Cayton Photo Journal

A nice note from Heather and Dale

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:33:00 +0000

"We have our album and I ABSOLUTELY love it! I really couldn't be happier with your work and presence throughout the arc of our wedding planning and wedding. When I look back through my pics I FEEL my day again -- the joy and the nuances. And I can't tell you how many of our friends have complimented your work! I get a lot of, "Heather, this should be in a magazine!" You were a joy to work with, Sean, and the album is a joy to look through. I pick it up when *I* need a pick-me up :)" — Heather Heather's note makes my day. If you didn't see their wedding slide show click here. If you haven't see their coffee table books, click here. Thanks so much Heather! — Sean

Ashley & Jaret's Coffee Table Book

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:16:00 +0000

We just received Ashley and Jaret's Coffee Table Book in the mail and it looks wonderful! Ashley and Jaret were married Saturday June 27, 2009 at the Air Force Academy. Their reception was held at Dootlittle Hall. Ashely and Jaret decided on our coffee table book with linen pages and a black slipcover with silver type. I love their image selection! There's a beautiful love story and some fantastic portraits. The cover of their album is a lot of fun. And while there are a lot of images in their book, it doesn't feel crowded. Click here to see a slide show of Ashley and Jaret's wedding. I can't wait for them to see their book! — Cathy

Tara and Aaron's Coffee Table Book

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:55:00 +0000

We just received Tara and Aaron's Coffee Table Book in the mail and it's beautiful! Tara and Aaron were married September 4, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Their wedding reception was held at the Phanton Canyon Brewery. Our associate Brienne photographed their wedding day. Their book has a lot of wonderful storytelling moments and there's some really wonderful portraits of them at the railyard near the church. They decided to see each other before their ceremony and I'm super glad they did. Their book is twenty pages and comes with a slipcover for extra protection. Click here to see a slide show of Tara and Aaron's wedding day. I can't wait for them to see their book! — Sean

Kelsy and Larry's Cuchara, Colorado Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Kelsy and Larry were married Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Cuchara, Colorado. I posted a sneak peak of their wedding here. Kelsy and Larry met in college and live and work in Kansas City. Kelsy's family has a beautiful vacation home in Cuchara and the couple decided it was the perfect place for their destination wedding. Needless to say, it was the perfect time of year too. The fall colors were absolutely brilliant. Kelsy and Larry saw each other before their wedding and we made some great portraits in the fall light. Their ceremony was held later in the afternoon with a view of the Spanish Peaks a few miles away. A harvest moon graced their reception. Click here to see a slide show of their wedding day. Thank you Kelsy and Larry for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day! — Sean

Halloween 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:15:00 +0000

For the third year in a row, we photographed the neighborhood kids as they went door-to-door. Costumes this year were fantastic. This little oompa loompa (left) was a dead ringer for the real thing. We are delivering hi-resolution images by e-mail to everyone who was photographed. If you forgot how to access the pictures, please e-mail me or call our office. Click here to see a brief slide show of our neighborhood's trick-or-treaters. Thanks to everyone who participated, it was great fun! — Sean

How to photograph your children

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:51:00 +0000

On Halloween night Abby brought her glow in the dark wand and halo to bed with her. After we turned out the lights, I caught this moment. Parents should make a habit of photographing their children. They are the ones in the best position to do it! I'm planning a class that shows parents how to make incredible pictures of their child. If you have an interest, please send me a note and I will make sure you receive advance notice of the class. — Sean

Erin and Seth's Coffee Table Book

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:19:00 +0000

We just received Erin and Seth's Coffee Table Book in the mail and it's gorgeous! Erin and Seth were married Saturday August 1, 2009 outside on the patio at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Their reception was held in the adjacent ballroom. Their book had 20 pages and it come with a black slipcover. The pages are linen and are laminated for additional protection. Erin and Seth are a dashing couple. I love how their portraits (including a session at the Broadmoor Hotel) are displayed throughout the book. Click here to see their wedding slide show. I can't wait for them to see their book! — Cathy

Vanessa and Neal's Arrowhead Golf Course Wedding

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Vanessa and Neal were married Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the Arrowhead Golf Course. I posted a sneak peek of Vanessa and Neal's wedding here. It was important to Vanessa and Neal to involve both their families in their wedding ceremony. Sydney and Madison, Vanessa's daughters, were her bridesmaids. I love this picture of Vanessa and Neal seeing each other for the first time as Sydney and Madison look on. Vanessa and Neal also had family perform several pieces of music throughout the ceremony. It was a lovely day and the ceremony was held as the sun set behind the red rocks that surround the golf course. Click here to see a brief slide show of Vanessa and Neal's Arrowhead Golf Course wedding. Thank you Vanessa and Neal for inviting me to be part of your wedding day! — Cathy

Sage, Coco and their grandparents

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:09:00 +0000

Our friends Molly and Tyler scheduled a sitting with their kids Sage and Coco and their grandparents in Manitou Springs. I photographed them on Thursday and we had a great time. I love planning a session around an activity. Doing things together is a great way to get spontaneous and meaningful moments without a photographer choreographing the shot. We went to the Penny Arcade, stopped at the Colorado Custard Company and then found some color in the local park. What a great gift idea! — Sean

