Owen all dressed up

What kid can resist playing in the “sandbox” at a beach wedding?

Lindsay and Ben – Album

This is the time of year for wedding album designing! Here is a design I just sent to print of Lindsay and Ben’s wedding this summer. There is still a little time left if you would like your album finished before Christmas, so contact me right away if this is you.

done

(music: Electric Love Letter by Langhorne Slim)

Roberta and Scott

Sometimes, I find it difficult to put words to the photos I take. And this time is one of them. At first glace, this may appear like an engagement shoot with a happy couple. But they have been married for over 4 years. And they have recently faced their biggest challenge yet…cancer.

Roberta is 32 years old, a beautiful Brazilian woman who is full of life and so loving and affectionate. She discovered some lumps in her neck a short while ago, and as a result, the last month has proved to be her most difficult in her short 32 years. The diagnosis? Lung cancer, stage 4. Treatment? Radiation and chemotherapy which began last week. The result? God willing, a long wonderful life together with a few children running around at their feet. The immediate result? Lots of fatigue, nausea, loss of hair, loss of appetite, heaps of prayers and definite uncertainty.

When she asked me to take some pictures of her and Scott, I knew it was the most wonderful thing I could do for them…pretty much all I could do. She said she would also like some of herself and when she touched her long, dark hair, she said “and of my hair.” And then tears. But Roberta is full of strength and faith and an incredibly positive attitude and these pictures show so much of her, and so much of the love she and Scott share.

And some of just Roberta…

I’m constantly amazed at how powerful photography can be and how much joy it can bring to people. It gives back so much to me when people are so thankful to have pictures of themselves, their loved ones, their special moments. I feel very blessed that I can be a part of something so rewarding.

Kara and Mike’s Baby Shower

My sister and her husband are having twins…and my cousin and their friend threw a great baby shower for them. A few details from the party with a “two peas in the pod” theme. This cake was amazing!

Laura and George – Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Where do I begin? First of all, it’s the coolest thing to see two of your favorite people getting married! This was a very personal “job” because Laura is one of my best friends. We met in San Francisco, lived together for several years and kept in touch when I left the Bay Area. After spending some time in Idaho, Laura never left, met George and the rest is history.

Laura is a Chapel Hill native and always imagined she would get married on the beach. Emerald Isle was a special place for them and it was an easy decision to make this place their wedding location. They rented a gorgeous beach house and all the festivities were held there…with a sandy beach ceremony, of course.

I love shooting people I know well because you can really feel free to be there for all the intimate moments and feel part of it as well. I got to  help out around the house preparing for the wedding, share a sip of champagne with her before she walked down the aisle and most importantly, document her special day (alongside my other wonderful friend, Emily.)

This wedding was a family affair for sure! The officiant was Uncle Robert from Oakland. Laura’s sisters were the bridesmaids. My husband and another friend of George’s stood up with him (my man is the taller of the two groomsman and a favorite subject of mine,) even though we were all sad his twin 1o year old boys couldn’t have been there as his attendants. Laura’s childhood voice teacher performing at the reception. Laura’s dad, Dave, and his band rocked the party later and I was so moved when I saw her and George dancing with her dad singing the first dance song…a very cool moment. And of course, the photographers were myself and Emily, both close friends. Other friends and family  helped with decoration, place cards, dress-steaming, makeup, late-night bartending…you name it.

Another treat was getting to shoot at a beach! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the Tetons and the mountains, but it’s always fun to shoot at new locations. The color of this day was amazing. I usually convert a fair amount of photos to black and white, but the beautiful, muted colors of the beach were hard to erase.

Enjoy a large helping of photos from the day. I am so happy for Laura and George and it was wonderful having all of our friends and their families together to celebrate this occasion!

Lucas

This little man is so sweet. We started out with some family portraits and gradually changed him and eventually stripped him down entirely. I though we were going to lose him halfway through because he was not at all excited about some of the positions we were putting him in. Unlike most babies, Lucas loved being on his tummy! Once we did that, I thought it would be all over, but instead he started smiling and being incredible cute and photogenic before we tired him out completely. He was so darling when he fell asleep in his daddy’s arms after a long, productive photo shoot. Big day for a 4 month old.

A little note to parents: be sure to take photos of your baby’s room before it gets all turned into a toddler room. I did this recently since we are about to have baby #2 and the room is getting switched all around. You’ll spend many moments looking around your baby’s nursery … feeding … rocking … reading … soothing … bouncing. You just might like to keep a few memories of that incredibly special time…or just hire me, and I’ll come do it!

Lucas – Coming Soon

We have arrived.

Well, here we are in Cincinnati, Ohio and it’s been a crazy transition. My 3-year-old and I flew from Jackson to Cincinnati last Tuesday, and my husband and brother-in-law were going to follow in our car with a U-haul trailer Wednesday morning. They left as planned, but Wednesday evening were in a car accident in the Colorado snowstorm in Ft. Collins. Thankfully everyone is ok, although our car is totaled. Just to make things more difficult, I-70 was closed all the next day and they didn’t get here until Sunday evening. And did I mention our dog, Bailey, ripped a nail off getting out of the tow truck and had to be sedated to fix that in at a Ft. Collins vet? Even when things are flawlessly planned, things can go awry in an instant. I’m just so happy that the boys arrived safely home (they have 3 babies on the way too, since my sister is due with twins) so I’m thankful that through all the chaos, everything is going to be ok.

Happy Fall

Christine and Kevin – Amangani

Christine and Kevin had a sweet and intimate wedding at Amangani this fall. Although a chilly day, the family braved some portraits ahead of time with some Teton views. The more I do portraits prior to the ceremony, the bigger fan I become. It leaves the rest of the day for you to really enjoy your wedding, your family and guests, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, etc. I guess the romantic side of me still likes the idea of not seeing your bride/grooom before the “Big Moment”, but the more practical side of me is a big proponent of the “before” shots.

Judd Grossman provided the music throughout, including a great Willie Nelson rendition during the ceremony that moved people to tears. The ceremony was officiated by Jackson’s Municipal Judge, Tom Jordan, and it was extremely heartfelt and sincere.

The reception room at the Amangani was so intimate and warm. I loved the beautiful table settings and the cozy fireplace burning in the background next to wine chilling over ice.

It was very special to witness this union. I always love the small gatherings like this where I feel more part of the wedding, than one just observing and documenting.

Congratulations Christine and Kevin!

Thank goodness for the hot chocolate served as the guests were coming in from the ceremony that proved to be rather windy and chilly…although you wouldn’t know it from Christine and Kevin’s smiles. Nice touch.