Off-Road Hiking Among Honey Aspen Hues

A Colorado Adventure Engagement in the Rocky Mountains

Adventure Engagement + Intimate Couple Session
Justyna E Butler Photography | Featured on Wanderings Weddings
Colorado Intimate Wedding + Elopement Photographer

There are couples who love the idea of adventure.

And then there are couples who actually live it.

Lauren + Sam are the second kind.

For them, adventure isn’t necessarily about doing something extreme. It’s about saying yes to the unknown. Turning down an unfamiliar trail. Taking the back road just to see where it leads. Discovering a new brewery. Chasing live music at Red Rocks. Camping beneath the stars. Finding a mountain lake after hours of hiking.

It’s about experiencing the world from a different perspective—and experiencing it together.

So when we headed into the Rocky Mountains for their Colorado adventure engagement session, wandering through glowing Aspen groves and hiking off the beaten path felt like the most natural way to celebrate these two.

What Does Adventure Look Like for Lauren + Sam?

“Adventure for us is going out of your comfort zone to experience new things regardless of the path. It is about seeing the world from a different perspective.”

That might mean trying an insanely hot new hot sauce.

Or traveling to another country.

Or, apparently, having an airline lose your luggage and being forced to completely immerse yourself in a new culture.

Their definition of adventure isn’t about checking experiences off a list.

It’s about being willing to embrace whatever happens next.

And I absolutely love that.

Getting Away From It All

When Lauren and Sam need to disconnect from the noise of everyday life, they head for the mountains.

A drive through Colorado.

A hike through the forest.

A weekend camping beneath the stars.

A sunset somewhere far away from the daily grind.

There is something about standing on top of a mountain pass or wandering beneath a canopy of Aspen trees that makes everything else feel a little less important.

Sometimes all you need is fresh mountain air, your favorite person, and nowhere else you need to be.

Honey-Colored Aspen Groves

One of their favorite ways to experience Colorado is through its forests.

And there is nothing quite like an Aspen grove when the autumn light hits just right.

The leaves turn honey gold.

The forest begins to glow.

Warm sunlight filters between the trunks.

And suddenly you’re standing inside a painting.

For Lauren, walking through an Aspen grove when the light is just right is one of those moments when she feels completely alive.

I couldn’t agree more.

There is a particular kind of Colorado magic that happens when golden-hour light meets yellow Aspen leaves—and it was the perfect backdrop for their Rocky Mountain adventure engagement session.

But Would They Actually Wake Up at 3 AM?

I absolutely had to ask.

Because if you are going to adventure with me, there is a very real possibility that I will suggest leaving while it’s still dark.

For Lauren?

Absolutely.

She loves the idea of hitting the trail at 3 AM, watching the stars disappear, and experiencing the mountains before the rest of the world wakes up.

Sam?

Let’s just say he requires coffee.

Lots of coffee.

Apparently, he still thinks almost anything is better than getting out of bed at 3 AM.

Honestly, I think that’s a pretty perfect adventure-partner dynamic.

Their Favorite Way to Cozy Up After a Hike

After a long day outside, Lauren and Sam aren’t looking for anything complicated.

Blankets.

Cuddles.

A fire.

Maybe a hammock.

Maybe a hot tub.

Definitely something delicious to drink.

Their dream Colorado evening ends with tired legs, warm clothes, and the person they love tucked beside them.

And that’s really what adventure is all about.

Not just the mountain.

Not just the trail.

The person waiting at the end of it.

From Crystal Hunting to a Life in Colorado

One of their earliest adventures together was also one of their most memorable.

Sam took Lauren on a hike to a spot where he taught her how to dig for crystals.

It was one of their first outings together.

And perhaps that’s why it remains so special.

There was something wonderfully simple about discovering a new place together while still discovering each other.

Years later, their adventures have taken them much farther.

They made the move to Colorado and began building a new life near the mountains.

And then came their greatest adventure yet:

Their baby boy, Barrett.

The Little Moments That Make Life Feel Huge

Right now, Barrett is the sparkle in their lives.

His little smile lights up their days.

And watching him experience the world for the first time has given them an entirely new perspective on wonder.

A leaf.

The clouds.

Something completely ordinary becoming extraordinary because you’re seeing it through the eyes of your child.

For Lauren and Sam, some of life’s fullest moments aren’t necessarily the biggest ones.

They’re standing in a crowd at Red Rocks, surrounded by music and people, feeling an overwhelming sense of love.

They’re finally reaching a beautiful alpine lake after hours on the trail.

They’re walking through an Aspen grove glowing golden in the afternoon light.

They’re watching their son discover something for the very first time.

Those are the moments that make them feel like they’re truly living life to its fullest.

Serendipity + Wanderlust

If you asked Lauren and Sam to choose their favorite words, two immediately rise to the top.

Serendipity: the chance occurrence of events in a beneficial way.

Wanderlust: a strong desire to travel.

Honestly, those two words feel like they could have been written specifically for this couple.

Because their life together seems to be a combination of both.

A little bit of chance.

A whole lot of curiosity.

And a willingness to see where the road takes them.

Joyfully Missing Out

There is also something beautiful about choosing what not to do.

During the pandemic, Lauren and Sam found themselves joyfully missing out on public gatherings and choosing instead to savor the little moments at home.

Slow mornings.

Growing into parenthood.

Time together.

And those quiet moments that can easily disappear when life becomes too busy.

They discovered that missing out isn’t always missing something.

Sometimes it means making room for what matters most.

Their Perfect Colorado Morning

Give these two a mountain view, a balcony, a slow morning, a fancy brunch, and a ridiculously good cup of coffee or tea.

Add mimosas.

Definitely add mimosas.

Their ideal evening looks a little different.

After a day of exploring, they’d happily settle into a hot tub with a glass of wine or a craft beer from a local Colorado brewery.

And if it happens to rain?

Even better.

Since Colorado doesn’t get nearly as much rain as they were used to, a thunderstorm feels like an event.

The perfect rainy-day plan:

A cozy couch.

Blankets.

Sweaters.

Hot tea.

Lots of snacks.

And nowhere else to be.

If They Could Adventure Anywhere in the World…

New Zealand.

Of course.

Because when you’re already willing to hike unfamiliar trails, explore back roads, move across the country, and embrace whatever adventure finds you next, the world suddenly feels very big.

And very inviting.

---

Lauren + Sam

They moved to Colorado because they wanted a life closer to the mountains.

They found adventure.

They found a community.

They found a new perspective.

They became parents.

And somewhere along the way, they created a life that feels completely their own.

That’s what I love about adventure sessions.

They don’t have to be about posing for photographs.

They can be about remembering who you are together.

The places you love.

The things that make you laugh.

The way you hold each other after a long hike.

The golden light through the Aspen trees.

The little moments that nobody else would think to photograph.

Because years from now, I want you to look at these images and remember more than what you wore or where you stood.

I want you to remember how it felt to be wildly, completely, unapologetically yourselves.

<3 Lauren + Sam