Tara
Rainbow Falls
Manitou Springs, Colorado
October 18, 2009
Tara and Bryan got married a year ago at the Garden of the Gods Club. They asked me to photograph their first anniversary portraits, and got all dressed up in their wedding attire for the occasion. Because Tara wouldn’t need to wear the gown again, we didn’t have to worry about getting it dirty or wet, which gave us lots of opportunities for great photos. They lay in the grass at the Garden of the Gods Club, went hiking at Rainbow Falls in Manitou, and rolled around in the sand at the waterfall. Tara was even brave enough to stand in the freezing cold water for some pictures!
The popular name for this kind of portrait shoot is a trash the dress session. I prefer to call it a fearless bridal session, because my goal is not to destroy a gown, it’s to showcase a bride who isn’t afraid of getting a little dirty. The results are liberating and so much fun!
What lovely, natural pictures, they look like a very loving couple.
already a great smile for the camera. He’s so handsome! And I never had a doubt that Ally would be great around him. She’s a sweetie.
thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! what an amazing family you have!
Last picture and caption made me misty! You’re all so cute, congratulations!
He’s beautiful! 😀
congratulations again. 😀
Adorable mush!
Congratulations!
he’s so cute and sooooo little))
These are lovely photos of all of you. Congratulations again on being a new mom!
I especially love the third one– I love Ally’s goofy smile.
Where’s Janie?
Congratulations!
awwwww!
I AGREE!!
Congratulations, Charlotte and Mike!! You sure do make a beautiful family!!
absolutely lovely pix.
I remember how over the moon I was when my son was that age…such a precious time!
ENJOY!
He looks joyful. Terrific portraits.
Congrats, again!
You look so happy and content!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!
Gorgeous!
Congratulations! 🙂
Oooh! Your little man is so sweet! Congratulations!
Is it just me or does his smile totally look like your dad?
Ahhh, so fun to see your newest family member!!! Congrats Charlotte!!!!
congrats! adorable family!
Great pics; congrats, again, y’all!! 🙂
… beautiful 🙂
Congratulations!
he’s beautiful, congratulations!
soooo sweet
congrats!
Geat family portraits! He is sooooo lovely little boy 🙂
Love the first photo 🙂 Congrats again to you and Mike
Congrats!!!!! He’s beautyful!!! Hurrreeeey!!!!!!!))
(I love youre fotos!)
These photos are great my daughter was married in november 09 her photographer was bad. Wish she had you for her photos
Oh man…a waterfall…. why doesn’t that ever happen for me!?
Great set. Congratulations!
Are they Professional Model?
whoa! are they professional model…They look great and elegant with their post as if they are professional model. The pictures are brilliant and remarkable. Two Thumbs Up! The groom looks fabulous with his suits and the mens neckties are best paired in it. Nice choosing! The place are very unique and the ambiance is perfect in making photo shoots. How I wish I could go there and make some shoots. I really love it! Keep it Up…
Are they Professional Model?
whoa! are they professional model…They look great and elegant with their post as if they are professional model. The pictures are brilliant and remarkable. Two Thumbs Up! The groom looks fabulous with his suits and the mens neckties are best paired in it. Nice choosing! The place are very unique and the ambiance is perfect in making photo shoots. How I wish I could go there and make some shoots. I really love it! Keep it Up…
Thanks, Gina! The waterfall is Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs.
I LOVE the photos!!! I am getting married in May and am looking around for a photographer that is artistic and talented. If there is one thing that I am looking forward to, aside from marrying my fiance, are the pictures to take away from the big day. I want them to be awe inspiring yet capture the personality of us as a couple. Q: Where was the waterfall shot taken?
The photos by the waterfall are great! What a cool area for photography!
Hey Charlotte, these turned out AMAZING!!! They look so happy and relaxed. It’s always a pleasure working with you!
Amazing. One of my favorites that you’ve ever done. The Waterfall shots…WOW!
Also, Happy Birthday!
Amazing. One of my favorites that you’ve ever done. The Waterfall shots…WOW!
Also, Happy Birthday!
