Trystan Photography: An Intimate Portrait.

Please click the photo or follow the link to view Charissa and Diego’s wedding at the Westlake Village Inn in Westlake Village, CA.

As a photographer in Colorado, would you consider shooting a wedding in Los Angeles?

The answer might seem obvious to some, but for me there was actually a moment’s hesitation. I spent nearly five years of my young adult life in Los Angeles, and let’s just say, I’m delighted I don’t live there anymore!

I was truly lost during my years in LA, wandering from whim to whim, sometimes making terrible life choices in a city full of slick idolatry and plastic people. As anyone who has been to Hollywood can attest, like its residents, Los Angeles has a shimmering veneer many initially can find very intoxicating, but dig even the slightest bit under the surface, she reveals herself to be the perfect metaphor for all the burnt-out, over the hill actors with too much plastic surgery that mar it’s population like liver spots.

As you can clearly tell, Los Angeles’ faux glitz and glamor soured tremendously for me, and I honestly thought I’d never have a positive view of it, or it’s people, again.

However, there is a certain universal fantasy about one’s career in photography that at some fantastic point your art begins to take you to new places other than your usual creative stomping grounds. New places breathe fresh life into your art, especially a place as alive and full of energy (both good and bad) as the greater LA metro area!

Char and I briefly pondered this decision, but we quickly came to realize that as beautiful and majestic as Colorado can be, a little change of scenery / mini vacation might do us some good. So we agreed to travel out over a weekend in July and spend a total of 3 days in California, with the actual wedding falling on the Sunday, and we’d fly out on Monday.

I have to admit, I was fairly nervous about trying to pull off an amazing wedding over a thousand miles away, but as we looked at the logistics of it all, we realized we really didn’t require that much equipment and much of it could be done as a carry-on (we thought that sacrificing our clothing instead of the camera equipment to the lost-luggage-gods might be a good choice). And luckily, Charissa had the foresight to book our flight before the fuel prices “how-dare-you-want-to-check-a-bag!?!” fiasco became airline policy, so while the fellow travelers ahead of and behind us were furiously bartering with the poor ticket counter people to let them check their bags without paying a surcharge, Charlotte and I were greeted with knowing smiles as we loaded our 4 checked bags without paying a dime. I have to say, that was a small thing, but it was a fortuitous start to our little adventure.

Charissa was amazing in her efforts to coordinate our travel plans: our early morning flight out of Denver arrived at the gate right on time, and we were out of LAX in a rental car within minutes (that’s never happened to me coming into LAX, ever…) and we found ourselves with some time to kill on our first day in LA. Charlotte has never really been around LA (even though we were married there, we didn’t have much time after the nuptials to for me to show her around the old stomping grounds), so we made our first day a date on the ol’ megalopolis.

We took a breathtaking stroll through the Huntington Library and Gardens, which happened to have a photographic history of Los Angeles on show (quite appropraite, I thought), and that night we had the best meal of our entire lives at Carousel, my favorite restaurant of all time from when I lived in Glendale. It’s as authentic Mediterranean/ Lebanese fare as you’ll ever find (and I’ve tried), and we dined and talked and drank and laughed like we hadn’t done since before we had kids.

Later that night, with quadruple-boiled Armenian coffee coursing through my veins, we flew back to our hotel at the usual breakneck speeds of the 101. While dodging BMW and Bentley drivers who seemingly couldn’t care less if I was next to them on the road, I would gaze over at my beautiful wife as she sat in the passenger seat, silhouetted against the shimmering, dizzying backdrop of the city lights. And for the first time in the five long years since I’d left LA, I felt a long-forgotten sensation as a memory of this perfect night suddenly formed and settled-in amongst the negative mental rubbish of my former life in LA.

I fell asleep that night remembering that I’d felt the same way on our honeymoon night in the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood. Charlotte represents everything that is right and good in my life, and by beginning my life anew through our marriage in LA, we had unknowingly begun some kind of cathartic recovery process of my memories from those darker LA days.

