Dirty Dancing?

Glory be. Mine and Shea's inaugural professional collaboration. (how's that for big vocab?)

I went to NY with Shea (my best friend from college) to help shoot this wedding, and her sister Lindsey (who was my fave biking buddy when I lived with them in the summer of '02) did hair and makeup. Talk about a dream team! The wedding was super fun - more of a weekend event than a 5-hour one. We went to the Adirondack League Club, which is like that camp in Dirty Dancing where the society elites go to "rough it."

Alan and Lyndsay met in college in Wilmington (where Dawson's Creek was filmed...ha) and have been together for 4 years. The weekend was a blast - definitely 72 hours of celebration! here's a few sneak peeks.

This Apple's not BIG enough for us!

This was quite possibly the best 24 hours I've had this year.








Broadway show (9-5), revolving rooftop restaurant, hotel room that barely fit the bed, fruit stands, hot dog stands, NY pizza, Ground Zero, Central Park, B&H photo supply (woot!), and of course... a good old fashioned NY Chipotle burrito :) (Lindsey's FIRST one EVER)

Even though Shea and lil' sis Lindsey live multiple states away, we still got to participate in our favorite pasttimes (traveling and laughing) and work professionally together for the first time ever! What a good deal. Thanks to Shea for inviting me on this "job" and thanks to Linds for opening me up to the world of makeup again. This was absolutely awesome, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.



[there was construction in Times Square, so people just took the blocked lanes as opportunity for a block party]



(iphone - checks out to be pretty handy, much to my Verizon dismay)

Brett & Kate ... are. so. great.

And they say Navigators are Never-daters...

Thank you, Brett and Kate, for breaking that rule :) This travel-loving, beautiful couple met through mutual friends, but started dating because of a random rendezvous in the airport baggage claim! Guess they found more than just their suitcases on those metal conveyor belts...

This wedding was very special. It's always a beautiful thing when 2 people who love the Lord decide to team up, live life together, and love both each other and the people around them - that's exactly what Kate and Brett are out to do. From the moving ceremony to the hilarious and meaningful speeches (esp. the stories about Kate striking out: "What is a strike anyways?") to the bumpin' dance floor, this wedding was a celebration! Thanks so much, Fugates, for letting me be part of your big day.

OH Glory BE! What a fun wedding to be a part of! The 2-becoming-1 of Mike and Bekah, who are just as full of energy, life, and good old fashioned romance as a couple of high schoolers ... so it should come at no surprise that they've been dating since then - since their good ole days at Rampart High School. They have been together for the better part of about 7 years!!! Mike and Bekah are so fun to photograph and to be with; they just ooze life everywhere they go. They must attract others who do the same because this was one of the most fun wedding parties I've gotten to photograph thus far, too. It's obvious that they have been through so much together -- the way they laugh, the way they know each other, the way they care for each other. It's inspiring! A regular Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski, they are :) Some highlights: (too many to mention them all, first off) Mike seeing Bekah for the first time, under the bridge at Colorado Ave. His face is absolutely priceless, and I limited myself to just putting 2 of these in here. In the middle of the shoot, this kind woman from the Bridge Gallery invited us in to take pictures with the art! The art made a great backdrop, and the wedding party liked me again because they didn't have to stand out in the freezing cold anymore, taking turns on who gets to stand in the sunshine! I also LOVED the ceremony. I joked with M & B afterwards that in almost all the pictures I have of them, they're either laughing or kissing. Mike's response: "Those are our 2 favorite things!" The ceremony was just another chance for them to do their favorite things; in fact, they actually sneaked a kiss during communion, long before the pastor had given 'em permission. And we all got to laugh heartily along with them as they read their vows to each other. Bekah: "I promise to stay well read, so you can read vicariously through me." Mike: "I promise to always order dessert, even if I'm full." And those are the funny vows, but these 2 gems love God even more than they love each other and that is the real beauty in this relationship and in what they promised to each other. Thanks for letting me join in the fun, Difelices! Good luck in GA and AZ!!!

Sean & Rachel

This was the first time I got to brave the snow in a wedding photo shoot, and what a glorious day it was! I feel that I've had the privilege to work
with such kind, caring, and thoughtful brides in my career thus far, and Rachel was no exception. She and Sean met in high school here in Colorado and started dating shortly after. I've also photographed her brother for his senior pictures and her parents' bed & breakfast for their website (www.rockymountainlodge.com). Their inn is perfect; it's exactly what comes to your mind when you think of COLORADO! Chunky snow on the trees, real log cabin, mountains in the background ... Ahhhh. Glory. One tradition Rachel's dad has is that he doesn't like to see his daughters until he's about to walk them down the aisle. He didn't even let them show him their dresses! So, of course, he loses it a little and their weddings can turn into a big tear fest for everyone! This time, he budged a little and decided to see Rachel a few minutes in her dressing room a few minutes before the ceremony began. One thing I love about my job is that's not awkward for me be around to witness these precious, timeless moments between family and friends -- if I was just a normal guest I would get kicked out when these moments come and go! But my camera is my ticket into all kinds of intimate moments reserved for the closest of friends. I love it! And I loved getting to work with Sean and Rachel ... best of luck to you 2 out in your new South Carolina adventure!

Manitou Cheerleaders!

Let the good times roll!




I'm pretty sure I smiled for about 2 hours straight during this photo shoot at Garden of the Gods. What a fun group of girls from Manitou High School here in CO! And I had fun just watching them be girls -- giggling incessantly, making witty comments, yelling at strapping young lads who would drive by going through the Garden. It was hilarious! It was a jolly good time, and actually reminded me of my own days spent in a cheer uniform (Sshhh, don't tell). All in all, I think everyone had a good time -- Go Mustangs!

Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US. This year's celebration marks the 20th Annual NAACP Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom and was full of gospel music, ethnic food (mmm...), moonwalks, and lots of dancing and celebrating! It was a blast! I was hired to shoot this event by COPPeR (Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region), which is the premier organization serving the arts here in Colorado Springs. At any rate, the kids were precious, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was full of celebration! Highly recommended :)