Lily Lake Proposal

I am always excited when someone comes to me ready to pop the question.

However, this proposal wasn’t supposed to be a Lily Lake Proposal.

Keep reading to find out how we ended up at the lake!

My connection with Anna came through one of my photography facebook groups (rather randomly as she’s not a photographer!). But we exchanged emails and soon we were in the depths of planning a hiking/ camping proposal in Leadville for Anna’s girlfriend, Emily.

And then COVID hit.

Because Anna and Emily were coming to Colorado from Ohio, their entire trip was suddenly in jeopardy because of inter-state travel and quarantine restrictions. There were so many unknowns around COVID that we just couldn’t control. We thought we might have to save their session for a later date after a proposal back in Ohio.

Then, a couple weeks before their schedule proposal date, Anna called to let me know that they were definitely coming. And they were going to make it a camping road trip! So we jumped into our planning again. I did a location scout hike. I checked out the proposal spot and I made fun graphics to share my ideas. Then, the night before, I packed my pack and was ready to go.

Only to get a text the morning of proposal day that Anna and Emily were abandoning their campsite and heading back to civilization because of a scary situation on the mountain.

So, it was backup plan time. Anna and I spent the day emailing and texting until we narrowed in on a new course of action at Lily Lake in Estes Park. I don’t know how Anna kept Emily in the dark throughout that day with all the communication going on.

Finally it was time

I sat on a bench and waited for them to pass me, then Anna got Emily to the right spot and dropped to a knee.

Though they had talked about getting married and had gone ring shopping together, I don’t think Emily knew a proposal was coming on this Colorado trip. Their excitement was beautiful to capture.

Post “Yes” we said hello, then got busy exploring Lily Lake together, even bringing out their dogs for a couple of quick pics. Then we drove into RMNP and finished our day at sunset at 12,000 feet. We were the last ones at the top of Trail Ridge Road after the sun set but it was worth every ounce of daylight for Anna and Emily to have their proposal experience together in Colorado.

Despite the ups and downs and unknowns of planning this surprise, I’m incredibly honored that I was able to connect with Anna and Emily for this session. Check out my favorite images below!

P.S. A week or so later, Emily proposed back to Anna. They sent me pics and it was another one of the sweetest proposals ever!