Wedding: Boulder Bridal Shoot...Part 1

Today has been interesting to say the least. It's dark in my house. Freezing, freezing everywhere, and my husband is still sick. Poor guy...but I just pray I don't get it too. I'm already feeling like I'm in a bit of a funk. I think it's the weather though. Sometimes the human body can't keep up with Colorado weather insanity. It kills me.

However, that being said, it's nothing listening to a little Gregory Alan Isakov can't cure. Or Mike Snow, Bob Marley...Jack Johnson. Lol. Jason asked me today if I only listen to 3 songs on repeat all day. I said no, just the ones that keep me inspired. And for whatever reason, these guys do it for me. Crazy boys. =)

So I sit and listen. Sit and edit. And even though I could hardly contain my excitement last week about my big collab shoot, the process of sorting, editing, and organizing the images I want usually takes longer than I think! Although I did the least amount of editing ever. =) This is mostly due to shooting beautiful models all day and having a team of pros help me put it all together.

Without further ado, since obviously I talk too much, here are the images I shot that I just LOVE from our first set. (I will be posting a follow-up blog that displays all my images from the second set with Cassie!!) Apologies in advance for this being such a long post!

LensBaby.

And one for fun!

I must say many thanks to the people who helped me put this together:

*Natosha Cooke, you rock and you've become such a great friend to me. You're such a gem!

*Brandie Rodriquez is responsible for the girl's hair and it was STUNNING to say the least.

*The beautiful dresses were designed by Alisa Benay. Such attention to detail! Love.

*My models, Luccia C., Brytny M., and Austin S. Told you guys it would be fun just acting like you're in love! Lol. And Austin we all know how well that worked out with not one, but two amazing ladies as your bride. =)

*Jarrod Reanud, you're an artist and I'm so glad you found your passion. This is YOU, man.

*And our venue for this first set: The Boulderado Hotel--a beautiful venue and I hope many of my future brides book it. The people there are amazing and made the entire day easy-peasy for us.

Cheers! xo

Sickness & thoughts of OZ

Last night, I rolled over to snuggle with Jason. His skin was so hot I quickly pulled away as though I'd been burned. Cuddling was out of the question. Poor guy has had a fever for the last few days and has tried to sleep through both hot and cold sweats. I got up this morning and went to church, leaving him to sleep. I ran errands at a few places, purchased more Theraflu, and then picked up Gumbo from Q-doba. I know when he's feeling better that I'll get the wife-of-the-year award. I didn't get home until 2pm, but there he was still, curled up in bed. It's funny how you can't really remember what it's like to be sick until you are. I feel that I try to sympathize or say I understand, but it's not until I'm sick again myself that I actually feel & remember what it was like. By nature, neither of us are very sympathetic. For whatever reason, we've both grown accustomed to the "suck it up" or "walk it off" way of dealing with things. It's something my father just can't understand. But for whatever reason, we just try to be tough. Even when we aren't.

A year ago today, we were on the other side of the world. This morning, we flew to Ayer's Rock, I wrote in my journal. The only down-side is the flies. They're vicious and in so many numbers you can't count. Even though every single other person in our group bought a fly net for their face, we won't buy one. We just toughed it out...even though the flies are biting. I found this passage funny because I do remember us toughing out the gazillion flies, but I remember simple our time together more. We toured a vast desert that day, made new friends, took endless amounts of pictures, and closed the day sipping Champagne at the base of Ayer's Rock to view its color-change. Sometimes I think we're both so busy acting tough that we forget we're also big saps. We still need each other when we're sick and you'll find both of us with tears in our eyes if we reminisce about life's little moments, or when we hear a harrowing story about an animal. Well not about flies, but just about anything else!

After our Q-doba, I showed him a picture we took a year ago today. The colors on the rock were beautiful and was by far one of the best times of our lives. While I wish that tomorrow we were once again ridding camels to Sunrise, I'll take the morning in bed sipping Chai with J...even if by tomorrow, we still can't really snuggle...

A Model Muse

Sometimes I meet models who are so much more than that. That word, model. So much more than just a person who physically poses for me. They become friends, and people who validate me, inspire me, and are ultimately a muse. I've had this happen more frequently that I think is normal, but it's awesome every single time and I've made some great memories with these mods!!

She is just like that. A model, who's a muse. A friend, and someone who is literally just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside...wait, is that even possible??? Fallon Jappe is beauty defined.

Shortly after Christmas, she and I got together for another shoot. Add a little makeup from the fabulous makeup artist of mine, (I think that's a claim), Natosha Cooke, and the inspiration is unstoppable.

Here's a peak at our cozy Colorado afternoon.

I feel I have to mention: Hands down, these next three images are some of my most favorite pictures I've ever shot! They are SOOC too, except for the B&W conversion. Holla!!!

Happy Thursday! =)

a turtle and a blanket

Sometimes it blows my mind how fast time flies. I tell myself I will blog every other day...then it's almost a week and life has happened quicker than I could imagine. I don't have a turtle-paced life--although I do have a strange affection for turtles in general...another post maybe. My life's paced like that of a rabbit. Running across the road. While wearing a jet-pack. Being chased by a hyena. Seriously. Ah, but such is life. And it's fun.

Yesterday I had an incredibly fun Bridal-themed photoshoot with some of my most favorite people. I couldn't believe how nervous I was, but sometimes when I get super excited, I start thinking I'll blow it. I doubt my ability to actually take photos. Like, what if I can't find the shutter, or forget how to focus?! My nerves are hard core, but it's something I need to work on. Wanting to hide under a blanket all day isn't much of a life! Get it together! Okay, done.

