Life & Work with Karen Agurto of Lake Forest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Agurto.

Hi Karen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I actually didn’t start out photographing weddings. I started with creative concept portraiture, coming up with unique shoot ideas and working with other creatives to bring them to life.

I’ve also always been an outdoorsy person, so when I stumbled onto a styled elopement content day in Joshua Tree National Park, something immediately clicked. Adventure elopements felt like the perfect way to bridge the gap between two things I already loved: photography and being outdoors.

From there, I dove into photography courses and learned as much as I could about elopements, working with couples, and running a business. That eventually led me to launch Karen Agurto Photography (now Vows Out West) and shift my focus toward outdoor elopements in epic places.

Since then, I’ve built my business around helping couples plan and document elopements in some of California’s best outdoor locations. It’s been really cool to turn something that started as a creative outlet into a business that combines so many things I genuinely enjoy.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A lot of what drives my business today comes from my own wounds.

I spent years in survival mode and had to work through a lot of that in therapy. I had learned to quiet my own voice growing up, so it took time to believe that what I wanted mattered and that I was capable of building something for myself. That’s a big reason why it matters so much to me that the couples I work with feel seen, heard, and valued.

Finances were also a huge struggle. In college, I was surviving on credit cards and overdraft fees. I still remember going to McDonald’s thinking I had enough for two $1 cheeseburgers for my dog and me, only to have my card declined. I was so determined to be independent that I would rather struggle than ask for help.

I’ve had to unlearn a lot of that, and even now, imposter syndrome and self-doubt still show up. I’ve just gotten better at recognizing it and not letting it make decisions for me. Healing is still a work in progress, but it’s shaped both who I am and how I run my business.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a California elopement photographer specializing in outdoor, nature-focused elopements. My work is very experience-driven. I use a mostly documentary approach with a little editorial direction mixed in, so couples get real, natural moments while still having guidance when it’s time for portraits.

As an introvert myself, I never want an elopement to feel like one long photoshoot. I want couples to actually enjoy where they are, spend time together, and have an amazing day while I document it along the way.

There are a lot of photographers who can create beautiful images, but I don’t think the gallery is the most important part of a wedding. The experience is. Your memories and emotions become tied to those photos. I want my couples to look back at their gallery and remember what a damn good day they had, not just how good everything looked.

My love for the outdoors also plays a big role in what I offer. I help couples with locations, timelines, permits, privacy, hiking options, and figuring out what makes the most sense for the experience they want. I want them to feel confident exploring places they may have never been before.

What I’m most proud of is creating a space where couples feel heard. My own life has taught me how easy it is to dismiss your own wants to make other people happy. I never want my couples to feel like they have to do that with their wedding. Their ideas matter. Their priorities matter. And their elopement should feel like them, not like something they planned for everyone else.

How do you think about happiness?
Being outside makes me happy. Hiking, exploring somewhere new, traveling, camping, or even just spending time somewhere that gets me away from the noise of everyday life. I’ve always felt most like myself when I’m in nature.

I also genuinely love seeing other people happy. One of my favorite parts of photographing elopements is watching couples experience a beautiful place together. Seeing how excited they get, the way they look at each other, the emotions that come out, and all those little moments of affection between them makes me happy too. It’s really special getting to witness people having one of those days they know they’ll remember forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://karenagurto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vowsoutwest
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenagurtophoto
• Other: https://share.google/csf5XeT4ErwRFON3P