So, I’m still playing “blogging-catch-up”. Actually, we just shot Lisa and Casey’s wedding last weekend (the really hot one I was whining about on Facebook Saturday night): just an idea of how hard it is for me to keep up on this blogging this year!

I loved taking their engagement photos, and I loved their wedding even more. So let me just say, if you like their engagement session, oh baby, just wait until you see their wedding photos! (Hot or cold, that day would have always been awesome!)

Click the photo or follow the link to view our favorite photos from Jocelyn and Chase’s stunning Palazzo Verdi wedding.

*The following video is an update from the amazing videographers at CueMotion Wedding Cinematography, who we worked with for Jocelyn and Chase’s wedding. They are amazing, a while they might be based in Lincoln, NE we’ve managed to work with them on a number of weddings in Colorado! We love working with them and highly recommend them. They are totally worth the travel fee! http://www.cuemotion.com

So here we are in April. Maybe, just maybe, Colorado will start playing nice in terms of weather? Nope. The day before this wedding, which was a HUGE wedding (all day unlimited photography, 300+ guests, at Palazzo Verdi…) I-25 was SHUT DOWN. I-25 is rarely shut down. The snow was coming in “sideways-like”. So, needless to say, we were quite nervous about this one!

The day of we left around 7 am, and things weren’t looking so hot. Monument and Castle Rock heading north were a nightmare. Snow was still coming in sideways. It was bitter cold, with gusts of wind that chilled your very soul. Once we got to Palazzo Verdi, things were better in the sense that Denver had no snow, but it had simply become a frozen, stinging rain with wind. Not good.

The second we got inside for the rehearsal, everything looked a lot brighter, regardless of what the weather was doing because Jocelyn and Chase were on cloud nine!

I don’t mean to beat a dead horse on this topic, but it really it paramount: the attitudes of our clients on the day of their weddings have been nothing short of inspiring. Nothing was gonna keep this wedding from being an absolute joy for Jocelyn and Chase.

]]> http://www.trystanphotography.net/2010/07/palazzo-verdi-wedding-denver/feed/ 2 http://www.trystanphotography.net/2010/04/funny-funny-9-month-old/ http://www.trystanphotography.net/2010/04/funny-funny-9-month-old/#comments Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:23:46 +0000 Char http://www.trystanphotography.net/?p=1684 I started taking this little studs photos when he was almost 3 months old, and I can’t get enough of him!

I met Mr. W and his wonderful parents at the wedding of his Aunt Heather and new Uncle Arion, last year! You may remember this spotlight on  Heather and Arion’s fabulous wedding.

Mr.W is on his 3rd session from his first year of photos, which includes 3,6,9 and 12 month photos shoots.  The session I’m posting today is from the most recent session with Mr. W (9 months), and so far my most favorite.  I’ve said this several times, and I’ll say it again, I love 9 month olds!!!   This age is truly such a fun age. With all the funny faces, and smiles, and innocent expressions all in one!

I started noticing about 1/3 of the way into our session that Mr. W kept making this little hand gesture, like he was holding up the number 1.  His parents told me, this was a new and very common thing for him to do. It was hilarious,you have to watch the slideshow below! I think in about every other shot, he made this gesture.  These are the little things that I love to capture at these precious ages. I can’t wait to see what this little man has in store for me at his one year session.  He is already walking with his little push car (as you can see in some photos on the slideshow) at nine months!!!! So, I have a feeling I will be getting my exercise at our next session, no doubt about that!

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]]> http://www.trystanphotography.net/2010/04/funny-funny-9-month-old/feed/ 2 http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/11/my-awesome-seniors-2009/ http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/11/my-awesome-seniors-2009/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:04:56 +0000 Char http://www.trystanphotography.net/?p=1372 So I’ve finally finished my last senior session for 2009 (I suppose there could be some last minuters) and have been going through the sessions to pick out my favs.  I’m going to blog a bigger post with more images here in a day or so, but thought I’d show you all, just how awesome my 2009 seniors were.  At some random point during their sessions this year, I would have them do a crazy jump for me.  Sometimes it really helps everyone to just loosen up and have some fun!  I was so honored this year to get some of the coolest high school seniors ever.  Stay tuned for more pics from these sessions, some of my favorite shots of all time. Enjoy this fun little slide show in the meantime!

Please click the photo or follow the link to view our favorite photos from Rachel and Ethan’s amazing wedding at The Red Rocks Baptist Church.

I’m going to be honest here: my proposal to Charlotte wasn’t the most… shall we say, thoughtful or… romantic, if you will. We were driving in the car back to our house from the mountains, and I essentially said, “Baby, I love you, and I love spending time with you, and I want to be with you the rest of my life, and we already share a checking account… do you want to just go ahead and get married?” No ring. No plan. Nothing.

