I’m a little sad to post the last wedding of 2011—at least I’m going out on a high note! It was such a great year & I’m already excited about what’s coming in 2012! Jenn & Rick wanted to be absolutely positive that they’d have a snowy winter wedding so they enlisted Elkins Resort to make that happen. Good thing too since even though it was plenty cold in Spokane, there was zero snow. Elkins is a beautiful venue with so many beautiful, natural features. Of course I was thrilled to be back photographing in the snow! If you hadn’t noticed, I kinda enjoy taking pictures in the white stuff. Even though we didn’t have much day light, we used it to our advantage because while it was there, it was wonderful. Then when the moon came up, we employed it for light as well. Thank goodness for an amazing camera (Nikon’s D3s) that dominates every other camera with its ability to take pictures in low light (at least until the D4 comes out).

Also, thank goodness for a couple so willing to let me try a few things in the 12 degree weather. Fortunately they had a fire waiting for them. My couples are the absolute best.

Photography nerd warning: The ceremony was so dark that I shot it at ISO 12,800, F/2.8, 1/25 shutter speed. I then pushed nearly 2 more stops in Lightroom. Like I said, thank goodness for my Nikon D3s. I really don’t like using flash during ceremonies—especially when it would ruin such an intimate ambiance. 

Yup, that’s the moon and no, the rolling fog was not added in Photoshop.

We had one snow storm this year (so far). While most are probably happy with that, I am certainly not. I love taking pictures in the snow. The texture it creates in addition to the romantic feeling make for wonderful wedding photos. Even more than that, what it does to light is magical. Fortunately for me, I had a couple of weddings to photograph during this one single storm. After Katie & her bridesmaids were ready we headed up to the beautiful & extremely cold grounds of Arbor Crest so Justin could see his bride for the first time & take a few pictires. I can’t imagine viewing these photos without really being able to feel the excitement the bride & groom felt. The wedding & reception were held at Eastpoint Church in Spokane Valley. After the festivities were wrapped up we snuck off downtown for a few more portraits (including a few at The Davenport Hotel) before calling it a (cold) night.

As 2011 comes to an end I reflect on what an amazing year it’s been. Really. Not a day went by when I didn’t actively thing about how lucky I am. Lucky to be doing exactly what I enjoy. Lucky to be able to support a family by taking pictures with a camera. I make a living by making art. Since quitting work as a graphic designer exactly one year ago I can say I’ve never been happier. Photography took us to Hawaii, NYC, & Seattle several times—as well as places in between. Truly a dream come true. That couldn’t happen without having such amazing couples to work with. I can say that without reservation while speaking of every single couple who’s wedding I photographed this year.

Rather than take on the impossible task of choosing all of my favorite photos (& risk ending up with a 300+ photo blog post) I’m taking the easier (& admittedly lazier) route of just choosing a single photo from each wedding. In many cases they aren’t even necessarily my favorite from that wedding. Really, I could spend months trying to choose if I tried to choose favorites. If you want to see more from these weddings (except for a few I still have yet to blog) just use the search bar at the top of the page.

Melissa & Jared. Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

Katie & Olin, Lewis and Clark Plaza, Lewiston, ID

Kailin & Bret, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, ID

Amber & Sam, The Davenport Hotel

Kelli & Kevin, Georgetown Ballroom, Seattle

Samm & Nathan, Davenport Hotel

Tove & Jason, Normanna Hall, Tacoma, WA

Chelsey & Barry, Waimanalo Beach Park & Honolulu Polo Club, Waimanalo, HI

Brittney & Nate, Clayton, WA

Ashley & Mike, Spokane Masonic Center

Talia & Justin, Beacon Hill

Christie & Paul, The Glover Mansion

Renee & Bob, Riverfront Park

Rachelle & Steve, Dance Street Ballroom

Katie & Dan, The Glover Mansion

Paul & Stefanie, The White House, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Tara & Spencer, Point Defiance, Tacoma

Laurel & Jack, Gonzaga University

Rachel & Tucker, The Mazama Ranch House, Mazama, WA

Alicia & Aaron, Landmark Event Center, Des Moines, WA

Maggie & John, The Parkside Event Center, Coeur d’Alene, ID

Nikki & Clayton, High Country Orchard

Sarah & Nate, The Glover Mansion

Kristy & Brian, High Country Orchard

Lindsey & David, Spokane Country Club

Sammie & Darrin, The Glover Mansion

Gracie & Chris, Beacon Hill

Charissa & Erik, Trezzi Farm

Rachel & Houston, Backyard wedding, St Maries, ID

Kortney & Aaron, Pine River Ranch, Leavenworth, WA

Rachiah & Andy, Arbor Crest

Sarah & William, Red Barn Farms, Colton, WA

Patsy & Kevin, Beacon Hill

Tiffany & Nate, Blue Ribbon Culinary Center, Seattle

Kathy & Matt, The Glover Mansion

Flori & John, The Davenport Hotel

Lauren & Darrick, Wallace, ID

Lindsey & Jaron, Gonzaga University Chapel & The Glover Mansion

Katie & Justin, Arbor Crest & The Davenport Hotel

Terese & Kurt, The Glover Mansion

Jenn & Rick, Elkins Resort, Norman, ID

Erin & Jim, Trezzi Farm

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Last but not least, I owe the biggest thanks to my family without who’s support I couldn’t do this. I don’t even mean support, I mean SUPPORT!!!! Happy new year everybody. Here’s to an even more amazing 2012—with 30 weddings already booked, it’s looking like we’re well on our way!

I’m happy to finally post this wedding because no matter how impressive a single photo is to some, a wedding day meant to be represented in an entire set of photos. The first photo caused a bit of a ruckus across the internet (well, a different version of the photo—I like this one a little better) and lead me to write an entire post about how it was created. You can see that post here. Lindsey & Jaron were married at the Gonzaga University Chapel Chapel & their reception was held at Spokane’s Glover Mansion. The time in between was spent taking a surprise in the weather & turning it in to something special.