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!

Raine and Ryan at Hudson Gardens. Denver Wedding Photography

Ryan and Raine were so much fun to work with. I absolutely adored the details that they added to their beautiful Denver wedding. From the penguin cufflinks, to the stacked book centerpieces. Just like Ryan and Raine, the wedding was brimming over with quirky personality.

Okay, so sitting in the flowers. with tons of bees flying around me, waiting for one to land in my shot might not have been the smartest idea. I love the way the picture turned out though. Raine's ring is gorgeous.

If you dislike these cufflinks, you might want to start questioning your ability to discern cuteness.

Making people jump for pictures is definitely my guilty pleasure. I can't deny it.

They were so happy. Ryan couldn't stop smiling. So sweet.

Raine wanted to take some pictures on the Denver light rail after the wedding. What a cool idea! I love it when brides make suggestions. It was actually my first time to ride it. The lighting was beautiful in there. Raine is outstandingly beautiful.

Suzanne and Matt Winter/Summer Colorado Engagement Session

Suzanne and Matt were one of the very first couples to book me here in Denver. I liked them right off the bat. They are such a sweet couple. They had a plan for two separate Colorado engagement shoots. One in the winter up in the mountains (Vail is great for engagement pictures), and the other in the summer back in Denver. I love this idea. They wanted to cover the places that have been important to them in their relationship.

Our first shoot was in Vail Village. They picked all the places they wanted to shoot. Let me tell you, they should be location scouts. I loved every place that they chose.

The second shoot was in downtown Denver starting by Coors Field and ending at the Millennium Bridge. The picture of the two of them overlooking downtown and the Union Station is not just one of my favorite pictures from this shoot, it's one of my favorite pictures ever!

Jess and Mike's Chief Hosa Lodge Wedding

Jess and Mike belong together. If for no other reason than they both have the best laughs I have ever heard. They could melt the coldest hardest heart when they laugh together. Jess has one of those 'throw your head back' laughs...I am not even going to try to explain Mike's it's just too good for words.

I really enjoyed this wedding at the Chief Hosa Lodge. It was so laid back, and heartfelt. Wonderful.

Oh, and the view was outstanding.

Mike is a really talented artist. He made all the centerpieces for the wedding. He also made the favors.

Jessica is beautiful.

Check out this sunset! This immediately became my desktop image. I rarely change my desktop image. It's reserved for especially beautiful touching images. I want to remember to look around me more often to notice the beauty in things.

Hillary and TJ's Mountaintop Wedding

Hillary and TJ got married on top of a mountain at her childhood home this Friday. I couldn't stop thinking about one of my favorite Ron Burgundy quotes all day.

"I know that one day Veronica and I are going to get married on top of a mountain, and there's going to be flutes playing and trombones and flowers and garlands of fresh herbs. And we will dance till the sun rises. And then our children will form a family band. And we will tour the countryside and you won't be invited. "

All silliness aside, It was a gorgeous wedding. It doesn't hurt that TJ and Hillary are absolutely gorgeous and madly in love to boot. I was so excited to get these pictures edited to show everyone. Here are some of my favorites:

He works for Steve Madden, so of course their shoes were awesome.

Literally on top of a mountain, every direction I turned held a breathtaking view and a gorgeous backdrop.

She refurbishes antique chairs. This one was perfect for pictures.

You see how he looks at her? That's what love looks like. This is their first dance. They are just the cutest couple.

Hillary (a woman of many talents) designed the cake. I think she did an outstanding job.

I can't wait to shoot their honeymoon session. I'm excited to see what we can come up with.