Amazingly, she said “yes” without missing a beat, and the rest is history. But it was more like we were planning a camping trip than a proposal. It was very matter of fact. No points for style, but I guess I get (at least) a point or two for the fact that we’re married in the end, right?

Well for any other guys out there with a “less-than-stellar” proposal under their belts, I present to you, for your guilty conscience and viewing pleasure: the Guy Who Makes the Rest of Us Look Like Turds-on-a-Stick Compared to Him… Ethan.

Did he have a well thought out plan? Check. Did he include an element of surprise? Check. Was it romantic? Check. Was there an actual ring and not just a promise of one (*ahem*)? Check. Did he secretly travel across the world to surprise his missionary fiance in Israel? Check… wait, WTF?!? Israel! He flew all the way to Israel to surprise propose to her?! Allright, that’s going too far. No man can possibly live up to that kind of high bar, but at least nobody else is gonna find out, especially any wives, and our loved one will still think our cliched idea of her finding ring in her glass of champagne was a creative and unique idea….

There’s video? Aww, crap.

Fellow men of the world: I apologize, but you’ll never be able to live up to this, ever.

So here it is, in all of it’s adorable glory: Ethan’s surprise proposal in Jerusalem, (overlooking the Temple Mount for !@(*&!@ sake…)

Click here to view the embedded video.

And how do I know about this video? Very simply, it was played for the entire church right after the couple walked down the aisle after their first kiss. It was extremely powerful, and there was not a dry eye to be seen. It really stuck out to me, and I begged them to let me show it here, and they obliged, and even put it in easy to use YouTube format!

Thank you both for being such an amazing couple, and sharing your special day with Charlotte and I. It was truly an honor to capture your wedding for you, and it was a blast!

]]> http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/10/wedding-red-rocks-baptist-church/feed/ 7 http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/09/holiday-cards/ http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/09/holiday-cards/#comments Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:33:40 +0000 Char http://www.trystanphotography.net/?p=1242 Yes, if you can believe it, it’s that time of year again! Here are the Holiday cards we are offering this year… aren’t they adorable. Make sure you book your session soon, everything takes about 4-6 weeks to get back!

Please click the photo or follow the link to view our favorite wedding photos from Lyndsie and Wes’ wedding at the Pines at Genesee.

Rain.

Why has there been so much rain this year?

Every wedding through Lyndsie and Wes’ has had rain at some point. For this wedding, rain clouds were boiling and threatening all day long, to the point that Wes had to make the call whether or not to even have it outside (why the Pines couldn’t set up both indoor and outdoor options, I don’t know…).

But luck and good fortune were on our side that day in that we only had sprinkles during the pre-photos, nothing during the ceremony, and it didn’t start pouring until we got inside for the reception.

But what a location! Wonderful meadows and views, and a perfectly shaded area full of lush old trees for the ceremony: The Pines at Genesee was a great place for a wedding.

We’re pretty enthusiastic photographers, and we like to roam a lot. We like to tread off of the beaten path and grab shots you don’t normally see. However, sometimes this means that the perfect wedding dress is a little less perfect when we’re done. But hey: you only wear it once. Better get your money’s worth!

Lyndsie is the perfect example of the “trooper bride”. While she was a little hesitant to go roaming about the meadows,  she wrote afterward when we posted her finished images online:

All I can say is…..AMAZING!! We are so happy with how the photos turned out (especially the “dipping” photos…which you must force every couple to do since they look awesome)!! All the grass/dirt stains and dress tearing was WAY worth it

See? Sometimes you’ve got to suffer a little for your art. It’s always worth it.

Thanks for giving us the honor of capturing your day, Lyndsie and Wes. It was awesome.

This being Colorado, most of our engagement portraits feature couples in a more causal style, boots and jeans and all. Usually, we’re hiking throughout some mountain park, getting a little dirty and a little sweaty but always having a lot of fun.

This session was different, but in a great way.

I knew we were in for something special when I met Jill and Matt at Wynkoop Brewing Co., and saw not only were they enjoying a cocktail (something I highly recommend for photo shoots… not for me: I recommend the clients drink!), but Jill was simply a knockout in her stunning little dress and heels… Oh, and I guess Matt looked pretty good, too. (Sheesh)

Now, we were already planning more of a metropolitan, urban look for the session, but once I saw how truly fantastic they looked together, I knew this session had just jumped up to a whole new level.

But cool clothes does not a good portrait session make.

If Jill and Matt had just been bumps on a log, they would have been well-dressed and yet boring bumps on a log. But because they obviously ADORED each other, they had that fun kinetic kind of energy which we celebrate in all of our clients.

