Here Comes the...BRIDE!

I know this is what a lot of people have been waiting for! Portraits of Karen. I was really excited about how these turned out. Actually as I was going through them, the full length with her holding her bouquet down made me cry. I thought she was the ultimate bride in that image.

Here Comes the...GROOM!

Omar was a very handsome groom. I really enjoyed photographing him. As you can see in one of the portraits, Omar is holding his bible. If there ever was a man who was a true man of God, Omar would be one of them. For that matter, Karen & Omar as a couple are one of the most God-centric couples I have ever met. I know that God will rain down blessings on them and their new family.

Sorry Blog Fans

I didn't get an opportunity to retouch today. Had a meeting that lasted...oh...six hours. I plan on spending lots of time retouching tomorrow so expect images from the formal portraits to be up. Have a great Thursday evening!

Getting Ready

Here are a few images as everyone got ready for the big day. Karen doing one last check in the mirror before putting on her dress. Omar ready to go. The bridal gown and bridesmaids dresses patiently waiting and Mary Ann, one of the bridesmaids, getting an usher ready for the ceremony.
Tomorrow...the formal portraits! YEAH!

Rehersal Dinner

Now I can't take credit for these images. I took the dinner off to just relax and be part of the family. Luckily for Karen and Omar, there was another professional photographer there...my dad! We had a great meal (catered by Johnny Carino's) and lots of great conversation and thoughtful toasts. All the stress of planning a wedding just melted away as we all joined together for dinner.
Tomorrow we will take a look at the formal portraits taken prior to the wedding. This was something very different from what most brides and grooms do.

Rehersal

As I sift through the 900 images taken this weekend between the rehersal, the rehersal dinner, formal portraits, pre-ceremony, the ceremony and the reception, I will be sharing many of the images with you. Today we will take a look at a few images from the rehersal. Here is a picture of the groom with his men (looking like they are on a mission), Gabriel preparing for his duties as the ring bearer, Karen and Omar walking back down the aisle after not being pronounced man and wife quite yet, and Phyllis (mother of the bride) with her sister Nancy.
I think these images show the joy and excitement of a wedding, but also the importance of family. I know I would be no where without my family.

Wedding Memories

As we prepare to head out for Karen's wedding, I've been thinking back to my marriage to Chris. One of my favorite memories (that we look back and laugh about) was right after we lit our unity candle. I had forgotten to tell Chris that when he picked up his candle, to leave it in the candle holder and pick up the whole thing. Chris thought he got the taper candle back in the holder, but after we turned back to the congregation, we heard a "thunk, thunk". We both turned back to the candle and saw it on the alter Bible, still lit!!! Luckily Chris was quick on his feet and got the candle back in place right away!
I would love to hear your favorite memories from your wedding or from a wedding you attended. Please leave your comments and memories on this blog. I look forward to reading them.
I'm going to have to take a little break from blogging while in Colorado Springs. I'll be back on Monday with stories from the wedding. Have a great week everyone!!!! ;)

Bridal Portrait

Well...I was doing so good blogging, and then I missed a day! Visit my website at www.ngcphotography.com and click on the featured page. You will then see why I missed yesterday. I was a busy woman, creating these beautiful bridal portraits. And a tough woman helping my in-laws narrow them down to the ones you see there. Enjoy!

Introducing MacLeod

Earlier last month, Chris, Gabriel and I got a new puppy. We are having so much fun with our little West Highland White Terrier. Gabriel used to be very afraid of dogs (that's why we decided to go with a smaller dog...and for those of you who had met Yukon and Kinley, a small dog is a very different thing for us!). But Mac and Gabriel have become fast friends. Mac even defends Gabriel when he gets in trouble. Although Gabriel hasn't started doing the same for him yet.

