Introducing Morgan and Laramie

What a joy it was to photograph Morgan and Larmie’s Lost Mission wedding. It was my third time photographing this wonderful family. Morgan has two sisters, Shelby the oldest, and McKenzie who is Morgan’s twin. It turned out to be a trifecta of beautiful brides.

One thing I love about each of these girls is how they made their wedding their own. Morgan and Laramie chose an amazing southwest venue in Lost Mission. It was the perfect location in the hill country of San Antonio, complete with a Spanish-themed church.

The Wedding

With the guests seated it was time for Laramie to see his bride come down the aisle. Morgan was escorted by her father Coyt and she looked stunning. All eyes were on Morgan as Coyt in tradition gave her away to Laramie. The ceremony was topped off by a mid-way recessional kiss and of course, ringing the church bell (a tradition).

Special thanks to

Our Partner Vendors

No wedding happens without a supporting cast. Here are the amazing behind-the-scenes vendors who help made Morgan and Laramie’s special day go off without a hitch! Special thanks to Becca Furnish for second shooting.

• Planner – Jennifer Craft
• Caterer – Lost Mission
• Florist – Flowers by Brenda
• Baker – Painted Cake by Tomas
• DJ & Band – Gary Glenn and the 20x band
• Hair & Makeup – Southern Belles Beauty
• Beer Donkeys – Ears with Beers
• Live Painter: Snap Chic Painting

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Any time you get to do Sedona engagement photos with a gorgeous couple, it’s like winning the lottery. Getting to run around the Red Rocks and take amazing photos of your clients in the high country, jackpot! Read on to see how these two CRUSHED three different locations for their photos.

A Beautiful Fall Day for Sedona Engagement Photos

When we were discussing engagement locations with Michael and Iulia I was hoping they would choose Sedona. It’s a destination location from Phoenix as it takes about 2 hours to get there, so it’s definitely a commitment for a couple. However, the payoff is always worth it just like Nate and Amy’s Cathedral Rock engagement. Once we had decided to make the trip, I wanted to make sure these two went home with an overwhelming amount of gorgeous photos. I suggested three locations that would provide them with some unique looks to have more than just your average engagement session. They were up to the task and our adventure was set!

Our first location was Red Rock Crossing. A popular location in Sedona as it offers a variety of looks. Open spaces with views of Cathedral Rock, a working water wheel, and scenic wooded views along Oak Creek. This location alone can serve as your one stop location for stunning photos. Michael and Iulia met me in the parking lot and we went over the plan for the day. They started their session is fun casual wear and it fit perfectly with the landscape.

I could see right away with working with Michael and Iulia how much they love each other. From their playful nature, to the look in their eyes, these two are meant for each other. Wrapping up our time at Red Rock Crossing, we ventured back into Sedona on our way to Airport Mesa. This is always a risky call as the parking area holds about 6 cars. You can almost never find a spot and have to drive up to the top and back down hoping to catch someone leaving. Luck decided to reward us for our patience as we managed to get a spot. A short climb later and we were enjoying majestic views of Sedona proper. Michael and Iulia continued their streak of crushing each frame. I seriously need to hire these two models who pretend to be lawyers.

Here we are on the third and final location. My super trooper clients were up to the challenge and saved the best for last. I know, hard to imagine topping what they have already done. Yet, they did. Sunset magic in Sedona with these two took it to a whole new level. Just wow. Michael hit full stride and Iulia of course just kept it going like she did all day. I can’t imagine what their wedding will be like in Romania this fall. Of course Sedona would also make for a great wedding location just like Sean and Lisa’s Sedona wedding.

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What a joy it was to photograph Jerry and Tammy’s Las Sendas Golf Club wedding. These two were put in a stressful situation a week before their wedding day and I was so happy to help them out. Read on to hear more about their big day.

A Beautiful Day for a Las Sendas Golf Club Wedding

This year has been total chaos with Covid and the disruption it has caused in so many people’s lives. We all have felt it in more ways than one. Jerry and Tammy got to experience another level of it the week before their wedding. I received a phone call from Jolyn the wedding coordinator at Las Sendas asking me if I had availability for the coming Saturday (the call was on a Tuesday). I told her I did happen to have the Saturday free. She told me her couple had an emergency in the fact their photographer had to bail on them due to Covid. I can’t even imagine the stress they felt hearing that. Jolyn had called me as I have photographed weddings at their venue in the past and received rave reviews from the clients. We arranged for me to photograph Jerry and Tammy’s wedding which immediately brought the stress level back to normal.

