Bridal

Kandis & Greg - Part 2 (Formals at Temple Square)

As promised, here are the photos from the second formals shoot that we did with Kandis and Greg.  We feel so privileged to work with these two.  I have never met another bridal couple so kind and sincere.  They treated each other well and were simply happy to be there.  Wonderful examples and a joy to be around.   The photos with the temple were very important to them, and I was so pleased to discover this new angle to show off the gardens and the temple!  

  

  

I loved Kandis' dress.  It was very understated, very elegant, and was beautiful in it's simplicity.

 

This next shot was where an older couple walked up to Kandis and Greg and said "You are sooo lucky!  How unique to have wedding photos like this!  No one else will have photos with the night sky like this."  And that is why I love evening bride and groom sessions with the temple.  The romantic blue sky and the temple all lit up - it really is unique.

 

See more of Kandis and Greg's photos here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kandis & Greg - Part 1 (Formals at Sleepy Ridge)

  Kandis and Greg were married yesterday!  I loved getting to hang out with them and their families. I could completely tell where Kandis and Greg got it from, because each of their families were as cool as they were.  They are just some of the nicest, relaxed, and genuinely positive people I have ever met.

 

 

 

We actually did a two part formals shoot for Kandis and Greg, and the first part was where the reception was to be, at the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course Reception Center.  I believe I have already mentioned how much I love this venue- it's absolutely gorgeous!

 

We did a "first look" with Kandis and Greg in the upstairs ballroom, or the "Sunset Room".  For LDS weddings in particular, a formals session that includes a first look can be a huge advantage, and a source of some fantastic memories.  At the beginning of the photoshoot, we'll set up the groom and then let the bride come out and turn him around.  Because it's just us, we can take all the time we need and get some great photos of the groom seeing his future bride for the first time in her dress.  It's awesome, and I can't recommend it high enough if you get the opportunity.   Greg and Kandis were particularly cute with their first look.  Greg just looked completely dumbstruck, and they both took their time together, just enjoying the moment.  I'm pretty sure they actually forgot Thomas and I were there for a bit- and I loved it!

 

 

 

Because Thomas and I met dancing and it was such a huge part of our lives for so long, we are both suckers for a really beautiful (and danceable!) wood floor.  The floors in the Sunset Room are to die for.  And the really high arched ceilings aren't too bad either... ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleepy Ridge not only has this gorgeous reception hall, but being right on the golf course means there are some really great views for outdoor shots as well.  As it happened, we got some really wild colors in the sky that night, and the wide open vistas were really able to show them off.

 

  

 

One of my favorite times to shoot is what my friend Kenneth Linge calls the "blue hour".  It's the time right after sunset where the reds, oranges, and yellows have all gone, and we just start getting these deep blues in the sky.  It's so romantic, and just creates a mood that you can't really get any other time of day.

 

 

  

 

 

 

Congratulations Kandis and Greg!  You guys were so fabulous to work with yesterday, and I hope you have a fantastic honeymoon in Las Vegas!   I'll be posting part two of the formals shoot from the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square tomorrow, so be sure and check them out.

 

 

 

 

Kirra & Brandon Formals

  Kirra and Brandon's engagement session was epic.  I guess it makes sense then that their formals session was even better!

 

 

 

 

Kirra's blue shoes were so fun- a great way to bring a splash of summer color into things...

 

  

 

Each of these three photos has a pretty distinct difference in how they feel, and I love each of them for that reason.

 

 

 

Kirra and Brandon will be getting married August 10th.  Congratulations you two!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BreAnn & Jon Formals

  BreAnn and Jon were actually married about 3 years ago.  We shot an "engagement" shoot for them the fall after they were married, and BreAnn  said that one day we would do a formals (aka "groomals" and "bride and groom photos") shoot for them.  Formals are one of the more common sessions we do, whether they are about to get married, whether they are already married but didn't quite get what they were looking for.  Sometimes we'll do a formal shoot if wedding day coverage doesn't quite fit into the budget, and most of all we'll do formals if the couple just wants to have awesome wedding photos where we are free to pick the location, timing, flow, and feel of the session. Formals are my absolute favorite type of shoot to do.

 

 

 

I absolutely fell in love with this staircase.  I love the contrast, the texture, and the colors!  It was only after we finished that we noticed the signs warning about dangerous rust of the supports and structure... :-/

 

Well all's well that ends well, right?

 

  

  

 

 

I love shooting with some more direct sunlight, because if you do it right, you get that perfect backlighting to make the colors pop, and still get the fill for your couple.

 

 

  

 

 

And this last photo is actually just one I stopped and snapped on a whim as we were walking by on our way to the car.  I looked over, and just had to stop.  Such a gorgeous building!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karin & Trevor: Formals at Thanksgiving Point

  I love shooting at Thanksgiving Point!  The garden areas are gorgeous, but the reception areas are amazing as well!  The rose garden they have here sets the mood perfectly for Karin and Trevor's formals shoot.

This pink parasol was super cute.  It fit Karin to a tee!

Karin and Trevor were both ballroom dancers at BYU.  I think their first dance is going to be something incredible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria & Jonny: Formals at Memory Grove & Salt Lake Capitol

  Maria and Jonny were married last Friday at Log Haven up Mill Creek Canyon.  It was a gorgeous day and quite the party.  I had a blast, and am now able to share some of their formals session that we did a week before the wedding.  We went to Memory Grove and the Capitol Building in downtown Salt Lake City.

 

 

I love love love this first photo. The light is so perfect, and highlights how stunning Maria is.

 

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Awesome sky? Check.  Sufficiently dramatic pose? Check.  Oozing self confidence and general fantabulousness?  Check!

 

 

Isn't Maria gorgeous?  I loved her dress!  So elegant...

 

 

I love me some sweet sweet reflections!  It's like they're standing on mirrored glass...

 

 

And when the sun goes down, you get that perfect time known simply as "the blue hour".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martina & AJ

Martina and AJ are such an awesome couple.  They are super happy and cheerful, and were always ready with big natural smiles.  Martina is paralyzed from the waist down, and so we had some fun coming up with different variety of poses and angles while she was sitting.  She is so gorgeous, you wouldn't even notice!

We ended up shooting at Temple Square and the Capitol Building in downtown SLC.  Talk about your perfect spring day!

 

 

 

 

Pinks & Greens: Formals at Sleepy Ridge

  Orchards are awesome.  Especially in the springtime, with little green buds about to burst with blossoms.  Blossoms of Luuuuuve.

 

 

Chandra was such a hoot!  She is apparently "everything pink"- pink is DEFINITELY this girl's color.  She is also one of the most naturally expressive girls I have ever shot.  Just look at her- she's so fun and happy and gorgeous.  The shoes she and Roland picked out were also very spring-appropriate.  And after all, if you've been following this blog for a while, you know I am a sucker for nice, vivid colors.

 

 

We finished the formals and bridals at the Sleepy Ridge Reception Center in Orem.  The golf course there is beautiful, and has some amazing views.  The wedding reception center itself is also fantastic, and they kindly kept the exterior lit for us so we could get some photos like the one below...