I’m John Rice, a Yallingup wedding photographer and complete elopement planner. I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings and elopements across Yallingup, from the clifftops above Smiths Beach to the granite at Canal Rocks, and I plan the whole day as well as photograph it.
That’s Kerry and Ben. They eloped at Smiths Beach in April with a clifftop ceremony, a quiet forest session at Venue One while the wind did its worst, then Canal Rocks and back to the beach for that sky. Their social content film is one of the inclusions in my elopement packages, filmed alongside the photography on the day.
Where I photograph weddings and elopements in Yallingup
Smiths Beach. The clifftop above the bay is one of the best ceremony positions in the South West. You get the full sweep of white sand and turquoise water behind you, and in the right conditions the afternoon light here is soft and golden. There are also positions down on the sand for smaller ceremonies. I organise the location permits with the City of Busselton as part of your planning.
Canal Rocks. Granite, channels of moving water, and the kind of drama that photographs beautifully in any weather. Canal Rocks works best in the hour before sunset, and it pairs naturally with a Smiths Beach ceremony since they’re only a few minutes apart.
The forests of Yallingup. Sheltered, still and green. A forest session at a private setting like Venue One gives you a complete change of scene from the coast, and it’s my go-to when the wind picks up. Calm air, dappled light, no hair across your face.
Nearby. Sugarloaf Rock, Bunker Bay, Meelup and Injidup are all within easy reach, so one Yallingup wedding day can cover coast, forest and granite without long drives.
Hundreds of weddings here means I know the light
Golden hour in Yallingup moves with the seasons, and so does the weather. Some spots that glow in March sit in shadow by June. This is where experience earns its keep. I know which positions catch the last light in each season, and if I feel the wind will not be kind to us on your day, I’ll suggest a sheltered alternative before we go there. Kerry and Ben’s day is the system working in real life. The forecast said wind. We had a forest ready. They got the calm session and the dramatic sky.
Camera shy? You’re my favourite kind of couple
I totally get that weird feeling when a camera points at you. It’s not fun. Here’s the thing though: that feeling comes from trying to perform for the lens, and the fix isn’t more posing, it’s less. I keep you moving, walking, laughing, doing real things together, and I photograph what actually happens. Real moments read as real in the photos, and years later they bring the day back the way it felt, not the way you stood.
Landscape-scale photography helps too. Placing you small in a big Yallingup scene takes the camera out of your face entirely, and it gives you those wall-sized prints where you’re two people in an amazing place in beautiful light.
I’ve made the relaxed experience one of my main objectives as a photographer, and I think I’ve nailed it. Check my five star Google reviews. There are heaps of couples in there saying they had fun with me despite usually hating photos.
One booking covers the whole day
For elopements, I’m your planner as well as your Yallingup wedding photographer. I book your celebrant, florist and hair and makeup artist, organise and pay your location permits, create your timeline and share it with every vendor. Your single payment covers all of it. You turn up and get married. See my all-inclusive elopement packages for the full picture, or my beach elopement guide if you’re weighing up locations.
What couples say
“ ♥ An amazing photographer.
We had such an awesome experience hiring John for our wedding. He is easy to work with, puts everyone at ease immediately and takes incredible photos. He has an especially magical touch for capturing the candid, sweet and funny moments in between.
Also an amazing turn around time. It felt like moments from walking down the isle we were exploring our digital images. He’s just that good!
Thank you John for making our memories extra sweet. You rock & we appreciate you. ”
– Paul & Fiona
“ John’s friendly and relaxed attitude helped us and everyone around us feel so at ease on our wedding day, and it made the formal session of photos thoroughly enjoyable. He has a natural talent for capturing candid and genuine shots from afar; the photos truly reflect the energy of the day from many perspectives. We couldn’t be happier and highly recommend 🙂 ”
– Sebastian & Cleo
Yallingup wedding photographer FAQs
Can you elope at Smiths Beach in Yallingup?
Yes. Smiths Beach has clifftop and beach ceremony positions, and I organise the location permits as part of your elopement planning.
What’s the best time of day for wedding photos in Yallingup?
The hour before sunset. The coast faces west, so Smiths Beach and Canal Rocks light up beautifully in the last light. The exact timing shifts with the seasons, and I build your timeline around it.
What happens if it’s windy on my wedding day?
Yes, there’s a plan. Every Yallingup wedding I plan has a wind-tested ceremony position and a sheltered backup nearby, usually a forest setting. We use the calm location while the wind peaks and head back to the coast when it eases.
Do you plan elopements as well as photograph them?
Yes. As your Yallingup wedding photographer and planner, I handle all vendors, permits and the timeline in one package with a single payment. Photography and complete planning together.
Which venues do you photograph in Yallingup?
I regularly photograph at Wills Domain, Venue One, and nearby at Pullman Bunker Bay, along with beach and forest ceremony locations across the region.
