Keeping it in the Family

Jason and Kelly are one of the most sincere, friendly, and goofy couples, and I’m so excited that the time has finally come to capture their love story! This was one of my favorite fall engagement photos sessions to date! Kelly is the 3rd Knez sister to be a KLP Bride, and Kelly and Jason are the 5th wedding that came from a direct referral from Adam + Katie’s 2015 wedding! 

I distinctly remember seeing Jason and Kelly dance together all night  at her sister Megan + Joe’s wedding and I thought, “Kelly has found her person! She just lights up around him!” When they reached out they said,

“I have gotten to know you and your incredible talent over the course of my sisters’ weddings, and now it’s time for me to plan my own! Jason and I recently got engaged, and you were the only one on our list to contact for potentially being our wedding photographer.”

Cue the tears! I feel so honored when I get to be a part of many weddings in a family or friend circle because with each wedding and time together our friendship grows deeper and they welcome me and treat me like one of the gang! Plus, it’s so fun to see my past couples and celebrate with them! 

Fall Engagement Photos: Colorado Aspens

When Kelly and Jason and I planned their fall engagement photos, it worked out perfectly because I had recently moved back to Colorado and they knew they wanted to do their session in the mountains. They hoped for beautiful fall colors at their session! I got to show them around Vail Village, take them to lunch, and talk about the wedding before we headed out on an adventure! And man – be sure to scroll ’til the end, because we saw the golden Aspen groves – famous here in Colorado!! I’m so excited to celebrate with Jason and Kelly next year! Check out my favorites from their fall engagement photos!

When did you meet?

A: Kel and I met at Regis University. She was a freshman, and I was a junior, and we were both work studies in University Ministry. I was a Peer Minister in one of the student dorms.

How did you meet?

A: I do not remember exactly, but I am sure that it was in the University Ministry office. I am sure it was embarrassing and awkward.

What do you both do for a living?

A: I am a high school English teacher, and Kelly is a nurse.

What was your first impression of your fiancé?

A: I was blown away by her beauty! I remember thinking about how cool she is and how she got along with everyone. I wanted to be her friend, but I was too scared to make a move.

When did you know that she was the “one”?

A: I had known Kel for a year at this point. I was in my apartment at Regis washing dishes when I looked up and saw Kelly carrying in groceries. I dropped the dishes and told my best friend, “That woman is going to be my wife,” and I walked out the door and helped her carry in her groceries. A few months after, we were dating.

What is your favorite memory when you first started dating?

A: Seeing Pope Francis for “The Festival of Families” was my favorite memory. We were both on the trip, and we spent a lot of time together. But at the end of the trip, I knew that I liked her and I wanted to make a move. So, I started to ask the other people on the trip sitting next to Kel and asking if I could trade places with them. I had asked our friend Pam, and she agreed to switch. So, I sat next to Kel on the flight home. But I had a plan. I planned to hold to her hand. I knew that it would end in one of three ways:

1) she would pull her hand away quickly, and we both would be awkward the whole flight back

2) She would be polite and let me know that she was not interested. Hopefully we would laugh about it?

3) she would hold my hand back.

Welp, she held my hand the whole flight back to Denver!

How did he/she propose? What was his/her reaction?

A: Kel and I had been dating for almost 5 years before we got engaged. I had the ring for 3 years, hiding in my lockbox. I was convinced from the beginning that she was going to be my life partner. Kel needed more convincing. Time was on my side. We talked more seriously about engagement, and I had always wanted to take her to this particular sunflower field in east Denver for years. But we kept missing the peak bloom. I saw a friend of mine take photos of her son there for back to school pictures, so I asked her where it was.

The following weekend, I had to take her. I invited her over dinner, and it is not out of the ordinary for Kel and me to surprise each other with planned dates. So, we got in the car and started heading East. She was guessing where we were going the whole way; first, she thought we were going to TopGolf, then the airport, but she had no idea. So, to ensure she had no idea where we were going, I had put the directions on my phone and connected my Airpods, so I could get step by step directions to where we were going. We pull up the intersection in the middle of nowhere, and it tells me we have arrived. I am looking around, and I can’t find it. So, I continued to drive up the hill, and at the top, it was acres upon acres of sunflowers.

The Final Moment

We pulled over and hopped out of the car, but Kel then realized that she left her phone at my place. The sun was setting, and the flowers were beautiful. We walked over the fence and into the field. We watched the sunset, but as we walked around, I took photos of Kel; she told me, “Hey! I want to take pictures of you; go kneel next to that small sunflower.” I could not believe that she was making this so easy for me. I knelt and pulled out the ring. I said, “There are two things that remind me of you, sunflowers and sunsets…” (there was more that I had said, but I blacked out, and I don’t remember). She proceeded to say, “No, stop it. No, you’re lying.” But she couldn’t believe what had happened. But she quickly changed her answer to ‘YES’!

Tell me three things about your fiancé

A: Kelly is the most selfless person I know. She believes in people. She will always take the opportunity to make a joke; often, it is about me.

Tell me 5 places you have been together

A: Endless hikes in the Rocky Mountains, Union Lodge No. 1 is where we had our first-anniversary drink. Saint Ellies Speakeasy was one of our favorite nights. Philadelphia is where our relationship started. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was our first Spring Break together without our friends.

When you can do anything you want to do, like a typical Friday night, what would you do?

A: I would grab tacos and margaritas at Mas Kaos, then set up my hammock outside and read.

What do you think is unique about you as a couple?

A: Kel and I have a passion for helping other people. We both find joy in our jobs and joy in each other’s company. Kel is my best friend; she knows everything about me. Even though I am a planner and she is a procrastinator, we somehow get it done.

I hope you enjoyed this lovely fall engagement session in the Colorado Aspens! If you are interested in connecting, reach out to me here!