Sierra Blanco Photography

NEW BLOG

2008-11-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have our blog bookmarked, we have a new blog site. Sorry for the delay in posting this. It was just brought to our attention that some poeple only have the blog site bookmarked and not our website (which you can also access the new blog through) - sorry Josefin ... didn't mean to scare you :-).

New Blog Link - www.sierrablancophoto.com

Website Link - www.sierrablancophotography.com

MICHELE AND JAKE WEDDING - L'AUBERGE DE SEDONA

2008-10-12T23:01:00.000-07:00

So on Saturday, October 4th, we returned to Sedona for Michele and Jake's wedding. It was held at L'Auberge de Sedona and was selected in part for its amazing views of Sedona's famed red rocks. In the last posting of their engagement session, we mentioned Michele's fears about the weather and unfortunately it looked as though her worst fears were confirmed. As we traveled down the canyon towards Sedona all we could see in all directions was a thick blanket of clouds and heavy rain.

During the drive we speculated about how the couple must be feeling, but when we got there they were surprisingly upbeat and taking everything in stride, figuring if it couldn't be changed they might as well roll with it ... great job guys :-)!

In the end Mother Nature rewarded them, allowing them their dream destination wedding complete with red rock views. Like clockwork, the rain stopped about an hour before the wedding, giving everyone time to dry off their chairs and be seated for the ceremony. It just got better from there when we did their formals against the backdrop of Sedona and dramatic skies!

Thank you two so much. We had a great time and we are so happy things worked out for you in the weather department! Thank you too, for allowing us to interrupt you during your dinner to grab some shots (for those of you who weren't there, the photo with the red rocks bathed in sunset light) ... we think the results were well worth it, don't you :-)? Enjoy Hawaii - we are so jealous!

We would also like to say thank you to Michele and Jake's officiant, Maria Grace, of Two Hearts One Life Weddings. Maria it is always a pleasure :-)!!

MICHELE AND JAKE - ENGAGEMENT SESSION

2008-10-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

On October 2nd, only two days before their wedding took place, we photographed Michele and Jake's engagement session in Sedona. They reside in Wisconsin but Michele grew up in Arizona and they wanted to have their wedding amongst the beautiful Red Rocks.

Due to the distance they decided to plan the shoot while they would be in town for the wedding. It was really nice to get to know a little more about them before the big event.

We had a great time wandering around Red Rock Crossing, including the occasional dip in Oak Creek. Clouds were rolling in and Michele made mention of the fact that they were really concerned about the possibility of rain on their wedding day ... more on that in the next posting ...

BABY LEILA

2008-10-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

On October 1st, we took a follow up trip to Show Low in the White Mountains to photograph Carolyn again. We visited her back in August to do her maternity shoot and this time we had the pleasure of meeting her family's new addition.

Her name is Leila and she came into the world needing a haircut ... she has a full head of long dark hair. She was originally supposed to be a "he", but a later ultrasound revealed otherwise. At shoot time she was just shy of 2 weeks old and she was absolutely adorable!!!

Haley, her older sister loved playing with her and sweetly refers to her as "sissy." We had a great time working with her, and her whole family ... by the way, it is probably pretty obvious that her father, Shain, is a true Raiders fan :-).

Carolyn, again thank you for having us mark these momentous occasions in your lives. We had a great time and she really is sooooo cute!!!

KIMBERLY AND DEREK - DAY AFTER SHOOT, SEDONA

2008-10-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

You just can't go wrong with this couple ... seriously, we think they are secretly models. The Tuesday after Kimberly and Derek's wedding we headed to Sedona to photograph their "Day-After" session. We love these shoots! They are so much fun and they give the couple a chance to get photographs they simply don't have time to do on the day of the wedding. You will notice a couple of shots with a very photogenic tree frog. Kimberly loves frogs (and lizards), as do we, so when the photo gods smiled down on us and presented us with this cute little amphibian, we quickly pounced on the chance to use him as our extra subject. Kimberly said she would love it if we could get a shot of him posing on her dress ... man did we nail it (if we do so humbly say so ourselves.)

Again guys, it was such a pleasure having the chance to work with you! Thank you for following us up to Merry-Go-Round Rock (I swear we aren't on crack). We hope you will agree that the resulting photos were well worth the effort :-)!

KIMBERLY AND DEREK WEDDING - SASSI, SCOTTSDALE

2008-10-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

We are falling very behind on our blogging ... but we promise we are trying to catch up.

Kimberly and Derek had their wedding at Sassi in Scottsdale on September 28th. This was such a beautiful wedding with an equally beautiful couple. They should seriously consider dropping their day jobs and becoming models :-).

The reception was full of fun and emotion and we are quite sure the highlight for Kimberly came when Derek made his singing debut, singing a touching song to his new wife. Derek, you did an amazing job!!!

Thank you both so much for allowing us the opportunity to capture your special day. The love between you is obvious ... we wish you all the best!

JOYCE AND BETH WEDDING - THE LIGHTHOUSE, SEDONA

2008-10-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

This blog posting is going to be a bit longer than usual. After our senior portrait session last Saturday morning, we headed down to Sedona to photograph the wedding of Joyce and Beth. As some of you may know, Joyce is more to us than a client ... she has also been working with us as our assistant since last February. Initially, we came to know Joyce and Beth last January when they hired us to do their wedding and from there we have all become good friends.

Their wedding was held at a beautiful private estate known as the Lighthouse. This is the perfect setting for an intimate affair and the property is landscaped perfectly for photographs. Joyce has such a great spirit and always keeps us in stitches and Beth has the prettiest smile :-). One very special detail was the beautiful locket attached to Beth's flowers containing her father's ashes ... extremely touching. After the ceremony we traveled the short distance to do photos at Red Rock Crossing. It was nearing dark and we thought we weren't going to get anything dramatic - boy were we soooo wrong. Just as we arrived, storm clouds came creeping up from behind Cathedral Rock, making for an incredibly dramatic landscape. This is totally a photographer's dream and we were scrambling around, having a hard time comprehending our good fortune, trying to make the most of every last minute of it. Finally the light died off, but not before giving us amazing images!!!

Joyce and Beth, you were both radiant and stunning and it was such a joy for us to be a part of your day! We are just so glad you hired us because you have become such great friends and we feel blessed for that. We wish you both the best in life!

