During my time at ASU I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah. Last week I also had the pleasure of shooting Sarah’s wedding with another classmate, Megan Pfleiger. It’s always fun to shoot a wedding for someone you know, this was no different. Megan and I had a blast traveling to Sedona for the day and capturing moments for Sarah, and her now husband Bobby. The day couldn’t have been much better for a wedding. It wasn’t too cold, we had beautiful sunlight through most of the day, and evaded the slight chance of rain which had been looming leading up to the wedding. Sarah and Bobby met while at ASU and volunteering for the ministry Campus Crusade. They are both kind and passionate people, who are a great fit for one and other.

The following are pictures from their wedding day. To see more and/or order prints click here!

Prior to the ceremony we took Bobby and Sarah to Red Rock Crossing where they saw each other for the first time that day. It was a great moment, Sarah came around the corner of a secluded path which wound through the trees and around the near bye creek and gently turned Bobby with a light tap to the shoulder. He was speechless for a few moments as he took in the sight of his bride.
After a few moments we moved further down the path to the creek and took a few more pictures before heading back to the ceremony sight.

The wedding ceremony took place at the Sedona Golf Resort. With the sun setting and redrocks all around it was a gorgeous setting. The wedding was officiated by a friend and leader from campus crusade, Bobby’s groomsmen had all flown in from Hawaii (where he is from), Sarah was surrounded by her family and friends, and background harp music was played throughout, all adding up to create exactly the ceremony they wanted.

This next series of pictures highlights a great moment during the ceremony. Sarah surprised bobby by having leis incorporated into the ceremony, a Hawaiian tradition. Bobby knew exactly what to do and after placing the lei around Sarah’s neck he gave her a kiss, which would have been exactly what you’re supposed to do…except during the ceremony when you are waiting for those words, ‘you may now kiss the bride!’ Woops! Sarah immediately realized the slip up and Bobby protested that it was part of the tradition. It was just a brief light hearted moment but a great one that I’m sure they’ll remember.

This shot below was captured just following the ceremony when Bobby and Sarah ducked behind a corner and got to celebrate their new marriage alone for the first time.

The reception was also held at the  Sedona Golf Resort. It was a great celebration which was capped with three hours of dancing without a lull, something I seldom see at receptions. The guests just kept on dancing through the night and D.J. Bobby Russell kept the tunes coming. It was a lot of fun to watch everyone enjoying themselves, and of course to get some photos of some creative dance moves!

Megan it was a blast shooting another wedding with you. Bobby and Sarah, thanks for letting me be a part of your day. Best of luck settling in Hawaii and with everything that is to come!

I love shooting with other photographers. A camera in a good photographers hands is the equivalent of a paint brush in the hands of Picasso or a piano before Beethoven, and to watch a talented photographer at work is to be a part of a spectacle of creation. Because of this I try to take every opportunity I can to shoot with other photographers and learn what makes them- “them”. Each time I do this I learn a new trick, or am challenged to see things just a little bit differently. So, when Christine Kay asked me if I wanted to shoot with her recently at a wedding for Tyler and Krista at the  beautiful Boojum Tree Hidden Garden I didn’t hesitate to say yes. If you haven’t seen Christine’s work check out her site by clicking here. She has managed to build a great portfolio very quickly. You can see her pictured above reacting to a guest at the wedding who was, to say the least, quite a character.

The location of the wedding was fantastic. There where so many great details everywhere you looked. That paired with the venue = a fun day for a photographer!

Krista, the beautiful bride getting her first couple shots taken. Just two of many though. Between Christine and I clicking away we gave her face muscles a thorough workout! Luckily for us she was a great sport. And below you can see Tyler with his groomsmen. A laid back and fun group to say the least!

Tyler and Krista had agreed to see each other prior to the ceremony. In my opinion a great decision for a lot of reasons. But if you don’t believe me maybe you’ll believe one of the top wedding photographers in the industry, check out her post on December 7th.

Tyler and Krista congratulations! You had a beautiful wedding! It was a pleasure to be there documenting it, and I wish you both the best of luck. And Christine, it was a blast shooting with you! To check out Christine’s images from the day click here.

Last weekend two good friends of mine were married and gave me the pleasure of photographing their wedding. I know both Jesse and April from the Element college group at the church we all attended together. I also had a blast with them last year when we did their engagement photos. What you need to know about Jesse and April is that these are two people who have continued to allow God guide them through thick and thin, forming their lives in a way that is encouraging to the people around them and glorifying to God. Their wedding was no different in that they took every opportunity to acknowledge and thank God throughout. It was amazing to hear one account after another from the people around them about how they had been influenced by the way Jesse and April choose to live.

As much as I enjoy shooting weddings, this was a special one to be a part of. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day. The ceremony was held at Scottsdale Bible Chapel and then for the reception we moved over the the main campus. Some of my favorite pictures from the day are posted below. Also, with in the next two weeks all of the images from the wedding day will be posted in Jesse and April’s gallery. You can access the gallery to view and buy prints by clicking HERE.

(above) I recently had a conversation with a photographer who I both respect as an individual and a professional. He had said that part of what he tries to do in photography is look for that powerful “redemptive moment.” To me this image was it! It is the image from the day that knocks me over. It was such a great moment as April first had her dress on and you could see both the joy of the day set in, and the culmination of so many things come together.

(above) As many groomsmen do, Jesse’s didn’t let the ceremony pass by without grabbing a few laughs. Right as Jesse was going carry out a Jewish tradition by stepping on the glass, his groomsmen yelled stop and then proceeded to put on safety goggles. Well done gentleman.

(above) This was another fun shot, and actually the grooms idea. It is mirrors one of the pictures we took during their engagement session.

(above) Some of my favorite pictures come at unplanned moments throughout the day. This pictures was caught when Jesse and April found this table to relax at between the ceremony and the reception. (below) April was stunning in her dress, I had to many great images to post them all here, but this was one of my favorites.

(above) For a brief moment Jesse decided to make a run for it…luckily his groomsmen were on top of things and quickly caught him.

(above) Jesse and April doubled up on the Best Man and Maid of Honor positions, this made for four great speeches filled with laughter, love and plenty of reminiscing. (below) The western wall of the reception area opened up to the outside and made for both a great flow to the event and beautiful venue for a reception.

Jesse and April, once again congratulations. I wish you all of the happiness in your marriage and that you will continue to blessed as your pour out so much of yourselves for others!