preserving your wedding memories exactly how they felt

unposed photography & personalised planning packages that make your elopement feel like something straight out of a movie

request availability & pricing

NZ elopement photographer

★★★★★
”These are the kinds of photos I used to dream about while scrolling through Pinterest—now they’re ours. x”
—Martha + Nik

welcome to a different side of weddings.

[the stress-free side, the intimate side, the fun side, the adventurous side]

elopements: the side that is most you and for you

★★★★★
“We can’t put into words how incredible Shelby is. From the very start, she was so easy to work with. She is organized and truly invested in making sure our vision came to life.

She has this gift for capturing true emotions, not just poses, but the real, raw feelings behind every moment.”

—Star + Neil

you’re here to escape the pressure of traditional weddings

…and celebrate your union feeling 100% true to yourselves.

you’re serious about crafting a truly enjoyable wedding experience, and I am too.

that’s why I don’t believe in posing

my unposed cinematic photography style:

♥︎ celebrates you as your natural self
♥︎ is relaxed, laidback, allows everything to unfold naturally
♥︎ means the camera is barely noticable

and help you get your planning stress down to zero.

My all-round elopement planning support means you just have to envision what your dream elopement looks like, and leave the research & admin to me.

so that when it comes to your wedding day…

you get to just focus on each other

and forget about everything else

“Me and my partner could be ourselves, in the ways that felt comfortable for us.” —Nellie L.

Shelby Kua | certified hopeless romantic

kia ora, I’m Shelby.
your local NZ elopement photographer

I’m an artist through and through.

My mediums are not only cinematic photography (aka turning your wedding memories into art), but also the curation of experiences (aka helping you design and bring your dream elopement to life).

Which means you can dream up your perfect wedding day & live it out fully, knowing that the admin of everything else is taken care of.

more about me

240+

hours of hiking through North Island & South Island

52721+

countries travelled across 6 continents

photos taken & edited

14+

★★★★★

“If you want someone who sees and feels the moment just as deeply as you do, she’s the one.”
—Star M.
★★★★★

"I especially loved when she facilitated a space for us to just pause and be in each others presence."
—Grace M.
★★★★★

"The whole experience felt personalised, intimate and just very special—felt like it was out of a fairytale.”
—Dragon C.
★★★★★

"Me and my partner could be ourselves, in ways that felt comfortable to us"
—Nellie L.
★★★★★

"She genuinely cared about how we wanted to feel when we saw our photos, making the whole process comfortable and effortless."
—Kaylin V.
★★★★★

"Shelby made our pictures so authentic to us."
—Belle S.
★★★★★

"Made our dream a reality!"
—Nisa L.
★★★★★

"We worked together to develop a vision that was really fun, special and felt unique to us"
—Sophie D.
★★★★★

"I wish I had an excuse to do another photoshoot with her!"
—Soph J.
★★★★★

We can't thank you enough for these priceless pictures. ❤️🥰🥹😭
—Shania D.

here’s what included in every elopement package:

planning support tailored to you

list of breathtaking location ideas

Hand-picked locations that match your vision (whether it’s a snowy mountain peak, a dramatic cliff-edged beach, or an LOTR film site). Every suggestion is curated with your accessibility, privacy, and aesthetic in mind.

curated local vendor recommendations

Trusted florists, celebrants, hair and makeup artists, and more. I’ll connect you with people who align with your values and style, so you don’t have to spend hours searching.

extraordinary experience ideas

From sunrise hikes to champagne picnics or star-gazing by a campfire, I’ll help you design experiences that reflect who you are as a couple.

tù studios elopement planning guide

A comprehensive 90+ page resource that condenses my elopement expertise and walks you through the entire planning process with tips, examples, and a proven step-by-step framework to keep everything stress-free.

expert local advice & planning consultations

Expert advice on how things work in NZ — from travelling around here to marriage licenses. Dedicated time together to refine your ideas, answer questions, and adjust plans until your day feels effortless and authentically you.

your story, cinematically told

seamless, stress-free timelines

A thoughtfully designed schedule that ensures a smooth, relaxed flow to your day, while leaving plenty of space for spontaneity, adventure, and quiet moments of connection.

storyboard, moodboard & styling

Visual inspiration and styling suggestions that bring your ideas to life, weaving together colours, textures, and tones that reflect your unique story.

presence-focused, unposed photography

Just the two of you, fully present in your experience, while I capture the natural emotion, movement, and intimacy as it unfolds. No awkward poses here. You just focus on each other.

intentional, cinematic edits

Every photo is personally edited with care to really capture the depth of emotion and story of your day. Your very own romantic film, come to life.

peace of mind, from start to finish

your complete wedding gallery

You’ll receive every full-resolution, hand-edited digital image from your elopement in a beautifully organised online gallery. From there, you can view, download, print, and share your photos anywhere in the world.