ROBERT - SENIOR PORTRAITS

2008-10-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday morning we met with Robert to shoot his senior portraits. We photographed his sister's wedding back in July and his mother called to see if we did these types of shoots. To all out there, the answer is yes. Though weddings comprise the majority of our work, we shoot all types of portraiture including seniors.

Thanks Robert! We had a great time getting to know you better and we appreciate all the time you invested into the shoot!

"THE GIRLS" - BOUDOIR SESSION

2008-09-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

Last week a past client contacted us inquiring about a boudoir session as a gift to her husband for their 1 year anniversary. Our "boudoir" sessions are a little different in that, in addition to the normal studio/lingerie photos that one typically thinks of with this type of shoot, we also photograph what we call "environmental figure studies". In other words, we photograph nudes within the context of the landscape. These are meant more as fine art images and are usually printed in Black & White though occasionally we will produce some in color.

We set up the shoot for this past Monday and before long she had two other friends on board wanting photos for their significant others. This shoot was so much fun! The girls were completely comfortable and really had fun with it ... which is how this type of shoot should be. We all had a great time and to anyone considering one of these shoots, let us know ... we love doing them :-)!

AMANDA AND TONY - ENGAGEMENT SESSION

2008-09-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday we met with Amanda and Tony to photograph their engagement session. They will be having their wedding in Sedona at Los Abrigados in May and we can't wait. They were so much fun to work with (as was their sweet Golden Retriever, Butters) and as you can see, they make a lovely couple.

We started the shoot at Snowbowl. We were in search of wildflowers though and the top of the mountain is starting to die out for the season, so after grabbing a few shots we headed down the I-17. This is not where you would typically think of finding beautiful wildflowers, but there is a very large pasture near Munds Park that is drawing crowds of photographers for its magnificent display of yellow flowers. Due to the great snows we had this past winter, this field has exploded into a giant yellow carpet of flowers the likes of which we have not seen before ... an amazing photo opp! From there we went to Merry-Go-Round Rock to finish up. Amanda and Tony live in Tucson and had never been this far north, so it was a nice excuse to show them around a bit. Thanks guys and we look forward to May 2nd!

KRISSY AND ADAM WEDDING - THE AMARA, SEDONA

2008-09-16T17:02:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday we photographed Krissy and Adam's wedding at the Amara Resort & Spa in Sedona. We have to start off by saying that by far, Krissy was one of the most "expressive" brides we have ever worked with! Her laughter is infectious and her smile just makes everyone happy :-).

It was a warm, beautiful day and all details couldn't have been more perfect! One highlight was the slideshow that was presented during their reception. We love watching these as you really gain insight into the couple's lives individually and together. Notice too, the photo by the fire pit. This is one of the coolest features of the Amara and we always love using it for a great photo opp. Krissy and Adam, it was so good getting to know you both ... we had a great time! Perhaps you will end up back in Flag one of these days (they live in Washington right now) :-). Enjoy!

MARYANN AND RANDY WEDDING - THE NORDIC CENTER, FLAGSTAFF

2008-09-16T15:03:00.001-07:00

While I was shooting at Snowbowl, Kevin had the pleasure to photograph Maryann and Randy's wedding at the Flagstaff Nordic Center. The Nordic Center is new to hosting weddings and it leaves you wondering why when you see the beauty surrounding it.

Maryann was a lovely bride and from what I understand, Randy has an amazing singing voice, as was demonstrated in songs he sang to his new bride. Kevin and I both loved the wedding arbor made from Aspen trunks ... amazing!!

Kevin wishes to extend his sincerest thanks to the couple. You were both so kind and he really enjoyed having the opportunity to work with you! I just wish I could have been there :-). Best wishes and we hope you enjoy the sneak peak!

TINA AND HUNTER WEDDING - SNOWBOWL, FLAGSTAFF

2008-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Still playing catch up so if we are a little shorter than normal on our comments, it is no reflection on our wonderful couples :-).

Tina and Hunter's wedding was held at Snowbowl in Flagstaff on September 6th. It was a beautiful day and the couple looked amazing! I have to say though, this is the first time I have ever had to do the "couple formals" in 5 minutes. Not the couple's fault though ... the timeline just ran a little tight. It was so hard though - the light was unbelievable in the meadow ... we were so robbed :-). None-the-less, their photos turned out beautifully!!

Thank you to Tina and Hunter and to their wonderful parents who were all so welcoming and complimentary ... you were all a joy to work with! Enjoy!

DESIRAE AND BRIAN WEDDING - RADISSON, FLAGSTAFF

2008-09-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

On the same day as I was photographing the wedding on Orcas Island, Kevin found himself back in Flagstaff for Desirae and Brian's wedding. They held a large event and it was beautiful. Their ceremony took place in downtown Flagstaff at the Nativity Church, which I understand lost one of its ornate gargoyles the week before in a rather strong storm. They chose to do formals at the spectacular Pine Canyon Golf Course and their reception was held at the Radisson Hotel.

Though there was some rain here and there, everyone took it in stride and enjoyed their day. One special note ... the ring pillow was made of lace taken from Desirae's grandmother's wedding dress, a particularly special touch. You will also notice the couple's daughter in many of the photos below ... she is soooooo adorable!!

I was sad not to have been able to be a part of this wedding, but at least I will still be able to work with you both on your "Day-After" shoot :-). Kevin absolutely loved working with you both and really enjoyed himself! We also wish to extend a special thanks to our second shooter, Melissa Dunstan - great job!!!

LAUREN AND CHRIS WEDDING - ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON

2008-09-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

Lauren and Chris held their wedding on August 30th on Orcas Island. This charming and scenic island is part of the San Juan chain. The wedding was held at Buck Bay Inn & Lavender Farm. This quaint farm was the perfect setting for a couple who's wedding day motto was simply to enjoy the beautiful scenery and have fun.

I grew up next door to Chris in North Carolina and used to babysit him (it took some mind training to keep from calling him Christopher all day.) Funny thing is though, that is about the last time I saw him ... as a five-year-old playing with transformers :-). And though he and Lauren now reside in the Pacific Northwest, his parents still live next door to mine and I have kept in touch with his mother, Jane throughout the years on my visits home. It was really such a joy for me to photograph this wedding and have a chance to reconnect with Chris as an adult and to meet the wonderful woman that I have been hearing about for a decade now.