Many thanks to Independent readers

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:20:00 +0000

For the third year in a row, Cayton Photography was voted among the three best photographers in Colorado Springs by readers of the Colorado Springs Independent. We're proud to say we've garnered all three of the top spots three years running and we're grateful to all of the readers of the Colorado Springs Independent for their unsolicited support! Check out the best of issue on stands now! — Sean

Meghan and Michael's Denver Botanic Gardens Wedding

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:50:00 +0000

Meghan and Michael were married Friday, September 25 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Sean posted a sneak peek of their wedding here. Meghan and Michael's ceremony was held in the All-American Selection Garden. Afterwards I photographed Meghan and Michael around the gardens. I love this silhouette, above. Meghan and Michael held their reception at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We made it just in time to enjoy a spectacular sunset on the balcony with the Denver Skyline as a backdrop. Meghan and Michael love dinosaurs, legos and karaoke. After dinner they opened up the mic for their guests. Hearing the performances was almost better than the pictures. It made me wish I had a video camera in my bag. Click here to see a brief slide show of Meghan and Michael's Denver Botanic Gardens Wedding. Thank you Meghan and Michael for inviting me to photograph your amazing wedding day! — Cathy

Story time with Pooh Bear

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:12:00 +0000

I found this scene in Abby's room before dinner and photographed it with my iPhone. Pooh Bear was reading Three Little Pigs and everyone had a snack:)— Sean

Angie and Chris' Air Force Academy Wedding (Sneak Peek)

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Angie and Chris were married at the Air Force Academy Chapel on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. They celebrated with a reception at Doolittle Hall. You might remember Angie and Chris from their dramatic Washington DC engagement sitting here. Angie and Chris love the mountains and the Garden of the Gods. So, we arranged a private moment for them at the park before their ceremony. I love this shot of Chris seeing Angie for the first time. Maggie of Celebrations by Maggie helped Angie and Chris plan their destination wedding. Jean-Marie Floral Designs did an incredible job with the flowers and ddg Classics provided a beautiful Rolls Royce for them to depart in. Be sure to stay tuned for a slide show of Angie and Chris' Air Force Academy wedding soon! — Sean

A Dog's Life

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +0000

"Art depends on there being affection in its creators life, and an artist must find ways, like everyone else, to nourish it. A photographer down on his or her knees picturing a dog has found pleasure enough to make many things possible." — Robert Adams, Why People Photograph

Nearly nine years ago to the day we picked him up at the pound, we lost our friend and companion. There were many things to love about Boris, but above all was his devotion to our family and his enthusiasm for life. To paraphrase Adams, if you proposed a walk to Boris his response was, "Absolutely Yes!" Click here to see a slide show of our dog's life. We will always remember him and we will miss him. — Sean

Dave and Jen's Napa Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Seven years ago today I photographed Dave and Jen's wedding day in Napa County. It was one of my first-ever destination weddings, and as weddings go it was also one of the best. I've been friends with Dave since college and when he called and asked me to be his photographer on the big day I immediately said yes. I wasn't the only photographer at their wedding. Jen also had a friend who joined us and covered her side on the wedding day. The setting was incredible. The ceremony was held in a forest of Redwoods and the reception was held in a vineyard above with uninterrupted views of the valley below. What a magical day. I thought it appropriate on their anniversary to share some of their pictures here. Click here to view brief slide show of their wedding day. Happy wedding anniversary Dave and Jen! — Sean

Danielle and Dietmar's Broadmoor Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:14:00 +0000

Danielle and Dietmar were married Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Broadmoor Hotel. I posted a sneak peek of their wedding here. They hosted an intimate destination wedding for their closest friends and family. Maggie of Celebrations by Maggie helped them plan the affair. Danielle and Dietmar's ceremony was outside at the Mountain View Terrace. They also decided to see each other before the ceremony and that allowed us to make some dramatic portraits around the hotel. A lot of care and attention went into their wedding and it showed with fantastic details and wonderful music. Click here to view brief slide show of their wedding day. Thank you Danielle and Dietmar for inviting me to photograph your wedding! — Sean

Christine and Nathan's Coffee Table Book

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:14:00 +0000

We just received Christine and Nathan's Coffee Table Book in the mail and it looks wonderful. Christine and Nathan were married September 20, 2008 at Keystone Ranch. Keystone Ranch offers a rustic charm and incredible food and their ceremony site with views of the mountains is a great setting. Christine and Nathan's coffee table book has some really wonderful spreads and while there are a lot of pictures in their coffee table book it doesn't feel too crowded. Because of the number of photographs they decided to add another 10 pages to their book. I love the way our designer overlaid the images and included great details from the wedding within different chapters. The pages are linen and laminated for additional protection. The book itself comes with a black slip cover with silver type, also for protection. Click here to see a slide show of Christine and Nathan's Keystone Ranch wedding. I can't wait for Christine and Nathan to see it!

