ahhh Minnesota in the summer…brings back fond memories.  And lots of mosquitoes.   Chris is just four days older then I, but sadly still much shorter. (Sorry Chris just had to say that.  )  He and I are cousins and spent a considerable amount of our youth together.  I’m so honored that they wanted me to shoot their wedding in October!  So while I was back in the Mosquito State we did an engagement session in what Chris referrers to as the park he spend most of his misguided youth.   Quarry Hill Park.

I can’t wait for their wedding in October.  Especially since I wasn’t sure Chris would ever tie the knot.  Way to go Nicole for whipping this man into shape!

Mischievous face if I ever saw one.

You two are far from an old married couple!  So excited Nicole will be a ‘Miller’.  Hopefully we’ll spend lots of misguided days together in the future!

I’m in the blogging mood today.  So I thought I’d talk about wedding style and creating you’re own look.  This is Loren.  She tied the knot to Brian this past weekend in Beaver Creek.  I had the pleasure of second shooting for Julie on their wedding and what a celebration it was!  Nothing traditional about this couple.  And not that traditional is a bad thing, I was married in a church.  Loren mentioned to me that she choose a short dress because she’s not really a gown girl.  I love that!  She took the short wedding dress and totally rocked it!  She still looks like a gorgeous bride, long dress or not.  I think it’s so important to sit down with your future hubby and talk about what is it that you want your wedding day to look like?  And not just the ceremony part, but the whole day or maybe even the whole weekend.  In this day and age of commercialized weddings, it’s easy to get lost in all the ‘crap’ out there.  And I use that term loosely.  Just take a step back, and think about what it is that you and your future spouse want.  If it is a church wedding and reception, GREAT!  But if it’s not, don’t feel you need to go with the tide.  Blaze your own path and make it your own.  It’ll surely be unforgettable for your guests.

My brother’s wedding was entirely outdoors.  Not uncommon here in Colorado, but in Minnesota. Well let’s just say it broke the box in a big way.  There were several people at their wedding that had never been to an outdoor wedding, do you think they’ll forget it?  Probably not.

Don’t be afraid to head down a different direction then what’s typically taken.  Especially if it’s something that means something to you and your future spouse.  It’s sure to be unforgettable.

My baby brother tied the knot two weeks ago.  It’s still hard to believe he’s old enough and mature enough to marry someone.  But alas he met Krista.  And what a beautiful bride and women she is!  I’m so excited to have her as a sister!  Growing up with two brothers left me out number in to many ways.

Since I had a honor of serving as bridesmaid I didn’t have to be the main photographer.  I’m kinda happy about that too.  Instead of shooting digital I decided it would be fun to shoot old school Polaroid and Holga film.   I had so much fun doing just those, I think I should start offering Polaroid and Film only packages!  LOVE IT!  Congrats Nate and Krista!  Love you both!

I do have to give props to my hubby and cousin Hayley for taking ceremony photos.  That’s me in the middle.

I love the color variation from Polaroid to 120 film. 

I did break out the digital after dark, when I’d ran out of film.  I absolutely love how the sparkler send off turned out!

Wedding season is in full swing!  Bring on the happy couples!  Tammy and Jeff are so freak’n cute.  We clicked right away when we met and I knew they’d be a riot to hangout with.  Jeff is a big teddy bear that loves to hug and Tammy is just bubbly happy women.  These two just melt into each other.  I can’t wait to do their cute little white church wedding in September!

Jeff’s mom even drove the red train back in the day.  So cool. 

I think I may be blogging out of order, but hey that’s how it goes sometimes.  Zahra was the last senior I did at Girls Inc last month.  And she totally ROCKED it!  I’ve never seen a young girl with so much confidence and yet be so down to earth and true to herself.  And those eyes!  You just got lost in how dark and gorgeous they are!  I LOVED doing this project with the Girls Inc seniors.  It has been such an amazing opportunity to get to know them and how much Girls Inc has helped them.  I have no doubt they’ll take their dreams far.