Steve and Mary - Family Time! (Pastor Appreciation Part 4)
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ere we are at Part 4 - what a fun week! (I believe there will be a part 5 after a new little one enters the world, but for now 4 will do. Go here to see 1, 2, and 3!) Last, but certainly not least, is Mary and her wonderful family. Mary was recently brought on staff to work with the children in our church. I know she's awesome because she loves my son and has suggested she might take him home with her. It's so great to know that there are loving people willing to give of themselves to care for our children and to teach them what is right. Thanks Mary!
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Mary was a big fan of Ryan and Angela's silhouette-sunset picture so I made sure she got one for herself. :)
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The kids were a blast.
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But after I was informed that we were getting some pretty cheesy smiles I showed off my awesome 'get them to really smile' skills. It went something like this:
"Ok, now. Think of something.... I dunno. Um, think of something funny."
-pause-
Then... this!
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Ok, maybe not so awesome - BUT, it worked!
Then Mary and Steve had their turn.
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Fortunately for me, the kids started heckling Mom and Dad and we got some good laughs.
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Thanks Mary and family! It was great meeting you all! And thanks again to ALL pastors everywhere for everything!
Eric and Cortnie - Family Time! (Pastor Appreciation Part 3)
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he time has come in this 'Pastor Appreciation' project (see: Part 1 and Part 2) to unleash the 'Big Dog'. Eric is the Lead Pastor at our church - Colorado Ridge - and he's been there only a week or two longer than we have (we started attending there in June). He's the new kid on the block and he's doing a great job! I know that the church is super excited to have him and his family here.
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Eric and Cortnie really wanted to do something 'different' for their portraits this year... but we'll get to that in a minute. On the way to their little spot we stopped at these railroad tracks I had kinda stumbled upon just earlier in the day.
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Their idea?
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Fancy clothes and ice skates. Fun stuff!
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The have a great little (fake) rink set up at The Orchard Town Center near where we all live. I love how the Orchard really promotes a ton of community type events.
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Right by the rink is an enormous Christmas Tree. If this doesn't scream (traditional) Christmas Card then I don't know what does - except maybe something involving a fat rosy cheeked fellow with white facial hair.
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And I'm almost totally in love with this shot. It's a brilliant concept (if I may say so) but the flaw here is jumbo plastic ornaments instead of true mirrored glass balls. Wouldn't that be cool!
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Thanks so much Eric and Cortnie for everything you do! You guys are amazing - and as we come to know you more and more, we continue to see just how amazing you both are.
Justin and Michelle - Family Time! (Pastor Appreciation Part 2)
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his is 'Pastor Appreciation Part 2'. To read more about this little project and see Part 1, click here.
Justin does a great job leading the youth ministries at our church. I've seen him in action a bit - and he has such a gift for loving young adults and trying to be a positive influence in their lives. That love is only outmatched by his love for his wife Michelle, and their little baby girl.
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After a little time outside we headed indoors for a little studio action. I think someone is teething. :)
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It was wonderful spending a little time with the three of you. See you Sunday!
Ryan and Angela - Family Time! (Pastor Appreciation Part 1)
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id you know that October is/was 'Pastor Appreciation Month'? Maybe you're not a churchgoer and so you don't really care - but for those of us who are actively involved in our churches we need to realize how much our pastors give to all of us within the church and to numerous others within the community and the world!
Before I became a full time photographer I was a full time worship and arts pastor here in a local church. And while there are times in the year where I can work 60-70 hours a week as a photographer - it still doesn't compare to the work put in by pastors. It truly is a 24/7 job, and you might not realize all the ins and outs and ups and downs of all that until you've lived a bit in their shoes. (Yes, I could 'do' ministry in my sleep! Not exactly a full night's rest... :)
Anyway, I just really want to say to all of you churchgoers out there - make sure your pastors know how much you appreciate them and all that they do for you and for everyone - even while they're sleeping! And since someone decided that October was the 'official' time for us to say 'Thank You' I decided that I'd give a bunch of the pastors on staff at my church - Colorado Ridge - a complimentary portrait session and a store credit for some prints. They totally deserve it!!
First up is Ryan and his family. We had a great time walking around a local park and fortunately an amazingly wonderful warm spell hit the Denver area for a couple of days and we were able to not only get some great photos outdoors - but to enjoy our time outside in the process! Here are some of my favorites from the day:
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Thanks Ryan for all you do! And Angela too - I know that you're every bit a part of what Ryan does for all of us!
licia and Hilario come from warmer parts - Texas and Mexico respectively. But they will be braving the Colorado winter this February when they tie the knot in Beaver Creek and celebrate with a reception at the brand new Westin! (Not that braving our winters here is all that difficult. :)
Here for the weekend they wanted to capture the beauty of this spectacular place with an Engagement Session, Beaver Creek style.
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We were climbing around on these boulders along the water's edge when Alicia spoke up and said 'What if we get in the middle of the river?' Mind you, it's late November, Colorado mountains, snow, icy banks AND she's wearing a dress - cute, but not entirely 'wintery' - and some hours-old UGG boots. Of course I think 'Rock On! Let's do it!'
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I'm not so sure that their dog Oscar was as excited about the idea as we were. He might've been even more nervous than me! The last time I took photos of a couple in the middle of a river - guess who fell in? Yeah... yours truly. I had a wet leg, wet sock, and a wet shoe the rest of the reception. Note to self: Bring an extra pair of socks and shoes to each wedding!
Oscar much preferred running circles around them - on dry land.
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There wasn't any snow around the Westin and so we took off to go a bit further up the mountain to find some snow. But before we left the hotel, I grabbed this quick one in front of a wall near the business center. (And suddenly 'Flight of the Conchords' is coming to mind, but that's a whole 'nother thing!)
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We came upon this cabin that I'm guessing has been closed up for the last number of months but is going to open very soon as a mid-mountain snack shack for all those coming down the hill. Notice way in the background there is an old sled and some old skis leaning up against the place...
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Yeah, old skis make a nice prop. Cheesy, yes. But you know - I'm kinda diggin' it!
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And the more I look at this next photo, the more I'm convinced it's one of my best ever. Though the things I love about it happened quite by accident - mainly the repeating line of the tops of the trees and snow covered grass below. Yeah, I LOVE this one!
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This is honestly the first time I've been unable to decide if I like color or Black and White better.
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Anyway...
Thanks Alicia and Hilario for a wonderful afternoon in the mountains! It was so great to finally meet you and I'm so looking forward to February. Bring on the snow! :)
ncluding their latest addition, Matt and Melanie now have three children. The story goes that when each child was about 6 months old Melanie had her photo taken with the baby - simple, white backdrop... Well, Stella is now about 6 months old - and so it was time to get that photo of their newest little girl!
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Of course, while we were at it we had to get some of the rest of the crew in there as well!
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Matt and Jack like to swordfight!
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If you've kept up with my work you are probably already thinking to yourself 'Now, this is different!' and you would be right. It's not very often that I pull out the ol' studio gear - but it's kinda fun to play around with every now and then! I guess it's a lot like playing with a neat little toy - but most of the time I feel like 'Why play with one little toy when the entire WORLD is a playground!' So, of course, we got outside to really play!
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This one is neat...
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...but do you ever wonder what's happening behind the scenes?!
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Thanks guys for an evening of fun. Can't wait to see you all again!
