Snowy Outdoor Colorado Spring Wedding | Golden Gate Canyon State Park | Highlands Ranch Photographer

Natalie & AJ were married April 22nd up at Panorama Point in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.  For being spring in Colorado it was such a cold and snowy day.  When I packed my things the night before I underestimated how cold it would actually be.  I knew it was supposed to snow, but I was expecting the thick, heavy stuff and a little warmer temperatures.  When I got up to leave, it was warm and sunny so I sort of thought that maybe they had messed up on the prediction and instead of throwing my warm snuggly coat into my car I brought two lighter ones (bad decision!).

As the day went on a very cold breeze blew in and everything turned cold. I lucked out by having two coats to wear and a glove left behind in my car along with two rain ponchos.  We headed up to Panorama point around noon and as we drove towards the mountains the snow got thicker and thicker and the temps dropped lower and lower. Honestly... there is nothing more gorgeous than a bride in white wedding dress in the snow so I was really really excited for some bridal / couple photos in the snow.  I just had to freeze through the ceremony to get there :)

View all their photos here: http://pictage.com/1249299

Natalie handmade this cute nest to hold the rings during ceremony!

I LOVE Natalie's dress.  That vintage style is very hot right now but Natalie didn't go out and buy her dress... it was passed down through the generations.  Both her grandmother and her aunt wore it. 

Everyone's wedding dates were sewn in the hem, even Natalie's. Such a wonderful idea!

The view at Panorama Point definitely not as spectacular when its not cloudy but still gorgeous.  Brrrr!!! It was so cold... icicles and thick deep snow.  Natalie was a trooper, I kept thinking she's way colder than me, and we'll both make it! 

They had a Native American smudging and blessing it was really neat to see.  Such a beautiful ceremony!

They were very prepared... way more prepared than I would be for the cold. Her family brought and set up tents and propane heaters.  They brought lots of blankets and cuddled in close.

We gathered around the heaters... I had to warm my hands on multiple occasions during the ceremony to keep my fingers working :) 

I shot these few last images out my car window... It took about 5 minutes to warm up my feet enough to be able to drive... brrr 

Me and my assistant - Cayla... BRRR it was SOOO COLD! I wore my ugly poncho with happiness... kept my gear from getting wet and kept the heat in... at least I am the photographer so I don't have to worry about being in the photos... and hey I was camouflaged right :) 

Honestly this was probably one of the prettiest weddings I've photographed... it was worth freezing a little bit and hey I still have all my fingers and toes so it was worth it.  Such a gorgeous and very Colorado wedding.  

Congrats Natalie & AJ I am honored to have photographed the start of your amazing adventure together! 

View all their photos here: http://pictage.com/1249299

We're Dreaming of Summer | Highlands Ranch Photographer

I shot this at the beginning of March, just before one of the big snowstorms.  The weather was so nice here in Colorado and I just couldn't resist doing something beach themed. I do realize we are very far from the beach here in landlocked Colorado but that didn't stop me.  I ran around the house while my daughter was napping, trying to put some sort of color scheme together.  I had just purchased the blue paper parasol from hobby lobby for a themed summer shoot so I paired clothing and accessories with it.  It was really windy - something I didn't notice from inside my home so I had to anchor everything down with rocks and I used two small pinwheels to hold the large parasol in place.  

She LOVES photoshoots, she can be in the worst mood and the instant I bring out the camera she's interested and entertained.  She was so interested in the pinwheel so I stuck it in the ground so she couldn't pull it out and that kept her entertained for the shoot.  Her shorts & sunglasses came from Gymboree, her Shirt came from Children's Place and her headband came from Etsy - Chicabootique.  This shoot was done in Highlands Ranch, CO just in the park within my neighborhood. 

I lived in Texas and I grew up going to the beach as a kid.  I have so many fond memories of it so I cannot wait to take her.  I actually just can't wait until summer so we can enjoy the outdoors and go exploring.  We may not have the beach here in Colorado however we do have the mountains and gorgeous places to explore.