Bemidji Wedding Photography and Video Photographers Capture Natural Photos. Our Bemidji Photographers Capture Magical Moments and Emotions.
I am a photographer based in the Bemidji area, specializing in outdoor weddings and backyard celebrations.
I have 20 years of experience and have photographed over 1500 weddings. 500 of these weddings were in MN and ND. Then, in 2010, I started a new wedding planning business in Maui. My company, Affordable Barefoot Maui wedding, provides beautiful beach photography and simple romantic ceremonies. Since moving to Bemidji five years ago, I have continued to do wedding photography and perform ceremonies. In addition to doing weddings at more traditional local wedding venues, I have created a complete wedding package that includes ceremony and photography at people’s homes or one of the many gorgeous local area beaches. This can often save couples 10 to $20,000! After their elopement ceremony, some of these couples choose to have a simple reception and dance. Imagine a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony with 150 photos that doesn’t break your bank account!
NEW!
Sunset Beach Elopement package includes 150 Professional photographs plus a gorgeous 20-minute heartfelt legal ceremony.
Regularly $1299 ~ Sale $950
“First Look” Photos, Photojournalistic Style, Family & Wedding Portraits
Copyright Permission given with all your digital images!
Customer Review
“The coverage you provided for our wedding was amazing! You really captured the casual lake personality of our wedding. We really love how you didn’t spend a ton of time positioning us into awkward positions. Your candid style of photography produced really touching photos…Thank you so much!”
Lyndee & Tyler
Click Here to Email Eric Nelson
Our Local Wedding Reviews
Emily Risberg
18:45 06 Jan 20
Tyler Heser
16:41 21 Oct 19
We would just like to tell you how pleased we are with the photography and videography of our wedding day! We appreciate how efficient, professional, laid-back you were the day of our wedding. We were also impressed with quickly we were able to view the proofs from our big day.
We would not have been as happy with any other photographer, I am sure of it! The coverage you provided us with was amazing. You were there at 1:00 and didn’t leave until you had all the shots you wanted, which was well into the dance. You really captured the casual “lake” personality of our wedding. We love how you didn’t spend a ton of time positioning us into awkward positions. Your candid style of photography produced really touching photos. You were also so respectful of our three families and made sure to get all the important groupings that we had requested.
We are so happy to have photos and video that we can look back on and remember our
wedding day! We have had countless people view our proofs and video and everyone agrees that they are simply beautiful. We really appreciated everything you did for us starting with our engagement photo session, the childhood montage you put together for us, and the remarkable amount of photos and video footage that you took on our wedding day! Everyone who was at our wedding said, “Your photographer did a wonderful job, he just seemed to be at the right spot at the right time.” Thank you for doing just that! You captured moments that we did not even realize had happened. Wow!
We both highly recommend you as a wedding photographer. You are truly in a class by yourself. Professional, efficient, and laid-back all describe you! Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Tyler and Lyndee Heser
We would not have been as happy with any other photographer, I am sure of it! The coverage you provided us with was amazing. You were there at 1:00 and didn’t leave until you had all the shots you wanted, which was well into the dance. You really captured the casual “lake” personality of our wedding. We love how you didn’t spend a ton of time positioning us into awkward positions. Your candid style of photography produced really touching photos. You were also so respectful of our three families and made sure to get all the important groupings that we had requested.
We are so happy to have photos and video that we can look back on and remember our
wedding day! We have had countless people view our proofs and video and everyone agrees that they are simply beautiful. We really appreciated everything you did for us starting with our engagement photo session, the childhood montage you put together for us, and the remarkable amount of photos and video footage that you took on our wedding day! Everyone who was at our wedding said, “Your photographer did a wonderful job, he just seemed to be at the right spot at the right time.” Thank you for doing just that! You captured moments that we did not even realize had happened. Wow!
