Frances Photography http://theweddingartist.com/ en Copyright 2010 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:30:17 -0700 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Mandy and Mitch Kleinstein 8-1-10 'Tis the season!  After shooting all day Saturday, I was right back at it on Sunday (with Krista by my side) for another beautiful wedding with Mandy and Mitch at the top of Beaver Creek Mountain at the Spruce Saddle Lodge.  We had some pretty major plans for outdoor photos and even a ride up the lift, but the rain clouds rolled in and hung around most of the day. I know this might sound crazy, but it's refreshing to have my "plan" fall apart because then I have even more of an opportunity to be creative and I enjoy being forced to think on my feet. We did all the family formal shots inside the lobby of the Park Hyatt with the beautiful window light.  I wouldn't have done that if not for the rain, but they ended up looking so gorgeous.  And we had great soft light and cooler temperatures for all the men in tuxes when we were able to get outside for a few shots.  I used locations I might not have used if we had felt more comfortable getting further from the hotel that ended up looking gorgeous. AND, not only that, but there was literally a hole in the storm right over Spruce Saddle for just long enough to have the ceremony outside.  I've never seen anything like it before!  You could see the rain coming down all around the ceremony- but not a drop ON the ceremony.  It was amazing seeing clouds hanging in the sky behind and lower than everyone's heads- Talk about a dramatic backdrop!  Kudos to the Perfect Petal for working so hard and fast to set up the outdoor ceremony at the last minute and for their gorgeous flowers (as always!)

Mandy and Mitch were an absolute joy to photograph and another couple that I connected to the instant I met them!  They were both so happy, sweet, and so cooperative considering the chaos of the large families, wedding party, and all the last minute changing of plans.  The look on Mitch's face when he saw Mandy for the first time was one of the best expressions I've ever seen!   They both just beamed with radiance and pure love.  And talk about a FUN reception!  Funkiphino rocked the lodge all night long and completely packed the dance floor.  Thanks again to Krista for being such a fab second shot.  It was awesome having you with me all weekend!

Here are some of my favorite images from the day and be sure to check out their slideshow online here!



]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/mandy-and-mitch-kleinstein-8-1-10.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/mandy-and-mitch-kleinstein-8-1-10.html weddings Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:30:17 -0700 Katie and John Wickliff Beaver Creek 7-31-10 From the first time I met with Katie and John, I was in love---with them both!  There was just something so beautiful about their energy together and a twinkle in their eyes that stayed with me for days.  I could feel, just by looking at them, how in love they were with each other.  Then we met again for their engagement session and it all came flooding back. In leading up to their wedding, I was sooo excited!  But truly, as prepared as I was for an amazing day, what I didn't know was how much their wedding would effect me personally.  Weddings are always emotional, but it's not every wedding that the tears flow so openly and honestly from the bride, from the groom, and from the family and friends.  I swear, there wasn't a dry eye in the building!  The thoughtfulness and sincerity of their vows combined with the look in their eyes created a lump in my throat that threatened a waterfall of tears several times during the day.  Admittedly, anything that can make me cry, I love.  :-)

Katie and John got ready at The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek and the wedding was at Allie's Cabin.  I had the pleasure of having the lovely and talented Krista Johns second shooting with me.  Here are a few of my very favorite images from the day as well as a link to their online slideshow. Check it out!  Oh and, I love the shot of Katie and I that Krista took at the end of the night.

]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/katie-and-john-wickliff-beaver-creek-7-31-10.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/katie-and-john-wickliff-beaver-creek-7-31-10.html weddings Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:08:06 -0700 Beautiful Bonnie
I had the most wonderful situation literally fall into my lap this year, that is, I got an intern!  Miss Bonnie Silkman, currently a senior at Keene State College in New Hampshire, is the sister of one of my brides from a couple of years ago that I had stayed in touch with on Facebook.  She is interested in photography as a career choice and she asked about coming to work for me this summer.  The way things work outed once we finalized everything, I also got a roommate because it made the most sense for her to just live with me.  It was like a breath of fresh air into my life!  Bonnie did SO much for me it's hard to even say what she "did."  I will mention first the fact that she loved my dogs with all her heart!! She also submitted tons of my work to different wedding blogs, much of which has been or is going to be published.  She assisted me at an amazing wedding I had in Beaver Creek at the end of June (and she took some gorgeous photos herself!) as well as a couple of different engagement sessions in the Denver and Boulder area.  She organized all my contacts, helped me walk the dogs (a twice a day event), ran errands, lent an ear,  became my friend, and left after two short months, like another sister to me.  Bonnie dear, thank you for everything you brought to my life this summer!.  You have such an exciting life ahead of you.  Don't forget to keep believing in yourself!  Hurry up and graduate and come back to CO! I love you!


