Cottonwood + Video:
Laura & Ben came in from Ohio to have their dreamy mountain wedding at Wild Basin Lodge in August of 2023. They booked my Cottonwood + Video package so they got both photography and videography all in one sweet package. Laura started out the day getting some beautiful make-up done by Bridal Glow Wedding Services. Laura has some adorable freckles that she wanted to still show and Kim-Angel did a great job of keeping her natural beauty present while also giving her that gorgeous glow for the day.
After an emotional First Look with Ben we headed out into a lovely mist of rain to capture some couple photos. We alternated using umbrellas and putting them down as the rain misted, then stopped, as it will often do up in the mountains in the summer. I loved these couple photos. I know everyone doesn’t want it to rain on their wedding day but for photographers, it’s a dream. It created beautiful even lighting and they both look amazing.
Unfortunately, for the ceremony there was a downpour. Every video camera had a little umbrella mounted to it and the rain was extensive, so it was a very short ceremony. Once everyone got warm inside by the fireplace and dried off they headed out to see the Beverage Llamas. Everyone loves the llamas. If you want to find out a little bit more about Vicky and her llamas click here. They are available for weddings and events all through the Front Range and Estes Park.
Their first dance was followed by a saber champagne corking and a champagne tower. After their toasts we did a trend in weddings, the Table Dash, or Photo Dash. This is when the couple stands in one place and all of the guests quickly come through for a goofy pose with them. The idea is to keep it quick and all within one song and that way you are sure you didn’t miss getting a photos with any of your guests. I really enjoyed it! Fun for everyone.
Afterwards the couple cut their beautiful cake by the Dessert Stand, had their first dances, signed their marriage license and then headed back to the River Run deck for a private dance. For this dance I wanted the photo to show the river (even though it was pitch black), so I added a blue light pointed at the river to light it up.
The video that Chris and I delivered is on the bottom of the page, below the photos.
Highlight Reel
GT Photo Reviews
I've worked with Gretchen multiple times now on different types of shoots and she is absolutely phenomenal. She exceeded all expectations, was fun to work with, and went above and beyond to deliver incredible final products. She has a masterful eye for location selection, lighting, directing shoots. Highly, highly recommend.
Luxe Llama Productions has had the pleasure of working with Gretchen on multiple occasions for live performances of our production, Yachty Got Back, and we couldn't be more impressed. Gretchen is incredibly professional—always punctual, prepared, and seamlessly blending into the event to capture amazing moments without being intrusive.
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!
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!
Gretchen was an absolute pleasure to work with! She was really fun to work with on the day, professional, and she really seemed to love the job and shooting for us.
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!
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!
Gretchen has photographed our events and programs for the past several years and does a stellar job. Her photography is fantastic and really helps capture the atmosphere and impact of our events. She is a pleasure to work with and a wonderful ally in our work. We would definitely recommend Gretchen for all your photography needs!
Gretchen was great every step of the way, she responded quickly from day one and I was coming from out of state please wanting a special wedding/anniversary photo session and she gave us exactly what we wanted! Quick return also with amazing pictures! Thanks again Gretchen!
I cannot express enough, how amazing working with Gretchen has been. She is a phenomenal photographer, a fun person to be around, and makes the photography sessions so natural and enjoyable! My fiance and I bonded with her instantly, and have so much respect for how kind and fun she is. You will not have to worry at all about feeling comfortable with Gretchen, as it is nothing but laughs and fun!! I would recommend Gretchen a thousand times over.
Our family had a wonderful experience with Gretchen Troop Photography. Gretchen and her videographer- Chris made the day a breeze with a fun and relaxed attitude. Except for the easy directions during family group photos we barley new they were there. The results are spectacular! Gretchen has the eye of a true artist. Even though the weather wasn't great she was able to capture the wedding couple with a stunning cloud formation and a rainbow. These are once in a lifetime moments that are priceless to us. I am glad I chose Gretchen and Chis for something so important. I think you will be pleased too.
Gretchen's experience and expertise were apparent from our first discussion. She was easy to work with and extremely helpful in ensuring our wedding day went smoothly while still getting the photos we wanted. And the photos are excellent - she's unbelievably good at capturing moments from throughout the wedding day.
The moment I saw Gretchen's work, I knew she would be our photographer.. we waited until pretty close up to our (very small) wedding to decide to hire one, which added an additional layer of stress with everything coming up so quickly. We also live in Texas, our wedding was in Boulder, CO. She is so friendly and so professional, which made the process very smooth as she helped me identify what I wanted out of this experience, amidst all of the chaos.
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.
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.
Gretchen shot our wedding in May, and also did some engagement shots for us in the previous fall. We were really happy with all the shots we got, and were proud to share images of the wedding with our friends and loved ones. It also helped that she was very familiar with all the venues around Boulder and was able to give us good advice on locations for photography.
Gretchen is amazing and we can't recommend her enough. She and her team went above and beyond to ensure we were happy, comfortable, and getting what we wanted. From engagement photos to the wedding day to putting together a gorgeous book of our favorite photos, she made it all feel easy and kept us laughing every step of the way. She's super communicative and creative and really listened to our vision while bringing in her own ideas. She also brought an awesome team along with her to make sure everything ran smoothly. Her team managed our uncomfortable family dynamics and giant wedding parties with ease. We LOVE our photos, and everyone we show them to is so impressed. I would absolutely work with Gretchen again, and highly recommend that you hire her for your wedding!
