Bekah & The Blameless {Portrait Session #4}

As I plan to endear myself to all things that speak of summer in the coming days, I can often be found sitting in front of a window, staring out at the great green foliage, making plans for picnics and pool days.  The colors of summer have already long been a companion though, as you can see in the following photos from late March!  But with life whirling by, I’ve been amiss in keeping the world updated on my lovely sister Bekah’s inspired musical project, The Blameless, and the album print shoot we did several weeks ago.  Now that the album is recorded, designed and being printed, I have express permission to share some of the photos from this series.

These photos, though as I said were taken in March, remind me of summer.  They are full of the life, color, humor and exquisite grace that many call Bekah Wagner.  Her album is full of the same and I hope you’ll mark your calendars to purchase it on June 12^th.  Until then, let the color and Joy of summer, shown here, inspire you to turn on your favorite song (mine is currently any off of this album) and soak up some sunshine.

Find out more about Bekah’s upcoming album at www.bekahwagner.com 

See Bekah’s writing session HERE! 

See Bekah in the studio HERE! 

See Bekah in an intimate house show HERE!

Finally, see the making of The Blameless HERE!

 

If you have a journey you’d like to capture to film, please contact us!  We’d love to collaborate.  

on a personal note... {personal portrait photography: Denver, CO}

“Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing.” –Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows 

As it so often does, May has descended on our family with its typical force of frenzied schedules and dreaded life change.  Because of this, I apologize for my absence of late. 

Over the last 10 days our family has been mourning the loss of Drew’s beloved Grandmother.  He came home yesterday from time in Buffalo, NY with family celebrating her memory, life and legacy.  She was a lovely and precious woman whose love for Jesus makes her passing full of peace and joy for many those she left behind.  It can truly be said that she is in a better place, for which we are all grateful. 

Since Henry and I could not join Drew and his family, we took a few days off to be in the Springs with my family as we prepare to celebrate my little brother’s recent graduation from High School, as well as his departure to the USAF Special Forces in just two weeks.  Time with him is precious now so I’ve been neglecting my work of late to soak up these last moments with my courageous ‘baby’ brother.

With all the heartache of change, even when change is good, May will also bring some gorgeous weddings, some babies, a photography conference, styled photo shoots, a bit of travel, and the beginning of an exciting personal photo project on our family blog. That means more posts soon, so please keep checking in AND thinking of me as you makes plans to capture the summer fun ahead for each of your beautiful families. 

The quote I began with, from one of my all time favorite books, reminds me that there is light that can penetrate even the darkest moments of sadness and change, creating a longing for something more joyful and adventurous. Personally, I often need a physical reminder, so I close with images from one of Henry and I’s recent adventures, hunting for dandelions and sunshine.  I brought some film along, something I like to do but rarely share here.  I hope these inspire you to spend some time in nature this week.  Nothing will inspire your life and art more then a bit of fresh air.

  

the 2012 Mendoza Family {Colorado Springs, CO: a simple session}

One of the benefits to being a photographer is the relationships and friendships created through sharing life’s wonderful moments together. This morning I’m ecstatic to share photos birthed from a friendship with the Mendoza family, which long predates my professional photography career. These wonderful friends where friends and models in the very beginning and if you’ve followed the blog for awhile you’ve seen their radiant smiles gracing these pages before.

This time around, we caught up over cozy afternoon, in their cozy and gorgeous home, celebrating Auggie and Lisa’s 25^th wedding anniversary, several BIG birthdays for the kids, and Augustine’s imminent High School graduation.  It’s a big year for this family and I’m honored to celebrate with them, as a friend and photographer. 

All my love Mendoza family.  I can’t wait for a summer of BBQ’s and Flea Markets with you all!

 

Henry turnes 1 year old {Denver, CO: Personal Portrait Photography}

This morning, at 11:20 am, my son Henry James turned 1 year old.  I’m in shock and awe at how fast this first year of knowing him flew by.  I’ve been an emotional wreck all day feeling both fully grateful and joyful about this monumental occasion as well as sorrow filled that time is running away.  In some moments I wish I could go back and relive every moment of this year again. {Yes, even the poop explosions, sleepless nights, and countless tears from both Henry and I.} But man, one sure is fun!

I’ve thought so much about this day and all the things I want to say to express the emotions overflowing in my heart.  I could talk about Henry and Drew and our journey as a family for hours and days and weeks.  The heart of that talk though would be that I consider myself beyond blessed and lucky to know Henry James.  Not only has he caught onto life and it’s adventures so quickly this year, he has a veracity for adventure and a curiosity that never ends, both of which I hope he will never loose site of.  He is pure boy.  He is pure cuteness.  He is pure joy.  He is ticklish like his Mom and he says ‘Dada’ exclusively.  His laugh is easy and contagious.  He is overly friendly and a bit of a flirt.  He loves all things electronic and will definitely be a child of the 21^st century. 

As you can see from the photos below, he loves the camera, and a good thing too since his Mom has taken an obscene number of photos since the day he was born.  If for no other reason, I’m blessed to be photographer so I could witness, capture and preserve these precious moments, of a precious life, in my precious family. 

Happy Birthday Henry James.  I love you with all my heart.

{2 Seconds Old}

{1 Day Old}

{2 Weeks Old}

{1 Month Old}

{2 Months Old}

{3 Months Old}

{4 Months Old}

{5 Months Old}

{6 Months Old}

{7 Months Old}

{8 Months Old}

{9 Months Old}

{10 Months Old}

{11 Months Old}

{1 Year Old Today!}

Bendinelli Family {denver, co: maternity photography}

Meet our new friends, Jordan, Elmarie and Baby Bendinelli! Drew and I have really enjoyed getting to know this sweet couple over the last few months and when they invited me into their home to capture this exciting time for their growing family, I was honored and so excited!

Elmarie and I planned this shoot around a few key things: beautiful light, bright color blocking and accents (a design aesthetic close to Elmarie’s heart,) and some subtle odes to Elmarie’s homeland of South Africa. I think the photos will speak for themselves about the beauty of this family and this season in their lives.