Cassie + Levi + Baby: Maternity Session
I LOVE maternity sessions. Have I mentioned this before?
I have a completely different outlook on maternity sessions now that I’ve given birth. There is something so sacred about these sessions to me, and I am constantly in awe of the Moms I work with and all that the human body can do. I was also completely in awe of Cassie as she braved swampy mosquito marshes, steep ditches full of fireweed, and rocks slippery from a churning waterfall. She was such a force to be reckoned with, that there were times you could forget she was 8 months pregnant. And then the sweetest moment happened…
We were standing by Glacier Creek in Girdwood when a smile crept over her face and her hands instinctively went to her belly. “He’s moving a lot right now,” she said. And then I remembered: there is this amazing life growing inside of her. A life that is going to be met with such enthusiasm, love, and joy. Looking at Cassie and her husband, Levi, cuddle with each other and make each other laugh made me even more excited for this sweet life that is going to be joining them. What a lucky baby to be born to two loving parents, who will teach him what it means to be adventurous and kind. (And I am so grateful that Cassie and Levi have chosen me to be present at their son’s birth to capture the moment their lives change in the most amazing way possible!)
Seriously... these two are going to be the cutest parents ever!
Hunter + Ashleigh: Engagement Session
I met Hunter and Ashleigh at Beluga Point on a perfect, blustery evening. Cold-ish nights in May with overcast skies are some of my favorites, and my favorite to take photos-- which makes me a bit odd, I guess. But Hunter and Ashleigh were right there with me. "We're up for anything!" Hunter said (though sweetly grabbing a big puffy coat for Ashleigh before leaving the parking lot). Ashleigh told me she'd only been in Alaska for three days and couldn't believe the beauty of the spot along Turnagain Arm.
We started off trying to find spots sheltered from the wind, but after awhile we just embraced it. Ashleigh's gorgeous long hair whipped around her, and I loved watching the tenderness in which Hunter would push the strands out of her eyes. The way they looked at each other was pure magic, and if it wasn't for my camera malfunctioning an hour and a half into the session, I could have photographed them all night! (And yes, I'll admit my husband was right. He told me I should bring my second camera as I was walking out the door. Good thing we'd already gotten so many great shots!)
Lindsey & Nick's Crow Creek Wedding
Lindsey and Nick’s wedding was such a wonderful way to end my summer wedding season. Even though it was raining, the mountain fog made for beautiful photos and this couple wasn’t going to let anything ruin their party! I have to say, there were so many things I loved about this wedding. Besides the fact that Lindsey and Nick are an amazing couple, they also had the most gorgeous display of cupcakes, an adorable gaggle of flower girls who stole the show, and a stunning Bollywood dance performed by the bride’s cousin. It’s little touches like this— and a couple who knows how to throw a good party—that make weddings like this my favorite.
The bride's sister made all of these little clay pots for the wedding favors, and they were filled with Lindsey's all-time favorite candy: jelly beans.
I was told this was a tradition for the Middendorf family, adorably called a "Totem-dorf."
All of the photos from the day of Nick with his nephew and nieces are enough to make your heart melt!
The cutest group of Flower Girls I've ever seen!
I love capturing toasts, as well as the reactions to them.
Can we agree that every wedding should have a Bollywood dance performance?
Venue: Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood, AK
Bride’s Dress: WToo from Fabulous Frocks Anchorage
Groom’s Suit: Indochino
Cupcakes: Betty Dye, family friend
Caterer: Master’s Catering
Florist: Debbie Jaso, family friend
Makeup/Hair: Amber Molen
Jamie and Jim's Wasilla Wedding
Jamie and Jim's wedding at Gloryview Farms in Wasilla will definitely stand out as one of my favorites this season. I love how cozy the venue is! We were sheltered from the rain, while still taking advantage of a beautiful outdoor wedding-feel. In a way, I think that is a lot like Jamie and Jim as a couple: life has definitely thrown some hardship their way, but together they are stronger and they keep each other from the storm.
Being a part of their day was a huge honor, and the way these two light up around each other makes my job easy. Congratulations Jamie and Jim!
(Click on photos to enlarge.)
Jamie and Jim took a moment to be with each other before the ceremony, without actually seeing each other. It was a really sweet non-first look.
Jamie's Mom rounded up "bouquets" of her own for the married ladies during the bouquet toss. I've never seen broccoli bouquets before, but think this should be a new wedding tradition!
Mary & Jazon's Engagement Photos
I met up with Mary & Jazon at Beluga Point on one of the most beautiful days we've had this fall. The leaves were still bright orange, the sun had finally poked through the never-ending layer of clouds, and it was warm enough to gallivant for a little while without a coat. In short, the perfect day for engagement photos.
The two have such a sweet proposal story. Jazon put a lot of thought into it, and took Mary to a favorite Free Little Library in their neighborhood where he'd planted one of her favorite books... and something sparkly.
Spending an hour with them was such fun. They were such naturals in front of the camera and were so comfortable with each other. I can't wait for their beautiful summer wedding in 2016!
Love is in the Air... No, Literally!
It's not everyday that your office takes flight! Samantha & Owen's engagement has to be one of the most amazing photography experiences I've ever had. The couple shares a love for aviation and our original plan was to take photos by their plane on Lake Hood. The day before the shoot, I got a text from Sam asking if I'd be willing to go for a plane ride for their Engagement Session. Of course I would! Have I mentioned I love Alaskan couples!?
There's something really cool about doing an Engagement Session when the couple must do something together. Suddenly you get to see them in a whole new light and working as a team. And in this case, getting a plane ready to go is not a simple task. I loved how Sam and Owen settled into their familiar rhythms to get ready to go. Sam pulled on her gloves and began removing tie-downs and Owen began checking systems in the cockpit. It was clear this was something they'd done hundreds of times together, and worked through an unspoken checklist using their own form of communication.
Have I mentioned I love Alaskan Brides?!
Fueling a bush plane takes true teamwork!
Samantha's ring on the nose of the plane. Only in Alaska.
We circled Hope & Girdwood trying to spot wildlife before landing in Whittier. We saw two different mama bears and cubs frolicking on mountain sides and a Humpback whale! It was breathtaking, and what was so cool about it is Sam and Owen definitely don't take for granted how amazing these flights are. I love the adventurous Alaskan spirit.
My personal favorite from our session. Samantha has this gorgeous and genuine smile that is infectious, and I loved the effect it has on Owen in the pictures. For one sequence I told them to try to be serious, knowing it would lead to a giggly Samantha. Once Samantha was trying to keep from laughing, an adorable smirk crept over Owen's face. I love how genuine this photo feels. And we even got some blue skies in Whittier towards the end of our session!
Owen designed Samantha's ring and took inspiration from her Grandmother's ring. I couldn't stop taking photos of it in various locations because it is gorgeous!
Another tender moment caught on camera. Samantha was worried about her hair looking windblown and "crazy"-- as she put it-- and Owen was quick to help catch flyaways.
Samantha found an old rusty rail road spike and a cool rock on the beach.
She scratched their names and wedding year on it.
Thank you to Samantha and Owen for giving me such a beautiful experience and couple to work with! It was so much fun and I'm so excited for your journey as husband and wife!