archives: June 2010

Happy Day to All Fathers!

Just in case you wonder about the awkward wording of the title, it is because the website won’t allow me to use apostrophes in the title. And I HATE grammatical errors, so this is my only solution so far.

First, Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful father in Washington state. I feel so fortunate to have had him in my life for all these years. I get to see him on Tuesday, so that (for me) is the best gift of all. Next, to my husband for being the best possible father to our daughers. And finally, to Chris on his very first Father’s Day. I can already see that he will be great in his new role.

Now I can finally post the shots we took on Nolan’s “glamour” day for his dad. Can you tell which sports his parents love and the one Chris played all through college??

Mandy & Orion Married in Dillon

Okay, this wedding should not have been so much FUN. First, the couple was married yesterday amid predictions of all kinds of terrible weather at Windy Point on Lake Dillon. Yes, it was windy. It was cold. And it rained (but only AFTER the ceremony). But no one cared about any of that. We Coloradans (and out of state guests) know how to dress for a June event in the mountains, and the bride led the way in her exquisite strapless gown (no space heater near her!) as she and Orion exchanged vows by the side of the lake. After gathering all the attendees together for a quick group portrait, we headed to the point to take a few shots of the bridal party. And just a few, as that is when the rain started, so we headed back and continued the celebration under the pavilion roof. It was unpredictable; it was perfect. Congratulations, Orion and Mandy!

Following are just a few of the bride and groom and wedding party. Enjoy!

I thought about stopping the bridal couple from dancing DURING the group portraits, but that’s no fun!

And last, but not least, we all celebrated the successful completion of Tayler’s treatment. The flower girl was beautiful, as was her dad’s speech to her and the wedding couple.

Nolan & His First Portrait Session

Question: How do you make sure an eight day old baby stays asleep while you shoot (literally) hundreds of photos of him? Answer: Turn off the air conditioning and let the house heat up, thus lulling him into an amazingly comfortable stupor! The hardest part of this experience? Choosing the photos to share with you. Enjoy!

Mandy & Orion Engagement Photos

I had only met Mandy and Orion once before, but instantly felt that they were not only a great couple, but wonderful people as well. And at last week’s engagement session I learned that they are also a whole lot of fun. We shot in two locations, first in the more formal attire (so Orion could look dashing in his new suit and Mandy could show off her blue toenails!) and then at the nearby playground where the little kids were utterly fascinated by these two adults swinging and sliding and laughing. I was fascinated as well by their obvious love for each other. Their wedding is this weekend, and I can’t wait to post some of the wedding photos next week. Congratulations, Mandy and Orion!

And when Mandy slid headfirst into the sand, Orion was there to kiss the pain away. Now that is love!

Fathers Day Idea

I love to check out blogs and web sites for new ideas for photography. A relative sent me the link for a series of photos with little boys, and I loved the idea but decided to use some backgrounds to make it more “little girl” themed. And since we missed Abbie and Kelsie’s Mother’s Day photo shoot because of terrible weather, I figured I could make one for Kellie, the mom, as well and then they could go together. And we couldn’t forget the girls’ grandfather, now, could we? (He’s Bumpa!) Finally, I absolutely loved this shot of of Abbie soaring while Kelsie admires her from below.

Next up: an engagement photo session with the couple whose wedding I’m shooting this weekend (they were more fun than the kids at the park!) and then some from Nolan’s first official portrait session. (Spoiler alert: he is adorable!)

Nolan, One Week

First, a disclaimer: Nolan’s Aunt Missy was all prepared to write the last message of Karlyn’s maternity series…and then Nolan arrived a couple of days early. But Missy’s an elementary school teacher and thus can adapt in a heartbeat. Below is the last message of the series, and a beautiful one to end on. (Plus I LOVE Cooper’s face; he never did look at the camera, just his new cousin.)

Because it would be impossible to read this on smaller computer screens, I’ve copied it here:

Dear Baby Nolan,

Happy Birthday, baby boy! God brought you into the world today, and we got to see your sweet face! You are as precious as we thought you would be. Your cousin Cooper was very excited to meet you. He wasn’t quite sure what to think of you and the noises you were making…but we know in no time you guys will be the best of buds, running all over the house and throwing balls. Your Daddy and Uncle Danny have already started planning you and your cousin Cooper’s baseball careers. We love you dearly and couldn’t be more thrilled to be your aunt and uncle. We know God has his hands around you and you are going to do great things. Love you so much!

Love, Aunt Missy, Uncle Danny and Cousin Cooper

And next are the last of the First Week photos. Not the last of the photos, as I have a feeling they will pop up on a fairly regular basis. But for now, we’ll give the little darling a break. It was fun today, though, because he was the most alert yet. I suppose that happens when you are almost an entire week old!

Mom the dentist is on the lookout for thumb or finger sucking; grandparents don’t care quite as much!

And I just snapped this one for Alison C, who commented yesterday that he looked like his grandfather. While Dan watches the women’s softball game, his grandson is watching the window shades flutter in the wind. Good call, Alison!

Nolan, Day Six

I was determined today to just post a couple of photos and then hold this precious child the rest of the time. But I had left my camera at the house and his parents couldn’t resist dressing him up as a BEAR and then snapping a photo and I couldn’t resist sharing, so then I couldn’t resist setting him next to a 12 month (just 12 month!) outfit so we could see how tiny he really is. And then I couldn’t resist shooting just a couple more photos (as he snuggled in the quilt his mom sewed for him). And then I couldn’t resist stopping so I could hold him again.

Nolan, Day Five

Since yesterday’s theme was mother and son related, I’m sure you can figure out today’s theme without any help! Also, Nolan had his first sponge bath; with the best part snuggling in his bathrobe afterward. I’m glad I left my camera at the house so Chris and Karlyn could capture that sequence!

Nolan, Day Four

You might notice a theme for most of today’s photos, even though Mother’s Day is officially over. I am in awe watching Karlyn with Nolan; she is so confident and calm and loving. And, from the photographic evidence, it’s pretty clear where Nolan gets his hair color!

Nolan’s dad Chris captured his blue-decked son in the next photo.

And, finally, I’m not sure what he was doing to himself here, but he sure looks cute!

Estrella in Denver

I’ll take a break from Nolan’s first week to post some pictures of this adorable baby I shot a week ago. Estrella was so cute and playful! And she even let me add a few props to make the session even more fun. I can’t wait to photograph her again.