Love Letter

Ericka sent me this really generous note that totally made my day!

"We have spent tons of time looking at our pictures, we LOVE them. You captured every feeling and emotion, I don't know how you did it. Our families are now enjoying them as well, they all feel like they were there with us just by looking at the pictures. We can't wait to work with you on our wedding day, we are both so excited. You made us feel so comfortable and made it SO much fun."

Ericka + Zach at Red Rock Crossing, Sedona

I had a great afternoon photographing engagement portraits at Red Rock Crossing in Sedona.



Ericka + Zach will be getting married next April at the beautiful Sedona Golf Resort.



I think this is one of the only serious photos from the shoot as most of the time they were laughing or kissing (as all engaged couples should be!)



Right after we did this photo we were hiking towards Oak Creek for our sunset photo with Cathedral Rock in the background ... and we were talking while we were walking ... and Zach says to me, "Watch out for the snake," as it slithered right across our path. No worries, thankfully it didn't have a rattle!



Ahhh, Oak Creek. It was a really hot afternoon so putting our feet in the water was bliss.



I almost forgot to mention that Ericka's younger sister Nicole joined us (not pictured though). She wants to study photography next year at a university. So we talked technical during the shoot ... and had a great time together. I used to be a photography professor at a university in California before I moved to Sedona, so it brought back some great memories. She brought her iPhone and showed me some really beautiful landscape photography.



They totally have my heart ... Ericka sent me this email right after the photo shoot. "Zach and i wanted to thank you SO MUCH!! We had a blast and it is a memory we will be able to hold onto forever! Thanks!"

Ericka and Zach are planning on using their engagement photographs for their "Save the Date" cards and this really cool signature album that their guests will sign on the day of their wedding.

I am really excited to work with them and to photograph their wedding.

Savannah Rose

I adore this child. She is total sunshine. She always has something to say that will make you smile. Her wardrobe is to die for. I'm sure her high school yearbook will say "Best Dressed" and "Best Personality." And she has been that way since I first met her 2 1/2 years ago in a Music for Tots class in Sedona.



We went down to the creek off of Brewer Road and splashed her :)



A close up of her adorable face.



Totally stylin.



I couldn't resist another close up of that smile.

Am I the luckiest ... to be able to spend a summer's afternoon playing dress up and splashing in the creek.

Finally ... Photo of Ruby

I may be well-intentioned but it's true ... even a photographer's 2nd child doesn't get photographed nearly as much as the 1st. It definitely isn't due to lack of interest, but more so needing to chase the 1st around and not being able to deviate from our much needed bedtime routine to make a photograph when the evening light is gorgeous. But alas ... here is our beloved Ruby ... 9 months old and absolutely adorable!

Three Years with Lola

I just printed a huge gorgeous canvas of Lola chasing Elvis ... it's the centerpiece of our home.

This photo was part of a series for Lola's 3rd Year portrait BUT the grandparents started complaining that they had too many photos of Lola without clothes.

Harrumph, but that is how she likes to be ...



... and then the pressure got to me.

Lately I've been photographing a lot of Lola's friends so Lola was excited to dress up and pose for me too. Today she allocated a whole 3 minutes for our photo session.



If she isn't parading around nude, she prefers to dress up like a princess.

Red Rock Midwifery

I was really excited when my friend Maryn became a licensed midwife in Arizona. I am a big believer in midwifery and home birth, and I chose to deliver both my girls at home with a midwife.

Finally Sedona and the Verde Valley have its very own midwife. It is such a great thing. So ... Maryn asked me to make some photographs to promote her practice, Red Rock Midwifery, and they are gorgeous



Maryn with her youngest Rune. Such a sweet baby.



With her oldest Amelia. Super smart and inquisitive. Every time she sees me she asks me to teach her a new Hebrew word. The one she remembers best is hnuna (translation booger). I should know better :)



A beautiful and dramatic portrait of Maryn.



Her eldest son Egan. What a cutie ... like he sprang out of the greenery like a little imp.