Gretchen is so fun to work with on the wedding day! She has a wonderful personality, always smiling, and really brings out the best in her couples. Gretchen's communication with me as a venue coordinator and / or as a wedding planner is just want I want. We all work together as a team with a goal to have the couples BEST DAY! She has a creative portfolio and captures some wonderful candid shots! Gretchen also knows how to capture nature and the beauty of Colorado.
Our wedding day at Wild Basin Lodge was truly everything we dreamed of, and Gretchen Troop captured it more beautifully than we ever could have imagined.
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
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
Gretchen is beyond exceptional at her work. Each photo captures the emotion of our wedding, showcasing all of the love that was shared. Her attention to lighting, details, and creativity sets her apart from so many other photographers. Working with Gretchen was effortless, and she made the entire experience perfect. Her joy for the craft, professionalism, and humor made our wedding amazing. She went above and beyond her duties and worked with all the vendors, making sure everything was ready. I highly recommend GT Photography to any new bride. You will be astonished at the results!
I cannot rate Gretchen and her team high enough. They made our amazing day unforgettable!
Gretchen is one of a kind!!! She is an amazing photographer. We hired Gretchen for both engagement and wedding photos and they surpassed our expectations. Thank you so much for being there on our most special day. We would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a true professional.
Gretchen did an amazing job of not just capturing our day, but capturing who we are. The photos themselves are gorgeous. I cannot praise her work enough. She is wonderful to work with. If you need a photographer, Gretchen is who you want.
Gretchen photographed our family during our family vacation in Fraser. She was very accommodating! I love the documentary photos that she took of us gathered in our airbnb and the group photos we took down the street with a beautiful mountain backdrop!! We were a large group (15 including four very young children!) but she captured some precious moments! I am very grateful for her skills and her efficiency!
Words can’t describe how phenomenal Gretchen did on our wedding photos! My husband and I can’t thank her enough for how amazing she did. She truly captured our wedding day so that we will be able to look back and remember it always!!!
Gretchen has shot several events for us and does an amazing job every time! She beautiful captures a perfect mix of intimate moments, posed groups, larger room/space, vibes and works well in all lighting. I will continue to hire her again and again!
Gretchen did an absolutely phenomenal job with our wedding photos. She was so involved from day 1 with planning the entire timeline, family photos, and ensuring everything went according to plan. I can’t recommend her enough. She has so much knowledge on where in Boulder has great views for pictures and we had such a large amount of great poses. I am so amazed and pleased with our photos. She was very quick to get us our sneak peak photos within 48 hours. Gretchen is the person to hire. I cannot recommend her services enough!
Gretchen did AMAZING job as our photographer! We are from Texas and had no idea what our elopement day would look like but she gave us the run-through a week before and we couldn't be happier with our wedding day. We spend a whole evening at Rocky Mountain NP and her knowledge around the park and as an experienced photographer made our wedding so much more meaningful. We have received so many compliments on our photos and her packages/prices are extremely affordable and well worth it!
We were hoping for Gretchen to go all out with candids. Our family was too ridiculous and poorly behaved for traditional composites. So Gretchen and her team rocked the characters and spontaneity.
Incredible job. She was fabulous. Pictures were excellent! I can't say enough nice things about our experience.
Annual family photo shoot in Estes Park. Gretchen was part of the team that shot my wedding and she did a fabulous job with this shoot as well. I have 2 kids, 3 years old and 18 months, and she did a great job navigating their moods and keeping them engaged. I highly recommend her.
We hired Gretchen for our engagement shoot and wedding. based on reviews and pricing, she was easily the best bang for our buck. Working with her was a breeze. She was very professional yet fun, and not afraid to take charge of the situation on wedding day on our behalf.
Gretchen is a true artist, and we loved the photos she took for our wedding and portraits. We absolutely recommend her for anyone looking to get married around Estes Park.
This photographer did an incredible job with our photoshoot. She guided us to the perfect spots and helped us capture amazing shots. We highly, highly recommend her!
My husband and I can’t thank her enough for how amazing she did. She truly captured our wedding day so that we will be able to look back and remember it always!!!
We had an amazing experience working with Gretchen and Chris for our Fall 2024 wedding at Wild Basin. From start to finish, she was incredibly professional, responsive, and proactive with communication—whether it was during our hiring process, engagement session, or on the wedding day itself. She delivered quick edits, and was open to trying something new, which made the entire process stress-free. To top it all off, Gretchen and Chris were a joy to work with—they brought such great energy, made us feel at ease, and added to the fun of our day. Highly recommend!"
We were hoping for Gretchen to go all out with candidness. The Composites are bleh. They awards are always are in my family… listen when someone says NO GO / Shine where you are, Gretchen! You take the best candid, unexpected, pics ever!
Working with Gretchen was a streamlined experience. I appreciated the professional website, questionnaire and interface she had to provide photos to us! She was a delight to work with, and I appreciated how she accommodated my short timeline!
Wow. Gretchen did an INCREDIBLE job photographing my huge extended family in Estes Park. We had 5 little ones, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and parents. Somehow she was able to take the most beautiful pictures with everyone looking at the camera. I love how natural the pictures came out. Everyone's personality came through. Gretchen made sure she got all of the picture combinations we wanted. She was also great at selecting the location to take the pictures.
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.
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.