People often ask us how we can spend so much time together, traveling and working together, all while living in this tiny space. The truth is, navigating life together as husband and wife while also working together as professional photographers has deepened our connection in so many ways. We are polar opposites in many senses, but teamwork makes the dream work, and from the science of maneuvering our RV into the trickiest spaces to the art of capturing a couple’s biggest day, we often function more like one team than two people.
When we're not behind the lens, you can find us hanging with our dogs, hiking and adventuring, enjoying happy hour on our patio or at a local restaurant, or finding a new spot to watch the sun set. We also make a point to be on the other side of the camera, in what’s become a yearly tradition of doing a photoshoot together for our anniversary to continue documenting our ever evolving love story.
We’ve been here, there and everywhere together, and having visited 29 National Parks together we don’t intend to stop anytime soon.
Our path to get here was...unconventional. Our love for adventuring together began with a cross country road trip in which we checked our first four National Parks off our list. Ross proposed lakeside at the base of the Teton Mountain range and the tone was set; for our marriage and for our journey together as photographers. Our partnership has been an ever-evolving adventure we’re eager to continue chasing. In March 2020, we took a leap and bought the RV we’ve called home ever since, along with our two dogs Maggie and Rose.
Just a couple of midwestern natives from Ohio who are now proud San Diegans and thrilled to call SoCal home.
The wedding day duo you never knew you needed…until now!
It’s been a liberating experience and our lives are filled with more meaning and intention than we could have imagined had we stayed inside the box. This is our hope for our couples; that they, too, feel the exhilaration, freedom, and empowerment of choosing your own path. Whether spicing up a traditional wedding ceremony or tossing tradition entirely for an adventure elopement, we are passionate about capturing the true essence of a couple so your photos feel like a true reflection of YOU. We don’t want to be another box checked on your wedding to-do list. We want you to be just as stoked to work with us as we are to work with you, because that is when the real magic happens!
Together we follow our hearts and intuition wherever they may lead us, and this means our lives often look different from what is considered “normal".
This is where “Off Path” was born:
NONE OF THE PATHS LAID OUT BY SOCIETY FELT LIKE A FIT FOR US, SO WE TOSSED OUT THE MAP AND FORGED OUR OWN.
As your photographer, my goal is to document you completely in your element in a way that feels natural and effortless, focusing on real emotion, connection and movement. I'll encourage you to be your authentic self and let your personality shine through. No awkward or stiff posing, just you being you! I'll capture both timeless portraits and organic candids, and I'll always remind you to pause and take it all in.
Pisces / Enneagram 9 / Acts of Service
meet lauren
a few of my favorites
Red wine
Harry Potter on repeat
Clean sheets
Candle burning always
House plants and fresh cut flowers
The color green
being on the water
The other 1/2 of Off Path - husband and dog dad, location scout, Spotify DJ, bartender, and 2nd shooter. My goal is for you to feel so comfortable that you forget I'm even there. While Lauren is up close, I'll be in the background capturing the bigger picture, looking for that next epic shot. I'm always on the hunt for new locations and views, and I'll be the first to enjoy a beer or glass of bourbon with you after our work is done.
Capricorn / Enneagram huh ? / Acts of Service
meet Ross
a few of my favorites
dark roast coffee
Tequila
Taco Tuesday
A good playlist
The Alchemist - read it!
Cooking
hiking
UPCOMING TRAVEL:
September 23 - October 3, 2023 - Iceland
October 21 - October 26, 2023 - Big Sur
& Wherever your love story takes us!
BUCKET LIST:
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Greece
Hawaii
Tulum
Big Sur
Yosemite
Grand Teton
Mt. Rainier
Whether it's somewhere we've been, or somewhere entirely new, there's nothing that sparks our creativity like experiencing somewhere for the first time, or seeing an old favorite with a new perspective and different story to tell. Inquire with your dream location and date, and we'll send you a custom quote!
You want to get married where? We're in! If travel and adventure were a love language, it would be ours!
Our bags are packed!
Kenzie & Nick Holderbaum
These are just everything we ever wanted and they are just so us and absolutely perfect in every way. To have so perfectly captured the day as beautifully as remembered is truly a gift that we can never ever repay you for.
