Afternoon of Light- Boulder Family Photography Session
The light tapped the surface of the ponds like dragonflies. The warmth from the sun made the rocks under our feet glow and emanate heat. The wind hypnotically swayed the cattails and reeds as if they were in a trance. Mosquitoes buzzed, geese and cormorants glided along the water unconcerned with autumn's approach. We were hoping for yellow cottonwoods and dancing aspen leaves. We were greeted with 90 degree temps in the late afternoon light. Planning and preparing for your session is beyond helpful but rolling with the day may be the most important skill yet. If there's one thing this family has taught me over the years (and they've actually taught me so much than just ONE thing) it is that showing up for whatever the day brings and just being there together make the unexpected enchanting.
I turned down a familiar dirt road to meet a familiar family and was beaming (and yes sweating). Not because the weather was perfect. That's never it nor what I'm looking for, but because of the gratefulness and excitement I felt at getting the opportunity to photograph this family again. Repeat clients are one of my favorite gifts. I am gifted the opportunity to see these kiddos and their family members (including furry ones) and notice the things I sometimes take for granted in the daily routine. I get to see how they went from knee-high to a grasshopper to their heads now peering over the tall grasses. I notice how their sisterly kindness blooms and their bond strengthens with the passing seasons. I'm giddy just listening to them chat about things that make them happy this year. I get to do this while catching up with their INCREDIBLE parents who somehow always seem to be even more compassionate and 100% awesome than even I remember.
Some of the things that make these clients, this family, so special are how they love to find different locations for their sessions and look to have photographic memories from different seasons. Boulder County Open Space has so many varied land areas, geology, and environments and I love how they choose different aspects and experiences each time I'm lucky enough to view them through my lens. This particular season we were hoping for that warm autumn feel. The day may have brought summertime tunes looping in my head but there was no mistaking that fall was around the bend in the trail. Something drew me to these ponds, to this location, and I wasn't sure exactly why. When I found a spot I thought we should walk to and explore for their Boulder family photography session, I just felt as thought it was an area we needed to roam. As we looked across the water at the Flatirons in the distance, they let me know that this area held a special place in their hearts. It was a favorite spot of theirs and their wonderful dog that passed on the previous year. I had no idea of this until we reached it with their new rescue pup, Gracie trotting alongside. I love how random occurrences and plans intersect in unexpected ways and opened up an opportunity to hear more about their previous and current furry friends.
This particular afternoon we got so much more than we planned for. We had endless sunshine and what felt at times like an endless summer. We saw insects crawling, buzzing and flying. We watched Gracie follow the girls and their lead while happily prancing next to them. We dodged cactus, mosquitos and bees. I fully expect this exact date this year to have snow (and t very well could) but that is part of the magic of nature and the unexpected. The best part was there...this family...and I once again was happy to trot alongside them all with my camera, just like Gracie.
Third Time Was a Charmer- Boulder Winter Photography Session
The thoughts swirl. They come at you headfirst the way the wind blows in your face both directions at the base of the mountains when you run (100% true by the way). You think about it some more. The thoughts creep in at random moments: first day of school, while looking for a shirt and finding one that hasn't fit your kiddo since they were wee ones, and possibly at 2:32am. Everyone thinks about family photos especially while the kiddos are young but often there is so much already on one's plate how do you add another on your to-do list? There's so much, the day, the location, the people, the outfits. It's easier to just wait until next year. Right? Well this family certainly said, "Nah, let's do this!" They didn't do photos just once this past year but FIVE times in multiple states, across oceans and in different countries. This family said yes to now and today and this moment because when it's all done and the kiddos are at college and beyond no one ever thinks back and says, "I really wish I didn't have so many photos of my kids."
Did they do every session with me? Nope. Should they have? Absolutely not! While it may be as shocking as that first snowstorm of the season (please come earlier this year), I firmly believe that different photographers can offer different perspectives in equally beautifully ways. I love seeing other perspectives and when I can see that in snippets throughout one year it is even more incredible to notice what I and other photographers see when we look through our viewfinder.
One of the best choices this family made for their session was to bring Gramps. He is absolutely a huge piece of their family puzzle and getting to include him in this photo session made everything better. Gramps brought the fun in the best possible way just by being there and enjoying time with his grandkids. He was up for anything and made it all more memorable. He made the kids' light up and laugh and me as well. Thanks for being a secret weapon of awesomeness, Gramps!
