Karissa Russ: From Motorcycle Races to Las Vegas Wedding Photography

Karissa Russ did not pick up a camera with a wedding photography business in mind. She was working in social media for a motorcycle company, traveling and photographing races and off-road events. Helping friends in the wedding industry took her work in a new direction.

A rainy backyard wedding in 2018 became the turning point. She photographed a friend of a friend's wedding, and the experience changed how she felt about the work. With two solo weddings behind her, she left her full-time job, moved back to Las Vegas and committed to wedding photography.

A business rooted in home

Karissa was born and raised in Las Vegas. Her family, friends and favorite vendors are here, and those connections shape Karissa Russ & Co. For her, photographing an elopement begins with understanding the couple's plans long before the camera comes out.

She asks where they are getting married, who will be there and what matters most to them. Drawing on her local knowledge, she helps with location ideas, timing, logistics, permits and the day's timeline. Before the shoot, she works through the details so everyone knows where to be and when.

Room for the day to unfold

On the wedding day, she balances guidance with space for candid moments. The aim is to let couples enjoy themselves while she records the experience. Las Vegas gives them different settings to work with: a chapel ceremony, portraits under the Strip's neon lights, or a desert outing at Red Rock or Valley of Fire.

Afterward, she selects and edits the images into a finished gallery. She wants the collection to include the small moments and scenery as well as the posed portraits—the details that make the day feel like that couple's own.

Making room for family and a growing team

The next chapter is about choosing how she spends her time. Karissa has two young children and plans to grow her associate team while photographing fewer weddings personally. She expects to spend more time behind the scenes, editing and communicating with clients as she develops the business.

The work has changed considerably since those motorcycle races. Its direction now comes from a combination of the weddings she photographs, the team she is building and the family life she wants to make room for.

Visit the Karissa Russ & Co profile or her website.

Based on Karissa Russ's completed Neon interview, September 23, 2026. For corrections or removal, contact Cody. This spotlight is free; a website badge is optional.