Jon and Holly are getting married (soon!)

Jon and Holly are getting married on Saturday in Fort Collins and we're extra excited for it. We've known them since college and actually Jess and Holly were roommates at CSU and lived together for about 4 years; and Jon lived on my floor in the dorms (Newsom 1SW which I don't think will be around much longer.) Their wedding is going to be a great time and a great chance to see some old friends. Here's a few of our favorites from last night...

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park

Jessica and I photographed a wedding in Grand Teton National Park a few weeks ago (more pictures of that to come) and we had an extra day to drive through the parks. I've actually never been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton so I was very excited to spend some time in the parks. We really only scratched the surface of what is there, we didn't even have time to see Old Faithful erupt. I was amazed at the size of the parks and how the Teton mountains really just shoot up from the valley floor. All I really wanted to see was a grizzly bear and we were lucky enough to see one. Jess wanted to see a moose but we never did (so we definitely need to go back.)

I wasn't surprised about the number of people or development that was going on. Huge lodges, restaurants and gift shops. But there was still something cool about being in Yellowstone Park. I definitely want to go back and really explore more of the remote areas of the park. Here's a few pictures from the day...
















And of course the grizzly bear. Which was exciting even if she was on the side of the road and there were about 20 other people there.

Second shooting...

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to second shoot with the incredibly talented Jared Wilson and I really had a great time. It's always fun to second shoot with other photographers to see how they work, interact with people and create great images. The couple was so much fun and they really had an amazing and emotional reception. You can check out Jared's blog for more pictures and more about the couple, but in the meantime here's a few of my favorites...

Grand Teton Wedding!

Jessica and I and Heather got home Sunday afternoon from a great trip to Grand Teton National Park for Matt and Marisa's wedding. We had an amazing time getting to see the parks for a day and even more fun photographing their amazing wedding. I'm out hunting right now so I will post and write more about their wedding in a week but I wanted to show you just a few images we created.

Jessica took this shot of Marisa who was really a stunning bride.


Their personality wasn't hard to see during the wedding day.



Jessica took this amazing shot as well...there's really nothing more to say.

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa

I wrote a few days ago about my parents celebrating 32 years of marriage and how amazing that is. But in actuality they are only about halfway to my grandparents who today are celebrating 60 years of marriage. That's right 60 years together through all the ups and downs, the good times and the hardships, the lost child the 15 grandchildren. 60 years is so amazing and really I have no comprehension of how long that is. I've only been alive 26 years and married for 3; but I hope and pray that Jessica and I can celebrate our 60th anniversary together.

I know I mentioned it a few days ago but I will say it again; there are few things that are more important than marriage. Choosing to love someone forever and spending your entire life with them can make your life incredible and make you happier than you can ever know.

When I look at my grandparents and see them smile and see them helping each other remember where they put their sunglasses (or dark glasses as my grandma says) and see them spending their days together it helps to remind me what is truly important in our lives. When I see them at church together and wrapping Christmas presents or tending their garden or preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for 35 by themselves I'm reminded how important and sacred life is.

I know that they won't be with us forever (none of us are) so I visit and just sit and talk with them and lately I've tried to take more pictures of them. So please go out and take pictures of loved ones and tell them how much you love them...(thanks Zack for some great inspiration for this.)

My grandparents surprisingly have a pretty nice wedding album which again reminds me of the importance of what Jessica and I do. Here's a few of the two of them from 60 years ago and a few taken more recently...

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Today my parents are celebrating their 32nd anniversary (yes their anniversary is actually September 11th.) I can say without a doubt that my parents are the two biggest role models in my life; they always have been and always will be. What they have done together is truly amazing and to be happier and more in love now than in 1976 is really something incredible. Unfortunately I don't think marriage has the same importance today that it did when they were married so we feel so lucky to have two people we can look up to that have a solid marriage and life built on what is truly important.

I know for a fact that my parents have given me the ability to be a successful person. They pushed me when necessary (thanks Dad) they always loved and supported me and they gave me the confidence and faith to know that I can become whatever I want. I think those are probably the most important things a parent can do and they did it so well. I can honestly say that I've never met two more amazing people or parents in my whole life (of course I'm biased but I really do believe this.) Seeing their strong marriage and life together is so encouraging and it gives me and Jessica something to aspire to.

I could write pages and pages about the things they have done and how much I love them and how amazing they are but I will leave at this...I love you Mom and Dad.

They have very few pictures from their own wedding, which reminds me how important our job actually is. But here are a few of them 32 years ago and a few taken just a few months ago...