Ally & Chris

From my very first meeting with Ally & Chris I knew they were going to be a pleasure to work with. The way they were so at ease with each other (and me) made us click instantly. At our engagement session last January they were naturals in front of the camera and I had been looking forward to their Denver wedding for months.

The Westin hotel hooked Ally up with a suite suited for a queen and she got ready surrounded by her army of beautiful bridesmaids dressed in classic black. Somehow Ally said she managed to meditate away all her nervous energy through numerous yoga classes and the calm, collected bride was emitting a glow of pure and utter happiness.

Ally & Chris were wed at Denver’s Trinity United Methodist Church where Chris couldn’t take his kind, blue, Irish eyes off of his stunning bride. The giant bridal party loaded into a white, stretch Navigator and we took photos in City Park and along the 16^th Street Pedestrian mall. Deseri at the Westin did an amazing job with the reception hall creating a very romantic room with deep reds to compliment their wine themed wedding. Corks were used as name cards and each table had a wine bottle centerpiece. Photos of the happy couple were printed on these wine bottle centerpieces along with a story sharing special moments from their relationship with their guests.

Weddings can be very hectic events and it’s always so nice to work with people like Ally & Chris who had so much trust and faith in me. The love and positive energy surrounding this couple was contagious and I thank them for sharing some of it with me.

Lauren & James- Vail, CO

“We are cryers.” Lauren warned as her sisters and mother helped her apply makeup and slip into her dress. Ready for the altar, she waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs for her father. He took a deep breath and puffed up his chest but then his face crumpled and he couldn’t hold back his emotions at seeing his beautiful daughter for the first time. We were all dabbing at our damp faces before leaving the house.

Lauren & James were wed at the Donovan Pavilion on a perfect late June summer day. Vail icon, Helmut Ficker played the alpenhorn, his kind blue eyes twinkling, as their guests arrived and took their seats. James grinned the entire ceremony from ear to ear and Lauren’s deep blue eyes looked stunning even through the tears that kept welling up in them.

We took portraits on the Vail Golf Course with the Gore Range as a backdrop and wandered around the village as Lauren & James reflected on the day giving each other looks of love so intense and moving I couldn’t help but feel their happiness myself. The reception was a full on dance party with Lauren & James providing a dynamic playlist of music from all different decades. After 3 hours of non-stop dancing the newlyweds departed under the warm glow of sparklers held by their loving friends and family.

Stephanie & Will

No matter how many weddings I photograph I am always still so moved when I see a couple who compliments each other so well. Stephanie & Will are no exception. They were wed at the Boulder Country Club on a warm, picturesque day surrounded by a group of family and friends equally as warm as they are.

I knew from my engagement session with the couple that their wedding was going to be a very fun event. Stephanie & Will gave each other high-fives after their first kiss, exited the ceremony to the theme music from the A-Team, broke out into a choreographed hip-hop dance for their first dance and joined their guests in a huge bounce castle.

I always think humor is a crucial part of any relationship and it is easy to see Stephanie & Will’s bond stems from a lot of laughs which translates into a lot of love.

Nicole & Shimon

My first “real” job in the photo world was working for the Salem News in Beverly, MA. While working for this wonderful newspaper on Boston’s beautiful north shore I began photographing weddings for myself and last week I had the pleasure to return to my old stomping grounds and photograph Nicole & Shimon’s wedding at Peabody’s historic Brooksby Farm.

I knew the farm well from many feature hunting trips while working for the newspaper and had photographed one of Nicole’s good friends and bridesmaids, Jennifer’s, wedding there.

I was ecstatic Nicole and Shimon liked Jennifer’s photos enough to fly me out for the special occasion.

The day was perfect. Nicole looked ravishing adorned with a topaz necklace Shimon gave her and daisies in her hair. The farm is a wonderful place for the occasion with old barns, orchards and even an old fire station providing fabulous backdrops for the couples portraits.

The reception was held in the Smith Barn which dates back to 1904. It was decorated with twinkling lights and wild flowers on a checkered print tablecloth. The entire party joined the newlyweds on the dance floor for traditional dances from Shimon’s Russian/Jewish heritage. The long dances had everyone panting for air and fanning themselves with joyful exhaustion.

It’s always nice to work with such an easygoing couple. Nicole & Shimon were very, relaxed and natural in front of the camera and never lost sight of the true meaning of the day… to celebrate the joining of two peoples lives together.

Pomp and Circumstance

High School graduations are always fun and interesting events to document. The emotion is so raw and full of excitement I sometimes find it hard to not get caught up in the moment myself as I reflect back on days long past.

Last week I had the privilege of making images at 5 graduations!! Jeffco Public Schools hired me for 4 graduations around the Denver area and the Longmont Times-Call had me head over to Erie High School. I don’t remember much about my high school graduation and sadly I doubt these graduates will appreciate the time and effort put into the day but now as an observer, with over 10 years between my green cap and gown, I see the day through much clearer eyes.

Even though the graduates are being released into the “Real World” as so-called adults they are still in many ways young, rambunctious, kids willing to act like fools and put on a good show for the crowd. This recipe equals fun photos every time.

Andrea & Matt Maternity Session

I met Matt last year when I joined a coed softball team where he kept me company in the outfield and we fought over fly balls. This year when the season started up his beautiful wife Andrea was bubbling over with a proud pregnancy glow and I begged her to let me do with shoot with them.

This was my first time doing a maternity shoot and I loved it! Andrea and Matt were really easy to work with and patient with me as I tried to decipher the best angles to show off her beautiful baby bump.

Their baby boy is arriving in late June and although they are still working on a name his proud papa is sure of one thing, he will grow up a Philadelphia Phillies fan, just like he did.

Stephanie & Will’s Engagement Session

Stephanie and Will’s wedding is right around the corner but I’m so glad we could squeeze in an engagement session before their big day on June 6th. I find these portrait sessions are a great way for clients to get to know me better and feel more at ease in front of my camera. They are also important because by the time their wedding rolls around we have become friends and I’m not just some lady they met once for a consultation at a coffee shop.

For this session we headed over to Chautauqua Park and Boulder Creek to make images in front of the stunning flatirons and along the rushing creek. Stephanie and Will were so much fun to work with. Their quirky, easy-going personalities mesh so well and they made the shoot so much fun for me. Will even convinced his beautiful bride to hop in the freezing creek, soaking her jeans, for a shot and to hang upside-down on a playground.

I am so excited for their wedding where we will be sure to get more fun photos in their adult size moon bounce.

Ally & Chris Engagement

Today I had a blast photographing Ally & Chris’ engagement photos! They are such a fun couple to work with, completely at ease with me and relaxed in front of the camera. We wandered around Denver to a few of their favorite spots including Croc’s, the restaurant where they met and fell in love. I am really looking forward to their June wedding!

Rene Marie

Rene Marie is a fabulous Denver jazz singer being featured in Denver Woman magazine.

Mountain House & Home

I don’t have a lot of experience doing architectural photos but tried my hand at a couple of homes for Mountain House & Home magazine.