A Cliff House wedding album: Katie and Chad

[ Manitou Springs wedding photography ]

To carry on with my last post's theme, here's another fabulous wedding album from last season. Katie, Chad and their families and loved ones all traveled great distances in order to celebrate their wedding here in beautiful Colorado, at the historic Cliff House. I think it was the hottest day of the year, but no one was complaining because we all had such a killer time! It was a joy designing this wedding album because Chad and Katie were so nice to work with, and the great memories of that day were reflected so vividly in the photos. I loved the finished album so much, I think I'm going to make a duplicate for myself!

You can see more of Katie and Chad's fabulous Cliff House wedding by clicking HERE.

Love this ultra-romantic wedding picture of them at the Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the background! It makes a stunning double-spread centerpiece in their wedding album.

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AFA wedding: Morgan and Mark's album

[ Air Force Academy wedding ]

I've been delivering so many gorgeous albums (and this one was delivered quite a while ago!) and taking pictures of them before I let them go, but I never seem to have time to share. I have challenged myself to post a few pictures of some albums this week, just to show you what a beautiful heirloom they really are. This one is from Mark and Morgan's gorgeous wedding at the AFA Cadet Chapel and reception at Doolittle Hall. Wanna know what Mark said to Morgan when they received this beauty in the post? "This is the thing we grab if our house is burning down!" In all seriousness, a beautiful wedding album is the memento you will cherish most over the years, because it is the one tangible token that brings back floods of happy memories and emotions every time you look at it. It only becomes more precious over time. It's a treasure that you hand down to your children and grandchildren.

Morgan and Mark now have a brand new baby, so their priorities have shifted from "couple" to "family". I'm so glad they have this wonderful memento of their most romantic day to remind them of just how special it was.

To see more of Morgan and Mark's beautiful Air Force Academy wedding, click HERE.

The Cadet Chapel is dramatically beautiful any day of the year!

I just love a big double-truck spread like this in the middle of the album. Gorgeous!!!

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Colorado fashion photography: Ember

[ fashion photographers in Colorado ]

This is Ember, who has the most interesting sense of style I've seen in a long time! She's the friend of a past client, Michelle, and when Michelle posted a snapshot of Ember on her Facebook wall, I commented that I'd love to take a photograph of her. Which led to this shoot. In fact, my plan was just to get one image of Ember for my other blog (Colorado Springs Daily Photo), but the project grew legs and before I knew it we were doing a full blown fashion portrait shoot. Fine with me! I had very little input into the wardrobe and let Ember take the lead there, which is the opposite of how I usually do things with fashion shoots (in fact, the only items of clothing I contributed were the sunglasses and coat in the photo above). She has great instincts and styled herself from head to toe, and she looked great! I think Ember's got a future in fashion :^)

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A tiny wedding at the Cliff House

[ Cliff House wedding Manitou Springs ]

This lovely bride, Susie, is an old friend of mine from a lifetime ago when I worked in corporate America. I quit that job 10 years ago and never looked back, and have only seen Susie sporadically in the meantime. I was so happy to hear that she'd found Bill, a guy who clearly adores her. It was sweet to watch these two all day. Susie is a grandma (a very hot grandma!), so here's your proof that being twitterpated is not just the domain of the young and foolish! Susie and Bill, thank you for letting me document your happiness. I wish you all the best in your new adventure as husband and wife :^)

This is one very happy bride!

Bill watching Susie process up the aisle on the arm of her son. His expression says it all.

The band aid matches the flower basket ;^)

I love how he looks at her!

The petite cake was just big enough for the 11 people in attendance.

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Colorado Springs boudoir photography: Stephani

This is beautiful Stephani, a full-figured woman and proud of it! We did this boudoir session at the Cliff House a few weeks ago, as a Valentines present for Stephani's boyfriend. Raaawr! Stephani, you're so hot! I know he's going to love his V-Day surprise!





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My best and favorite images of 2011

I know, I know. 2011 ended about six weeks ago. But I've been busy! I of course meant to make a post like this in early January, but time has flown by and I've only just now eked out a few minutes to pick out my favorites from last year. A little explanation: what's technically my BEST photo isn't necessarily always my FAVORITE photo, because I don't choose my favorites based on technique. But this particular best also qualifies as a favorite, because I really do love everything about it (including the the fun memories of taking it). In case you're wondering, it's the photograph featured at the top of this post. For the rest of my 2011 favorites, read on. Enjoy!

My favorite boudoir image of 2011. I love how it shows just enough and not too much. Dani has beautiful legs!

Favorite fashion photo of 2011 -- my friend Jaime, Denver's
2010-11 Miss Modernism. I think it shows her cheeky personality and her
great sense of style. And oh yeah, she looks beautiful too!

Favorite senior portrait. Jemma has buckets of personality and sass, and I
think this portrait reflects that.

Favorite engagement portrait. Jenn and Marin have a very jokey, fun relationship,
just like this picture.

Favorite fine art portrait. This is Jess.

Favorite image from a personal project. This is from a portrait session with a 100 year-old woman, Charlotte.

My favorite bridal portrait of the year, from Marylou and Jim's wedding at the Fine Arts Center. This image is very representative of my style.


Favorite reception capture, from Morgan and Mark's wedding at the Air Force Academy. I love this shot!

My favorite getting ready picture of 2011. The bride, Carol, is getting her makeup done as her two year-old daughter, Mari, who is the apple of everyone's eye, comes to the realization that she is not going to be the center of attention that day. Oh the tragedy!


And finally, my favorite wedding moment and overall favorite from the whole year. This bride, Janie, was 47 and a mother of three; this was her second wedding. At the moment she descended the stairs and revealed herself in all her bridal glory, her nine year old son looked at her in awe (and that's her 16 year old daughter looking on in awe as well, plus the officiant). I love this shot. It's my absolute favorite of the many pictures I shot in 2011.

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