Upcoming Bridal Portrait

Tomorrow I will be photographing my sister-in-law for her bridal portrait. I am so excited to capture this amazing time in her life. She is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She is one of those people that you think, "Can anyone really be that nice?" and believe me she is. She is the most sincere, caring person and is a blessing in my life. I know they say when you get married you don't get to choose your in laws, but I would have chosen her and her folks. I'm very thankful for my hubby's family. They are wonderful.
To the left you see Karen in her gown at the bridal shop. Check back in about a week for the true bridal portrait. They are going to be gorgeous because she is gorgeous, inside and out.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Earlier this year I joined a group of Professional Photographers who offer bereavement photography for parents who loose a little one at birth or shortly there after. It was a tough decision to do, but I look back at my delivery of Gabriel, the trouble we had, and just couldn't imagine not bringing my beautiful baby boy home with me. When I signed on with the group, I spoke with one of the founding members who had lost a child. She said that after just a few days she had started to forget what he looked like. I want to help people remember that little angel. For more information on Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.
To the left is a picture of my little one that I thank God everyday for. (Even on the tough days!)

Cortez Journal Takes To the Web

Ever wonder what is going on in Cortez and don't take the paper? This week, the Cortez Journal released their e-journal. Visit www.cortezjournal.com and click on the link e-journal. This will allow you to read the full paper online! It's a great way to keep up with things or to refer back to a story you might have read in the actual paper. This is a great idea!
The more I learn about this little town, the more I see that it isn't a little country place, but a great place with lots to offer. I love Cortez!

Senior Special

I am currently running a special for the senior class of 2008. Call by July 6th to book your senior session and receive 25% off the sitting fee. Call by July 31st and receive 10% off the sitting fee. Senior sessions must be done before October 1st. There are a limited number of senior sessions available so don't hesitate to call. This also means that your senior portraits will look different from everyone elses! Stand out from the crowd.
I'm also running a special program to receive extra free wallets from your senior order. Call me to find out how! I look forward to working with the class of 2008! Congrats!

Jonathan

A couple weeks ago, little Jonathan came in to have his portraits taken. Commemorating four months old is a great thing! We had such a fun time and he was such a happy little boy. He was such a model. What a cutie!

Arts Fiesta - Part 3

The Arts Fiesta was a great success. I think there was a great turn out, the booths were interesting and the live entertainment was great. Cortez is a wonderful place. People are just so friendly. I want to thank all the people who took the time to stop by my booth. It was great to see you again or to meet you. I look forward to hopefully working with you on preserving some memories.

Arts Fiesta - Part 2

Don't want to let you down by not posting, but I am exhausted from today. 10 hours in the park is a LONG time. I was a great day though, and I met so many wonderful folks from Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Farmington and even Mexican Hat! I sure live in a great part of America.
I look forward to posting tomorrow with some pics from the Fiesta. Enjoy the balance of your weekend.

Arts Fiesta - Part 1

Good morning all,
Today is going to be a CRAZY day. This afternoon I will be setting up at the Cortez City Park for the annual Arts Fiesta. If you are in the Cortez-area, please stop by sometime this weekend and say hello. I will be doing a drawing for a complimentary sitting. The hours for the show are Friday 4-7, Saturday 9-7 and Sunday 10-4. I look forward to seeing all of you out in the beautiful Colorado sunshine.
Have a wonderful weekend all.

Ouida Vincent

Last week I photographed Ouida Vincent. Ouida is a doctor for Indian Health Services. I actually found her at a home and garden show and thought she had such an interesting look I asked to photograph her. And she agreed! We had a great time visiting as we worked on her images. We also found out that we have a great love for all things Harry Potter. It's funny how adults can sit and visit about children's books for hours!
P.S. 33 more days until Order of the Phoenix comes out in theaters and 43 more days until the last book!

No TV for the summer got you down?

Anymore there a quite a few summer shows on tv, but in our household, we have been enjoying Scrubs. For those who watch the show or those who don't, I suggest renting (or Netflix) the first five seasons. You will be in for a lot of GREAT laughs. Chris and I are getting ready to start season two tonight.

For those living in the Cortez area, don't blow away today! Have a great Wednesday.

A New Blog...

I have decided to start using Blogger for my experiences blog. Why you might ask? The Blogger set up is so much easier than what I was using, I'm hoping to update my blog every day! WHAT???!!! That's right, every day. While it might not always be about my photography, you can expect to find my thoughts on art, movies, books, Cortez and other things that I love.
I will be leaving previous blog postings on my website. Just click on the archives on the experiences page.
I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy sharing. And please, leave comments when you want. That is one of the main reasons I've decided to use Blogger.