Jerry and Tammy are both in law enforcement and had recently moved to Phoenix from Chicago. Tammy was getting ready with her girls at their house while Jerry was hanging with the guys at Las Sendas. When possible I think it’s a great option for bride’s to get ready in the comfort of their own home. They have access to anything they need. Tammy was in the early stages of the makeup process upon my arrival. Her bridesmaids were also getting hair and makeup done as everyone was excited to their girl walk down the aisle.

Wrapping up all the prep photos, we headed out to Las Sendas. I left ahed of the bridal train to catch up with Jerry and his fellas. We grabbed the normal groom / groomsmen shots and headed to the golf course for a few fun ones of him and his guys. The views offered by Las Sendas are absolutely stunning.

Tammy and her father did a first look which always brings tears to my eyes. The raw emotion from these first looks is so moving. Every time I imagine what it will be like when my daughter gets married one day. After the tears were wiped away, it was time for our couple to prepare for the ceremony. Jerry and his groomsmen had one heckuva of an entrance. With the ESPN football theme playing they came running up to the ceremony site and even broke into a center / quarterback hike. What a way to make an entrance! Tammy made her way up the aisle (no theme music) with dad handing her off to Jerry. Vows were exchanged and time for formals. We made our way around the golf course getting some amazing images of the newly weds.

As the sun set it was time to get our couple ready for the grand entrance! With music blaring, our couple made their way in dancing with Tammy brandishing a pair of drum sticks. I still don’t know where she hid those. The night was filled with dances, toasts, and reception shenanigans. The way it should be. I was so thankful to be able to be a part of their day and help them out. I wish them the very best! Below you will find a few of my favorite photos from their Las Sendas Golf Club wedding.

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What is about having a golf course wedding? Well in Arizona we have plenty of gorgeous venues to choose from to make your day special. Nate and Amy did just that with picking the Las Sendas Golf Club. Read on to see more of their fabulous wedding!

A Perfect Day for a Golf Course Wedding

This year has been anything but ordinary. So many couples have had their dream weddings put on hold while the world deals with the current Covid crisis. Nate and Amy were one of those couples. Their wedding was originally set for April of this year but like so many they had to delay it. After waiting the whole summer their big day finally arrived. I’m not sure who was more excited, them or me.

We met up with our bride and groom offsite from the venue as they were getting ready. Opting not to do a first look, a carefully orchestrated isolation plan was in place. No seeing each other! Amy was busy in the shows of getting hair and makeup done, while Nate was enjoying his time with his groomsmen. Those guys know how to get the party warmed up with some crazy antics. Too crazy to actually post on this blog (let’s just say some bare buts were shown). As our happy couple finished the final stages of getting ready, gifts were exchanged between the two. A mixture of fun and practical was represented with the gifts. As the clock struck three it was time to head to Las Sendas for the big day.

The first order of business at the venue was to do a first look with Amy’s dad. These are always special and get me every time. Amy looked absolutely stunning as her dad turned around to take in the beautiful woman his little girl had become. With emotions running high it was time to prepare for the ceremony. Guests arrived and took their seats awaiting for our bride to make her grand entrance. Amy made her way down the aisle to a teary eyed groom. As the ceremony commenced I couldn’t help but notice the officiant was reading out of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. How cool is that! Vows were exchanged amongst the rolling hills of the surrounding golf course. The greenery every where is one of the biggest reasons to have a golf course wedding here in Arizona.

Let the Party Begin!

With our happy couple now qualified for “married filing jointly”, it was time for the party. The reception kicked off with a grand entrance of our bridal party followed by our gorgeous couple. As the night played out, Nate and Amy enjoyed their evening with family and friends. Just as it should be. I know crazy adventures await these two given how they tacked their Sedona engagement photos. Amy climbing Cathedral Rock while wearing a dress pretty much lets you know she is ready with Nate right beside her.

I want to thank Nate and Amy for allowing me to preserve their special day. It’s always an honor to photograph couples weddings. Below you will find a snapshot of images telling their story.

If you enjoyed this golf course wedding from Las Sendas, be sure to see Brian and Mei’s Las Sendas wedding as well.

