When Nicole & Josh said Steamboat Springs was where they wanted to do their engagement pictures, my heart went pitter pat.  I love it when my couples suggest Steamboat.  There is just something about this mountain/ski/ranching town that makes my heart sing.  Steamboat offers so many great backdrops, but for these two, they picked Fish Creek Falls.  Sadly, after our first outfit change, the floodgates opened and poured on us.  Thankfully, we had brought umbrellas with us, but you know how it goes when you’re trying to share an umbrella: some part of you still gets soaked.  Half soaked, with smiles on their faces, we made our way back to the safety of our vehicle.  I couldn’t help but breath a little easier and smile a little bigger at how unfazed these two were by the weather.  They were just content to be out and about, making what pictures we could, and spending time together.

Fortunately, the rain let up for a bit and we were able to snag a few more portraits in the aspens before it got too dark.  Our plan was to head back to their condo that evening and shoot some inside portraits by the fireplace.  But not just any fireplace.  Nicole & Josh scored us access to the two, gorgeous model units of the condo complex where we were free shoot.  Their calm, cool demeanor was tested again as we entered each unit, disappointed to see the fireplaces were just too modern and not at all the look we were going for.  These guys took the changes in stride, yet again, and we resorted to spending the next hour or so drinking wine in a fabulous ski condo and talking real talk.  I think it was a blessing in disguise.  Turns out these two are pretty incredible with huge hearts for adventure.  I mean, “let’s just move to Europe and get jobs just because we want to write our own story” kind of people! And I must share: they did bring us a bottle of wine to enjoy together and one for me to take home. Bonus points!

Josh & Nicole, thank you for adventuring with me this night! I loved getting to know your hearts and hearing about your love story and the love story that awaits you, perhaps on a different continent.  Cannot wait for your Villa Parker wedding where we WILL get that epic fireplace shot. ;-)

SO much love and joy to you both,
René