Sammy's Cafe: Pie Shakes = Heaven

August 02, 2011 in Food

So here's a little background for this shoot:

A little over a week ago, we had to the opportunity to photograph Danica and Ryan's wedding. It was an awesome day, and one of the most relaxed wedding days I have seen as a photographer. However, it was HOT. Hot hot hot hot hot. We blazed through family group photos at the LDS Salt Lake Temple and got a few newlyweds, but then headed on down towards the Springville Art Museum for the reception. The reception was lovely, relaxed, and full of happiness- my favorite kind of event. One of the highlights for me was the catering.

As you might remember from the engagement session, Ryan and Danica spent a lot of time at Sammy's, one of the best burger places in Utah, and home of the Pie Shake. Of course, we made sure to get some fun shots showing off their favorite hang out spot.

With such a special place in their hearts for Sammy's they actually had the crew cater their reception. All throughout their reception Sam, his lovely wife Nikki, and other Sammy's staff were handing out ice-cold happiness. Thomas and I loved it! Not only did we get some tasty treats to keep cool while we were working, but we got to chat up the big man himself (who, coincidentally, is cousin to our other favorite caterer, Ethan from Rockwell Catering).

Funny side note: As we were driving down to the reception (and cooling off with the A/C on full blast!) and talking about what we'd do when we got there a bit early, Thomas all of a sudden says "PIE SHAKES." I look at him confused, and said, yeah, they're going to be there (thinking about the fact that Sammy's was going to be catering it). Thomas just replies, "We should get one." Still confused I tell him that they won't be set up for a bit. Turns out that Thomas had completely forgotten about who was catering- he just all of a sudden wanted a pie shake. It was hot, we were driving south, Sammy's is in south Provo off the freeway and is sorta on the way to Springville. It was all very logical, right? :D

But I digress....

As we were chatting, Sam and I got to working out the details for a product shoot for his food. One thing led to another, and so the next day Thomas and I found ourselves holed up behind the counter in the restaurant busily setting up different burgers and shakes for their moment in the spotlight. We'll likely need to do another shoot (Sammy's has too much food for just a couple hours to do it justice), and I haven't finished editing all of them, but I just had to share some of the photos from the session.

I literally got home about an hour ago from Provo. I met up with my current intern Abby, and we had a business coaching session at Sammy's. I had a burger, I split a pie shake with Thomas, and we had some of their awesome sweet potato fries. I was full. I am full. But looking at these.... kinda makes me want to drive back and get another shake.

Stay tuned for another update with Sammy's goodness in the next month or so...

Grateful

August 01, 2011 in Bridal, Engagement, Formals, Other, Wedding

So often in the wedding business, we like to share the crazy stories. And sometimes that's fun. It is a crazy industry, after all.

Like the weekend we shot a wedding on Thursday, Friday and Saturday... and Saturday was in Portland.

Or The groom who broke his nose a week before the wedding. Makeup can fix black eyes, right?

The nephew who got overheated on a summer day and vomited at the beginning of the reception. He was much more comfortable and definitely in style after that!

The bride whose dress got stepped on after the ceremony and ripped. Of course she still remained composed and confident!

...the couples who forget to bring the marriage license, the 103 degree weather at Salt Lake, the 9 degree weather in Logan, the wedding day that was 14 hours long without a break, the cake that fell over, etc. It keeps life interesting, and these seem to be the stories we share.

But I've been thinking over the last week, and the reason I am a wedding photographer is not because of stories like these. I am motivated to keep working hard because of the amazing people I get to work with.

First, my husband. He takes care of most of the website, the contracts, and taxes. He holds lights, lifts me up on his shoulders to get a better angle, and helps with those all-nighters before bridal fairs. And he does all this as a second job. He has another full time job as a financial representative, but still comes home to work with me in the evenings and weekends. I couldn't do this without him.

Then, my mentors and teachers. I've been blessed with the opportunity to shadow and learn from several photographers throughout the years, but 4 have had the greatest impact.

