Cory + Cassidy | A Ridgway State Park Engagement (and a Surprise Marriage Certificate!)

Some couples show up for engagement photos.
Some couples show up ready for an adventure.

Cory and Cassidy somehow managed to do both — and then threw in a surprise I definitely wasn’t expecting.

Cassidy reached out to me while they were planning a short trip to Ridgway. They wanted to take advantage of the San Juan Mountain scenery and squeeze in an engagement session while they were in town.

Ridgway State Park is one of my favorite places to photograph sessions, so it was an easy choice.

But before we even got started with photos… they casually dropped a little surprise.

They had brought their marriage certificate with them and decided it would be the perfect place to sign it.

Right there. In the mountains.

Honestly, I loved it.

The San Juans were putting on a beautiful show, the light was soft, and the whole moment felt relaxed and joyful. It was the perfect setting for something meaningful like that.

As we started wandering around the park for photos, they began telling me the story of how they met — and I have to share the funniest part.

Apparently, at the end of their first date, Cory leaned in and booped Cassidy on the nose.

Yes. A nose boop.

Cassidy immediately went home and told her friends it gave her the “ick” and that she was definitely not interested.

And yet… here we are.

Fast forward to signing their marriage certificate in the mountains, and of course Cory leaned over and booped her nose again.

This time it got the biggest laugh and smile out of both of them.

Which honestly feels like the perfect full-circle moment. If you can’t laugh about something like that after all this time, when can you?

We spent the rest of the evening exploring Ridgway State Park, stopping at a few of my favorite hidden corners along the way. I’ve photographed so many sessions, engagements, and weddings here over the years that I know it like the back of my hand.

The timing of the light.
The best little pockets of scenery.
Where the mountains glow just right at sunset.

And somehow, even after all this time, every session still ends up looking a little different.

That’s the magic of this place.

Between the lake, the San Juan Mountains, and the changing light, Ridgway State Park never really gives you the exact same backdrop twice.

Cory and Cassidy were also completely up for having fun with the session, which always makes things even better. At one point they suggested doing a few intentionally awkward photos… so naturally we made that happen.

Just wait until you see those.

Sessions like this are exactly why I love what I do. When couples show up ready to laugh, be themselves, and enjoy the moment together, the photos always end up feeling effortless.

Cory and Cassidy were an absolute blast to work with, and I’m so grateful they trusted me to capture such a fun and meaningful day.

Check out some more of my favorites from this engagement session.

Looking for some more sweet engagement sessions?

•Andrew + Renee’s Engagement in Palisade Co