Sofia + Dan's Sunrise Engagement at Horsetooth Reservoir
Two artists, a frozen February morning, and a wedding that was about to be celebrated on a different continent.
FORT COLLINS, CO · FEBRUARY 2026 · SUNRISE
Sofia is a muralist. Dan makes ambient music with an electronic flair. They met me at Horsetooth Reservoir before the sun came up on chilly a Tuesday in February. They were about a month out from eloping and flying to Prague to begin a few weeks of travels through Europe..
I'll admit something. There's a particular flavor of client that makes me feel like the least interesting person in the room, and Sofia and Dan are that flavor. A painter and musician, two artistic souls with big plans, excellent taste in jewelry, and a whole lot of love for each other. This was the kind of session where my job mostly came down to keeping them in frame and not getting in the way.
Before the sun
We all met in the parking lot in the dark. We were the only ones there. While chilly, we didn’t have to bundle up because of the unseasonably warm weather we were getting.
We started by climbing a small hill on the east side of the reservoir. Nothing dramatic, no real trail, just enough elevation to look back over Fort Collins as the sun rose over the horizon. We sat in the calm while the city lights twinkled as we waited for the sun to make it’s appearance.
Down to the water
As the sun rose, we hiked back down to the reservoir itself. Water isn't really a Front Range thing, most of our pretty stuff out here involves rocks and pines, Horsetooth Reservoir is the exception.
We made our way through the trees and down to the shore as we moved from blue-hour into proper early morning light. Sofia and Dan sat by the shore and took it all in, snuggling in the chilly air as the mountain started to light up pink
The ring
Sofia's ring is custom. Made by Relic Fine Jewelry, with an ethically sourced stone that has a real story I don't know all the details of. What I do know is that they cared about where the stone came from, they cared about who made the ring, and they cared enough to skip the chain jewelry store and go find a small studio that does this kind of work properly.
That ethic shows up in everything they do. The way they planned an elopement that didn't involve any of the wedding industrial complex. They weren't trying to perform their relationship. They were trying to live in it.
Engagement sessions aren't supposed to be stressful
If you're reading this and you have an engagement session coming up, here's what I want you to know: It doesn't have to feel like a performance, you don't have to dress up, you don't have to know how to pose, you don't have to bring a backup outfit, a backup location, or a list of must-have shots. You can just show up, with the person you're about to marry, somewhere that feels like you, and let me handle the rest.
The best engagement photos are the ones that look like your real relationship, not someone elses’ Pinterest.
Planning your own engagement session?
Sunrise sessions in Northern Colorado are some of my favorites. If you want to talk through ideas, locations, or just a vibe, get in touch.