Engagements in Grand Teton National Park • Cortney and Austin

You wouldn’t have known it was Spring Memorial Weekend. There was wind, rain and snow the entire time. I had 3 sessions scheduled inside Grand Teton National Park and they all were cancelled or rescheduled because of cloud coverage over the beautiful Tetons. I don’t think they were visible 90% of the weekend.

Cortney had contacted me this past winter about documenting her wedding which would be in Jackson at Grand Teton National Park. At the time, the park was issuing new rules with permitting and schedule which made it so hard on all my brides this year! Luckily she secured a spot for her date! Cortney and Austin live in Boise and decided to make a trip to Jackson, Wyoming to do some wedding planning and do their engagement photos. We were originally planned for Monday, but it was complete overcast over the Tetons! We ended up rescheduling twice. When Thursday came around and I couldn’t line up a babysitter, and I knew they were leaving the next day, I loaded up my kids and headed to Jackson to make it happen!

Even with a toddler on my back and baby in tow in her carseat, we got some of the best images EVER! I’m a huge fan of overcast, as long as I can still see that beautiful mountain range. The sun peaked out a few times for us, and it didn’t snow or rain! Literally a dream evening in The Grand Tetons. And Cortney and Austin? These two are gems! They’re both so kind and down to Earth. And I loved that Austin would be so sincere and kind to Cortney. Seriously, it was so sweet. I know men don’t love doing photos, and I’m sure Austin didn’t either. But he still played along with all my games and kept it real.

I CANNOT wait to document Cortney and Austin’s wedding in September back here!

Grand Tetons Engagements

June seems to be some one of the best months for sessions in the Grand Tetons! The weather we had for Alexis and Levi’s engagements was a literal dream.

Alexis had reached out to me ONE week before they were coming to visit Jackson and Yellowstone! They decided last minute they wanted to hire a photographer to do engagements since they were going to be in such a beautiful area. Levi and Alexis both attend Iowa State University and they drove the 16 hour drive to Jackson. We planned the session for the day they arrived to Jackson because it was the only date I had open before one of my own trips so we made it work.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am that it all worked out the way it did! We started at Schwabacher’s Landing to get a nice full view of the Tetons and moved into the park as the sun dipped down. The lighting and weather were seriously so dreamy!

One of my favorite things about shooting in the Grand Tetons is the even light in the park after the sun sets behind those gorgeous mountains. We saw elk and antelope during our time together which was neat! I realized I don’t know much about the wildlife and the different species in the Grand Tetons.

I can’t wait for all the travels to Jackson this summer. I have 3 weddings here and over 15 different sessions. And I’m so grateful for any chance I get to be here!

Grand Tetons Surprise Proposal

Josh found me on Instagram a few months before he and Monica would be traveling through the Rocky Mountains! They had a few stops along the way including Jackson, Wyoming for the Grand Tetons and Island Park for Yellowstone. I was excited since they were coming all the way from Texas! They also were camping throughout their stops in October!

Josh had been to Jackson multiple times before this trip, but it was Monica’s first time! Josh was showing her all the cool things in Jackson and how amazing and beautiful the Tetons were! Josh took me to even a few new spots I hadn’t been before. I think that’s one of my favorite things is when clients pick out a location that means something to them.

Towards the end of the session Josh asked that we head to Jenny Lake. It’d been a while since I had been to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. I decided to follow Josh and Monica into the park. Monica and Josh were both amazing sports for smiling and going with my crazy prompts. I asked as we were finishing up if they had any other poses they’d like to try and Josh said, “I have one. Are you ready?”

I said, “Sure, what are you thinking?”

Right then Josh got down on one knee and told Monica his feelings for her and asked her to marry him! Monica said yes! I was so excited and completely surprised! I had no idea Josh was planning on proposing and he kept his cool the entire time! Their session will be always be on of my favorites for the surprise proposal and I love shooting couples from out of state! The clouds parted just in time for us to see the Grand Tetons! All around a session to remember!