Stasha’s patience waned.  As the wind flung hair across her face for the umpteenth time in 40 minutes, she let out a sigh of frustration.  I can empathize – nothing kills a woman’s self confidence in front of the camera like hair blowing across her face.  (Especially when it gets stuck in your lip gloss.  Ew.)

While Sunday afternoon’s blustery weather put a bit of a cramp in Stasha’s hairstyle, it failed to ruin our shoot.  Frank and Stasha deserve credit for tolerating the freezing cold gusts up at Red Rocks for over an hour.  And I do mean freezing.  The wind may have tested Stasha’s patience, but she never complained, and the two kept smiling through the shivers.  By the end, all of our fingers had frozen nearly to the point of immobility – mine in the shape of a camera-clutching claw.  I must get some fingerless gloves.

Stasha and Frank will be married this fall in Charlotte, likely followed by a honeymoon in Ireland.  I hope the wind stays calmer for their big day in October :)

It’s wedding planning season!

To help the newly engaged who could use a little advice about wedding planning, I’ve reached out to some Colorado wedding experts for assistance.  Next week I’ll be featuring articles written by five guest bloggers.

Check out the first article by Danielle Odil of Something Classic Events on Monday!

Wedding planning and I did not get along.  I procrastinated a lot.  I got frustrated and confused.  I cried (more than once, I’ll admit.)  Not everyone has a dream for exactly how their wedding should look, myself included.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted for anything, which made planning feel like a lot of pressure and stress.  Now that I’ve been through a wedding as the bride (and not just the photographer), I understand that more than ever.  Below are just a few small slices of advice I can give to those who are starting the planning process, and might not be entirely looking forward to it.

Focus only on what you care about. There are a lot of elements to a wedding.  Just because something is “always done” doesn’t mean you have to do it if you don’t care.  We didn’t have programs, favors or a guest book.  Why?  Because we didn’t care.  As a result, I didn’t have to spend any time overanalyzing decisions for things that were not important to me.  If it’s not important to you, let it go.

Avoid meetings for the sake of meetings. Every bridal magazine will tell you to meet with 3-5 different people for each vendor category.  Who has time for that?  If you like the first DJ you meet with, can afford their prices, and trust they’ll do a good job – book them.  There’s no need to meet with four other DJs just to say you did your due diligence.  Your time is probably worth more than that.

Hire people you like. Price is an excellent reason to choose a particular vendor, but it isn’t the only important thing.  Regardless of the type of vendor, you’ll have to meet with this person at least two more times.  And they are going to be present at – or privvy to details about - one of the most personal and intimate days of your life.  » Continue reading “What I learned as a bride – a few wedding planning tips”

I struggled in 2010, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  Having moved to Denver in November of 2009, I spent most of 2010 trying to settle in my new/old home, trying to become known in a city filled to the brim with highly talented photographers.  My place in the St. Louis photography world had been quite cushy up until my departure in 2009, so this year of struggle to find work hit me kinda hard.  But as I look at the year in review, I am full of gratitude that even in a year I call a struggle I was still able to do what I love full-time.  I met and photographed amazing people in 2010, and I only hope that 2011 will bring more of them into my life.  Am I starting to get too gushy?  Perhaps that’s what New Year’s does to you :)

I’ve never posted a year in review before, but I figured why not?  If nothing else it serves as a reminder of all the wonderful people who invited me into their lives this year.  And so I bring you the Best of 2010 Part One – Weddings and Engagements.  I had a difficult time narrowing it down, but these photos represent some of my favorite moments of 2010.  Look for Part Two – Portraits tomorrow!

You can’t always get what you want.  Last week, John and Jenny wanted snow – and lots of it – for their engagement portraits.  I had loads of ideas for snowy engagement photos at the ready.  Chautauqua Park in Boulder was completely snow-free.  We were sad.  For all of 2 minutes.  Because instead of lots of pretty white snow, we were blessed with gorgeous morning light and beautiful dried grasses.  Plan B doesn’t get much better than that.

Hopefully John and Jenny will get their wish for snow on their wedding day.  They are planning a wintery wedding downtown in February, which I am so excited to be a part of.  Happy Monday everyone!