Elopemens, Engagements & Micro Weddings

Abbie and Jacob didn’t want a lot of fanfare for their special day. No big production. No stress. They just wanted to elope in the Colorado mountains—something meaningful, simple, and fully their own. A celebration rooted in presence, connection and with the natural world.

The ceremony was short, sweet, and authentic to them. They were totally present with each other, and they held it together for a while, but eventually the tears came. They always do. And how could they not?

Afterward, we spent time by the lake, taking it all in and capturing some quiet portraits. No distractions. No audience. Just the four of us and the mountains. These are always my favorite kinds of elopements. Deeply personal, free of pressure, full of a special sort of no frills genuine connection. Nature makes for the best of chapels.

As the light faded, we started the hike back. Abbie and Jacob wore their dress and suit down the trail, a “Just Married” sign pinned to their backpacks. I snapped a few photos of them crossing streams hand in hand, laughing, taking it all in.

There was no big send-off when we got back to the parking lot. No confetti or sparklers. Just a casual, “Let’s go grab dinner in Nederland.” A truly special ceremony done their way, and I am grateful to have been a part of it.

When Samantha first reached out, she shared her vision for a simple, soulful ceremony tucked into the mountains above Boulder, just her, her fiancé Robert, their sweet pup, and an officiant bringing a spiritual energy to the day.

She described a quiet, meaningful celebration at Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain, and I knew instantly it was the kind of intimate story I love to photograph.

The morning of their August elopement arrived with thick fog, cool temperatures, and a steady downpour. The sweeping mountain views were completely socked in. When Samantha and Robert arrived, they laughed and said, “Well, this isn’t quite the summer elopement we imagined.” But instead of disappointment, they met the weather with grace and humor, choosing joy, presence, and connection.

What followed was one of the most moving and authentic ceremonies I’ve witnessed. Their officiant brought singing bowls, wildflowers, and a grounding ritual with rope, guiding them through a spiritual ceremony that felt deeply intentional. The misty air and soft rain created a soft blanket of intimacy, like the world had paused and was still just for them.

Afterward, they danced barefoot on the stone steps, splashed in puddles with their dog, and wandered through the Ponderosa pines, soaked and smiling and full of presence and gratitude.

There’s something magical about letting go of expectations and leaning into the moment. In Colorado, the weather has a mind of its own. But sometimes, when couples like Samantha and Robert embrace it fully, the result is something even more meaningful than the original plan. I’m so grateful they trusted me to document this beautiful, serendipitous day.

Stephanie wanted relaxed, vibrant and timeless photos for her intimate backyard fall wedding ceremony in historic Georgetown, Colorado.

They had rented a VRBO on the beautiful lake in late September in Georgetown, Colorado and would be inviting only their closest friends and family. No frills, just a beautiful small ceremony with their closest people. The leaves had started to change and that crisp afternoon Colorado autumn light matched with the bluebird skies created the perfect backdrop for the day.

When I showed up to the house on the wedding day, I was warmly greeted at the front door by her family. It was like a warm hug, and I instantly felt a sense of comfort.

What I loved about it is how laid-back and loving it was. During the ceremony they shared shots of tequila and an act of unity with their children pouring colored sand into a beautiful clear box. And then, just like that-they were married.

After the ceremony, Stephanie, Johnathan and I then set out for some photos in and around historic Georgetown. I drove them in my truck since their car was blocked in the driveway. Again, I loved how easy-going they were and just happy to be together. We drove up Guanella Pass Road a ways and then went to the historic train station and Main Street downtown at sunset capturing really beautiful timeless and natural portraits of just the two of them enjoying each other and the moment. Taking deep breaths and focusing just on each other.

As night fell, we made one last stop. Cabin Creek brewery. A really special celebration of love!

Caitlyn reached out wanting to capture beautiful, natural engagement photos with her fiancé Joey back at the spot where he proposed a year earlier at Juniper Pass near Mt. Blue Sky in Colorado. Visiting from Chicago, they were eager to return to that little slice of magic. I suggested we meet for sunrise, knowing the early light would add extra intimacy and drama. They were game for the 4 a.m. wake-up call, and I absolutely love when couples are willing to go the extra mile. It always pays off with spectacular images and quiet moments before the crowds arrive.

We met in the parking lot at 5:45 a.m. and scrambled over the rocky outcroppings as the sky shifted from soft blue to deep purple to fiery orange. The sweeping views of Mt. Blue Sky and the layered hills to the east felt like a private show just for us. The stillness was perfect for Caitlyn and Joey to celebrate each other without distraction—just birdsong echoing off the canyon walls and light changing every five minutes. They were adventurous and open to all my ideas, happily climbing and exploring so we could chase those fleeting moments. They surely got a good workout in as I had them frequently moving around to different positions as the light poured into the valley.

