This trip to Arizona was short and sweet, and I had just enough time to fit in one of my favorite families from my trip last April! You may notice something different, though….there’s a new baby in the pictures! Little Beni was born in August so it was a lot of fun to finally meet her. She fits in with her big brothers Kael and Paxton quite well, and sat so nice and still for pictures in Grandma and Grandpa’s desert backyard in Mesa. It was another gorgeous day, of course. Gotta love that Arizona light!
My last destination wedding for the year was absolutely amazing! Everything took place at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort which was yet another photographer's dream with all the breathtaking backdrops within walking distance around the grounds. We even got a quick golf cart ride up the mountain to one of the homes with an incredible view! And I know I talk about the weather all the time but it was perfect–mid 80s and just a slight breeze. Jason and Mya were a blast to photograph and were open to all my ideas, even posing patiently as I experimented with lighting a special shot near the pool at sunset. I was so excited how it turned out!
Wow, what an incredible weekend! I'm "sneaking in" this sneak peek right away because I've got a four hour layover at the airport on my way home and I have all their pictures on my laptop just begging to be shared! I had an incredible time at this wedding. Both Jill and Mike and their families welcomed me instantly and I felt right at home. The weather was gorgeous and I was absolutely thrilled to be shooting at the historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. With loads of lush gardens and palm trees and colorful archways and doors I was definitely in photographer's paradise–literally! Jill and I have actually "known" each other online by reading each other's blogs for a few years now so it was so fun to finally meet her. There were some other blogging girls there so we snapped a group picture at the end–myself included. I had such a hard time narrowing these shots down for the sneak peek so there are a LOT. Also, this was my first Jewish wedding and I had SO much fun! My favorite part was when they got lifted up on the chairs at the reception!
WOW! That’s what I have to say about this amazingly gorgeous destination wedding in the Florida Keys! Scott and Andrea tied the knot on beautiful Islamorada (just south of Key Largo) at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe at sunset. I was so honored to be a part of this celebration, and to photograph at such an exotic location was yet another dream come true! The skies were absolutely breathtaking and the breeze off the ocean was perfect on this hot day! This post is going to be another LONG one because I couldn’t possibly narrow down these shots. I finally just had to stop or it would probably take up the whole page, although I’m sure you guys won’t mind! And if anyone hasn’t caught on by now, I LOVE shooting destination weddings and would be happy to continue doing so. (I actually have two more this year!) So check out some of my favorites from Scott and Andrea’s fabulous day!
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I had the privilege of photographing Ryan and Krystal's gorgeous wedding in Sedona last week and it was an amazing experience. They got married at the Tlaquepaque (ta-lack-a-pack-ee) Arts and Crafts Village in the heart of the town with so many gorgeous archways and staircases and hidden walkways I was in photographer's heaven! The wedding was simple and beautiful. Just like her older sister Kelli's wedding that I shot in Mexico in 2006, Krystal's father not only walked her down the aisle but he was the pastor! As soon as the ceremony was over, we rushed up to find a spot to take pictures with the red rocks before the sun set. Needless to say we just made it just in time!
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Ryan and Krystal decided to do a last minute engagement session around Mesa, Arizona the day before their wedding… just in time! We had gorgeous evening light and of course I loved taking advantage of the desert landscape. We also headed over to Starbucks because that's where they first met! Ryan's son Ethan joined in for a few shots, too. Stay tuned for their wedding pictures soon!
My last session in Arizona was with none other than my wonderful hosts, Grant and Kelli. We ended up walking to a place to eat one evening and took pictures along the way… in alleys, on the train tracks, and in empty lots. In other words, a photographers creative dream! I love using non-traditional backgrounds and thinking outside the box. And of course with friends like Grant and Kelli it’s hard to go wrong. They’re great subjects! I even took a shot on our way home after dark, trying some ‘light painting’ with my camera to draw hearts with the streetlights. Here are just a few of my favorite shots!
It’s a real plane–we were right in the flight path and one flew over every couple minutes!
You may recognize little Hayden from her session with cousin Brendan about a month ago when she visited family in Minnesota. Since Hayden and her family are actually from Arizona, they asked me to come back again and include her friend Parker, too! We had a fun time at the playground with the kids on a beautiful morning, and even their mommies joined in on a few shots. Then it was time to head back home where the kids enjoyed some ice cream–yum!
I had a great time with the Forsythe family in their beautiful desert backyard. I’ve known this great group of people for about five years, back when I was going to school in Flagstaff and roommates with one of their daughters, Kelli. I even spent a couple holidays with them when I couldn’t get home. It is so fun to see how their family continues to grow… there are two more grandchildren on the way!
Even Miss Puggy posed for a couple shots!