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Please click the photo or follow the link to view Lisa and Jason’s Estes Park wedding.

To the outside world, I seem like a strong, confident man. A rare specimen of talent and testosterone, (if I say so myself).

But secretly, I have a debilitating fear that haunts me to my very core. The mere thought of it has sent thoughts of dread and self-doubt coursing through my being. What is this haunting fear, you ask?

It’s photographing a wedding without Charlotte: my fearless leader, my guide, my muse and the one who yells at me when the clients aren’t around (it helps her deal with stress… I hope). She is my other half, both in terms of my life and as a wedding photographer. We’ve become like one joined mind out there in the field; We can cover each others’ shots with perfectly complimentary angles without speaking a word because we know each other’s style and habits. We just know what is being covered (and how) simply by where we’re standing, how we’re posed for the shot, and by how much sweat is beading out on our foreheads.

I’ve only photographed one other wedding without my faithful Charlotte (and it went very well, by the way), but Lisa and Jason’s wedding was still looming like a dark cloud on the horizon.

So where was my fearless leader, my muse on this day?

Slacking off without a camera for most of the day. Instead, she was grasping a bouquet of perfect flowers and looking resplendent in her navy blue bridesmaid dress as she fulfilled her solemn duty of Matron of Honor. That’s right: she was carrying Lisa’s train, holding flowers, and generally just looking stunning. She did shoot when she could, but for the vast majority of the day, she was but a member of the wedding party.

You see, Lisa is Charlotte’s best friend. They were best friends in Iowa, and when Charlotte moved out to Colorado, Lisa was right behind. In fact, we were all roommates when Charlotte and I were starting this whole marriage/business/family thing. My kids even call her Aunt Lisa. And I call her a pain in the butt.

I don’t have any sisters, and Lisa has become like a sister to me. Yes, in the loving, I’d-do-anything-for-you sibling way, but also in the you-annoy-me-to-death kind of sibling way.

As “roommate” Lisa, she was there for all the trials and tribulations of young love, engagement, early marriage, business start-up, and she often was known to have an opinion or two about the aforementioned drama. Like I asked for any. I’m not saying her opinions were wrong, (they were mostly right for that matter), it’s just that when you’re fighting with your new wife about the logo design of your 1st website, I don’t necessarily need to be double-teamed (although, I am a force of nature unto myself, so Charlotte does need all of the help she can get…)

And that’s how it went for about a year until Lisa (finally) moved out, and shortly there after met this guy: Jason.

Now, don’t get me wrong: for all of our squabbling, Lisa is a rock in my life, and I’m indebted to her for all that she’s done for me and my family. So, let’s just say, I’ve always been a little critical of the guys she’s dated, much like the role of an older brother (but she’s older… much older).

Then, out of the blue, this Jason guy shows up. At first I was nice and cordial, but I’ve been known to ask a probing question or ten, and very quickly I came to realize this Jason guy was really something. From honest, hardworking Minnesota stock, he seemed to embody everything Lisa wanted in a husband, including a huge competitive drive and a penchant for bar related activities (as anyone who has been whipped by the dynamic duo at Good Company’s beer pong tournament can attest)!

Jason and I became fast friends. We lean on each other when trying to deal with these two women, and now I have back-up in some of the squabbles between Char and I, and I don’t hesitate to give an opinion or two to Lisa when she and Jason have some spats. Ahhhh, payback is sweet!

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Please click the photo or the link to view Jessica and Keith’s wedding at Hillside Gardens.

“I thought Keith was really hot…”

Not exactly what I was expecting to hear from the Maid of Honor ( and the bride’s sister!) during her toast, but it was a very attention-grabbing way to begin the tale of how Jessica and Keith’s romance began. Soon a seemingly tawdry tale of sibling rivalry for the sweet attentions of a young volleyball coach (and fellow co-worker) quickly revealed itself as a wonderfully lighthearted and loving take on on the story of Jessica and Keith.