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Not even pouring rain could stop the love of Wes and Tristan’s intimate backyard wedding. These two soul mates were nothing but smiles as the rain came.

Intimate Backyard Wedding Outlasts the Rain

What do they say? Rain on your wedding day is good luck? Perhaps that is true but most couples sigh when they see the rain. Especially in Arizona where it never rains. Nonetheless Wes and Tristan were an unstoppable force and nothing was going to keep them from enjoying their intimate wedding day.

My assistant and I arrived a bit early to scout out the grounds. I wanted to have options on every aspect of where to photograph our happy couple. After a quick survey it was time to get to work. Tristan was in the early stages of getting ready with hair and makeup. These are always fun images to get as they begin to tell the story of the wedding day. Wes arrived a short time later and began his preparation that started with a little grooming.

Once Tristan had finished up she took a moment to write Wes a personal note. These are generally bombshells for the groom as they become overwhelmed with emotion. With the note being delivered it was time for the dress. These moments are some of the most emotional for the bride and her mom. Capturing the final touch of “mom” zipping up the dress and her little girl spinning around for that first look is priceless. Tears generally flow and that is quite alright. Tristan looked absolutely breath taking in her wedding dress. The natural light in her bridal room was too good to pass up. We seized the opportunity to get some of Tristan’s bridal portraits right there.

Our couple dressed and ready it was time for the first look. I live to photograph these as it gives them a few minutes to relax and just enjoy the moment.

With that first look in the books it was time for our couple to prepare for the ceremony. With the rain coming down the ceremony had to be moved under the patio. Our couple never blinked and our bride looked stunning in her Allure Bridals dress as Wes watched her come down the aisle.

Wes and Tristan’s ceremony was filled with love and commitment. As family and friends looked on they became Arizona’s latest newly weds. Now it was time to party! Leading off the reception was the first dance for our two love birds. Their dance was followed with Tristan dancing with her mother while Wes danced with his mother.

After dinner was served I took our happy couple poolside for a few quick bridal portraits. The rain had stopped so we took advantage of the time we had as storms were building on the horizon.

As the night played on Tristan and Wes enjoyed their wedding reception. Playing the infamous shoe game and dancing with friends and family into the wee hours of the night. These two never stopped smiling the whole day. Just as it should be.

I want to thank Tristan and Wes for allowing me to photograph their special day. They have so much love for one another. I wish them all the best!!!

You might also like:

• Kristen and Matt’s Elopement Style Wedding
• Sedona Engagement Session at Cathedral Rock with Amy & Nate

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All the makings of an Arizona elopement style wedding are right here for Matt and Kristen’s big day. Read on to see more of their gorgeous wedding.

Arizona Elopement Style Wedding in the Desert

I have worked with Kristen several times over the years on photo shoots. She’s an adventurous outdoor girl who embodies the AZ native spirit. If she is not sleeping, then she is probably hiking some trail in Arizona (or Half Dome). When she contacted me about doing her wedding it was an immediate “yes”. I couldn’t wait to talk with both Kristen and Matt. I was a little more than curious who had captured KK’s heart. He has some strong competition with Ace and Bandit ever at Kristen’s side. LOL! It doesn’t take long after meeting Matt to see how these two belong together.

Their wedding venue was the house Kristen grew up in. How cool is that! You can always go home and what better way than to celebrate one of the biggest of your life. Matt and Kristen both have successful careers that put them on camera here in the valley. They wanted to escape that spotlight and enjoy their day in a small intimate Arizona elopement style wedding. Family and close friends would be there with them to celebrate.

We arrived in this secret location hidden away in the Arizona desert to find our bride and groom in the stages of getting ready. They were not doing a first look so we had to make sure no one saw anyone before the ceremony. We grabbed a few of the traditional getting ready shots and made our way out to the ceremony site. On a side note, I just have to say Kristen’s makeup skills are on par with some of the best make-up artists I have ever worked with period. She should seriously do a YouTube channel on makeup!

Kristen’s dad escorted her down the aisle with our handsome groom looking on for the first time at his bride to be. Kristen looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress. Vows were exchanged, a few tears shed and with a kiss these, two now could check the box “married filing jointly”. LOL! Now was the time for the bride and groom formals. I was on cloud nine. A gorgeous couple who values photography, a stunning desert background, and Penny Lane a vintage ’62 VW bus waiting!!

