A sunrise adventure with Kamila & Brian

There are couples who become recurring characters in your story as a photographer, and Kamila and Brian are exactly that. The first time I photographed them was earlier this year during their engagement session in Las Vegas. We spent an afternoon running around downtown, chasing neon light, wind, movement, and so much laughter. Months later, with their Puerto Rico wedding already in my calendar, we decided to add one more chapter to their story: an engagement session in Colorado, the place they now call home.

When I announced my travel dates for Colorado, Kamila was the first person to write back with an excited “I’m in!” From there, the only question left was where this session should live.

How We Ended Up at Lost Gulch Overlook

Our location search started with a few possibilities: Rocky Mountain National Park, their cozy new home, or maybe a local trail with mountain views. We wanted something that reflected their everyday Colorado life, their love for the great outdoors, and the kind of scenery we surely don’t get in Puerto Rico.

While planning my trip, I had already secured an Open Space and Mountain Parks photography permit, which includes places like Chautauqua Park, Red Rocks Trail, and Lost Gulch Overlook. I sent Kamila the options in case one of them resonated.

That’s when the magic happened.

As she researched online, searching things like lost gulch overlook photos, lost gulch overlook boulder, and lookout boulder, she realized that Lost Gulch sits on Flagstaff Road.

Their very first date took place in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Suddenly, the location search wasn’t just about beautiful views. It tied back to the beginning of their story, forming this perfect full-circle moment. They booked a hotel in Boulder for the night before our session, and everything aligned effortlessly.

Choosing Sunrise at Lost Gulch Overlook

One of the big early decisions was whether we should shoot at sunrise or sunset.

Sunrise won for logistical and scenic reasons. So, we met in the parking lot just before 7:30am with the cold, crisp air sitting on our cheeks and their two sweet dogs ready to join the adventure.

The short walk to the overlook opened up into those iconic views: rolling mountains for miles, pine trees catching the morning light, and the sky shifting from blue to peach to gold with every passing minute.

This is why Lost Gulch Overlook engagement photos are loved by so many—it’s a dramatic, cinematic, accessible mountain viewpoint without a strenuous hike. But at sunrise, it feels like it belongs only to you.

What We Wore: Hiking Boots, Dressy Looks, and Christmas Pajamas

If there’s one thing I love about Kamila and Brian, it’s that they always show up with intention and personality.

In the days leading up to the session, our email thread was full of ideas:
Do we go dressy? Casual? Hiking attire?
Should we add a Christmas moment with the dogs?
Would it be chaotic or magical?

(For the record, it was magical.)

We started with outdoorsy, comfortable outfits, perfect for climbing around the rocks at the overlook. Then we shifted into something a little dressier for those soft, romantic poses as the sun stretched higher over the mountains of Boulder.

And yes, we absolutely ended the session in Christmas sweaters and pajamas in the parking area, with the trunk of their SUV turned into a cozy holiday nook.

Including Their Dogs in the Session

From the very first emails, the dogs were part of the vision. Not as props, but as family.

We alternated between couple-only moments overlooking the mountains, and sweet scenes with their pups exploring the rocks or sitting proudly between them. They did amazing. Whenever we needed quiet time for just the couple, the dogs waited comfortably in the car before jumping back in for their next cameo.

A Little Piece of Puerto Rico in the Mountains of Colorado

While we photographed among the cliffs, pines, and cool mountain air, we kept talking about what’s coming next.

The next time we see each other will be in Puerto Rico, on a warm Caribbean day full of wedding feels. I kept imagining them trading the cold air of Boulder for ocean breeze, and how beautifully their story will transition from mountain overlook to tropical celebration.

This was our second engagement session together, the first in the Nevada desert, this one in the Colorado mountains. Their wedding will complete the trilogy.

For me, that’s the magic of working with couples like Kamila and Brian. Each session becomes part of a larger story told across different landscapes, seasons, and moments: deserts, mountains, dogs, holiday sweaters, and finally, a wedding back home. Can't wait!

xo,

Cami