this time last year :: jess & tate

It has been one of those years. A really stellar one. The kind that makes you smile thinking about it. Even when you are sitting by yourself in a coffee shop. Sort of like 2000. That was an AWESOME year.  Great friends, great Jeep, top notch grades, peek shape, on the fast track to being awarded the "best hair" superlative for the class of 2003. But like a good wine and as the cliche goes, life has gotten better with age. This year especially has reeped the fruits of many seeds planted, grown, cut down, burned down, regrown, watered, watched and consumed. I know I've said it before in previous posts and blogs, but I can't say it enough. Good one.

To celebrate this long weekend, I'm throwing it back to Memorial Day weekend last year with Jess and Tate. If I were back in 2000, I'd surely have written on my binder, "I <3 Jess & Tate". They are such a cool and sweet couple and I was the photographer lucky enough to capture their Sedona, AZ engagement shoot. It only took a year to get this complete compilation up on the blog. As I mentioned, last year was stellar. Little known fact, stellar's accrostic is So Terrifically Exhausting Leaving Little Accessible Rest. Or the alternative translation is 'super busy'... :) This little collection was worth the wait. Promise. Enjoy. xo. 

sarah & brett :: boulder, CO engagements

Luckily for the kickstart of this wedding photographer's busy season, Colorado has decided it's time for spring. We've finally traded in the snow globe of 10,000 feet for warm Colorado sun and blue skies [insert photographer's relieved sigh here]. Don't get me wrong, we will still be skiing through June [insert skier's happy face here]. But down in the foothills I am glad to have my camera's favorite canvas of green fields and budding trees back in front of me.

I was lucky enough to bring in the new spring with Sarah and Brett at Chautauqua Park last Sunday. I've known Sarah for a couple of years through work. She is one of the sweetest people I know. So focused, caring and funny - and when I heard she was engaged - I couldn't have been happier for her. I met Brett for the first time on Sunday and he is just as sweet as she is. Two peas in a pod.

Take a peek at some faves from our hike around the park [see also: photography doubles as a workout]. xo.

just because :: taija & jeremy

I met Taija and Jeremy last fall for a shoot at Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs. They were not celebrating any anniversary or birthday or an engagement. They were just in front of my camera to continue to build on their [already adorable, I'm sure] photographic story...just because...and I was so glad to be part of that appreciation of the professional photograph in that way.  Don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to news feeds and the convenience of instant vintage filters and blurs and the iPhone camera, but when a couple wants to place aside their varietal point-and-shoots and let me creatively capture those crisp candids and classic close ups....I'm elated.

So when an email from Taija popped up in my inbox just a few months ago, I was so excited. This time around we traded in the tall grass and red dust for rusted metal rails, industrial concrete and the glitter of city lights on a Saturday. And because Jeremy will be deploying soon, he went camo. :)

Thank you Taija & Jeremy for spending a lovely Saturday eve with me! Enjoy some faves. xo.