Mandi and Cory

Two blog posts in one day, it has been a busy weekend for me and Jessica. We had the opportunity to shoot Mandi and Cory's engagement session this afternoon, the temperature was close to 90 degrees in Denver, but we lucked out with some clouds. Their wedding is June 2nd, right around the corner, and we couldn't be happier to shoot it for them. They are a great couple, and they made it very easy to shoot them. It was tough to pick our favorites, but here they are.



















I'm pretty sure that they could model for jeans; or just about anything. We can't wait to photograph their wedding.

fstopworkshop

Jessica and I attended an amazing workshop yesterday, the fstopworkshop. It was put on by two very talented and amazing photographers here in Colorado; James Christianson and Jenna Walker. The day was filled with learning, inspiration and a lot of sharing. Everyone who attended were great people and great photographers, Jessica and I felt very lucky to be able to spend the day with such giving and talented people. It definitely inspired us.

We had the opportunity to shoot with Jim and Jenna, and to shoot a bunch of different models, (thanks to Leslie and Ryan, Nikki, and Ryan and Casey.) It was great experience to practice shooting, and to have the opportunity to practice all kinds of different techniques. There was also "classroom" time in which we learned about marketing, photography and how to grow your business. It was great to meet two photographers so willing to give back, it was an inspiration to me and Jessica because we want to do the same.

When we get everyone's website I will post them all so you can check out everyone's work.

We took tons of pictures, I won't even say how many, but it was a lot. So here are some of our favorites.

Mud and Business

Things have been busy the last week, Jessica had a birthday over the weekend and we celebrated twice; and once the previous weekend, so she got a lot of birthday time. I really enjoy birthdays, the cake, presents, singing, family, all that fun stuff.

I have been working hard for my dad, turning on and servicing sprinkler systems. It can be an incredibly dirty job, and yesterday was definitely one of those days.


Jessica and I are going to an all day workshop, called the fstopworkshop. It is put on by two great photographers here in Colorado... James Christianson and Jenna Walker. We are very excited because it is going to be a great day of photography and business. I'm sure we will have tons of sample pictures up over the weekend. I hope that everyone is doing well, talk to you soon.

Do you really think I look 15?

My dad and my uncle own a sprinkler company here in Denver, Schaefer Lawn Sprinklers Inc. and I am working for them this month and next. They are extremely busy this time of year so I get to help them out and earn a little extra money in the process. My job is to go to people's houses and turn their sprinklers on, and make sure everything is working properly. I went to a house yesterday and the woman was showing me where everything was when she stopped and said, "I'm sorry but I just have to ask how old you are because you look about 15." I know I look young but, 15? Anyway I told her my age, and she said, "oh good, I just wanted to make sure that this wasn't your very first job." I informed her that my dad and uncle were the owners and I had been doing this all my life, she felt much better after that. She was a very nice lady, but seriously 15, I mean I drove to her house so I had to be at least 16. There are some pictures on my "about us" page on our website; and I would say I look older than 15. It doesn't bother me because I know I look young, but 15 threw me a little.

I really enjoy getting outside and putting in a long hard days work, it has always been very energizing for me. I come home covered in mud from head to toe, and I have no idea what Jessica thinks, but I make sure to not track any mud in. My dad and uncle have owned their business for 25+ years now, and I can say without bias that they are THE best sprinkler company in Denver. They have worked extremely hard to build their company, and they have never lost sight of the most important things.

My whole life my dad has owned his own company, I knew from a young age that I wanted to own my business. My dad has been the biggest and best influence in my life, it is because of him that I am able to start and run my own business. After all of these years I am realizing all the lessons he has taught, and everything I have learned. He wasn't just teaching me to fix a sprinkler head, he was teaching me how to be successful in business. He was teaching me to treat employees and customers with respect, he was teaching me to never lose sight of the most important things in your life. Sure I learned how to fix sprinkler heads, but I have learned so much more. My dad is such an important part of my life, he always has the perfect advice and knows exactly the right things to say. He is one of the most intelligent and humble people that I know. I am so lucky and blessed to have him as a father, and I thank God everyday for the great family that I have.

My Little Sisters Prom

My sister Sarah went to her senior prom over the weekend, it is hard to believe that she is old enough. But she is, and she will be attending Colorado State University in the fall. She is a smart, beautiful, funny and caring person; I have loved watching her grow up over the years. From sitting on her blanket on the grass, to playing school in our basement, to softball, to high school; I am so happy to have been there every step of the way. I am so excited to see where her life takes her, she is such an incredible young woman I know her talents will lead her to amazing feats. Here are just a few pictures of her before she left.

When I am the happiest.

I always love Easter weekend because it is a time of celebration as a Catholic, it is symbolic of rebirth and this year I have gone through so many changes it was extra special for me. I also get to spend time with family members and go to the White Fence Farm. There is nothing better than fried chicken and corn fritters at 11:00 in the morning, (and no, I am not joking, I really like it.)

On Friday night Jess and I drove to Eagle to spend time with Jessica's family, and to help our nephews dye Easter eggs and go for an Easter egg hunt. Then on Saturday night we drove home to spend time with my family. It was a busy weekend and we hardly had time for ourselves, but we loved it. It just reaffirmed for me something that has always been so important in my life, family. I am the happiest when I am with my family; parents, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and especially Jessica. I absolutely love my family and they give me so much love and encouragement and inspiration.

It helps me to remember one of the reasons I wanted to go into business for myself. I love photography, and I love the happiness and emotion at weddings, I love creating lasting memories for people. But this business has also given me the opportunity to spend more time with my wife Jessica, which is truly amazing. It has also afforded me the opportunity to spend more time with the rest of my family, and that is a gift I am very thankful for.

Here is a slideshow of some of the Easter festivities. I am pretty sure that I have the two cutest nephews in the world.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

You're probably thinking what do elk have to do with weddings? Well nothing, but my dad and I are members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and have been attending their Denver banquet for the last 5 years. It is a fun filled evening of raffles, auctions, food and raising money. This was the tenth anniversary of the Denver banquet, and was also the year that they eclipsed 1 million dollars raised. I had the opportunity this year to photograph the event and it was a lot of fun. 650 people, 43 live auction items, and all kinds of excitement.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a great organization that has a very simple but powerful mission statement..."The mission of the Elk Foundation is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat." It is an incredibly active organization that attains its goals by...
* Conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitats;
* Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed;
* Fostering cooperation among federal, state, tribal and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation; and
* Educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics and wildlife management.

Here are some pictures of the excitement of the night.


Pulling out the name of a lucky winner.

The shot glass raffle was for a lifetime membership.

Awards from previous years.

A lifetime membership is worth $1500. To win all you had to do was buy a $20 ticket, not a bad deal.



The president and CEO of the entire Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

One of the items in the live auction.

THE Auctioneer.

These bid spotters had a ton of energy and really helped to sell some of the items.

One of the bid spotters doing his thing.

Why everyone was there.