I had the chance to meet up with Naomi & Sean at Manito Park in Spokane to take some engagement photos. Most of the time I spend the first part of a session trying to put my subjects at ease & get them ready to be in front of the camera. I think it was the other way around with these guys, but I learned pretty quickly that there are few people who are easier to be around than Naomi & Sean. I had a great time listening to them each give their own funny, & somewhat different versions of their ‘first meeting’ story. They each love to laugh & make each other laugh. Of course I laughed right along with them. It was easy to see why they’re getting married—they already act like an old married couple that have decades of inside jokes saved up.

Not only did they not stop laughing the whole time we were shooting, they were both very easy to photograph & patient while I set up some of the more creative photos.

I can’t wait to shoot their wedding at the Hayden Lake Country Club.

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Rain, rain, go away! When I got to the house there was a bit of a down mood since the weather was not cooperating at all. Fortunately the mood lightened a bit when the rain turned to a light sprinkle in plenty of time for the ceremony (I don’t think the Absolut hurt the mood either). Amber’s parents house was a perfect spot for this cowboy wedding. A large beautiful backyard with a forest backdrop gave a great setting for Amber & Kris to become man & wife.

As soon as the ceremony was over the rains came back around while we took some time taking some portraits in the truck on a country road. Thanks to little Matthew for his help with this part of the day. By then we were all wet & the rain didn’t much matter anymore. The night finished up with a p-a-r-t-y back at the house.

We had such a great time throughout the whole day. I love it when I’m not just the guy with the nice camera, but welcomed just like one of the family. This was one of those special occasions.

Thanks & congratulations Amber & Kris!

Also, big thanks to Eric Strate for his help shooting the day.

No thanks go out to the great horned owl that ran in to my car on the way home. It was huuuuuge. I’m ok with only seeing owls in the zoo from now on.

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A couple of weeks back (on a rare sunny day) I had the opportunity to head up to Coeur d’Alene & shoot ‘engagement’ photos for Kimber & Jonathan. I put engagement in quotes since these two are actually already married. You see, Jonathan’s a Marine & before he shipped off to Iraq he & Kimber did a quickie wedding. Now that the hero’s home & life is getting back to normal, they’re able to take the time to plan a proper wedding.

So a nice little addition to the normal engagement session, I got to take a few photos their little boy, William. What are the chances he’d be that cute? Take a look at his parents, I’d say the number is approaching 100%. The great thing is, as natural as they were as photo subjects, I enjoyed just hanging out with them for a while even more.

I’m pretty pumped to finally (officially) start the 2010 wedding season! First up is Sara & Trevor with their incredible wedding at a private campground in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Weather was the biggest concern since I had to drive through 3 different storms to get there, but fortunately the rains never showed up & we were left with a beautiful (but chilly) day. There’s not much I can say that won’t sound cheesy about how great these two & their families are (unless you know them). So just insert here all of the good things you can think about someone & double it.

I had a great time with them & appreciated Sara & Trevor’s willingness to trust me with their day (after Sara is a photographer herself). I was honored & I think I came out ahead in the deal.

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P.S. Their first kiss as man & wife was actually their first kiss—period. How sweet that it was captured for them to treasure & share.