A man twirls his fiancée on a long floating dock on Lucky Peak Reservoir as sunset lights the Boise foothills behind them in a dance-inspired engagement photo. — Photo by Katy Kahla Photography

The sun was almost down when Emily rose onto her toes at the end of the dock. Jonathan took her hand, and the two of them moved together like they had practiced it a thousand times. They probably had. For a few quiet seconds the whole lake held still, and I almost forgot my camera.

Two Dancers, One Idaho Home

Emily and Jonathan are both professional dancers with Ballet Idaho, and they first met at Dayton Ballet in Ohio. Emily grew up in Cincinnati, and Jonathan is from Dallas, Texas. About three years ago they both landed jobs in Idaho and made the move together. They still work side by side every day, and they are each other's best friend. Away from the studio, they are just as fun to get to know. They love to hike, and Jonathan is happiest out on his bike. Emily crochets, while Jonathan binds books and whittles wood. He told me tablet weaving is next on his list.

They got engaged at Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati, and their wedding will be there next year. That keeps them close to Emily's big extended family on her mom's side, and Jonathan's sister and many of their friends live in Ohio too. But Idaho is where they live and dance now, and they wanted a piece of it to carry into their wedding. When they reached out through a past client, I already had a long list of ideas ready to go. Of all the engagement spots around the Treasure Valley, Lucky Peak in spring felt right for two dancers.

An engaged couple walks hand in hand through sagebrush and tall grass beside the Boise River at golden hour during a Lucky Peak engagement session. — Photo by Katy Kahla Photography

Why Lucky Peak in June

Lucky Peak is a short drive east of Boise, along the Boise River and the reservoir above it. In late spring and early summer, the grass by the river grows tall and catches the evening light. Wildflowers dot the hillsides, and the canyon walls glow gold as the sun goes down. Out on the water, there is a long floating dock, which gave two dancers plenty of room to move.

I love this spot because it gives you two very different looks in one evening. You can start in soft, golden fields by the river and finish on open water with mountains all around you. It is one of my favorite spring engagement locations around Boise. For another look at this place, see Sasha and Richard's spring wildflower engagement at Lucky Peak.

Quiet Moments in the Wildflowers

We started in the tall grass by the river, walking slowly and holding hands. Emily and Jonathan took direction with ease, and their posture was beautiful from the first frame. We only softened it a little, since years of training taught them to stand like they are on stage. So if you worry about feeling stiff in front of a camera, you are in good company. Even two professional dancers needed a few minutes to settle in. Once they did, Emily laughed at something Jonathan said, and her hand found his face. Those are the moments I care about most.

Fine art double exposure of an engaged couple raising lanterns, blended over the two of them walking hand in hand on a floating dock at Lucky Peak at sunset. — Photo by Katy Kahla Photography

Golden Hour Over the Canyon

As the sun dropped toward the canyon rim, the light turned warm and low across the river. This is my favorite time of the evening for silhouettes. I placed Emily and Jonathan against the bright sky and let their shapes tell the story. Dancers make wonderful silhouettes, because every line of their bodies has a purpose. I also made a double exposure here, layering their outline over the moment Jonathan lifted Emily by the river.

Pro tip: Plan your Lucky Peak session for the last hour or two before sunset. The sun slips behind the canyon walls, so the warm light can fade sooner than you expect.

Black and white photo of a ballerina en pointe, extending one leg behind her as her fiancé, in cowboy boots, holds her close on a dock at Lucky Peak. — Photo by Katy Kahla Photography

En Pointe on the Dock

Once the sun was low, we moved to the floating dock on the reservoir. The water was calm, and the hills around the lake held the last bit of color in the sky. I asked them to dance, and that was all the direction they needed. They held each other close, swayed together, and spun out toward the open water.

Then Emily rose en pointe. Watching her lift onto her toes at the end of that long dock was my favorite moment. Jonathan partnered her with complete trust, and every step looked easy because they know each other so well. For years I have wanted to bring ballet into my couples work, and this evening showed me why. I would love to photograph more ballerinas.

Ballet Slippers and Cowboy Boots

Jonathan bought a pair of custom cowboy boots, and he wanted to wear them for the photos. I loved that. A guy from Dallas in custom boots, standing next to a ballerina in her slippers, felt exactly like them. I made sure to photograph both pairs of shoes side by side, because both mattered to them. It is a small detail, but it says a lot about who they are together.

Pro tip: Bring something to your session that means something to you. A pair of boots, a family heirloom, or a favorite hat can turn into a photo you keep forever.

We ended the night with lanterns. Emily and Jonathan walked hand in hand down the floating dock while the sky faded over the hills. I layered that walk into one last double exposure, and it was the right way to close out the evening.

Close-up of a gold engagement ring as a bride-to-be rests her fingers in her fiancé’s open palm, glowing in warm sunset light at Lucky Peak near Boise, Idaho. — Photo by Katy Kahla Photography

Carrying Idaho Home to Cincinnati

After the session, Emily wrote that I "made us laugh and feel comfortable the entire time." That means a lot coming from two people who spend their lives in front of an audience. My goal was never to make them perform. I wanted to give them images that bring them back to this evening in Idaho, where they made their home. Now that piece of Idaho gets to go with them to Ohio.

Maybe you love Idaho but are getting married somewhere else. An engagement session here is a beautiful way to bring this place with you. If your session feels anything like this one, I'd love to hear about it.

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