When I got a call from a bride to be, from Sheridan last year I was so excited, Sharon and Troy found me through their sister-in-law Michelle a great photographer in that area.  I was thrilled that she recommended me, but I have to admit, a little nervous, no pressure….. but after interacting with them and getting to know Sharon through e-mails, phone calls, engagement sessions and meetings I knew it would be a great day.  Sharon was the most relaxed, calm bride I have ever worked with, she was wonderful!

Sharon and Troy were an awesome couple, despite the sweltering day they were blissful.  They were beginning a new life together as a family with fun kids, Molly and Brock, who were a integral part of the beautiful ceremony.   They have such a great group of friends, that came to support them and share in this happy day.  The sun was shining at the Sheridan Country Club, the tables looked amazing, the flowers were fabulously done by Jim and his team from Gianan’s, he is a true artist.  I worked with him at a Flathead wedding and was very impressed with his creativity and attention to detail.  (this is random, but I have to share, as I was putting this post together, I had an unexpected knock at the door, flowers!  The most unique and gorgeous arrangement ever, a thank you from a friend/client, and who created this masterpiece? Gianan’s of course! they take my breath away)

This wedding was filled with the little unique things that really make it a memorable day for the guests, a fabulous candy bar, fantastic willow branches filled with favors for the guests and blue and orange lanterns hanging from the tree illuminating the reception at night, just to name a few.  Sharon and Troy are die hard Broncos fans, I think they must bleed blue and orange, everything was done in those colors including the inside of their cake, so fun!!!  Thanks for including me in your amazing day! Congrats again, I know you will have a lifetime of happiness!

I photographed one of my favorite families this morning and couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek.  I have been photographing this family for a few years and I can’t believe their baby just turned one!  It seems like yesterday that we shot her newborn pics, check them out here and here.  I wanted to share a great local company that made the fabulous handmade quilt in the cupcake scene, they make amazing quilts, and stuffed animals that are perfect for photographing, watch for them in upcoming shoots. You can check out more of their work on etsy (just click here).

Tons of sisters lately! It is so funny how it goes in waves,  bundles of newborn love, then boys everywhere running around in circles, high school seniors, sisters giving each other sweet hugs and making each other giggle, thrown in with a few weddings.  I have the best job ever!  Keep it coming!  I love that I get to photograph different subjects all the time, it definitely keeps me on my toes.

These girls were amazing, so down to earth and kind.  I loved them!!!!

I love photographing seniors, it gets my creative juices flowing, Mr. J was no exception.  I pride myself on really capturing what each individual is passionate about, no one wants pictures that look like everyone else.  I was so excited when discussing the shoot with his mom, she told me he was into boxing, football and his car.  (This amazing ride was actually his mom’s first car and has been completely refurbished twice,  which made it even more fun to shoot with mom beaming in the background).  To tell you the truth I didn’t know what to expect, I had never photographed a boxer before, but was up for the challenge.  I had a blast!  I got in the ring, and took my best shot, (pardon the pun).  When I look at these boxing pics, the Rocky theme song plays in my mind and inspires me to get myself into fighting shape.  “J” was an awesome guy, so nice and respectful, loving to his mom, I just wanted to give him a big squeeze at the end of the shoot.   Thanks, it was so fun to photograph you, I have no doubt you have an amazing future ahead of you!

I am so behind on blogging.  The last week was crazy busy, I rushed to an fantastic workshop with a world famous Aussie photographer, Jinky, and then straight to an amazing destination wedding on Flathead lake.  I have other shoots to post from before my travels but had to show you a couple from this wedding, it was breathtaking.  The couple was gorgeous inside and out.   Stay tuned to see more….

This mom wanted to do a photo shoot of her family before her dear husband was deployed for the second time.  I was honored that she called me to capture this time in their lives.  It was really important to her to have great images of her hubby and two boys.  I didn’t anticipate how emotional that it would be, it made me realize the sacrifice that these military families make for us. I hate to admit that the war isn’t always on my mind, I almost forget it is going on,  it is not constantly in our faces and things here in the states seem to be business as usual.  It really touched me to photograph a family that is directly impacted and sacrificing for us so that we can enjoy our freedom.  It was happy, happy, joy, joy until I had the couple away from the kids for a moment alone, once they looked into each others eyes the tears flowed,  he was leaving in a couple of days for one year.  I can’t imagine being without Chris for that long.  Thank you.

This adorable couple booked me over a year and half  ago, so we had been looking forward to their big day for quite a while.  Their family and friends flew in from all over the country to support them.  The father of the bride’s family hailed from Pittsburgh where Chris and I lived for a few years so we had the Steelers connection going on.  The reception was a blast.  The wedding party was sure to entertain and broke out into a choreographed  “thriller” dance; it was classic.   Congrats guys!!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…… so here it is, our vacation from last week with a few little thoughts thrown in.   We are a road trip family, we always drive crazy distances, like the day long 15 hour drive to Telluride, CO.  Chris had a conference so we decided to join him.  The kids were devastated when the posh indoor/ outdoor pool with a 2 story water slide was closed for the two days that we were there, and I was a frustrated mama, but Telluride was so gorgeous and we found plenty of other things to do while Chris was in lectures.  Telluride boasts of an earth friendly gondola, the kids loved it,  I can’t tell you how many times we rode that thing up and down the mountain.  We played in the chilly river banks; Ty could have entertained himself all day throwing rocks, we visited an amazing public library, fun park,  breathtaking waterfall, a grocery store with the mini carts (what kid isn’t all over that?), and to top it off Taylor soared and flipped on the crazy bungee.  We have had the chance to travel quite a bit, and Chris and I both agree that Telluride might be the most gorgeous place we have ever seen.

On our way to Island Park we went through Salt Lake to visit some of our favorite friends and had the added benefit of eating at a restaurant called Ty’s Table.  Ty thought that was pretty amazing, along with the fact that they had a soft serve ice cream bar.  Does life get any better for a three year old?

The highlight of our trip was spending time at a cabin in Island Park with our good friends, the kids had a blast and it was so relaxing.  Bill’s Island is like a little community, they had a cute 4th of July parade and the kids were thrilled to join in.

We got back just in time on the fourth to light some sparklers and have a little fireworks fun before heading off to a much needed good nights sleep.  Ty hated the whistling fireworks but obliged after we put some earmuffs on his little ears.

This shoot was another father’s day surprise, the majority of father’s day surprises were of sisters, I think it’s the dad/daughter thing.  Moms know that more than anything else in the world the most precious gift for a dad would be his daughters captured beautifully.  These sisters were so fun and different from the other.  The oldest was quiet and reserved,  a fashionista, and the younger energetic and always ready to make you laugh.  I loved trying to capture their relationship, even though they were so very different, they had a concrete respect and love for the other. Thanks mom for letting me capture your girls, they are beautiful!

This couple came all the way from Sheridan to do their engagement pics.  They were troopers, the groom to be was feeling under the weather and I had them hopping fences and giving it their all.  Thanks for working it. They are huge Broncos fans so we wanted to be sure and incorporate that into their shoot.  I can’t wait for their wedding in Wyoming, I’m sure it will be gorgeous!

Apparently this is what I look like from the other side of the lens. 🙂