New Mexico is known for it’s gorgeous sunshine and warm spring days. But not every outdoor wedding in New Mexico can be planned in advance and still have perfect weather on the day of the celebration! Stephanie and Trevor happened to get a cloudy, somewhat cool and breezy, April wedding day in the mountains of Taos. And it was perfect. The clouds set a dramatic mood along with Stephanie’s hat and Trevor’s purple tie. The horse across the street was out and about because of the cool temperatures. The gardens at SpiriTaos, still in hibernation but beautiful with earth tones and mountain views. Congratulations to this couple and their happily ever after that will be full of sunshine, no matter the weather.
These portraits are of my mom and dad!! It was less than seven degrees out, which is the coldest weather I’ve ever shot my camera in. My camera (Canon, of course) worked perfectly and I was wearing a parka so I was fine, it was my parents who really had to suffer (thank goodness I work fast and we took less than ten photos)! The snowfall the day before provided us with beautiful backgrounds and high contrast as the wood on the house and the dark evergreens were covered with snow.
For a dark, windy, winter evening, we rocked this engagement sitting and captured some amazing engagement photos. These women came to Taos from Portland, Oregon for a pandemic-getaway. They rented a house out on the mesa and they had their own little private courtyard complete with sculptures, prayer flags, and a labyrinth. We were able to use the photogenic design also incorporating the endless sea of sage and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range too. Congratulations to these women and their happily ever after, in progress!
Like everything else, Covid-19 has made school pictures different this year! We met this family in a special and private spot in Carson National Forest right outside of Town of Taos. The outdoor area was ideal for removing masks and documenting the children’s ever-changing smiles. The girl in jeans is an only child and a surrogate-sibling to the other two kiddos. The two girls are best friends and have been raised together since toddlerhood. This boy considers both girls his sisters.
Many times there is a doggy-friend who, after the bride and groom, is the most important personality at the wedding. In our consultations, we often ask if there is a special animal friend who should be included in the photos, because we KNOW that is a picture that you will miss after your wedding if you don’t get it! Dogs are best friends, and dear family members and should be included in ALL celebrations, as these buddies would like to think! We’ve shot weddings where the dogs are the best men, maid-of-honors, ring bearers, and flower girls, and we’ve learned that some dogs take their wedding position very seriously. We’ve known weddings who have changed venues because their dog wasn’t allowed to walk down the aisle. We’ve photographed excited, anxious, and nervous dogs. Many dogs are camera shy! And we will never forget when the dog ran away, WITH the rings (no worries, she was found before the ceremony)!
So please, bring your dog and count on a few pictures with your baby. A dog is definitely a special and honored guest at a wedding when they are included. So here’s to wedding dogs and Happily Fur-ever After!!!
I love the restaurants that I work with at weddings and during catered wedding receptions. I love the beautiful presentation of food and the little details of deliciousness. I love the elegance of a lovely atmosphere that hosts a wedding and I love the people who bend over backwards for the married couple. After picking up food from an elegant, local favorite tonight, I’m sending so much love to all of the restaurant owners and staff tonight. Covid-19 has been hard on all of us, but especially the restaurants. How quickly everything changes and how I can’t wait to photograph this beautiful part of weddings again.
