Where are you based? Where do you photograph the most?
I’m Kelly Shoul, and I’m an elopement photographer based in Grand Junction, Colorado. I work mostly in Colorado – on National Forest Lands, in RMNP, and the Colorado National Monument. I also work in the Moab area — including the national and state parks, and BLM land. Most of the places I work are remote, beautiful, and wild — and I feel incredibly lucky to call these landscapes my office.
Why do you think it is important to protect photographer’s rights on public lands?
I think it’s important to protect photographers’ rights to use public lands because public lands are where we do our work, and without fair access, we lose the ability to serve our clients, and run our businesses.
I think sometimes there’s a misunderstanding about what we do and the type of work we’re doing as elopement photographers. We’re not showing up with big teams or damaging the environment. Most of us work with Leave No Trace principles in mind, and work hard to educate our couples on the LNT principles, many of us having our couples sign a clause in their contract stating they will follow the 7 principles. We plan carefully, respect the permit systems, and go out of our way to respect the land and the people who manage it. I’d go as far to say we treat the land better than most visitors who have full access to the lands.. Yet we’re often treated like a problem — hit with confusing permitting processes, unfair restrictions, or outright denied access. Public lands are supposed to be for everyone, but when commercial use policies are unclear or inconsistently enforced, it becomes harder and harder for us to do our work legally and responsibly.
Why do you think others should join PLC?
I think more photographers should join the PLC because we need a collective voice. We need people who understand the system to advocate for fair and consistent policies. And we need to advocate for ourselves, because let’s be honest: no one else is going to advocate for us. If we don’t push back and speak up, our ability to work on public lands will only get more limited.
What is one of your favorite memories on public lands as a photographer?
My favorite memories on public lands are with my couples when they’re dressed to the nines, and we pass other hikers and visitors of the land. First come the questions, then come the congratulations, and praise of how amazing it is that they’re getting married on public lands. It’s so fun and exciting hearing and seeing peoples reactions. Couples who choose this type of wedding day are truly unique individuals, and we need to continue fighting to protect photographers’ rights to use public lands so these couples can have their wedding days documented legally.
Final thoughts from Kelly:
Yes — I think it’s really important that photographers (and everyone who uses public lands) pay attention to what’s happening at the federal level. The current presidential administration has already proposed major budget cuts to the agencies that manage our public lands, including the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. These cuts mean fewer staff, less maintenance, and reduced access. They’re also pushing for more extractive use, like drilling and mining, which puts fragile ecosystems at risk. If we’re not watching and speaking up, these changes happen quietly. We have to stay informed, contact our representatives, support conservation organizations, and use our platforms to raise awareness. Public lands don’t protect themselves — we have to show up and fight for them.
See more of Kelly’s Work:
Name: Kelly | In Love and Adventure
IG: https://www.instagram.com/inloveandadventure/
Website: https://inloveandadventure.com/
