Storm King Mountain Engagement Photos on the Summit
Storm King Mountain Engagement Photos on the Summit
Kate + Shawn
Set amidst the rugged landscapes of Upstate New York, Storm King Mountain provided the perfect backdrop for Kate and Shawn's engagement session. In this blog, we'll explore their thrilling journey as they embraced nature's beauty, scaled rocky trails, and captured moments of love amidst the wilderness.
Embracing Nature's Majesty: Kate and Shawn were drawn to Storm King Mountain's natural beauty. With camera in hand, they set out to explore the untamed wilderness, admiring towering cliffs and sweeping vistas along the way.
Scaling New Heights: As outdoor enthusiasts, Kate and Shawn eagerly tackled the mountain's rugged trails. With each step, they embraced the thrill of exploration, ascending the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the Hudson Valley.
Capturing Moments of Love and Adventure: Against Storm King Mountain's dramatic scenery, Kate and Shawn's love story unfolded. Their engagement session was a celebration of laughter, joy, and tender moments, captured effortlessly by their photographer.
Cherishing Memories Amidst Nature's Splendor: As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Kate and Shawn reflected on their day with gratitude. Amidst nature's embrace, they found solace, knowing that their love was as enduring as the mountains themselves.
Why We Love Mountain Weddings: A Return to Our Roots
Mountain Weddings | A Return To Our Roots | Adventure Couples | Rocky Mountains | Colorado Elopement Photographers | Apollo Fields Weddings
Adventures in the mountains are tiring, dirty, and dangerous. One slip can devastate even the most experienced hiker. Yet us adventurers continue to voluntarily thrust our bodies and minds into the wilderness at the mercy of unpredictable winds and crumbling rock faces. Some people think we’re crazy – but fellow adventurers know that there is no peace like the solitude of the woods. We at Apollo Fields say bring on the perilous terrain because there’s nothing we love more than a photo session in the wild or a rustic mountain wedding!
That’s because mountain weddings celebrate people and nature alike, intertwining the roots of our lives with the organic networks that thrive beneath the soil. We walk between the trees on trodden paths, sometimes blazing trails of our own. The smoke from our campfires pierce the dark mountain sky, signaling to those in the area that warmth and laughter is but a few paces away. Darkness falls upon the screens of our devices. Far removed from cities forged in steel and concrete, the stars in the open sky ignite our imaginations. There is no need for anything or anyone other than what is here.
That is really what nature provides us. A home. A place for our minds to rest and dream with sights and smells rather than artificial mental stimuli. Dopamine kicks and oxytocin spikes are the results of biochemical technological deception. Immersing ourselves in nature resets our minds, syncing our systems with the gentle trickle of a mountain creek. Why else do you think listening to the sounds of nature on our iPods puts us to sleep?
Us adventurers risk our bodies for the sake of our minds. We realize that we are part of our natural world, not separate from it. Yes, we’ve broken free from the food chain but our minds still live in the woods. They still long for the unknown despite our 21st century tendency to cling to mindless chatter rather than embrace the infinitude of silence. The darkness that engulfs the night is terrifying, but the brightness of our screens blinds us into stagnation. Thus we must venture into the mountains to find that which technology cannot provide.
The mountains present the perfect landscape to celebrate a wedding. Safely tucked into a mountainside, loved ones find comfort in the company of friends and family. With nowhere to turn for entertainment than stories around a campfire, memories whirl about the floating embers like little flakes of nostalgia. All of life’s troubles melt from the end of a stick holding a smoldering marshmallow. But back in the banquet halls and beneath the vaulted church ceilings, we remain confined in the artifice of our human existence. We say break the walls down and run for the hills. That’s where love really learns to take root.
Adventures are risky but they present opportunities for growth. By staying safely in our homes and living rooms we forget that we were once at home in the mountains. When considering where to get married think not for where is most lavish, but where you feel the most connection. You might be surprised that you feel most comfortable in the darkness of the woods.
Photography: Heather Huie for Apollo Fields
Writing: Terrence Huie for Apollo Fields
Locations: Guanella Pass | Chautauqua Dining Hall | RMNP | Estes Park Resort | Lookout Mountain | Garden of The Gods | Pikes Peak | Grand Lake Western Riviera | Shrine Pass
Highlands Ranch Mansion Wedding Photography
Allison & Michael's Wedding | Highlands Ranch Mansion | Colorado Mountain Weddings | Denver Photographer
Alli & Mike didn't miss a beat with their beautiful Highlands Ranch Mansion wedding. Everything was gorgeously planned and executed, and the day was spent amongst friends and family. They had a first touch where they prayed, back-to-back and hand-in-hand, with the sweetest whispers of their love for each other. The ceremony was just as beautiful. Alli and Mike exchanged their handwritten vows in front of the people who mean the most to them. They made promises to each other, and held hands while tears fell silently.
Their reception was so much fun. You could feel the love from all of their guests and family members, as heartfelt speeches filled the space, and they lovingly cut the cake with a little smash to top of the fun. They danced and partied, and when the sun begin to set into the mountains, I snagged them for the most epic golden hour light. The way the beams of light fell through the tree leaves was magical, and Allison and Michael enjoyed their own private dance out behind the mansion while the light began to fade.
This fun couple met in the Air Force and are devoted to their service work. They lived in Colorado Springs while finishing their degrees from the Air Force Academy. I don't know how she pulled it off, but Alli actually graduated just a few days before their wedding! Impressive, to say the least. They honeymooned at Disney Land and then made their way off to Hawaii to soak up the beach and sunshine. Seeing their pictures in Hawaii made me so jealous and now I'm dying to visit myself! What a dream...
Allison's big, bubbly personality shined throughout the day. She just beamed with joy amongst her bridesmaids. You could tell that their bond is tight, the whole group was smiling and laughing the whole day. Michael is more stoic, but it was easy to see how is quieter bond with his groomsmen was just as genuine. Their family members showered them with well-wishes, and the love was palpable. They had the most fun dancing, mingling, and making silly faces in the Photo Booth. An epic day to say the least!