Honest moment here. This family requested a session in winter...in Colorado. Their previous session was in Hawaii so yeah....that's a lot to live up to. How do I make beautiful photographs for them when even groundhogs aren't wanting to check for their shadows? How do I create this when they just had a glorious golden hour session in HAWAII? Answer: I don't. Colorado in winter is not Hawaii and it doesn't need to be. This family already knew that and it was simply I who had to make the expectation adjustment. I kept an eye out but sadly there were no sea turtles and crashing ocean waves at our session. Instead, it was exactly how Colorado is at that time of year. This family knew that it had a beauty all it's own. Colorado in winter is peaceful, quiet and calm. It feels like the mountains and open space exhale and I loved having that ease and beauty to ourselves.
We looked for critter tracks. Our shoes crunched over piles of snow that hadn't yet melted in the brief but beautiful sunshine and I marveled at how this family with young kids just knew. They knew it wasn't about perfection and Pinterest. Family photos don't need to have a theme or a perfect backdrop. All they need is love (thanks Beatles) and you! When you show up and bring your family to play, explore and have fun together in the afternoon sunshine magic happens. I want to be there to capture it. The jumping, and playing, and searching for critters, the falling, the jumping over (and maybe running through) mud puddles and the happy faces staring at their grandparent and loving every bit of time spent together. That's what I love showing up for and what I love about this family. They did that and more. They brought the golden light and the fun of frolicking in the winter sun of Boulder. I hope I captured the beauty in it all.
Wood, Fire, Water and Steelers
Winter can be pretty indecisive here in Colorado. One day we may have sunshine and short-sleeves, the next snow globe conditions with packages of toe warmers in our boots. And of course often we get both in the same day. What many don't know, however, is that it can be a fantastic time for headshots...yes outdoors...yes with unpredictable weather.
When Mike contacted me early this year and inquired about headshots, I have to admit I was uncertain. Not because of the weather and definitely not because of headshots in winter in Colorado, but because I wasn't sure I would be able to create the images he was needing. Just days before, our community had endured a wall of flames, embers and smoke so thick it turned the sky shades of undulating, incandescent orange. So powerful was this wildfire that much like our weather it refused to fit the "typical" wildfire definition and decided to jump the highway and blaze through our town fueled by 100mph winds and parched dry earth. So thick was the smoke that I missed a turn down a street I've turned down for almost 20 years because I couldn't see it or the firetruck just beyond the smoky shadows in front of me. The Marshall Fire was something and affected everyone in our community in a very powerful way. Once I knew my gear was safe and functioning the next thing I needed to know was if I could be the photographer that a client required.
It was then I saw the mountains. They were still there after all. Not just our resplendent Front Range mountains covered in that luminous snow we had been wishing for for months but the solid strength, rock and determination of our community. It was in everyone around me and I knew I would do all I could to create the desired images.
I absolutely LOVE creating headshots for clients. To some headshots might mean stand here, fold your arms and smile. For me, I try to create an experience for the client where when done they think, "Wow, that was pretty enjoyable and unexpected!" I love taking photographs but I enjoy all the preparations and the experience of the photo shoot as well. Getting to know more about my client, their career path and what they are looking forward to in the future are the pieces of the puzzle that I enjoy fitting together most. Mike was not the exception although he did have an exceptional attitude regarding one unforeseen hiccup that day...
The day we met, the day met us with both sunshine and snow on the ground. This meant the light was exceptionally bright and unforgiving. A challenge I was most willing to accept. The light was akin to shooting under fluorescent lights in an 1980's office building bathroom complete with drop ceiling. I see you and your "maybe we are on the surface of the sun right now" brilliance and I was willing to treasure hunt to the spots that would help my client stand out in a professional non-phosphorescent kinda way. As I searched for areas that would give us the light I wanted, I learned more about Mike and his career. It was then I knew this session was perfect. Here I was lucky enough to be at the edge of the Rocky Mountains on a beautiful warmish day photographing someone who not only worked incredibly hard but is obviously loved by his family, friends and colleagues. So many gems among the minerals and mines around us.
