M was nervous about the shoot, like lots of men we work with. But when we all showed up for A + M’s engagement session in Mammoth, CA he came with all his love for A and all his confidence. Read: He showed up and showed all the way out. Our plan was simple. We’d hit a couple of lakes and explore. It’s the middle of winter so little did we know, one of these lakes was frozen completely over.
I’m not the cold weather type. However, in all my years of living in California, I had never been to Mammoth. So when I got the request from A + M to shoot their engagement there, I had to go, regardless of the weather.
As usual, Fabian and I scouted the requested locations the day before their scheduled shoot. When we returned to Mammoth the next day to shoot we were so excited to get together with our friends and have an adventure.
First Stop
Our first stop is Convict Lake where M tries to drive through the ice to the water. The task proves to be a bit harder than we thought so A hops out of the car to push (Not really, but it made for great photos). The two walk down to the water to skip rocks and take in the sunlight on a cold day. Eventually, A decides she wants to climb a tree. With M’s encouragement and guidance, she gets up the tree unscathed. Getting down is a whole other story.
Second Stop
Our next stop was Twin Lakes. The day before we discovered that it was completely frozen over. After seeing people walk across we cautiously made our way across listening to every crack under our feet. The lakes are easily accessible and so many people are doing it that we feel safe enough to have A + M walk across it. It wouldn’t be a Light Preserves engagement session without a little adventure.
A + M have a little wardrobe change before the sun hits the horizon. They continue to play on the frozen lake, dancing, jumping, high fiving in the air. M’s so happy to be next to his future bride he clicks his heels and strolls around with A on the frozen lake like it’s not cold as hell. The nerves displayed early on in our shoot no longer exist and the two are left to enjoy each other play.
Bonus Stop
The next day, A + M invite us to enjoy a hot springs with them. I love a bonus day with a couple! We share a hot spring with them and I get to fly the drone for a second time. It’s such a cool experience to be in the middle of nowhere in a hot spring. You’re surrounded by snowy mountains and comforted by the healing waters of the natural hot spring. The views are crazy and the company is dope. What else could I ask for?
It’s couples like A + M that always remind us how lucky we are to be doing this everyday.
Want to ring in your engagement with an adventure engagement session? Reach out to start planning your session.
