Yamashita's Reunion!

I had some crazy awesome fun with the Yamashita's WHOLE family and Jessica's dad and step mom last week.  It was so gorgeous out that we could ONLY have a good time. The kids were in high demand of which shots I was to take, and I loved it.  They wanted jump shots, sitting shots, laying down shots, minecraft shots, grass shots, jumping out of grass shots ....the list goes on!  I love getting direction from kiddos on shoots....they have so much fun which gets me amazing fun shots that show their personalities!  How could I go wrong?  It was a wonderful time

Weston's came to Colorado!

My super cousins arrived last week for a wonderful visit in Colorado!!!  We were on the tail end of their whirlwind trip and what a treat it was so spend time together.  I had the ultra challenge of photographing their 3 kiddos who have a history of NOT smiling for me :)  I gladly accepted the challenge and we hit the road....literally.  I took this family up Marabou (a new fav location of mine) and we had a blast!  I love letting the kids direct me a little, it gets them comfortable in front of the camera and silly, fun photos transpire.  

Heidi found out some tragic news about her health when she went home.  To pray for her and her family, follow her blog HERE and her Facebook page HERE

Emma is moving to town!

Emma Selzler is moving to town and we had to celebrate!!!  Josh and I were invited to head to the top of the gondola and celebrate Emma's graduation and move to town.  We were super excited as we have NEVER...in our 7 years in Steamboat...gone to the top of the mountain for happy hour! It was crazy fun having a great excuse to hang out with friends!  I took the girls to an awesome side of the mountain with amazing views.  They KILLED it!  Just gorgeous!!!  Theeeeen Ashley, Krysta and I had some fun with my fab husband Josh behind the camera.  I can be so awkward in front of the camera..this is why I'm behind it...as...much...as...possible... HAHAHA

Congrats Emma and welcome to Steamboat!!!

Sotheby's

I had the honor of doing a pretty rad photoshoot for Steamboat Sotheby's Realty.  The idea was to sell the property, not just the house.  This home was crazy gorgeous, but what you could do with this property is beyond your imaginations!  Below are just a few of the images of not only the property, but also the lifestyle that could be had at this home.  Just a lovely place. (and it is crazy awesome that my friend and her family volunteered their night to come and be our models....wonderful people).

 


Jacky

This is my crazy gorgeous sister in law Jacky....she is a Beach Babe!  She is a HUGE believer in Shakeology sold by Beach body because she has not only lost weight but has balanced her eating habits.  That is probably the hardest thing about all these diet plans/healthy living cleanses.  It's the balance of what to eat and how much.  She was here for a week and I got to see her motivation, determination, and strength not to eat the junk that the rest of us were :)  She is inspirational!  

 

Check her out at www.jackyelwood.com


Goettel Family

I had an awesome time with Kate and her lovely family over the holiday week last week.  It was their first time to Steamboat so I threw everything I knew at them that was fun.  I mentioned our amazing hot springs (both of them), awesome italian restaurant Mambo's, Fro Yo at the local coffee spot Paddlewheel, rides up the gondola....things to do in Steamboat are endless if you're an outdoor junkie.  They had a blast celebrating with family and I am thankful to have met them all.  Here are a few from our time together.  

 


Kayla is 9!

My child who made me a mother is 9.  I canNOT believe it.  I remember holding her when she was just a week old in our tiny apartment in China.  Shooing away mosquitos from her every chance I got (obsessively so), singing to her, rocking her in my awesome rocking chair (thanks Shanghai ladies) and kissing her little feet.  Now, she is my mini-me.  She looks exactly as I did as a child.  Her personality is one I could never have guessed I would be blessed with.  She is kind, considerate, funny, loves to have fun (cautious fun), she follows the rules, cares for others in a way I don't even understand.  She senses when someone is hurt and lets them sit in it....no jokes, just...sits.  She loves her family deeply, but would throw a sibling under a bus in a heart beat to be heard.  She loves learning new things and has a heart for adventure.  She is lovely.  Thank you Jesus for my baby doll who has the most compassionate heart on the block.  She will move mountains. 

Brandon & Jackie's Wedding Bliss

I had the pleasure of photographing Brandon and Jackie's wedding day on May 16th, 2015.  When I first met Jackie for coffee to discuss her day, I just knew we would be a good match.  She was super easy going and had just a love about her that radiated....which of course I love and gravitate towards.  Her wedding sounded lovely.  Blush colors, rustic venue, a man bun (on Brandon of course)....all of that combined just resonated with me :)  She is so lovely!!  We talked through the details and my mind was whirling with excitement for her big day.  After meeting Brandon and seeing the location, I knew this day was going to be awesome.  There was threat of rain...and it was raining.  It rained from 2-2:30....2:30 was the exact time we were going to do their first look.  I was so grateful for a break in the clouds at 2:30 which unfolded for the rest of the day making for a gorgeous spring, sun-drenched evening.  Thank you Brandon and Jackie for having Hilary and I capture your day in it's entirety.  Love love love.  Most of this wedding was DIY, which I was SUPER impressed with the amazing job the family did pitching in to put this together.  Amazing!

Venue: E3

Second Shooter: Hilary Spillane

Cupcakes: Cassie

 

Get to know

So, I'm a lifestyle photographer. I love capturing the family formals at weddings, headshots, family shoots, but the real meat for me is the candids....the real-life moments caught.  The stolen glances, the hugs held a little longer, kisses in the corner that should not have been seen and the soft touch of hands by two people who either just met or have been married for 80 years.  Those are the times that matter to me.  So I have started something called...Get to know...This is a project that allows you the readers to get to know the community.  Whether that community is Steamboat Springs or just the community of people I love and hang with .... so be it.  Either way, you will get to know someone new!  Enjoy

This is Brad Rasmussen.  You may know him as the worship leader at Anchorway Church on the west side of town, but did you know.....