Their wedding day could not have been more beautiful. Though it was chilly, they were graced with blue skies all day, which was amazing considering it had been raining the whole week prior. The couple really did embrace the idea of having a low-key, fun celebration for their close friends and family. They had cocktail hour first followed by the ceremony and what they termed "party time." They did take some time to walk around the property for some photos though and were great about accepting my sometimes quirky ideas :-). The photos with the house in the woods, or as Chris' father called it ... the witch house, were a bit unorthodox but they just had a sort of Grimm's fairy tale feeling about them that seemed to work.

Thank you to everyone involved. I had such a great time and it was truly a pleasure. Lauren, you were beautiful and I loved your dress! Chris, you were equally handsome and I loved having a chance to see you again after so many years! You both did a great job in planning - everyone had such a wonderful time, including myself :-)!!!

WASHINGTON'S WILD OLYMPIC PENINSULA

2008-09-10T00:32:00.000-07:00

Still trying to catch up on the blogging thing :-).

After leaving Hawaii at the end of August we headed directly to Washington State via Phoenix. I was scheduled to photograph a wedding over the holiday weekend on Orcas Island so we decided it would be a good excuse to extend our honeymoon.

We spent all of our time exploring the Olympic Peninsula. We drove up to Hurricane Ridge through a silent blanket of clouds, hiked through the lush Hoh Rain Forest and to magnificent Sol Duc Falls, walked along a rugged and misty Ruby Beach, and were surprised to watch spawning salmon as they began their grueling run up river. We have never seen a place so green. Even the Hana coast didn't compare to the multitude of greenery harbored on this peninsula. This place was so full of pure and raw wilderness ... this is what we thrive on!

WPJA QUARTER 2, 2008 CONTEST RESULTS

2008-09-04T00:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the results are in from the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) 2008 Quarter 2 contest and I am pleased to say I placed 7th in the "Getting Ready" category. This is always exciting for me as there is such stiff competition. This image is one of my favorites so far this year and it just goes to show that a winning image can come from any size event ... this was taken at an intimate wedding held at a private residence. Thank you to Jamie and Matt for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your wedding and to capture this wonderful moment.

CARRIE AND MICHAEL WEDDING - L'AUBERGE DE SEDONA

2008-09-03T15:14:00.001-07:00

I am desperately trying to catch up on my blogging if you can't tell :-). This is a back-posting from a wedding we photographed on August 10th. Michael and Carrie called us a couple of weeks before to see if they could retain our services. I had to think about it simply because August 10th was the day Kevin and I were slated to leave for our own Wedding/Honeymoon.

The ceremony took place at L'Auberge de Sedona in the morning hours with a reception brunch to follow. Since they only required us for a few hours and it was on our way to Phoenix we decided we could fit it in ... and we were very happy we did!

Carrie and Michael, you were both a treat to work with. Despite the heat (it was very hot) you went along with everything we requested. It was a beautiful ceremony in an amazing location and we really enjoyed getting to know the two of you and your families and friends. Best wishes!

We also wish to extend a special thank you to Laura Lane of Sacred Unions who officiated and coordinated the wedding. It was a pleasure.

MORE MAUI AND LUAUS

2008-09-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

We just wanted to share some of the other photos we got on our trip. We thought it would be a nice treat for us and our amazing photographer, Daniela, to attend a Hawaiian Luau the night before our wedding to celebrate. It was a beautiful experience.

Our trip to Maui was beyond words. It was more than just a trip ... it provided unique adventures (swimming with roughly a dozen sea turtles in the wild ranked near the top), a chance to see a dear, dear friend after nearly a decade apart, and most of all, it marked the beginning of our lives together. For Kevin and I, Maui will always hold a very special place in our hearts!

TINA - BRIDAL SHOOT

2008-09-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

A couple of days after the wedding Kevin photographed a bridal shoot for me. There were a few places we had not had the time to go to with Daniela that we really wanted to shoot in. The foggy slopes of Haleakala were among the top and we couldn't have been happier with the results. We also couldn't have imagined the spectacular sunset that was in store for us that evening ... the nicest we witnessed the whole trip.

TINA AND KEVIN WEDDING - MAUI, HAWAII

2008-08-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

We left Maui Monday after a wonderful two week stay! The island was beautiful as was our wedding. It was an intimate affair to say the least ... just the two of us and our guests, Purple Bill and Greeny (our trusty travel companions, a stuffed purple duck and green mouse.) We had our first meeting at the condos we stayed at and from there went to the Maui Ocean Center and some of Maui's many sugar-cane fields to take photos. As you see from the photos, it was just a tad windy but we like the drama it added to the images :-). Later that afternoon we had a beautiful beachside ceremony that ended with the release of 20 white doves. The following day we headed out to the Hana Coast for more photos ... and yes, the last few photos are of us in a pool of water by a waterfall. You may think were crazy, but no bride can ever tell me that I am asking them to do something I wouldn't do :-). The dress made it through in fine shape.

So here is the big question we have been getting for the past year ... who is your photographer going to be? Her name is Daniela Hood of Daniela Hood Photography. She is based in Chicago and as you can see, she is an amazing wedding photographer!!! She also happens to be one of my dearest friends which made her presence at our wedding that much more meaningful. Daniela, words can't express how happy we both were to have you with us and how much we appreciate all your hard work - they are just beautiful, we LOVE them!!!!

We also wish to thank Pastor Vance for his great personality and for conducting such a moving ceremony - mahalo! Our cake (which was as delicious as it was beautiful) and doves were provided by the talented folks at Maui Wedding Cakes - mahalo to you as well! Lastly we would like to thank all of our friends and clients who have been posting comments. You have all been so sweet and we deeply appreciate all your well-wishes. Thank you to everyone!! Enjoy!

TINA AND KEVIN WEDDING - SNEAK PEAK

2008-08-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

It has been an amazing couple of days of shooting and we just wanted to post a sneak peak of our wedding for those who are following (thank you to all of you who have left such wonderful and inspiring messages!!!) We are working on more images and we will be posting those very soon so check back. We will let you know then who our AMAZING photographer was :-)!

