Janelle and Todd

I met Janelle years ago working at a restaurant that shall not be given any credit in Westminster.  Janelle is one of the most inspiring souls I have ever met.  She came out here from Ohio and she encompasses everything that a Colorado girl should be.  You will find her up camping, snowboarding, four wheeling, hiking in the mountains on any given weekend. On top of that, she will be documenting it all with her camera.  She takes the most gorgeous landscape photos that I have ever seen.  Many people don't know this, but Janelle's photos and lifestyle totally inspired me to get back on track and pick my camera back up after setting it down in college and taking a 15-year break.

I met Todd for the first time on the photo shoot, although I had followed their love story on social media, so I felt like I knew him.  Todd is also from Ohio, funny they had to come to Colorado to meet.  If Janelle is the ultimate Colorado girl, Todd is the ultimate Colorado guy.  On our way up he asked me where I was from and I replied, "Here."  He asked if I ever came up to the mountain as most natives don't, and Janelle responded for me, "Oh yes!!  She gets up here!"  (Colorado natives, this is a valid point, so many of us don't enjoy the beauty of the mountains.  Get up there!)  

They met me up in Idaho Spring, close to the St. Mary's Glacier trail head because my sad little Passat wasn't going to make it up the road we were going. In true Colorado guy fashion, we stopped along the trail so Todd could chop some wood for the night (they would continue camping after the shoot, I was going to sleep in my own comfy bed).

Once we got there I am not going to lie, the sun was setting, the winds were howling with serious force, the temp was probably a balmy 38 degrees (August has been a difficult month for weather and pictures!)  and I was just a little scared that this wasn't going to work out.  But we went on with it and in between hurricane strength wind gusts, we got some shots in.  I think what I can take from this is when you are truly in love, and you are taking in that you are doing engagement session in ridiculously awful weather, you laugh and have fun and carry on.  With all that was working against us, their love poured through and made these photos beautiful.

Janelle and Todd, I've never seen two people so meant for each other.  I'm so incredibly happy for you guys, and for your adventures, and the photos that come.