Jarrette found Natalie Magee (https://www.instagram.com/yogimagee/) off of Instagram by her food photos he said! He reached out to her to shoot his hike and proposal and she wasn't available at the time and even more so I was better qualified for this position. She's such an awesome guide but photography is more my forte, and I'm lucky enough to have such good friends in my life that she referred me for the job!!!
The day started out with me making a phone call to this lovely couple, letting them know the wind was just going to be WILD!!! we were having a constant 30-40mph winds with easy 50-60mph gusts! lately that seems like thew more norm here so i wasn't too shocked but we chatted a bit and they were down to experience whatever the park had to offer.
We met at 10 am at my favorite place to rent gear to get them suited up properly for this hike! Then we were off to the rocky mountain national park to the trailhead! bear lake parking lot was where we left the safety of our vehicles and headed out into the wilderness. The winds are always the worst at the lake and at the parking lot! sure enough the winds were showing us what we were in for. luckily the trees almost completely block the wind!!!
The first lake we get to is Nymph lake! no ice was showing but we still walked right out on it! Pam was unsuspecting of the events about to take place. she just thought i was there to document their vacation! Jarrette apparently told her to get over the idea of him proposing in denver.... he's NOT proposing in denver!!!! (hahahahahah) so we shot a couple photos on their first frozen lake and headed up the trail for dream lake. That where he was gonna pop the question.
The hike isn't a very long one just 1.8 miles round trip, however if you live at sea level, starting at 10ft and hiking up another 800ft in elevation, those 1. 8 can feel like much harder than you think. the key here is to stop for many breaks, refueling with water and small little snacks! we did so several times, even got the chance to see some skiers make their way down from the dragons tail, but it all seemed to go by so quick, i think i was probably just as anxious as Jarrette was.... dream lake seemed to approach so fast!
right before we got there i had them do a couple photos (last photos as boyfriend and girlfriend really but Pam had NO idea!!!!!) ;) once we got to the lake i pushed them out to where i wanted them posed.... we took a couple photos then the magic happened. the winds were just insane and the fresh snow was blowing everywhere as well as new snow was falling!!!! Jarrette pulled out the ring and then dropped to one knee! Pam looked at the ring and him, then me and my fiancé who was filming and then pulled those hands up to her face in shock! she jumped into his arms as he got up and the rest was history folks!!! LOL!!!
It was beautiful though! the weather couldn't have been more amazing in my book... can you ever dream of forgetting that moment?! i know i couldn't!!!!!
after they rejoiced a bit i made them pose for a couple more photos, the newly engaged ones though!!!!!!! WHOOP!!! and pop open some delicious Denver Beer Co BEER, what better way to celebrate than with a fresh brew in the mountains!?!!! how dang exciting y'all!!!! Then we headed our way back down. the love birds hung behind and we let them have a little space <3 what a special time to share, we know because we are going through this time ourselves!
Anyways... it was a pretty special day. I knew after the phone call I made to them about the crazy winds and the fact they wanted to experience it anyways, they were my kinda people!!!!!
I feel so honored when people choose me to capture their days for them!!!! <3 I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!!