Harper's First Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Three years ago we photographed Abby's first haircut at Blades Salon in Manitou Springs. See pictures from Abby's first haircut here. This year it was Harper's turn. Stylist Melanie Le Doux offers parents with small children a great deal on a haircut. (Blades also does a great job styling for brides too.) I thought I would come along with my camera again and capture this coming-of-age ritual. Harper's no longer a baby. He's turning into a child with childlike whims and desires and of course a growing head of strawberry blond hair...:) — Sean

Kelsy and Larry's Cuchara, Colorado Wedding (Sneak Peek)

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:35:00 +0000

I photographed Kelsy and Larry's wedding in Cuchara on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Cuchara, Colorado is one of Colorado's hidden gems. It sits on the western slope of the Spanish Peaks in a quiet mountain valley between the towns of Trinidad and La Veta. Kelsy's parents and grandparents have homes there. Kelsy and Larry's wedding was a true Colorado destination wedding, perfectly timed. The Aspen were peaking in color. Kelsy and Larry also decided to see each other before the wedding and that really allowed us to explore the valley. I love this portrait of Kelsy and Larry in an Aspen grove near their ceremony site. Their ceremony was held outside in near perfect weather and Kelsy's parents hosted the reception at their home. Stay tuned for a slide show of Kelsy and Larry's Cuchara, Colorado wedding soon! – Sean

Kyndra and Chris' Colorado Springs Wedding (Sneak Peek)

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:10:00 +0000

I photographed Kyndra and Chris' wedding at St. Mary's Church Saturday, October 3, 2009. Kyndra and Chris celebrated afterwards with a reception at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sounds like an odd place for a reception, but it was so much fun. There were a lot of children in attendance at the wedding and it was a great place to explore. I love this romantic image of Kyndra and Chris at the end of the night by the carousel. Kyndra and Chris also decided to stop at the Garden of the Gods on the way to the zoo and we made some fabulous portraits there. Stay tuned for a slide show of their Kyndra and Chris' Colorado Springs wedding soon! — Cathy

Vanessa and Neal's Arrowhead Golf Course Wedding (Sneak Peek)

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:48:00 +0000

I photographed Vanessa and Neal's wedding at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton Thursday, October 1, 2009. Arrowhead Golf Course is one of the prettiest spots in the Denver area for a wedding. It offers couples incredible views of the red rock formations and it's also a great value. Vanessa and Neal decided on an unusual day for their wedding, but it turned out perfectly. Vanessa's daughter Sydney and Madison were bridesmaids in the wedding and they didn't seem to mind the camera at all:) Stay tuned for a slide show of Vanessa and Neal's Arrowhead Golf Course wedding soon! — Cathy

Anne and Michael's Pauline Chapel Wedding

cathy@caytonphotography.com (Cathy Cayton) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Anne and Michael were married at Pauline Chapel Monday, September 7, 2009. I posted a sneak peek of their wedding here. Anne and Michael were married in the morning and held a lunch reception across the street in the Lake Terrace dining room at the Broadmoor Hotel. I love this shot of Anne and Michael exiting the chapel by bubbles. Maggie of Celebrations by Maggie helped to plan their day. One idea that is always popular with our couples is a group photograph at the cocktail hour. It's a nice way to photograph all of your guests and not have to pose for too many stuffy formal photographs. Click here to see a slide show of Anne and Michael's Pauline Chapel wedding. Thanks Anne and Michael for inviting me to photograph your wedding! — Cathy

Fall colors are in full swing

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:46:00 +0000

The fall colors are in full swing. This image was made Saturday when I arrived at Kelsy and Larry's wedding in Cuchara, Colorado. The ski run behind is the Cuchara Ski Resort. This is likely the last week for color so get out and enjoy it! — Sean

Ashley and Chris' Wedding at The Nature Place

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:50:00 +0000

Ashley and Chris were married at The Nature Place in Florissant, Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. I posted a sneak peek of their wedding here. Ashley and Chris' wedding ceremony began on a butte with views of Pikes Peak, but a rain storm quickly moved in and the ceremony moved into the lodge. As a photographer a change in plans can be very fortunate indeed. A story unfolds. Real moments are everywhere! Still, because Ashley and Chris saw each other before their wedding, we made some fabulous portraits with the mountaintop views. And when the rain came, Tricia with Finesse Events took charge. Thanks Tricia! Click here to see a slide show of Ashley and Chris' wedding at The Nature Place. Thanks Ashley and Chris for inviting me to photograph your wedding! — Sean

Fall portraits of Abby and Harper

noreply@blogger.com (Sean Cayton) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Last week we took Abby and Harper on a walk to check out the fall colors that are turning here in Colorado Springs. I brought my camera to take some portraits of the kids. A nice fall afternoon is a great time to photograph children. They are discoverers and a change in the leaves leaves plenty to discover:) I try to do these mini-portrait sessions with my kids at least once every couple of months. Anyone with children can practice this same type of portrait photography on their own. The recipe for success? Let your kids be themselves. Our walk went around the block and by the time we got back, I had several nice frames. These I like the best. They show their personalities and their expressions are priceless. Today happens to be a perfect day to take a walk with your kids and don't forget to bring your camera. Happy shooting! — Sean