Sophisticated Elegance || Highlands Ranch Mansion Wedding Photographer

Lauren + Austin || Married

This image is going to be one of my favorites for a long time to come. It is classic and elegant, and to this day, I can hear Lauren laughing. Isn’t that what we all want? To look back at our wedding day and remember holding our husband’s hand, floating with happiness, surrounded by beauty, and feeling loved by everyone around us?

Lauren and Austin were a joy to photograph. I mostly just give couples a bit of direction as to what to do (like hold hands and walk towards me) but overall I want my couples to ignore me. You just got married! Be your cute selves. And Lauren and Austin were beautifully in their own world. I couldn’t ask for anything more perfect!

Highlands Ranch Mansion, Denver Colorado, Couples Portrait, Black and White, Audrey Michel

Groomsmen hanging out, black and white, groom playing poker, Highlands Ranch Mansion

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I cannot stop looking at this image of Lauren in her stunning Lazaro gown. I am a huge fan of belted bridal gowns and accessories. Adding beading to her lace dress and tying in gray to coordinate with the groomsmen was the perfect decision. And look at her necklace!

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Lauren and Austin, it was an honor to celebrate your wedding day with you, and your wonderful family and friends.

MUCH LOVE!

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A big thank you to all the amazing vendors who came together to make this day happen:

Abloom Florist
AllWell Rents
Audrey Michel Photography
Azucar Bakery
Catering by Design
Chair Covers and Linens
Highlands Ranch Mansion
Lazaro Wedding Gown
Mark Christopher Weddings
Progressive Sound DJ
Spa Divas
5 Star Talent & Entertainment

 

 

Guest or Photographer | Denver Wedding Photographer

My best friend’s wedding

This summer I had the honor of photographing one of my best friend’s weddings. Always such an honor to be an integral part of a wedding day.

Julie has always said, “When I get married, you have to be my photographer.” OK!

And then this spring…the ring went on her finger, and I got the message, “You have to have September 28th open!” Sure enough, I did. Let the journey begin!

Prior to any wedding day, I like to participate in the planner or coordinator’s final walk through. It is a great opportunity to get everyone on the same page. Walk throughs help me understand unique logistics and intricate details of the day, which in turn helps me organize photos throughout the day.

Julie assembled a great team of vendors, and we had a great final walkthrough. Everything was coming together perfectly! On our way home from the venue we finished up photo related conversations. Julie got really quiet and serious, “I am so sorry you are having to do all this work. I feel bad, I should have just hired a different photographer. I wish you could just relax and be a guest. I want you to enjoy yourself!”

I smiled and said, “Ask me what I enjoy.” She did. I told her when given the choice, I would rather be a photographer at a wedding over being a guest. I get to see your day in a way no one else does. I get to be with you all day; not just watch from afar, hoping to talk to you for a couple of minutes. It felt really great to see my best friend exhale. She thought she was making me work when I am supposed to be celebrating. Being a wedding photographer is not work, or is it a job. For me, being an integral part of a wedding day IS my way to CELEBRATE.

These are the moments that only I get to see, moments that bring me happiness. I believe if I wasn’t there to capture it, no one else would get to see it either. As I sit here editing Julie’s wedding, these are the moments I felt most privileged to witness and now, share.

Colorado Wedding Photographer, Mountain Wedding Photographer

I’ve said it before, that one of my favorite moments of the day is the first photograph of the bride. Every bride glows on her wedding day. In this moment captured above, I believe I said something like, “Honey, you are getting married today!” Julie exhaled, and gave me this smile. It will forever be burned into my mind, just how beautiful my friend was on her wedding day.

Colorado Wedding Photographer, Mountain Wedding Photographer, Denver Wedding Photographer

There are so many images of Julie and Seth that I love. This one in particular seems to describe them best, to me anyway. I can hear Julie’s laugh as she looks at herĀ almostĀ husband.

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The last few moments with Dad and his little girl is one I will always cherish. I love watching the dynamics. Sometimes the moment is too emotional and they won’t look at each other, and other times I get really sweet glances…like I did Julie and her father.

Julie, thank you for allowing me to be your photographer, and giving me the gift of witnessing such intimate moments of your day. You are beautiful inside and out.

Congratulations to you and Seth!

MUCH LOVE

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Denver Wedding Photographer :: Bride feeling beautiful

A letter to a beautiful bride

Dear Jamie,

As I flipped through your wedding, making final edits and preparing to deliver your images, this photograph got me all teary eyed. I sat back, and thought about the day we met, almost a year ago, the day you ultimately chose to hire me for your wedding. I cried that day too.

You didn’t know it, but at the time I was revamping my business. I had hired a business coach with the premise of discovering why I love photography, and designing my business accordingly. As you talked about your dislike of a recent photograph of yourself, and how you wanted nothing more than look back at images from your day and feel beautiful, I felt so connected to you. We both teared up. In that moment I discovered exactly why I love being a wedding photographer. I LOVE helping women feel beautiful. I believe every bride glows on her wedding day, and nothing makes me happier than to capture that glow for her to share with loved ones for a lifetime. It makes me happy, because I get to feel beautiful right along with her.

I wanted to say thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your fears. Your courage helped me rediscover my love of photography, define my passion, and find the words to communicate my passion with others.

