Loveland Pass Engagement Session | Isabel and Danny
I’ve always wanted to photograph an engagement session at Loveland Pass, and when Isabel and Danny said they were up for the drive, I was all in. Sitting at an elevation of 11,990 feet, this iconic mountain pass offers sweeping alpine views, and even a sign at the summit to prove just how high up you are. As we pulled up, a quick sprinkle of rain tried to join us, but in true Colorado fashion, it passed within minutes, revealing soft golden light.
Love at 11,990 Feet: A Colorado Mountain Engagement
Hiking and exploring has always been a big part of Isabel and Danny’s relationship, so incorporating that into their session felt like second nature. We wandered from forest paths to a hidden lake to a sunset-lit field — each stop feeling like a new chapter in their story. When we unexpectedly stumbled on a lake tucked into the mountainside, it felt like fate. Lakes have been woven into so many milestones in their relationship, and finding one here was just another perfect thread.
From Accounting Class to Sloan’s Lake
Their love story technically began in a not-so-romantic place, an accounting class at CSU. In fact, they shared four of them, joking that they “booked a receivable for the ‘cute’ part.” But sparks didn’t fully fly until years later, in the summer of 2018, when both moved near Sloan’s Lake in Denver.
One day, Isabel posted a photo of her dog Ralph and the lake on Instagram. That’s when Danny decided to slide into her DMs. Their first official date was October 2, 2018, a spontaneous Thursday meetup that turned into an evening of talking, laughing, and riding bikes around the lake until sunset. From that day forward, they were inseparable.
The Proposal: A Sloan’s Lake Stroll with a Twist
By 2020, they were in the middle of buying their first home together. Isabel figured the proposal would happen “someday,” but probably not while they were already making such a big investment. What she didn’t know was that Danny had been planning something special for weeks.
The day before their closing date, they planned one last celebratory walk at Sloan’s Lake — but Danny had a surprise in motion. That morning, Isabel woke up with the song I Can Hear the Bells from Hairspray stuck in her head (call it intuition). Meanwhile, Danny and his sisters were setting up a gazebo at Mt. Falcon with candles, pictures, and a moved picnic table.
When Danny picked her up, he pretended to be on the phone with his sister, saying their dog had gone missing on a hike. Isabel agreed to help search. As they walked toward the gazebo, she saw the setup, and the tears started for both of them. She remembers Danny saying, “Life is better shared with someone,” and while she admits she “blacked out” for the rest of the speech, she clearly said yes. Hikers nearby cheered, they took a few photos, and then headed to a brewery in Morrison where friends and family were waiting to celebrate.
Counting Down to Their Creekside Celebration
It’s hard to imagine topping this Loveland Pass evening, but I have no doubt their upcoming wedding at Creekside Event Center in Colorado Springs will be every bit as incredible. Isabel and Danny are the kind of couple who make you believe in serendipity, good timing, and the magic of saying “yes” to adventure, whether that’s a first date on bikes, a walk around a lake, or chasing the last light at nearly 12,000 feet.
This was definitely one of my favorite engagement sessions in Colorado! But if you want to see more, check out some of the things below. Planning an adventurous mountain engagement session in Colorado? I’d love to help you find the perfect alpine backdrop, let’s make it happen.
xx,
Jennifer Lourie