After sunrise, we made the short drive to Echo Lake, where they slowed down on a park bench, taking in the calm morning reflections on the water. Again, there was hardly anyone there yet which made the lake all the more special. It was a morning filled with beauty, gratitude, and the kind of intimacy only early risers get to experience.

Just two weeks before their wedding, Frederico reached out with a simple and sincere request, to capture a bit of magic. He and his soon to be wife, Maria, were planning a quiet and deeply personal elopement at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church in Arvada.

No long guest list, no elaborate timeline,just the two of them and their closest family: her parents, his sister, and his aunt.

What struck me immediately was Frederico’s trust. He didn’t come with a list of specific shots. He said he loved my style and wanted me to do what I do best for a few hours. The day before their ceremony, he invited me to visit the chapel, to walk the space and meet those who would be a part of it, including the kind pastor who would lead their ceremony.

As with most Catholic weddings, the altar was considered sacred space, and I was asked to respectfully stay out of that area during the ceremony. I’m used to photographing close and personal, catching quiet looks and raw emotion up close, so this offered a different kind of challenge. I danced around the edges of the chapel, seeking moments from a distance. What I found was beautiful.

The stained-glass windows filtered in soft, dramatic light that fell across Frederico and Maria like a divine spotlight. It gave everything a cinematic and almost otherworldly beauty. I’m not a religious man myself, my cathedral tends to be nature an my insatiable pursuit of natural light, but in that chapel, something sacred stirred.

This elopement reminded me just how special small church weddings can be. The intimacy, the light, the hush of quiet joy, and I walked away with a heart full of gratitude, and photos that feel timeless and true.

Brandon originally reached out with a simple idea: capture family photos while everyone was together for the holidays. But quietly, he had something else planned. By the end of the session, he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Maria—sharing the moment not as a spectacle, but as something intimate and rooted in family. Only one person knew ahead of time: his sister, Brooklyn.

From the moment we met at South Valley Park in Littleton, the energy felt easy and open. Brandon’s family was warm, expressive, and fully present, the kind of group that makes a photographer feel instantly welcomed. We spent time laughing, walking, and documenting real moments as they unfolded. Along the way, Brandon discreetly slipped the engagement ring into my camera bag—our quiet, behind-the-scenes detail hidden in plain sight.

A week earlier, Brandon and I had mapped out the plan. Toward the end of the session, we’d move down toward the red rock formations under the guise of grabbing a few final photos. Nothing forced. Nothing rushed.

After a series of family images, I asked Brandon and Maria if they’d like a few last photos together. As they stood side by side, I could feel the shift—Brandon’s nerves, the anticipation, the weight of the moment arriving. After a couple of frames, he took a knee and asked Maria to be his wife.

She was completely surprised. Joy, laughter, and emotion moved across her face as she said, “I do. I do.” Behind me, his parents and grandparents watched their son and grandson get engaged—an intimate moment so rarely shared in real time with family. His mom’s joy was unmistakable, tears and laughter spilling freely.

Afterward, I stepped back and gave Brandon and Maria space to walk, breathe, and simply be present together. We reconvened as the sun set, capturing quiet, tender moments of celebration.

It was the first family-and-engagement session I’ve photographed—and one I won’t soon forget.

Aaron had it all planned out. He was going to propose to his girlfriend Sheila after they finished riding horses together at one of her favorite places, Morelli Ranch and Stable in Brighton, Colorado. He reached out to me see if I could captured the surprise.

I love a good surprise! I was all in. Aaron laid it all out for me. They would be taking horse riding lessons together-Sheila his girlfriend had been riding horses all of her life…whereas Aaron was new to it but wanted to share one of her favorite hobbies together with her. Sheila’s friend would be there to greet me and guide me to where the proposal would go down.

I met up at Morelli Stable in Brighton, Colorado on a beautiful Fall September morning. It’s such a wonderful little spot but there isn’t a whole lot of sneaking around. I could see them both riding horses, but we snuck in through the back barn door and met with the owners letting them know I planned on capturing the moment. They said they’d never done this before, but they were all in! They went over to the area where Aaron and Sheila were riding and covertly figured out where Aaron would propose once they dismounted the horses. I snuck around to a spot just inside the barn down trying to stay hidden. And just at the moment as they dismounted, I popped out from the shadows with camera in hand and captured the beautiful moment. Aaron was so sweet and nerviously asked her for her hand in marraige. She tearfully and lovingly exampled, “Of Course” and they shared a beautiful deep hug and sweet kisses. You can’t help but feel the joy in these special moments. The world becomes all the more beautiful.

Afterwards, we went around the stable capturing photos of the newly engages couple. Dirt and dust and all. Aaron had packed some cowboy and cowgirl hats to wear and their friend brough a beautiful bouquet of flowers. A really beautiful engagement session!

Chad reached out to me with a plan to document a surprise proposal at Eagle’s View Trail Loop in Conifer, Colorado.

