One of the reasons I’m a photographer is because there’s something indistinguishably magical about being able to freeze a moment in time. Watching couples see the images I’ve captured for them and be able to feel what they felt in those moments is like a secret superpower–a gift that I can’t imagine not being able to give.
And it’s this magic–along with the magic of meeting amazing couples who want to ditch what’s expected and prioritize what’s important to them–that’s what keeps me absolutely over the moon in love with what I do.
But there’s a truly important distinction I want to get out of the way.
It’s something I want every couple out there to know. You don’t have to get married or even get engaged to understand and feel this magic. Your love for your partner can be captured and immortalized–and you don’t need a wedding ring or a guest list to do it.
Yes, of course, on your wedding day or when you get engaged, you’ll want those memories captured, but there are other important and deeply meaningful elements of your relationship that aren’t dictated by those things. And that love–that commitment and adoration you have for each other–deserves to be documented.
That’s one of the reasons I’m so deeply invested in couples’ photos.
When Camilla and Brayan reached out to me, they told me they were visiting Colorado from Miami. They were looking for beautiful and authentic photos of themselves in a stunning place–for no reason other than it’s what they wanted. They were seeking a way to document these memories and these moments together forever, and they didn’t need any other driving reason to do it other than it mattered to them.
To me, that’s always something I’m ready and excited to capture.
We talked about a variety of places to explore (one of the perks of visiting Colorado is there’s no shortage of incredible spots). Eventually, we settled on St. Mary’s Glacier, a stunning hike near Idaho Springs, Colorado.
St. Mary’s Glacier is beautiful–so beautiful that it’s infamous. The chance of it being crowded was high on a summery, breezy, and beautiful day like the one we met on. But somehow, we lucked out–it was mostly empty, and the weather was gorgeous.
As we started the trek up, I was immediately impressed with these Floridians from Miami. St. Mary’s Glacier isn’t the most strenuous hike in the world, but it’s no easy feat. At over 11,000 feet of elevation, I expected this Miami couple to take it slow and steady. But they hiked like absolute champs, enjoying every second of it together.
When we hiked a little closer to the lake, Camilla and Brayan found private spots to change into their desired attire for their couple’s photos.
First, Camilla donned a light blue dress that moved beautifully with the wind. They explored the August landscape, soaking in the summer moments Colorado offered them. Before they got too deep into their hiking exploration, Camilla changed once more. This time, into the dress she wanted to wear most of all–a deep red gown that fluttered with the wind and danced with her when she walked.
They spent their time enjoying the trail and soaking in the moments together. When we neared the lake, they braved the icy water to hop up on a rock for a better view of the entire scene. They laughed and held each other close, getting lost in the moments the winds swept up her dress and blustered over them. Sometimes, I felt like I wasn’t even there.
And to be honest, that’s always what I’m hoping for. I’m always there to guide and offer advice and make sure couples are comfortable, but all I want for them is to authentically explore the area and feel every moment as it’s happening. Camilla and Brayan were the perfect examples of that.
One of the things I love about capturing photos like these–elopements or not–is how obviously in love every couple is. Sometimes, people think I’ve got some sort of posing or photo magic that makes them look better than they do in reality.
But the truth is, when you’re in love and comfortable with your partner, that’s where the real magic is.
All I do is capture what’s right in front of me.
