Jesse & Leslie- June 5, 2010- Orcas Island, WA

Where do I even start?! Last week Darrell and I had the pleasure of photographing Jesse & Leslie's wedding on the beautiful Orcas Island in Washington. It was our first time in the area so we spent the whole week exploring WA. In the process visited friends and family in Seattle, explored the San Juan Islands where the wedding was being held and got to visit with friends there as well, went whale watching (unbelievable-more about that later), and explored Olympic National Park! We definitely crammed every day of our trip as full as we could possibly get it and even now, as I recall our trip to write this post, I keep mentioning things to D that I wish we had done, or had more time to really explore. Guess that means we'll just have to go back!! But there will be more posts about WA, you can guarantee that!

I will start where it is most logical... the middle! hahaha! Well, our trip was Wednesday to Wednesday and I know people are much more anxious to see wedding pictures, rather than my personal tromping around town, so I figured that it would be best to start with the wedding! Maybe someday I'll get a few of my personal photos edited.

We began that Saturday by meeting up with the whole gang at the wedding site. Jesse and Leslie found a great private residence that runs along a creek that hosts just a couple weddings a year. It was a beautiful site and seemed perfect for them and this intimate, laid back event the two of them had planned.


The girls had adorable dresses that were really different. They could be wrapped and changed and so the girls all looked different! It was way fun! I'm going to have to ask Leslie where she found them. Also, the girls went down to the Farmer's Market the morning of the wedding and got flowers from a local farm to put together their bouquets! All the flowers for the whole wedding cost them less than $100! I love that they were local from the island, too. Such a great idea.


I just had to post these shots cause I just adore these guys. Jesse, CJ and I all worked at Glenwood Caverns together my first summer in Glenwood Springs my freshman year of college. At that time, Jesse and CJ were in between their Junior and Senior year of high school, the caverns was a tiny little family business and I know that I never pictured us still laughing together almost 10 years later. These two have known each other WAY longer than I've known them, but I think this shot definitely fits them. CJ's wedding was one of the very first I photographed 5 years ago. Actually, Jesse was a groomsmen in CJ's wedding and that is when we all got to meet his new girlfriend, Leslie! I was completely honored and excited when Jesse contacted me about shooting his wedding. It was so wonderful to see old friends and this is the first time we have all been back together since CJ and Brianne's wedding!


Yup, they got IN the creek to take pictures with the little cascade behind them. I love these guys.


I haven't taken a jumping picture in a long time, but this is sort of a tradition for them. They have jumping pictures from everything they do... marathons, vacations... we had to do it. ;)


They set up a bit of a photo booth for guests. This was the girls playing around. Aren't they adorable?


Ok this has a story, I promise! This is the little ring bearer, Evan. (CJ & Brianne are his parents) Jesse had just been giving Evan little pieces of his cupcake and proceeded to eat the rest of it right before this shot. Well he gave Evan a kiss and I think he tasted the chocolate on Jesse! (see Jesse's cheek popped out, still filled with cupcake?) But little Evan just went on in for a bite! Jesse's face of shock and horror was CLASSIC and we all laughed SO hard. One of my favorite moments. haha


This is the tree Jesse and Leslie were married under. It was Jesse's idea to put a ladder up into the big branch and take pictures up in the tree. Again... I love these guys. :)


The evening proceeded with chilly air moving in after dark, and people changing into more comfy clothes to sit around the fire and make smores. Ever had a smore with a Resse's peanut butter cup?.... YUM.

It was a wonderful, intimate, little wedding and I feel very lucky that Darrell and I were able to be a part of it. Thank you SO much for asking us to come out! More pics of the day after session to come!

Sara & Aaron- Shove Chapel & Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

Sara & Aaron had a beautiful wedding in Colorado Springs last year. The ceremony was at the amazing Shove Memorial Chapel on the Colorado College Campus. It is by far my favorite of the churches I've photographed in. After the reception we went to Garden of the Gods to take pictures and I am SO glad we did. I've lived in Colorado my entire life and have been to Garden of the Gods several times... but it just never seems to get old to me. It is such a neat spot and obviously, an incredible spot to take pictures. We had lots of fun reactions full of congrats and well wishes for the newlyweds from the tourists and other visitors at the park. Sara & Aaron even posed for pictures with a family visiting from New Zealand, I believe? It was a lot of fun. ;)

Sara & Aaron were not only amazing to work with, but they were amazing to get to know. I've kept in contact with several people in their wedding party and Sara's brother's band, Other Side of Clearview, played at the reception and they are now one of my favorites. Their CD has lived in the car ever since the wedding last summer. Definitely check them out when they play around Colorado! Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your special day!

Kristie & Bob- Snowy Wedding in Evergreen, Colorado

One of the last thing I expected to do this past weekend was photograph a wedding! Just last week I was at WPPI convention (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) in Las Vegas. It's not the first time I've mentioned the convention because I try to go every year. But when I came back, I had a message from someone here in Evergreen. Pam told me that her brother was getting married and the event had gone from a justice of the peace performing a quick ceremony to a small celebration at the very last minute and they needed a photographer! So on Friday, I booked a wedding for the following Sunday!

I am so glad that they asked me to be a part of their celebration. Kristie & Bill were married in a church here in Evergreen and then, together with close family and friends, they celebrated with a little cake and champagne at Bob's sister's home here in town. Two days before, Kristie didn't even have a dress! She bought it and had it altered the same day, and she looked amazing!! For picking it out at the last minute, she did awfully well! She looked like a million bucks!

We had a little time before the ceremony began and I learned that the stained glass here is actually left over from the building of the Airforce Academy Chapel in Colorado Springs.

I was absolutely ecstatic that they were willing to venture out in the snow with me for a couple of minutes as well and they were VERY good sports in enduring the cold temps and falling snow, but I am in love with the images.

A big huge thanks to Kristie & Bob for allowing me to be a part of their intimate day with their friends and family. And thanks to Pam, Bob's sister, for thinking of me and bringing me into your home! It was absolutely my pleasure to share a piece of your day with you.