I can’t stop you from falling in love with it too. Despite the ardor you may feel for one another, the only other thing competing for that affection is the Grand Canyon National Park. It will hit you unexpectedly and I have no idea if there is a cure. I’m certainly not one to help in that department having been in love with this park for over 15 years. See how I witnessed firsthand these two falling in love with the park together during their winter engagement photos!
A Grand Canyon Winter Visit–May Become Love at First Sight
Both Julia and Alex were super attentive and engaged with their first experience of the canyon. Not everyone is as instantly enamored with the place as these two were so this instantly set me off into tour guide mode!
As my usual energetic self during their session (aka I had three shots of espresso), I jabbered on about the geology, fire ecology and nocturnal waterfalls at the Grand Canyon. I believe that knowledge leads to appreciation and they were definitely hooked on the Grand Canyon history and lore. Alex quickly became obsessed!
I love watching the Grand Canyon work its magic on couples just like it did on me upon moving to Arizona. My first job in the canyon was selling mule tours along the South Rim. To this day, I am a Grand Canyon photographer who loves to provide Grand Canyon guided tours to the couples who are adventurous enough!
No matter when or where we go into the canyon, I always play the role of both guide and photographer so that we are well prepared for the weather and conditions. It’s your job to relax and enjoy your time together while I take you to some of the Grand Canyon’s best photo spots!
I always tell folks that they should be comfortable sitting, bending, standing and kneeling in their engagement shoot outfits. I hint that there is a little bit more adventure to be had if they wear comfortable footwear and are okay scrambling on the rocks. Visiting the Grand Canyon in winter like this couple’s January trip is an adventure in and of itself!
What to Expect for Your Grand Canyon Winter Engagement Photos
While we originally planned for a sunset session, there were howling winds on the day of their shoot so we postponed for Grand Canyon sunrise photos the following day. The winds ended up being just as hellacious as the day prior with trees blown over in the parking lot of the park. We still made it work avoiding a troll doll hair scenario as best as we could!
We spent our time wandering along the rim finding pinyon pines still full of healthy green needles ripped from the ground and lying on their sides. My confidence in having made the right choice actually still continued to increase. I was so glad that Julia and Alex were ready to rally for these wild winter engagement photos.
Despite the gusts of wind, I find the Grand Canyon in wintertime as a special time of year for how quiet it becomes. Some years, if it’s warmer, this will cause a spike in visitors outside of the usually busy winter holidays. You can expect it to remain crowded through New Year’s Day and then it tapers off into a nice quiet lull, peaking again around Valentine’s Day then sticking at a lull until President’s Day weekend.
From then onward, as we enter into spring, it gets increasingly busy and by mid-March the park is packed with those on spring break. Fortunately, we were able to find pockets of isolation at the new location we had switched to last-minute for the sunrise.
The spot had lots of secret little trails that extended into the canyon below the rim, allowing me to get amazing distance shots. This also provided them with the opportunity for some scrambling transforming their session into a spunky Grand Canyon adventure.
Winter Engagement Photos Provide A Long-Overdue First Time
Though Julia and Alex had been together for eight years already, they had never taken any professional photos as a couple. These winter engagement photos captured a milestone in their relationship in a way that was long overdue. Because these guys so easily fell into having fun with one another, I guided them more so through prompts than actual engagement shoot poses.
Having originally reached out for a Grand Canyon elopement, they switched to engagement photos instead due to the short amount of time they were in town. The session still provided a step to their wedding day since the photos could also be used for engagement announcement cards. They planned to soon get married back home!
Finding a couple that so naturally fits together in a setting that they both appreciate and enjoy made for an amazing time!
I can’t wait to hear all about your own Grand Canyon winter dreams!
Vendors
Location | Grand Canyon National Park
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
PIN THIS
