited before both in Iceland and abroad. Being in nature is what helps me recharge my batteries and what brings me pure joy!
I’ve been drawn to mountains and islands my whole life, especially volcanic ones. Switzerland, Madeira and the Azores are one of my favourite places I’ve visited (let me know if you are planning an elopement there, I’d love to photograph it!).
So far I have been to 18 different countries and hope to see more in the future. Patagonia, Japan and New Zealand are definitely next top 3 destinations on my bucket list.
Learning languages while knitting traditional Icelandic sweaters
I have always been fascinated by different cultures and languages, I’m fluent in 3 different languages and currently learning Spanish on my own.
I also love knitting as it’s a form of meditation for me, plus you get a whole new sweater which is a great bonus for everyone living in Iceland!
This is my first lopapeysa (traditional Icelandic sweater) that I knitted and it keeps me warm on cold Icelandic days (even in the summer). It is also very photogenic and looks amazing in photos so I highly recommend it to all my couples.
What couples like you are saying:
Marifel & Neil:
“Both my husband and I are naturally awkward in front of the camera, but Chris made us feel so comfortable and guided us every step of the way..She brought out our genuine selves, and the whole experience felt effortless and real.”
When we finally saw the photos, I was overwhelmed and I literally cried. As someone who aspires to be a landscape photographer and has been an avid fan of National Geographic, seeing our wedding portraits look like they belonged in those epic spreads was surreal.
The images were otherworldly. They are raw, breathtaking, and deeply personal all at once..
Chris told our love story against the most stunning backdrop on earth. It was truly more than we ever dreamed of. She is truly an artist, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Kristen & Lachlan:
“From our very first conversations, her sincerity and kindness stood out, and it was clear she was genuinely invested in every aspect of our experience, far beyond the act of capturing photographs.”
We were initially somewhat nervous, having never done anything like it before, but from the moment we met Chris, all of that dissipated. Her professionalism, calm presence, and artistic vision allowed us to be completely present with each other, in the moment, and fully trust the process.
Despite the unpredictable Icelandic weather — wind, rain, and everything in between, she was both able to adapt and also embrace it boldly, turning it into something raw, emotional, and breathtaking.
For the rest of our lives, we will look back at our photos with complete joy and awe. We are endlessly grateful for the way she captured our story turning moments into memories we will cherish forever.”
“Chris understood our vision, guided us every step of the way, and transformed a wild idea into something far more meaningful and beautiful than we ever imagined.
MY COUPLE’S EMOTIONAL REACTION
This couple celebrated their Iceland elopement by visiting Kvernufoss waterfall and Reynisfjara Black sand beach. In this video they see their photos for the first time and talk a bit about their experience with me
ARE WE A GOOD FIT?
Feel free to reach out and tell me everything about your dream day and your vision. I would love to hear from you and help you make it come true! A no pressure consultation call is complimentary.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Iceland Elopement and Intimate Wedding Photographer
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