One of the joys of being part of the same community for many years is watching people’s lives unfold. In the summer of 2022, Aiden and I went on a short-term mission trip to Peru with Daniel, one of the trip leaders. Aiden especially got to know him better during this time. When we returned to Peru the following summer, Daniel spoke fondly of a girl named Rachel that he had begun dating. Even though he was leaving for a year-long school program abroad, it was clear he was serious about their future together.

Over the past few years, it has been a joy to watch their love story grow. So when we got the text that Daniel was planning to propose, we couldn’t have been more excited! Shortly after, Rachel and Daniel reached out to ask if we would be their wedding photographers—and we happily said, “Yes!”

A Unique Winter Engagement Session Idea

For a few weeks, I had their engagement session on my mind, waiting for inspiration to strike. Then, during a Saturday morning date with Denis, I blurted out, “Ice skating engagement session!” It felt like the perfect idea, and I quickly sent a text to the happy couple to pitch it. Thankfully, they were just as excited as I was.

Since Daniel has spent countless hours on the ice as an avid hockey player, this theme felt like a meaningful nod to his passion. The combination of a romantic winter date and a sport he loves made it the perfect backdrop for their engagement photos.

(Side note: I recently picked up the beautifully curated Rocky Mountain Bride fall/winter edition for inspiration. To my amusement, I stumbled upon an article featuring an ice skating engagement session—proof that great minds think alike! 😂)

Rachel & Daniel: A Love Story Years in the Making

Rachel and Daniel have known each other since grade six. They bonded over shared activities, forming a friendship that eventually blossomed into something more. When they realized their feelings had grown beyond friendship, they took time to pray about their future together.

Due to their schooling, they had to put their relationship on pause a few times. However, those seasons apart only deepened their commitment to each other. Today, they cherish simple activities like movie nights, dinner dates, and long drives to watch the sunset—anything that allows them to spend quality time together.

Why We Chose Bowness Park for Their Engagement Session

Calgary offers many beautiful locations for winter engagement photos, but Bowness Park stood out as the perfect choice. With its charming café, cozy fire pits, and twinkling lights, it had all the elements we needed to create a romantic ice skating date aesthetic.

When Aiden and I first scouted the location, the conditions weren’t ideal. The lighting was dull, and the park needed a fresh coat of snow after weeks of warm winter weather. Thankfully, by the time we arrived for the shoot, the sun was shining, and a light dusting of fresh snow had brought back the clean look of winter we were hoping for. The crisp but comfortable temperature allowed Rachel to show off her beautiful, and intentionally selected, lilac sweater without freezing.

The Engagement Session: A Perfect Winter Date

This was one very fun engagement session to bring to life. From the moment the idea popped into my head, I had a clear vision of how I wanted it to unfold.

We started the session with cozy hot chocolates at the café, capturing candid moments of laughter and warmth. Next, we headed to the fire pits, where the couple shared sweet moments in the glow of the flames. From there, we made our way to the frozen lagoon for some playful skating shots.

For the final portion of the session, we ventured to a quiet, snow-covered section of the creek, where the absence of crowds allowed for uninterrupted photos. We wrapped up the session at the famous train tracks and some beautifully positioned trees that provided the perfect natural framing and open shade.

Looking Ahead to Their Wedding Day

Getting to know Rachel and Daniel better during this engagement session made us even more excited for their wedding in just a few short months. Thank you, Rachel and Daniel, for trusting us to document this special chapter in your lives. We can’t wait to celebrate with you on your big day! If you are looking for a photographer to document life’s important moments feel free to contact us.