Ski lift chairs ascending snowy mountain slope with frost-covered pine trees and mountain range backdrop.

Mahalia & Bryce

 

Engagement

 

 

Bryce taught Mahalia to ski on this mountain.


They took me on those same runs. That context changes everything.

 

Close-up of a leather ski mitten gripping a ski pole against a snowy white background during a winter ski day.
A happy couple poses together at The Legendary Back Bowls ski resort sign on a bright sunny winter day.
Black and white photo of a couple sharing a kiss under The Legendary Back Bowls sign at a snowy ski resort.
A joyful couple laughs upside down together in the snow, one showing off an engagement ring on a sunny winter day.
Two skiers descend a wide snow-covered mountain slope lined with evergreen trees under a clear blue sky.
Couple holding hands while skiing down a snowy mountain slope on a clear sunny day.
Romantic couple sharing a kiss on a snowy mountain with skis and peaks in background.
Playful couple laughing in black and white photo with woman hugging man from behind in snow.
Smiling young man in fair isle sweater gets a piggyback hug from woman in snowy winter setting.
Smiling couple sitting together in snow with crossed skis and mountain backdrop on sunny day.
Stylish woman in black ski outfit and fur hat adjusting sunglasses on snowy mountain slope.
Woman in black puffer jacket and fur hat smiling while adjusting sunglasses on snowy mountain.
Man in Nordic sweater and sunglasses walking through deep snow beside skis on sunny mountain.
Couple posing with skis on snowy mountain wearing sunglasses and winter outfits on clear day.
Motion blur artistic photo of couple doing piggyback ride on snowy mountain slope.
Blurry black and white abstract photo of a dark animal moving through snow.
Person shielding face with hands as snow explodes around them in black and white.
Smiling skier in winter hat holding Atomic skis on a sunny snowy mountain slope.
Woman in fur hat and sunglasses skiing through snow-covered pine forest on sunny day.
Two skiers descending a snowy slope lined with snow-covered pine trees in black and white.
Two skiers racing downhill on groomed slope with ski lift and blue sky above.
Snow-covered pine forest blanketing a mountain hillside on a clear winter day.
Two people riding a ski chairlift above a vast snow-covered mountain forest landscape.
Two skiers on chairlift number 52 posing against a clear blue sky.
Black and white photo of smiling skier crouching on slope with mountain runs behind.
Couple in winter ski gear posing on snowy mountain slope with scenic alpine peaks in background.
Bottle of Prosecco chilling in fresh snow beside a crystal coupe glass outdoors.
Prosecco being poured into coupe glass balanced on ski boot with snowy mountains behind.
Elegant champagne coupe filled with Prosecco resting on snow-covered ski boot outdoors.
Stylish couple in winter outfits walking hand in hand through a snowy mountain village.
Black and white photo of couple holding hands walking through a charming winter ski town.
Smiling woman in cowboy hat and black coat posing in a festive snowy mountain village.
Black and white photo of couple embracing and kissing in a lively winter town square.
Young man in Nordic patterned sweater smiling in a charming winter mountain village setting.
Couple standing together in snowy forest by a creek with golden sunlight filtering through trees.
Couple embracing in a snowy winter forest with sunlight streaming through pine trees near a creek.
Black and white photo of a young couple laughing on a bench, man in a Nordic sweater and khakis.
Smiling couple posing on a bench with a snowy ski mountain backdrop in a winter resort town.

Vail, Colorado

Mahalia and Bryce spend two weeks together, two weeks apart; a rhythm that makes the time they do share feel deliberate and earned. Bryce grew up skiing Vail, and when he brought Mahalia here for the first time, these were the runs, this was the mountain. Coming back to it for an engagement session meant the location carried weight before we ever arrived. Shooting on a ski resort is technically demanding; the terrain doesn't cooperate, the light is positional and unforgiving. Vail is situated in the mountains in a way that turns late afternoon into something flattering and cinematic. We walked Vail Village as golden hour came on. The light off the buildings and the water near the covered bridge was exactly what I hoped it would be. A genuinely special afternoon with two people who clearly choose each other with intention.


"a rhythm that makes the time they do share feel deliberate and earned."