300

Today the movie "300" comes out on DVD. If you haven't seen it. I highly suggest it. (Unless you don't do well with too much violence.)
Since really focusing in on being a photographer, I find I watch movies quite differently now. I look at the cinematography, watch camera angles and lens focal lengths. One of the things I loved about "300" was how it was shot. I think it could make for a GREAT senior portrait for a guy.
I spent this morning playing with some ways to achieve the "300" effect. While this snapshot of Gabriel wasn't perfect for this project (the lighting was too soft), I think this gives you an idea of what can be done.

Bowling in Cortez

This last weekend, we (Chris, Glenn, Michael and I) all went bowling. We had a great time. The Cortez bowling alley is nice and the people who work there are very friendly. Michael is a great bowler. We had fun all ganging up on him. We spotted him 50 pins and he could outscore the three of us put together. Pretty sad on our part!
This pic was just for fun. I didn't spend as much time as I should have putting it together, but it's neat to see what we can do now with that amazing tool Photoshop!

So You Think You Can Dance

As many of you know, I used to be a dancer. So of course I love this show. Last year was the first year I watched it and I was hooked from the get-go. This year, the dancing is so much better. I have no idea who will actually turn out to be the finalists. If you haven't watched, I highly suggest it. Even if you aren't a dance fan, I think you will find it entertaining. Sometimes the dances can be a little strange for those who aren't engrossed in the dance world.
Above, you will see an image I took at a studio in Elizabeth, Colorado earlier this year.

My First Wedding

For all of you who follow the blog and enjoyed Karen & Omar's portraits, the wedding website is ready! Feel free to visit http://www.millersalbums.com/?event=81310W062306W to enjoy all the moments of their very special day.
This week I spent the afternoons retouching Karen's bridal portraits. I think this one really turned out great. She truly made a beautiful bride.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

What a great book. Chris and I had duel reading going on this last weekend. Two books, totally focused on finishing the series. What did you think? Love the ending? Give me your thoughts. For those who haven't finished...don't read the comment box.

Design Work

Having a one woman photography studio is perfect for me. While I truly enjoy being behind the camera and shooting, I also love spending time on the computer. Retouching, designing, etc. Yesterday I spent the afternoon working on Chesnie's composite for her parents and grandparents. Composites are wonderful to show so many different sides of the same person.

A Call to all Friends of NGC Photography

I need your help. This afternoon I needed to take my display out of the window at the former Nu-Way store. The building has been sold and a new shop will be moving in soon. So I need some places around town to put a few of my portraits along with business cards. If you know of a location that would work, please let me know. Thanks!

Harry Potter

Now, I couldn't not blog about Harry Potter today. Last night, Glenn and I went to a midnight selling of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We had a great time, and lots of Cortez residents really used their imaginations to make wonderful costumes. Thank you to the Main Book Company here in Cortez for making this exciting day more fun.
I'm not sure if I'll blog tomorrow since I am only planning to take a break from reading to go to church. But if I finish, I'll blog in the evening.
Happy reading!

Krazy Daze Special

This weekend, Cortez is celebrating Krazy Daze. I will have a booth this year on Market Street. Feel free to stop by and say hello. On Saturday, I will be running a sitting fee special. Book and pay for a sitting fee at Krazy Daze, and your fee will only be $20! That is a savings of $50. So if you've been thinking you want to photograph your little kids, your senior, your family or WHATEVER, now is the chance!
Have a great weekend everyone. Blog with you tomorrow evening (after Krazy Daze).

Chesnie

Oh the joy of having a little one that just turned one year old. Chesnie had a wonderful time in this beautiful yard. Fascinated by flowers, intrigued by a cat, and hungry for rocks! I had almost forgotten how many young ones love to put things right into their mouths.
What a sweet and beautiful little girl!

Mesa Verde

There are many amazing and beautiful things here in the four corners area. One of the most famous would be Mesa Verde National Park. Gabriel and I went to Mesa Verde yesterday with our cousins (the bunny finders). We had a wonderful time checking out the area. Got in a great hike and enjoyed nature. If you are out in this area and have never been, I highly suggest taking the morning to see these amazing Native American ruins.

