Where are you based? Where do you photograph the most?
We’re Sav and Greg, a married photography and videography team based in Denver, Colorado. As elopement photographers, our work revolves around public land. These spaces aren’t just places we visit in our free time, they’re the foundation of our entire business.
We spend our days adventuring and documenting small weddings in some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country, from our home in the Rocky Mountains to Yosemite and beyond. But as much as we love these places, we also recognize the challenges that come with working on public land—especially when it comes to permits and the evolving legal landscape.
Why did you become a PLC member?
We joined Public Land Creatives because we believe in the importance of protecting public land while also ensuring that photographers and couples who want to get married outdoors have access to them. PLC is more than just a community of photographers—it’s an advocacy group that is working for our access to public land and ensuring we aren’t unfairly restricted due to policies that weren’t designed with us in mind.
Almost all of our elopements take place on public land. While these areas are incredible for intimate ceremonies, the process of obtaining the proper permits can be frustratingly unclear. The lack of cohesion between different offices and the ever-changing rules can make it difficult to plan weddings on public lands. We are small business owners who actively want to follow the rules, but when even the land managers themselves can’t provide straightforward answers, it can make the planning process even more challenging.
Why do you think it is important for photographers to know the laws on public lands?
Knowing the rules regarding public land isn’t just about staying out of trouble—it’s about protecting the places we love. Permits, restrictions, and Leave No Trace guidelines exist for a reason. They help manage foot traffic, fund conservation efforts, and prevent the damage that can come from uninformed visitors. We’ve seen firsthand how a single viral photo can lead to an influx of people at a fragile location, causing unintended harm.
As photographers, we have a unique role to play in this—our work often inspires others to visit these places, and with that comes a responsibility to educate and lead by example. Now more than ever, given the recent mass firings of rangers who help protect our parks.
More from Greg + Sav…
Public lands have given us so much—not just beautiful places to work, but also deeply meaningful experiences for our clients. It’s our responsibility to protect them, advocate for fair policies, and ensure that these spaces remain accessible in the future. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to get involved, educate yourself on the issues, and support the work that PLC is doing for all of us. Because if we don’t fight for our public lands, who will?
See more of Authentic Creative’s Work:
Name: Authentic Collective (Savannah & Greg)
Website: https://authenticcollective.blog/
Social Media: http://instagram.com/authenticcollectivephoto
