Behind the scenes at weddings

Me, preparing to photograph a wedding in Breckenridge last summer

A couple times a year, I post photos of Mike, me, and our friends behind the scenes at weddings and other photo shoots. So here’s a glimpse of what goes into creating the photos you see!

At Ten Mile Station in Breckenridge. I’m the black dot on the right, taking this photo.

Another day at the office. (OK, another fabulous day)

This is how Mike got this shot of Kristin’s veil

Last summer I photographed a wedding at the Antlers Hilton with my friend Autumn Burke. I did the family portraits in a room where this beautiful photo by our friend Walt Palmer was on display. Autumn took this photo of me admiring the photo!

Autumn took this photo of me later that evening during the reception. People often point out to me that my flash is pointed the wrong way, but actually that’s the way I like to use my flash. I bounce it off the ceiling behind me, at an angle. It creates a soft, directional light that is flattering and gives depth to the photos, like this.

Here I am at Keystone Ranch, taking this photo of Jaime and Craig<
And here I’m taking this photo of Jaime.

People tell me all the time that I walk around with a huge smile on my face all day. I can’t help it; weddings are fun!

But of course we get moments like this at weddings, too. This photo by Holly Pacione makes me laugh! This was very shortly before a ceremony began, and I was hurrying around in the heat, making sure that I was covering everything that was happening in multiple places at the same time. I always get it done, but sometimes I have to run to make it happen.

Holly took this photo later that day, as I took this photo. We loved the adorable kids at this wedding.

Jean, the bride, warned me that taking the photo from this angle could be hazardous to my health, but I took the risk and got this photo of her playing beer frisbee.

Here’s the beautiful Holly Pacione, who was second shooting for me that day.

The following weekend, Mike and I were in San Francisco for an engagement session. It was colder than we had expected for August!

The SF wind kept blowing my hair in front of my camera, but I was too happy to be there to care. Here I’m taking this photo.

Kristen and Yaki had a photo booth at their wedding the next day, so Mike and I had to try it out.

Kristen’s friend took these photos for us with my camera. Thank you!

The resulting photos for Kristen and Yaki’s guestbook.

Sometimes I wonder how I can move around with so many things strapped to me. Yet I always know where to find what I need.

The next month, I went to a rehearsal dinner and found Amanda and Debi of Kokoro Photography shooting another event with the same Shootsac cover that I was using that day!

Shooting a wedding at the Broadmoor. I never realized that I dress like a groom when I shoot weddings.

I shared the documentary duties with Lori’s ten-year-old nephew, the videographer and budding filmmaker.

I recruited Lori’s aunt to keep these kids smiling, and thanks to her help, I got this happy photo.

Am I as creepy as I think I might be? It’s worth it for a cute photo like this.

I have a phobia of walking over grates, so Mike was tormenting me by standing there.

Mike and me at the Broadmoor

Here Mike is taking this beautiful photo of Lori and her Dad entering the ceremony, one of my favorites of the year.

Here I am with Lori’s nephew again. I really loved chatting with him; he’s a precocious child with a bright future.

Making friends with the Broadmoor staff.

Some of my photographer friends did a model shoot in Colorado Springs. I was more interested in photographing my friends, though.

Here’s Tamera Goldsmith of Click Photography. Her dress is adorable.

Me with me ubiquitous Shootsac.

Here’s Tamera again, this time second shooting with me at Sue and Manuel’s wedding.

My friend Brooke was a guest at Sue’s wedding!

Brooke had just returned from an amazing trip to Singapore shortly before the wedding.

Here’s Mike at Lionscrest Manor, during Amanda and Eric’s ceremony.

Here’s how Mike got this great photo of Amanda and her dad, without being disruptive during the ceremony. He’s so quiet!

Two-fisting the video lights during the bride+groom portraits

Holly second shot for me again later in the fall.

Holly took this photo during Kristen and Eric’s ceremony at Holy Ghost Church.

Kristen and Eric were hilarious! Here I am preparing for this series of them dancing.

I stole this photo from Kim’s blog! I went to Virginia to photograph her gorgeous baby, Corey.

Here’s a day when Mike wasn’t working; I was. So when I saw him sitting in a pub, I grabbed this shot.

Mike and me at the Broadmoor, after we finished Lea and David’s portraits.

Tamera took this photo of me with my friend, the lovely Meghan. It was so great to be her photographer!

Tamera second shot Meghan and Ryan’s wedding with me. We didn’t mean to dress alike.
I guess it was just the perfect thing to wear on a cold wedding day.

Now I look forward to creating all the fun memories of 2009’s wedding season. Bring it on!