Lea and David
The Broadmoor
Colorado Springs
November 29, 2008
Lea and David chose to get married in a private ceremony in a winter wonderland. They traveled from Oklahoma to Colorado Springs, where they had a tiny but beautiful wedding at Pauline Chapel. Their wedding was the smallest I’ve photographed — the only participants were Lea and David, the officiant, and me. I loved being a part of their wedding celebration, and documenting it for all their family and friends who were unable to be there. Instead of hosting a reception, Lea and David chose to celebrate their wedding with a two-day extended portrait session at the Broadmoor. It was a thrill for me to have so much time with them for posed pictures in such a gorgeous setting.
On Saturday, we spent a couple hours wandering the Broadmoor after their ceremony. The resort’s Christmas decorations are out, and the entire area is so pretty this time of year. Then on Sunday we got together for a casual photo shoot. It snowed that day, which made the resort even more beautiful.
Thank you for inviting me to be part of your wedding weekend, Lea and David! Congratulations!
Their ceremony took place at the lovely Pauline Chapel next to the Broadmoor.
Design Works created a beautiful bouquet for Lea, complete with icy crystals.
I loved the late afternoon light coming in through the windows at the end of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, we headed to the Broadmoor for some portraits.
I came back the next day, and the Broadmoor had a fresh layer of snow.
Lea and David had a casual day-after photo session.
We discovered that the Main Ballroom was empty, so they had their first dance as newlyweds on the dancefloor.
I turned around and saw the shadows that a car’s headlights had created. Snapped it in time!
What is more romantic than snow falling on couple of love birds?
The Christmas lights turned on at 5pm, which gave some beautiful twilight photo opps.
Mike met us when it got dark, to provide lighting assistance. Thanks, Mike!
You probably already know that I love twilight! It’s my favorite time of day.
Church: Pauline Chapel
Hotel: The Broadmoor
Florist: Design Works
What pleasing photographies.
Very beautiful.
What pleasing photographies.
Very beautiful.
That’s great to hear, thank you!
That’s right… they chose to celebrate their marriage on their own, in a private ceremony.
Charlotte…girl…these are my all time favorites. %u2665 them.
Beautiful wedding and, of course, photos. 🙂
lovely as usual, charlotte. the only thing i found strange was… they had no one at their wedding???
Absolutely!
Oooh! When you do you should post some pictures to show off what that baby can do!
I do love the 5D’s capabilities with 1600 ISO. I can’t wait to get the newest version of the 5D, so I can use 3200 and 6400!
I do pop up the blue color in the camera’s white balance… it also cancels out the yellow colors in the video light and the building’s lights. Still the biggest trick to getting the blue skies is to photograph at precisely the right moment between the gray skies and the black skies. 🙂
Is twilight so beautiful anywhere else? I feel like the blues in your twilight pictures are so much more saturated than I’ve seen anywhere else. I’m coming to Colorado for Christmas and I’m really looking forward to taking some pictures!
Ahhh, that’s what it is. My camera goes to 1600 ISO but doesn’t get along with it that well. It’s very very grainy at that high of an ISO. No wonder I’ve been so frustrated trying to get that kind of effect.
Just one more thing to add to my list of reasons as to why I need a new camera.
Thanks Charlotte! I appreciate it!
Is twilight so beautiful anywhere else? I feel like the blues in your twilight pictures are so much more saturated than I’ve seen anywhere else. I’m coming to Colorado for Christmas and I’m really looking forward to taking some pictures!
I’m so glad that you responded that way. It means that I captured them just right.
I can’t wait!
This wedding really did seem to be perfect for them. 🙂
I’d love that!
The Broadmoor is magnificent! It’s a five-star hotel, but it still feels comfy and cozy despite its grandeur.
I’m not sure which part of Oklahoma they’re from. I’ve definitely met some great Okies over the years!
That’s great to hear, thank you! Wintertime is so cozy and romantic.
Thanks! The Broadmoor has some beautiful architecture!
I used a Canon 16-35mm for the twilight photos. Here’s my exif data:
f2.8
1/30
ISO 1600
flash did not fire
Something that’s important to note is that timing is everything when it comes to photos like these. There is usually about a 10 minute window for the best twilight, and then it will be too dark. I hope this is helpful!
