A Serendipitous Love Story in the Rockies | Estes Park Engagement Session

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A man and woman embrace and laugh together outdoors, with a blurred natural background of trees and mountains. The image is in black and white.

They met in a way that can only be described as modern fate. A mutual friend snapped a picture and sent it on Snapchat, which sparked a back-and-forth exchange between two teens who hadn’t even met in person yet. A few DMs and a bold “Hey Novio” later, they were hooked. What started as casual snaps turned into something lasting — a true high school sweetheart love story.

Two people holding hands, each with a small red heart drawn on their hands. They are standing outdoors, wearing light-colored pants and greenish sweaters.

Fast forward to today, and these two found themselves thousands of miles from Houston, exploring the towering pines and alpine air of Estes Park. Their relationship had already traveled far, both literally and figuratively. He was born in India, lived in the Philippines, and moved to Houston only because of his father’s government job — a reassignment that, if it hadn’t happened, would have meant their paths never crossed. That kind of serendipity isn’t lost on them.

A man and woman stand closely outdoors, touching foreheads and smiling at each other, with trees and hills in the background.

They booked their engagement session in Rocky Mountain National Park, with Bear Lake circled as the must-see backdrop. But the mountains had other plans. Weather rolled in, and timed-entry permits limited our options. Flexibility quickly became the theme of the day — and that’s exactly where the magic happened.

We pivoted. Rather than chase a rigid plan, we followed the light, the rhythm of their energy, and the winding trails that gave us room to breathe and connect. Estes Park delivered its own quiet wonder: fog spilling through the trees, golden light breaking through heavy skies, and laughter that carried across the rocks.

A man and woman wearing green sweaters hold hands and smile at each other outdoors, with a blurred forest background.

One of the things they told me early on was that they were drawn to my work because of how natural and movement-based it felt. They didn’t want stiff poses or cookie-cutter prompts. They wanted their session to feel like them — real, a little messy, full of joy and momentum. That became our guide. I kept the session dynamic, encouraging movement, play, and stillness in equal measure.

A person gently holds another person's face with both hands outdoors, with blurred trees and hills in the background.

Some of my favorite moments came when they forgot the camera was there entirely — when she tucked her face into his chest, when he looked at her like he couldn’t believe this was real. There was quiet. There was silliness. There was a sense that this was exactly the kind of story that deserved to be documented in a place as timeless as the Rockies.

A woman looks directly at the camera while a man, seen from behind, gently holds her face with both hands on a dirt path outdoors.

If you’re planning an engagement session in Estes Park or the surrounding areas, here’s what I’ve learned from years of shooting here: nature will always have a say. And if you let it — if you’re open to adapting — it will usually give you something even better than you imagined.

A man and woman walk hand-in-hand on a dirt path in a forested area, both wearing green sweaters and light pants.

I photograph weddings, elopements, and engagements all across Colorado, but Estes Park is a place that always slows me down in the best way. It asks you to notice — to breathe, to listen, to trust the unscripted moments. That’s exactly what these two did. And in doing so, they made space for something beautifully honest.

A couple stands close together outdoors; the woman smiles and shows her hand with a ring, while the man leans in affectionately from behind.

Planning Your Own Estes Park or RMNP Session?
I offer full photography and photo + video coverage for couples eloping or planning sessions in Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and across the Front Range.

For inspiration or planning tips, you can explore these guides:

A couple in matching outfits stands close together on an empty road surrounded by trees and mountains under a cloudy sky.

And if you’re dreaming of something candid, emotional, and grounded in movement, I’m here for that.

Contact me here to start planning your session

What happens if weather changes on the day of our session?

I always keep a flexible plan, with backup locations and alternate routes in mind. Some of my favorite sessions have come from embracing the unexpected.

Can you help with permits in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Yes! I help couples navigate timed-entry passes and commercial use permits so you can focus on showing up and enjoying the day.

Do you travel outside of Estes Park?

Absolutely. From Breckenridge to Boulder and Telluride to Trinidad, I document love stories across all of Colorado’s wild, meaningful places.

Can we add video to our engagement session?

Yes — I offer combined photo + video coverage that brings your session to life in motion.

Here is a few favorite images from the 200+ we delivered 🙂

A man carries a smiling woman in his arms through a grassy field with trees in the background. The image is black and white and slightly blurred.
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A man and woman wearing green sweaters hold hands and smile at each other outdoors, with a blurred forest background.
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A couple in matching outfits stands close together on an empty road surrounded by trees and mountains under a cloudy sky.
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A couple stands kissing in the middle of an empty, misty road surrounded by trees and rocks.
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A black and white photo of a couple embracing outdoors, with a blurred background effect and trees in the distance.
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A blurred black and white photo of two people embracing outdoors, with a swirling motion effect creating a sense of movement.
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Two people holding hands walk along the center of an empty road surrounded by trees and mountains under a cloudy sky.
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A man and woman holding hands walk through a grassy field with mountains and pine trees in the background under a cloudy sky.
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A man and woman holding hands walk up a grassy hill, with pine trees and cloudy mountains in the background.
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A man and woman embrace and laugh together outdoors, with a blurred natural background of trees and mountains. The image is in black and white.
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A man and woman walk hand-in-hand on a dirt path in a forested area, both wearing green sweaters and light pants.
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A man and woman stand closely outdoors, touching foreheads and smiling at each other, with trees and hills in the background.
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A couple stands outdoors, facing each other and embracing, with trees and mountains in the blurred background.
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A woman hugs a man outdoors, displaying an engagement ring on her finger with her eyes closed.
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A woman shows an engagement ring on her hand while standing close to a man outdoors; both are dressed in casual clothing.
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A person gently holds another person's face with both hands outdoors, with blurred trees and hills in the background.
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A woman looks directly at the camera while a man, seen from behind, gently holds her face with both hands on a dirt path outdoors.
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A couple stands close together outdoors; the woman smiles and shows her hand with a ring, while the man leans in affectionately from behind.
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Two people standing outdoors face each other, gently touching palms, both wearing olive green long-sleeve shirts. The background is blurred with trees and grass visible.
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Two people holding hands, each with a small red heart drawn on their hands. They are standing outdoors, wearing light-colored pants and greenish sweaters.
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