We both highly recommend you as a wedding photographer. You are truly in a class by yourself. Professional, efficient, and laid-back all describe you! Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Tyler and Lyndee Heser
Jason Dockter
00:48 17 Oct 19
My wife and I had a rather quick engagement season prior to our wedding day. Because we needed to find all our desired components in such a short amount of time, there was some additional stress to locate and reserve professional vendors who would provide an exceptional quality of service. One of those vendors is Eric Nelson and his associates with Bemidji Wedding Photography and Video. From the outset, Eric and his crew were incredibly easy to work with. Their photos and videos are breath-takingly beautiful and reflect their years of experience in the field of photography. They were a delight to work with—especially with me because I am incredibly awkward to try and pose. But a couple of the things that stood out to me was their excellent communication skills through email and phone calls, and their graciousness in being flexible with my wife and me. Their prices were fair and affordable when compared with their competitors in the region. I would highly recommend Eric and the entire Bemidji Wedding and Photography team for anyone’s big day. Thank you, Eric, and God bless! Five stars!
Gary George
17:46 03 Oct 19
The photos are amazing!! Bemidji Wedding Photography & Video is 100% the way to go. Eric and his wife were there to record all the special moments of my sister’s wedding without interrupting the sincerity of it all. In fact, they even added a genuine happiness around the whole photo taking process that shows through their work. I was able to relax knowing that the big day would be flawlessly captured by these two professionals.
Dave George
23:47 30 Sep 19
Eric and his team at Bemidji Wedding Photography were absolutely amazing to work with! He was very professional and easy going! The entire experience was fun and the photos he took are incredibly stunning! I would highly recommend for all wedding related photography!
Susan Weatherfield
21:08 22 Aug 19
Eric the owner of Bemidji wedding photography and video has been so easy to work with and plan all the special details in my wedding including the fact that I did not want to see my fiance before the wedding. He said it would not be a problem at all. And that he even welcomed the idea of having friends and family take photos while he did. WOW! He does beautiful natural photography and yet he has a very laid-back style that is super friendly.
Matt I.
01:01 28 Mar 17
Eric and his wedding photography team were absolutely amazing. They were professional, upbeat, friendly, and genuinely excited to be part of our big day. Their enthusiasm and professionalism showed in how beautiful our wedding day was, as well as in the amazing wedding photos they took during our ceremony. Our wedding day was everything we were hopping for, and much, much more - far exceeding our expectations. We would recommend Eric and his wedding photography team to anyone, without hesitation. Truly a great experience!
Our Destination Wedding Reviews
Shane Cox
01:03 09 Feb 26
Experience nothing short of SPECTACULAR - seamless arrangement, beautiful beach, and to top it off - blessings from the whales passing by! Shane and team are amazing!
Anthony Paredes
22:27 18 Jan 26
10 out of 10. Was very clear on how to get there, met us, kept us a parking spot. Was very good at explaining the steps of the wedding, pictures were 10 outta 10. If you are thinking of any company, this is the man. Also very knowledgeable on the island and gave us recommendations on beaches to go to.
When we renew our vows Ill be coming back
When we renew our vows Ill be coming back
M. Peralta
05:17 28 Dec 25
Shane made our 10th anniversary vow renewal ceremony one of the highlights of our trip to Maui. I'm still blown away by how much meaning and sincerity he infused into the experience. He and Shauna were always easy to communicate with. The ceremony spot was one of the most breathtaking places we've seen in Maui so far. Shane was also a great photographer, and he went above and beyond with a special reading I sent for the ceremony. Just above all expectations. A truly magical experience. Thank you!
Lamar Davis
20:13 11 Dec 25
We scheduled a beach wedding with Shane as Officiant in December 2025. Absolutely amazing, beautiful, well orchestrated and perfectly chosen location (Makenna Cove) at 10:30am. Also, a bonus; we had very clear water with a showing of sea turtles during the wedding.
Highly Recommend this for your wedding plans.
Highly Recommend this for your wedding plans.
ELLE PARK
04:08 23 Nov 25
Amazing! Simply put, the best moment of my life was possible because of Affordable Barefoot Maui Wedding. Our wedding was so special and magical.
We wanted a beach wedding, so I started searching for beach weddings in Hawaii.
