Colorado National Monument Proposal

A few months ago, G reached out to me about photographing his proposal to his partner L while they were in Colorado for a three week road trip. Uhm, heck yes! We started with locations around Colorado that they would be, and ended up landing on Grand Junction, Colorado where I am based!

From there, I sent over some of my favorite locations around Grand Junction. If you’re curious what a few of them are, check out my blog post here about my favorite spots in Grand Junction. He decided on Colorado National Monument, and I sent over a 25 page guide that goes into probably way too much detail about the Monument. Because there are so many different viewpoints and environments in and around the monument, I want my couples to have the ultimate say in what the backdrop to their photos looks like!

G decided on one spot, and from there we planned time (around sunset), how to get L to not be tooooo suspicious, and I also headed up to the monument to record some videos of a few different spots in that one location (because there really are so many to choose from haha). After a few months of planning, the day was here and everything went perfectly!

If you're looking to propose in Colorado, check out some of my favorite locations in Colorado to propose at!

If you’re looking for a proposal photographer in Colorado, reach out!

Colterris at the Overlook Proposal

If you’ve been doing any sort of wedding planning on the western slope of Colorado then you are probably already familiar with Kayley and Austin of Sparked Weddings and Events. I first met Kayley at the boutique Maverick Hotel wedding editorial her and Abbi of Blossom Design put together last September (ahhh those 90 degree temps, how I miss you).

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when Austin reached out about wanting to propose to Kayley (!!!) and asked if I would photograph the moment for them. Heck yes, 1000% so down.

So once Austin had planned out the perfect itinerary for their day, I did my best to hide amongst the orchards that line Colterris at the Overlook out in Palisade, Colorado. The winery had set out a bottle of wine and some glasses, as well as a hand written note from Austin. And then it happened!

Proposals are seriously my favorite, watching two people so in love with each other that they’re ready to grow old together, ahh my heart. While planning to photograph proposals are SO stressful, it is always so rewarding (okay y’all, the sneaking around, trying to be quiet, hiding in the bushes thing is so serious but I guess I’m pretty good at it because Austin said I was so quiet that he didn’t even know if I was there till he turned around and looked for me, ha!).

After these two had a quiet moment to themselves, I popped on out and we did a few quick photos before these two headed off to the rest of their day, now as newly engaged!!

To inquire about having a photographer at your surprise proposal, get in touch!

Rifle Falls State Park Surprise Proposal

Okay, are y’all ready for the SWEETEST proposal ever? J reached out to me months ago about proposing to his partner K, and I mentioned we could do it one of two ways:

1. I hide myself amongst the bushes and shrubs to capture it in secret!

2. We set up a “styled shoot” where I reach out to K and ask if they would be down for a free couples session!

   J opted for option number 2 and everything went PERFECT. While the original plan was to go to South Mineral Creek Falls for this once in a lifetime moment, because of the Ice Fire, the closure for the area was extended until at least September because of flood potential. I think we were all pretty bummed with the news after crossing our fingers for months, hoping it would open. But when J suggested Rifle Falls State Park as our backup, I couldn’t have been more stoked.

I’m super familiar with the area and have photographed here so many times, but y’all, it is always SO vastly different. Like that time I photographed it in the winter when it was covered in snow and ice. This place is so dreamy, year round. It was a little more busy than I was expecting for it being a weekday morning, but can you believe that when J proposed, the crowds were completely gone for those 10 minutes they had together. Everything couldn’t have gone more perfectly.

How the proposal went down: HE WROTE A SONG FOR HER, they danced to it together in front of the waterfalls and then he got down on one knee. Literally, how perfect.

Schedule your free consult for proposal or engagement photos by filling out my contact form!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Proposal

I have been SO excited to share these photos from this Black Canyon of the Gunnison proposal with J & M!

J reached out three months before they’re time in Colorado and asked for some help in capturing this special moment for them, and I was so happy to offer my help!

The first thing we narrowed down was how she wanted to do it, either by booking a photo session and surprising M during the session, OR, by having me be super creepy and hide in the bushes to capture it. We settled on option 2 and let’s just say, I am an expert at those stealth moves behind the trees! M didn’t even notice me until after the proposal, and it was only because of the clicks of the camera - boom! Thats how we do it!

How to plan a secret proposal

One of the most normal things to happen during a proposal is for nothing to go as planned. Honestly, that is TOTALLY expected. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is “Is my photographer still going to be there if we’re late?”, and thats why I love photographing proposals, because it’s EXPECTED. If you’re an hour, two hours late, it happens. What if your partner wants to stop for pizza? You can’t tell them no! They will 1000% suspect something is up. So communication is KEY and don’t worry, I will be hiding in those bushes until you come down that trail, even if it’s only 8 degrees outside, haha!

There are a ton of inventive ways to propose to your partner. Want to propose in front of a waterfall? Want to rent Jeeps and head to a 360 degree view of the San Juans? Want to have a surprise picnic set up? I can help plan that for you.

Want to go snowshoeing in a national park for sunrise? Been there, done that!

If you’re looking for a confident and capable photographer to capture this once in a lifetime moment for you and your partner, hi, I’m Kimberly.

Get in touch to help plan your personalized proposal today!

Lake Dillon Surprise Proposal

Proposal photos are one of those incredible underrated moments of your life that you can totally capture on camera, but a lot of us don’t think about it! One of my most popular blogs this year has been 10 Best Places to Propose in Colorado, so when F reached out to me to capture his proposal to H, I was SO stoked and all ears!

F knew he wanted a short hike or walk to an amazing view, preferably with a lake - cue this amazing location that I stumbled upon in Summit County that I now visit every time I stay in town. It’s a short 10 minute walk down to the waters edge with views across the lake of the Ten Mile Range, and a secluded beach of black shale. It’s stunning. It’s lush. It’s got views. And it’s got water.

Of courseeee August in Colorado means rain so cue an hour before our scheduled time for me to hide in some bushes and it’s d o w n p o u r i n g. Luckily the rain ended up letting up and we got to capture this stunning proposal, complete with these stunning flowers from Garden of Eden in Frisco.

F and H are the most fun, spontaneous, and natural couple I have possibly ever photographed. I know having a camera in front of your face is intimidating but holy cow you guys, these two were so comfortable and lighthearted, you would never know they hadn’t been in front of the camera before. I LOVED IT.

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Get in touch to book my for your surprise proposal today - I only take on a handful of these every year!