Thistle + Wood Photo

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Dahlonega, GA
Thistle + Wood Photo

Hi, I’m Shelby! I photograph intimate weddings and adventurous elopements; my work is rooted in storytelling and the beauty of wild places.

If you're dreaming of a day that feels honest, meaningful, and uniquely you, I’d love to help you preserve it! I am not a JUST a photographer – someone who takes pictures because I have the ability. I am Shelby: a woman who thrives to share light with others through the outlets God has blessed me in. Photography happens to be an amazing role I am able to do that through. No matter what stage of li

fe I am passing through, I will always be a light seeker - moving to grow, wandering this pathway so that I can bring to other what God has given to me. Based in the North Georgia Mountains. Instagram: .woodphoto

10/02/2025

The start of busy season at Cloudland Canyon never fails me. 🌿✨

I’ll be making several trips back here over the next few months, and every time I step into this place it feels like something out of a storybook.

This evening was one of those nights - quiet, still, and hot in the thick Georgia air. But these two didn’t let the heat stop them. They leaned into it, laughed through it, and before I knew it, it felt like I was filming a fantasy fairytale! Frolicking in the water, joy echoing through the canyon walls… it was pure magic.

I kicked off my fall season last week with an intimate wedding in North Cascades National Park, and I can’t wait to bring you with me throughout this beautifully rich autumn season 🤍

09/16/2025

When I first got to these North Carolina mountains, they were completely covered in with fog. The kind where you can barely see a few feet in front of you. Honestly, I loved it - fog always feels so magical - but I also knew Lindsey + Zach had driven all the way from Augusta hoping for those wide open mountain views.

So I just whispered a little prayer that God would give us even a glimpse of His creation. And wouldn’t you know it? As soon as they arrived, the clouds started breaking apart. Little by little the mountains opened up, and it turned into the most incredible view.

What made it even sweeter was their story. Lindsey + Zach eloped on their 5th anniversary in their preacher’s backyard - super special, but Lindsey never wore her actual wedding dress that day. Zach had never seen it until this session. When she stepped out in her gown on the overlook… his reaction said it all.

The rest of the evening was pure magic. The fog kept drifting in and out, catching the light and making everything glow. By sunset the whole mountain felt golden. We hiked, laughed, spun around in the grass, and just soaked in the moment.

Sessions like this remind me why I love these mountains so much - no matter the weather, they always give you something unforgettable. 🌿✨

08/13/2025

When Stacie and Kevin first reached out, their hearts were set on eloping in Ireland. But when logistics made that dream tricky, they chose the next best thing: the wild beauty of central Oregon. And honestly… it couldn’t have been more perfect.

From otherworldly lava rock fields, to lush, moss-draped waterfalls, to 6,000-foot peaks with sweeping views - this day was an adventure from start to finish. My medieval-loving heart was obsessed with their outfits (truly straight out of a fantasy novel).

Whether they were getting completely drenched beneath the waterfall or hiking a mile straight up the mountain right after, they embraced every single moment. And to say I was impressed is an understatement.

Because that’s the magic of eloping - you’re not just saying your vows, you’re creating an experience that will be etched into your memories and hearts forever. And this day? It will be one for the ages. 🤍

08/06/2025

She was the sixth bride in her family to wear the dress.

A 19th-century wedding gown, passed down through generations since 1945—over 70 years of love stitched into every seam. Watching her step into that legacy on her wedding day in the North Georgia mountains felt like witnessing time pause for something so special.

The day had been clear, full of promise and light. But as we lined up for the ceremony, thunder cracked in the distance. I checked the radar - a wall of red storm cells barreling toward us. Summer in the South doesn’t play. But somehow… they made it. They said their vows, kissed to the sound of cheers and low, echoing thunder, and walked down the aisle with joy lighting up every face.

Moments later, the skies opened up. We ducked inside as the rain poured down, hearts still beating fast from the beauty of what we’d just witnessed.

It was the kind of day that makes you believe in timing, in grace, and in the beauty of family legacy. So much love. So many joyful tears. Everything a wedding should be.

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08/05/2025

One of my little joys before a mountain session is checking the weather - secretly hoping for a little moodiness in the skies. This day? It was looking totally clear. Bright sun the entire drive up. But if you’ve spent any time in the North Carolina mountains in the summer, you know…the weather makes its own plans.

Sure enough, just as we began our hike, the rain moved in fast. I brought umbrellas, but it didn’t matter much- we all got soaked. I kept checking in with these two, ready to pivot if they wanted to turn back. But they stayed. They embraced it.

And the mountains rewarded them.

A rainbow arched over the ridge - disappearing only to reappear later on. The clouds opened just enough for a glowing, golden sunset. And as the light faded, twilight wrapped everything in this hushed, dreamy blue. It felt like the sky was showing off.

There’s something special that happens when you lean in rather than run. When you let go of the plan and trust the beauty in what is. Rainy sessions might be messy, but they’re also some of the most magical.

So here’s your gentle reminder: don’t be afraid to get a little wet!

07/10/2025

Like most summer days in the South, the drive to Oakleaf Cottage was all sun and blue skies. But as soon as I pulled into the venue, the clouds began to gather. The radar changed every few minutes, and the question hung in the air: would the rain shift the entire course of the day?

I’ve learned this lesson again and again: rain doesn’t ruin a wedding day, it reshapes it. I got married in the rain, drenched head to toe, and it’s one of my favorite memories of my own wedding. But I know that isn’t everyone’s dream.

Still, Lainey and James embraced it. They had their first look in the rain, surrounded by misty trees and quiet drops falling through the forest canopy.

