Stephanie & Pete's world is all about... Jesse & Tucker. Who are hilarious! I have never met dogs with more energy. Tucker actually runs on a treadmill. They were in everything and I can't imagine what their car must have smelled like on the way home. But we got some great shots!
(Oh, and Stephanie & Pete are getting married! Look out Allie's Cabin! Actually, the dogs are staying home. Congratulations!)
What could possibly be better than Saturday afternoon and bridal gowns? Lots and lots of bridal gowns!
I joined the wonderful women of Anna Be Bridal Boutique to photograph brides choosing their dresses and we just had the best time! The only thing better than a bride every Saturday is many brides in the same day. And their moms, friends, sisters, aunts, nieces... it was just too much fun. When the champagne started to flow I knew that I had found a new home.
A special thank you to Anna, Breanna, Jordan, and Kalli. And to all the wonderful brides I met. I won't share names or faces so it can all stay a big secret from the guys. You know who you are! Enjoy your super secret slideshows. Congratulations! And look for your dress below...
At long last we took a weekend off! A few planes and cars later we joined dear friends in Rehoboth for a few days of serious R & R, incredible food, wine, and friends. And the opportunity to test a theory...
When I'm shooting I always have back ups for the back ups of my equipment. I believe you can never be too careful. But I also believe that a good photographer should be able to make some magic happen with nothing more than a pocket size point and shoot. I was hoping to prove that it is indeed your head (which has to know what that little camera can and can't do) and your heart (which leads you to beautiful moments that you want to keep forever) that make a great photo. It's not the equipment.
So after being just as lazy and happy with the gang on the beach as I possibly could, I gave in, picked up my itty bitty Nikon S5 and headed into the surf with the girls to see what we could make...
(I should also mention that I am seriously attached to these girls! Sayer's freckles stole my heart and Rosie had the energy of ten men! How she stayed in the water that long is a mystery to me. And they were kind enough to let me do puzzles with them, which is a quick way into my heart.)
We had such a wonderful time! Thank you, thank you to our terrific hosts!
The sunflowers are back! And I'm just too excited to stand it. They are just fabulous for portraits! The sunflowers are great for brides, engagements, families, high school seniors... Let your imagination roam!
So, in honor of the sunflowers being in bloom, I'm opening up two more last minute 'Sunflower Sessions.'
Update: The sunflower sessions are booked for this year. Tune in next summer for what promises to be an annual event...
Just over a week until Heidi & Jason tie the knot! You may recognize Heidi as our own Fox 31 Good Day Colorado morning news anchor. She's been updating us all on the wedding plans during the Monday morning newscasts with a little help from Jessica Adler of JA Special Events. Jessica was my wedding planner in 2005 and such a godsend! I'm so excited to be working with her on the other side to photograph Heidi & Jason's beautiful day.
And I've got to tell you, Heidi is probably the nicest person I have ever met! There's been much build up to her gorgeous dress and I just can't wait to photograph her in it. Jason's a lucky guy, but I'm pretty sure he already knows that...
Keep an eye on Heidi's blog for updates on her wedding planning. And be sure to tune in Monday morning July 30th to Good Day Colorado for a sneak peek at the wedding photos.
Congratulations Heidi & Jason! We can't wait to be there to photograph your wedding!
One of my dearest friends recently celebrated her eightieth birthday not with a party for herself but with what she called a Celebration of Friendship. It was just one of so very many things that my 'grandma' Joyce has taught me over the course of my life. She shared memories and photos of all of us. When she asked me what memory I would like to share, I answered honestly that there hasn't been a memory in my life that she wasn't part of. Including tears. All of us knew that if we ever needed to Joyce was there tissue box in hand. So of course we had to finish the luncheon with... tissues in hand.
My Dearest Joyce,
Thank you for being the gift of every day of my life. Thank you for always believing in me. Thank you for sharing every hill and valley. Thank you for being part of my journey and letting me be part of yours.
All my love. Always,
Punkin
I love chocolate. I mean really, really love chocolate. The only thing I love more is my husband. Maybe...
So every time we're in New York we go to La Maison du Chocolat. And if we're not there together, my sweet man will bring home Salvadors, my favorite kind. This week he's there without me and stopped to get the freshest chocolates possible to bring home tomorrow. Well, they didn't have enough to fill the little box and are getting more early tomorrow. Since he's leaving on one of the first flights out in the morning they are opening early to let him in to get my chocolates! We're officially regulars. I feel like I'm a character in The Devil Wears Prada...
(And I should mention my west coast favorite... Recchiuti in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Love it!)
I was incredibly fortunate to spend last week in the company of five fabulous photographers from all over the country. We braved what was for a few days a very chilly Atlanta and came away incredibly empowered in our lives and our businesses. Thank you, thank you one and all for sharing so much of yourselves with me! I will cherish the time we spent together.
We all pushed ourselves to the other side of the camera on our last morning together and remembered how much faith our clients place in us while we squint through the lens. Two of our little band headed home a day early so Savanah's Chrissy Hall and Michigan's Deb Sportel escaped the camera... this time. (We missed you!) And the next time we're all together they'll be the first up front!
A huge thank you to the amazing Liana Lehman for an incredible three days of training and for opening her home, fridge, and wine stash to us...
Thank you to Santa Fe's Ginger Russell for her huge heart and a sense of humor even bigger... (We hope to see her in Colorado this summer!)
And to Philadelphia's Joy Moody the oh so amazing belly photographer and my airport buddy...
Not a surprise to any of y'all that know us, we were so involved that even our waiting and well-deserved mimosas couldn't tear us away...
My fingers are crossed for a September reunion.
