Meeting up before dawn is a next level way to get to know a couple, and I am OBSESSED with these two. It may have been cold, but they were so joyful for their sunrise engagement photos at the Paint Mines. We even started before starbucks was open – an extra layer of sacrifice that united us. It couldn’t have paid off more, as the frigid wind died as soon as we were within the pink and white canyon walls, and we were the only humans in this chalky and dry alien landscape. It was exactly what Afton & Andrew were looking for: offbeat and different engagement photos without the cliches, while still showing off the Colorado landscape. They chose jewel toned textured sweaters and kept warm with handmade knit hats, and they giggled together nonstop. As the sun came up, the glow in the canyon wrapped around them like a romantic warm sunset, and as we reached the deeper parts of the canyon, the hoodoos and formations became more and more colorful. I couldn’t be happier to be photographing their Boettcher Mansion wedding next fall, especially if it’s anything like their fun and gorgeous colorado engagement photos – now I’ve just got to be ok waiting an entire year to meet up with them again!