Danielle + Cayd • Idaho Falls Engagements

January was a snowy month here in Idaho. I hadn't seen so much snow in years. Idaho Falls had over 17 inches fall in January alone! For every session I was in at least knee deep snow, and this one was no different! Danielle won my Instagram Giveaway back in November and we started planning a snowy engagement session here in Idaho Falls. I was so excited to shoot their engagement session! 

It was Mrs. Gleaves 7th grade science class when Cayd started hitting on Danielle. He was persistent for some time before Danielle showed her interest in him as well. They started dating and now, 7 years later, he proposed and they're still just as in love! High school sweethearts have a love unlike anyone else and I love capturing it! 

Hannah + Drew • Medicine Bow

Hannah was good friends with my sister in middle school and that was when I first met her. Hannah is that girl everyone loves for her kindness and easy-going personality. I could swear she smiles in her sleep too. 

So when Hannah first emailed me in August, before she was even engaged, I was so giddy! I could not wait to shoot these two and their Wedding! Once they were engaged we started planning out their Engagement photos and Hannah and Drew were going to drive all the way to Grand Junction, Colorado just to have ME take them! Luckily I was able to plan out a last minute trip to Wyoming in September which worked out perfectly for all of us. 

Hannah really wanted some water in their engagements so I asked if I could take her up to Medicine Bow and she agreed! I hadn't been up to the area in about 5 years so it was wonderful seeing the gorgeous colors throughout. And the wind finally slowed down just in time for our session!

This session was an eye opener for me. It reminded me why I love taking couples to the mountains, and why quality time away from distractions is an important part of my sessions. I loved getting to know Hannah and Drew and their story. And I am thrilled I get to be a part of their June Wedding. 

Kaden + Keely • Surprise Proposal

OH MY GOSH!!! This shoot is one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. One, I'd never photographed a surprise proposal so it was definitely a thrill for me. Two, my aunt, Darcy (Ruby Plum Photo), was with me for the shoot. She actually was the one who mentored ME back in 2013. It was such a blast having someone there to get creative with. Three, I'd never been to The Monument. I've been to Grand Junction plenty of times to visit family and I can't believe two weeks ago was my first time at The Monument. I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't already. 

Huge shout out to Kaden for reaching out to me and making this happen. This shoot could not have been any better!

THE STORY A.K.A HOW KADEN PULLED IT OFF

When I found out I was going to take a trip to Colorado, I knew I had to shoot something epic there. I asked Darcy what was close in the area and she mentioned The Monument. Once I saw photos, I was hooked.
I then ran a couple model call for the area of Grand Junction and there was only one day we could do it. Keely and Kaden were tagged in my post by a friend for my model call and that's when Kaden messaged me. He asked if I shot proposals and how they turned out and if I would do his. I asked him if he could make the date and time work that we needed and he agreed. I was so stoked!
But Keely hadn't applied yet even though she was tagged. I told Kaden he would need to mention it again to her and have her apply so she'd have no idea. Keely applied, the date and time worked, and they were up for our creative shoot! 
I prepared for the shoot talking to BOTH Kaden and Keely. I told Kaden I didn't want to direct his proposal. I wanted it to still be his own and how he imagined it. I just wanted us to be ready when the time came. He said the ring was in his boot and he would mention something about his socks, which would be our key to be ready when he knelt down to fix them. And Keely had no idea I was talking to Kaden about his plans.
When we arrived to the shoot I saw Kaden and Keely's chemistry right away and it was exactly I wanted. We were able to just have fun and they laughed at our jokes which was a plus. :) Keely wore the most gorgeous white dress that just popped with the red rocks of Colorado. We were getting AMAZING shots while getting creative with our posing and shooting techniques. 
We moved to a spot with the full view of the monument. It was breathtaking for me as I had never been there. That's when Kaden mentioned his sock...
I hurried and backed up, pulled out my phone to start videoing, AND photographed as I was videoing. Kaden had such a thoughtful proposal and I could tell how much it meant to Keely. And she said yes!!! :) 

Thank you again Keely and Kaden for such a memorable and epic night!