You don’t see many marriages started with tales of women fawning over the groom… lucky guy. (I have to admit, even Char was a little ga-ga. That’s just great. Thanks Keith.)

And it’s not that Jessica is a slouch by comparison; not by any means! It’s just that none of Keith’s groomsmen divulged any past attractions. Hmmmm, must be a girl thing…

But all humor aside (for a moment), this was our first wedding at Hillside Gardens, and Jessica and Keith couldn’t have planned a more relaxed, laid back, festive affair. I mean, let’s be honest here: the groom got to wear a cool linen suit, no tie, and sandals on a very muggy summer evening (don’t let the clouds fool you, it was warm). How smart is that? I highly applaud bucking tradition for common sense in all situations, but especially when it comes to attire. I have seen (and heard) so many groomsmen bemoaning their hot uncomfortable tuxes, and choking ties. And that’s how I know Jessica is going to be a wonderful wife: she didn’t force her man to be uncomfortable on their wedding day!

Their ceremony was purposefully late in the evening which left us little light to play with in the twilight that quickly closed in after the ceremony. But what an amazing opportunity to play with the romance of twilight! I really love the photos of them dipping, where she’s looking off camera and smiling beautifully, and also the kissing shots in the ceremony pews with the torchlight behind. We rarely have opportunities to photograph at twilight like those (we’re normally well into dinner at that point), and it’s so much fun (and a great challenge) to capture images in that light.

The one true drawback to photographs at twilight is the shocking speed at which the light slips away and fades to black night. So we had to work fast, and we always worry that the couple will feel rushed, but Jessica and Keith just swooped right along with us from spot to spot, beaming with joy and love, and gave us images that I’m really excited about.

A wonderful wedding, a beautiful new venue for us, a gorgeous and authentically in love couple…

I love my job.

Please click the photo or the link to view Stephanie and Devin’s wedding at the First United Methodist Church and Tre Luna.

Once upon a time in the Springs, there was this seemingly mystical restaurant that served as a cosmic junction of romantic fate for an entire family. It was Devin’s family’s restaurant (The Hungry Farmer?), and it was through their time working at this family owned restaurant that Devin’s older sister, Jessica, crossed paths with her future husband, Darius. Years ago, when it came time for Jess and Darius’ wedding bells, they chose Trystan Photography. A blast was had by all, they loved their photos, and all of us have kept in touch in the years since.

Fast forward to ’07, Jessica’s brother, Devin, asks his longtime girl, Stephanie (who he met through the restaurant , too), to marry him. Now, as far as Stephanie’s family were concerned, they had no prior relationship with us, but our relationship with the Heitzmann’s was so strong and their praise so effervescent, Stephanie did not hesitate to book with us for her June 2008 wedding as well!

This was our first “return family”. I can’t tell you how amazingly easy and fun it is to work with an entire family again. Everybody was familiar with us, how we work, the personal relationships were already in place and we know half of everyone there (our past blushing bride Jessica was the Matron of Honor!).

I mean, weddings are already a very personal experience. As wedding photographers, we are truly honored with the responsibility to faithfully record these amazing events in couples’ lives, but to have that responsibility bestowed upon us, again, by the the same family is utterly astounding ( and very flattering, I might add)!

Stephanie and Devin’s First United Methodist Church wedding was grand and splendid, but still had such an atmosphere of (PARTY!) fun, that it had no hint of stuffy formality throughout the entire day. (If you’re a dedicated reader of our blog, you may start noticing a pattern developing in regard to the vibe of our latest weddings, and that’s on purpose: we purposefully seek out fun loving couples as part of our interview process…)

Stephanie was, bar-none, one of the most energetic, laughing, goof-around, sexy brides we’ve ever had! She even convinced Char to do a impromptu bridal boudoir session while she was getting ready (sorry folks, no samples available of that…). Her zeal for the day was simply unwavering, and it was irresistibly infectious.

