chelsea + charles
moab canyoneering engagement session
basically, i want to hang out with chelsea and charles all the time. they’re travel nurses who are madly in love with their dog, they’re currently building out a van that they plan to move into full-time the week of their wedding this fall, they love the desert, and they love to canyoneer!
if you’re not familiar with canyoneering, it’s basically technical hiking through a canyon. i.e. you need ropes (and rope skills) and some climbing skills definitely don’t hurt. canyoneering may look beautiful and like everyone can do it, but it’s not for the faint of heart. canyons range in difficulty, from an easy jaunt with some scrambling to slots that are so tight you have to walk (or climb) sideways because you’re incapable of turning your head, swimming in ice cold pools, and 200+ foot rappels.
i’ve spent a lot of years climbing and canyoneering around moab, so when chelsea messaged me and said she had a unique idea for their engagement photos i was beyond stoked. they hadn’t really planned on taking engagement photos, the traditional idea of them just wasn’t their thing, but they figured why not do something they love and have a photographer tag along? lucky for me, i got to be that photographer.
we suited up, chelsea in a free people dress that was basically made for canyoneering, packed our bags, and got walking. it’s hard to describe the beauty of walking into a canyon, deep in the earth, out in this desert, so i’ll let you check it out with the photos below.
when we finished up and were hiking out, the timing could not have been any more perfect. we got back to the car, cracked some cold beers (and chilled wine – thank you!), and watched one of the most gorgeous sunsets i’ve ever seen unfold before our eyes. the best kind of day. 🙂
chelsea and charles, you two are incredible. i can’t wait to adventure with you both again soon!
p.s. hopefully these two inspire you to think outside the box for your engagement photos. what do you two love to do together? what are some of your favorite memories together? let’s plan something unique to you two, your relationship, and your love of a place.