]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/beautiful-bonnie.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/beautiful-bonnie.html the biz Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:10:47 -0700 Helen and Dan: Engagement Session Helen was one of those people that I connected to instantly and I when I met Dan and the rest of the family (Dudley and Elliot) I knew we were going to be able to get amazing photos together!  Sometimes I just "know" it's a great match and this was one of those times.  Now that I have done this photo shoot with them, I can happily say, I was right.  :-)  We had a blast and all we did was walk down the street to a little park in North Boulder for a while.  I love shooting when I get to find the shot in any given situation that I have no "plan" for.  It challenges me creatively and every time I stretch that muscle, I am pleased with the results.  So, here are a few of my favorites from our session.  I am SO excited to photograph their wedding celebration very soon...



]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/helen-and-dan-engagement-session.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/helen-and-dan-engagement-session.html engagements Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:53:21 -0700 Amber and Perry's Engagement Session I just LUV Amber and Perry! They are so natural together and their personalities are even more adorable than they are (if that's possible)! Perry is currently stationed in Afghanistan and has had the engagement surprise planned for Amber for months.  I had a heads up though so we got together while he was back for a short break to celebrate their long coming official engagement!  Hurray!   I had a really great shoot with Bonnie assisting me and I have to mention this because I was SO impressed. Daisy, Amber's baby (aka dog), is the most well behaved dog I've ever met...ever!  Even better than mine!  (And you know I must mean it if I say that, because of course I think I have the best dogs in the world! ;-) ) 

Thanks again to Amber and Perry for their sparkly personalities!  Here are some of my favorites from our session at Riverfront Park in downtown Denver. 



]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/amber-and-perrys-engagement-session.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/08/amber-and-perrys-engagement-session.html engagements Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:07:47 -0700 Paige and Jeff Reberry: Beaver Creek 6-26-10 Paige is not only a dear friend of mine, she is also an amazing wedding coordinator and I always love working with her (and CC!) at Colorado Wedding Company.  When I was chosen to photograph her wedding to the wonderful, charming (and goofy) Jeff Reberry, I truly couldn't have been more honored!  It was such a gorgeous and FUN wedding!  I had Krista second shooting with me as well as Bonnie assisting.  The three of us girls absolutely shot our hearts out and I couldn't have been happier with how the day flowed. I knew Paige and Jeff's wedding would be nothing short of spectacular, but I really didn't know we were going to have as much fun with everyone as we got to have!  Or that we would have such a gorgeous day for photos. The ceremony was at the Beaver Creek chapel, the reception was at the Park Hyatt, and the floral and decor, all by the Perfect Petal, were to die for. Check out their wedding slideshow here! 


Paige and Jeff, thank you SO much for everything and I wish you a world of love and happiness. XOX




]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/paige-and-jeff-beaver-creek-6-26-10.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/paige-and-jeff-beaver-creek-6-26-10.html weddings Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:08:34 -0700 Lucy Dylan, Couture Colorado, & Colorado Wedding Magazine This is the first summer that I have had an intern, and it's been so fantastic!  I just LUV Bonnie and I am going to be so sad when she leaves me next week.  Bonnie is the sister of a bride of mine from 2008 who I became friends with on Facebook and who was interested in moving to CO from New Hampshire for the summer to work for me.  My intention for her was to have her help me with my marketing because I never seem to have the time to submit my work to magazines and blogs and it's an area of my business that I know I need help with. She has been great at it!  And the weddings she has submitted over the last few weeks have been getting snapped up by several different weddings blogs! It feels so great to get to share my work with more people.  I can't believe I haven't been doing this sooner...

Charli and Chad got married in Beaver Creek and are being featured on Couture Colorado. The Lucy Dylan Weddings blog is currently featuring two of my  destination weddings-Julie and Nate, married in Jamaica, as well as Lori and Kevin who got married at the Four Seasons in Mexico.  Colorado Wedding Magazine is featuring Erin and Nate, who had a beautiful spring wedding at Phipps Mansion in Denver.

Blog features coming soon... Kari and Ryan, married in Aspen, Erin and Dave, Erin and Sean, and Paige and Jeff all married in Beaver Creek, and Amy and Kevin, married in Mexico.  Stay tuned!


Screen shot 2010-07-23 at 10.58.34 AM.pngScreen shot 2010-07-23 at 10.59.39 AM.png
Screen shot 2010-07-23 at 10.59.01 AM.png

]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/lucy-dylan-couture-colorado-colorado-wedding-magazine.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/lucy-dylan-couture-colorado-colorado-wedding-magazine.html the biz Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:05:07 -0700 Flying to Sun Valley One of my life goals is to someday get my pilots license.  Anytime I have an opportunity to fly with my parents and I'm available, I will take it!  I didn't have a wedding over the 4th of July weekend this year so I was free to fly with them and my sister, Jesse, to visit our family in Sun Valley, Idaho.  My cousin, Marron, was visiting from New Zealand with her two adorable little boys, Josh and Rafe.  I hadn't seen them since Josh was 8 mo. old.  It was so great to see her, my aunt and uncle, and getting to know those little kiwi second cousins of mine was a treat! 