Favorite thing: creating, building, making... Anything he can do with my hands that's creative.

Fun fact: He's taken the Myers-Briggs personality test at least 5 times and got a different personality every time... He's not so great at introspective questions! (his words, not mine)

Favorite Food: Donuts! Especially ones with filling of any kind.

Relive a day: He's not sure he would relive any days, just ready for the next one.

Super Power: either super strength or telekinesis. Super strength is awesome but to be able to move things with his mind and not have anyone be able to know it was him would be pretty freakin great.

**ladies, he's single too. whaaaat?


California dreamin

Spring break was AWESOME!!!  We traveled 14 hours by car to sunny Fullerton California where my sister and bro in law live.  We overstayed 7 full days, hit the beach several days and soaked up more sun that I can remember.  I love the beach!!!!!!!  My kids are water babies for sure and I couldn't be more proud.  Anxious for next Spring Break already!!!

Zurich

This is Wengen Switzerland and ZURICH!!! Two of the most beautiful places.  Full of life this Zurich is.  H&M on every street corner (seriously)...some cool back alleyways bursting with cobblestone in every corner!!!!  The scene was set for an amazing touring day.  With camera in hand we ventured out.  Walked the streets, stopped for macaroons, posed for a shot or two in front of H&M's...whatevs....In Wengen, we stayed at the top of a mountain.  Straight up looking at the Swiss Alps, we ate baguettes and brie with jam on our balcony overlooking the view....it was heavenly!  Seriously felt like we were IN the clouds.  Gosh this was a beautiful stop on our way to CINQUE TERRE!!!!!  Stay tuned for that!  

More of Charlie!

This little girl is the cutest!  She didn't want to smile at me at ALL.  I tried...for crying out loud, I tried!!!!!  :)  You can see a small wincing here.....I got her in the end :)



Visitors

A cute Solomon came to visit me.....and I forced him to sit on the cold ground while it was slightly snowing to get these shots......poor guy. :)



Let's go to HALLSTATT Austria

This could be by far close to my favorite place on earth (that is not a city).  I just LOVED Austria! So gorgeous and lush.  The green was truly green and the mist from the lake was cool to the skin.  We had beautiful weather coming in and out of Hallstatt.  We drove and drove until we hit this teeny tiny town and then set up camp.  Not really, we B&B'ed it, but still....I felt like I was in Harry Potter for SURE!  Take a look!!!

I'm even MORE CRAZY excited!!!

You canNOT imagine how excited I am right now.  I received an email a few hours ago that just THRILLED me!  The amount of talent in this group is un-real and to be in the top 100 photos of the family category is INSANE!!!!  110,928 images submitted worldwide, 23,153,465 Votes, 77,833 people involved!!!  I am beyond honored to be along side such talent.  Thanks to all that voted and spent HOURS (you know who you are) sifting through amazing images to find mine in the mix....so grateful.  Just fabulous!

I am CRAZY excited!!!

I just found out that I one of my photos is in the top 10% of 122,000 images entered around the GLOBE to Shoot and Share!  This photography community is amazing.  The talent in this group is unmatched.  Everyone is super supportive and loving.  Critique is necessary to getting better and this group has helped me through the last few years gain confidence in my photography.  Thank you to Shoot and Share for the opportunity to even share my art with the world.  And congrats to my photog bestie Hilary Spillane..she also has a photo in the top 10%....STEAMBOAT REPRESENT!

 


Steamboat Springs Wedding Guide

It is my total honor to have my image on the cover of the Steamboat Springs Wedding Guide 2015!  I knew when I photographed Kelsie and Nicolai's wedding that I would be submitting 1 or more of their images for the cover contest they hold for photographers.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I got the email from the guide that my image was chosen as the cover!  Thank you Kelsie and Nicolai for an amazing wedding and for being just beautiful people inside and out.  It shows through your images and to the people around you.  AHHHH!!!!  Crazy!  

I also had Libby and Brad's wedding photo in the guide as well.  I just loved their wedding...full of iron and wine and good friends. A classic for sure :)

Kelsie's makeup and hair nods to: Off 7th Studio (Emily and Julie)

Libby and Brads wedding venue: Bella Vista Steamboat

A little jaunt to Salzburg

Ah...we have made it to Salzburg Austria and the Neuschwanstein Castle.  The Neuschwanstein Castle is the Disney castle....or what they modeled it after I guess.  It was incredible.  HUGE!  It just amazes me that people used to live in these monstrosity's.  They are Ginormous and amazing and full of such history!  We went there for only a few hours and then left to travel to ....THE HILLS ARE ALIVE....WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC...AAAAHHHHHH.  Let me tell you..they were certainly alive.  Such beauty and old world style up in here.  We arrived late at night (11 pm) in a dark alley where...I'm not lying...a ROUS (rodent of unusual size) ran across the parking lot with it's tail whipping behind him.  It was...crazy disgusting.  We got inside FAST.  Upon arriving at our late arrival/early checkout hotel room we discovered that our bed...KING size bed...was in the shape of a BMW sports car.  An adult sized kids bed.  We just laughed and laughed until it sunk in how ridiculous this was.  Early morning rise to walk the streets of Salzburg on a Sunday morning.  The church bells were chiming and we went to the St. Peters Cathedral service because...that just seemed to be what everyone was doing.  I am not even close to exaggerating on how amazing this was.  We walked in and a service was about to begin.  In this amazingly HUGE cathedral there was a choir singing...I swear it sounded like angels.  I looked at Josh and we were so in awe of how beautifully reverent the entire service was.   Just amazed. The architecture was incredible...such an incredible experience.  I can't wait to take the kids someday. Next on our travels....Hallstatt Austria!