Returning our happy couple in time for their grand entrance friends and family were excited to see the married couple make their debut. A first dance, a baby reveal and good times closed out the night. Below you will find a few of my favorites from their wedding day.

Every wedding is a carefully orchestrated event that couldn’t happen without amazing vendors. These hardworking people made sure Matt and Kristen had the best day possible.

Catering – Benedict’s Caterers

Florist – Blissful Blooms

DJ – Grant Ellsworth

Penny Lane VW Bus – PopUp Photoshop

And as always I could never get all these amazing photos without the help of my second photographer, Matt Beutel. Thanx buddy!

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I’m always encouraging my clients on the idea of displaying photos in your home. It’s a concept that was once popular in the “old days” and sort of slipped a little when hard drive space became affordable.

The past decade has seen a significant rise in mobile phone ownership due to competitive pricing. With this it has led to everyone storing photos on their phones in addition to computers/tablets. Now there is nothing wrong with this. What used to be those wallets of pics are now stored on one’s mobile device. They can be easily shared and viewed so that’s a win-win. The downside is eventually those photos get lost in the mix as the next batch gets stored on your phone.

We take more pictures than ever these days due to the convenience of always having a camera with us now. Those quick selfies at the concert, the little slugger at the plate, or a princess showing off her latest dress are a continuous stream of pics coming in. Those precious moments are captured but rarely will get viewed again once a few days pass. Printing those once special captures is one way to always have them close at hand. Our home is lined with printed pictures of our kids and family adventures. I call it #printYourLife.

Some of you may be saying “that’s great, but we don’t have a lot of space in our house”. With that, let me give you an alternative. Albums. Yes, those things your parents have on their shelves. Modern albums are an amazing way to showcase your latest trip to see Mickey Mouse, the championship game, or that dance recital. Your favorite professional photographer can hook you up with a variety of sizes, colors, and cover options.  We offer them to our brides and high school seniors as a way to get a lot of photos in a small space. They make great options to leave out on your coffee table so you can quickly relive those precious moments.

For more tips on displaying photos in your home check out Redfin’s article featuring a variety of photographers tips and tricks.

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OdySea Aquarium Wedding

When I first met Ashley she explained how she and Jeremy were really into sharks. I was like wow, that’s pretty cool. She then proceeded to tell me that they were getting married at the OdySea Aquarium. I didn’t even know you could do such a thing.

One challenging aspect with holding a wedding at the aquarium is the restriction on flash photography. This is in place to protect the sea life at the aquarium. Of course as a photographer hearing no “flash photography” is a concern. After meeting with the staff at OdySea I was allowed to bring in a continuous light to use to light my couple during formals and the reception. I’m not sure I could have photographed their wedding without it due to the dark nature of the aquarium.

When their wedding day arrived it was all smiles as everyone was getting ready for the celebration. Ashley and Jeremy’s getting ready room featured one wall that was a part of one of the aquariums. We hung Ashley’s dress on the glass wall (using a removable suction cup) for a one of kind wedding dress shot. How awesome is that! Once Ashley was in her dress, our groom was ready on the 2nd floor for the first look. I always encourage first looks for a variety of reasons with the most important one being it is sacred alone time. During a wedding the bride and groom are constantly surrounded at all times by friends and family. The first look gives them a chance to have a few minutes of their day just to themselves. Treasured moments just like what Aaron and Cynthia had for their Tuscany themed wedding.

With the first look taken care of it was time for the ceremony. Ashley and Jeremy held their ceremony in the OdySea Voyager theater. With the enormous aquarium wall behind them they each said their vows to start a new life as husband and wife. Such a unique experience that they will treasure for their rest of their lives. Shortly after the ceremony the OdySea staff brought out one of their penguins. This encounter was not for the birds.

The evening continued with dinner under one of the aquariums. What an experience for the guests to eat and watch sea life swim over their heads. As dinner finished up the reception kicked off with our couple’s first dance followed by cake cutting. Ashley and Jeremy were pretty nice to each other when it came to sharing cake with each other. No smashed cake faces.

Below you will find a few of my favorite images from their OdySea Aquarium wedding. One I won’t soon forget.