It wasn’t just any location. This trail held meaning for him and Alex. It’s where they went on their second hike together years ago, and he wanted to return to that same spot to ask one of the biggest questions of his life.

The plan was simple but required a bit of effort. I hiked in about three miles ahead of them to a specific viewpoint and tucked myself off to the side, trying to blend in as best I could. Overnight, a fresh spring snow had fallen, giving everything that extra white layer of quiet and magic.

Chad had sent me a photo from that second date. The two of them standing together with the southern views toward Pike’s Peak behind them. I studied it carefully and made sure I was positioned in the exact same spot so we could recreate that moment after the proposal.

When they finally arrived, I could feel it right away. Chad was nervous in the best, most honest way. All of his preperations for this moment had finally arrived. It was showtime. He gave Alex a hug, wandered a few steps down the trail, picked up a stick, and tossed it to their dog Archer to keep him busy. Then he came back, took a breath, and started telling her how much he loved her.

He dropped to one knee, and Alex immediately covered her face as it all hit her at once. It was quiet, intimate, and real. Just the three of them, surrounded by snow-covered forest and big Colorado views on a bluebird day.

Afterward, Chad pulled out a bottle of champagne and a few glasses. It was super thoughtful of him to include a glass for me to celebrate with them. I was touched. We all took a moment to celebrate right there on the trail. We spent some time hiking together, chatting, and capturing a few relaxed, natural photos without forcing anything. They had a noticeable pep in their step on the way back down.

About halfway down, I told them to go enjoy the rest of the hike together. Just the two of them. I hung back and gave them some space so they could fully take in the moment without a camera around.

It’s hard to beat a hiking proposal like this.

Kayla and Jessie wanted something simple and true. Instead of a big production, they chose to focus on what really mattered: their love, their people, and the shared moments in between.

Surrounded by their closest friends and family, they exchanged vows in Jessie’s mom’s backyard on top of Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.

The setting was more than just beautiful, it was personal. Her home held years of memories, and the space felt alive with meaning. Many people spend thousands on that perfect venue, but sometimes the most meaningful places are right in front of us. Backyard weddings carry a certain magic, a sense of comfort and familiarity. You’re not just gathering in a place, your returning to your roots.

The ceremony took place on a perfect summer afternoon, the kind where the sky is impossibly blue and the breeze carries laughter through the trees. The mood was light and joyful, with quiet moments of tenderness woven in. Afterward, no one had to go far for the celebration. The reception unfolded right there at the house, with everyone relaxed, connected, and fully present.

This one felt especially close to home for me. My parents live just down the dirt road and were among the guests. Being there to document Kayla and Jessie’s day, surrounded by familiar faces and neighbors, made it all the more meaningful.

When Gina reached out, she shared her vision of gathering her entire family, spanning multiple generations, for a meaningful photo session while everyone was visiting Fort Collins.

It was a rare and special moment, and she wanted to preserve it with images that felt real, warm, and full of connection.

But there was an even deeper reason behind it all: her son had recently gotten engaged to his forever partner, and this was a chance to celebrate that milestone in a beautiful, authentic way, with the whole family there to support and witness it.

We met at Horsetooth Reservoir, one of my favorite places in Fort Collins for its calm waters, dramatic rock outcroppings, and ever-changing light. The lake was still, the air brisk, and the evening sun painted everything in a beautiful light. We started with candid, joyful group portraits that captured the dynamic love and fun within the family, teasing laughter from brothers, heartfelt embraces, and genuine moments of true support.

As the light softened, we shifted focus to the newly engaged couple, giving them the spotlight to laugh, to simply be together in that liminal moment where the future begins to take shape. From lakeside reflections to sweeping sunset views high above, Horsetooth brought the goods for the perfect engagemen photo session.

It was such an honor to document this new chapter of their story,

Daniel is one of my closest friends from college back in North Carolina. We met during those silly, formative years and built a bond that’s lasted long after dorm rooms and cheap beer. So when he asked me to come out to California to visit and to capture some engagement photos with his fiancée Stephanie, I didn’t hesitate. Of course I was in.

They chose Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills as their location, tucked into the hills north of LA. It’s this old Western movie set, with weathered saloons, dusty boardwalks, and empty streets that feel like a film waiting to happen. We had the place to ourselves. It was perfect.

The shoot felt like hanging out with two people I care about, camera in hand, catching the in-between stuff that’s real. Daniel was his usual self—goofing off, strumming his guitar, making up ridiculous songs on the spot. Stephanie rolled her eyes in that “I love this man” kind of way. But in the quiet moments, when they slowed down and really looked at each other, there were those special moments of a true old soul sort of love.

We wandered the set, finding light and little corners of beauty, letting the place guide us more than any shot list ever could. It’s more fun to get creative on the fly and roll with ideas that come about.