Archive for the ‘Documentary Photography’ Category

I drove up Flagstaff Road all the way past Walker Ranch on a beautiful fall afternoon to the Davis home. It has been four years since I last saw Isabella and I was fascinated to see how she had grown. The first time I met her she was about two. She was so very shy. I remember peeking into her magical closet fort and trying to be as quiet and inconspicuous as possible so as to not disrupt her private little world. Although now taller and more precocious, some things have not changed. She still creates a private magical world in the forest around her home. And I was literally delighted to get a glimpse. Fairy lands, stick forts, a tree house with swings and secret paths. I am ill at ease in a world teeming with television, video games, iPads and fast food. Isabella’s world is where I’d much rather be and I’m so happy I got to peer in the window for a bit. (Take a close look at what her duck is holding in the last image!!!)

First of all, I have finally figured out how to get my slideshows on YouTube so if this smattering of images leaves you breathless for more, take a few minutes to view the slideshow of this photoshoot. Yippee! Now to get on with the story… I’ve been happily working with Amy and Heath since their wedding at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado in 2009. It was so beautiful and rustic. Perfect weather, breathtaking scenery, deep red roses, a stunning bride, sexy groom, newly renovated venue, the finest wedding planner in Colorado, and wonderful guests. For what more could a destination wedding photographer ask? Their engagement portrait session at Chautauqua is one of my favorites of all time. I visited their barn in Virginia a couple summers ago to meet and photograph Amy’s beloved horses whom she was boarding there. Since then they have purchased their own dream farm and have moved all four dogs and four horses onto the property. Amy finally has her wish. Her whole brood is together under one roof- well under two roofs very close to each other. And they have acquired a couple barn cats just to make the collection complete. I was as happy as could be to visit their new home, to get a tour of the completed renovations and plans in the works and meet the newest additions- Cody (the border collie that reminds me a bit of Wile E. Coyote for some reason). Of course I was thrilled to learn that one of their mares is expecting a baby in the spring! I’ll be flying back out to capture newborns portraits of the little one so you have that to look forward to here on the Recherche blog.

When Amy, Heath & I were discussing when and where to shoot their Engagement Portrait Session we happened upon the idea of doing a documentary portrait shoot back in Middleburg, Virginia with their horses. The months preceding their wedding got a little hectic so the idea was tabled for a bit. But not for long! Once the couple was married we nailed down the date and back we flew! What an absolute honor it was for me to be invited into this world of theirs. It never ceases to amaze or humble me that my clients allow me into some of their most private and treasured moments. And as I write this it occurs to me that perhaps this might be one of the ways I define “success” in my career as a photographer. The fact that my clients not only refer their friends and family to me but come to think of Recherché as their photographer for life- inviting me to document their newborn children, their family reunions, their hometowns, their precious pets. I hope you can tell how much I loved this experience and love this couple in the following images.

(Note: Amy is now my personal Pilates instructor and Heath is my personal trainer! Both are excellent at what they do and are accepting new clients!)
We decided to shoot early as the forecast called for rain. And sure enough, in the late afternoon down it came. But I gladly braved a few drops to get these last couple shots!

CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW!

Amy & Heath’s Online Gallery is located at www.pictage.com/745080