Meet the "M" Family

I had so much fun with this beautiful family. This is the second time I've photographed them and the youngest, "A" was only a few weeks old! It's crazy how fast little ones change :). Just check out the eyes on this family. Guess where they get those peepers from?

Mom scheduled me to take the majority of photographs of her 6 month old along with some shots of her and her husband - I call them the Barbie Doll Family. Aren't they beautiful? Unfortunately, I was told that they have NO photographs of the two of them at their wedding :(. How sad is that? So - they wanted to make sure they got some great ones with the fall colors. Just beautiful!

Thank you, "M" Family, for letting me be a part of your Monday. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Freeman/Sager Engagement Session

What a fun couple! I love it when couples aren't afraid to show affection. It really makes my job soooo much easier! They were VERY comfortable in front of the camera and it shows. I am not shooting their wedding because they are getting married in Illinois, but I am honored to have been able to photograph their engagement session. They also wanted a couple with their new kittens. It made me want another cat, they are just so cute!

Thanks so much for letting me spend some time with you. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Meet the "R" Family

Awww...I can't say sweet enough times to describe this sweet family! From ages 9 to 2, these children have a special, special bond with their Mama. They were all so respectful and kind. They even gave me hugs at the end of the session! What cute-patooties. Thanks, "R" family for letting me spend some time with you. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and consider yourselves loved...

Miss "E"'s Sneak-Peek!

I've know MIss "E" since she was a 6th grader! She is full of life and is an extremely talented singer! She is also one of my Spokesmodels from Capital. We spent our time shooting downtown and at Katheryn Albertson's Park. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and thanks, Miss "E" for helping me "break the rules..."

My Lovely Cousin...

This September, my cousin Kristi and her husband Justin finished their process for pre-adoption and were told just four short weeks ago that they were the proud parents of a newborn baby boy. They flew down to Texas and brought him home last week. She came in for their photoshoot that week and I immediately fell in love. He is so cute and sweet! He slept like a champ!!! Enjoy your Sneak-Peek, Kristi and Justin, and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Miss "M" Sneak-Peek!

Boy! When "M"'s mom called me to photograph her Senior daughter, she mentioned that the camera loves her. Well - when Miss "M" walked out of the car, I was floored! She is such a natural beauty, with her gorgeous red hair (all natural) and her beautiful blue eyes. She also had many different expressions! I really think this gal needs to audition for America's Next Top Model.

She attends Eagle High and will be graduating in December. She loves downtown, so we spent some there as well as a few other places. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek, "M" and thanks for helping me "break the rules..."

Calaycay/Huffman Wedding

I had the amazing privilege of photographing Ed and Candy's wedding on the 11th of October in the beautiful scenery of Tamarack Resort. It was a beautiful, intimate wedding that radiated with love and support for the bride and groom. I consider myself lucky to have been a part of that wonderful day!

Lumuli (Assistant and Hubby - or as Candy said - Hubby and Assistant) and I traveled to Tamarack for the wedding a few hours before. We were nervous about the roads because of the weather here in Boise. We had our first snow-fall. Can you believe it??? On October 10th??? Crazy! I was happy to discover that it hadn't snowed in McCall (or surrounding areas) as of yet. Phew!

When I arrived at this gorgeous hotel, I headed up to the girls' room, where Candy would be getting ready. She was so relaxed - I loved seeing this! Too many times, you Brides get all worked up about certain details and things that might not be going as planned, but the truth is that EVERY wedding has unplanned events and things that go "wrong". But that's just it - it doesn't matter. You are soon to be married to the man of your dreams and there is no reason for you to do anything but enjoy the day as it chooses to unfold. This is exactly what Candy did. Be like Candy, Ladies.







I decided to head over to the chapel, where the ceremony would take place and the schoolhouse, where the reception would be held. I found the guys chilling in the reception area. Chatting up a storm, I'm sure ;). Ed's son was also there, hangin' out. Isn't he just a handsome young man???




It was absolutely beautiful! Candy has exquisite taste. She really did an amazing job of creating a beautiful, intimate space for their matrimony!

Although the temperature was somewhere in the mid-20's, Candy and Ed really wanted some outdoor photographs. So, after they met and had their moment together (well, with their photographer...), we headed out to traipse around Tamarack in my Pilot. I don't even think I can even count how many brides I've chauffeured over the months :). It's always a great journey! Tamarack is absolutely beautiful. I love it there...











What a sweet, cute bridal party! They were, literally, half of the number of guests!!!



Just before the ceremony, Candy and her girls headed into the bathroom (yes, the official "before-the-wedding" meeting place). Candy saw this amazing window and insisted she be photographed in front of it. I am so glad she twisted my arm - it was such a beautiful, classic place.




The ceremony was just so sweet. It was performed by one of Candy's family friends & included beautiful moments - like the way the individual candles wouldn't light the Unity Candle - a bit of laughter ensued when Candy and Ed decided to mount the individual candles between the unity candle and hurricane glass. Super cute!




