Just sharing a few picks from a personal portrait session a while back with Sara L. Every once in a while it’s great to get back in the studio and work on some fashion inspired portfolio work.
Monthly Archives: August 2009
Tips for Brides – High Altitude Sickness
August 27, 2009 – 7:30 am
Having live in Colorado almost my entire life I tend to take a few things for granted, the effect the altitude can have on people being one of them, and another being that Colorado is a wonderful spot for destination weddings. While the bulk of my wedding photography work is in and around Denver, with places like Estes Park, Winter Park, Vail, Aspen, Steamboat Springs for example just hours outside of town there’s a lot of people coming into the state just for a family or friends wedding.
Many of these Colorado wedding destinations are much higher in elevation than Denver as well. If a guest is feeling winded scurry around DIA gather luggage they will need to pace themselves carefully if at the summit of the mountains at the Vail wedding deck.
Since I had helped a few brides pull together info this season for their sea level guests I figured this would be an excellent topic for a Tips post, and besides it would save me time looking for the info next time I was asked. Now of course not wanting to re-invent the wheel when asked about what precautions to give their guests the first thing I do is hit the web and quickly found just what I was looking for.
Nilufer Soucek, a Colorado Wedding Planner runs Two Doves Wedding Consulting, and has very nice and simple “High Altitude information for Guests” page on her site. I contacted Nil and she was gracious enough to allow me to reprint the document here.
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Adjusting to High Altitude
Welcome to Colorado! We’re so happy you could join us as we begin our future together. We want to make sure that your stay in Colorado is as enjoyable as possible. We are currently at a higher elevation than many other parts of the U.S., which can adversely affect some people. Please keep the following in mind during your stay.
Altitude Sickness: Symptoms include fatigue, decreased appetite, shortness of breath with minimal exertion, nausea, headache, and sleep disturbances. Rest and drinking water is the key to treating mild cases. If you feel ill at any time, please treat it seriously.
To avoid altitude sickness:
1. Stay Properly Hydrated: Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so drink lots of fluids (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Please don’t wait until your thirsty to drink fluids.
2. Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs during acclimation.
3. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep.
Sunburn: Because of the thinner atmosphere, you can sunburn easily. Be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen (at least 15 SPF) and protect your eyes with sunglasses.
Proper Clothing: Be prepared for sudden weather changes. It’s best to dress in layers or bring along a jacket – just in case.
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Just communicate with your out of state guests before hand to pace themselves and it will help make sure your wedding day is memorable for all the amazing moments, and not because Uncle Bob passed out.
Until next time,
Mark - Contact Me!
Steamboat Springs Colorado Wedding – Stephanie and Don
August 25, 2009 – 7:30 am
As a wedding photographer one of the greatest rewards of the profession is getting a chance to meet new people and for at least a moment become part of their lives and share one of the most important days with them, and document that day for them. I always feel it is such a privilege to do this for young couples and Stephanie and Don are no exception. A wonderful couple with fun families.
While most of my wedding photography work is in and around the Denver area it was a welcome change to head across Colorado and visit Steamboat Springs earlier this month. The Colorado countryside is beautiful this time of year and at the far end of the long drive was two families waiting to be joined into one.
Below is a small portion of my favorite shots from the day, and a new video done with a new process. I expect a tips post in the near future comparing video making software for photographers.
There’s a hill above the family home that has special meaning for them, so some special family photos where taken up there. The view over the valley was truly breathtaking.
In case your wondering on some of the following shots, it was a cool night and while the hot tub wasn’t opened (at least not before I left) several people too advantage of the supply of warm robes to keep the night air nip at bay.
The most beautiful thing about weddings is it reminds us about love, not only love of a newlywed couple, but the timeless love shared by many couples through the years.
Music “Say You Believe” by Amanda Kaletsky used under license with Animoto. http://www.amandakaletsky.com/blog/
Friends and Family, sign the guestbook at Pictage to be notified when images are ready for viewing.
Vendors
While the wedding was held at her families home Stephanie still had to coordinate all of the vendor arrangements from out of state, so in all effect it was a Colorado destination wedding in many regards. But for just just being able to deal with the vendors via phone and email I think she did an amazing job, of course she hired me that way so I might be just a little prejudiced.
Catering:
Local Flavor Fine Cuisine by Chef Lawrence Jaconetta. stmbtlocalflavor@yahoo.com
Being a wedding photographer I get a chance to eat at some of the finest places around Colorado, but the meal prepared by Lawrence was easily among the best catered meals I’ve had the pleasure of savoring in quite some time. If looking catering options in the Steamboat Springs region you’ll be well taken care of if you contact Local Flavor.
Flowers:
Tall Tulips Flower Shop
From the bouquet to the table decorations the floral arrangements where a feast of color for the eyes.
Cake:
I Do Cakes
And trust me, it tasted as good as it looked.
Until next time,
Mark - Contact Me!
Miscellaneous Mondays – and know for something completely different
August 24, 2009 – 7:30 am
While the bulk of my work is for my wedding clients from time to time other clients wish to make use of my skills, one such client being Denver designer and artist Jessica of J-Chans Designs. Jessica’s work is always over the top on the creative factor and this session was no different.
If you watched season 1 of RuPaul’s Drag Race you may recognize the client model for this session, Jade. The outfit designed for Jade by Jessica was inspired by the Jennifer Lopez outfit in “The Cell“.
So why does a Colorado Wedding Photographer shoot creative fashion in his spare time. Well for one reason it’s fun, and for another it’s a great chance to experiment a little with lighting that I can later translate and use for my wedding clients.
The shots below where not shot in a studio, but rather the home of the designer. The background is simply red and black fabric and lighting was managed not with studio strobes but rather two Canon speedlites. Nether speedlite was mounted to the camera, instead both where off camera, one in a shoot through umbrella for a main direction light and the other pointed into the rooms corner to provide a light and even fill.
So while the styling and background is different, these fashion looks where achieved with the same camera, lens and most important lighting, that I bring to every wedding and reception.
Toms Wedding Shoes
August 19, 2009 – 7:30 am
I’m loving the fact that Toms now has a wedding shoe selection for those who want to make a statement on their wedding day.
Change a life with your next big step. Wear TOMS in your wedding, and help children in need with the first steps you take toward your new life together. TOMS will offer a special deal for couples who outfit their entire wedding party in TOMS to help make an even bigger difference in the lives of others around the world. Shop our wedding TOMS, and as always, with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.
For more information click the image link to go to the Toms wedding shoes page.
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