Moonshadows

Matt and I decided to go camping at the last minute with some friends last night, we left around 6:30PM and were back before 8AM -- it was spectacular! We camped right by the site where we got married, so it was like a little anniversary present. It was gorgeous. The moon was full or almost full and there were moon shadows everywhere. We hiked up to a higher spot to see the sunset over all the Arizona hills in the distance. It's times like this that remind me why I live here (and why I don't have kids yet). I was obviously kicking myself that I left my camera at home. A long exposure in a huge field, with everyone walking towards the remaining sunlight would've left me with a stellar shot. I have the picture in my mind, at least.

The office

I'm re-organizing my office, making a workstation for Matt, buying new furniture and getting it ready for 2008 meetings. Hello, 30" mac cinema display, here I come. I haven't got a photo of the space yet (waiting for one more piece of furniture today) but it's definitely reminding me that I don't want to move anytime soon. Packing, unpacking... what a drag and it takes forever. If I have to unplug my computer one more time, the rat nest of cords might just eat me for breakfast. The hard work will be well worth the effort and any of you who will be meeting with me soon will see the final product! Yippie.

back-posting - Cheryl & Chris

check out this arch by Showstoppers-- amazing

love the look on Cheryl's face... classic...

Tis the season to be back-blogging. Cheryl and Chris were married June 2, 2007! This wedding was awesome #1) because it a local Flagstaff affair (you know I love a wedding in my backyard) #2) because Chris and Cheryl laid in a bed of roses for me and #3) Showstoppers outdid themselves. I mean haven't I mentioned that I love peonies and did you see that arch---breathtaking! view slideshow here.

Portland, OR

Here in Portland for a wedding... went to the zoo with my best friend Kathleen and her two kids, Rose and Quinn. Matt checking out records last night on the way home and San and David at their rehearsal dinner...

Kristie & Brent

I loved Milwaukee and am having 'Redmond-Benham family withdrawal'. Sometimes in this business, especially after a destination wedding, you feel like you are a part of the family and that was definitely the case this weekend. The groom's family is from Flagstaff, AZ and the bride from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This wedding was unique for many reasons but one unfortunate similarity that pulled these two families together was both the bride and groom's fathers had passed away recently. The bride's father passed away 2 years ago and tragically, just two weeks ago the groom's Dad died of heart surgery complications. Needless to say, this couple's love has already stood the test of good and bad, sickness and health. I really admired the strength of this family to rise above the tough times in life and still manage to pull through and celebrate. As some of you know, I used to be a co-director for the BreastFest, a breast cancer benefit. Our message is to celebrate and remember those who have died, which is harder than it sounds. What touched me so much about this wedding was how the Redmond family had experienced tragedy just a couple years ago and Brent had comforted Kristie and her family, and now due to the circumstances, Kristie and her family would comfort Brent and the Benham family (not to mention the GREAT friends both families have). Both families found strength in one another and celebrated this wonderful day with Kristie and Brent as their father's would've wanted! This wedding embraced the true spirit of a marriage and the power of love (cheesy but true). Please pray for both families as they recover from a tumultuous month.

Back to the wedding gossip: the details to this wedding were incredible. The flowers were stunning... in fact, I've never seen such attention to the flowers, which really made the room POP! We did a quick photo shoot the day after the wedding to capture some additional portraits of Kristie and Brent... enjoy!

View slideshow here
P.S. The 'Robert Benham Memorial Fund' has been established for Mother of Redeemer Orphanage in Piura, Peru (a charity that the Redmond family founded a while back) and the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

donations can be made to: The 'Robert Benham Memorial Fund'
Chase Bank
4830 N. US Highway 89
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

donna's shots (above)

Here we are in beautiful Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a wedding! There are lakes everywhere (or is it just Lake Michagan)? Ahh water shots, don't get many of those in Arizona. I snapped this shot of Kristie and Brent tonight at their rehearsal dinner which was on the lake. Donna is here with me second shooting and being navigator! We are looking forward to the wedding tomorrow. Kristie was a bridesmaids of one of my brides in 2005 and she loved my work so she hired me to shoot her Wisconsin wedding. It happens more than you think. I'm off to Portland next weekend. I will be back in Flagstaff on Monday and I promise to get blog posts up about May 26th and June 2nd weddings.

Stephanie & Joe

An afternoon wedding with lawn games, lots of laughter and plenty of fun. Creekside Inn of Sedona provided a lush green backdrop for this May 26th wedding. Rosalie's of Sedona catered this affair and I have to say they outdid themselves. Check out those mini chocolate mousse! slideshow click here...