I’m here for the ADventurous Introverts who want to trade stress for stars and venues for wide open skies.
Joshua Tree And Yosemite Elopement Photographer
Fun fact #1: My dad gave me and my brothers the exact same name.
Yeah, I know… it gets Real confusing.
My dad loved the name Peter so much, he gave it to all his sons. Yep, all three of us share the same first and last name — Peter Nguyen. Just imagine all the yearbook photo mix-ups and awkward school phone calls... Anyways, that’s how Peter 3 Photography came to be — I’m Peter #3!
I met my wife, Gen, in 2020 while working as a scientist in a COVID lab. True story: we locked eyes across the lab room! I courted her by singing Ed Sheeran (yep, really), took her to Joshua Tree for our first date, and proposed to her there 3 years later. We ended up eloping at Taft Point in Yosemite because we wanted a day that truly felt like it belonged to us.
That’s why I connect so deeply with couples who want to ditch tradition for something different... something more intentional and meaningful. I get you, because I did that too!
The Story Behind Peter 3 Photography
I Blame YouTube. After getting flooded with vanlife videos in 2021, I gave in and bought my dream camper van. No Regrets Though!
I’ve always been a seeker of adventure and new places. My travels have taken me from the glaciers of Alaska to the jungles of Bali. In 2021, I made my vanlife dreams a reality and bought a camper van. By 2023, I took it on a 5,600-mile road trip across the U.S., chasing national parks and good eats the whole way.
I got into photography in 2017, when I started shooting bugs in my backyard. Before I knew it, my YouTube feed had shifted from vanlife vlogs to portrait photography tutorials. I was hooked! Nothing has ever sparked my excitement and kept it quite like photography.
Photography has been my passion ever since. It’s my ikigai — the thing that brings me joy and lets me serve others while doing it. My mission is to plan an unforgettable adventure for you — and capture memories you'll cherish and relive forever.
I’m an Adventurer at Heart, and Photography is my Ikigai
My own Yosemite elopement inspired everything I do For My Couples Now.
In 2023, I hired a photographer to document our elopement in Yosemite. From start to finish — getting ready in our Airbnb, hiking in wedding attire, exchanging vows on the cliffs, and ending the day with dreamy blue hour lantern shots — everything was perfect. That day lit a fire in me.
That’s when I knew: I wanted to help other couples plan an intentional, unforgettable elopement day and document every meaningful moment of their adventurous, dream-filled celebration.
Coming from an immigrant family, I was raised to follow a path of stability. But over time, I realized that choosing my own happiness, even when it didn’t match my parents’ expectations, was how I found myself.
Every bold choice I made, from switching careers, buying my camper van, and eloping at 3,000 feet, always put my happiness first. And every time, it led to joy and fulfillment. That’s why I’ll always back your decision to do things your way, because I’ll be right there with you shouting, “ZERO REGRETS!”
Choosing to elope means choosing joy over expectation, and intentionality over tradition. I’m here to help you do it your way, and have the BEST DAMN TIME DOING IT!
vibrant, epic, and emotional with an infusion of adventure and Genuine connection
Plus I love using Light creatively to make each photo feel extra magical
My style is
vibrant, epic, and emotional With an infusion of adventure and Genuine connection
Plus I love using light creatively to make each photo feel extra magical
My style is
"We cherish the photos you took and constantly get compliments on them!"
"After our wedding was canceled in 2020, we struggled to find a photographer whose style felt right — until we found Peter. His photos were vibrant, full of life, and exactly what we were looking for. He was kind, professional, and even hiked with us in Lake Tahoe to make it happen. We constantly get compliments and will cherish these memories forever."
Lake Tahoe Elopement
Cynthia & Scott
"Peter made the whole experience feel effortless — and the photos turned out absolutely stunning."
"Peter made everything feel easy and natural — from timeline planning to shooting. The photos were even better than we imagined, with the soft, romantic vibe we’d hoped for. His wife joined too and brought such a warm, fun energy. We recommend Peter to everyone we know."
Oahu, Hawaii Elopement
Leslie & Vince
Some more fun facts about me. in emoji form, of course 😎
So if you’re down to grab a drink before, during, or after your elopement, I’m 100% in.
🍻 I love sipping an ice-cold IPA
Still, some people think I’m the complete opposite once we vibe!
🙃 I’m a total introvert
My wife says I own way too much camping gear... but hey, it sparks joy for me!
🏕️ I love camping and grilling up Korean BBQ around a campfire
But when I’m on the go? A Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich is my favorite adventure snack.
🌮 I’m obsessed with street tacos and a good, juicy burger
I’ll drive up a mountain on a new moon night, bump some Hollow Coves or OneRepublic, and get lost watching the Milky Way or a meteor shower. One of my favorite local spots? Mt. Pinos near Frazier Park, CA.
🌌 Stargazing is my happy place
Here are the core principles behind Peter 3 Photography. aka, my values.
This isn’t just about snapping pictures. It’s about building trust and helping you feel fully accepted, heard, and supported the whole way through. I want your day to feel as free and magical as mine did when I eloped. I’m here to guide, support, and celebrate you every step of the way.
🤝 Genuine connection
All love stories are welcome here. No matter your background, identity, or how “awkward” you think you are in front of the camera (spoiler: you’re not!), I got you.
🌈 Inclusivity always
Whether we’re setting up a dreamy picnic in the desert, hiking on a glacier, or dancing under the stars, my goal is to help you plan a day that’s meaningful and full of quality time with your partner, not just pretty photos.
🌄 Adventure with Intentionality
Your elopement should be about you, not your family expectations, or what others think you should do. Trust me, I know how it feels to go against the norm and choose what others might not understand. Whether it was changing careers or buying that camper van, I realized that putting my happiness first always led to the best outcomes. And that’s exactly what I want for you.
✨ Intentionality over people-pleasing
Malibu | Redwoods | Sequoia | Big Sur | Eastern Sierra | Catalina | Utah | Arizona | Alaska | Hawaii | Washington | Bali, Indonesia
While I specialize in Joshua TreE and Yosemite elopement photography, I also help couples tie the knot in other epic places across California and beyond
Let's go Elope!
Malibu | Redwoods | Sequoia | Big Sur | Eastern Sierra | Catalina | Utah | Arizona | Alaska | Hawaii | Washington |
Bali, Indonesia
While I specialize in Joshua Tree And Yosemite elopement photography, I also help couples tie the knot in other epic places across California and beyond
Let's go Elope!
@peter3photography