Mya (she/they) and Asia (she/her) decided to have their queer Texas elopement among friends and family at a beautiful venue an hour outside of Houston last December.

A Queer Elopement in Texas: Mya and Asia’s Beautiful Conroe Elopement

About the couple

Mya and Asia met at Pearl, a gay bar in Houston, and immediately hit it off. They got engaged in spring of 2024 and had tentative plans for a wedding in 2025. Like many queer couples, their wedding plans changed immediately following the results of the 2024 presidential election. The couple decided to elope before the 2025 inauguration and will throw a larger celebration later this year or next.

Following the election, many queer and queer-allied photographers began offering free elopement coverage for queer couples planning ceremonies before the Inauguration. Feeling similarly upset and powerless about the results, I was happy to share this offering on my Instagram as well. I was introduced to Mya and Asia through mutual friends on socials, and the three of us instantly clicked during our initial Zoom call. (We’re all Tauruses! 😉)

Getting to photograph this elopement was truly one of my career highlights of 2024. Getting to witness queer love is always an honor, but this felt especially bittersweet with queer rights potentially being at risk. Mya and Asia (and all of their people) are so much fun, and we spent the majority of our time together laughing (and happy crying, of course!).

An Emotional Morning in a Gorgeous Photography Studio

Located an hour from Houston in Conroe, Texas, the Oak Atelier is a gorgeous photography studio that can also be used as an event space. With its natural light and beautiful trees, it was the perfect setting for Mya and Asia’s first look and ceremony. The couple selected a one-hour rental in the morning, which was the perfect amount of time for our needs. Our rental included access to the entire grounds, including the rooms in each studio and the glasshouse.

Mya and I met at the property at the start of our rental time. I got her set up for their private first look in the Oak Room, and Asia arrived soon after. The couple hadn’t seen each other since the previous night, so they were anxious to reunite. They surprised each other with gifts – Mya gave Asia a bouquet she made herself (!!), complete with photos of her deceased grandparents. Asia gifted a beautiful white corsage that Mya wore proudly the entire the day.

The ceremony was held soon after in the Willow, the beautiful glasshouse on the property. The couple was surrounded by their closest friends and family as they exchanged their emotional vows. There wasn’t a dry eye around as Mya’s older sister, Jordan, officiated (my Pisces/Cancer combo ass definitely cried).

After the ceremony, we sent the family and friends along to the next location while we stayed behind for a few portraits on the grounds.

Portraits at William Goodrich Jones State Forest

Finally, we headed over to William Goodrich Jones State Forest, about 2 miles down the street from Oak Atelier. We spent some taking photos with each of their families and friends, before taking some couples’ portraits in the forest.

Here’s what Mya and Asia had to say about their experience:

“We enjoyed that Janet was able to help us create memories. Even though we may not be the most photogenic couple, she was able to guide us and the pictures came out perfectly…this woman is INCREDIBLY talented and such a sweet sweet human. It was an honor to have (her) there to witness such a critical part of our journey.”

To book your alternative elopement, reach out here!

Contact Me | Follow Along on Instagram