SPECTACULAR MAUI, HAWAII

2008-08-17T02:06:00.000-07:00

We landed in Maui this past Monday and have been on the go ever since. It is astonishingly beautiful here and we wanted to post some photos to share. They span most of the island. From the pristine beaches and spectacular sunsets of South Maui to the heights of Haleakala with its fog shrouded pasturlands, otherworldly peaks and rare silversword plants to the impossibly green Hana Coast, nothing here seems to disappoint and everything begs to be explored.

Also included is a photo of Purple Bill and Greeny. They are our travel companions and we love to take photos of them in exotic locations. We almost lost them yesterday over the edge of a very tall waterfall, narrowly averting disaster :-). Our wedding will be Tuesday and we will be shooting for two days ... more photos to come.

WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!

2008-08-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

As this very busy wedding season comes to a close, we have one final summer wedding to deal with ... our own!! That's right, Kevin and I are getting married! Like most brides, I have been more than a little stressed to say the least, but things are finally winding down and we are heading off for our big day. We opted to have a destination wedding and will be leaving this weekend for Hawaii ... Maui to be exact.

We didn't really have time to do an engagement shoot, so we chose instead to do photos in several different areas of Arizona as time allowed. These were all done by us with the use of a tripod, self-timer and a lot of running back and fourth - I am really glad we will actually have somebody on the other end of the camera for the wedding :-). All-in-all, we are quite pleased with the outcome.

With that, we will be out of the office until September 1st, but we will periodically be checking our email. Thank you to all of our clients for all your well-wishes ... you are all so sweet! Check back in September for postings from our wedding :-)!

CAROLYN - MATERNITY SESSION

2008-08-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we headed over to the White Mountains to photograph Carolyn's maternity shoot. We had the pleasure of shooting Carolyn's first pregnancy a couple of years ago and then her newborn baby girl, Haley, shortly afterwards. Well, now that little infant is a bright and curious two-year old redhead and she was so much fun to incorporate into the shoot, as was Carolyn's husband, Shain.

We headed onto the mountain near Greer and found a beautiful spot full of summer wildflowers. With storms looming all around us and thunder a constant presence, we felt very lucky to have enough time to do the shoot outdoors. After a couple of hours of great shooting and with lightning striking just over the nearest hillside, we decided it best to wrap up the shoot.

Thank you to Carolyn, Shain and Haley for doing such a beautiful job and being so cooperative despite the somewhat dangerous atmospheric conditions :-). We can't wait until September to see and photograph your new bundle of joy!

YOSHI, COWS AND LANDSCAPES

2008-08-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

We haven't had the luxury of leaving the house much lately ... a lot of post-production work to finish ... but we did take a short hike around the mountain about a month back and we just wanted to post some photos from that outing. These are some of the things we really love taking photos of in our off time - Yoshi, our very sweet dog (he is excellent at posing for pics), landscapes, and cows ... yes, we said cows :-). We love capturing images of cows in unique situations. The bull below backlit by the setting sun ranks among our favorites.

JAMIE AND MATT WEDDING - PRIVATE RESIDENCE, FLAGSTAFF

2008-07-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday I photographed Jamie and Matt's wedding. It was held at a private residence in Flagstaff with close family and friends in attendance. Though it rained for a good portion of the day, that did little to dampen the spirits of this happy couple. They took it all in stride and were great about doing all the different poses we could possibly think up for a front porch setting :-).

Thank you Jamie and Matt for having me! It was a lovely ceremony and a beautiful wedding day ... even if it did rain :-)!

MONUMENT VALLEY NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK

2008-07-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

OK, I really need to catch up on a couple of blog postings, so here it goes. Last Monday we headed up to the Four Corners region with our friend Yvonne Chavez-Baca of Northern Arizona Wedding Planner and Touch of Tradition, to meet with a new client. Specifically we went to Monument Valley. This part of the world is other-worldly, full of mystical beauty and spiritual harmony.

Our meeting was with Art Ortega and his daughter Armanda Ortega. They, along with the rest of their family own ARTSCO Inc. and are based out of Gallup, NM. They are also the owners of a beautiful new hotel under construction in Monument Valley aptly named The VIEW Hotel. Located just inside the Navajo Tribal Park, the hotel is perched atop a cliff overlooking the famous Mitten Buttes. Armanda and her fiance, Jon will be getting married at the hotel in late December and we are honored to be photographing it!

We were taken on a tour of the hotel and all enjoyed a lovely lunch together. This family was so inviting and we are really looking forward to working with them. This will be such an amazing wedding, and we couldn't ask for a better backdrop. Coming from a nature photography background, having the opportunity to mix our old love, landscape photography, with our new love, wedding photography, is an absolute dream. A special thank you to Yvonne for recommending us :-).

After lunch, Yvonne, Kevin and I headed on a short tour of the park where we took a few shots along the way. The first photo is of Armanda and her two sisters (Armanda is on the right.) The final photo is of the hotel. Look closely at the upper right side and you will see it. I took it this way to emphasize how beautifully it blends with its environment ... just as it should in a land like this!

TRACY AND STEVE - ENGAGEMENT SESSION

2008-07-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we headed up Snowbowl Road to photograph Tracy and Steve's engagement/portrait session - their son, Matthew was with them as well. Even though the monsoons have started, we got a lucky break and the weather turned out nice.

This family was a blast to work with! They all have a great sense of humor and minus the irritating bug attacks, we had a great time :-). We are looking forward to this couple's wedding in Sedona this fall. Enjoy guys!

CATHERINE AND ADAM WEDDING - THE KILTED CAT, FLAGSTAFF

2008-07-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

Catherine and Adam held their wedding on the 4th of July in Flagstaff at The Kilted Cat. Adam is a Captain in the U.S. Army and looked very handsome in his dress blues. Catherine wore her mother's wedding dress - with a few alterations - and looked so beautiful in it. A couple of other notes of interest .... the broach adorning Catherine's bouquet belonged to her great-grandmother and her earrings to her grandmother. We think it is so nice to incorporate so much family history into a modern day wedding, as it is not very common to see anymore.

This couple, and their families, were so nice and down-to-earth. They were there to have fun and celebrate their wedding and Independence Day with the people dearest to them - no fuss, no stress :-).

Thank you for having us, we had an absolutely lovely time! We wish you both all the best in life!