Real love is like a contagious drug. When I photograph couples who exude real love for each other, their euphoria almost permeates the air until I’m giddy, too. It’s a very welcome and rewarding contact high. : )

]]> http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/08/urban-engagement-portraits/feed/ 1 http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/08/cory-tarynn-downtown-denver-engagement-session/ http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/08/cory-tarynn-downtown-denver-engagement-session/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:28:27 +0000 Trig http://www.trystanphotography.net/?p=1048 [[Show as slideshow]]

“Comfortable.”

That word is the single most significant trait I see amongst truly happy couples. They are really “comfortable” with and around each other. At times, it almost seems as if they are not complete without the presence of their partner. Their personalities don’t shine as bright, they’re more tense, etc.

Cory and Tarynn are the exemplification of what it means to be “comfortable” in an engagement session. We met outside Union Station in downtown Denver, in a mind-melting heat, but this being Colorado, within minutes it was overcast and cool. The laughs came naturally and easily, the affection was obvious and free-flowing, and their photographs were a joy to capture and reflect that.

You can tell I, too, was “comfortable” with them!

Bradon was wide-eyed nearly the whole session. He slept a couple times but only on momma!
But look at those big alert eyes, adorable!

Such a handsome little guy… and a pure joy to work with!

Tryg and I had such a blast taking their engagement photos. As you can see below I had a hard time picking out my favorites for the slideshow.  I just love how fun, happy and in love they are!

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And here’s a little slide show of some family photos we did too!

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]]> http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/06/770/feed/ 0 http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/06/enagement-session-denver-university/ http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/06/enagement-session-denver-university/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:39:46 +0000 Trig http://www.trystanphotography.net/?p=758 [[Show as slideshow]]

I met Derek and Mackenzie in a parking lot at DU and as we walked, I chatted with them about their story. (This isn’t simply to fill time, but because I wholeheartedly believe that to create a sense of intimacy with my clients helps to build trust which then helps to promote wonderfully honest and fun portraits.) I learned how they met (high school sweethearts). I learned about their first dates. I learned Derek took a long time to finish undergrad…

So I cracked a line from Tommy Boy, “‘A lot of people take that long to finish college’,'Yeah, they’re called doctors.” Derek smiled and said, “Nah. I built a house.”

He built a house. Sure, I thought. He left school for a year to work on some construction crew and built a house. Interesting choice… “So, you left for a year to work on a crew?”

“Nope. Just myself.”

Huh? Yep. You read that right. He left school for a year to build a house by himself, with help from his dad and his buddy. No crew. Just himself.

Turns out he’s an engineer or architect or something really technical like that, and building a house apparently was his version of a sabbatical.

Not many people have even worked on a crew, much less built a house by themselves. So needless to say I was impressed!

It’s also needless to say how much fun these two were. As you can see from the photos, they were really high energy and very affectionate. Whatever we’re doing to attract the kind of clients we’re getting, I glad it’s working because it’s so much easier to take fun, attractive portraits of extroverts who are authentically in love!

My favorite shot came at the end of the session, when I asked Mack and Derek if there were any more shots they could think of and Mackenzie asked if we could recreate their first kiss from back in high school. Back then, apparently Mackenzie was a little aggressive, and a little nervous but when she leaned forward to kiss Derek (eyes closed) she ended up making out with his nose. Obviously, this made quite an impression on them as we were re-creating it years later. Not only is the shot hilarious, and the back story even better, but I love the look on Derek’s face. To me it says: “Hmmmmmmmm. Am I grossed out or a little bit into this?”

When I finished Emily and Neil’s engagement portraits, she wrote back with: “I can’t get used to seeing us in photos like these… more intimate photos.”

It’s a common reaction from our clients. Most people are used to very bland, straight on, looking at the camera portraits. When they see themselves in a portrait where: 1) the composition and lighting are flattering, 2) they look comfortable, 3) they have real emotion in the shot… well, it can freak you out a little (in a good way).

Those things are the essence of fine editorial photography/portraiture. I aim to capture who my clients are, in the most flattering and visually engrossing way possible.

My favorite moment from the session was from the beginning when we met at Union Station, I was going to do the signature “dip” in the middle of 17th St. (see Kristin and David’s engagement pics for a sample), when suddenly I noticed another photographer with another couple. She was standing right where I stand and was doing the exact same shot I wanted to do!