Their reception was held as the art-deco, always hip, (and this time very packed), Tre Luna in downtown Colorado Springs. It’s one of the more unique venues in the Springs, with an almost multiple personality of frontier (stamped tin ceilings and stucco walls with exposed brick) meets modern art-deco (arches and pillars,and paintings of zoot-suited fellas and flapper girls abound) combined with swanky night club (dramatic lighting, brushed steel accents, and a swank upper level for lounging). It’s always a cool venue, and the fact that it’s right down the street from the First UMC is a bonus!

So back to The Hungry Farmer(?, I can’t remember the exact name…), now defunct: How cool is it that through this one commonality in all of these peoples’ lives, all of their families and fates intersected in ways they never could have predicted! The restaurant may be closed now, but it’s legacy remarkably lives on in the lives of Jessica, Darius, Devin and Stephanie.

Charlotte and I are grateful to all of you for choosing us for your wedding photography. Your weddings have truly been a blast.

By the way, Jess and Devin’s mom, Kristen Heitzmann is a prolific author. If you like romantic suspense, (or suspenseful romance… I think that’s what Char and I have…), written from a faith based perspective, then you should definitely check out her books!

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If you’re a groom, weddings are stressful enough.

You know full well that the woman you choose to marry is a very important decision. In fact, it may be the most important decision of your entire life. And as the ceremony draws closer, you know that the words you are about to say not only are a solemn promise to your beloved bride, but you are in fact making a covenant before God Himself. Never before in your entire life have you made a commitment like this…

Grooms have it tough, right?

Now, imagine if the pastor who is marrying you two was not only God’s representative, but also your bride’s FATHER!!!

That’s where Will found himself the day he married LaTonya. Now,  it’s not that he didn’t know Rev. Williams (head pastor of King Solomon Baptist Church) would be their officiant, I simply mean that no man knows what it must feel like to say those very important vows of commitment like those men who have said them before pastors who were also the bride’s dad!

It might just be me, but I think that would add a whole new level of stress to the day. Let’s be honest  here: the sit downs during the dating / engagement phase are bad enough (… “just what are your intentions with my daughter?”), but to actually have her dad staring you in the eyes as he asks you not only as her dad, but also as a man of the cloth, “… ’til death do you part?”

Will did great, though. Truly a pillar of strength. (And I literally mean, a “pillar”. He was a tower of a man.) He was unshakable, fun, and showed no outward signs of stress throughout the day. But still, I can’t imagine…

LaTonya’s planning was impeccable. Her friends and family were joyous and full of life. But the reception…

…was outstanding! Will and LaTonya both started off their dances with Mom/Dad with a slow dance, soft and sincere. But about halfway through the music picked up and they both broke loose with mom and dad!

Then to top it off, the entire wedding party formed a dance “tunnel” on the dance floor, a la “Solid Gold”, and each took turns showing their moves. I nearly jumped in for a turn myself! (It’s a little known fact that my hulking 6′4″ 280lb. frame can actually cut quite a rug with such signature moves as the “Sending a Fax”, and “Starting the Lawnmower”.) Fortunately, Charlotte saw that tell-tale excited look in my eye and stopped me before I could throw down my equipment and embarrass myself beyond redemption.

Thank you Will and LaTonya. It was an honor and a privilege to be chosen to capture your special day!

Senior sessions are in full swing right now and I’ve just had some of the most amazing senior girls this year, who were beautiful both inside and out. These are just a handful of the seniors I’ve been working on the last week, so there will be more to come soon! I’ve shot a few boys as well this year, so I’ll make sure to post about how good lookin’ my senior guys have been this year as well!!!

Look out world, ’cause here comes:

BETHANY ….

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ALLISON….

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KATELYNN….

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