KRISTA AND RYAN WEDDING - SASSI, SCOTTSDALE

2008-06-30T23:28:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I (Tina) photographed Krista and Ryan's wedding at Sassi in Scottsdale. I absolutely fell in love with this venue! It is so charming and the architecture is incredible - a photographer's dream. On top of all that, I had a beautiful couple to go along with it ... can't get much more perfect than that, and it was a cool 110 degrees to boot - ahhhh ;-)!

There were two very touching moments that I have to mention. The first was Ryan's gift to Krista - a stunning deep blue Tanzanite necklace (my favorite colored stone by the way) ... her reaction was priceless. The second moment was when Krista first saw her mother. She brought with her Krista's "something borrowed" which was an elegant strand of pearls that had been given to her by her husband on their wedding day. Krista wore it as a bracelet ... the symbolism was touching and on many levels it meant more than words could ever express to both mother and daughter.

Krista, your dress was amazing and you looked radiant in it!!!! To both Krista and Ryan, I am so glad that everything worked out so we were able to work together ... you are both so sweet! I would also like to thank Michael Chansley, my second shooter, for all your hard work and also for all the help with making our blog images larger (I finally got it - yeah), and Joyce Day, our wonderful assistant, for doing so much - as usual. It was also a pleasure working with Ray the D.J. and Jeff and Taryn of Serendipity Videography.

Have a great time in Hawaii guys and I hope you enjoy the sneak peak :-)!

MELANIE AND JASON WEDDING - MULLIGAN'S ON THE GREEN, SEDONA

2008-06-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I (Kevin) photographed Melanie and Jason's wedding at Mulligan's On The Green in Sedona. The wedding was an intimate affair with close friends and family in attendance. It was a beautiful day with beautiful weather, making for a charming celebration!

Thank you both for having me ... it was a pleasure working with you! I also want to thank Michael Bielecki for assisting me and for doing such a great job!

CYNTHIA AND DANIEL WEDDING - LOS ABRIGADOS, SEDONA

2008-06-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday we headed back to Sedona for Cynthia and Daniel's wedding at Los Abrigados. This is one of our favorite couples!! We photographed their engagement shoot back in the fall in the Superstition Mountains and we just fell instantly in love with them. They were so much fun to work with and after several hours of shooting followed by dinner and good conversation, we felt like we had known them forever. This rolled right over into the wedding day and we had just as much fun!

Cynthia, we have to say that you made a stunning bride and your dress could not have been more perfect for you! Daniel, you were quite dapper yourself :-). The wedding was beautiful and we had an amazing time. We also want to say a special thank you to the couple's officiant, Rev. Andrew Murphy of Heart of Sedona Weddings. We have worked with Andrew many times now and it is always a pleasure!

We hope you guys love the wedding photos as much as your engagement photos :-). Cynthia, have a great time in Mexico (she is there for three months on a study program) and Daniel, enjoy it when you visit for your belated honeymoon. You two make a wonderful couple and is was a privilege for us to be a part of the whole experience :-)!

CYNTHIA AND DANIEL - REHEARSAL DINNER

2008-06-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we photographed Cynthia and Daniel's Rehearsal Dinner at Red Rock BBQ in Sedona. We had a great time and enjoyed fabulous down-home cooking. One of the most touching moments for us was near the end of the dinner when Cynthia's father presented her with a beautiful bracelet. More on this couple in the next post ... thanks guys!

HEATHER AND MATT - DAY AFTER SESSION, FLAGSTAFF

2008-06-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

This is one that Kevin got of me shooting ... cinders aren't very comfortable :-).

On Monday we picked back up with Heather and Matt for their Day-After Shoot. We headed back up to Snowbowl again, and again it was another picture-perfect day! The irises are in full bloom and made for wonderful props. I have to admit though, as we were walking around the meadow I bit it hard ... that's right, I totally fell into a giant animal hole. Matt was so nice as he ran over to see if I was OK. Aside from a fist size bruised lump on my leg and a bloody, torn up palm, my ego took the biggest blow ... gotta feel like an idiot when you do something like that :-). Luckily, Heather and Matt feel more like friends now than clients, so I was able to overcome my embarrassment quickly.

After shooting at Snowbowl we headed over to Sunset Crater (we locals call it "The Cinders".) We have always wanted to do a shoot at this rugged spot and finally came across the right clients for it. Heather and Matt love the outdoors and are adventurous, so it worked out perfectly. The amazing sunset and the nearly full moon didn't hurt either. Thanks for trusting us on that one guys!

Heather and Matt, we have to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We not only enjoyed photographing all your special moments this past weekend, but we really just enjoyed hanging out with you. You are definitely two people after our own hearts. We had a great time at dinner after the shoot and we can't thank you enough for the gift basket you made for us - unbelievably thoughtful! Have a great time in Fiji and Australia and we hope to see you again soon to share more good times!

OLIVIA AND ASHLEY - ENGAGEMENT SESSION

2008-06-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we photographer Olivia and Ashley's engagement shoot up at Snowbowl. They are getting married next June in Sedona and though they live in the valley now, Ashley grew up in Flagstaff and they thought it was a good time of year to take advantage of our enviable weather.

They were right and the shoot went great. With perfect weather, wildflowers in bloom and such a wonderful couple to work with, we couldn't go wrong. Olivia has the greatest laugh and as you might glean from the photographs, the two have a lot of fun together.

We had such a good time getting to know you both. Ashley, we wish you a speedy and full recovery (he was just coming off of having pneumonia) and we are excited to be working with you ... seems like a long way off now, but the wedding will be here before you know it. See you then, if not before :-)!

HEATHER AND MATT WEDDING - FOREST HIGHLANDS, FLAGSTAFF

2008-06-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

Look closely at this photo. We love the little ground squirrel checking out the action :-).

Heather and Matt had their wedding last Saturday at Forest Highlands in Flagstaff. Flagstaff weddings in the summer are the best ... cool breezes, plenty of sunshine and fragrant wildflowers ... you couldn't ask for anything more!

The day was picture perfect as was their wedding. For her walk down the aisle, Heather was brought in on a golf cart - very fitting - to the melodic sounds of bagpipes. During the ceremony Matt surprised Heather with the wedding ring he presented her - it turned out to be a little different than what she thought she was getting. Her expression was priceless.

