littlecottonwoodcanyon | Elisha Braithwaite Photography

Karen and Ed’s Engagement in Albion Basinengagements

The evening I joined Karen and Ed for engagements around Alta was simply breathtaking. We barely caught the end of wildflower season so crowds were mostly gone and the mountainside was ours. Being able to roam the landscape more freely made the whole experience feel even more special for these two than it already was. They were together alone without distractions and it couldn’t have been a better night.

We began near a stream where we found a patch of surviving wildflowers and lush greens which seemed to thrive in the shadows. Karen and Ed’s version of casual was a neutral colored button up shirt and floral dress which caught the light and wind in all the right ways which I loved. After a few calm moments here we journeyed up the mountainside where they changed in to their formal outfit for big open views of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Wind blew smoke from neighboring fires into the canyon which gave us the neatest haze till the sun set over the mountains. We photographed for a little over a couple hours yet I still wish we had more time because these two were incredibly romantic and wonderful to be around.

Karen and Ed – I can’t thank you enough for coming up here and trekking through the mountainside with me! You guys are such a kind and beautiful couple and I couldn’t be happier for you.

Photography: Elisha Braithwaite | Location: Albion Basin, Alta Ski Resort, Utah

wedding announcement potrait in the mountains

couple relaxing in a field of wildflowers

Stunning portrait of a couple in Albion Basin

holding hands in the albion basin flowers cheek kiss in a field of flowers happy couple in the alta ski resort flowers

Couple walking around Alta Ski area Couple sitting in lush green grass and wildflowers Couple relaxing in a flower filled mountainside Bride lovingly looking at groom

Couple cozied up in a field of wildflowers

Natural portraits in Utah's mountains Gorgeous couple in the albion basin wildflowers

Romantic bride and groom in Utah's mountains

romantic bride and groom walking through albion basin engagements overlooking albion basin, alta ski resort romantic engagements overlooking alta ski resort

wide portrait of a bride and groom overlooking alta ski resort

albion basin engagements overlooking the canyon

bride and groom cuddled up close in albion basin formal engagement session in albion basin utah bride and groom playing with each others hands holding hands overlooking albion basin

bride and groom hugging overlooking alta ski resort

loving first kiss in albion basin bride and grooms close embrace in albion basin bride showing off her dress in the mountains

groom spinning his bride in the mountains

passionate embrace between bride and groom in albion basin

walking away through a field of wildflowers

bride and groom walking through little cottonwood canyon

bride and groom looking over their shoulders at the landscape around them

bride and grooms sweet hug in albion basin

bride and groom spinning around in albion basin

candid engagement photography in albion basin

walking hand in hand through wildflower field bride walking in heels through mountains bride leading groom through field of wildflowers engagements in albion basin in alta utah smokey sunset view of little cottonwood canyon

Jenny and Dave’s couple portraits in Albion Basincouple

I first met Jenny years ago when she kindly modeled for a bridal inspiration shoot I put together. She was wonderful to photograph then so you can imagine how happy I was for the chance to connect with her and her husband Dave years later. They’ve been married a few years now and were looking for a natural documentation of themselves. Nothing too over the top or dramatic. Just simple portraiture of them in the present. They brought a very natural and calm vibe to the evening and I completely forgot this was their first time being professionally photographed together. These portraits have easily become some of my favorite this year.

Whether you’re engaged, growing your family, have a major life event or not, it’s always a great time for portraits with the one you love.

Photography: Elisha Braithwaite | Location: Albion Basin, Alta Resort, Utah

elisha braithwaite - couple standing in wildflowers

elisha braithwaite - couple sitting in high wildflowers

elisha braithwaite - happy couple in wildflowers

elisha braithwaite - cozied up in wildflower mountainside

elisha braithwaite - creative couple at alta ski resort

elisha braithwaite - couples portraits in alta

elisha braithwaite - serious couple at alta ski resort

elisha braithwaite - candid black and white portrait photography

elisha braithwaite - couple at albion basin

couple walking through albion basin mountainside

Elisha Braithwaite - Couple sitting on rocky mountainside

elisha braithwaite - couple at alta ski resort

elisha braithwaite - couple in rocky albion basin

couple standing in waist high wildflowers

closeup portrait of couple at alta resort

elisha braithwaite - modern couple in albion basin

couple standing on hillside in albion basin

creative fine art photography in salt lake city

elisha braithwaite - creative mountain engagements

elisha braithwaite photography - natural mountain engagements

elisha braithwaite photography - creative mountain engagements

Nicole’s Bridals in the Albion Basin, Utah Wildflowersbridals

The evening we photographed Nicole’s bridals in the Albion Basin wildflowers was incredible. Not only is she stunning, especially with her cathedral veil flowing around her and she’s covered for miles in flowers. But it was nice to slow things down and have some time dedicated to creating nice portraiture of her solo.

Many couples choose to have bridals or formals taken before their wedding day for multiple reasons. Since Nicole was getting married in the densely wooded Millcreek Canyon just a couple of weeks later, she wanted to take advantage of Abion Basin while the flowers were in bloom. This took some pressure off of the wedding day so we could focus on her and her now husband, Taylor, solo. But it also gave her so much variety visually in her portraits. If this is something that’s important to you, whether you have these portraits taken with your significant other or solo, I highly recommend it. It can be such a great way to become more comfortable in front of the camera and treat yourself to some gorgeous portraiture.

I’m so glad we had the chance to come up here and spend this time together. Nicole brought her mother and maid of honor, both of which were incredible to help with her gown and be her constant cheerleaders and supports. The evening was gorgeous and I’m thrilled with how the imagery came together.

xo, Elisha

Photography: Elisha Braithwaite | Location: Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon | Gown: The Bride’s Shop

albion basin bridals little cottonwood canyon

Rex and Katie’s First Look at Albion Basin, Utahfirst look

Before Katie and Rex’s wedding they really wanted to see one another for the first time in the mountains. So just a few weeks before the wedding these two dressed up and made their way up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the wildflowers in Albion Basin. We drove up the dirt road until we found a secluded area with white flowers and towering trees where these two walked into the field as saw one another. Their reaction couldn’t have been more loving and completely in the moment, which set such a nice tone for the rest of their portraits to follow.

I’ve genuinely had the greatest time being around them and feeling inspired by how endlessly happy their love is. They were more than happy to walk through knee deep flowers, climb boulders for higher views and run through the wildflowers well after the sun set over the mountains. Thank you so much for bringing all of yourselves to this session, being open to feel together and be in the moment. You both have this deeply beautiful love that I’ll never quite forget and quite honestly, never want to.

xo, Elisha

Published in Utah Valley Bride Magazine 2018

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