I have so many images to post, but here's a sneak peak at our amazing, secondary set-up that proves I didn't stay hidden under a blanket...however honestly, when we got to the snow up Flagstaff (in the shade!), and all of us thought our toes had frostbite, and we actually couldn't feel the shutter!, I can't say I didn't kinda think about it again. Not gunna lie.

Our winter scene was set up by the fabulous Cassie Jahn with Cassandra Rose Events. While I simply brainstormed with Cassie about what I wanted, she actually made it happen. xo, C.

Wedding: Hannah & Paul

In December, I had the pleasure of shooting, once again, with a fave. Mark Hayes is an amazing, amazing photographer, but he's also an amazing person. I am so inspired by him and hope that one day, I'll be half as good. If you aren't familiar with his photography, I highly suggest you check it out and click here.

The day was December 18th, and I had the pleasure of shooting the most beautiful wedding. Hannah and Paul Oliver chose amazing venues and all-around beautiful decor. Their attention to detail in everything they did blew me away.

Trinity Methodist Church held the ceremony and The Brown Palace hosted their reception. Their wedding was beautiful! And the perfect start to the Holiday season.

Here are some of my "2nd/3rd-shooter" pics:

The beautiful Brown Palace. Doesn't get any better for an indoor celebration!

Walking in & out with the two best men in her life...

I can't exactly explain what makes me love these next few images so much, but it's probably because my view through balcony rails framed it perfectly. As perfectly as my mind saw it. Because Mark held the grounds of the church, I was positioned high above the guests, to shoot down, onto the ceremony. During a brief musical interlude, I took a moment to see the wedding in a new light. And I shot creatively, with no rules on exposure or composition. I cherish images like these...because they express better than I can what I was feeling as I shot. And gives viewers a new way to look through my lens. Mmm, Love.

A second favorite! Right after the ceremony, I headed down the cathedral's stairs from the sanctuary so formal pictures could start, but suddenly realized a moment was being shared. Through the staircase railing--click, click. Perfect.

See what I mean about their attention to detail? Beautiful!

It's hard to explain, but something about this image gets me. It's like a secret handshake, or unspoken code of love. It's official. You had your cake and you ate it. Finito.

This is the best part about second-shooting: I get a totally different perspective. And I love it!

May you have a super fun marriage H&P! Many Blessings!

Note: Another outstanding individual and highly sought-out wedding photographer, Dain Linder was there too. His work is nothing short of genius. See for yourself: click here. Hannah's flowers were designed by The Brown Palace Flower Shop. Superb!

Cheers,

Shanon

something about her...

Sometimes a picture that's so simple captures me. Makes a smile wash over my face. I've shot so many people--beautiful people, amazing people--but there's something about her...

All I hear is Gregory Alan Isakov's That Moon Song playing in my head. Megan's eyes have power. And yet it's her presence alone that's powerful. A raw confidence radiates out of her...sitting on a rock in a white blouse and a pair of rain-boots. She Owns.

I love what I do. And for whatever reason, this picture justifies it.

Model: Megan F.

Location: Laguna Beach, CA

A Quiet Blue

Frigid is colder than freezing. At least I think so. And tonight, it's frigid outside. f.r.i.g.i.d. The frost forms on all our windows. Etching its shapes as a state of claim. Ice latches on outside, clinging to each needle of our trees as if it's always been there. Its molecules diverge: slow down and get their space.

My dogs are quiet. Even when they have to go out. They listen to the frozen air...hear nothing and then look at me. I watch them shift the weight of their little bodies onto different paws; trying to get just an ounce of tepid relief. I only let them out for a quick minute or so. Then it's back to a snuggle-fest of warmth.

I'm happy for the snow. And even the freezing weather. Because sometimes change is nice. Good. A breath of fresh air.

Snow-covered mountains brought a beautifully blue and quiet sunset. I think it's the blue in the sky that makes the night quiet. Not the black so much, but the blue.

It's the dead of winter. But it makes me feel alive.

i've got friends...in high places

He had said he wanted me to shoot it. Yea, me. But I don't do the whole "car" thing very well I told him. But my husband insisted, kept pushing me. Said I could do it. That I was amazing.

I spent a week doubting myself, then knew I'd have to figure it out. Sponsors are waiting, and Jason's always had my back...so I made some calls. Asked for help from some of the best friends I've made this last year. In comes Brett Seeley. If you haven't seen his work, check it out, he's amazing. He finds me a serious studio I can shoot this jeep in. It's massive and I'm stoked!

Then he tells me not one, not two, but a ton of my closest friends will be there too. So I'm in!! All in. Ready to bust it out with the best of them: Friends in low...scratch that!...high places.

Fast forward through a night of crazy-fun-madness. I shot exactly what I wanted. What J wanted me to get. So it's off to submit these bad boys to a magazine. But first, I have to thank some fabulous people. Hugs and love to: Brett Seeley, Junichi Arakawa, Don Hales; my top-notch MUA, Natosha Cooke; a scream-out-loud model, Annelise Jorgenson; and Mike Magree & Lance Joubert who provided an amazing venue for us! And my husband Jason...who makes literally everything fun...and just keeps pushing.

P.S. Because adding a model, especially one like Annie is always better, a teaser (or two):

Hugs & Love,

Shanny