Liz and Matt were our second engagement session in Colorado! For their Colorado mountain engagement photos we headed to White Ranch Park, where Matt often goes biking. Liz and Mat are our good friends and we almost missed our photography window because we were so busy hanging out. Fortunately we got to the park just in time. We arrived right before the sun went behind the mountains. And we had lots of time for that beautiful glowy twilight!

Like Megan and Peter, Liz and Matt thought they just wanted a few photos locally in Denver. But knowing that Matt mountain bikes and know lots of beautiful spots, we knew we had to go big for their engagement photos. Not to mention the fact that Liz and Matt both work at a mountain biking company! The whole drive up to White Ranch was spectacular! I’m convinced that runners and bikers get to access the most beautiful locations here in Colorado. This was the perfect spot for their Colorado mountain engagement photos!

Colorado Mountain Engagement Photo Outfits

For Liz and Matt’s wardrobe, we worked with them to help narrow their outfits. Knowing them personally made it even easier to make sure they looked like themselves while being a little more dressy. For the first look, Liz picked a fall colored sweater and Matt a plaid shirt. I always love having two looks so you can get a few “casual” photos that are still intentional.

However, the second look is my favorite. Liz and I worked together on locating the perfect dress. One that would have lots of movement in the landscape. I loved how this dress moved while they walked across the field. Most importantly I loved how pretty Liz felt in the dress. Having a flattering dress is super important! An A-line dress like this with a tie at the waist is usually a good bet.

Megan and Peter were our first-ever Colorado engagement photo shoot! They won an Instagram giveaway. And actually, they weren’t even engaged when they won, but the writing was on the wall. Megan’s friend nominated them because she knew what was coming!

Given the COVID restrictions this year, we took our time waiting for the perfect day to do the photoshoot. And I’m glad we did! It gave Megan and Peter time to nail down their wardrobe. Not to mention, get their haircuts and grooming in order. I think we can all agree we all needed a little refresh after quarantine!

Cheesman Engagement Photo Shoot

When the day finally came, we started their Colorado engagement photo shoot at Cheesman Park in Denver. The lovely pavilion was our intended starting point. However, given that we were shooting on a Sunday, it was a little crowded. Fire dancers, tango dancers, and other performers were using the space. Fortunately, there is plenty of space at the park to get a few shots from further away. The sun was shining and the park was lush in early September.

Flatirons Vista Trailhead

Following Cheesman Park, we headed out to our second location. A spot out in nature, highlighting the foothills near Denver. Having explored Colorado a little at this point, I suggested the Flatirons Vista Trailhead as a great open space. And it didn’t disappoint! Open fields for as far as the eye can see. No snakes. And a wonderful warm light that just kept getting better.

Ultimately we got super lucky with Megan and Peter. They were so easy to photograph. We felt like we won the contest as well! Their love and warmth towards each other was so beautiful. And they were game to do anything we asked! They were patient as we waited for the light to be just right. We are sure their wedding next year in Vail, Colorado is going to be just as lovely!

Abbie and Scott both work in the architecture and design world. They are truly a creative Colorado duo. We had talked with them about doing a “simple” engagement session somewhere in Colorado. During those conversations, I knew we were missing an opportunity to highlight their amazing taste for the best Colorado engagement photos.

I suggested engagement photos that would focus around their love for the outdoors. Highlighting their effortless style with their baby: a vintage teardrop trailer. Once I planted the seed, Abbie, an interior designer, ran with the concept. Abbie made sure we had all the styling props and details we would need. With all this in hand we were set up for the best possible engagement photos in the Colorado mountains.

Ending up in the river

Since we wanted to be near a river, we drove until we found a spot that was both private and lovely. We the search end near the Poudre River in Fort Collins, Colorado. It took us a while to find the right spot that was secluded, near a river, and close enough to pull up the camper. It’s always worth it to keep looking for the best possible engagement photo location. With so many options in Colorado, I knew we could find somewhere perfect.

Wardrobe and Prop Styling

Abbie did the wardrobe and prop styling of the engagement photoshoot to include several moments and outfits. We started with camping photos by the teardrop trailer and by cracking open some Coors Banquet. I mean, it is Colorado after all. Then we switched to taking classic engagement photos in various spots throughout the woods. Abbie and Scott changed outfits to a more formal look. Finally, we had ended the photos with some super and fun playful shots in the river. Putting on their swimsuits and boots as the ultimate troopers!

The final photos are quintessentially Abbie and Scott and the perfect hipster Colorado engagement photoshoot. These are the best type of photos when we can capture the couple in their natural habitat. They will get married back home in Nebraska, so it is nice to have some photos of them in their home Colorado.

These photos were our first engagement session photos here in Colorado. So they will always have a special place in our minds. For all future photoshoots, we will try to make them as personal as this one. It only takes a few conversations to figure out ways to incorporate details.

New York City Engagement sessions will always be my favorite. Ever since I went to high school in upstate New York (Hyde Park to be exact) I have loved returning to the city whenever possible. Often we have couples who are getting married somewhere other than their current place of residence. And in this case, they will request for us to travel to their current location. This is a great way to celebrate both locations, where you live and where you’re from. Of course, it’s always exciting for us because we get to explore a new place. In great, great detail.

In the city that never sleeps, there are very few things worth waking up at dawn. Rachel and Jon’s NYC engagement shoot was one of them. New York City Engagement photos have so many opportunities for an active backdrop. Although Central Park and SoHo have been popular for us in the past few trips, I can think of many other places to shoot. I’d love to shoot in Chinatown, at the new Whitney, the Highline (again), and of course the MOMA or the Met, two of my favorite places.

We will be shooting Rachel and Jon’s wedding this November at the St. Regis in DC. The pair lives on the Upper West Side so we headed up for a NYC engagement shoot. We love capturing our couples in the cities where they have built a life together.

We started the day at sunrise with the classic Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. The gorgeous morning light and early hours free of tourists made for one of those magical NYC moments only true New Yorkers get to experience. After a quick outfit change to a second Rent the Runway look, we ventured to SoHo to finish off the day.

Vanessa and Michael’s love story is proof that sometimes office romances do work out. And we are so glad it did! This month we are going to take a peek back at both their Washington DC engagement shoot and their Florentine Spring wedding at the Fairmont Washington DC with Grit & Grace.

Back to Vanessa and Michael’s sweet story. Vanessa met Michael when she started at his company shortly before graduating from Georgetown University. The office was fittingly located at the notoriously scandalous Watergate building and they quickly realized there was something more to their relationship than work. So, on one balmy evening in June 2011, they broke the office ‘rules’ and went on a first date. Fast forward almost six years, Michael took Vanessa back to the Watergate rooftop to ask the question she had been waiting to hear.

After that yes, we headed back to the neighborhoods so dear to their hearts for a fun and light filled spring evening Washington DC engagement shoot. We started with a couple cocktails, a stroll down Georgetown’s iconic streets and finished up at the roof of the Kennedy Center (overlooking that fateful Watergate).

Vanessa killed the wardrobe game. The two started in a springy blue dress and blue suit and then changed in to a more evening black and white look. Vanessa’s pop red shoes were a close contender but I have to say both of her statement earring choices were a personal favorite.

Get ready to ogle over these two and check back for their dreamy wedding soon!

Attire:

Blue Lace Dress: Club Monaco Both Earrings: BaubleBar Silver Shoes: Valentino Striped Skirt: TY-LR from Rent the Runway Black Top: Club Monaco Red Shoes: Christian Louboutin