Movin' Complete

We got Glenn, Michael and Sandy to Colorado. (With only a few challenges...almost being run off the road in a head-on collision, engine trouble, and Mac almost jumping out of the back of the pickup!) They are really excited to be here and are going to enjoy getting to know the town. Now Chris and I will just have to get used to Gabriel asking, "Where's Uncle Michael, Aunt Glenn & Sandy?". And for those who don't know them, Sandy is their pup...not Gabriel's cousin. We're still waiting on one of those. ;)

Bloggin' Break

Exciting news! Chris, Gabriel and I are heading to Oklahoma today to get my sister Glenn and her husband, Michael. Glenn and Michael are moving out here to Cortez! Yeah! We are so happy that they are moving out here. For all of you who have never been to Cortez, come visit...I might convince you to stay. And for those who are already here, Glenn and Michael will be a great addition to our wonderful community. I can't wait!!!
I'll be back bloggin' on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Reception

After 950 images, everything is finally processed and saved. I will be uploading to the ordering site tomorrow! Through this process, I have learned A LOT about Photoshop Automation...and all I can say to that is THANK GOD! That made life so much easier!
As you can see in these images from the reception, we had a great time. The food was wonderful, the fellowship even better, and the dancing memorable! One guest told the father of the bride that it didn't matter how much he spent on that reception, he got his monies worth. It was one of the best receptions he had ever been to. And trust me, he'd been to many.
I'm a little sad as I post this last blog on the wedding...what to blog about tomorrow...we'll just have to wait and see!

God Works in Mysterious Ways

While I know I promised to blog about the reception, I just couldn't pass up sharing this great story.
On Gabriel's first Easter, he received a stuffed bunny from his Nana and Opa (my folks). Since that day (when he was six months old), he has carried that bunny EVERYWHERE. We spent the last two years making sure he didn't drop it at the mall, the zoo or a number of other places. When we were in Colorado Springs for Karen & Omar's wedding, bunny got lost. We were staying with family and couldn't find him anywhere. We tore their home apart looking for him because we knew Gabriel would be heart-broken.
Here is an e-mail from Chris' cousin Camla I received last night:
We have been gone camping for a week. We were cleaning the camper and boat this morning when Nolan came running from around the house screaming, "I found a baby bunny!" We all ran to the window well to see a sweet baby bunny crouching against the wall. We went downstairs to the first bedroom to look out the window at the bunny and to give it some food and water. We were moving around on the bed to get a better look and we looked at the floor to find Gabriel's baby bunny! Long story short: It took a live baby bunny to find a stuffed one. We will send his bunny on Monday, along with a picture of the live one who helped.
The image above is one of my dad's.

Gabi & Wyatt

Last week I photographed, Wyatt and Gabi. Their mom, Heather, was looking for a companion piece to a portrait of Wyatt taken at 10 weeks. I photographed them together, and then Wyatt got to play with all of Gabriel's toys while I photographed his little sister. We really had a great time and the kiddos were just so much fun.
I promise, we'll be back to wedding stuff tomorrow!

PR Portraits

We are going to take a mini-break from wedding posting. (All I have left are the reception images and since I had company last night, I still have to sift through them.)
Today is a PR Portrait of Suzie Forward. She is a mortgage specialist for Wells Fargo. Her company had been asking for a portrait for quite some time and she finally got one done. We had a lot of fun visiting as we shot these images. If you are in the Cortez area and need a mortgage, give her a call!

The Ceremony

We've all watched movies with vows written by the couple and think, "there is NO ONE who could write like that on their own." Well, Karen & Omar could. Both of them expressed their promises to each other so eloquently that I believe they could sell their vows to the movie industry and make LOTS of money.
As you can see, the outdoor ceremony was beautiful, spiritual and very meaningful. They even had a praise song (written by two friends) sung during the services. I know that God is everywhere at all times, but he was DEFINITELY in the gardens of the Chapel of our Savior Episcopal Church, Saturday, June 23, 2007.

Pre-Ceremony

Today are pictures from the church prior to the ceremony. The church where Karen & Omar were married was beautiful. Of course the bright Colorado sun can occasional challenge the photographer. We had lots of fun out in the garden taking more candid shots. The one with Gabriel is entitled, "Anything Can Happen When There Is a 2-Year Old in the Wedding!" While he wasn't keen on posing for pictures, he did do a great job as ring bearer.
Tomorrow, the ceremony!

Family Portraits

When Chris and I got married, we decided to do formal family portraits of each side of the family and the grandparents (and lucky us...my great-grandpa too). We look back on these portraits and are very thankful for them. Since we had them done seven years ago, we have lost three family members. I suggested Karen and Omar do the same. I think they will look back on these and remember the love and support they received from their families. Don't you just LOVE the one of the couple with Omar's grandparents! Thanks for the idea dad!!!

Together at last

We've seen the groom. We've seen the bride. Now let's see how wonderful they look together. I think if you look at their expressions and their eyes, you can really tell that these to are so excited for what is to come. I feel the last one really shows how she knows she is going to be protected and loved by her husband.