Candy demonstrated her amazing ability to design an intimate setting with details, lighting and color. This girl needs to go into business. She is an amazing designer. She left no detail unturned when it came to this most important day. She set the perfect mood and ambience.






Some of my favorite details were the cute M&M's with pictures of Candy and Ed. I also loved the Groom's Cake by Greg Marsh. Have you ever heard of these? I think they're more popular in the East - really cute! I also loved their "guest book" - which was actually a "guest bottle". They plan on opening the bottle on one of their anniversaries. Isn't that sweet?





Lumuli and I ended our evening by listening to good company enjoying laughter and food.





On our way out, I saw the Tamarack sign lit up outside. So - we stopped in the middle of the intersection, unloaded some of my gear and took this shot. I am glad I gave that one last effort because I really like this shot!



Thanks, Candy and Ed, for letting me be a part of your special day. I am honored. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek (thanks for your patience) and Consider Yourselves Loved...

UGH - FINALLY!!!

My computer is back, sound and safe at home on my desk. I will be working like a mad-woman for the next few weeks trying to catch up on my 40 (yes, 40) tasks to be done. I appreciate your patience so much!!! I love my clients. For those of you waiting, I will contact you as soon as I get your "task" done :). Thanks again, Everyone.

Computer's Down...

My computer that I work on for my sessions is currently not communicating to my monitor! All data is perfectly safe - the only reason I am posting this is because I have Sneak-Peek that was supposed to be up in the next couple of days. The Laursen/Jones photographs are supposed to be online tomorrow as well, but it may take a couple more days until my computer gets fixed. Yuck! Thanks for your understanding :).

Meet Miss "L" - Your Sneak-Peek

I am photographing Miss "L"'s Dad's wedding this weekend and I was asked to photograph Miss "L" for her Senior Pictures because I was different! Of course, I said! I love Seniors, afterall!

Miss "L" is a girl after my own heart. She is a choir gal - you all know how I love choir! - and she has quite a beautiful voice. I was honored to serenaded by her in the Julia Davis Bandshell! We had fun together, traipsing around down-town, finding brand new locations just for her! She is a sweetheart and just look at her hair!!! I am so jealous of her beautiful curl :).

Thanks, Miss "L", for hanging out with me on Thursday! Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and thanks for helping me "break the rules"...

Schoenfelder/Gummerson Wedding

Katie was one of my brides who booked me over the phone, since she and Will live in Texas. She was such a sweetie and was one of a few of my brides who sent me a hand-written note of "can't wait to see you". I love to get hand-written notes! Thanks to all of you who take time out of your day to do this. It really makes me happy :). So - because of her sweet, thoughtful note, I knew this would be a lovely person to work for!

I met Katie and her bridesmaids at the Hampton Suites in Boise where they would begin getting ready. This is also the time that I get to shoot details, like the shoes, the jewelery (which was a romantic gift from the groom), the flowers and the dress.





When Katie got on her dress, she added this darling little golden sweater. One of the bridesmaids said, "Only Katie could wear a golden sweater with her wedding dress and still look beautiful". Isn't that the truth??? She has got such a great style and it was apparent in every part of her wedding.






Katie and Wil met downstairs in the lobby of the Hampton Inn where they would see eachother for the first time.




After their meeting, we headed over to the Church where we would get ready and shoot a few of the "before ceremony" shots with the bridesmaids. We would also get a shot of mom putting on the veil and of the incredibly unique Ring "pillow" along with some other great details!







The ceremony was beautiful. Katie's cousin is a priest and he performed the ceremony. It"s always nice to have that personal touch of, "I knew the bride when *insert something embarrassing about childhood here*". I could tell he really loves his cousin - it was so great that he was able to be a part of the wedding!




Aren't these two just so-stinkin' cute? They are Wil's nephew and niece and I could have just taken them both home with me! It was hard not to get a great shot with these two!



After the ceremony, the weather was going back and forth between rain and sunshine. We had to make the best of it, so during the rain, we shot inside at Hotel 43, where the boys stayed, and when it was sunny, we shot outside. If we were driving and it became sunny, we stopped! Will saw a great rainbow and we tried hard to get it in this first shot, but by the time we actually stopped at a place that had parking for us, the rainbow had disappeared...who cares? We still got this beautiful first shot!



Then we headed to Hotel 43. Did you know there were so many great areas to shoot in at the hotel?






Katie and Wil are both designers (do you see a trend in my weddings?), so they were up for many of my ideas! After Hotel 43, we headed over to Surprise Valley to get some great Storm shots. The first image in this post was also taken in Surprise Valley.