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A little fall color left for this engagement session at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Danae and Rod chose a great location just outside of the Phoenix for their engagement photos.

Flowers Galore for This Engagement Session at Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Fall engagement sessions in Arizona are always a treat as I just finished up this Cathedral Rock engagement session in Sedona Cooler temperatures and those fall colors (sometimes hard to find) make for some great photos here in the Grand Canyon State. Rod and Danae decided on Boyce Thompson Arboretum for their engagement pics. Located about 45 minutes east of Phoenix this botanical garden of awesomeness provides a lush backdrop to have photos taken.

I had emailed a list of ideas for Rod and Danae to choose from ranging from pure desert to the urban backdrop of downtown Phoenix. They chose the arboretum and for good reason. It offers a little bit of everything. From cactus, to large trees, to a suspension bridge it is hard to get it all in. These two were troopers as we went from spot to spot to take advantage of what Mother Nature was offering. We started in the Demonstration Garden where fall colors were still present. Danae and Rod looked amazing surrounded by those yellow leaves. After getting our shots we headed back towards the main trail. It makes a large loop (1.5 miles) around the park. It is my favorite trail for couples as it passes through so many unique photo ops.

We began our hike that included a stop at the cactus gardens. Of course we had to get a few shots here, after all we do live in Arizona. Continuing on we reached the small lake complete with an old boat located nearby. I’ve never gotten the story on the boat has it looks like it has been sitting in the same spot for about 50 years. With a few lake shots we continued on around the loop. Daylight was beginning to fade but we pushed on. One spot I wanted to get to for Danae and Rod was the suspension bridge. It is such a trip to walk on as you feel it bounce and sway with each step. With time to spare we made our way back to the start. Such a fun experience to share with these two as it was their first trip here. Looking forward to their wedding next year!

Below you will find a few of my favorite photos from the day.

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This was a first for me, a Cathedral Rock engagement session. All I can say is just wow! Read on below to see more of these stunning engagement photos from one of the most beautiful places in the world, Sedona AZ.

Breathtaking Views from a Cathedral Rock Engagement Session

During our consultation and subsequent email exchange, Amy and Nate picked the red rocks of Sedona for their engagement session. You can never go wrong with Sedona for engagement photos. With its towering scenic views and numerous hiking trails you are never at lost for a picture. We discussed several options and our happy couple settled on West Fork Trail and Cathedral Rock. Excellent choices! We were hoping for fall color at West Fork but after arriving we were greeted with still green foliage. The park ranger told me about another week or so and the oranges and yellows would be appearing. Can’t win them all.

West Fork has become a very popular trail the past years. and for good reason. The majestic red rock, trees galore, coupled with Oak Creek winding along the trail gives it a great one two punch for the outdoor crowd. Our goal was to hike a short ways in for some of the popular spots while dodging the onslaught of hikers. We wanted to leave plenty of time for the Cathedral Rock trail. Nate and Amy were taking in all the greenery and views. Hard to believe but it was Amy’s first trip to Sedona! After crossing Oak Creek we grabbed a few shots where the creek widens and really shows off the trail with some amazing red rock. Satisfied with our bounty of shots it was time to head towards Cathedral Rock.

Traffic back through Sedona was a nightmare but we fought our way back through the roundabouts. After parking on the side of the road we got our Red Rock passes for the vehicles and then began the climb to the top. The trail is challenging at spots as it requires you to get down on all fours to climb some steep rock faces. As we made our way up we passed countless hikers coming down offering words of encouragement. “Don’t give up, it’s totally worth it”. No way we were quitting. We came with a purpose! Cresting the last ridge of the trail opened up to a stunning view of the Sedona landscape. You can’t help but to say OMG! All of us were stunned with the beauty. The area had several other hikers enjoying the view. We waited our turn to get out on the rock ledge where Amy and Nate crushed it! Their perseverance paid off and they were cashing in. Champagne is their favorite beverage and they celebrated with a little bubbly spray at the top. Oh yeah! Light began to fade and we finished up so we could make our way down with daylight.

I certainly hope this isn’t my last Cathedral Rock engagement session. Every couple should experience it or Merry Go Round Rock. Below you will find a few of my favorite (so many) shots from this trip to the high country. Big shout out to Nate and Amy for being troopers. That was not an easy hike, especially in a dress, and Amy conquered it like a champ.

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