Out of curiosity what lense and setting ranges are you using for those twilight shots? I’ve been trying to get that sort of effect for awhile and I’m suspicious I just don’t have the right lense for such low lighting.
The black and white photo with the winding stairs is AMAZING!!!!!!!
Thanks! For the indoor photos I used flash. The chandelier/Christmas tree pictures were done with flash bounced off a nearby wall. The fireplace photos were done with off-camera flash bounced off the ceiling to the left, to give a soft directional light.
The black and white photo with the winding stairs is AMAZING!!!!!!!
She has a wonderfully cheerful smile.
Good shots – as usual Charlotte!
wow! Absolutely gorgeous!
These are some of my favorite photos that you’ve ever taken. So romantic!
Wow, these are awesome pictures. What a beautiful couple. You can just see how madly in love they are with each other – it almost makes me cry!
So beautiful!! What type of lighting did you use for the chandelier/Christmas tree shots? I absolutely love them!
So beautiful!! What type of lighting did you use for the chandelier/Christmas tree shots? I absolutely love them!
Seriously – I never ceased to be amazed by your photos.
One day, Charlotte Geary, I will have portraits by you!!!!
How amazing! I sometimes wish my husband and I had chosen a private ceremony with a kick-ass photographer… I envy them their intimacy and amazing photos!
STUNNING! Love the twightlight shots! Someday T&I willfly out to CO to visit … and have you do a shoot out there. These pictures are incredible!!
what an awesome location! look at that chandelier! neato!
and of course, great pics as usual 😉
wow!
wow!
Gorgeous photos! Where are the couple from in Oklahoma? 🙂 Gotta love Okies! 🙂
Beautiful! You make me miss the snow!
How beautiful! I’ve never seen something so intimate. Your photos are stunning, as always.
Amazing, as always. 🙂
BEAUTIFUL!! Congrats to Lea & David 🙂
Beautiful! You make me miss the snow!
Heh heh… Don’t tell anyone. 😉
good luck!
Excellent stocking stuffer!
Awesome, thanks for the link. I might have to put that in Melissa’s stocking.
You are a sneaky one with your affordable little ‘secrets’ huh?
Thanks!
Nope, the ceremony happened like any other. I didn’t stop them at any point to stage anything. It was just very sweet and intimate.
Gorgeous as always!
The lack of guests seems odd. Were the ceremony shots staged without guests?
It doesn’t really matter what you use… sometimes I even use a flashlight or car headlights. But I love my little Sunpak video lights. I have two of them, and keep at least one in my camera bag at all times. It’s a great tool for lots of situations.
I use these:
http://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-Readylite-20-Video-Light/dp/B0002ONZ5G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228283382&sr=8-3
It’s not tough to meter with a video light, because you see exactly what you’re going to get before you click the shutter. They are super easy and really cheap. Love ’em.
The video lights I use are basically glorified flashlights. They are small and fit in my pocket, and I love them. Never fear, even college students can afford my high-tech secrets. They are only about $35. 😉
I use two of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-Readylite-20-Video-Light/dp/B0002ONZ5G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228283382&sr=8-3
Interesting! It never even occurred to me do something like that. Is there a particular model or brand you use, or does it even matter? Is it difficult to meter that exposure in under those conditions? Sorry for all of the questions.
What are video lights? Is there any *decent* substitute you would recommend for those of us that are poor college folk who are just learning?
Thanks! I love that b/w one, too. 🙂
We did the twilight shots with video lights.
I’d be interested to know what your lighting techniques are for your twilight shots, is it flash or a constant light source shining on them?
I know you love twilight! 🙂
these are great pics Charlotte. you always do such an amazing job, I feel like I am always commenting with the same things! “great pics!” haha.
anyways I think my fav is the black/white one in the courtyard w/ snow 🙂
Amazing, as always. 🙂
You are a sneaky one with your affordable little ‘secrets’ huh?
Thanks!
Gorgeous as always!
The lack of guests seems odd. Were the ceremony shots staged without guests?
What are video lights? Is there any *decent* substitute you would recommend for those of us that are poor college folk who are just learning?