The Wild Prairie Journal
Stories from the hearts I’ve photographed, planning guidance for the seasons you’re in, and honest moments worth holding onto.
From Colorado Springs family sessions to mountain elopements, weddings, and couples’ adventures across Colorado, this is where inspiration and real life meet.
Extended Family Photography in the Colorado Mountains, Cottonwood Pass
Two sisters. Their husbands. Three kids, the youngest only a few months old. Seven people standing on a mountain together because this was the week, and this was the place, and sometimes you just make it happen. Extended family photography at Cottonwood Pass near Buena Vista, September aspens, silver light through rain clouds, and a journey from the trailhead to the Continental Divide.
Cottonwood Pass Couples Session in Buena Vista, Colorado
High on the Continental Divide, Cottonwood Pass is one of Colorado’s most breathtaking places to take photos, and the best part is, you don’t need a permit to capture its beauty. With sweeping views of the Sawatch Range, it’s a place where awe and intimacy live side by side.
For Dan and Emma, this session was about more than photos. It was about chasing the light together, standing steady in the wind, and soaking in a landscape they’ve dreamed of calling home. In this post, I share their story, why Cottonwood Pass makes for an unforgettable couples session, and tips for planning your own Buena Vista photography experience.
Cottonwood Pass Hiking Mountain Elopement in Colorado
This Cottonwood Pass hiking elopement took place near Buena Vista, Colorado, along the Lost Lake Trail. Alex and James chose an intimate mountain ceremony surrounded by alpine lakes, quiet trails, and the kind of adventure that feels deeply personal and true.