We started the trip at 6 am out of the Fort Morgan airport-Idaho bound. The flight was amazing.  We actually flew through a full rainbow circle near the continental divide.  It was crazy beautiful. (Sorry no photos, it happened too fast!)  We had brilliant, clear (and mostly smooth) skies all the way.  We took a short detour to fly over Jackson Hole and by the Grand Tetons.  I went to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone a couple of years ago on vacation, so the scenery was very familiar, but seeing it from the air gave me a whole new perspective!  This earth is truly an incredible place.

We went to the local Rodeo on the fourth and the little guys dressed up like cowboys to go mutton' bustin'.  If you've never seen mutton bustin' first hand, you are definitely missing out.  It's hysterical!  And yes, it seems like a little bit of child abuse and animal abuse rolled into one- the kids get so scared. (Who can blame them?!!)  They mostly ALL cry.  The sheep almost certainly rolls over on them.... but I guess it probably feels like a big fluffy mattress rolling on you.  (At least that's what the adults like to believe!)  But, it is so dang funny! And, if those little mutton busters are the same kiddos that become the bronco and bull riders, then I would say it definitely builds ones courage and strength (either that or it causes brain damage-it might be a toss up) because seeing the bucking broncos and bulls up close is INTENSE and scary.  I would honestly be terrified to be on the back of one of those massive animals!  And if you are wondering if they get hurt, the answer is YES.  Check out the series at the end of the guy getting his face stomped on by the bull. The whole rodeo experience was fascinating. And so fun to photograph!   

Anyway, it was a short but great little trip.  Marron, I love and miss you guys.  I hope you move back to the states soon too!


]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/flying-to-sun-valley.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/flying-to-sun-valley.html my life Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:30:44 -0700 Leslie Ann Viets: the pastry chef at the Denver Ritz-Carlton It seems like weeks ago now (the summer is getting so busy!) that I met with the lovely ladies (and gentlemen) at the Denver Ritz-Carlton to photograph a special project for them.  Leslie Ann had designed some beautiful cakes so that the Ritz could get some portfolio images to show their clients the wonderful work she is capable of!  Brides and Grooms getting married at the Ritz may not know it, but there is an incredibly talented chef/artist creating the custom wedding cakes there.  I recommend trusting her completely!  We got to eat the cupcakes after the shoot and they were nothing short of heavenly. Delicious.  Thank you so much Angela, Leslie-Ann, Shannon, and everyone that helped me that day!  You are a wonderful team and I love every opportunity I have to work with you.



]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/leslie-ann-viets-the-pastry-chef-at-the-denver-ritz-carlton.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/07/leslie-ann-viets-the-pastry-chef-at-the-denver-ritz-carlton.html weddings Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:15:16 -0700 Holly and Rick, Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
The newest Ritz-Carlton property, Dove Mountain, is located about 45 min. from the Tuscon airport in AZ, and is truly a special place!  I was recently invited to photograph a wedding there by my friend and business partner in The Wedding Summit, Kristy Chenell, whose father, Rick, was set to marry the beautiful Holly on May 30, 2010.  The hotel and the surrounding grounds are just amazing and not like a regular hotel at all.  It's like a luxury resort that one might find in Mexico or Europe somewhere.  Only imagine being tucked back into a valley of dessert mountains where 5,000 years ago humans drew hieroglyphs on the rocks that you can now climb around on and touch.  There is also a huge pool and a water slide and hiking trails all around.  Not to mention the first class service from the entire Ritz staff no matter what you are doing.   I was there for the entire weekend and captured some really amazing moments and experienced (and of course photographed) some gorgeous raw desert light and scenery.  I truly hope that the entire family will treasure these photos forever.  One of my personal favorites is the shot through the telescope of Saturn taken at the rehearsal dinner.  It was SO amazing to see it and some of the other planets and stars so clearly.   That's what you get when you're in the middle of the dessert with no light pollution.  :-)  Here are a few of my favorite images and also a link to their slideshow.  I hope that I will have many more opportunities to photograph weddings at Dove Mountain!


]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/holly-and-rick-ritz-carlton-dove-mountain.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/holly-and-rick-ritz-carlton-dove-mountain.html weddings Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:03:25 -0700 Vassi Bieber, Belly Shoot Vassi and Jake are expecting the second baby girl later this year and I am so excited to follow their family as it grows again!  They booked my "Babies First Year Collection" for Stella, their firstborn.  The collection consists of 6 photo shoots (pregnancy, newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months) and a coffee table album with images from each session.  We made a beautiful book for Stella and I am so happy they've decided to repeat the process for their second daughter. 

