A Surprise Proposal at Vermilion Lakes in Banff
There is a particular stillness that comes with photographing the start of a lifetime together. The world does not stop, but for a brief moment, it feels like it softens. The focus shifts, the noise fades, and what matters becomes very clear.
This January, I had the pleasure of photographing a young couple at Vermilion Lakes in Banff who had traveled all the way from Montana. In the week leading up to their session, we had been chatting about locations. He wanted it to feel truly special. Beautiful, intentional, and worthy of the moment he was planning.
He was choosing between Vermilion Lakes and Surprise Lookout. Surprise Lookout was tempting because she loves castles, and the view of the Fairmont Banff Springs has that classic fairytale feel. In the end, he chose Vermilion Lakes for the sunrises. The way the early light hits the frozen lake in winter, the colours shifting across the ice, and the quiet that settles in before the day really begins made it the right choice.
That morning, the lake was still and calm. Soft blues and pale tones stretched across the ice as the sun slowly rose behind the mountains. It felt unhurried, like the kind of place where you naturally slow down without trying.
These two met at the gym and in a world full of dating apps and endless swiping, there is something refreshingly simple about that. That ease showed up right away in how they moved together and talked with each other. And naturally I had to get him to pick her up at least once!
She was an absolute trooper. She had dressed beautifully for the session, and while it was not overly cold, it was still winter in Banff. I was mindful not to keep them out longer than necessary, focusing on capturing the moment while they could still feel their fingers!
While we were shooting, there was subtle movement beneath the ice. We could not see them, but river otters were active below the frozen surface. One of those quiet Banff details you do not plan for, but that adds to the feeling of being somewhere very alive, even in the stillness of winter.
When he proposed, everything narrowed into that one moment. No big production. No spectacle. Just the two of them, standing together in a place that mattered, beginning the next chapter of their lives.
I am always aware of how significant these sessions are. This was not just a photo session. It was the start of a lifetime together, and I am deeply grateful I was trusted to document it.
Congratulations to this sweet couple from Montana! Vermilion Lakes is an incredible place to begin.
One last small note that feels worth sharing. While I was waiting for them to arrive, a woman and her dog were standing on the dock. I asked if she would mind stepping aside so the proposal space would be clear, and she kindly did without hesitation. It was a small gesture, but it made a difference. If you ever happen to read this, thank you again!
