Lyndsey and Sergio enjoy wine tasting together, so it was only fitting to incorporate wine into their engagement session. I have this theory….basically, that we are surrounded by demands to conform, albeit for safety or the sake of order. And in this world of conformity, too often, we don’t feel safe to express who we really are at our core. It is a constant challenge for me as a photographer and on a personal level to create this safe place and find what “sparks” those around me. For Lyndsey and Sergio, the “spark” was wine tasting with each other. We started out with some other photos, but when they sat in the grass and started to open their wine, that’s when I saw their “spark”. There was a stark contrast from the nervousness before and you could immediately sense a calm ease around them. They were in their own little world where they were genuinely content and happy in opening, smelling, and sipping their wine and in savoring that moment. All the formalities were stripped away and they were completely and exactly as they are.
In the movie Memento (which I saw this week), the main character, Leonard Shelby, is asked to remember his wife and he says, “You can just feel the details. The bits and pieces you never bothered to put into words. And you can feel these extreme moments, even if you don’t want to. You put these together, and you get the feel of a person.” As a photographer, I have to remember that if I have to create a place where it is safe to express the details that make up who we are and this will lead to moments and images that are timeless and a true essense of who they are as individuals and as couples. And with that, here are some of my favorites from Lyndsey and Sergio’s engagement session…
I caught Sergio brushing Lyndsey’s hair out of her face. I love these simple little gestures that couples do for each other.
Jennifer and John met each other in class. And when I say “class”, I don’t mean high school or college class. I’m talking about PH.D.’s in Neuroscience. They found love through molecules, nerve cells, biology and science…could they have a cuter story? I always advise my couples to bring items that reflect who they are, and Jennifer and John brought their “baby” with them. They joked that their “baby” is their Neuroscience textbook, which has grown to be an inseparable extension of who they are, for better or worse. It was heartwarming to see how they had grown together through this shared passion in their studies. Their relationship allowed each person to be just as they are, which may explain why their relationship was filled with smiles and laughter. I loved Jennifer’s care-free laugh and I love that John loved her laugh.
Of the many things that I love about being a photographer, I love that moment when I am post processing a collection of images and I get this warm glow in my heart and I naturally start smiling as I look through the images and reflect upon the love of that couple. Jennifer and John’s collection was no exception to this and I count myself lucky for the opportunity to capture their heartwarming relationship. Plus, they are so nice…they didn’t degrade me with their ultra brilliant intellects, which they easily could have.
The photos were taken at Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver, Colorado. Lakeside opened in 1908 and has now become the older and smaller amusement park in the Denver metro area. Lakeside provided a wonderfully nostalgic and classic backdrop for the photos. It was interesting to see how the color combinations and fonts have been in play there to create the unique Lakeside atmosphere.
Lookin’ stylish and hanging out in front of the coaster. I love that “coaster” font.
I love it when couples bring some of their favorite accessories to the photo session. Small items, like John’s hat, adds that little “umph” to the image.
I love the font in the photo below. That combination of the classic font with a Jennifer and John hugging in front works for me.
And the beloved textbook is pictured below. It never leaves them and is forever intertwined in their life. 
Thursday, July 15, 2010 Posted in Wedding
High fives. Jokes. Laughter. Hugs. Cheers. Hootin’n'hollering. A few happy tears. These were the sounds and sights of Celia and Chris’s wedding. It was wonderful seeing not only the love that Celia and Chris have for each other, but seeing their love surrounded by another kind of deep love from their family and friends. They were surrounded by family and friends who celebrated with them as if their marriage was the event of the century. Their friends and family took the words “happy” and “celebrate” to a whole other level. There were smiles all around the room. When someone can be so happy for another and celebrate with someone as if it where their best moment, that is love. Family and friends joked with each other, served each other cake, toasted each other, high-fived the groom, did The Worm on the dance floor, had a dance-off and chanted for the bride and groom to get down on the dance floor…this is love. Celia and Chris, may your love for each other grow and may you continue to bask in the abundance of the love from those around you.