As we strolled along the paths rolling by the river, it happened. Something unexpected. Something I hadn't planned for. The Pittsburgh Steelers were in a playoff game and it had gone into overtime! I told you it was an unexpected twist. I did not know when my client accepted the date and meeting time that the Steelers would be competing in possibly Big Ben's final playoff game of his career. As a Broncos fan, my hopes for the season were dashed long before Von Miller headed farther West. When Mike informed me he was in fact a huge Steelers fan, I realized what he was sacrificing for a photo shoot. I implored him to find the game and kept pausing so he could check the score. And yes, I knew two more things:
1. If the Steelers won this photo shoot would probably continue swimmingly
2. My client's expression and attitude may rightfully change a bit if they lost
As a field goal clenched the Steelers win and allowed them to continue their run, the wind picked up as if the mountains around us exhaled. We continued on in that glorious afternoon sunshine, thankful for the unexpected wins that day.
Fireworks in June- Meghan & David's Mountain Wedding
The time on my watch switches from PM to AM and I realize that in the darkness, lit only by a small table lamp, my face hurts—from smiling. Why? Because I've been editing Meghan and David's wedding photos and just can't stop (the editing and the smiling). I tell myself just one more of the lavender, sea blue and sage-green bouquet and one more of their dog Hero in a bow tie because yes you absolutely need more than two photos of your doggie wearing a bow tie on your wedding day. You know as a photographer when you are excited to go through hundreds of photos and are still smiling while editing them days later, that you are oh so lucky. To have captured the resplendent, magical wedding of Meghan and David in a mountain meadow this summer was a pure gift.
Stepping out of the truck my foot felt the ground give. Soft dirt— no, water and mud enveloped me in a squishy hug with each step forward. The air felt thick and heavy despite our altitude. At over 8,500ft in a Montane forest, I waited. No sound of thunder yet an endless shade of grey above. It had been raining on and off as the hours passed but something more important, infinitely more important than the weather was on my mind. Meghan and David's wedding. They had planned and prepared to exchange their vows high above Nederland, Colorado on a beautiful June day. Would they embrace this actual day and it's unanswered weather questions? Or, would it weigh heavier on their minds than the raindrops cascading gently off the vibrant red paintbrush wildflowers? As I waited and let my mind wander to what I wanted to capture: moments, apertures, emotions, shutter speeds, the landscape, Kelvin temps and of course the people witnessing it all, I paused. It was so quiet, peaceful and beautiful out. I hoped everyone else might see the beauty in it all as well. With the rain brought the seclusion and calmness that might have evaded everyone had it been a typical Colorado bluebird day. There wouldn't be people testing out their new "toys" in the national forest and surely no unexpected interlopers. Nope. We would get these mountains, the meadow, the wildflowers bursting with color and life, the ponderosa pines and the aspen grove all to ourselves. Immediately, I knew this day would be magical.
As David and his family arrived, that inner peace I felt turned to happiness. The second, the literal second I saw David and met his family at the trailhead, I knew they were good people who would only add to the magic of the day. And, since I pride myself on being a pretty great judge of character, I can happily say that I was 100% correct. They came prepared with rain gear as well as smiles and from that moment on, I was hooked. I knew this day would be special because of Meghan and David. I didn't realize until then, how much more incredible it would be with their families by their sides.
David, his parents and his sister began the short climb up to the meadow while I waited for Meghan and her parents (who were equally fabulous and wonderful) to arrive. As the truck came down the forest service road and the door opened, a beam of light and warmth emanated from within. Of course! It was Meghan. Meghan GLOWED! She was radiant not only because of her stunning wedding gown but because she knew what was obvious to me upon meeting her and David. They are a perfect match. Not perfect people (although honestly, from what I've seen, I think that's a reasonable assumption) but perfect for each other. Their ease, comfort and admiration for each other is palpable. This was a special day, THEIR special day and the enchantment was set in motion.
Meghan and her Dad walked together up the trail to meet David and their families. They walked past milkvetch, sulphur flowers, Parry's bellflower, penstemon, and more through an aspen grove and then out into the meadow. Minutes before Meghan arrived, David had already begun to smile. He couldn't yet see her but knew that she was on her way. He could feel it and as his smile grew so did the happiness around us all. Once everyone had meandered to the meadow the ceremony began with the roll of thunder in the not-too-far-off distance and the movement of clouds shrouding the nearby mountaintops. David's sister, Patty immediately sensed the preciousness of time (time remaining dry that is) and began the ceremony with a wonderful and hilarious nod to the wedding speech from The Princess Bride. Patty was a masterful emcee and you could feel that Meghan and David were more comfortable having her there with them as a part of it all than if it had been the two of them alone. Patty's intro sparked the laughter that would permeate the ceremony and day more than any amount of raindrops could. And in that moment, the fireworks, in nature and within every person there in that meadow began.
