My Yellowstone/Teton Vacation

Travis took a wilderness EMT training course in Wyoming for a month this year. Once he finished we decided we would check out Yellowstone as a sort of celebration. Unfortunately we were both strapped for cash, I made the argument that we should just wait until we had more money. He made the argument that I would be on my deathbed someday wishing that I had gone to Yellowstone when I had the chance. Goodness. I am such a sucker. So we went. I planned the trip in a couple days. The goal was to see EVERYTHING which if you have been there, you know that's quite a feat. It was so much bigger, and so much more beautiful than I ever would have guessed. Anyhow, here are the pictures and the video I made while we were there. I suggest that if you can make this trip, that you do.

I'll show you the video first because it's so much fun.

I am only going to post a few of my favorites from the trip. I seriously took about 4000 pictures!

I love these signs! I don't know who designed them, but they are so darn cute to me. I am sure cute isn't what they were going for.

This is a little private marina we found in the Tetons. I jumped out of the car to take pictures. Can you imagine living somewhere like this? How could you ever be upset about anything with a view like this?

This is Jackson Lake. This is about the time that we decided that we had to rent a canoe.

These geysers were outstanding!

You can't go to Yellowstone and come back without a picture of Old Faithful. Everyone knows this.

Ok. So I am not the best at taking self portraits, but we just had to. Our out-takes were hilarious! I really love the way this shot turned out though. This is a few steps away from our first camp site at Madison Campground.

This first picture was where I heard the bear. I wanted to stay so I could get some pictures from a distance, but Travis thought it was best for us to get out of there in a hurry. In retrospect, I can see how silly I was being.

At first I thought these were just clouds, then I realized there was a raging forest fire up ahead. We ended up driving though the smoke on the way home for about an hour. Crazy stuff. We talked to a couple of rangers and they said it was a measly fire compared to some of the ones they'd seen. They don't even try to put them out. They just let them burn themselves out unless it threatens something important.

I'm so happy I went, I hope you get to see it for yourself.

I love those Lohmillers! Wedding Photography

Goodness gracious! This was a fantastic wedding. I seriously had a hard time choosing which images to blog because there were so many pretty wedding pictures. The wedding took place in Salida Colorado, and I am so glad it did because that little town is a treasure. Katie and Jason opted for a "first look" which is where the bride and groom see each other in a private spot before the wedding. This is a great option because it allows more time for pictures (always a good thing). They picked a spot overlooking the entire town for this. When we drove up to the top, it was ridiculously windy. I was worried that Katie's veil would just blow away. Fortunately that didn't happen, but what did happen made me very happy. Every picture looks like one of those "fan in your face modeling" shots. I am so pleased with the results. Here is Katie walking up to Jason hiding on the other side of that doorway.

Epic first look? Yes, I think that "epic" needs to be the word for this wedding.

I usually try to stay away from railroad tracks. I feel like they are often overdone in pictures, but there is no way I could pass up this beautiful deserted railroad track. It was just too pretty.

Oh Salida, how we love you for your quirky little alleyways and your breathtaking landscapes.

Ummm....Katie you are gorgeous!

This is another spot that Katie and Jason tagged on the map for pictures. Who knew that canoes would make such an adorable backdrop?

Have you ever seen so many attractive people standing together?

I asked the boys to give me a pose and this is what they came up with. It is such a pleasure to work with silly people.

Then to top it all off, Katie goes and gets all awesome on me, and lets me do a crazy Trash the Dress session of her in the rain up in the mountains! I can't express how hardcore she is. She was drenched from head to toe and not one word of complaint. Thank you again Katie! You are the best!

The Great Sand Dunes

I have been in search for cool locations for my photography. Travis and my cousin Gavin suggested that we try out the Sand Dunes. They really just wanted an excuse to go hiking i'm sure.

I had no idea how difficult it would be to climb to the top. Even driving up to the dunes and seeing them next to the mountains didn't put things into perspective for me. The groups of people returning from their hike, panting, and covered in sand didn't really clue me in. It was the two hours of sliding backwards with every step that did it. Yep, I am out of shape. Travis and Gavin just bounded up to the top leaving me to my shamefully slow ascent.

All in all though, I am extremely happy with the pictures we got. The view from the very top was well worth the effort it took (even if I thought my lungs would explode).

This is my cousin Gavin. He got out there and surprised me by strutting around in front of my camera like he'd been modeling for ages. I couldn't believe it!

This one is my favorite. This is Emily. She graciously agreed to let me take her pictures, and hiked all the way up the sand dunes in this dress. The wind really started picking up when we were wrapping up her part of the shoot. It stung our legs and nearly blew away some of my equipment. I am happy it did though. The blowing sand and wind caught dress make this picture in my opinion.





Here's another one of Emily. Isn't she lovely?




Last but not least, the darling and handsome Travis. He reminds me of Indiana Jones! He actually offered to carry me down the sand dunes on his back. What a nice boy.