things i love about my best friend elise: 1. her love for life 2. how she makes the people around her love their lives 3. her cuba tattoo on her wrist. 4. her willingness to let me photograph her.

okay, there are about a billion other things i love about elise, but those are what come to mind at this moment, in regards to this shoot. elise loves christmas more than almost anyone i know, so when i proposed the idea of doing a stylized inspiration portrait session based around the holidays, she was on board in about .31 seconds. she grabbed her willing (and awesome!) boyfriend, esteban, and we concocted up a list of holiday ideas. the list was filled with glitter and gold (yeah i know, now i’ve got you singing smash mouth) and one of my favorite food groups– hot cocoa.

some of my favorite details? elise + esteban’s smiles. that ring (an antique from elise’s grandmother!). the warm hues of the images. the overall cheer radiating from these shots.

i love christmastime.

i love these guys.

i love love.

i can’t wait to share part two of this shoot (think carefree christmas… mistletoe + christmas light tangles + shooting till sunset). coming soon!

XO,

anna

are you engaged and looking for a colorado engagement photographer? anna gleave  is a destination wedding photographer based out of colorado, specializing in real love and real life. she also works often in utah, arizona, + idaho and will soon be calling baltimore, maryland home.