I love the image below because it reminds me of my relationship with my grandmother. I am very close to my grandmother and it was so meaningful to have her at my wedding. I love how sweet Celia is and is holding her Aunt’s hand. This is on the way to see Chris for the first time in their wedding attire.
I love Chris’s vest…he makes it look stellar.
We all loved the architecture at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, which was located across the street from the Curtis Hotel, so I wanted to make sure I caught some of the architecture in the images. 
I had a lot of favorite images from their wedding, and the image below is one of those favorites.
The B&W image of Chris below is one of my favorites.
Is it possible to have too many favorites? I love, love, love the two images below.
VENDORS
Wedding and Reception Venue: Curtis Hotel, Denver, Colorado
Wedding Planner/Coordination: Lindsay at Bliss Events LLC
Wedding dress: Nicole Miller
Bridal dress boutique: Anna Be
Wedding dress alternations: The Wedding Seamstress
Lighting: Lighting and Design by Scott
Officiant: Carol Seaman
Cake: The Curtis Hotel Bakery
Saturday, July 3, 2010 Posted in Wedding
Kate and Kevin got married at the beautiful Calvary Church in Golden, Colorado. A few blocks from the church was this amazing open space with old rustic cabins, farm equipment and lush gardens and trails…you know I couldn’t resist and I took the couple there for some photos.
Their dog, Mikey, is a big part of Kevin and Kate’s life and I loved incorporating him into their wedding photos. I love how Mikey adds a sense of “interest” into the photo…I think it gets people thinking about the story of these three subjects. I truly hope that the three of them will live happily ever after as a new family.
And to end, a beautiful group shot from Austin of the bridal party…
VENDORS
Wedding and receptionvenue: Calvary Church, Golden, Colorado
Hair: Hair Spalon, Golden, Colorado
Bridal dress designer: Winnie Couture
Catering: Celebrations Catering, Lakewood, Colorado
Monday, June 28, 2010 Posted in Wedding
I feel so fortunate to photograph weddings in Colorado. There are some breathtaking places in Colorado and melding those beautiful scenes with a couple in love just naturally lends itself to pure beauty. Against the beautiful backdrop of red boulders and lush greenery at Arrowhead Golf Club was Brenda and Joe. The way that they peacefully look into each others’ eyes and smile at each other makes it obvious that they simply enjoy the moments that they are next to each other. There’s just a certain way that he looks at her and smiles when he sees her – she is simply beautiful to him. She walks confidently in her elegant beauty knowing that her husband thinks that she is the most beautiful person in the world. Sometimes she would catch him looking at her, and she would look in his eyes and flash a warm, comforting smile back at him, as if to say that everything is going to be alright. Their relationship is simply beautiful.
I love, love, love this image of them practicing their first dance next to the lake at Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton, Colorado.
The image below is a candid moment when the two thought no one was looking. So playful, peaceful and comfortable with each other. I love the hair in her face…not necessarily “perfect”, but makes it so much more touching.
A happy and beautiful bride…
I think one of the most powerful images are of the bride looking at herself for the first time after she is in her dress. I love seeing that moment when the bride truly embraces and feels completely beautiful in a way that she has never felt at any other time in her life.
I love the smoke wisps from the candle in the image below. I love photos that speak to the non-visual senses. 
The image below is a great candid capture from Austin as the newlyweds are headed off to the reception. So happy together.
Another great candid image from Austin below.
VENDORS
Venue and catering: Arrowhead Golf Club, Littleton, Colorado
Wedding dress shop: Amanda’s Bridal and Tux, Arvada, Colorado
Cake: The Market, Denver, Colorado
Band: Mariachi Real Del Monte, Denver, Colorado
![[Facebook]](http://www.andreakphoto.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.andreakphoto.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.andreakphoto.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
by Andrea K Photo
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend