Michelle + Tony 8.8.09

"Laugh as much as you breathe love as long as you live."

When I first met Tony and Michelle last year, I was struck happy just shooting in their presence. They throw back their heads in laughter as they poke fun and flirt with one another and the next minute they're gazing into each others' eyes and stealing a kiss. Tony and Michelle are fun, fun, fun....and extremely charming! It was no surprise that their wedding day would follow suit.

We kicked off their big day with a First Look session; a special, intimate shoot when the bride and groom meet before the ceremony. They chose the Boise Train Depot as a meeting spot, unbeknown to any of us that there was a Koi show going on that morning. Who knew Koi were so popular? Not us! There was no parking and shoulder to shoulder people swarming the depot in the interest of fish. Fortunately, the weather was clear enough and we found a quiet spot outside. The sun was a welcome sight following a week of thunder storms and torrential downpours!

I love this one:

Tony was so dazzled by Michelle that he couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

Tony and Michelle were married at Kathryn Albertson Park surrounded by a small group of their closest families and friends. The ring bearer and flower girl were adorable!! There was plenty of laughter and a few tears and what resonated most with me was how happy Tony and Michelle were as they turned to face their families as husband and wife.

The ring shot is always a juicy, creative challenge that is made 100% satisfying when
I capture a shot like the one below. Those sunbursts are NOT Photoshopped! I was so giddy with excitement when I came across this shot. It was the product of the right light at the right time.

The reception was held at the couple's home in Boise. Their backyard was decorated with fresh pink roses, bright white tablecloths, blue sky and whimsical lanterns, white twinkle lights, and a tiki torches. Their first dance was full of laughter and love.

A few wedding day details...

Thank you Tony and Michelle for inviting me to be a part of your amazing wedding day!

Sarah + Devin 8.6.09

It was raining on Sarah & Devin's wedding day. No, not raining. POURING. THUNDERING. The clouds were so dark and heavy that I could not help but pray three separate times during my drive to Emmett, that somehow the clouds would clear, the sun would shine and that there would be summer evening bliss, if just for a few hours during the outdoor ceremony and reception. The heavy, dark clouds did not clear. However, it did not rain. And the sun, well she winked at a us a few times throughout the evening.

I met Sarah and Devin last spring and from our first meeting, I knew their wedding was going to be not only gorgeous, but fun. They're cool people, after all. Outdoorsy. Adventurous. They were married at the Fourth Street Gardens in Emmett. WOW. What a beautiful location!!! I can't wait to shoot there again! Devin and Sarah opted for a first look shoot-when the bride and groom meet before the ceremony in an intimate setting with only the photographer present. These are the most sensitive and intimate moments of the day.

I tried out a new honey-processing on this *favorite* image and love it:

"Thank You" shots are a creative way to dress up those post-wedding
thank you cards. Sarah put together a little collage of the "Thank You" pictures
taken that day and turned them into their thank you cards. Great idea!

Sarah was escorted by her father down a tree-lined aisle, flanked by
hanging flower baskets. I love this shot of father and daughter:

Here are a few of the details...

Thank you Devin and Sarah for inviting me to photograph your gorgeous wedding!

Michelle's Bridals

I met Michelle in downtown Boise for her bridal portraits. She chose a vintage gold gown in lieu of the traditional white dress and looked beautiful. What I love about downtown is that in the course of one city block, there are about 1 million possibilities. We did not have to wander far to find some fabulous spots that really highlighted the dress and with cloud cover, the lighting was dramatic. Michelle loves to laugh but is genius at "serious." Most people say they can't do "serious" in front of a camera, but look at the payout. Serious rocks!

These first shots are arguably my favorites. Serious. Happy.

The heart on the sidewalk was a complete coincidence, but fit in nicely with
a *bridal* shoot.

I love the "swishing" of the dress shots. They scream of elegance and grace...and fun!