I received a call from Kate Wingard owner of Church and State Optics who manufactures high end goggles and sun glasses for women. She asked  me if I could photograph some of her products in use and I jumped at the opportunity. I love the challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone and photographing something different. Get your goggles here http://churchandstateoptics.com/

This is the first time I have ever featured a compilation of photos from a single year of weddings. I looked through a lot of images trying to assemble this post and had a difficult time only selecting a handful of photographs to display. Through the process of editing, I was able to learn a lot about how I approach my wedding photography. I learned what I was repeating, what was working visually and what was not. I saw what I need to improve on, and discovered that I photograph in a very quiet, subtle, and unobtrusive way.

I wanted to show images that revealed this way of seeing, that showed where 2012 could be heading photographically. These images are not in your face loud moments, nor are they super glamourous, or sexy, however they are still beautiful, real and spontaneous. I had some great clients the past year that trusted me and the way I see, and I am so very grateful for being able to document their special day. The following images are a few of my favorite wedding photographs from 2011. I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store.

Angie and I headed south for Thanksgiving to spend the holiday with my family. My mom and dad live in Colorado but my uncle lives in Phoenix I haven’t seen him or my other relatives in quite a while. Along the way we decided to make the most of it, traveling to places off the beaten path and visiting landscapes we had never seen. From Denver, we headed to Moab, then over to Mesa Verde, followed by a stop at the Grand Canyon then on to Phoenix for a couple of nights. On the route back we headed to the four corners, Durango and Pagosa Springs. Finally ending back into Denver. These images are about the road, the journey, which can be full of pleasure, anxiety, excitement, stress, beauty, and adventure. Often times with a road trip the journey is the destination.

Over the past weekend the winners of the recent WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) quarterly contest were announced. I was excited to see that one of my images placed in the “Ring Details” category. This image was made during Nikki and Tom’s wedding ceremony as the priest was blessing the couple wedding bands. I liked this shot because, although it is a detail shot it also has a human element to it. Rather than just a shot of the rings on the couples hand or hanging from an aspen tree the photos show an important moment during the day and says so much more about the couple and the wedding day. Check out the rest of the winning images and congratulations to Colorado Wedding photographers Kent Meireis and Kara Gwinn for placing in  the international contest as well.

I also placed 6th in the recent AG|WPJA Contest in the “Getting Ready” category. The image is from Nikki and Tom’s wedding, and it is definitely one of my favorite images from the day. I made this image by shooting through Nikki’s veil which creates the high key look in the image, and focused on the reflection of her compact as she takes one last look before she walked down the aisle to marry Tom.

Photo below by Kent MeireisPhoto below by Kent MeireisPhoto below by Kent MeireisPhoto below by Kent MeireisPhoto below by Kent MeireisPhotography by Preston Utley and Kent Meireis

Wedding Planner and Floral by Stacy Pisani and Alexan Events.

Photographed with and for Kara Gwinn

Photographed with and for Shane Macomber

Photographed with and for Kara Gwinn