A dream Lake Proposal
Rocky Mountain National Park- Chris & Erin
There are some photography sessions that stay with you long after you’ve put your camera away, and Chris and Erin’s proposal at Dream Lake is one I won’t forget anytime soon.
I met Chris through a mutual friend, and from the very beginning it was clear just how much thought and heart he put into planning this moment. Every detail, every. single. one. was prepared ahead of time. He brought adorable cups, champagne, a custom made ring box he had put so much care into, and had a full plan for how to surprise Erin without her catching on for even a second.
The two of them had already decided they would take “Christmas card photos” during a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Cute sweaters, mountain views, and a crisp winter day at Dream Lake, what could be more perfect? So we used that as our cover story.
The hike up was icy, and we carefully made our way along the trail with spikes and slow steps, and I made sure to hike the perfect distance ahead of the as to not cause any suspition. By the time we reached Dream Lake, the water had frozen over, creating this gorgeous glassy surface with snow-dusted peaks reflecting in every direction. To Erin, it was just a beautiful, cozy winter outing. To Chris and me… it was go-time.
Chris casually mentioned that his camera “wasn’t working” and asked if I could grab a quick photo of them on his phone. I played along, pretending to be a friendly bystander with a little more camera know-how. As Erin smiled for the photo, Chris shifted into position. That’s when I quietly switched from his phone to my camera—just in time for him to drop to one knee right there on the frozen lake.
Erin’s reaction was everything. Surprised, emotional, completely overjoyed. The kind of moment that feels suspended in time, surrounded by the stillness of winter, the icy lake beneath them, and the peaks rising around us.
After she said yes, they celebrated with the champagne and cups Chris had packed, admired the custom ring box he’d made for this moment, took more photos along the trail, and soaked in the magic of what had just happened.
As a seasoned Estes Park photographer it was an honor to witness and photograph such a meaningful moment for these two. Dream Lake lived up to its name, and so did this proposal.
