Hey There, I'm Sierra
TL;DR I'm a mother of two crazy boys, dog mom to staffy dogs, and wife to my high-school sweetheart. I'm a day-dreamer, dream-chaser, and I like to find magic in life's little moments . I call everyone dude, I randomly dance to whatever song is currently stuck in my head, and I will wade in freezing water to get THE shot for you. When you work with me, you can expect to dance, run, piggyback, motorboat, swear, laugh, and get messy.
You can often find me with my head in the clouds, feet in the mud, and a third (or fourth) cup of coffee in my cup.
Long story short
Where I stand on all of the
Important Things
CURRENTLY WATCHING
Wayward
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO
Listen to my Spotify Playlist!
Hogwarts House
Hufflepuff
alternate universe job:
Museum Curator
CELEB I'D LOVE TO MEET
Will Ferrell or Andy Samberg
CURRENTLY READING
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
favorite podcast
Sounds Like a Cult
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT
Almond Milk Mochas
TOP OF MY BUCKET LIST
Iceland & Portugal
favorite show to QUOTE
Schitt's Creek and Brooklyn 99
my messy life
An inside look at
My husband
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Your fifth must-have would go right about here. Yup, yup.
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Street Cred
Boudoir Culture Magazine, Issue #9
Wandering Weddings Published Article on Hatcher Pass
Mainsite Contemporary Art Gallery, The Art of Emotion Exhibit
Stripped Down: The Art of Emotion in Photography
Thrive: The Business of Unconventional Weddings & Elopements
The ART of Adventure Wedding and Photography
How to Leave Not Trace for Wedding and Elopement Photographers
EDUCATION
At Wild Iris Studios, my mission is to create a space where people can embrace their raw and authentic selves while empowering them to prioritize experiences that light their souls on fire, free from the constraints of societal expectations. I specialize in capturing wild souls in wild landscapes and crafting unforgettable elopement experiences for the rebels, risk-takers, and free spirits. My goal is to unveil and celebrate the uniqueness within each of my clients, leaving them with breathtaking images full of emotion that tell the story of their unique journeys.
My promise to you
Values + Beliefs
LOVE IS LOVE
ALASKA ROOTS
INCLUSIVITY, ALWAYS
LEAVE NO TRACE
DOGS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
PLAYLISTS ARE A LOVE LANGUAGE
GREEN IS A NEUTRAL
- Lea + Alex
"Sierra is amazing! Her lighting style immediately drew us to her when looking for wedding photographers as we wanted to capture the vibrance and joy of our big day. She met those expectations with her beautiful photos and was also such a pleasure to work with. She is calm, organized, very approachable, and a great communicator, which allowed us to relax and just have fun. Thank you, Sierra!"
SHE IS CALM, ORGANIZED, VERY APPROACHABLE, AND A GREAT COMMUNICATOR, WHICH ALLOWED US TO JUST RELAX AND HAVE FUN.
TESTIMONIAL
My love for photography started when I was gifted a Spice Girls Polaroid camera at 6 years old. My dad was the same way, always behind his worn leather film cameras. Like him, I've always loved taking pictures of the people around me, which became even more prevalent when I had my first kid in 2014.
In college, I studied the social sciences. People have always fascinated me: how they think, feel, and connect. Turns out, that’s what photography is about, too. After graduating, I’d squeeze in shoots between my nine-to-five and bedtime stories. By 2019, that little creative outlet had grown into Wild Iris Studios.
It all started with a Spice Girls Polaroid Camera
I married my high-school sweetheart, and we got married young—before Pinterest, before I knew you could do things differently. I planned the kind of wedding I thought I was supposed to have.
Don't get me wrong, I married the right person, but the day itself didn’t feel like us. We skipped the heartfelt vows, dreaded the spotlight, and spent most of the day making sure everyone else was happy. When it was over, I realized I’d checked every box, but I missed the part where I actually enjoyed it.
Why did other people love their weddings, while mine just felt like an anxious fever dream?
It took me years to realize it wasn’t weddings I disliked—it was that mine didn’t feel like me. Then I started seeing couples doing things differently: eloping in Italy, getting married on road trips, trading cake for pizza, and dance floors for bouncy houses. That’s when it clicked—weddings don’t have to follow the rules.
So that's what I do now
I help couples ditch the rulebook and design weddings that feel like them—fun, meaningful, and wildly unique. Whether it’s a mountaintop elopement, a black dress and boots, or a destination adventure, I’m here to make it happen.
If a big traditional wedding isn’t your vibe—but you still want something deeply emotional and unforgettable—you’re my kind of people.
Long story, not-so-short
Confession: I didn't always love weddings, including my own
my wedding day, circa 2011
photo courtesty of sinagcameras
"We're shy and super
awkward"
Sound familiar? You're definitely not alone. The truth is, most people feel a little unsure when the lens turns their way—wondering what to do with their hands or if that big laugh looks weird. But here’s the thing: looking comfortable in photos starts with feeling comfortable in the moment. That’s where I come in—to create space where you can just be you. No stiff posing, no fake smiles—just genuine connection, movement, and laughter that feels natural. Together, we’ll make the whole experience feel easy, relaxed, and actually fun (yes, really).
... said every couple I've ever photographed, ever...
What it's like working with me
The best photos don’t come from stiff poses—they happen in the in-between moments, when you’re too busy living to notice the camera. My relaxed, lifestyle approach lets your story unfold naturally.
I’ll quietly capture the real, candid moments as they happen, and when it’s time for portraits, I’ll guide you with gentle prompts—things to do rather than poses to hold.
You’ll be spinning, laughing, and wrapped up in each other—no worrying about where to look or what to do with your hands. Just genuine moments that feel full of life.
Lifestyle Approach
Couples often tell me that working together feels effortless. There’s no pressure, no performance—just space to be fully present. I bring a calm, down-to-earth energy that keeps things grounded no matter what the day brings—wind, mud, laughter, or a little bit of beautiful chaos.
My goal is simple: to help you relax, breathe, and actually enjoy your day unfold as it should - naturally, joyfully, and without rush. You get to focus on each other, while I quietly take care of the rest.
A Grounded Presence
Your story deserves to be felt, not just seen. Every photograph should pull you back into the heartbeat of your day—the sound of your laughter, the salt in the air, the chill of mountain mist on your skin.
With a background in Social Science and advanced training in The Art of Emotion, I understand how people connect, express, and respond. That insight helps me create a space where you can simply be yourselves—fully present, comfortable, and connected.
The result? Images that don’t just show what your day looked like—they let you feel it again. Alive. Honest. Unmistakably you.
