Lindsay and Bryan, Centennial, CO Wedding Reception

"Marry a man who likes tools." This is good advice for any woman. It's GREAT advice if you are a high school theater teacher who needs a lot of sets built. Bryan has lots of tools and loves to use them. Lindsay is a drama teacher. It's a match made in heaven :)

The weather report said it wasn't supposed to rain. The one day of the week that wouldn't be plagued with thunderstorms and lightning. But the dark clouds rolled in anyway. They didn't care what the weather report said. The bride was convinced it was going to rain. The groom began singing Alanis Morissette. "It's like rai-ai-ain, on your wedding day...." An umbrella was put over the cake. Cool drops began tumbling from the sky--but just for a minute, and then they were gone. It's a good thing, too, since the father of the bride told me he had cancelled the tent they reserved in case of rain.

It turned out to be a perfect reception. The weather became cool and comfortable, washing away the heat from earlier in the day. The food was exotic and beautiful. And they had my favorite--little brownie bites, topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Mine ended up in the grass, though, after an uninvited snake made a surprise appearance and frightened me out of my seat with my plate of food in my hand.

Congratulations, Lindsay and Bryan! May you and your tools live happily ever after :)

Memo to Me {Parker Family Photographer}

Five-o-clock may be a wonderful time for the light, but it is also a wonderful time for mosquitoes and thunderstorms in Denver. It was raining as we drove to the trail head for the photoshoot. Behind me was one of my best friends from college along with his wife and five children. They were visiting from Minnesota, and this was the only time we had for the shoot. But I wasn't worried. Denver weather is schizophrenic, so I knew it would stop raining. But I also knew we only had about 45 minutes until the next thunderstorm hit.

Just as we pulled up, the rain was slowing down. My friend and his family took shelter under a pavilion while I scoped out a good place for the family shot. A large tree surrounded by tall, flowing grass presented itself as the obvious choice. I yelled for everyone to come over, and they set out for the tree with no thought for what they might be kicking up in the grass. I arranged everyone and headed back to my camera. With five kids, you'd expect a lot of fidgeting, but it soon became apparent that something else was going on. Hundreds of mosquitoes had been alerted to our presence and were descending on our position. Again and again, they thrust their dagger-like probosces into our tasty flesh. I swatted them off my arms and blew them off my camera. This was hardly a fitting thank-you for the man who probably kept me alive my last year of college. I was out of money, but he was never out of generosity, always feeding me store-bought chicken patties on a bun, or taking me to get a $1.00 burrito at Taco Bell. I hadn't seen him since he got married, 13 years ago, and now I had brought him and his family to a smorgasbord where they were the main dish.

I shot quickly and with purpose, but when we left, we each had tons of red bumps welling up on our bodies. The itching began in earnest, and I made a mental note: Next time, wear bug spray!

Andrea and Dallin

It was a bad beginning. She wouldn't give him the time of day, and he didn't want to waste time on her. He was getting ready to go on a mission for two years, and figured she wouldn't be there when he got back. But he was wrong, and three years after meeting in a freshman geology class, they got engaged. I kind of like bad beginnings, because they often lead to happy endings. Congratulations Andrea and Dallin!

Summer Splendor {Aurora child photographer}

It was all she had talked about for days. She ran around, giddy with excitement, awaiting the arrival of her cousins. The secret garden beckoned, and when her cousins emerged from their carriage, the little girl's eyes brightened and her heart quickened. Each lovely girl, dressed in crisp white cotton, had a name that reminded me of a luxury car, sensuous perfume, or rich Belgian chocolate. The oldest was serene, demure, and mysterious.

Her sister, sweet and sensitive, with blue eyes like pools of light.

The little girl, full of curiosity and joie de vivre.

The lush, verdant grass begged for their bare feet.

They sat in silence, perfectly content to just be with each other.

They threw rose petals into the gently whispering wind, which carried them away, like childhood cares in the light of a new day.

Little Angel {Highlands Ranch photographer}

This two-year-old was such a doll and so fun to photograph. She kept sticking out her little tongue, but it was so cute! Her hairbows are from Banner Boutique. I am so happy with how these turned out!

Baby and Big Brother {Centennial Baby Photographer}

This little two-month old baby was such a sweetie! Hardly ever cried (except when we tried to put hats on him) and managed not to get his mom all wet! I adore these portraits of his red-headed 2-year-old brother. Something about the images of him just suck me in and make me want to look forever! And would you just die for their mom's hair? So gorgeous! It was so hard to pick just these few images to post!

Another Newborn Doll {Denver Baby Photographer}

This sweet girl came in to model some more headbands for Celeste and Company. It was a crazy shoot (where everything that could go wrong DID go wrong!) but we managed to get these cute images anyway!

Newborn Sweetness {Denver baby photographer}

Well, you would never know it from these portraits, but this sweet little baby would not go to sleep, even after a 20 minute drive and being up for four hours! It's a special effect I have on babies. They are just so excited to be having their portraits done! They can't possibly sleep through the session! Even though she didn't sleep, she hardly cried at all and was so sweet. I'm happy we got these images where she at least looks like she's sleeping :) The darling headbands she is wearing are from Celeste and Company.

Sleeping Beauty

For the past few years, I have been doing the portraits for my daughters' dance school. I love seeing all the girls in their costumes, and I am always so happy about how beautiful the portraits turn out. Here is a portrait of the star of the show this year, Sleeping Beauty.

One Year Old and Loving Life! {Centennial Baby Photographer}

I always wanted to have a baby with dark hair and blue eyes. Alas, it was not to be. So I have to content myself with cuties like this. These are her official "One Year" portraits. She hardly cried at all, but she was a runner! It was quite a challenge to get these images, but definitely worth it!