The reception was just as beautiful and everyone had a great time cutting up on the dance floor. Thank you to Matt and Heather as well as both of their families for making us feel so welcomed! It was a pleasure!

HEATHER AND MATT - REHEARSAL DINNER

2008-06-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we attended and photographed a rehearsal dinner for Heather and Matt. We met these two this past winter and have been really excited about being a part of their big day. They have been so nice from the start and welcomed us in like friends. Their party took place in Munds Park and was so much fun. One of the highlights was the pinata that wouldn't die. It took many, many hits before it finally gave in. Thanks guys ... we had so much fun!

JOSEFIN AND MIKAEL WEDDING - SEDONA

2008-06-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we went to Jerome to meet with Josefin and Mikael for their engagement shoot and on Thursday we went to Sedona for their wedding. They came here from Sweden to elope and we had a great day following them all over Sedona for photographs. They enjoyed a charming lunch at McDonald's before heading to Red Rock Crossing, where they found out how friendly we Americans can be. Deciding to cross the creek to get back to the opposite side, a few very nice people offered them their shoes to make the crossing in (so they wouldn't slip on the slick algae-covered rocks) and then walked over to retrieve the shoes. One kind man even helped me across so I didn't dump all my camera equipment in the water. A special thank to all those folks :-)!!!

The ceremony took place at Courthouse Butte Vista and made for a spectacular setting. Afterwards, we gave Josefin and Mikael time to take in all the beauty surrounding them on their special day before we, and a mountainside full of hikers, burst out in cheers of congratulations - it was beautiful (or as I have taught Josefin to say ... it was awesome and cool)!

Josefin and Mikael, we had the best time with you both! It was a pleasure getting to know you in person and to share our culture - and slang - with you and in turn learn about yours. Thank you too, for having us to dinner with you on your special day. Enjoy the rest of your trip to the US and have many great adventures along the way! Perhaps we will visit you in Sweden one day :-).

JOSEFIN AND MIKAEL - ENGAGEMENT SESSION

2008-06-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we met up with Josefin and Mikael in the historical mining town of Jerome for their engagement shoot. The couple live in Sweden and decided to have a destination wedding in Sedona (more on that in the next posting.) We have been in contact for about a year now by way of email and it was so great to finally meet them in person!

We started off having lunch at The Haunted Hamburger (a really cool little place to eat) and then wandered around town taking in the sights and grabbing photos as we went along. Some of our favorites were in the old jail (love the phrase spay painted in red on the wall) and we just couldn't resist posting a couple of shots from this spot (thanks for going along with our ideas guys.) We also loved the one with Pedro, the donkey - so cute :-). To be honest everything in this town is cool. We have always wanted to do a shoot there because there are so many unique opportunities - luckily, Josefin and Mikael shared our vision :-).

ANGIE AND MARK WEDDING - WHITE MOUNTAINS

2008-06-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we found ourselves in the White Mountains (specifically Snowflake and Taylor) for Angie and Mark's wedding. We have known Mark and his family for some time now and it was so wonderful to be a part of this celebration.

The two families really came together to create the perfect day for their children. The ceremony was held at Angie's parent's home and the reception was held at Mark's parent's home. We loved all aspects of this wedding including all the animals that made themselves a part of the action in one way or another. Another unique aspect of this wedding included Mark and Angie's departure from the ceremony site on the back of a fire engine, courtesy of the Snowflake Fire Department. Mark is a fire fighter and the SFD was where he got his start ... he has since moved on to working wildfires ... and we just thought it was such a wonderful experience for them to include in their wedding day.

One final aspect we wanted to mention occurred during the toasts. Only weeks before the wedding, Angie's father had a heart attack. Happily he came through it and was able to attend the wedding. During his toast speech, he said that while he was in the hospital a nurse asked him when his daughter's wedding would be and all he could think of was that he had to make it through this so he could walk his little girl down the aisle. There was not a dry eye in the house ... it was a very tender moment.

Thanks guys ... we had a fantastic time and we hope you enjoy the sneak peak!

TINA'S 38TH BIRTHDAY - ONE DAY BELATED

2008-06-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me! That's right, another year has passed and I am now another year older - 38 this time around. My birthday was actually yesterday and it was relatively uneventful, though Kevin and I rounded up the dog and headed out for a late afternoon drive in the back country. Unfortunately we got a flat and hobbled back into town where we could call for help (we decided not to bring cell phones so that we could enjoy some uninterrupted family time - that worked out well) - the tire mind you was completely shredded by this point. Our very nice neighbor kindly came out and helped us out of our predicament. After that we just played it safe and sat at home watching a movie. Not too exciting and not a big bash, but good enough for me :-)!

KRISTEN AND NGHI - ENGAGEMENT SESSION

2008-06-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we headed back to Sedona yet again - maybe we should consider moving there :-). This time we went to Merry-Go-Round Rock from the north side of Schnebly Hill Road to photograph Kristen and Nghi's engagement session. Their wedding will take place in November at the Secret Garden in Phoenix.

We had a great time doing the shoot and getting to know Kristen and Nghi better. They had seen the photos on our blog of people on the famous Merry-Go-Round Rock outcroppings and wanted some photos done at that location. Once there however, they found them to be a little harrowing in the dizzying height department, but they were troopers and climbed out on them anyway - good job guys :-)! We also stopped by a lovey wash with large boulders and pretty flowering trees on the way back up. Apparently though we were in a notorious area known for its myriad mojavi green rattlesnakes, or so we were warned by every jeep tour operator that passed by. We especially liked the driver that looked as though he just stepped off the set of an old western, long white beard, old-timers hat and all :-). We just watched our step and kept our ears open for any rattling noises - ultimately everyone made it out without a bite - ahhh, the adventures we take our clients on :-).

We had a great time guys and we can't wait until your wedding rolls around! See you then!

KIMBERLY AND MATT WEDDING - SEDONA GOLF RESORT

2008-06-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we headed back to Sedona to photograph the wedding of Kimberly and Matt. It was held at the Sedona Golf Resort. This was actually our first meeting with the bride and groom and they were both wonderful to work with!

The wedding was beautiful as was Kimberly ... everyone kept telling her she looked like a barbie doll. Funny thing is, the place she purchased her dress from had a barbie doll dressed in the same dress - needless to say, that barbie doll now resides at her home. The kids were great in this wedding also. Kimberly has the cutest little boy - man, can he dance - and Matt's son did a great joy as the Jr. Groomsman. The flower girl wore a replica of Kimberly's dress and was so adorable.

