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Hello! I'm a Colorado Springs wedding photographer and portrait photographer. I travel all over the country to document the
important moments in people's lives. My blog showcases some of my favorite photos of my clients and adventures. I update this
blog several times a week, so please visit frequently to see my latest images.
January 31, 2008
Care package extraordinaire!
I’ve been sick for so long now that it’s really been bringing me down. Today I got a box in the mail, and whoa! My parents went way over the top with goodies to cheer me up! Look at all the wonderful movies, magazines, and treats they sent! I was pretty shocked about it all. Of course this is much more than I could ever need, but it really did make me feel good today. Sometimes it’s hard for me to live far from home , but it’s nice to know that my parents are always there to help me out. Thanks, Mom and Dad! I love you! You are way too generous!
Those of you who know me well shouldn’t have any trouble guessing what I did first with these presents. Any guesses?
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Tags: my family
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January 30, 2008
I just heard the coolest news! My friend and fellow photographer, Kristina Carter, is holding a contest that I want to let you all know about. She is giving away free wedding photography to the couple who is planning a wedding that will make the least impact on the environment, and a positive impact on their community.
If you are planning an environmentally conscious, “green” wedding, please contact Kristina! She would love to reward a forward-thinking couple with her beautiful photography. She’ll even travel anywhere in the US to do it!
You can read about the contest here:
http://vraiphoto.blogspot.com/2008/01/impact-tip-you-can-make-impact_17.html
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From the guestbook of Jessica and Dave
Album cover (back, spine, and front)
I’ve been making lots of albums this winter! Here is a guestbook that I created for Jessica and Dave’s March wedding. I love this kind of guestbook! I used their engagement portraits, and left extra space for their wedding guests to sign the book. This is an 8″x10″ book with matte pages that lie flat, and a full-bleed photo cover.
Engagement guestbooks are always a huge hit at weddings–guests love looking through all the photos!
The rest of their guestbook
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Tags: albums, couples, engagement, signature guestbook
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January 28, 2008
Just when I thought I had gotten over a cold, I ended up with a secondary bug that has knocked me off my feet. I’ve been sick in bed for several days now. To add insult to injury, I’ve lost my senses of smell and taste, so I can’t even enjoy the dark chocolate that Mike brought to cheer me up.
There is something else that could help me feel better. Can anyone recommend an entertaining blog about American Idol? My favorite blog is Project Rungay, and I’d love to find something similar about Idol. Any suggestions?
While I’ve been sick, I’ve done a good job of getting client orders out in time, but I’m really getting to the point where I need to take some time off to get better. Please forgive me if it takes a little longer than usual for me to respond to emails and requests right now. I hope to be back on my feet very soon.
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January 23, 2008
Whit and Alexis
The Oxford Hotel
Denver, Colorado
January 19, 2008
Alexis and Whit got married Saturday with a fabulously stylish and contemporary celebration. The ceremony and reception took place at the Oxford Hotel in lower downtown Denver, just a block away from Union Station. The entire event was beautifully decorated with personal touches, and I totally loved the urban feel to all of it. Congratulations, Alexis and Whit!
My friend Brad Walters shot this wedding with me. Thanks, Brad!
More of my photos from their wedding
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Tags: denver, oxford hotel, weddings
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January 17, 2008
Mike at the aquarium
Tampa, Florida
January 6, 2008
Right now we’re stranded in Breckenridge, with a car that won’t start, and a balmy temperature of zero degrees F. As we wait for the tow truck, I thought I’d take an opportunity to look at more of the pictures of our trip to sunny Florida last week.
Here are more photos from my point-and-shoot camera of the last days of the DWF convention. Enjoy!
More photos from Tampa
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Tags: friends, personal photos
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January 10, 2008
Mike’s 32nd birthday
Breckenridge, Colorado
January 10, 2008
Look what we did today! I took Mike to Breckenridge today for his birthday, and surprised him with a dogsledding trip. It was fantastic! Those dogs were the friendliest, happiest little bundles of energy. As most of you know, Mike and I love dogs, so it was great to see these doggies so excited to be romping around in the snow. Whenever we stopped, they were eager to start running again.
We took turns driving the sled and riding as a passenger. On the uphill stretches, the passenger would get out to lighten the dogs’ load, and ride in the sleigh pulled by our guide’s skidoo. I took many of these photos and video from the bumpy skidoo, which was tricky. But it was a great ride.
Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes for Mike! We had a great day!
More photos and video from today
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Tags: colorado, personal photos, travel
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Happy birthday to my wonderful husband, Mike! Mike, I’m so lucky to have you as the center of my life. I wish you a wonderful day, and a new year full of adventure!
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January 9, 2008
The mock wedding at the DWF convention
(My view from the audience)
Tampa, Florida
January 5, 2008
This wedding was hilarious! On Saturday, the Digital Wedding Forum staged the “Wedding from Hell,” starring our fellow photographers as actors in the most comical wedding that I ever hope to witness. Four DWF members were selected to photograph the wedding and its preparations, to demonstrate to us how they handle difficult situations.
The wedding featured all kinds of difficulties, including a bride who was 6′2″, and a groom who was 5′2″. The mother of the bride wouldn’t stop wailing or criticizing the bride’s hair. The groomsmen were wasted, and were even passing the vodka around during the ceremony. The bridemaids were smoking and adjusting their cleavage during the ceremony. A guest stood in the middle of the aisle with his huge tripod, blocking the view. The wedding coordinator presented the photographers with a 17-page list of formal portraits. The groom’s stepmother was dressed like a tramp and trying to steal the show. The four photographers were sweating the whole time. The rest of us were laughing our heads off.
I took lots of photos that day, all of which were taken with my point-and-shoot from a safe distance. 
More photos from this mock wedding, and also from the dance club later that night
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Tags: friends, personal photos
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January 8, 2008
A pile of dead photographers in Tampa
Photo by Critsey Rowe
January 4, 2008
Q: What do you get when you cross hundreds of photographers and a hotel bar?
A: CSI Tampa
A wave of murders swept through the Hyatt in Tampa over the weekend. Photographer extraordinaire, Critsey Rowe, documented the murders as they occurred. She posted them in the DWF forum, and we all tried to figure out who dunnit.
Mike met his match in the hot tub
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Tags: friends, personal photos
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Mike and me at the 2008 DWF convention
Tampa, Florida
January 3, 2008
Wow, what a great weekend! We just got back from five days in Tampa for the annual convention of the Digital Wedding Forum. We attend this convention every year and have a wonderful time, but this was the best one yet. The DWF is a priceless resource for information and ideas, but what I love most about the forum are the people that I’ve met there. The DWF is a group of some of the most passionate and fun people that I’ve had the privilege of knowing. I’ve made so many friends, and I miss them already. I wish I didn’t have to wait another year to see them all again.
I took tons of photos with my little point-and-shoot. It’s not the most reliable camera, but it was handy to have it with me at all times!
** EDITED to add horrendously embarrassing video.
More photos from the DWF convention
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Tags: friends, personal photos
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January 2, 2008
Lisa and Josh
Air Force Academy Chapel
Colorado Springs
December 28, 2007
Lisa and Josh were such happy newlyweds that they barely noticed the cold! We took this picture right after their ceremony last Friday, and it must have been 15 degrees outside at the time. We walked out the chapel doors to a blue twilight sky. You all know how much I love twilight; I was almost as giddy as Josh and Lisa. Mike helped me with the lighting for these nighttime photos, and the four of us had a fun portrait session in the dark. After the ceremony and portraits, Lisa and Josh celebrated at a reception at the Air Force Academy Officer’s Club.
Congratulations, Lisa and Josh! Thanks for making me feel like part of the family, and thanks for braving the cold!
More photos from their wedding day
Categories: All posts, weddings
Tags: air force academy, colorado springs, weddings
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Me, freezing my patootie in Breckenridge
December 31, 2007
Mike and I decided to spend New Year’s Eve in Breckenridge. We made it as far as the parking lot at the base of a lift. My fingers lost sensation before I finished buckling up my boots. We took a couple quick pictures, and got back in the car to go home. One of the many great things about living in Colorado is that there will always be another day to go skiing.
A couple more pictures
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Tags: personal photos
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January 1, 2008
Janie on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2007
Happy new year, everyone! I’ve had so much fun over the holidays that I haven’t had a chance to post Christmas pictures yet. I hope your Christmas was good!
More pictures from our Christmas
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Tags: my family, my pets, personal photos
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