What would we do if we could not find inspiration? What if one day we woke up and thought, “I am the best at everything I do. I have mastered my art. There is nobody better than me and I am amazing.” Sounds like arrogance at first, but after a second’s thought, just really tragic and sad. What if there were no muse? What if we stopped learning?? This is the topic on my mind tonight, after stalking a few blogs and needing two wiskeys to dull my jealousy to a point of being able to function….

And Here is my epiphany: I’d be stunted without inspiration. I don’t think I’d be able to make it to some weddings without looking at somebody like Sean Flanigan for a glimmer of hope that a cake shot can actually transcend wedding photography. So why do I wallow in my envy, instead of doing what I used to love to do—look at, and be inspired by, Art….   Because the day we have “arrived” and are the “best around”, is the day that we have died as an artist. We can no longer grow at that point. The world does not stop moving for artists who have become the best—there is always a better on the horizon.
So I thought I’d share with you a few people who are spicing it up, blowing my mind and who I’m losing sleep over—

Check out:

Nadav Kander: http://www.nadavkander.com

Cass Bird: http://www.cassbird.com/

Amy Stein: http://www.amysteinphoto.com

Kristen and Steve had the most romantic ceremony, straight out of Robin Hood or some other whimsical fairytale. The ceremony took place in the woods at 11am on a Sunday morning.  There was singing, communion and beautiful, heartbreaking vows….  There was even a bagpiper!  I couldn’t have dreamed up a better wedding for Kristi—it was simply perfect.

Kristi’s gown and hair was like a woodland fairy….  a little bohemian, and a little whimsical.

Kristen and Steve chose to see each other before the ceremony.  I think this is such a lovely and intimate way for a bride and groom to “decompress” and prepare for the rest of the days events.  It also makes for the most beautiful and emotional imagery.

I loved this moment between Steve and his mother.

I’m pretty sure that this kiss takes the cake for the most passionate of ceremony kisses!

I’m not really sure what was going on here, but I have a new picture for the “outtakes”!  Everybody’s expression in the image is priceless…  I’ll have to get the info on this one later!

So much of a “successful shoot” has to do with the enthusiasm of my subjects. Ashley was amazing! She is thrilled about being pregnant and was super excited to capture this time in her life. And it doesn’t hurt that she is drop dead gorgeous—seriously! If I knew that I would look this good as a pregnant woman, I would want to be having babies today…

But really—I had a blast with Matt and Ashley making these images because this couple was everything that I could have hoped they would be—in love, excited about their future, and simply glowing! I can’t wait until our next session with their newborn…

Will you look at this gigormous bowl of ice cream?? Ashley swears by CostCo’s brand vanilla ice cream with Hershey’s chocolate syrup. She makes it look pretty good!

Aside from the harsh 10am morning light, my shoot with the Baker family was a walk in the park, so to speak. It’s been about two years since I’ve worked with Amy and Chris, but I was so excited when Amy called to say there was a new addition to the family, and that they would like me to come take some more pictures. Amy and Chris are a super chill couple, and they eally appreciate the art of documentation. They rarely even look up at the camera (with the exception of Kenedy, who is a total ham) and trust me to capture their lives. I love this about them! And because they give me so much freedom to do my thing, these images are straight from my heart. What a beautiful family!

Generally, I am working my tail off on Sundays…. which may precisely be the reason why I long for a good ole’ fashioned sabbath. It seems every time I have to work on a Sunday, I start whining to Jesse about how lucky he is, and how, if I had the day off, I’d be doing….. blah dee blah, etc, etc…. So today, I sat down for a minute or 10, and tried to think about what I really would do if I had the Sunday off. Of course it really depends on what time of year it is, so I’ll keep it to a summer Sunday. (This may be my most boring post ever, but humor me, I’m dreaming)!

If I had a summer Sunday off, I would sleep in until 11am. (Jesse sleeps in until 12 or 1, so I’d have the morning to myself). I’d make a strong, steaming pot of french press coffee when I’d wake up and sit out by my fountain to enjoy the morning caffeine. I’d then read for about an hour( depending on the heat, I’d do it in my hammock, but since it’s been 90+degrees in Denver lately, I’d sit in the shade). Right now I’m reading “The fool’s Progress” by Edward Abby which is very good.

After that, I would head to duo or the Berkshire for bottomless mimosas. I’d get a little buzzed, come home and take a nap, and then a shower where I would exfoliate with my favorite Aveda Caribbean salt scrub, shave my legs, do an extra conditioning treatment on my hair and then sit around in my robe for awhile. To avoid getting lured in my computer, I would then take the dogs for a walk to the farmers market where I would buy a bunch of fresh veggies and herbs for cooking an amazing dinner. I’d of course pick up a bottle of wine, since we can now purchase alcohol on Sundays—probably a Portuguese red. After dinner, I’d sit out by the fountain again with Jesse and talk politics, religion and traveling (I’m still trying to get Jesse across the Atlantic). Then, when we’d have nothing more to argue about, we’d retire to veg in front of the tube. I’d either watch a series on HBO, or a good David Lynch movie. I’d take a bath (because you really can’t get enough water therapy these days), and go to bed in 500 thread count linen sheets—preferably just laundered and white.

However, I did work today, so I’ll have to do this another Sunday. Until then, enjoy the shots!