Rifle Falls Engagement
Ashley and Mitch wanted their Alt Session photos to contrast the tropical location where they’re getting married. And I love a good challenge. We already shot at the Ice Castles last year, so that was out. Snow is hard to predict in Colorado, so that added another wrench. But a few months ago, on a whiskey-fueled Google meandering, I came across the perfect spot for their engagement photos. Even better, their Rifle Falls engagement session would be a two-for-one–frozen waterfalls and ice caves.
Early in the day, Jesse and I bid adieu to cell phone service and scouted the location. In true “love a good challenge” form, we’d never been there and had no idea if it would deliver on its promise. We hiked all the way around Rifle Falls. There were caves, but there were no ICE caves. So we hopped in the car and continued driving until we found a sign that said “ICE CAVES.” Seemed promising. We trekked up a narrow path that hugged the cliff wall until we turned a corner and were rewarded with one of the most mind-blowing things I’ve ever seen.
But let’s put a pause on the ice caves for a moment; don’t worry, I’ll come back to them (or you can skip my story and go straight to the photos below….I promise I won’t be insulted!).
A few days before the Alt Session, Ashley texted me to ask if I thought it would be ok to incorporate inflatable T-Rex costumes into their shoot, as a surprise to Mitch. With visions of L&M’s famous Left Shark First Look of 2017, I told her it was an amazing idea and we would 100% work them in. But the mere fact that this idea occurred to Ashley and that she knew Mitch would enjoy it cemented my belief that these two are our kind of people.
So after our T-Rex shenanigans, Ashley and Mitch did a quick wardrobe change, and then we tasked them with a hike in formal wear. (This seems like it’s becoming a theme for our kick-ass couples.) Aside from the slippery paths, they navigated falling rocks, freezing cold temperatures, and listening to my corny dad jokes. And never once did they stop laughing or having a good time. In fact, I could have sworn some of their laughter at my jokes might even have been genuine.
Ashley and Mitch, holy cow, we are so excited for your wedding in May. If we only have half as much fun as we did during your Rifle Falls engagement, it’ll be a raging success!
