The Journey: ft Sydney Sligh
Some stories unfold with wind in your hair, salt in the air, and lanterns glowing against the Pacific Ocean’s twilight. That’s exactly the kind of magic Arkansas-based wedding photographer Sydney Sligh captured in this breathtaking Oregon Coast elopement - an experience shaped by friendship, resilience, and wild-hearted creativity.
Sydney’s photography journey began in 2015 after a birth injury left her unable to work. Picking up her camera became more than just a creative outlet ... it became her calling.
“One thing led to another,” she says, “and here I am!”
As the creative mind behind Sydney Sligh Photography, she now specializes in intimate weddings and elopements that are as heartfelt as they are visually stunning.
For this session, Sydney photographed longtime friend Sydney Brown and her partner Terrell, who felt drawn to the raw beauty of the Oregon coast for their elopement. “They knew they didn’t want the pressure of a traditional wedding day,” Sydney explains. “We wanted to keep it relaxed - just them, adventuring and soaking in the moment.”
The vision was simple: natural, cinematic, and grounded in real emotion. They were inspired by Henry’s Diary (@henrysdiary) and knew they wanted to incorporate lanterns, but the rest unfolded organically ... side-of-the-road spots, uncrowded backdrops, and a willingness to follow where the light and weather led.
And the weather? It had plans of its own.
“We had 40+ mph winds for five days straight. There was no rescheduling,” Sydney recalls. Instead of letting it derail their plans, she embraced it. Turning to Google Earth, she scouted coves and inland forests for shelter and leaned into the unpredictability.
“Honestly, I live for that kind of chaos. I love playing with movement and light.”
The result is a gallery that feels like a dream: windswept cliffs, serene forest paths, and soft blue-hour shots lit by lanterns that cast a warm glow against the cool dusk sky.
Sydney captured the session with her Nikon Z6ii (paired with a 35mm 1.4) and Nikon D780 (with a 70-200mm 2.8). A small panel light helped bring the lantern scenes to life. For editing, she turned to the Adventure Everyday pack by Mastin Labs - mixing presets to match the mood. Ektar added warmth to the sunset scenes, while Gold brought out the cinematic glow in the lantern shots. “I just use the typical workflow ... fix white balance, apply the preset, and tweak from there.”
More than anything, it’s Sydney’s connection with her clients that brings such depth to her images. “I want them to feel like friends. To be fully themselves around me.” She even studies romantic movie scenes to understand how to create moments that feel both organic and cinematic. The result? Images that are not only visually stunning, but emotionally alive.
As for her creative inspiration, Sydney says it comes from the couples themselves. “I hardly follow other photographers because I can get too in my head. Instead, I dive into my couples’ stories - what they love - and try to bring that through in the images.”
Sydney’s advice for other photographers trying to find their style?
“Just do your own thing. Figure out what sets you apart and run with it.”
With exciting projects on the horizon - like a destination wedding in Key Largo - Sydney continues to grow a business rooted in passion, creativity, and genuine connection. Her work is a reminder that success isn't defined by trends or metrics, but by the ability to tell meaningful stories and create lasting memories for the people you serve.
See more from Sydney Sligh:
📸 Instagram: @sydneyslighh
🌐 Website: sydneyslighphotography.com
📘 Facebook: Sydney Sligh Photography