Rain slows you down. It pulls you into the moment. You hear the thunder roll in the distance, the raindrops tapping on leaves around you, and suddenly the world feels a little more alive. 🤍 Oakleaf Cottage is one of my favorite places to photograph weddings - their team goes above and beyond to make sure every couple feels at peace, no matter the weather. (And their clear tent backup plan is next level!!)

Rainy wedding days? They’re some of my favorite to photograph. There’s something ethereal and unforgettable woven into the details that I can’t get enough of ☁️🌲

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06/04/2025

We weren’t sure if the skies would cooperate—but in the end, the fog rolled in just right ✨☁️

Jason and Victoria met on Hinge and got married exactly one year later, celebrating with an intimate church ceremony surrounded by loved ones. The only thing missing? Wedding photos. So they chose to revisit this season of their life, this time in a place that represented both of them—mountains for his Utah roots, and water for her Florida soul.

Cloudland Canyon gave us both. And on this rainy Georgia day, while most people ran from the weather, we stayed. The park was quiet. The cliffs were misty. The trees were draped in low clouds. And these two? They got to celebrate their marriage all over again—with joy, wonder, and fog that looked like it was straight out of a fairytale.

Sometimes the moody days are the most magical. ✨

05/30/2025

“If we were in a romance novel, we’d be the grumpy/sunshine trope for sure.” — the bride 🌤️

From the very first message, I could tell these two were something special. We connected instantly, and when I found out they were eloping in the North Cascades—my favorite state and one of the most breathtaking places in the world—I was all in.

We started the day at 3am, chasing sunrise and mountains… and somewhere along the drive, I spotted the most stunning lupine field bursting with color on the side of the road. I hesitated, then asked, “Would you be up for a quick detour for photos here?” Without skipping a beat, they were totally game. That’s just who they are—down for whatever, always ready to embrace the beauty and spontaneity of the moment.

Even with the Memorial Day crowds, the day somehow felt like a peaceful bubble just for the three of us. We wandered past alpine lakes and towering peaks, logging over 10,000 steps—and yes, this incredible bride did all of it in heels!

It was bright and sunny (and y’all know I’m usually team cloudy skies), but honestly? This day didn’t need a single filter. The light was radiant, the views were unreal, and the love between these two could’ve lit up the whole mountain range. ✨

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05/19/2025

City weddings usually aren’t my usual rhythm—I’m more of a mountains-and-woods kind of girl. But stepping into Raleigh for Taylor and Hunter’s wedding at The Heights House felt like walking into a big, cozy hug. The whole weekend was filled with so much heart.

These two are the embodiment of intentional living. They started their wedding day the same way they live their lives—with yoga, meditation, and each other. I always encourage couples to carve out a quiet moment together before the festivities begin… and this was such a beautiful reminder of why.

Most of the guests stayed on-site, so breakfast was a shared moment too—filled with laughter, quiet excitement, and the kind of togetherness that sets the tone for something really special.

From their shared breath during the ceremony… to passing out digestive enzymes as dinner favors (yes, really!), every detail was a reflection of them.

Joyful tears. Belly laughs. Thoughtful touches. Deep presence.
It was everything a wedding should be.

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04/24/2025

Three weddings and an engagement session in three days—all at Cloudland Canyon. The most I’ve ever taken on in such a short span…and yet somehow my heart felt more full than tired.

This wedding was the first of the weekend—welcoming the day with these two as the sun crested over the canyon walls. There’s something about sunrise that just feels different. Yes, it’s early. But the light? The stillness? The way the world feels like it’s just for you? Completely worth it.

For most of the morning, we had the entire park—and even the waterfall—to ourselves. Just them, their vows, laughter of their family, and the sound of rushing water echoing through the quiet.

More from this magical weekend soon—there’s so much I can’t wait to share. 🤍

04/23/2025

They originally wanted to elope.

The quiet, the stillness, the mountains—just the two of them wrapped up in something beautiful. But life shifted, as it often does, and they chose to share their vows in an intimate wedding surrounded by their closest people in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona. (Which was the most incredible day!)

Still, I didn’t want them to miss out on the part that originally inspired their hearts. So I offered an adventure session…and they jumped on it!

So the next day, we chased their original dream—just them two, dressed back up and glowing from the day before. We drove up all 9,200 feet of Arizona Snowbowl, crunched through snowdrifts under towering pines, and hiked until the sun dipped low behind the peaks. It was peaceful. Joyful. A space to breathe, reflect, and be fully present together.

This is why I love day-after adventure sessions.
No timeline, no expectations. Just time to be.
To soak it all in.
To let your story settle in your bones and celebrate it all over again.

If you’re dreaming of something both grounded and wild—something with space to roam—this could be the perfect way to honor both the party and the pause. 🤍

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04/10/2025

There’s a moment I always look forward to on these mountain sessions—the one right before we reach the top. ⛰️

We’d been hiking for a while…this is my hardest mountain location, and we were feeling it. We stopped to rest—me dramatically bent over trying to catch my breath, camera backpack abandoned on the ground, my couple laughing beside me as we looked up at the last big climb. This hike was showing my how OUT of shape I got in my off season. 🤪

And then… we made it.

The wind hit first. Then the sky opened up. I turned around just in time to see their faces—eyes wide, mouths open in awe, smiles growing as the view wrapped around us.

We didn’t say much at first. Just stood there, breathing it all in. And when we finally caught our breath (after a solid minute of heavy breathing and happy laughter 😋), this deep sense of peace washed over all of us.

This is why I love what I do. Yes, the photos are beautiful—but the experience? That moment of wonder? That’s the magic.🤗

Address

Dahlonega, GA
30533

Website

http://www.thistlewoodphoto.com/

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