Sunrise Hiking Engagement at 11,000'

Oct 10, 2023

Man and woman kiss in front of Lake Isabelle in Colorado

You all should have seen my face when Julianna lifted her leg above her head into a perfect vertical split. As if hiking with her and Oliver in the dark to witness this gorgeous August sunrise wasn't exciting enough, Julianna had to go on and perform some unexpected gymnastics. I was cheering like I was in a football stadium.

There is nothing better than holding your camera in your hands and knowing that you are capturing the true spirit of a person or a relationship. Often times I am aware of the couple being aware of me. It's unavoidable, especially at the beginning of a session. Often my favorite photos are from the last 15 minutes. It's a time when all of the safe shots, all of the poses, are done - couples finally let their guard down and act like themselves rather than feeling nervous about being photographed. Many times this happens earlier in the engagement session. I also spend a lot of my education budget and my brain power trying to shorten this lead-in period of the session for my couples. Engagement sessions also help this happen more effortlessly on a wedding day. This is because the couple is more comfortable with me and understands the process of taking photos, and also because they are feeling emotional and excited because it's THEIT WEDDING DAY!

Well, there was no need to warm up for Julianna and Oliver. I would say that from the get go they were completely comfortable having no barrier between themselves and my camera (and by extension, me). The long hike together could certainly have helped them loosen up, and we were really in our groove before sunrise began.

When you look through these photos, can you feel their joy? Can you sense their willingness to let me in? Do you love seeing their goofy and sweet personalities?

Let me know in the comments, and enjoy these photographs which I truly love!

Dawn light begins to hit the mountains in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

A man and woman hike up the trail toward Lake Isabelle in Colorado

Backpacks on the trail packed with a bouquet of flowers

Man and woman excitedly raise their arms upon reaching Lake Isabelle

Man and woman watch the sunrise over Lake Isabelle in Colorado

Man and woman kiss on a large boulder in front of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman kiss during the sunrise on Lake Isabelle

Man and woman watch the sunrise over the Indian Peaks

Man twirls woman in front of Lake Isabelle during engagement session

Man twirls woman in front of Lake Isabelle

Man kisses woman's hand after twirling her

Man and woman admire the Indian Peaks from the shore of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman embrace on the shore of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman lovingly embrace on the shore of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman pose as the sunrises over Lake Isabelle

Man and woman sit on the shore of Lake Isabelle as the sun rises

Man and woman cuddle on the shore of Lake Isabelle as the sun rises

Man nuzzles woman from behind during engagement session at Lake Isabelle in Colorado

Man kisses woman on the cheek in front of Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

Man kneels down and kisses woman on the hand in front of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman raise their arms up as they look across the sun rising on Lake Isabelle

Man and woman sit on the shore of Lake Isabelle and watch the sunrise

Man and woman sit on the shore of Lake Isabelle and laugh

Man and woman cuddle on the shore of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman touch foreheads and smile at one another

Man and woman stare lovingly at each other during engagement session at Lake Isabelle

Man kisses woman on the forehead in front of Lake Isabelle

Man and woman pose on a rock at Lake Isabelle

Woman poses with her leg in the air as the man supports her

Man kisses woman's hand as they hike along the trail

Man and woman nuzzle as the sun rises between them

Man and woman hold hands and overlook the Indian Peaks Wilderness

Man and woman nuzzle each other and smile

Man and woman cross a wooden foot bridge over a mountain stream

Man and woman hold hands and laugh as they hike down the trail

Man and woman embrace and smile at the camera

Man and woman smile lovingly at each other

Sunrise Hiking Engagement at 11,000'

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