how to be my favorite client

One of the biggest reasons I love my job so much is that my clients are downright amazing.  This year,  in particular, I've been able to meet and work with so many wonderful, creative, fun people who just seem to "get me".   I love it!  I've been thinking about that a lot lately, and I realized that all of my "favorite clients" have a few things in common.  In no particular order, I thought I'd share them with you in case it helps you to plan your own session :)My favorite clients:

- Give me input.  I love hearing your ideas and working with you to style your shoot!  If you want something super creative, let's brainstorm about it together to come up with something awesome.  My favorite clients know who they are and what they want, even if they're not sure how to get there.  That's where I come in!  Don't worry if you don't have specific ideas -  I still want your input :)  Who are you?  What do you like?  What makes you happy?  What do you dream about? What's your favorite color?  One of the best compliments I can get after a shoot is hearing, "Oh, that's so HER!" or, "You captured their personalities perfectly!"

- Email me.  I'll be honest here - I hate the phone.  Especially in the summer (which is my busiest season) if I don't write something down, I can 100% guarantee that I won't remember it.  Most of the time, I'm usually not around my phone because I'm out shooting.  I can't return your phone call at 1am, but I can return your email at 1am.  And there's a good chance I will :)  Email ensures that we're on the same page, and especially if you have questions about pricing, packages, or scheduling, please please please email rather than call - that way, if I have to look something up, I can make sure I have all the necessary information before talking to you.  If really feel more comfortable calling, that's totally fine,  just be aware that you'll probably always get voicemail in the summertime :) Same thing goes for texting - if you're running a few minutes late the day of your shoot and want to let me know, texting is awesome!  If you want to place an order or schedule a session, please email me.

- Have fun during the shoot!  Relax.  Joke around.  Make faces.  Take vodka shots if you have to (not you, high schoolers ;) Laugh. Tell me funny stories about your life.

- Are prepared. Come to your ordering appointment with a list of which aunts and uncles need which size photos, etc.  This will save us both so much time and help the whole process go a lot more smoothly :)

- Love your session?  Let me know!  I'm a big "word person" and I live off of your compliments, blog comments, and sweet notes.  More than once, my entire day has been turned around by a well-timed encouraging message from a client.  Thank you!  I need it, I love it, and it means more to me than you'll ever know.  You guys are wonderful!  I am so lucky :)

And here's one quick image from an incredible engagement session with two of my new "favorite clients" - Shalisa & Nate brought me a heart-shaped record.  Because Nate is the best DJ ever.  I can't wait to share the rest of this great session with you guys!

allie & jason (buena vista wedding photographer)

Allie & Jason are engaged!  This is one of the sweetest, most authentic, most photogenic, most head-over-heels-in-love couples I have ever met.  They are both so kind and easygoing, and were up for another one of my crazy themed engagement sessions.  We met up at her parents' house in The Reserve, a swanky and gorgeous neighborhood in Buena Vista, which also happens to be the site of their forest wedding this summer!  It's going to be incredible :)  We had ominous thunder and even a few sprinkles, but we still pulled off the session without a hitch.  I know Allie was concerned about not looking natural in the photos (she even told me she'd been practicing smiling, which I though was so cute!)  but once we got started, Allie and Jason both were so easy and real in front of the camera.  You guys are naturals! :)I'm still working on their engagement film, and I can't wait to finish it and share it with you all!  So, yay for color.  Yay for summertime.  Yay for beautiful couples whose love is so radiant.  And... keep scrolling down, this is gonna be a big post :)

I keep using alcohol as a prop lately ... hmm... what's that about? ;)

DAANNNGG... you are gorgeous!

And, you know, when that summertime heat starts to get the best of you.. what else can you do?

Allie & Jason - LOVE YOU GUYS!  I had so much fun and I can't wait for your wedding!

lindsay & brandon - part one (colorado springs engagement photographer)

Lindsay is one of my oldest friends.  We first met in choir in high school, and we have performed together, traveled together, laughed together, and eaten more tapioca pudding together than I can remember. We've been through The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Chicago, Hello, Dolly!, talent shows, vocal recitals, Handel's Messiah, and All-State Choir together.  She is the Liesel to my Marta :)Maybe it's because I'm so used to seeing her in some sort of costume, but I've always thought Linds has a very classical, cinematic, photogenic look. She's wonderful in front of the camera!  This is awesome news for me as her photographer ;) , and what's even awesome-er is that she's engaged to an absolutely wonderful guy who's totally comfortable in a pinstripe suit and a fedora.  I have loved getting to know Brandon.  He's a total sweetheart, and such a genuine, kind person.

Lindsay is currently a writer and a librarian, hence the theme of (part one of) this session.  If she looks familiar, you might remember her from her epic Little Red Riding Hood shoot last fall, back when Brandon was still listed as "her boyfriend" :)  These guys are utter rockstars and I literally couldn't stop photographing them - that's why this e-session will be coming at cha in multiple parts.  More to come soon.. much more.  Muahahaha....

They're getting married in September at Wild Rose in Seattle...and I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT.

I love you guys!  Congratulations!

theresa & jason (buena vista engagement photographer)

Theresa and Jason have one of the cutest love stories I have ever heard.  Seriously, you can't make up something this good :)  A few years ago, Jason was walking past the window of a health foods store when a gorgeous girl caught his eye - she was working the cheese counter inside.  To make this story even more perfect, he just so happened to be a wine salesman.  He stepped in and nervously tried to make conversation, which went something like this:(Jason) "Ooh, this is good!  What's it called?"

(Theresa) "Irish cheddar."

(Jason, trying to be charming) "Where's it from?"

"That's how I still like to think of her," he told me, smiling.  "Covered in cheese and laughing at me."

We shot their gorgeous engagement session at the historic Turner Farm in Buena Vista this weekend, and everything about it was absolutely perfect.  The light was golden and astounding.  The grass was newly green.  The wooden farmhouse door swayed open and slammed shut in the breeze.  Their puppy, Lulabelle, chased imaginary critters through the orchard.  The apple trees in the orchard were blooming like cotton candy.

"You did a great job designing this movie set at the last minute,"  Theresa joked.

"Okay, can I just stop and cry for a minute?" Jason asked, smiling.

In tribute to their love story, we split a bottle of Beaujolais and had a picnic and hung out in the orchard until sunset.  It was epic.

For more info about the Turner Farm, click here.  Or contact me.  Or contact the good people at the Chamber.  They do weddings!  Hint, hint...

sarah & ross (salida wedding photographer)

Sarah and Ross braved the cold and met me in Salida for their amazing engagement session!  I'm looking forward to shooting their wedding at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs this summer, which is going to be yellow & white (and if you've seen the new upstairs dressing room at the studio, you know how I feel about that).  I just love these two :)  Congratulations, guys! I can't wait!