Okay - ironically, this bride and groom also had their reception at Barber Park this weekend. Barber Park really is a fantastic alternative to Katheryn Albertson's Park. Don't get me wrong, KAP is great, but you can't continue with your reception there. At Barber Park, you can have the beautiful outdoor wedding that you've always wanted (along with shade and beautiful lighting for the photographer :) ) and stay in the same place for the reception which can be held indoors, outdoors or both!

Anywho - Katie and Wil's reception was full of designer touches. From the amazing "log" cake from Greg Marsh (I feel like a broken record here - see my other posts with photos of cakes) to the very cool reception cards to the woodlike chairs & gorgeous "bride-created" topiaries, the theme of "into the woods" was an obvious thread to tie the entire reception together.






Okay - in all reality, when Katie told me of her colors of Gold and Silver, I wasn't quite sure how she would be able to pull it off. But - I must say - it was sooo beautiful! The girl's dresses looked fantastic on all of them (who would have known???) and the guys' socks??? Too cool! The Flower Girl's darling dress was made by Lessie, Katie's mom.



My favorite thing about the wedding? Of course it was the Cotton Candy Machine. After seeing me eye the machine for about 10 minutes, my sweetie-assistant, Brooke, asked me, "Do you want some Cotton Candy?". I could no longer resist. Alas! I got to participate in the delectable taste of my favorite fair food. It brought out the kid in all of us!






And at last, the traditions. These are ever-changing from wedding to wedding. There are many people who are switching them around or not even including them. One word of advice - however you do your "traditions", be sure it reflects your personality.





And finally - you all know how I love the dancing *sigh*.










Special thanks to Brandon Johnson, my second shooter, and Brooke (my ever-faithful and hard-working assistant).

Thanks, Katie and Wil, for letting me be a part of your special day! Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Watkins/Briggs Wedding

I met this cute couple a few months ago and I was immediately drawn to them. Not only are they super sweet, but they are also designers. I love photographing weddings of designers - generally speaking, they have amazing taste & unique ideas - these two were no exception. I received Aubry & John's wedding invitation and saw a bit of their impeccable taste! John had designed a certain damask-like "motif" (forgive me, Designers, if I've used that word incorrectly). This motif was used throughout the entire wedding - from the invites that were designed similar to a poster of an upcoming film release, to the cake, which, again, was made by Greg Marsh.



I arrived at Barber Park, where Aubry and John would meet for the first time. Before Aubry arrived, John's jacket had popped a button and just like any good groom, he sewed it right up before they saw one another.



I was able to get some shots of the reception hall and all of Aubry & John's details before they met. Their Wedding Coordinator, Megan, did a beautiful job with the decor. The wind showed up a couple of times and knocked over a few things, but during the ceremony, it was absolutely perfect and everything was put back in it's place!





Witnessing Aubry and John meet for the first time brought pitter-patters to my heart! Aubry looked beautiful in her white dress and John could not wait to see her.





One of the great things about Barber Park is the variety of surroundings. We headed out back to the forested area where I photographed the bride and groom and their wedding party.









I also photographed the family. I love how close these families are. There was so much laughter and happiness for the bride and groom. As a matter of fact, both Aubry's mom and John's mom joined forces to make them an amazing wedding gift. I'll tell more about this gift in a later paragraph.








Here's a photo of the gift that Mom & Mom made for their lovely Chil'ens. It is a beautiful quilt made in all the autumn colors and Aubry and John love. It was absolutely exquisite. I love it when it's obvious how well a mom knows her child. It was sooo beautiful!



It was time for Aubry and John to touch-up and to get some rest before the ceremony.




As most of you know, this weekend was greeted with some rainy weather! I've been so very lucky to always have great weather for the "moments" of the photographs! The entire ceremony was lit with diffused sunlight and cooled by the Fall breeze. It couldn't have been more perfect!











I love this shot after the ceremony. You can feel the joy!



Sorry, Aubry and John. Not everyone was "fully present" for your ceremony :).



Aubry and John greeted the guests from their seats and invited them inside for the beautiful reception and heart-warming slideshow, where they stayed incognito, awaiting their Grand Entrevous!




After the slideshow, they entered into the reception hall like they were walking on the red carpet! They also had a "red-carpet" holler!



The delicious dinner was catered by Goodwood. Presentation, service and flavor was flawless!!! A big shout-out to all the fantastic waiters/resses at the reception :).



The cake cutting, toasts, and dances assisted in bidding us goodnight to an evening well-played.








John and Aubry, I am honored that you chose me to photograph your beautiful fall wedding. Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...

Mr. "V" Sneak-Peek

This poor family has been waiting for a LONG time for their Sneak-Peek! We had a few minor delays, but this shall be delayed no longer!

Isn't this little guy just the cutest? He is the nephew of a couple of whom I just photographed their wedding. The Bride and Groom gifted his Mom and Dad a session for their sweetie-pie 6-month old. I took the photographs the day before the wedding.

Enjoy your Sneak-Peek and Consider Yourselves Loved...