1. My dad. A hobbyist, enthusiast, but appreciates photography, taught me business principles, and encouraged me as I started to work. Bought me my first camera for my birthday, gave me my first camera upgrade as a wedding present.

2. Scott Jarvie. He shot my wedding 3 years ago. He's been a good example of creativity and one of the reasons I was pushed towards weddings, not other types of photography. (The photos above from my wedding are taken by him)

3. Andy Barfuss. Not a photographer, but he taught an entrepreneurship class I took at BYU. Not someone I spent lots of time with, but a few things he taught had a significant impact on me. Among them are:

-The difference between marketing and advertising. Marketing is building a brand, and is a long term and never-ending process. Advertising is trying to find for clients/gigs immediately. Both are important, but serve different purposes.

-"If you are willing to work like no one else will for the first five years of your business, you can live like no one else can for the rest of your life."

4. Kenneth Linge. I took a couple classes with him on Photographing People and on learning the wedding business. Much of his advice has proved invaluable to my business and to my skill. He's extremely talented and creative, and he and his wife are wonderful people. I will always be grateful for the lessons learned from them.

I'm grateful to the interns I've had. Currently, it's Abby Alger holding the fort down. She is an amazing assistant and does a great job with her own business also!

Lastly, I'm grateful to my clients. I get to work with so many amazing couples. They are good examples, and I enjoy weddings because there is an emotion, a relationship. It's like a friend said on my Facebook wall "Your pictures make me believe in love again :)" And it's true. In a world filled with divorce and lack of commitment to each other, I feel so grateful to be here. To see the honeymoon stage, to see vows and commitment, to see two people happy to be together. Positive, supportive, and caring relationships. That's what I've been thinking about. I'm blessed in my career to spend it around happy people on an important day in their life as they promise to spend time and all eternity together. And I feel lucky.

Spring Wedding Highlights

July 30, 2011 in Wedding

Realized we never did a post for Amy and Jordan's wedding! Here are a few highlights from their spring wedding at the Salt Lake Temple.

Kara & Chris: Summer Engagements in Saratoga Springs

July 29, 2011 in Engagement

Kara and Chris were tons of fun to shoot. I don't think I have ever seen a guy laugh so much and so naturally. More often then not I have to crack jokes or make a fool of myself to help my grooms loosen up in front of the camera. With Chris though, his happiness and natural cheerfulness just came bubbling out of him in every photo. I guess he's just excited to be marrying this gorgeous girl!

I love the different colors we had in this shoot. Such a perfect summer day, with lots of green trees, golden wheat fields, and lots of fun colorful clothes.

Mustaches are making a comeback. Tell your friends...

Take a look at this massive summer shoot out near Saratoga Springs in Utah County here.

Danica & Ryan: Formals at the Secret Garden

July 27, 2011 in Bridal, Formals

Danica and Ryan's wedding was Friday, so we can share their formals now. We headed on down to Provo to the orchard and the Utah Mental Health Hospital, and it was awesome! We kept getting settings that looked like they came straight out of the Secret Garden. The cobblestone architecture above the hospital, the orchard, all the greenery- it's such a gorgeous location.

Danica had such a lovely dress. I loved the embroidery! It gave this awesome texture to it, and was just so classy.

Vintage Formals: Highlights with a Classic Car

July 26, 2011 in Bridal, Formals, Wedding

Wanted to share a few favorites from Andrea and Steven's formals shoot in Daybreak. We did their session in two parts- part one was with a vintage 1937 Buick Special from SomethingVintageSomethingBlue.com. Part 2 will be a change a scenery for an urban look in downtown SLC.

I loved being able to work with Daisy (the car) and Sam (the driver)! It just added an element of class that matched Andrea and Steven so well. It also happened to match their wedding colors!

Andrea and Steven are swing dancers, so they've got this dip down. Amazing!

I highly recommend Something Vintage Something Blue if you're looking for unique transportation for your wedding, or something extra for an engagement or bridal session. They are absolutely wonderful.

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

July 25, 2011 in Bridal, Formals, Wedding

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)

July 22, 2011 in Bridal, Formals, Wedding

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.