I can’t believe it when a couple’s dream for their elopement or engagement session is on my bucket list too. That’s usually how I know pretty quickly that we are the right fit! If you’re looking to turn your engagement session into a full-day experience then I’m totally in! Look no further than Amylee and Pete’s backhaul couples adventure along the Colorado River.
A Dream Come True For a Couples Adventure
For years, the contrast of red rocks and water has inspired me. I’ve dreamed of photographing a couple floating down the Colorado River on a backhaul trip. For those who don’t know, the Lees Ferry backhaul is when your boat gets shuttled upriver to just below the Glen Canyon Dam.
Kayak the Colorado offers rentals and tours or you can bring your own equipment and pay only for the backhaul itself. A boat will haul you upriver in a kayak, SUP, canoe or a packraft. From there, you float in the direction of the river, exploring side canyons and scrambling on slickrock. The stretch of river is 15 miles long and can be floated in a day if you schedule the backhaul early enough. Paddling back down to Lee’s Ferry is pure magic!
As soon as I heard about Amylee and Pete’s engagement, I immediately asked if they would be open to this backhaul vision I had been holding onto for so long. Having known Amylee for years, I’ve always been drawn to her vibrant energy. Even though we haven’t spent a ton of time together, I knew this couple’s adventure would be just the right fit.
Once I learned a single fact about their love story it made the idea feel like it was completely meant to be. Nine years ago, the couple’s very first date was supposed to be a backhaul trip but it never happened. This was our chance to finally bring that original plan to life!
How to Plan a Backhaul Kayak Couples Adventure
Capturing any engagement session from Lees Ferry along the Colorado River is always a challenge during the summertime. Our June summer engagement shoot had us experiencing 105°F weather all day. Naturally, this kind of heat can make any activity difficult but especially when attempting to look nice in your engagement outfits.
Fortunately, the water stays around 48°F year-round which makes it easy and refreshing for us to get in and out of it throughout the session. We wanted to keep jumping in because it was so hot!
From the river we went into Waterhole Canyon and explored the slot canyon which can even look similar to Antelope Canyon in certain places. We didn’t travel too far into the canyon because of the heat and the difficulty of walking through the sand. It would be fun to explore it more on a cooler trip!
Quick Tips for a Kayak the Colorado Adventure
- The water stays cool year-round which can make it difficult to stand in the water for photos during the colder seasons.
- It is required to wear a life vest at all times when traveling along the river but we did take them off for a few shots.
- A photo permit is not required.
- While Kayak the Colorado does allow dogs on the tour, Kayak Horseshoe Bend does not.
How It Takes a Team to Carry Off a Dream
This shoot was a true team effort. Nobody does anything great alone and everyone rallied to make this couple’s adventure happen! We made it through the intense heat and cold river water. Together, we paddled two fully loaded canoes for miles under towering canyon walls.
Most importantly, a special thanks to Sarah Kay for being my steady work wife through so many of the Arizona elopements and engagements. Sarah Kay allowed us to use her grandpa’s antique canoes and provided life vests and cold water for us. She packed it all and thought of every little safety detail.
I’m so grateful Amylee and Pete trusted me in ice-cold water while still sharing so much joy! Not only that, these two brought along multiple summer engagement photos outfits while being prepared to get wet. Wearing hats really felt like them and I think they could have kept them on for the entire session!
This shoot was a dream come true, a perfect moment for these two, and the highlight of my Arizona photography. I can’t wait to keep sharing more from this unforgettable day!
Vendors
Destination | Lees Ferry
Tour Guide | Kayak the Colorado
Assistant | Sarah Kay
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
PIN THIS
