A Winter Dutchman Flat Proposal

 

Ramon and Susan’s Dutchman Flat proposal was a winter wonderland! They traveled from Portland for a winter weekend getaway in Central Oregon, but Ramon had a little more planned for their trip, a surprise proposal in the snow!

When Ramon first reached out, he knew he wanted two things for the proposal: snow and mountain views. We originally planned to meet at Black Butte Ranch, where they were staying for the weekend, but Central Oregon had other plans. It wasn’t a typical snow year, and as their weekend got closer, there simply wasn’t enough snow around Black Butte to create what Ramon had envisioned. So we made a last-minute switch and headed toward Mt. Bachelor instead.

I suggested Dutchman Flat Sno-Park, one of my favorite winter locations near Bend for snowy photos with mountain views. I had scouted the area beforehand and sent Ramon a game plan for exactly where to meet me and how to find the spot without giving anything away to Susan. And it worked perfectly! Susan was completely surprised, and it was so sweet getting to photograph the moment Ramon proposed surrounded by snow and views of Mt. Bachelor. Afterward, we spent some time exploring the area for portraits, laughing our way through the cold and occasionally sinking a little deeper into the snow than expected. Even during a lower-snow winter, there was still plenty up near the mountain for the winter setting they had hoped for.

The day was cloudy and moody, but the mountains kept making appearances as the clouds moved through. We had some beautiful views of Mt. Bachelor, and even Broken Top decided to show itself for a bit.

Dutchman Flat Sno-Park is an amazing option for a winter proposal or engagement session near Bend. Located along the Cascade Lakes Highway near Mt. Bachelor, it gives you access to snowy forest and mountain views without needing to venture too far into the backcountry. Winter conditions can change quickly in Central Oregon, but when you’re dreaming of a true snowy proposal, heading higher into the mountains can make all the difference.

For more inspiration for your winter couple session in Bend, check out this fun Mt. Bachelor session I did while snowboarding here!