"From the bottom of our hearts - thank you, thank you, thank you.""
ALAINA & ANTHONY IOVINO
They are PERFECT and more than anything we could’ve dreamed! Truly thank you for capturing the emotions of our entire weekend so beautifully and perfectly. I cry and laugh every time I look through them and find a new photo or detail I previously missed. And beyond the photos themselves, thank you again for everything you did for us during our wedding weekend. You and Ross played a huge part in the calmness of the wedding day itself and allowed me, Anthony, and our families to be so present and enjoy the day.
"WE’RE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND I AM ALREADY PLANNING OUR ANNIVERSARY SESSION"
HANNAH & MARK SIMONDS
We literally picked our wedding date around Lauren and Ross’ availability, because that is the one thing I wasn’t willing to compromise on! They are honestly the nicest, most down to earth, fun, and incredibly talented photographers! Our engagement shoot was the first time my now husband and I took photos like that together, and Lauren and Ross made it so easy and natural.
"OUR WEDDING PHOTOS WENT SO SMOOTHLY, AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND WERE SUCH A BLAST."
Allie & Kyle Zander
Off Path Photography did our engagement and wedding photos and stuck with us all the way through our middle of the pandemic wedding and all the changes/craziness. The photos are always amazing, they seem to capture all of the spontaneous moments. We chose not to have a videographer for our wedding due to cost and I feel like all of the photos taken at the reception/ceremony tell the story of the night without the need for a video. Not only are the photos amazing but Lauren and Ross are the best kind of people! My husband hates having his photo taken but they always make you feel comfortable and make photos a fun experience. After the wedding we used Off Path Photo for family photos and an in-home shoot. I would highly recommend them for any photoshoot and will continue to always use them for any more professional photos!!"
"I can’t say enough good things about Lauren and Ross!!"
Bridget & Anthony Monaco
We did our engagement session with them in Colorado and had the great joy of having them with us on our wedding day in Ohio. I am a little bit of a nervous nelly in front of the camera but Lauren and Ross immediately helped me feel comfortable and confident. I still cannot believe our photos are as incredible as they are! On our wedding day, they were not only able to capture the emotion of the day beautifully but they were also there for us in whatever way we needed. They are such wonderful people through and through! Hope to see you guys again soon!
"I could not possibly recommend Lauren and Ross more!"
Sophia & Tom
They are two of the coolest humans to hang out with. We laughed all day & literally felt like we had been friends forever. They are very much the type of people you just want to grab a beer with on the weekend. Because of these two, we’re actually glad our original wedding was cancelled. What was probably the most stressful/disappointing time in our life turned out to be the absolute best day! We 100000% owe all of it to Off Path Photography! They went so above and beyond for us and we will never be able to thank them enough. We feel so lucky to have had them shoot our elopement AND we get them for our wedding celebration! So if you’re looking for a wedding, engagement or elopement photographer... STOP LOOKING. THESE ARE YOUR PEOPLE!
"They take away all the “awkwardness” of posing for pictures and will be your biggest hype people."
Alli & Chris Valaika
I spent a long time searching for photographers that lean toward naturally beautiful, organic, and scenic photographs. I couldn’t be more happy with our photos. We also had a blast and were given some direction without feeling posed. 100000% would recommend this awesome couple!
"Truly the most fun we have ever had taking pictures"
Erika & Sage Gardner
We were fortunate enough to work with such an amazing duo! Lauren and Ross were so organized, accommodating, personable and fun. Their passion for photography can be easily recognized in their work. 11/10 recommend!
"Lauren and Ross were so organized, accommodating, personable and fun."
Amanda & Greg Kerr
My husband and I had the best experience with Lauren and Ross as our photographers for our wedding. When we did our engagement photos, I knew we picked the best of the best because they were so fun and made the experience very laid back and comfortable. On our wedding day they helped so much! They are very professional and worked well with our other vendors to help make it the best day ever. We got our photos back quickly and are obsessed with all of them! We will definitely be looking back at these photos for the rest of our lives and remember how special it was. We would recommend Off Path Photography to everyone and not just for weddings! They even helped my husband with getting some professional photos for a website he was launching. They can do it all.
"On our wedding day they helped so much!"
