Follow along with my photo stories and journeys on my blog. My passion is candid and intimate shots, so wedding, engagement, senior and lifestyle are a few of my specialties.
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engagement
It's only spring, it's not too late to post winter images right?! Haha I know, I'm thinking about warm weather too, but these are just too cute not to share! And it shows just how awesome my couples are. It was definitely below zero the day that Theresa, Aaron, and I met for some engagement portraits in downtown Madison. Brrr!! But can you tell? Nope. I had so much fun with them and these images just prove that no matter what the weather is like you can get gorgeous images!
If you read my last two blog posts about Yosemite and Big Sur you'll know I was traveling with other wedding photographers in California a few weeks ago. Why were we doing this? Well really you don't need a reason, but we had all signed up for the Heck Yeah Photo Camp hosted by Ben Sasso!
Signing up for this workshop was a total impulse. The workshop with 130 photographers sold out within 3-4 hours! Wow. Why were we all so excited for it? Not only was it in a really cool location, Joshua Tree, but some of the world's best photographers were speaking. Like I said in the previous posts, this trip was very inspiring and reenergizing for me. Just being around that many talented and like-minded people will do that, but I came away refreshed and with a new desire to really build the type of business that I want.
The wedding industry is in an interesting place right now with styled shoots and destination weddings being the new hip thing to do. Add on to that trying to get your work published and what kinds of images these publishers are looking for and it really has changed how photographers approach and photograph weddings. So what then do I want to shoot? What is my goal for my business? Why am I a wedding photographer? Haha, getting really personal now.
I am a photographer because I love creating images and capturing memories. It's my creative outlet in life and I really don't want to do anything else. I am a wedding photographer because I love getting to preserve all of these wonderful, important, and meaningful moments for my couples and their families and friends. A wedding day is filled with so much love and happiness, how could you not want to be a part of that?!
My goal for my business is to get to know and work with couples that value their marriage and quality photography. Simple as that! I love couples that plan a wedding day that reflects and is meaningful to them. Do you love epic views? Let's hike for a bit to get that breathtaking spot. Do you have a piece of land that has been in your family for generations? Set up some chairs and say "I do" somewhere that is meaningful. Find the venue that when you walk in gets you excited and you immediately can picture dancing and having the time of your life with all the people you love around.
I am so excited for my wedding season this year and all of the memories that it will bring! Here are some fun moments and memories from the workshop in Joshua Tree :)
At the end of each year (well and throughout the year as well) I always go back and look over my images from the year. First, it's just fun to look back at all of the wonderful people and memories from the last year, but second, it really gives me a chance to see if I'm creating the best work possible for my clients. I am constantly trying to improve my skills, creativity, customer experience, and really anything having to do with my photography business! I am so grateful to be able to be a photographer and because I never want to stop means I always want to do my best for all of my amazing clients.
I went through and pulled some of my favorite images from some of the engagement and portrait sessions from 2015, and it was so tough to narrow it down! There are a million little reasons why I chose these images, and tomorrow I'd probably choose different ones, but I can't help smiling as I look back at this little collection of moments from the past year :) THANK YOU all for a wonderful 2015 and I cannot wait for 2016!!
Back in June I went to visit my best friend in Salt Lake City and photograph their engagement session! Well, my super delayed flight, and their crazy doctor schedules meant we couldn't hike up into the mountains for a grand background, but we still got some beautiful and fun portraits in downtown Salt Lake City!
In 2016 it is my goal to photograph more adventurous couples that want to go off the beaten path to get epic views and backgrounds for their portraits! If you want to try something new, different, or meet at a stunning location get in touch because I do as well :) Lets go explore this beautiful country together! ....just imagine yourself in front of some of these amazing views for your portrait session
With Valentines Day coming up soon I thought I would talk a bit about engagement sessions and catching those special moments with your special someone that are more romantic.
Being at ease and natural in front of a camera seems daunting enough by itself, but then add more intimate moments? Seems impossible, but it's not :) I always start each session by going over what we're going to be doing. How I will start you in a pose, but encourage you to move around, make each other laugh, tell me a story, and hopefully laugh at the ridiculous things I may say or do (yes, I'm good at this because I do and say ridiculous things quite often in my every day life too). But I like to encourage my couples to just forget where we are, be in the moment, and remember why you love each other.
Lean in slowly for a kiss, put a hand up on her cheek and pull her in close, snuggle up and lay your head on his chest, these intimate moments where you forget I'm there and and just enjoying each other and being affectionate are the moments you will look back on and they will bring tears to your eyes. They are the true expressions of your love. You may think you're not a super affectionate couple, but even a little embrace, the unique way you hold hands, the small glances you sneak each other are all of the real and romantic moments that capture your love.
I want to show your fun and playful side, but don't be afraid to show your love for each other as well. I hope everyone has a special Valentine's Day next weekend!
