Katie and Kerry | Winter Park Proposal and Loveland Pass Engagement

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Savannah Chandler Photography | Winter Park Wedding Photographer

Not too long ago, I received a message from Katie’s mom – they had been asked by their daughter’s boyfriend for her hand in marriage. Kerry was planning to propose to Katie as soon as her custom ring made it’s way to his house in Texas. Over the course of a week or so, I was in incognito communication with Kerry via. Katie’s mom and planning to capture their proposal. We decided on heading up the new gondola at Winter Park resort, where Kerry would propose at the top of the mountain. A while ago, they had visited Winter Park and had photographs taken up on the top of Sunspot.

Finally, June 28th came. I headed up the hills on what was a lovely afternoon. I headed up the Zephyr express to 10,708 feet on Sunspot mountain. Once I saw Kerry and Katie head to the Southern facing outlook on the Outhouse Ski Run – I knew it wouldn’t be long before he popped the question. Hanging back as far as I could to stay out of sight – I waited for Kerry to drop to a knee in front of the Indian Peaks mountains in the background.

She said YES! Once the shock and adrenaline began to wear off – we wandered around Sunspot for a few minutes to get some images. Katie described how she had a dream that Kerry had proposed – but in the dream the ring was a literal rock and a paperclip. When Kerry proposed, he first pulled out a homemade ring – a rock in a paperclip and proclaimed that Katie had always dreamed this was how he’d propose. He spent that morning making a ring to fit the description of the “dream ring”, to be followed by her actual dream ring.

After we headed back down the Zephyr (and stopped by Starbucks to get “Fiancee” written on Katie’s cup), we parted ways for the evening. Katie’s mom had also set up a full engagement session a few days later, just before Kerry was set to leave for a Military base. On the following Tuesday, we met up at Pass Lake on Loveland Pass. This year has been quite interesting with the snow pack – the lake was still 75% frozen on July 2. Being the troopers that they are, Katie and Kerry ventured into the snow and muck to get good photos.

The whole evening, a thunderstorm was in the forecast. Being totally above treeline at 11,991 feet, we made sure to keep our radar on all evening for any approaching lightening strikes. To our advantage, the storms didn’t come but did bring some stunning clouds and light our way. To end our evening, we were greeted with a stunning Alpenglow on the East Wall of Arapahoe Basin followed by colorful Colorado clouds over the Continental Divide.

I wish you all the best, Katie and Kerry. Thank you for adventuring with me. You are both such happy people – and so in love.

Cheers!