Vassi was as beautiful as ever and it was so fun to see Stella getting so big!  I can't wait to see more of ALL of the Biebers this year.  Here are a couple of my favorites:


]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/vassi-bieber-belly-shoot.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/vassi-bieber-belly-shoot.html portraits Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:04:53 -0700 Katie and Zeev, 5-22-10 NYC I had never been to New York before this year and last month I was lucky enough to go twice!  The second trip was to photograph a wedding with my good friend, Jensen Sutta.  I always love when I have an opportunity to second shoot with a friend and Jensen and I go way back. We went to school together at Brooks Institute of Photography and he was one of the first people to encourage me to become a wedding photographer.  Anyway, driving around New York City is a pretty intense experience and I'm not sure how great my co-pilot skills were in terms of our navigation, but we did laugh a lot- mostly at ourselves!!  :-)

Jensen picked me up on Friday and we drove straight to the rehearsal dinner which was on the beautiful rooftop at the Gramercy Park Hotel overlooking the city.  The bride's and groom's parents all surprised the couple with 3 Broadway singers who sang two of their favorite songs (Seasons of Love from 'Rent' and That's All I Ask Of You from 'The Phantom of the Opera')  It was such an incredible surprise!  I had goosebumps through the entire performance.

The wedding itself was at the American Museum of Natural History, but we started downtown at the St. Regis hotel getting ready.  I got to hang with the fellas to start out and I had so much fun with Zeev and his groomsmen walking around and  taking photos in the city streets!  The wedding itself was beyond amazing and the reception/party was beyond fun!  The band had basically the entire party on the dance floor all night long.

A big thanks to Jensen for inviting me to shoot with him, to the awesome coordinator, Karen Bussen, and last but certainly not least to Katie and Zeev.  I was honored to be a part of your amazing day and I loved getting to know you both!  I wish you all the best in your life!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend:



]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/katie-and-zeev-nyc.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/katie-and-zeev-nyc.html weddings Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:39:06 -0700 Doug Gordon's Photography Workshop, New York It's been two months since my last blog post and I am a little embarrassed that I have let myself get so far behind.  Traveling can have that effect on me and fortunately I've gotten to travel a lot in the recent weeks!  The first trip was for this incredible photo workshop with Doug Gordon (a posing and business genius) that was a week long in Lindenhurst, NY.  I met a bunch of great photographers from all over the country and world, learned a lot of new things from Doug and his awesome team, and had a really fun week in a new city!   It was my first time to New York and I was not disappointed.  And...I may or may not have 'almost' won a car bomb competition with Vinnie on our last night out together.  ;-)

We didn't do a ton of shooting at this particular workshop, but we did have a few great opportunities to see Doug's method of shooting, lighting, and flow posing at work.  It's always hard for me to photograph in large groups, like in a photography workshop situation.  I usually end up feeling claustrophobic and I am not a fan of having to fight for a spot to shoot from.  (I would make a terrible paparazzi!!). But I managed to get a decent spot for a few seconds each time.  Here are a few of my favorites from the week.  If there are any photographers out there considering this workshop, I give it 5 stars, two thumbs up, and a definite high recommend!  :-)


]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/doug-gordons-photography-workshop-new-york.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/06/doug-gordons-photography-workshop-new-york.html the biz Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:41:53 -0700 Capturing Krista Capturing Me One of my closest photographer friends, Krista Johns, of Artessa Photography, and I decided to do a little photo shoot swap for each other as we've both been over due for updated professional head shots for sometime now.  It's sort of ironic, but being a professional photographer generally means I am not on the captured side of the lens, so I have very few photos of myself.  Occasionally though, when encouraged by a friend, I can find myself in a comfortable place on the other "side."  Krista, you are a doll and you light up MY life!  Thanks for being such a wonderful friend and thank you so much for the new photos!




]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/04/capturing-krista-capturing-me.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/04/capturing-krista-capturing-me.html portraits Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:50:20 -0700 Katie and John: Cherry Hills Country Club Engagement Session The day after I got home from Vegas I met with another of my fab couples for this year, Katie and John, and their adorable dog, Scout, for a beautiful spring afternoon shoot at Cherry Hills Country Club.  I don't know if it's just having been to WPPI or what, but I felt totally creative and inspired on a whole new level, and I am in love with these images! I was literally "seeing" photos and beautiful light everywhere I turned.  Thank you so much to Katie and John for being such amazing models and for choosing a new venue for me to get to know. I can't WAIT for your wedding!!  Let's have another wine date before then for sure!  :-)


]]> http://theweddingartist.com/2010/03/katie-and-john-cherry-hills-country-club-engagement-session.html http://theweddingartist.com/2010/03/katie-and-john-cherry-hills-country-club-engagement-session.html engagements Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:36:59 -0700