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.

The McAdow Family :: Operation Love

Yesterday was 70 degrees. Today there is a foot of fluffy snow flakes blanketing our driveway, patio table and eager-to-blossom trees. Shocker. Colorado's springtime mother nature rears her unpredictable yet not surprising front.

Just a week ago the McAdow family and I ran into this same pattern of weather, fortunately sneaking our shoot in between sun and squall. Heather, Aaron, Clara, Ella, Kaden and little Noelle [I hear she really does smile normally] came up from Monument for a last minute shoot scheduled by Heather's sweet sweet sister Chelsey who had found me through Operation Love. Aaron had to say see you-in-a-while to his beautiful family for a 12 month Army deployment starting last Thursday...only 3 days after our shoot!

Thank you McAdows for trooping through some chills and breezes. And an enormous thank you Aaron for your service and sacrifice for our beautiful families and country. Prayers for safe missions and travel to you and your fellow soldiers.

Enjoy. xo.

 

Lisa & Joe :: Engaged ::

Is it just me or do we all feel like we are 100% working for the weekend at this point in the year? Maybe it's the 70 degree weather we're having? Or the prospect of doing something other than sitting at desks and pecking at keyboards........

This next shoot is one that epitomizes why I love weekends, amazing weather ... and being a photographer. Lisa was in town two weeks ago to visit Joe, her fiancé. Joe is in the Army, stationed in the Springs and was just a few days away from deploying. During their visit, Lisa and Joe chose to drive up to the Denver area for a predeployment/engagement shoot with me! We had big plans for three locations...Red Rocks, Larimer Sq and the Oriental Theater. The days leading up to their shoot were perfect. Even the hours leading up to the shoot were perfect. And literally as Joe and Lisa pulled into Red Rocks - it started HAILING! Hail? Really, Colorado? But just as fast as the hail came in it blew out and left us with a beautiful afternoon. Thank the Lord.

Thank you Joe and Lisa for such a fun shoot and for tromping around town. I am excited to share some of my favs with you. Enjoy. And Joe - thank you and stay safe.

xo.