Business & Arts Luncheon - Colorado Springs

I really love my job. Well, both of them. But there are some days I come home from a shoot and just think "No, I REALLY REALLY love my job today!" Being at this luncheon was one of these days. Not only was it a collection of some really amazing, trailblazing, artistic, and brilliant people who have made big things happen in our community, but I also got to photograph breakdancers and acrobats! And, for those of you who don't know me that well, if I could snap my fingers and be really amazing at one style of dancing, I'd be a b-girl in a heartbeat :) So, of course I asked if they taught lessons and picked up a business card from one of them before I left. In addition, I had the privilege of photographing a breathtaking opera singer, who indeed received a full standing ovation after only 1 song. To say that she gave me chills would be an understatement. I could have photographed and listened to her all day, as her beauty was not limited to her voice alone.

The Business & Arts Luncheon was designed to bring together people who are making a creative difference in our community, via having creative workspaces, giving big money to the arts, or thinking of innovative ways to combine creativity and business. I hope this is an event I get to capture with my camera every year, and many thanks to COPPeR for making it happen.

Look out for the Goats!

I have seen a lot of B&B's the past few years, as I've been the staff photographer for Acorn Internet Services, and the more you see of something the less it excites you. But this was not the case with the Mountain Goat Lodge (dba CO Crossroads B&B)! From the moment I walked in, I felt at home! I also was really impressed with the way my fabulous hostess, Gina Marcell, decorated in a modern rustic fashion and was able to combine the woodsy, outdoor feel of a cabin with the more modern feel of Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel. It was wonderful!

My room had view that rivals the ending scene in The Sound of Music, and to top that – there were chickens and mountain goats! Gina is actually quite the MGL (mountain goat lady), and she raises them, milks them, and even uses the milk to make her own cheese and to put in lattes (that she's happy to make for all her guests!). I was pretty impressed. And I remained impressed throughout the shoot... until we got out to the pasture with the goats. Then I got scared :) You see, Samson, the "man of the house" (if you know what I mean), was kinda eager to rub his scent on me. And you may think "Why be scared of a goat?" But this was no ordinary goat. No. This was a small buffalo! But Gina was awesome, as is normal for her, and I got back out the gate without a trace of smelly goat scent. All in all, it was such a splendid time, a great photo shoot, a wonderful hostess. Point being, if you are ever the Salida/Buena Vista area, visit Gina at her Mountain Goat Lodge. You won't be sorry!

ps - The reason I photographed Gina's inn is because she's having her website redesigned, so just know that the one you see linked above is NOT her heart's desire :)