Written by Shayla


Oh where to start! I have known Benjamin & Shaina since high school, and we all did theater together. They are the sweetest, most caring people you could ever meet. They have been together since senior year, and moved out to Greely for college where their love story continued. People have always wondered when he would pop the question, and I couldn't have been more honored to be a part of the process. A couple months ago, Benjamin reached out to me letting me know he wanted to propose in February, and wanted to know I would be down to help. Obviously, I was stoked, and we had some calls about perfect locations and what not, and we ended up choosing Sprague Lake's beautiful mountain views for the backdrop for this special moment. We also planned the perfect surprise. On the day, Melissa and I waited out on the dock for them to arrive, and when they crossed the frozen lake, Benjamin said to Shaina, "Oh my goodness, is that Shayla Bradford??" They then came up to us and said hello and as cool as possible, we told them we had an elopement later and she totally bought it! Those theater/acting skills coming in handy! But then we said our goodbyes, and we were "casually" walking a little behind until he got down on one knee.

Dramatic mountain peaks covered in snow with evergreen trees in silhouette against foggy sky.
Two people walking together in a snowy winter landscape with trees in the background.
A scenic winter proposal moment against a mountain backdrop in the snow.
A romantic marriage proposal taking place on a snowy field with mountains in the distance.
A winter proposal scene with mountains and forest creating a dramatic backdrop.
Two people embracing in a snowy mountain landscape at sunset.
A black and white photo of a couple sharing an intimate moment in the snow.
A couple stands together on snow-covered ground with mountains and forest behind them.
An emotional winter proposal moment captured against snow-capped mountains.
A couple sharing a tender moment in a snowy mountain setting.
A black and white capture of a proposal moment in a winter landscape.
A couple shares a tender moment in black and white against a snowy mountain landscape.
Two people embrace on a snow-covered field with mountains and forest in the background.
A romantic embrace between two people in winter coats against a mountainous backdrop.
A couple stands close together on snowy ground with evergreen forest and mountains behind them.

THE RING

Another super cool thing about this proposal was the ring. It was crafted and designed by Benjamin and Shaina's very close friend, Lacey Jarrell, who is also a jeweler. After the ring was already placed on Shaina's finger, Benjamin gave her a slip of paper from Lacey with encouraging words and letting her know that she was the one who made it. Shaina immediately got emotional, and it was so incredibly special.

A candid moment of emotion while reading a note in the winter snow.
Couple sharing a heartfelt moment in a snowy mountain landscape.
Joyful woman laughing while looking at something in her hands against a snowy winter backdrop.
Two people having an emotional conversation in a winter mountain setting.
Black and white photograph of two people embracing in a snowy landscape.
Close-up of hands holding a small note card against a mountain backdrop.
Woman in black coat laughing with joy in a snowy winter setting.
Romantic couple embracing at sunset with mountains in the background.
Intimate moment between couple against a mountain landscape at sunset.

After she said yes...

She asked if our elopement couple was still coming, and we all laughed, and we let her know that we were there for them. And it was just adorable! We then went back to the cars, cause IT WAS COLD. You think it was snowing during these pictures? Nope, the wind was blowing so hard that it looked like it was! When they first got to the lake, I'm sure Shaina was like- why are we outside when it's 20 degrees and insane wind? But it was all worth it for this fantastic surprise. We then adventured to another beautiful spot in Rocky Mountain National Park where the wind wasn't whipping so bad to take few more photos. I had never been to this spot before, and Melissa had gone to take some film pictures here previously, and... WOW. These mountain views are just spectacular – side note if anyone wants to do a session here, we definitely would love to some more photos here!!

Couple sharing a moment on a mountain road with dramatic peaks in the background.
Romantic dip kiss on a mountain road with snow-capped peaks in the background.
A romantic dip pose on a snowy mountain road with majestic peaks in the background.
A couple strolls hand in hand on a snowy mountain path with dramatic mountain views.
Two people walking together along a wintry mountain road with snow-capped peaks in the distance.
A joyful moment shared between two people on a snow-lined mountain path.
A black and white candid moment captured between two people in a winter setting.
Close-up of hands holding a wooden ring box with an engagement ring inside.
A black and white photo of hands holding an open ring box with a diamond ring.
Close-up shot of hands placing a ring during a romantic moment.
Close-up detail of hands exchanging rings outdoors in winter attire.
A joyful outdoor moment shared between two people in a winter mountain setting.
A loving couple shares an intimate moment on a snowy mountain road with peaks in the background.
A tender moment between a couple laughing together in the winter mountains.
A romantic couple embracing on a snow-covered mountain road during golden hour.

CONGRATULATIONS!


Congratulations to Benjamin and Shaina, high school sweethearts, sweethearts in general who love each other so much. We couldn't have been more honored to witness and capture these authentically beautiful moments and next huge step in their love story.

Group celebrating engagement with ring display in snowy mountain setting.