Two things happened: 1) I didn’t feel very creative, 2) I was filled with an overwhelming urge to challenge her to a duel. You see, for those of you who don’t know, the Revised Unified Code for Photographers section 16.28 sub-paragraph 6 mandates that any 2 photographers who meet out on location with the intent to capture the same shot must fight each other to the death (just like Highlander) using our longest lenses as bludgeons. Whoever is victorious absorbs the creative essence of the other photographer. I know, I know: it’s a very barbaric practice, but it’s been in use for thousands of years, before there were even cameras or photographers. Our ancestors strictly adhered to the photographer’s code.

Needless to say, I won. Emily and Neil were a bit shaken, but as you can see from their photos, the initial shock wore off and they recovered quickly.

(For legal purposes I must now explain that I did not, in fact, bludgeon another photographer to death with my tele-zoom lens in a barbaric Highlander-esque battle for creative rights to capturing a particular shot. It was simply my attempt a gallows/nerd humor and was clearly hyperbole. In fact, if  you thought I was serious, you are clearly humorless and are no longer allowed to read our blog.)

So, anyway… it was an awesome shoot and we were all over downtown Denver. From Union Station to 14th and Curtis (riding the 16th Street Mall buses is really easy). Emily and Neil were awesome and very adventurous. It was cold, dark and nearly raining, but we made the best of it.

In fact, the photo of them walking in front of the big yellow wall, holding hands, and she’s skipping forward and looking back at him is my favorite engagement portrait I’ve ever taken. Seriously. I love it. Thank you for being so great, you two!

How often can you say you really “cavort”? Do you even know what “cavorting” is? Well, Matt and Sharyn obviously do.

When I go into engagement sessions, the absolute holy grail of photo subjects is a couple that not only really, really loves each other, but are almost giddy with energy and enthusiasm. I don’t always get that from my couples, but Matt and Sharyn were the definition of fun and energy. They cavorted all over the place. And Red Rocks is a heck of a place to do that at!

Matt and Sharyn’s wedding is this Saturday, so I will have some wedding photos to share soon!

Please follow the link or click the photo (above) to view the sample gallery of SeHee and John’s wedding photography at Washington Park and The Korean Christian Church in Denver.

I love emotional weddings. Underneath my somewhat intimidating 6’4″ bearded viking exterior: I’m a big softy. Very often I’m tearing up right along with the people I’m photographing.

… and that’s the problem.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to focus a camera if you’re crying?!?… or much less even see what’s going on?

SeHee and John’s wedding represented the deepest union to them. John (who is normally a very cool customer) was immediately overwhelmed with gratitude and love from the moment SeHee stepped into view down the aisle. By the way, for those of you who think that seeing each other before the ceremony “ruins” something in the ceremony: SeHee and John had been around each other for about 2 hours before the ceremony even started and it obviously had no effect on the emotional potency of their ceremony.

It was the same with Charlotte and I: We got ready at the hotel together, walked across the street to the church together and separated at the chapel doors. I walked forward and took my position at the altar, and even though it had only been moments since I’d last seen her, the second she appeared at the top of the aisle it was as if I was seeing her for the first time. She was bathed in the light of love, God and hope. When you see your soon-to-be-wife walking down that aisle, there is no preparing for the flood of memories of your past and dreams of your future (together) that will wash over you.

It’s an honor to have to job that we have. It’s not gloating, but an acknowledgment of how awesome it is to have the responsibility of capturing these moments for our clients.

]]> http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/05/wedding-washington-park-korean-christian-church-denver/feed/ 0 http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/05/joshs-marriage-proposal-to-megan/ http://www.trystanphotography.net/2009/05/joshs-marriage-proposal-to-megan/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 04:09:27 +0000 Char http://www.trystanphotography.net/?p=720 A couple of weeks ago Kim, Julia and I had the opportunity to photograph one of the most amazing moments, a real marriage proposal.  The whole thing was very strategically planned out by Josh, who lives in Georgia, to send his now “fiance” on a little scavenger hunt around Denver. Megan is currently going to school in Denver and had no idea Josh was in town.  The entire deal could not have been more thoughtful and adorable. It was one of the most emotional shoots I’ve ever been a part of (I was literally crying as I was shooting), and we were all very honored to get to capture this moment for them.

The last place Megan was led to was a little park downtown Denver, where her and Josh had one of their first dates together. Josh had made a little circle of sunflowers (her favorite), with the last note in the center, instructing her to call him on his cell.  That’s when he came out from hiding (and us as well) and did his thing.  I put together a little slide show of my favorite images, there are several, but I love how it tells the story.  Congratulations again Megan and Josh, I’m sure you will have a long and happy marriage! Enjoy!

It’s still within minutes of downtown and right off a major freeway (I-70 this time).

We’re really excited about the potential for Charlotte’s portrait clientele in the new space, and I’m definitely looking forward to my next wedding meeting there, too!