Thank you to everyone - we had a great time! We also want to extend our thanks to the videographers, Kendra and Christa, of Taken Video and Chad Trapeur of All American DJ (with whom we have worked a few times) for their hard work and professionalism - you were all a joy to be with! Kimberly and Matt, we hope you enjoy the sneak peak and have a great cruise to Alaska!

TAMARA AND TIM WEDDING - CREEKSIDE INN, SEDONA

2008-06-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we had the pleasure of photographing Tamara and Tim's wedding at Creekside Inn in Sedona. It was a lovely day and a lovely property and made for a beautiful wedding! It also happened to be one of Tim's sister's birthday. To mark the occasion a pinata was erected to which she quickly made short work of ... there is nothing worse than the site of a dead pinata, as the photo below should attest.

We have gotten to know Tamara and Tim pretty well over the past month, as we did their engagement shoot so close to their wedding and we have to say that we find them to be pretty inspirational people. They certainly know how to follow their hearts and dreams. Tamara was a professional ballet dancer for the better part of a decade, the two lived on a boat for a while, as well as in Greece, New York and New Orleans, where Hurricane Katrina forced them out for good finally sending them to Phoenix - like we said ... inspirational!

Tamara and Tim, it was a pleasure getting to know you both and we hope to know you better in the future. definitely give us a call when you are in the area and we will go hiking :-). Have a great time in Peru!

SARITA - PORTRAIT SHOOT

2008-05-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we went down to Sedona to do a portrait shoot with Sarita. Last summer we did an engagement session for Sarita. Things didn't work out in the long run though. Because the original shoot, which was commissioned on it's own, didn't last very long, we felt it only appropriate to offer a new shoot - complimentary of course.

It was so nice to see you again Sarita! I really felt like I got a chance to get to know you this time around and I had a blast ... it was like I have known you for years :-). You are so amazingly beautiful in these photos and I really think that your true personality shines through. On behalf of both Kevin and I, thank you for dinner and we look forward to the opportunity to cover your wedding when it does come time - to the right person :-)!

STACEY AND DOUG WEDDING - ST. MARY'S, PHOENIX

2008-05-29T00:40:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we had the pleasure to photograph the wedding of Stacey and Doug. There ceremony was held at St. Mary's Basilica in Downtown Phoenix and their reception took place st the Pavon in The Hilton - East Mesa.

First off ... we could not have been more fortunate with the weather!! Late May in the Valley of the Sun and we enjoyed high temperatures in the upper 70's with cool breezes. What a lovely surprise for all! This was a beautiful weddings full of fun - and unfortunately, not-so-fun - surprises. After the ceremony, Stacey, Doug and their wedding party headed over to Heritage Square for some photos. What a fun group ... everyone had fun and Stacey and Doug were even treated to a complimentary wedding day ride on a pedicab. A special thank you to the gentleman who so graciously offered his services and time :-)!

The reception was a blast for the most part and we loved the ice sculpture - two lovebirds. The not-so-fun part of the day came when Doug fell ill during the reception. He persevered though and made it till the end. He even gathered enough strength to sing an impressive version of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York." Man Doug ... you can sing!!!

Thank you both for such a lovely day - we truly enjoyed it! You were both so gracious and we hope you are happy with the results. Enjoy!

MORE WACKY WEATHER

2008-05-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Ahhh ... seems like just the other day we were setting record highs in Flagstaff and just two hours south, Phoenix was 110 degrees - Oh that's right, it was just the other day :-). Its May 23rd and we woke up to snow again today. The elk photos were taken in our yard this week also ... kind of wacky, but we love it here - never a dull moment!

DEANNE AND ALIEK WEDDING - INSPIRADOR, CHANDLER

2008-05-18T19:20:00.000-07:00

This past Friday we headed down to the valley to photograph DeAnne and Aliek's wedding. It was held at Inspirador in the historic district of Chandler. Inspirador is a fresh, contemporary venue, providing plenty unique photographic opportunities. Some of our favorite images of DeAnne and Aliek were taken behind a vertical water formation. They take on an almost painterly, impressionistic look ... really cool!!

This was a beautiful wedding in all details and we had so much fun! DeAnne and Aliek, thank you so much for including us and making us feel welcome. You were both so accommodating during formals (it was a tad warm), never once complaining, and the timing for the sunset photos went off like clockwork ... a special thanks to all involved in making that happen! Enjoy the photos!

P.S. DeAnne, I just have to say that I felt ridiculously short ... and I am not that short :-). To let everyone in on that one, DeAnne is 6'1". All kidding aside, you made a beautiful bride and Aliek made a very handsome groom!

MID-MAY SURPRISE

2008-05-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

Look what we woke up to this mid-May morning ... go figure :-).

KELLY AND DAVID WEDDING - THE AMARA, SEDONA

2008-05-13T00:35:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday we photographed Kelly and David's wedding at the Amara Resort & Spa in Sedona. You may remember this couple from their engagement shoot. They had Lola, the pug, along with them. Well, Lola wasn't in the wedding, but she did make an appearance and we got some really cute shots of her and Kelly together :-).

The wedding was absolutely beautiful, as was the couple! After the wedding we headed down to the creek to do some formals and were all taken by the superior cuteness of the fluffy baby ducks swimming around ... we couldn't help but put one of their photos on the blog. Don't worry guys, you will be getting quite a few baby duck pics :-).

Kelly and David, the wedding really was lovely! It was so nice sitting with you at dinner and getting to know you both better - thank you for that, we really enjoyed the conversation. Enjoy Seattle and we hope you like the photos. By the way, thanks for doing the shots by the fireplace. We think you will agree they were well worth it ... just amazing!!!

A BUSY START TO MAY

2008-05-07T14:39:00.001-07:00

What a way to kick off the month of May ... three weddings and a photo shoot!! We started out on Friday in Scottsdale for Tiffany and Ashley's wedding. Saturday we went to Sedona for Joy and Johnny's wedding and continued with them on Sunday morning for their "Day After" shoot. Sunday afternoon we photographed Claudia and Alex's wedding, also in Sedona. It was a whirlwind weekend ... we have never done that many shoots back to back before. It was tiring, but exhilarating ... we love what we do :-)!

