Behind the scenes, part 2

Yesterday I posted Part 1 of my annual Behind the Scenes photos. Here’s the second half! As the year went on, my belly got bigger, my morning sickness got smaller, and my full wedding schedule marched on. Some of my good friends second shot with me, and as you can see above, much hilarity resulted.

In August, Lauren and Brett were greeted by a double rainbow after their ceremony. I grabbed this quick self-portrait after taking this beautiful one of Lauren and Brett.

Later that night, I climbed a ladder to capture the essence of their stylish, outdoor reception downtown.

At the end of the night, Brett gave me a print of the painting he did of one of their engagement portraits.

Later in August, Mike and I traveled to Beaver Creek for Adriana and Brian’s wedding. We scoped out the location together early in the day.

One of my frequently-used tricks is to have everyone behind me dance to entertain the children I photograph. I love how Mike got this series of the dancers! It almost always works, but one of the girls gave only a half smile no matter what they did.

I was starting to look quite pregnant by this point.

I grabbed a quick self-portrait of Mike and me during the ceremony.

Tamera took this picture of me and my belly at Erin and Paul’s Labor Day wedding.

Erin and Paul had a photo booth, so of course Tamera and I had to play in it! I love how Erin jumped in for the final picture. (photo by Booth 66)

Stephanie and me at Susan and Alex’s wedding the next day.

Stephanie, looking cute.

Stephanie and I traveled to Breckenridge the following weekend for Haley and Michael’s wedding. I brought the baby along for the ride.

Stephanie took these pictures of me before the wedding, as we were scoping out portrait locations. We later took Haley and Michael back to this spot for this beautiful portrait in the fall foliage.

Haley’s dog Pierre was a guest at the wedding, and Stephanie got to hold him during the portraits.

Stephanie and me at the reception that night.

It was another great dance party.

At the end of the night, we met up with Mike at a bar in Breckenridge. This is what I look like when the adrenaline wears off after a long day of shooting at high altitude while six months pregnant.

In early October, Mike and I flew off to Orlando for Liz and Jeremy’s wedding. This is what I was looking like at that point.

Liz’s grandmother flirted with Mike during the family portraits. I wanted to jump in and fight for my man, but she was so darn sweet.

Mike is always really cute with kids.

At six months pregnant, I couldn’t lie on my stomach any more, but that didn’t stop me from rolling around on the ground. Ok, I lay on my stomach a little, too – I had to for this picture. The baby didn’t mind, but Mike wasn’t so sure.

In November, I had already moved to Virginia, but I traveled back to Denver for Tracy and John’s wedding. Here Tamera and I are taking the bride and groom’s portraits on the 16th Street Mall. Our low perspectives enabled us to eliminate some of the crowds of people in the background, to get portraits like this.

I thought my winter coat would conceal my belly a little, but nope, it was sticking out loud and clear!

Here’s a cute one of Tamera having fun during the portrait shoot!

Stephanie and Tamera both helped me with this wedding, and it was funny for three paparazzi to be following around a bride and groom for an hour and a half. I’m so glad they were there to be able to take portraits like this one.

Later in the night, I had Stephanie sit on a cold bench while I did some lighting tests. Then Tracy and John stepped in for this portrait.

A wedding gelato bar is a pregnant photographer’s dream come true.

I like this cute series of Tamera in the photo booth…

… cute!

Here’s a funny picture of super-pregnant me shooting the rings. Note that I had my gelato sitting right next to me for easy access. In this location, I took this ring shot and this one. Both were lit with my on-camera flash bounced backward and sideways.

Me and Tam in the photo booth

Yes, it was another great dance party!

Me and baby at the end of the night. I’m due in about four more weeks, so stay tuned!

I’d like to take a moment to give a huge thank you to everyone who made 2010 such a success for me.

To Mike, Stephanie, Tamera, Jesse, David, Amber, and JoEllen: I am so lucky to have had you share your talent, support, and friendship throughout the year. I couldn’t have done it without you.

To my clients: Thank you for trusting me and inviting me into your lives. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you and your families, and I hope you’ll love the photos for many years to come. And thanks for the great dance music and cake.

To my baby: We did it, little guy. You’ve already been to more weddings than most people attend in a lifetime, and your lifetime hasn’t even begun yet. Thank you for being healthy and strong, and helping me to be the same. But I mostly thank you just for being there. 2011 will be the best year yet.