What an amazing thing for a photographer to be able to capture a representation of the beauty that is and envelops you two… you one.
Wow. Gorgeous. I just keep wondering about the cleaning bill for the lovely dress on the grass and in the water….
Absolutely Awesome pics, Bryan… stunning… I kept looking for the water horses on LOTR to come crashing in!
My wife is amazing… I am glad to have photos that capture the beautiful spirit that I see in her every day.
Love it love it love it!
You two too ;>)
I just… I mean… wow. and yay. Yay Jesus and yay you two. And yay Charlotte.
Killer session….what a great idea for a first anniversary session too! Amazing what you can do when you’re not worrying about the dress getting dirty!
Dad, I’ll send you the link to the whole gallery so you can order prints from Charlotte. She deserves the business! She was completely amazing to work with.
And thank you everyone for your comments. They mean more than you know.
Wow! I love these! Looks like it was so much fun! Our Father is so kind!
they look like a real royal couple 🙂
they look like a real royal couple 🙂
Thanks! I took photography classes from high school through grad school, and I continue to take seminars and learn from the internet, but most of what I do is self-taught. 🙂
Wow–beautiful piccies–how does proud father get his hand on a copy?
Tara you look gorgeous (and dangerous),Bryan as always handsome
Charlotte thank you for your great work
Tara- you are so beautiful.
I absoutley LOVE those pictures.
You both look so free and happy – what a beautiful day.
Thanks, guys!
Pete, I gladly travel anywhere! I travel to the UK about once a year, too, so if you are there, maybe we could work something out.
Congrats! What fun shots!
FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are unbelievable!!! You both look amazing- how special!!
i like photo made with fish-eye, it’s gorgeous! 🙂
Charlotte, who is your teacher? Or you are self-taught?
Tara, these are sooo much fun – what a great idea!
i like photo made with fish-eye, it’s gorgeous! 🙂
Charlotte, who is your teacher? Or you are self-taught?
Words can describe these stunning pics. !! Cheers Denis x
Wow!
A beautiful setting, a beautiful couple, a great day and a brilliant photographer too!
These are wonderful!
Tell me Charlotte do you travel overseas?
Tara, you really are the Beauty! Bryan you are a lucky man!
May God bless you greatly!
These are so cool. I always love your pictures.
Can you please email me at overtheedge916@yahoo.com? My family will be in Parker the week after Christmas & may be interested in meeting you.
Ohhhh it was a total “trash your dress” style photo session…I love it charlotte…amazing! I’ve always wanted to do that with my wedding dress!
These are fabulous!
Beautiful photos!
My daughter said, “That’s a pretty princess.”
These are fabulous!
Beautiful photos!
My daughter said, “That’s a pretty princess.”
Thanks! I love that one, too. I used a 15mm fisheye, and I was lying on my stomach on the edge of the reflecting pool.
These are gorgeous, Charlotte! I love all of them, but #5 is my favorite. Did you use a fish-eye lens on it?
It is! I believe it’s the sword of Arwen.
Amazing! But I wanna know about that sword!! Is it a lord of the rings one? Lol.
These are so cool!
wow SO COOL/v. beautiful and fun!
— she can really pose!!
love it! 🙂
Happy anniversary to them!
These are gorgeous, Charlotte! I love all of them, but #5 is my favorite. Did you use a fish-eye lens on it?
These are so cool!
wow SO COOL/v. beautiful and fun!
— she can really pose!!
Incredible. That area reminds me a lot of Eldorado canyon near Boulder. I’m going to have to book a destination wedding out there sometime.
Love these Charlotte! Love #5 and the one with the sword, how fun!
Wow, what a gorgeous location! Really beautiful photos. 🙂
And I must be a total nerd, cause the moment I saw the sword photo I was like, “Heeey, that’s Arwen’s sword!”
Super! I never made it down there for my Garden of the Gods shoot . . . to much real work to do. I’ll definitely have to put it on the list though.
Love it!
We’ve gotten girls to do a “get the dress a little dirty” session but not a full on trash the dress session – YET
wow, totally jealous of the waterfall. and a sword?!