Kate & Ryan

They aren't wrong when they said, “The mountains are calling.” Kate and Ryan answered, we all hopped on a plane, and then we had the time of our lives.

When Kate and Ryan invited me to join them for their elopement in Colorado, I was so excited. If you know me at all, you'll know that Colorado is one of my favorite places. We’ve all been anticipating this trip for the last 6 months, and to try to describe our adventure is going to be a challenge because there just aren't words.

First, we ventured to Collective Retreats in Wolcott, Colorado where we spend three incredible days and two nights in their tents on the side of a mountain. The mountain air swept us off our feet with the views, the hospitality was impeccable, and the farm to table three-course rehearsal dinner was something we will never forget. Like…seriously, hands down the best food I have ever eaten! This set the tone for how the rest of our time in Colorado was going to be, and it left us saying over and over how this experience was so perfect.

Since we spent thee days in the mountains and a day in Breckenridge, there are a ton of images, but I wanted to share the absolute bliss from the Wedding Day.

I'm not sure what was more comfortable, the beds in the tents at Collective, or the dry mountain air.. because we slept like heaven and then woke up to coffee and breakfast being served. After gathering the wedding wear, Ryan picked Kate a bouquet of wild flowers from camp (hearts are melted), and we trekked the 1/2 mile down to the rental car and left for Breckenridge.

We had all day to enjoy and we did…stopping at a local cigar shop for Ryan, Breckenridge Distillery for a couple of cocktails, and then we proceeded to Blue Lake Trail. Kate ended up getting ready at the distillery, and Ryan literally had his own woodsy dressing room in the pines of the mountain haha.. which ended up being a perfect location for the first look.

We met with our awesome officiate, Phil ( I swear everyone in Colorado is rad as hell), and adventured to Blue Lake where the ceremony would take place. We had the most perfect weather, though in the mountains that can change in a moment. The vows were exchanged, the tears of absolute happiness shed, the smiles and the wind were running through our hair, champagne was popping, a dress ripping. There was foot cutting, waterfall bustling, sun shining ..I don't really know how to describe the bliss we all felt after this.. so I'll let the images take you away.

We ended our super-relaxed, breathtaking day with some bomb tacos and complimentary bubbles and churros.
Every person we ran into was so happy that Kate + Ryan had just gotten married that they too wanted to celebrate.

Kate & Ryan - Day After Session

We couldn’t get enough of Colorado in one day because we wanted to explore more of the camp we stayed in for the elopement. It was everything <3

Elopements are beautiful and intimate, and we are normally on location somewhere in a different city or state.

A day after the wedding photography session let’s us explore more and express who you’ve become after the wedding day, in those very first moments of your marriage. This session is relaxed and fun, just like Kate & Ryan. :)

The Year of 2019.

I think travel was in the cards for me this past year because I went back to the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado for a gorgeous elopement. Flew out to Savannah, Georgia twice to capture weddings alongside my best friend and fellow wedding photgrapher Meghan Melia. We also stayed on Tybee Island for a few days and kicked off the season in the best way. I dove all over Michigan aka The Mitten State, from Petoskey to Detroit and everywhere in between. Besides hanging around the woods and Lake Huron in my home town for sessions, I practically lived in Detorit part time. Belle Isle and the architecture of Detroit really does have a piece of my heart.

Life continues to happen and even though I get to share a lot of incredible wedding moments with clients, I watched one of my best friends get married this year, while another celebrated their 10th year anniversary. I was able to capture the engagement session of my older sister and her love, which was a very different feeling emotionally. The collaborations with amazing musicians to create portraits for thier art and other brand creatives was at an all time high. I played around at the annual Port Huron to Mackinac race Boat Night carnival with friends, along with photographing and being in complete awe of the musical talent from my city. I made some of the best friendships with incredible people along the entire year. I watched and supported one of my other best girlfriends compete in a body building contest, amazed by her with such dedication. I’ve gotten to revisit with some of my previous couples with winter sessions and met the newest memebers of the family with others. I have gotten to experience seeing the once newborn babes, grow within the year. My heart is just filled to it’s seams.. from my seniors to my families, artist portrait shoots and new couples I meet. I’ve laughed, cried, danced and hugged a ton with you all while making new solid friendships.. Life is simply amazing, I tell ya.

This is the year that I would be able to say was my transformation year. I worked the hardest I ever have, I traveled the most I ever have for one year with 106 total sessions.. 20 of those being MY Wedding Days.. plus 2nd shooting for at least a dozen more with other photographers. My team.. assistants and 2nd photographers, you worked the hardest with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.

Talk about hustle. Most day I don’t know when to stop until life forcres me to. I’ve still been learning the balance of business vs. personal life and well, it is still a work in progress, haha. I just love being with my friends/clients, I am so truly grateful ... I love growing with you and being a part of all of the moments life offers us.

CHEERS TO YOU!