Jim & Miranda {Wedding Portraiture: Denver, CO}

Location: Dunafon Castle

“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” 
― Nicole Krauss, The History of Love

When I read this quote from The History of Love (a new novel I’m getting ready to read,) I thought of this post and this lovely couple, Jim & Miranda.  Their story was an intricate one, filled with the details and happenstance that only two people fated to be together can claim.  The beautiful thing is that Jim, a man of honor and patience with a splash of fun loving jokester, is now spending his days answering to the laugh of the breath taking Miranda.  One of the most amazing brides I’ve ever had the privilege to work with, not only was Miranda jolly and the ultimate fashion plate, but her tenderness and love toward Jim was touching and obvious to all.  Her laugh was contagious and could be heard throughout the evening as they celebrated their love with intimate friends and family in the perfect castle wedding.  Not only is their love an inspiration, but I’m sure their perfect, romantic castle wedding will be for many a bride as well.

   To Jim and Miranda, I hope your lives will be filled with the laughter and joy that permeated your wedding day.  You deserve it.

Bekah in the Studio {portraits: session #3}

I’m amazed by music every day.  It has power to move us, inspired us, express what is inside of us, and calm us.  With the Grammys yesterday, honoring many of today’s greats in the music industry, as I watched I couldn’t help but think about Bekah, one of the greats in my world and on my iPod. 

It was an honor to watch Bekah’s vision and music come to life in the studio last week.  Her amazing producers, Michael Rossback and John Arndt of The Brilliance, amazed as they composed recorded the string pieces and the trio from the Denver Symphony Orchestra and Colorado Springs Orchestra played each note with incredible precision and talent.  I was utterly amazed and in awe of each melodic melody, which teased the ear and touched my heart.  Music reaches a deep part of me and always has.  To be touched by the music that comes from the heart of my sister is even more amazing and I can’t wait until she’s sharing it with the world.  Until then, enjoy this series from the studio.  

Bekah {portraits: session #2}

With two beautiful ladies.  Listening to lots of beautiful music.  That's what I was doing last Saturday night at a cozy house show in Denver. And on this snowy and blustery day, I'm surrounding myself again with the melodic and insightful tunes of Bekah Wagner and Stephanie Dorman.  I'm luck to call both of these lovely ladies sisters, friends and fellow artists.  If you're looking for some good tunes while home bound today check out the links below.

Listen to some music by Stephanie Dorman: Click Here! {This song is amazing!  I downloaded it and have it on repeat right now as I'm writing.  I've loved Steph's voice for years and will for many to come.}

Watch/Listen to Bekah's newest music video and other music: Click Here! (Props to Ydg?! Productions on the video.  Isn't the song AMAZING!  It will touch you in a deep place, for realz.) 

These ladies will blow you away!  I blogged last week about Bekah's current recording project which started recording this week!  She still needs your support though, so pre-purchase her album Here!  

Finally, if you weren't lucky enough to catch the concert last week, Bekah will be another show coming up on February 9th in Colorado Springs!  Check for updated info on her Kickstarter Page. Stephanie also plays frequent shows in Denver so friend her on Facebook and keep up with her amazing music.  

So, enjoy these cozy photos.  Listen to the music and it's almost like you were there! 

{Check back next week for a recording session with Bek & some amazing Strings players, a beautiful family's 'sleepover session', and I do have a wedding that's long overdue sharing. :)} 

it's the little stories {personal}

I was feeling anxious today.  Anxious about all the stories out there waiting to be told and captured.  Anxious about the phone not ringing.  It's hard to trust the process.  Hard to do something new.  Just being honest here.

But then tonight, as we were trying to cheer up our sick baby with a fun bedtime bath, one of his favorite things, and as I watched him crawl around and Drew try to wrestle him from slipping on the lavender scented bubbles, I couldn't help but pull out my camera, my favorite 85mm lens, and make just a few pictures.  And I thought, these moments are so precious to me.  I can't wait to look back on them for many years to come.  Even now, when I look back on photos of Henry almost a whole year ago when he was freshly baked, I weep. Literally weep.  

How fun would it be to do a shoot all based about getting ready for bed?  Capture dinner, games, clean up, baths, pjs, stories, and snuggling.  What fun.  How peaceful.  It's a little story but worth telling I think.

PS - sorry I'm thinking tonight in short sentences.  I'm not taking time to really develop my thoughts.  Just taking the risk to type them as they come.  It's that kind of quite night.

bekah {portrait: session #1}

I call Bekah many things.  Obviously the most important is sister.  But I also call her friend, confidant, Aunt and Godmother to Henry.  Others call her wife, teacher, leader, and singer, just to name a few.  We all call her beautiful, talented, gifted, writer, musician, songstress, worshiper, and artist.  It’s been a long time coming, Bekah’s first solo EP Album, chock full of her smooth and powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics and intuitive musicianship. 

I spent last Friday morning with Bekah.  Not a unique thing to do in the scheme of our lives as sisters, and yet special as each of our lives travel at a million miles a minute, generally in opposite directions.  So, I took advantage of one of her last writing days to photograph her in her home environment, cozy in her music room, writing and playing as if it were no thing at all.  The music flowed out of her.  Her passion and anticipation of showing others the music buzzes in every note and conversation.  It’s an exciting journey that I’m honored to document and share here. I hope you find these photos inspiring and honest, just like Bekah herself is and how I'm sure many will find her music.

Please take a moment to check out Bekah’s webpage to get more info on this project and hear from Bekah herself.  Donate by FEB. 11 and receive the album before it's publicly released later this year.  Also, listen/watch previous recordings of Bekah on various worship albums throughout the years.  Bookmark the page for info on upcoming concerts and shows in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas. 

Next week I'll be sharing photos of Bekah's upcoming Denver show, but until then I hope you'll show her your love by commenting here, passing along the Kickstarter page, and most importantly, supporting her with at least a dollar: http://kck.st/wW7n1T