2 years ago, I received a phone call from Ryan’s sister. She told me that her brother was eloping in Aspen, without a photographer. So the family wanted to gift Ryan + Jen a photoshoot so they have some professional photos.

2 years, a kid, and a dog later, Ryan + Jen finally have their photos done! Although the intent for the shoot probably didn’t have a kid in mind, sometimes life just have different plans than what we have in mind!

What’s crazier is that we had just met with a couple about their wedding this summer in Crested Butte earlier that same day. We found out at the end of our meeting they knew Jen + Ryan, and Jen + Ryan had just threw them an engagement party for them a day before! What a small world!

Kellie + Mike were driving in from Santa Fe, NM, while we were driving in from Denver, CO. As we both got to the San Luis Valley as we approach the Great Sand Dunes, it had crossed our minds that the shoot may not be happening. We saw dark storm clouds, and even a couple cloud funnels that appeared to have touched the ground.

As we all arrived at the sand dunes’ parking lot safely, we were met by Jumanji swarms of mosquitos ready to feast! We didn’t know how long we would last out there, but we ran as fast as we could toward the sand dunes.

Right as we began to start photographing, the wind picked up and blew the mosquitos away, at the same time we were sand blasted in the dunes! And then…

… a miracle happened!

The wind died down, the storm clouds rolled away, and we were greeted by the gentle warm kisses of the sun. We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the rest of the shoot. What an adventure indeed!

We are excited to photograph Kellie + Mike’s wedding in a couple of months in Crested Butte, CO. Praying for no Jumanji mosquitos! ;)