Utah is full of hidden arches, funky rock formations, and endless corners of sandstone to explore. I'm so inspired every time we're there because of the vast, unique landscapes around every bend in the road. This time we got to explore a part of Utah we'd never been to before: Capitol Reef National Park.

When Heather & Emerson reached out to us for their anniversary session, I asked what they were hoping the day would look like. She described wanting to maybe do a hike and read letters to each other somewhere along the way. I sent a few location options, and the one they decided on was probably the most difficult option. They knew full-well what they were getting into--hiking several miles up to a summit almost 12,000ft above sea level. 

There is truly nothing like standing in the snow above treeline in Colorado. Feeling the wind whip through your hair, the biting cold on your skin, and seeing mountaintops that go on for miles is a humbling experience all of its own. Add to that reading your vows at 12,000 ft and its difficult to not have an overwhelming emotional response. Charlie & Larissa strapped snow spikes on their hiking boots, threw a bottle of champagne in their daypack, and hiked up the ridge to an overlook above Loveland Pass, Colorado where they said their vows. It was equally beautiful and adventurous.

Colorado is wild. Its weather is unpredictable, its mountains are inspiring, and in the spring it shows off that untamed beauty all at once with windy storms and swollen rivers and snow that seems like it came from nowhere. When it comes to the weather, there are two types of people--those who are reasonably cautious and stay indoors when there are storms, and those who strap on their boots, grab their skis, and head up the mountains. Marisa and John are definitely the latter. 

There is something simple and profound about the way these two love. 

There's no denying that Nate and I love landscapes--epic sunsets, elopements in the desert, adventurous weddings on a mountain--all of these things sort of define our work to a degree. While we love shooting those things, lately there's part of us that craves the subtleties of understated moments.

Emma & David's intimate wedding at Blackstone Rivers Ranch represented the transition into spring all the same--trees beginning to bud, the creek running through the property starting to melt, warm string lights being turned on at the beginning of wedding season. Emma & David seemed relaxed, yet excited, and filled to the brim with all the emotion that comes with a day as important as their wedding. We watched from corners of bedrooms and the middle of pine forests, capturing photos as these two experienced the fullness of joy, passion, and gratitude as they entered into a new life together.

We met Hannah & Collin two over a plate of Pad Thai after a week of backpacking and climbing all over Zion National Park. They found out we were going to be in Zion near the same time they were planning their trip to visit all five of Utah's National Parks, so we stayed an extra day to take some engagement photos with them. Over dinner, we nearly spat rice noodles out our noses from laughing so much at all of Hannah & Collin's stories and jokes. These two can't stop smiling when they're together and the joy they bring to each other's lives is so apparent (and SO entertaining to watch).

Mandy & Corey told me that their favorite national park they’d visited was Joshua Tree National Park, and I knew exactly where to suggest for their Colorado elopement. I sent them a few photos of Great Sand Dunes National Park and their response was sweeter than I could’ve expected. Mandy said she cried seeing the photos, knowing it was a perfect spot for them to say their vows. A mix of desert sand dunes and snow-capped peaks, Great Sand Dunes sits at the base of the snowy & prominent Sangre De Cristo mountains, a perplexing landscape even for the most well-traveled person. Its a truly unique place that remains sort of a well-kept secret in Colorado because of its distance from the major resort towns. For the person who wants a truly wild & secluded experience for their wedding, this spot is ideal. 

When I think back on our time in Patagonia, I keep coming back to this one memory. When we drove into El Chaltén from El Calafate, Argentina we could see a series of rugged hills & mountains ahead, but we couldn't see the Fitz range as it was hidden behind clouds. That day we got glimpses here and there of Poincenot (the spire next to Fitz) peeking out from the clouds, and it was unbelievably huge. It was hard to believe there was a larger peak than that. The next day, the clouds cleared and we got our first view of the Fitz Roy. I've never seen a mountain that demands so much attention & respect. It literally took my breath away.

We drove over Independence Pass on last day it was open before closing for the winter. We woke up before the sun in order to give ourselves plenty of time to make it to Aspen before the incoming snowstorm might prevent us from getting over the windy mountain road. Kaitlin & Eason were in town for the weekend and wanted some photos to announce their engagement to their friends and family, so we met them in one of our favorite places to explore and take photos.

While in Patagonia we stayed in El Chalten with some of our close frineds, and on a clear day we went and had a fun adventure session at the base of Fitz Roy.

It is so difficult to wrap up a trip that contained so much—a week spent in a tiny port town, 8 days backpacking through one of the most beautiful places on earth, a few days in a small climbing town in Argentina, three days backpacking at the base of Fitz Roy and hanging out with some of the most creative & inspiring friends. We've barely been home a week, so I’m sure in the months to come I will draw more from this trip than I even realize right now.