Yesterday I had the honor and privilege of capturing Melissa and Kris at their beautiful Flagstaff wedding.  They chose The Nordic Center just outside of town for their wedding and reception venue – and brought all their family and friends together to create a truly amazing and memorable day.

{Phoenix brides, let me tell you, Flagstaff makes an amazing spot for incredible wedding photography!  The options were endless, and the weather could not have been more perfect.    If you’re looking for a destination wedding but don’t want to go too far…check out Northern Arizona!}

Before heading to the ceremony site, the girls made use of some great character-filled spots in downtown Flagstaff  for portraits of the bride and bridal party,  while the guys began their day with a coffee at Late For The Train.   Then, amidst a stand of tall white Aspen, the couple pledged their commitment to one another in a ceremony so filled with emotion that even the wedding photographers had to stop to wipe away tears.  It was a day filled with laughter, love, family and friends, and was a true celebration of community in every possible way.

The happy couple leave tomorrow morning for a dream honeymoon in Greece, so I wanted to quickly post a sneak peek of their wedding photography for them to see before they take off.  More to come soon, I promise!

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They were so in love you could feel it.  This is the kind of love that impacts everyone around them – such a beautiful thing to witness!

Downtown Flagstaff proved the ideal location for some great urban bridal portraits…

Just as we were about to head back to the reception, the most beautiful hazy sunset light came through the trees….

I love my job!

Yesterday morning – while I imagine most sensible, responsible employed adults were stuck in their offices wearing sensible, responsible business casual clothing and doing sensible, responsible, employed adult things – I got to go play and get dirty in my favorite junkyard.  My lovely photog friend Maggie and her family are leaving Phoenix (moving to Dallas! so far away!)  and she wanted some pictures of her uber-cute children before she left.

We stacked colorful old soda crates, we climbed between dumpsters, we examined discarded collections of nuts and bolts and beads and wires.  We talked about bugs, and school and we laughed ourselves silly.  And I get to call this work!

Jake and Kate are sweet, silly, charming, bubbly, loving and articulate children (much like their mama, come to think of it).  Kate is an impish little pixie with an irrepressible sparkle in her eye, while Jack is a utterly darling, serious,  soft spoken boy with a great imagination.  Although we had only met once before yesterday’s session, we were immediate buddies, and had a grand time during our junkyard adventure.

Afterward  – to make a fun morning even better -  we headed to my favorite gelato spot (chocolate hazelnut gelato + blackberry sorbet = yum).  I’m starting to think that all Phoenix photo sessions should end with some sort of icy treat

Maggie – I’m going to miss you, and I wish you and your family all the best in Dallas.  I’m so totally coming to visit (now that Dallas has both you AND Brenda – nothing could keep me away)!

(note to my other wonderful clients: based on Maggie’s departure in less than 24 hours – I made an executive decision to bump her to the head of the sneak peek line   Don’t worry, I’m still working away on all your sessions and should have several to post over the week, so keep checking back!)

Gotta love a little lens distortion – kids can’t resist it when say I can show them a picture of themselves with a giant head!

Maggie was behind me for this one, creating some sort of crazy ‘movie’ for her kiddos.  That lady has energy and enthusiasm enough for ten people! As for me, I just wanted to take that theater seat home with me.

And last but not least, this one is my favorite from the entire session.  I couldn’t decide if I should post color or black and white, because I love them both for different reasons, so don’t be surprised if I add the color one some time soon!

I once swore up and down and back and forth that I would never, no matter what, not in a million years, be a wedding photographer.  There were enough amazing talents in the Phoenix wedding photography scene – I was going to stick with what I knew best.  But then I got the opportunity to assist one of those talented wedding photographers, and I found myself thinking “hmm…that was actually kind of fun” (which, I should have known, is always the beginning of a great adventure).

So, when Shiloh and Ian contacted me and asked me to be their wedding photographer – I didn’t have to think long before saying a resounding “Heck Yeah!”.   This Saturday I got to photograph their beautiful wedding in downtown Phoenix (there was a junkyard! and an old school bus! and rusted turquoise dumpsters! – be still my beating heart), and although I may never imagined a future as a wedding photographer – I think I may have to reevaluate.

I haven’t had much time to review all the photos from the day, I wanted to take a moment to post a quick sneak peek of a few favorite images.

Shiloh and Ian – thank you so much for honoring me by including me in your wedding day. It was truly a blessing to witness the power of the love you share as a couple, and with the strong community that surrounds you. Clearly, you are two gentle and beautiful souls who have already impacted many. You, and your families, are some of the most gracious and welcoming people I have had the privilege of meeting. It was truly a joy to be your wedding photographer and play a role in your celebration.

To all you veteran wedding photographers out there – hats off to you! Wedding photography is definitely an endurance sport, especially in the Phoenix heat!  I read a quote recently in a photography magazine from a wedding photographer who said he runs every day in order to stay in shape for shooting weddings. I thought he was totally exaggerating, but now I totally get it!

And I can’t post this without a shout out to my girls. Thanks to Kimberly Bee (whose assistance with preparing was invaluable) and to Maggie McDonald (the best darn second shooter a gal could ask for)…I love you girls! I’ve gotta say, we make a fabulous team!

PS: Make sure you check out Maggie’s blog for a few of her photos too – she made my jaw drop when I saw them this morning.  STUNNING!

Welcome to my brand new blog! It’s been a long time coming, and I’m excited to play catch up and share pictures from sessions from this fall. I hope you enjoy the new digs, and I love your comments, so please take a second and say hello!

Last week I had the privilege of photographing wee Denna and her proud new parents. I love newborn sessions. Yes, they take several hours. Yes, I often end up with laundry to do when I get home. Yes, the babies don’t always go along with my plans… But to have the opportunity to greet a new baby in the first weeks of life, to take a peek into the growth of a new family, to witness the love and the miracle of it all…lets just say I consider myself a very lucky woman.

Denna is the perfect little peanut, with her mother’s features, her father’s expressions and the bluest of blue eyes. Other than putting her father through several wardrobe changes, she was an utter angel, and so very loved by her parents.

Sarah and Scott, I hope you enjoy the sneak peek of your precious wee girlie, I cannot wait for you to see the rest of the photos.

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