Each parent spoke kind, warm and at times unintentionally humorous words (given the weather) but what shone most brightly of all was the love they all had for Meghan and David. To have their parents there, supporting them both was indescribable. Then as the raindrops poured down from the clouds, the thunder began to feel much, much closer and sparks of lightning illuminated the sky, the beauty and love continued to shine through the words Meghan and David wrote and shared with each other. Their handcrafted, wooden and turquoise inlay rings were exchanged and beneath an umbrella they shared their first kiss together, married.
I'm not sure who had the forethought (or a crystal ball) but whomever was the genius that brought a tent to shelter us all after the ceremony, THANK YOU. For the next hour or so as we all huddled under that sweet, dry covering, I got to see and know each and every one of them even more and for that I am grateful. So often on a wedding day, things fly by and moments are rushed but the weather ensured we all slowed down, paused and just enjoyed the day together. There were stories traded, I quickly learned which university to NOT mention and a bottle of very aged champagne from David's grandfather was shared. Their rings passed through a beautiful shawl and thus passed an old Irish wedding test. Love and joy saturated every moment up on that mountain more than any amount of rain ever could.
Once the drops of water began to slow Meghan and David walked out from beneath the tent and then as if on cue, the clouds parted and the sun shone through. I was able to capture David's handsome blue suit and the beading on Meghan's elegant dress and laughed as we noticed her blue shoes had mysteriously changed to a darker shade than before the deluge. The photos of the families were punctuated by even more laughter and as I captured the very last frame for group photos, the rain started up once again. It was PERFECT. The families continued on down the trail where Meghan and David's dog Hero made an appearance. His love for them outweighed his dislike of rain and I was so thrilled to capture Hero in his bow tie with his favorite people. Afterward, they all continued down the road to the Gold Hill Inn for a fabulous meal and more magical moments together.
Thank you Meghan, David, your families (including Hero of course) for trusting me to capture your wedding so full of captivating moments and authentic awesomeness!
Winter Warmth Headshot Photography
Warm golden light creating a glow and soaking the Ponderosa pines with heat and radiance. Downy woodpeckers searching the forest trunks for a snack while the mule deer graze languidly in the meadow below. This sunny scene might not be what you expect to find in Boulder, Colorado in winter but that is exactly what Lauri and I found on a beautiful January afternoon.
When Lauri first contacted me about a headshot session for winter I immediately wanted to let her know what she could expect. This of course was ANYTHING. It could be 60 degrees and sunny or 15 degrees and a blizzard. There was really no way to predict how the date might turn out until we arrived. We were hoping for some warmth but knew that depending on the hour, we might get snow, sun, wind or all of the above.
Luckily for us, the weather had been pretty mild all week. Snow was in the forecast for the following day. Our day came and it looked like it would be brisk but beautiful. When Lauri arrived I knew instantly that not only had we hit the weather jackpot but Lauri herself was a treasure.
When I began speaking to her about her current position with an esteemed healthcare system she gushed. She truly loves her job! She loves not only the work she does but the people she interacts with on a daily basis. I'm going to make a guess that her colleagues agree. She is brilliant, capable, engaging and friendly. Time and time again she spoke about all of the aspects of her career that she loves. This was no standard "it's great" response. I could tell that Lauri loves both the technical and personal aspects of her position and know that a person who is gifted both with emotional and intellectual intelligence is akin to striking the mother lode of personalities.
One thing you can expect with your headshot session is variety. We hiked up to outcroppings, through the forest, and across the meadow. Lauri didn't balk for a second when I asked her if she could hop across a semi-frozen stream and through a thicket. Whenever I posed a new opportunity she went for it with curiosity and calmness. I had such a wonderful time getting to chat, hike and photograph Lauri that it was honestly challenging to put my camera away and end the session. Thank you Lauri for trusting me to capture your headshots in Boulder, Colorado, for trudging through ice, snow and some wind and for making this winter afternoon headshot session so memorable!