I did a lot of research before I made my decision. Some websites I couldn't trust, or their communications weren't very good.
I highly recommend Affordable Barefoot Maui Wedding. There are no hidden fees, and you can easily add extras. It's also very easy to modify the color of the flowers, etc.
They made our wedding so easy. We could focus on what's really important - enjoying the special moment with our family and friends.
You just simply email them, and they will do all the work for you - stress free.
Thank you, Shane and Wayne, again. We wouldn't have had such special memories without you being there. 😀
We wanted a beach wedding, so I started searching for beach weddings in Hawaii.
I did a lot of research before I made my decision. Some websites I couldn't trust, or their communications weren't very good.
I highly recommend Affordable Barefoot Maui Wedding. There are no hidden fees, and you can easily add extras. It's also very easy to modify the color of the flowers, etc.
They made our wedding so easy. We could focus on what's really important - enjoying the special moment with our family and friends.
You just simply email them, and they will do all the work for you - stress free.
Thank you, Shane and Wayne, again. We wouldn't have had such special memories without you being there. 😀
Candice Lawler
23:06 13 Oct 25
Our experience with Affordable Barefoot Maui Weddings was nothing short of magical. From the very first phone call to the moment we said “I do,” everything was handled with such care, kindness, and love. Shane made the entire process feel effortless — every detail was thoughtfully planned, allowing us to truly be present and soak in every moment of our special day.
What we loved most was how personal and intimate the experience felt for us. It wasn’t just a wedding; it was a dream brought to life. We felt so seen, so cared for, and so deeply blessed. Shane went above and beyond to make our ceremony everything we imagined.
Our photographs are absolutely stunning, they capture the beauty and the love of that incredible day. We will cherish them forever.
If you’re planning to get married on Maui, we cannot recommend Shane and Affordable Barefoot Maui Weddings enough. They didn’t just plan our wedding — they created a memory that will live in our hearts for a lifetime. 💕
What we loved most was how personal and intimate the experience felt for us. It wasn’t just a wedding; it was a dream brought to life. We felt so seen, so cared for, and so deeply blessed. Shane went above and beyond to make our ceremony everything we imagined.
Our photographs are absolutely stunning, they capture the beauty and the love of that incredible day. We will cherish them forever.
If you’re planning to get married on Maui, we cannot recommend Shane and Affordable Barefoot Maui Weddings enough. They didn’t just plan our wedding — they created a memory that will live in our hearts for a lifetime. 💕
Lindsay Harmon
02:29 08 Oct 25
We could not be more grateful for Affordable Barefoot Maui Wedding! From start to finish, Shauna and Shane made our elopement experience absolutely perfect.
Shauna was incredible throughout the planning process—she helped me organize every detail with patience and care, answering countless emails and making sure everything came together seamlessly!
Our ceremony, led by Shane, was beyond anything we could have imagined. It was deeply rooted in Hawaiian tradition, held on a breathtaking hidden beach at sunset. Shane took the time to explain the meaning behind each ritual, making every moment feel so special and heartfelt. His warmth, kindness, and presence made the ceremony unforgettable and so meaningful!
Shane is also an exceptional photographer—he guided us through both posed and candid shots effortlessly, capturing the most beautiful moments with a true artist’s eye!
We also had the honor of having Wayne play the ukulele and sing traditional Hawaiian songs throughout the ceremony, which added an extra layer of magic to the entire experience!
We are endlessly grateful to Shauna, Shane, and the entire team for creating such a meaningful, authentic, and unforgettable wedding day. It was truly everything we dreamed of—and more!!
Mitch & Lindsay
Shauna was incredible throughout the planning process—she helped me organize every detail with patience and care, answering countless emails and making sure everything came together seamlessly!
Our ceremony, led by Shane, was beyond anything we could have imagined. It was deeply rooted in Hawaiian tradition, held on a breathtaking hidden beach at sunset. Shane took the time to explain the meaning behind each ritual, making every moment feel so special and heartfelt. His warmth, kindness, and presence made the ceremony unforgettable and so meaningful!