This is the image that made me cry. The first few moments of a bride in her wedding gown are always my favorite. The “oh, my, I’m a bride” smile washes over her face. The deep, authentic smile that is hard to get rid of, overwhelms her body. And you can feel her joy.

Denver Wedding Photographer, bride feeling beautiful

Jamie, you are a beautiful woman. It was an honor to spend your wedding day with you! Joe is a lucky man. xoxo

MUCH LOVE!

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Intricate Icings :: Denver Wedding Photographer

Indulgent Wedding Cakes by Intricate Icings

If you are looking for a decadent and indulgent wedding cake, beautifully designed with modern elements and attention to detail… Rachael Teufel with Intricate Icings is your girl. Ā Rachael has been a Food Network Competitor 3 times, taking second place twice, and winning her final episode. Ā Rachael also teaches online cake design classes for Craftsy.com.

What I love about Rachael, and where her and I have connected, is her absolute passion for modern design, and intense attention to detail.Ā Earlier this summer I had the honor of spending some time at the Intricate Icings studio photographing some of their favorite cakes, and watching the team create masterpieces.

The cakes I gravitated to were inspired by designer wedding dresses. What a fabulous way to keep all the design elements of a wedding day cohesive!

This cake is designed after Liancarlo dress style 5826. Ā What attracted me to this cake, is the textures. Ā The cake body is matte, and the floral details and ribbon are a variety of textures. The contrasts make each element stand alone. Ā What impressed me the most is the ribbon detailing. Ā First, let me say, everything on Intricate Icings cakes is edible. The details Rachael and her team are capable of doing with sugar and icing is incredible. Every level of ribbon have different textures, matte, tulle, and silk. This detailing is taken directly from the French tulle and silk organza textured skirt designed by Liancarlo. Stunning!

Little White Dress, Liancarlo, Intricate Icings, Audrey Michel Wedding Photographer

The second cake is modeled after Liancarlo dress style 5844. I LOVE the French Lyon lace on tulle design! In both the dress and the cake, lace is the dominate design element. Check out the detail shot, I had to physically get this close to the cake to decide if there was a lace overlay or not. But again, Rachael assures me the cake was created entirely with sugar! Similar to the lace elements on the dress, the lace on the cake is slightly raised as well. I was continuously impressed with the artistry and commitment to design integrity.

Little White Dress, Liancarlo, Intricate Icings, Audrey Michel Wedding Photographer

I have one more thing to say about Intricate Icings… their cake flavors and fillings are unique and amazing! Ā My personal favorite is theĀ Zucchini with lime zest, a refreshing and moist cake. It pairs beautifully with cream cheese filling layered with diced fresh fruit: strawberries, mango, kiwi, and mandarin oranges. Is your mouth watering yet?Ā Intricate Icings makes their own modeling chocolate used for decor pieces like lace and ruffles. Here is where it gets good…Ā The fondant used is made from white chocolate which simply melts in your mouth, unlike any other fondants. I LOVE white chocolate!!!

Wedding photographers and other wedding vendors quickly become cake snobs. Eating wedding cake is a wonderful perk, but when it’s every weekend, you start to spend your cake calories wisely. I will never refuse cake from Intricate Icings!

MUCH LOVE!

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special thank you to Rachael Teufel of Intricate Icings

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, and Cate Malone and her team at Little White Dress.

Professional Wedding Photographer

Seeing your wedding day in slow motion

On your wedding day, when things go by so fast, your loved ones gather, and many of whom you will get to talk to for only a second. In the precious, fleeting moments that create your day, as your wedding photographer, it is my mission to see everything. I see your day in slow motion.

Think of a professional baseball player, and how they can “slow down” pitches, and actually see the spiraling stitches of the baseball. That is how I feel on a wedding day. Everything is in slow motion. I am sensitive to the emotions in the atmosphere, and I can feel where to be to capture that slit second. A split second, that as an anxious, excited bride and groom, you may not notice.

Denver Professional Wedding PhotographerI can feel the emotion welling up in your mother’s eyes as her husband dances with his little girl. I know exactly where she stands, and I know what angle makes dabbing tears look beautiful. I know Grandpa really wants to photograph his first Granddaughter during the initial moments in her wedding dress. The light wraps around her face beautifully, and she is glowing. It’s cool, I can share. Because sometimes TAKING the picture brings him joy and happiness. And, I know that moment, right when a bride puts in her last earring, and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror, it really sinks in, that today, I marry my best friend, and the love of my life.

I am not just a person with a camera. I am a creative, sentimental wedding photographer, reflecting love and celebration. I am captivated by every minute of a wedding. Joy and love is what I see in the world and through my lens, and is what I share with my clients. The experience of sharing wedding photos, and reminiscing with friends and family should be filled with laughter and love. It is my passion to understand my clients and capture their love story.

What I do, can’t be taught, or learned by reading countless how-to blogs. I radiate happiness, love and joy, and bring a calming presence to a day filled with emotions, anxiety, and excitement. I believe every bride glows on her wedding day. My happiness comes from helping a bride feel beautiful, and capturing that feeling for her to share with her loved ones for a lifetime.

MUCH LOVE!

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