Self-Timer Magic
Dancing Alone in the Woods
When I'm scouting locations, or hiking around, very rarely am I with someone else. This part of my business is my time to strategize, dream, and just be my weird, creative self. Everytime I go out, I'm carrying a dress or a unique piece of clothing, jewelry: You name it : so if the opportunity presents itself, I can point my camera towards myself and embrace the situation.
I've come to the point where I schedule our vacations around these types of situations. (Sorry babe!) Our latest trip to Oregon - Blog Post Coming Soon - was primarily to scope out the land and I found some epic spots to dress up. I brought along an outfit that could very well be worn for a wedding dress, and I hope to attract brides that think outside of the box for their attire.
A majority of these photos were taken by myself, using a Pulse (Nope that's not an affiliate link. I just love this product so much that I need to share it) but some were taken by my fiancé Shea. It's gotta be annoying to travel with a photographer. I'm constantly stopping and holding up our progress because of some pretty scenery or foliage. So for putting up with me and my camera: I thank you, Shea.
I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. There's something magical about hiking into a remote location, putting on a dress, and dancing alone in the woods. Cheers friends.
The Best of 2017
What a year.
Years come and go. priorities advance and fall to the wayside. Goals get fueled and more defined.
Many moons ago I had an idea of taking my hobby of photography and making it into a career. Into a full time passion machine to pump out happiness for me and memories for my clients. That idea had been examined over many beers and many tearful conversations, always coming to a different conclusion of possibility.
This year, I snapped. “To hell with it!” I said. To hell with putting my dreams on hold, letting thoughts of failure overtake dreams of happiness. I said “yes.”
What happens when you say yes. If you do say yes to an idea, and now it's showtime. Now your job becomes both simple and difficult. You have officially entered into a contract with inspiration, and you must try to see it through, all the way to it's impossible-to-predict outcome. - Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert.
Among that happy path of saying YES, I found the rigid dichotomy of entrepreneurship and balance. The stress of paying bills and power of being my own boss. Of having all the time in the world, and no time at all.
You guys, why did I not do this earlier?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. That's for damn sure. But it’s my dream, now paired with my soon to be husbands dreams on this road to whatever the future brings. His dreams and mine collide in a beautiful dance of give and take.
This year has been a doozy. An amazing ride. I’m so humbled to be where I am, writing this blog post, celebrating 365 days of the unknown. This year, I got to travel all around Colorado to some of the most beautiful venues, photograph 2 of my closest friends weddings, my future brother- and sister-in-laws wedding, and many rad coupes that have turned into friends.
I can’t wait to hustle and make some crazy moves in 2018. I get to be a bride and witness this wedding industry from your eyes. I get to be a wife and keep supporting Shea’s dreams in the medical field. I get to be a fur-baby mom to the cutest dog and monster-cat I know. I get to decide how I live my days.
Keep your frequency high and do your work from a place of power and joy. - You Are a Badass, Jen Sincero.
In 2018: I’m going to put boundaries on social media, screen time, and negative emotions. I’m going to embrace what my mind and body tell me and push them to the limits. Opening closed doors to new ways thinking and respecting the earth. Become a better friend and better listener. Become the best woman I can be, when I marry my best friend.
Bring it on 2018. I’m ready for ya. Let’s dance.
... To my rad friends of 2017, I laughed so hard on the plane to and from my hometown while compiling all these photos. What great memories you created and let me be an intimate part of. I truly hope we stay in touch. Let’s grab a drink, go on a hike, FaceTime, whatever.
Ryan + Klancy Married
My Best Friends Wedding
In this simple scene, two madly in love humans stroll through a field - the forest is alive. These aspens which are not mere backdrops to our existence but active presences affecting who we are, what we believe, and how we live.
Klancy and Ryan advocate this loudly. Living their lives to make this world a better place: taking care of our environment, our peers, and our homes. I won't go into their career paths, because that's not what defines these two. It's their love and affection to each other and their surroundings.
Lots of photos were captured that day. Friends and family using iphones and DSLRs. Although I've known Klancy for 10 years or more (College Softball Teammates), and Ryan for a few years, their guests and I are outsiders. Outsiders to their most intimate love. However, all of the outsiders that took photos that day, depict them in such similar ways - suggesting that no matter who takes the photo, their love has a magic all its own.
Their wedding day was absolutely enchanting. Down to each detail, I was in a photographer's dream. Custom turquoise jewelry for Klancy, a vintage turquoise tie clip for Ryan. Her flowers by Natalie Boyer-McClain radiated with beauty. The Dress, the suit and tie, the landscape at Purgatory Resort in Durango, CO. All of it was magnetic.
Klancy and Ryan: I can not tell you how humbled I am to have captured your wedding day. I honestly can't wait to watch your grow in your marriage through many adventures together. And without further words from your little 'ol photographer. Here are my (many) favorites from your day. Love you two! CHEERS!
Ps. If you're in the Durango area, do yourself a favor and rent yourself a campervan from these two gems. They are the owners of VangoDurango!
Michael + Sarah MARRIED
A Classic Colorado Wedding
Another beautiful wedding in the books! Michael and Sarah's classic wedding day was unlike any other. Let's first talk about the teensy tiny degrees of separation.
Sarah found me through a wedding planning service, like The Knot or Wedding Wire, but once we started chatting the world became so small. Sarah is from Lincoln, Nebraska - the same city I was born and raised in. Facebook confirmed that we have mutual friends, including my nextdoor neighbors throughout my childhood - I babysat both of their beautiful girls, who were close friends of Sarah's. The possibility of us crossing paths more than a decade ago, is very possible.
Michael met Sarah while he was in Lincoln playing hockey for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL, that my family had season tickets for when I was growing up. It just freaks me out that this world of 7.5 billion people has more characteristics of a small town than we'd like to believe.
Sarah and Michael fell in love and have been together for 10 years now. I can not tell you how honored I was to capture the making of this couple into Mr and Mrs. Their love is strong, their families are amazing, and it was the perfect day.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs Sdao. May this life bring you lots of adventure, love, beautiful surprises and happy endings. Cheers!
Dream Team:
Venue: Lionsgate Event Center: The Dove House & Gatehouse
Dress: Little White Dress
Florist: Thorn Creek Flowers
DJ: 5280 Mobile DJ
Catering: Relish Catering & Events
Hair: Elegance By Design