CLAUDIA AND ALEX WEDDING - TLAQUEPAQUE, SEDONA

2008-05-07T14:21:00.001-07:00

Sunday Afternoon we headed over to Tlaquepaque for Claudia and Alex's wedding. Again this was a couple we had not met before the wedding day, and again they were extremely gracious to us!

The wedding was an intimate affair, with only close family and friends in attendance. They married in Tlaquepaque's adorable chapel (we love, love, love this chapel) and had a lovely reception dinner at the L'Auberge Restaurant outdoors by the creek. Again, children played a large role in this wedding and they were so adorable.

Claudia and Alex, thank you. This was a perfect venue for you and the wedding was beautiful. Claudia you looked AMAZING ... what else can we say!!

JOY AND JOHNNY - DAY AFTER SHOOT

2008-05-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we picked back up with Joy and Johnny for their "Day After" shoot. This gave them the opportunity to have photos done in some of Sedona's world renowned landscapes without the time constraints of the wedding day.

We first stopped at Bell Rock for a few shots, where Joy and Johnny were serenaded by a busload of Italian tourists ... in Italian of course :-). How fun, something to tell the children and grandchildren. From there, we headed out to Red Rock Crossing, where Johnny shocked us by carrying Joy across a line of crossing rocks - which mind you, aren't always that stable - in Oak Creek ... how gentlemanly. Our final destination was Merry-Go-Round Rock which was the highlight for them and us.

We want to thank the both of you for allowing us to be part of your special day. We had a great time on both days and it was really nice getting to know you both. Best wishes for your future in Chicago ... hopefully the winters will be less brutal in the years to come Johnny :-).

JOY AND JOHNNY WEDDING - SEDONA GOLF RESORT

2008-05-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday found us at the Sedona Golf Resort for Joy and Johnny's wedding. It was a magnificent day and everything was beautiful. This was our first time actually meeting the couple in person and they were just great to work with!

One aspect of this wedding we loved was the wedding party, comprised almost exclusively of children, minus the Matron of Honor and Best Man. They definitely provided some humorous moments during the ceremony, making for some fun photographic opportunities. This was a fun group to work with and the without a doubt, the dance floor was one of the most crowded we have ever seen ... meaning all attending were having a fabulous time!!

TIFFANY AND ASHLEY WEDDING - SCOTTSDALE

2008-05-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

This past Friday we headed down to Firesky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale to photograph Tiffany and Ashley's wedding. Firesky is known as a pet friendly resort. This played a large roll in the choosing of this venue as the couple's dog, Lennon, was to be a part of the wedding party - tuxedo and all.

Not one detail of this wedding was overlooked, which was apparent to anyone who attended. The colors - every shade of pink imaginable - were beautiful, as were the multitude of flowers decorating everything in sight. The couple even provided a candy station - again, in multiple hues of pink - for their guests to enjoy throughout the reception.

Tiffany and Ashley, thank you so much! Since the engagement shoot, you have been a true joy to work with! We loved being a part of your wedding day. Your families were so sweet and Lennon was absolutely adorable. Tiffany, it was an incredible wedding and I hope the photos bring a smile to your face :-). Have a great time in Hawaii ... we can't wait to hear about it! We would also like to thank KT, the resort's coordinator, for an amazing job!

TAMARA AND TIM - ENGAGEMENT SHOOT

2008-04-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday we met Tamara and Tim in Sedona for their engagement shoot. Their wedding will also be held in Sedona at the end of May. We began our shoot at the West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. It was simply beautiful, with all the trees beginning their bud in vibrant greens. Along for the shoot was their cocker spaniel, Henna. She is 15 years old but still quite spry, seeming to enjoy the hike and the attention.

From Oak Creek we headed up to Merry-Go-Round Rock for sunset. This is one of our favorite places to shoot in Sedona - especially near sunset! Tamara, thank you so much for willing yourself out onto the rock ledges for photos ... hopefully you will find them worth the fright :-). You were both great to work with and we are looking forward to the wedding! See you then!

KRISTA AND RYAN - ENGAGEMENT SHOOT

2008-04-24T12:12:00.003-07:00

On Sunday we headed back down to Sedona to photograph Krista and Ryan's engagement shoot. Their wedding will be held at Sassi in Scottsdale in late June. It was an unbelievably beautiful day and the light was perfect! It was great getting to know the two of you and I am looking forward to your wedding ... see you then!

MEGAN AND MATTHEW WEDDING - SEDONA GOLF RESORT

2008-04-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we photographed Megan and Matthew's wedding at the Sedona Golf Resort. Everything was absolutely perfect ... except the wind! It was gusting throughout the day and by the time of the ceremony it was near hurricane status (a bit of an exaggeration, but it gets the point across.) Any chair that wasn't inhabited quickly ended up on its side and the beautiful flowers placed at the alter took a tumble but were salvaged.

Megan and Matthew, thank you so much! We had such a good time ... the reception was a blast! Megan, you were stunning (take a look at the photo of her eyes - just amazing.) Hope you two are having a great honeymoon in Maui - you have to let us know how it is :-).

NORTH CAROLINA AND LOUIE

2008-04-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

After leaving Glamis we headed back to Phoenix where I caught a plane the next morning to go visit my family in North Carolina. I stayed for over two weeks, which was really nice. I didn't take many photographs while I was there but I did do a photo shoot for my mom of her dog, Louie ... he is very photogenic :-). The dogwoods were also in full bloom so I took a few photos of that as well. Otherwise I just relaxed :-).

GLAMIS SAND DUNES

2008-04-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

The day before Jennifer and Chris's wedding in Yuma we took the time to take some photos of the beautiful desert wildflowers ... some of the best I have seen since moving to Arizona six years ago!!! The day after the wedding we headed over the border into California before heading back to Phoenix. Our intended destination was the Glamis Sand Dunes, which I have always wanted to see. Of course, the one chance I get to see them there would have to be relentless winds and blinding sand storms :-). We tried to get out of the car to take some photos but within about 2 minutes we were forced back in. Sand had already invaded every square inch of our bodies and I know I personally crunched down on sand particles in my mouth for the rest of the day. Gathering a few more shots from safety of the car, we headed back and found a nice flock of blackbirds to photograph - so all was not lost!