Alyssa and Carsten traveled to Colorado to marry themselves, no officiant, no witnesses, just the two of them speaking vows in a mountain meadow near Lake George as the golden hour light wrapped around them. This LGBTQ mountain elopement is a quiet, sun-drenched celebration of what self-solemnizing in Colorado makes possible: two people, one decision, and all the space in the world to simply be married.

Two months before their wedding, Aili and Austin celebrated their love with an engagement session at Lake George, a spot that offered both intimacy and wide-open Colorado mountain views. The light fell golden across pale stone, wildflowers filled the meadows, and their laughter carried through it all.

This post shares their story, why engagement sessions matter, and why Lake George is one of the best Colorado engagement photo locations. From laughter to legacy, these photos capture a chapter that makes the wedding day even more meaningful.

A golden sunset, mountain views, and the sweetest young love—this Lake George couples session for Ivie and Nick was full of heart. From wildflower crowns to first-time dips, it captured their story beautifully.

Nick and Ivie are just beginning their journey together, and it was an honor to photograph them in this quiet moment of togetherness. Their connection, supported by family and rooted in trust, shines through every frame.

Some sessions leave a permanent imprint on my soul, and Caitlin’s was one of them. After returning from life-changing journeys in the Amazon and California, I was met with a request that touched my heart in ways I could never have anticipated. Caitlin was coming to Crested Butte to honor her late husband, Jaimie, and the life they had built together. With her dog, Ruger, by her side and mementos of Jaimie’s love surrounding her, she entrusted me to capture these sacred, raw moments. What started as a simple session became something far deeper—a journey through love, loss, and remembrance. To witness Caitlin’s connection to Jaimie and Ruger was an honor, and the images we created became a lasting tribute to their bond. Click through to read the full story, and see how love and loss can transform into a powerful, timeless memory.

These friends right here, they are the ones who embrace the adventure, the mess, and the magic of it all. This was our second rendezvous and this time, we had a mountain view! When they heard about a new spot I wanted to try nestled in the Rocky Mountains, complete with a river and a dreamy shoreline, they were all in. The boys, all three of them bursting with energy, couldn't wait to dive into the adventure we had during their Dream Stream Colorado Family Session.

The kind humans make my job as a Colorado Family Photographer an absolute joy. They’ve got this infectious enthusiasm, a love for trying something new, and an amazing ability to be in the moment. We started our session at the river's edge, where the boys immediately took to skipping stones and exploring the shore. Their laughter was the soundtrack to our evening, pure bliss.

As a Rocky Mountain Family Photographer, I’m always on the lookout for locations that offer a bit of everything, and this spot did not disappoint. The Dream Stream area is nothing short of magical, with sweeping mountain views, lush greenery, and a river that runs some pretty impressive fish. It’s a photographer’s dream, and getting to share it with these babes made it even more special.

Where to begin? Dana and Tom, this is what 30 years together looks like, friends. Take a moment and soak it all in. Thirty years of laughter, all-nighters, frustration, blissful times, sad times, downright hellish times. I am sure that you two have seen it all with so much tread worn in your journey. When you connect so deeply that you don’t know how else to feel or think. What a world to live in. A world where you are each other’s anchor. Rooted in the ground so firmly that nothing can disturb the solid foundation.

Maybe those are just wild dreams? What if love isn’t any of that? What if love is simply the choice to keep choosing each day to do what moves you. To keep with the vibe until the vibe isn’t what you want anymore? I know that people say that relationships are hard. Damn fact, friends.

Having a connection with your photographer is important, friends. Creating rapport and a comfort level that feels good is something that should be strived for. This helps me, your photographer, document your authentic moments, naturally. Connecting with your photographer also allows them to understand your vision for the session and what’s important to you. I truly believe that the more you get to know the person documenting your heart, the better experience overall you are likely to have. I want to document your essence and tell your story through your gallery. Period.

When you have a connection with your photographer, they will be able to understand what you are trying to highlight and will be able to provide you with a gallery that reflects that. For me, the perfect gallery should be able to not only capture the physical details of our time together but also the emotions and personalities of your children that you know and love so well. When looking for a photographer, it is important to find someone who you feel comfortable with and can trust to create with you and document your authentic love and connection.

It’s not often that I get to photograph a family this large with such a tight connection. Kaitlyn and Thomas, along with their crew of 8 beautifully soulful children joined me in Lake George for an adventure by the water.

I was lucky enough to meet Kaitlyn through my connections at The Fountain Creek Ranch. Their wedding day at the ranch is going to be the most amazing day. I include an engagement session with my wedding coverage and when we met and I saw all those beautiful faces, I just knew we needed to include these kids in their engagement session too! So, engagement session turned family session turned OMG how is my life this lucky session (for me at least, haha).

Kaitlyn and Thomas, look at this beautiful family you have built together. Piece by piece. Through all the steps in life that brought you to this moment. Good and bad. Rough and sad. Sometimes glorious and often times not, this was the reason. I am a firm believer in karma, fate, and serendipity. Our pasts are but a mirage in the far-off distance and the future is bright and clear and warm. Your blended family fits together like it was always meant to be and I am lucky that I get to see that with my own eyes. Thank you for that peek into your love.

Danica is a local birth photographer and it was such an honor to document the love her family shares during their session with me. I have gotten to work with Danica and her crew before when I was making a branding film ages ago. They were so sweet and perfect then, just as they are now. These two are parents who are connected to their babes and truly lead by example (well, most days, haha).

We traveled into the mountains to one of my favorites spots at Eleven Mile State Park and explored this glorious, nature-filled space together. My little friends brought along their binoculars, and their free spirits and we chased the sun and each other all evening. It was the best and I was totally there for it.

This year, I want to travel and meet clients in all the beautiful places in Colorado and beyond. Each year I get close and close to the ultimate goal of traveling in my camper and photographing families and couples along during my own adventures with my family. There is a lot that goes into that type of business/lifestyle change so it will be a couple of years, in the meantime, I’ll be taking airplanes and traveling in my trusty car to get to all those hidden gems that I stumble upon.

I have been waiting to deliver this session for what seems like ages. I met Sarah at a Tuesday Together networking meeting. During this meeting, she said she really wished she could meet other local photographers who would actually be her friend and have it be genuinely real. I look at her, gave her my card, and said, “I’ll be your friend!”. The rest is history and what has really only been a few months but has seemed like a lifetime.