I also had the pleasure of photographing the whole family together ... which included her husband and her youngest daughter too. Maryn makes it look so easy to raise four kids.

I have to admit that it is super hard to resist having more babies with Maryn around -- but we'll just have to wait and see!

Sarah + Chris, Coyote Canyon, Sedona

This is a really cool engagement shoot that I did a few days ago!



We had a wonderful time (and so did their dogs) out in the red rocks of Sedona. You can read about Sarah + Chris, their wedding, and how they met on their website on the knot, where Sarah works. Something impressive to mention, Chris just returned from serving in Iraq.



I love this photograph of Sarah & Chris.

I have to thank Cammie, who is getting married in Sedona in less than two weeks for sharing this beautiful idea for a romantic photograph.



Nothing can be better than photographing two really happy smiling people loving each other in gorgeous Sedona as they plan their future together.

I am really looking forward to photographing your wedding next May!

The Jazz Bouquet

You probably know of Amy Mills. Her Sedona company Bliss Extraordinary Floral showcases her talent in floral design. I love working together on weddings because I know the flowers are going to be spectacular. In fact, she did the flowers at my mom's recent wedding.

She recently opened the Jazz Bouquet in Sedona, that offers elegant floral design, creative gift ideas, and the most yummy High Tea on Tuesday afternoons with jazz music.



This gorgeous photo will be used to advertise her new venture, and you can see how gorgeous and delicious High Tea will be at the Jazz Bouquet.

Sedona's Finest

Since moving to Sedona, I have met and worked with the best people. And I've been fortunate to also be able to provide them with great images for their businesses too.



Dr. Neil Singer



Robin Merrill, Attorney

Abigail + Travis - Tlaquepaque Wedding Portraits

Finally, the photos we've all been waiting for, the funnest part of every wedding day, the romantic portraits. Well worth the wait I think!



Abigail and Travis in the gorgeous Tlaquepaque wedding chapel.



With all of their guests in front of the chapel.



Abigail with her lovely bouquet of roses.



The two of them so truly happy together. Makes me happy just to see them so happy.



Dramatic.



I love this portrait. It is so authentic and warm.

Congratulations Abigail and Travis. Many, many happy and healthy years together!

Abigail + Travis - Tlaquepaque Wedding Ceremony

They were married on July 26th in the chapel at Tlaquepaque in Sedona.



Abigail was escorted in by her father.



Travis smiled ...



... and smiled ...



... and smiled. Their thoughtful and reverent ceremony was officiated by Abigail's brother-in-law. This photograph is of their ring exchange.



They prayed together. The religious art in the chapel at Tlaquepaque provided the most beautiful and fitting backdrop to their prayers, their beliefs, and the values of their marriage.



My most favorite photograph of all ... the absolute hallelujah expressed by Abigail as they left the chapel as husband and wife.

The new Mrs. Fowler

Abigail & Travis were married last Sunday at Tlaquepaque in Sedona. They just returned from a fabulous honeymoon and can't wait to see their wedding photos. I have never blogged photos before I'm finished editing the entire wedding (which takes me less than 3 weeks) but Abigail is irresistible. So this entry of getting ready photos is absolutely dedicated to the new (and remarkable) Mrs. Fowler.



Travis and his dad before the wedding. They said it was their tradition. I'm guessing the tradition is to take pictures of themselves in mirrors and not to get dressed up all fabulous. But, they looked great, so maybe it is time to redefine that tradition.



The wedding party looking adorable and relaxed before their big moment!



Abigail looked spectacular. She was as excited as she was beautiful! She got ready in the bridal suite at Tlaquepaque in Sedona.



Abigail's mom Bonnie was beaming. There was this emotional moment where Abigail looked at her mom and dad in the bridal suite before the ceremony and said, "Mom and Dad, I love you so much. (Pause.) Thank you for letting me go over budget."



And, finally, Abigail walking down the steps from the bridal suite to her wedding ceremony at the chapel at Tlaquepaque in Sedona.

Check back for more photos soon!