Here in Colorado most weddings take place in about 8 months of the year. However, every year Andy and I do a few winter weddings where the snow is falling and the brides offer hot chocolate and apple cider to keep their guests warm. Although working in the cold turns our noses red there are some fun picture opportunities with a bride, a groom and snow!
This wedding was an interesting one because the day started out beautiful and by the end of the night we were in a full on blizzard. Robert and Megan were married at a beautiful wedding venue here in Colorado, Arrowhead Golf Course. It is nestled amongst some forest with ponds, wildlife and many huge red rocks. The room they were married in is surrounded by glass and over looks the beautiful scenery around.
They had a descent size wedding party all dressed in blacks and the girls carried colorful bouquets of orange and red roses and daises. Their ceremony was nothing short of beautiful yet emotional as they remembered those special family members who had already passed and those sitting in the room with terminal illnesses. Many candles were lit and tears were shed as this couple vowed their life together and remembered those loved ones.
Before the ceremony we had the chance to work with the bride and groom, venture off on the golf carts and photograph. It was just starting to snow then and the air around us was nothing short of magical. Now, if you live in Colorado you know what I’m talking about when the mist rolls in, the giant snowflakes slowly fall and everything seems quiet…..
Once we made it back the bridal party was ready to go but of course in the ten minute time frame it took us to return, the snow started to fall harder, the magical atmosphere had left and it was just plain cold. But they had amazing friends and family who braved the elements and stood outside with us to get those important pictures! The view that was once beautiful greenery and red rocks became a solid wall of snow and everyone laughed as we all stood there working as fast as we could to get the shots we needed!
It was truly a beautiful day….and although cold, the snow made it that much more magical….
A few more wedding images on film to tide you over.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds.
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is not shaken:
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Loves’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom,
If this be error, and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
All taken on Portra 400. Let us know if you are looking for a photographer that shoots both film and digital.
We do many engagement sessions each year with our clients and we love them! This engagement session was a lot of fun because Brent and Karli brought their full personalities and props! Both of them are involved in many activities; Karli loves to cook and plays the guitar in a band! Brent is huge into basketball so during their session we had them bring out the basketball and guitar and played around! Engagement sessions are usually casual and there are so many great places here in Colorado do them!
I have to say photography is one of the most difficult and passionate journeys I have ever embarked on, besides my marriage. Part of it, is because of the unique challenges of the business, but many are just the everyday struggles of owning your own business. I have read many books, both in college and as a business owner through the process. That’s right I read a book, believe it and most of them didn’t have pictures.
With a business you have an idea. It usually starts right there. If you don’t know our story I will give you a short rundown. Angie and I both graduated from CSU in Fort Collins. I graduated with a Computer Informations Systems degree and Angie a PR/Marketing Degree. It’s a story of doing what you think everyone wants you to do. I was an IT consultant for 5 years and was the youngest Senior Consultant in the firm. I was good at it. I traveled every week. The concierge and people at the front of whatever Hilton and Marriott I was staying at knew me by first name. Making lots of money, but I felt empty, see I had a need and desire to help people. I did what I could every day to help those around me. I had not yet found my calling. I applied for the FBI it had been a dream of mine to help others. I applied for a Special Agent job. Six months later, I was asked to sit for the test. It was a long shot. There were six positions in Colorado from what I could tell about 300 people taking the test. I did not pass the test or wasn’t one of the six. I was devastated, to be honest. I really wanted to help people and I thought that was going to be the outlet. I was also very driven had usually always gotten whatever I had put my mind to doing. During this time I had been taking pictures for people in town on the weekends, mostly for friends or friends of friends. What I didn’t know would happen was they showed others my images. Within a year I was turning away business. I didn’t have the time to do both consulting during the week and photography on the weekends. I didn’t know just how powerful the images were to the people and their families that I was taking.
I was younger and didn’t know people are not around forever. Call me naive, if you must. Angie and I have run into many situations where we took images of people who just a few weeks later was no longer with us, to those families, those images were the most valuable thing they had now. It’s why when a house is burning down it’s the first thing people grab. In other instances our images have shown people just how much someone else matters to them. A true and honest picture doesn’t lie. At weddings we are not just photographers we are advisors, sometimes we counselors. A good photographer is there to capture your moments and to help out in any way we can.
We started our business in our home, meeting with clients anywhere we could. We had humble beginnings. We started eight years ago and after a few years our business grew so much we rented a place. We were located their for 4 years. It helped our business greatly and helped us grow our business. The problem with renting it was, it was never ours. We did our best to show clients who we were and it was a great place to start. But eight years later, we have finally purchased a place that is ours.
Getting the place wasn’t smooth sailing either. We moved out of studio we were renting and the deal on the first place we were going to buy went south. So we were without a studio and the place we had our heart set on was not an option. It’s devastating at the time, but when you get to look back at times like these they happen for a reason. We ended up with a better place at a better price. At the time it was not fun. When things are meant to be they work out.
Here is the part were I am so appreciative. We didn’t just get here by ourselves. Our families have always been supportive. Well maybe after they got over the you quit your six figure job and your going to be a photographer phase. I want to thank everyone who helped us move our things in, gave us advice, were supportive and helped make this dream of ours come true.
My father is a successful business man he always has been building a few small businesses to million dollar companies. Thank you for all the time you have spent over the years letting me kick new and exciting ideas by you and even the ones that we can laugh about now.
Mom and Virgil, thank you for always believing in me and Angie and helping us grow our business. Virgil thank you for all the little things that were big for us. You know all the projects I am way to unhandy to do. The fact you always believe we can do what we put our minds to has inspired us.
Don- Thank you for all of the help dragging things out of storage and bringing it all over, and the help with our child the dog.
Debbie- Thank you for being there when we needed the support and help moving out of the studio not knowing what would come next.
So without getting more mushy, here is the new office that we worked so hard on. It’s been a journey from electrical work to painting.
Here are a few of the pictures from the Renovation. If you are doing one on your commercial property or house both were excellent and we couldn’t have done it without them.
Heritage Electric I found were the best denver electricians in town. Great service cleaned up after adding lights and additional power outlets.
Tony at Taylor Made Construction did all of the beautiful work on the place. He added the flooring, base and crown molding. It was a lot of work and Tony and his crew got it done. We can’t thank you enough Tony. You can call Tony at 720-338-7597.
