Long Canyon
Moab, Utah
April 27, 2010
I spent the last four days on a camping trip in Moab with Mike and our friend Betty. As I mentioned in my last post, Betty’s beloved dog, Idgi, is suffering from lymphoma and doesn’t have much longer to live. Last weekend the three of us decided to take Idgi on an adventure this week, which could be her last. Then on Sunday morning, we packed up Mike’s Jeep with three people, two dogs, and camping gear, and headed west. Eight hours later, we were in a vast desert wilderness with towering red rock cliffs.
We set up camp next to the Colorado river, and spent our days hiking, 4-wheeling, and sightseeing. The dogs loved it, of course, and we loved making them happy. My only regret is that we didn’t have more time to spend in Moab. We’ll definitely be back.
Idgi and Betty
Manitou Springs, CO
April 22, 2010
This is our dear friend, Betty, with her beloved border collie, Idgi. We were all heartbroken to learn recently that Idgi has terminal lymphoma. The vet says that she has only a couple more weeks of feeling good before she will start to decline. Betty and I decided to take some active portraits of Idgi while she’s still feeling good, so we took her to a park to document her favorite thing to do — play frisbee. Idgi is a smart, playful, well-loved dog, who has been a true friend to Betty for ten years. I hope her good days will last longer than any vet could expect.
Me at Lake Tahoe
April, 2010
Mike and I traveled to Lake Tahoe last weekend for Amanda and Stephen’s wedding, and decided to turn the trip into a mini-vacation. We flew out a couple days early, and splurged on a lovely room at a lakeside resort. We drove all the way around the lake, and enjoyed several stops along the way.My favorite part of the Tahoe area was that it offered the best of all seasons. In one day, we saw people skiing, snowboarding, sledding, sailing, scuba diving, and lounging on the beach making sand castles. It must be a wonderful place to live.
Stephen and Amanda
The Chateau at Incline Village
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
April 18, 2010
Amanda and Stephen got married Sunday in breathtakingly beautiful Incline Village, Nevada. I loved their engagement session so much that I knew their wedding would be fantastic, but I had no idea just how laid-back and adventurous they would be! They were even willing to hop around on lakeside rocks when I suggested it, which gave them an opportunity to have pictures like this one. I had so much fun photographing them by the lake that I was downright giddy.
Thank you, Amanda and Stephen, for bringing Mike and me to your wonderful wedding. We loved it!
Near Sand Harbor and Memorial Point
Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park
April, 2010
Mike and I just got back from a divine weekend at Lake Tahoe. Here’s a teaser of the many photos that are yet to come. Stay tuned for more!
Timmy (3), Robby (5), and Kenna (6)
Scottsville, Virginia
April 11, 2010
We got to see our niece and nephews last week! My mother is the president of a local history museum in Scottsville, Virginia, and my whole family came to support her for the opening of their latest exhibit.
Today I’m featured in Live Journal’s community. They are starting a new regular column called “What’s in Your Camera Bag?” and they asked me to be the first photographer featured. If you’d like to read all the specifics about my equipment, you can find it here: http://community.livejournal.com/photographers/16546343.html
If you’d like to see photos of my gear, with each item labeled, you can find them on Flickr with notes. Click the images to learn more:
Stephanie and Dave
Meadowlark Gardens
April 9, 2010
Yesterday I got together with Stephanie and Dave for their engagement session at Meadowlark Gardens, a botanical park in Vienna, Virginia. It’s such a pretty time of year in Virginia, and a refreshing change from Colorado’s lingering winter weather. Meadowlark Gardens is a beautiful location for portraits in any season — right now it’s full of dogwoods, cherry blossoms, and fresh green maple leaves.Stephanie and Dave are getting married in October at Rust Manor House in Leesburg, Virginia. I can’t wait to photograph them in Virginia’s autumn colors.
I have a photo in the current issue of Colorado Springs Style. This issue features a cover story about wedding planning in the Colorado Springs area, and my image was used in an article about Briarhurst Manor weddings.
I also had a photo published in the Japanese version of Newsweek. You may recall that this photo of Karen and Jacynda was chosen to be part of an article on gay marriage in a January issue of Newsweek. It was fun to get a copy of the Japanese issue in the mail!
The Japanese magazine opens from right to left. 
1. Wear clothes that flatter you.
Well-fitting clothes make you look your best. Dark jeans tend to be more flattering than light jeans. If you’re self-conscious about your arms, wear sleeves. Even if that cute top looks great on the hanger, it might not look good on your body type. When in doubt, choose a simple outfit and let your face be the focal point of the photos.
If you’re selecting a wedding gown, trust the opinion of the salon’s consultant. I can’t tell you how many times a bride has said that she ended up buying a style of gown that she swore she wouldn’t get, because the consultant knew that it would be the most beautiful gown on her figure. Even the most gorgeous women I know don’t look like the 5’10″, size 2 models that appear in fashion magazines, so you need to rely on the mirror and professional advice when choosing your gown. If you suspect that the salon’s staff are more manipulative than honest, then find a new salon with staff that you trust.
2. Wear simple, but effective makeup.
It is a myth that you need to wear heavy makeup for the sake of the camera. The camera works pretty much the same as a mirror — if you look good in a mirror, then you’ll look good in pictures. Make sure that your makeup looks good both indoors and outdoors.Your makeup shouldn’t look much different from the way that you normally wear it. You don’t want to look like a different person in your photographs, or else you won’t like the pictures.
3. Consider airbrush makeup.
If you have any concerns about your complexion, considering hiring an airbrush makeup artist. A skilled professional can conceal pimples, scars, and blotchiness with an airbrush. It’s remarkable, really.
4. Watch out for tanning.
I’m a stickler for sunscreen. Wear it for a couple weeks before your photo shoot, and embrace your natural skin color. If you really want to be tan for your photos, then do it carefully. If you are going to tan naturally, make sure that your skin tone is even without tan lines. If you are going to use a spray-on tan, make sure that your skin doesn’t look orange or streaky. Another risk of spray tanning is that it can stain wedding gowns if it isn’t done properly.Something to keep in mind for group portraits, including wedding photos, is that you are likely to be standing next to several members of your family. If you are the only person in the group who is tan, your skin color may look artificial.
5. Consider the weather when choosing a hairstyle.
If you know that your hair gets frizzy in the humidity, you may want to have it professionally blown straight. If the forecast calls for wind, it could be best to wear your hair up.
6. Bring hair pins, lip gloss, blotting papers, and/or a hair brush.
You may need to touch up your hair or makeup during a photo shoot, so be prepared. On your wedding day, have a friend or coordinator carry any items that you may need during the day.
7. Even men need tidy nails.
Trim or file your nails, and moisturize your hands and cuticles.
8. Wear lip balm for a week or so before the photo shoot.
If you have dry lips, prepare them with lip balm for several days before your photos are taken.
9. Skip the glitter.
Sparkly makeup is only effective when seen in person or in video. Still photographs don’t show sparkle — instead glitter will look like spots.
10. Most importantly, be expressive.
No matter how great you look, the success of your photos depends upon your expressions. I will do everything I can to help you feel comfortable and make the photo shoot fun. Your job is to enjoy the moments, feel each emotion deeply, laugh, and love.