My travel is built right into your package — no hidden fees or additional costs.

all my travel costs to wherever your adventure is

tù studios elopement packages & pricing

NZ-wide elopements

✷ 4+ hours of unposed, relaxed photography coverage by Shelby

✷ the dream before-during-after:

free initial planning consultation call, stunning location ideas, tailored activity ideas, exclusive elopement planning guide, and planning consultation sessions + revisions to execute your vision
personalised timeline for your elopement, time-keeping on the day of, and expert local advice on travelling & getting married in NZ
unposed photography experience, intentional cinematic edits, full resolution images, and private digital gallery to view/download/share your beautiful wedding photos

✷ my travel costs anywhere NZ-wide are included

packages start from $5000NZD
full day, multi-day & custom packages available.

reach out for full package + pricing details

what my couples say…

"She's the one"

★★★★★
We can’t put into words how incredible Shelby is. From the very start, she was so easy to work with. She is organized and truly invested in making sure our vision came to life. She has this gift for capturing true emotions, not just poses, but the real, raw feelings behind every moment.

One of the most unforgettable memories was when she played our song while we danced to it. We were completely in the moment, crying, overwhelmed with love, and she captured it so beautifully. She captured the emotion, the energy, the magic of it all. Looking at those photos now, we can feel everything all over again.

Her work is dreamy, nostalgic, and filled with emotion. She doesn’t just take photos but she creates art that tells a story. If you want someone who sees and feels the moment just as deeply as you do, she’s the one.
—Star + Neil
"Felt safe, seen and valued"

★★★★★
Shelby effortlessly crafted an atmosphere of warmth and genuine connection, allowing us to feel at ease throughout the entire process.
As people who have never been big fans of template-like/overly scripted photos, it was important to us to feel comfortable enough to be ourselves. Shelby allowed us to do just that, all while capturing it beautifully.
Her keen eye for detail, coupled with her innate talent for making the people she photographs feel safe, seen and valued, sets her apart as a professional and a true artist. Thanks again for making our dream a reality! <3
—Nisa + Kaiven
"Couldn't have asked for something more magical"

★★★★★
I can not recommend Shelby enough - she was INCREDIBLE. Not only did she make us feel calm, relaxed and peaceful but she made the process go smoothly and she really LISTENED to what we wanted. She asked amazing questions in the lead up to our wedding day and made me feel so at ease while communicating with her. The communication was incredible!!!
Not only was my experience with Shelby incredible but the photos speak for themselves! WOW just WOW i couldn't have asked for something more magical then what she produced. I am in awe of this incredible woman and any one who is lucky enough to get her as a photographer will be truly, truly blessed by her skills as a photographer and as a person. The photos were warm and nostalgic and made you feel the love and excitement of the day.
I feel so grateful that we had her with us on our special day - to capture the most beautiful candid shots that captured our love. I especially loved when she facilitated a space for us to just pause and be in each others presence. Sometimes with photos and the busyness of the day you forget to do that but with Shelby she made it a priority for us to connect.
—Grace + Dell

experience tù studios yourselves

want tù know more?

my full elopement packages & pricing details are just a form away x

what your wedding photos could look like…

photos are the one of the only tangible things you take with you from your wedding (apart from memories) — it’s important that you love what your photographer captures.

see more of my work

have something special in mind?

No wedding is the same, especially for a non-traditional couple like you.

Whether it’s:

✦ a private ceremony + helicopter tour of the Southern Alps before a celebration with family & friends

✦ bungee jumping to seal your vows

✦ a multi-day roadtrip wedding hitting all your favourite towns across North Island

Whatever your dream experience looks like, let’s make it happen (and get the coolest wedding photos ever in the process)!

reach out for a custom quote

got some questions?

it’s never too early to reach out!
all you need to know is that you want to get married, and we can brainstorm the rest of your vision together.
To get legally married in New Zealand, you’ll need a marriage licence (can be applied for online at least 3 working days before the ceremony), a registered celebrant, and two witnesses. The ceremony can be anywhere, from a beach to a mountain summit, as long as it meets these legal basics.

Overseas couples will have a legally recognized marriage certificate that can be used internationally (in most cases).
Absolutely! Elopements don’t mean just the two of you. Many couples include close family or a small group of friends—usually up to 20 people. The key is keeping the day intimate and focused on your relationship rather than accommodating large crowds.

Including guests can be as formal or casual as you like, and I can help make sure everyone feels included without overwhelming your day.
New Zealand’s weather can be unpredictable, but that’s part of the adventure!
I always have backup plans and creative solutions for all weather scenarios, whether it’s moving indoors, shuffling itineraries, or embracing the rain for moody, epic photos.
Sometimes, those unexpected moments make your wedding photos stand out even more!
Choosing the right spot comes down to what kind of experience and scenery you want.

New Zealand offers everything from towering mountains and glaciers to golden beaches and lush forests. Whether you want adventure, intimacy, or unreal backdrops, I’ll guide you through options that match your vision, season, and comfort level.