Engagement added w/Cottonwood Package
I met Amanda & Joe at the Estes Park Wedding Show and we just clicked. When I heard from them a few weeks later I was so excited that I would get to photograph them! We started planning their engagement shoot in April and three re-schedules later (weather and COVID) we finally got to the day at one of their favorite spots, Eagle’s Nest Open Space north of Ft. Collins. This is a special area to the couple and one that I hadn’t visited yet. I love photographing in new places, especially when they hold a meaning to the couple.
It was really hot this day and we were the only people there when we arrived. We walked a little ways and were immediately greeted with a fly-over by the park’s famous guests, the golden eagle. The area is named Eagle’s Nest because it has been home to nesting golden eagles for over a hundred years. Along the way I tried a fun idea I saw another photographer do, float the couple in the clouds. I did this using my iPhone on the edge of the lens to reflect the clouds below their feet. At the end of the short hike Amanda and I plotted to soak Joe and capture it. Unfortunately the water was so hot from sitting in the car that I’m not sure it was as refreshing as we’d hoped for Joe.
At the end of the day we got some fun photos for them to celebrate with, and I can’t wait for their September wedding at Wild Basin Lodge!
I highly recommend her for anything - especially family photos. She was prompt and very easy to communicate with as well.
She gave our family a treasure we will always have and will continue to share with generations to come of our family in our favorite place.
There's a little button that says that I can add photos and so I went through our album again looking to select a few that could capture our experience but A. THERE ARE SO MANY. She is not kidding when she tells you this, even for an elopement style wedding! B. They are so personal. I cry every time I look at them, with joy. She gave me everything I wanted and more - moments, emotions, scenery, candids of my guests, stills of a time that I can never recreate or get back.
So I'll leave you with my rainbow picture. It was my one bridal ask, that my guests wear solid colors, since we weren't going to have decoration at our venue. They could be the decoration. I got the idea online and maybe someone else can use it too!
There are many talented photographers out there. There are few where talent, professionalism, kindness, decades of experience and success can all be packaged with that feel that they still love what they do. Gretchen has not gotten stale over time in her work, where instead her work and the experience she brings have become priceless.
Her friendly and approachable demeanor makes working with her an absolute joy. She has a remarkable talent for capturing the small details, the emotions of the audience, and the magic of music through her lens. Each photo perfectly reflects the energy and essence of our performances, helping us tell our story and connect with our fans.
The amount of high-quality content we receive for our investment is exceptional, making her work an incredible value and a key part of our marketing efforts. We highly recommend Gretchen to anyone looking for a skilled and dependable photographer. We’ll definitely continue working with her for our future productions. Thank you, Gretchen, for your talent and dedication—you help us shine!
She delivered the photos for us on time, and we are ecstatic with how almost all of them came out.
We'd recommend Gretchen to anyone!
From the beginning, Gretchen made us feel comfortable, supported, and genuinely excited about our wedding photos. On the day of the wedding, she was professional, organized, patient, and incredibly kind. She knew exactly how to guide us while still allowing every moment to feel natural and personal. We never felt rushed or overly posed, and she made it easy for us to relax, enjoy ourselves, and stay fully present.
Gretchen captured every meaningful detail—from the beautiful mountain setting and ceremony to the orchids, décor, reception, first dance, and all the candid moments with our closest friends and family. She didn’t just photograph how our wedding looked; she captured how it felt. Every image reflects the love, joy, elegance, and emotion of the day.
Looking through our photos allows us to relive those memories all over again. We are so grateful to Gretchen for giving us something we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Her talent, attention to detail, warmth, and ability to capture genuine emotion are truly exceptional.
We could not recommend Gretchen Troop more highly to any couple looking for an amazing wedding photographer. Thank you, Gretchen, for preserving the perfect beginning to our married life so beautifully!
—Brandi & Mike Crawford