Shane is also an exceptional photographer—he guided us through both posed and candid shots effortlessly, capturing the most beautiful moments with a true artist’s eye!
We also had the honor of having Wayne play the ukulele and sing traditional Hawaiian songs throughout the ceremony, which added an extra layer of magic to the entire experience!
We are endlessly grateful to Shauna, Shane, and the entire team for creating such a meaningful, authentic, and unforgettable wedding day. It was truly everything we dreamed of—and more!!
Mitch & Lindsay
Sheila Bragg
05:07 04 Sep 25
I cannot say enough good things about Affordable Barefoot Maui Weddings! First thing is they live up to the name...they are affordable just look around and you'll see. Communication was great! And as a result everything went so smooth. Our officiant Shane really went above and beyond. He blew the conch shell and knew first Corinthians by heart. He really did a fabulous job and made it special. He found a secluded spot on the beach so that we felt like it was just us. We renewed our vows while the water lapped at our feet. If you want a wonderful, stress-free and beautiful experience, this is the company you should work with.
Gideon Richardson
00:13 18 Aug 25
Shane was the perfect officiant - a 10 out of 10. Supper supportive and informative on every detail. The photography was absolutely incredible. And don't think twice about the ukulele player... he's a must. It was the simple wedding dreams are made of. So little stress... all we had to do was show up and look cute.
THANK YOU! MAHALO!
THANK YOU! MAHALO!
Mayra Dean
15:55 28 Jul 25
The ceremony was very meaningful and beautifully incorporated a simple vow renewal intertwined with Hawaiian traditions. Shane conducted the ceremony while explaining the importance of each step. From the correspondence, I understood what the ceremony entailed so I had complete faith with Shane providing us guidance and direction on our special day! Communication was the key factor in selecting your company. We had done research online for months and had it down to two companies. I first called your company and I was immediately greeted with warmth, openness and understanding for what we were seeking. Shane was our first contact by phone and the email communication was excellent with details and response time. Superb customer service is very difficult to come by! You all exceeded our expectations!
The team was excellent! I loved how friendly and warm all three gentleman treated my entire family! Wayne gave our ceremony a very special meaning with the Hawaiian blessing. I absolutely loved how he stayed during our photo shoot to play more music!! And our quiet but meaningful photographer in the background was amazing. ( sorry I forgot his name but he is wonderful, so nice and friendly)
I love Shane’s guidance and reassurances throughout the evening. He is patient and understanding how special the day meant to us. I didn’t feel rushed throughout the photo shoot and felt he took his time to ensure he captured the perfect angle and background. I was stressed prior to the ceremony because of the wind but he put me at ease and sure enough, he was right… the wind calmed down.
I can’t wait to see the pictures once I return home.
I will recommend your company to anyone i know.
I hope we can meet again in 25 years for our 50th anniversary!
Thank you ALL so very much!
The team was excellent! I loved how friendly and warm all three gentleman treated my entire family! Wayne gave our ceremony a very special meaning with the Hawaiian blessing. I absolutely loved how he stayed during our photo shoot to play more music!! And our quiet but meaningful photographer in the background was amazing. ( sorry I forgot his name but he is wonderful, so nice and friendly)
I love Shane’s guidance and reassurances throughout the evening. He is patient and understanding how special the day meant to us. I didn’t feel rushed throughout the photo shoot and felt he took his time to ensure he captured the perfect angle and background. I was stressed prior to the ceremony because of the wind but he put me at ease and sure enough, he was right… the wind calmed down.
I can’t wait to see the pictures once I return home.
I will recommend your company to anyone i know.
I hope we can meet again in 25 years for our 50th anniversary!
Thank you ALL so very much!
Can a person have a Memorable Stress Free Wedding?
Many engaged couples are planning a simple low stress wedding ceremony in MN at their home or at beautiful local sand beach in the Bemidji area.
Elopement wedding ceremony, and 150 photographs for $950!
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Bemidji Wedding Photography and Video
June 14, 2013
