Black Canyon Inn, Estes Park, Colorado - Double Wedding

The wedding that took place on June 12, 2009 was remarkable in so many ways. First of all, it was a double wedding which I had never had the pleasure of photographing; Daian and her sister Erika were getting married to Todd and Jorge in the same ceremony. Second of all, Daian and Erika are from Venezuela, and their family traveled to Colorado for their wedding. It was a small and intimate ceremony, but it was a lot of fun for me to photograph. The brides and grooms were simply wonderful to work with, and their family from Venezuela was so welcoming and joyous that I felt right at home. It was a new experience, attempting to capture the moments for both brides and grooms, but one that I enjoyed.

Here is the father of the brides with his soon-to-be sons-in-laws, Todd and Jorge.

And the brides and sisters, Daian and Erika. They both always had a smile on their face.


The small ceremony was held at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado. It is a beautiful property that was formerly a guest ranch and now holds several lodge buildings spread out throughout the fourteen acres. It is surrounded by Rocky Mountain National Park as well as Roosevelt Forest, and so the backdrop for the wedding was breathtaking.





As I mentioned, Daian and Erika's family from Venezuela were great fun to work with, and their brothers were no exception!


I was able to take the brides and grooms away for some intimate moments. I spent some time photographing each couple after seeing them all together, and the scenery for such photographs couldn't have been any better.







I really had a great time working with Daian and Todd, Erika and Jorge and their family. They were generous and fun people, and I wish both couples all the best in their new lives as husband and wife!

University of Denver campus, Cheesman Park, Denver, Colorado - Engagement Shoot

If you are currently living in Denver this June, you will completely understand when I say that it took about four different tries with Katie and Vic before we could actually shoot their engagement session. We have had thunderstorms in the late afternoon and early evening for weeks, and it wasn't until June 18th that the shoot was able to take place. We headed to the University of Denver, as they have a beautiful and small campus, full of gothic architecture. We also went by Cheesman Park, where we shot until it became too dark.







Katie and Vic were simply fantastic to work with, as they were photogenic and comfortable with both me and the camera. I am saddened that I was booked for their wedding date, but I am grateful that I was able to capture these photographs of them. I wish them all the best in their future!

Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado - Engagement Shoot - Leah and Jay

On May 30th, I joined Leah and Jay at the Denver Botanic Gardens for their engagement session. I have taken many couples to the Gardens for their engagement shoot, as it has great variety in background and the colors especially in the spring and summer are gorgeous. Leah and Jay had already warned me that they are not fond of having their photo taken, and I worked with them during this session to become more comfortable with the camera. I thought they looked great in their photos below!







Leah and Jay will be getting married at the Pines at Genesee on July 24, 2009, and I am excited to photograph their special day!

Downtown Denver, Millennium Bridge, Union Station - Engagement Shoot - Charlene and Jeremiah

On a Tuesday night in May, I headed to downtown Denver for an engagement shoot with Charlene and Jeremiah. They had expressed interest in capturing aspects of downtown in their background, so we opted for Millennium Bridge and Union Station. The following are a few of my favorite shots.






Charlene and Jeremiah were extremely easy to work with, and they are kind people as well. I look forward to photographing their wedding at the Grant-Humphreys Mansion in August.

Christie's Of Genesee Wedding, Genesee, Colorado

On May 23, 2009, during an overcast day, Christie and Ian said their vows before a small group of family and friends at Christie's of Genesee in Genesee, Colorado. Genesee is a small community just west of Denver along I-70. Christie's of Genesee is an event center that has a beautiful garden in the back, complete with an arch, waterfalls, colorful flowers, and a view of the foothills. The ceremony was intimate and personal, just as Christie and Ian had imagined.




The colors in the wedding went along beautifully with the surrounding scenery, as the bridesmaids wore green dresses that matched the ties of the groomsmen. But it was the colors of the flowers that stood out - vibrant bright colors that looked like they were plucked out of a Colorado meadow in the foothills. The bride herself wore a bright pink flower in her hair that shone out through her veil.




Although Christie and Ian admitted that they are fairly shy in front of the camera, they did a great job in appearing to be relaxed. It was clear that they easily make one another laugh, and this helped them feel more comfortable.



Lucky for us, the rain held off until after the ceremony and photographs were taken. However, with the lights and the waterfalls outside in the garden, it still made for a great ending to the evening.


Christie and Ian are two of the nicest people that I have worked with, and it was truly a pleasure to capture their special night. Their joy in each other was apparent, and I wish them all the best as husband and wife.

The University Club Wedding, Downtown Denver, Colorado

Adam and Amy were married on a sunny Friday afternoon at The University Club in Downtown Denver. The University Club was built in 1891 and is reminiscent of an era with large banquet hall gatherings and sophisticated ballroom parties. Adam and Amy were married in the College Room, a large high-ceilinged room complete with oak paneling and a marble fireplace. It was a very elegant yet simply wedding, and the officiant was a friend who had been ordained on the internet which brought a very personal touch to the ceremony.

This first photo shows the flower girl and ring bearer arriving in style in a red Radio Flyer wagon. Both of them obviously were under the age of two.

I was able to capture the emotions of the ceremony here in these photos: tears and laughter.

We took a few photos in the College Room, and then the bride and groom requested that we take the photographs of just the two of them in downtown. We headed over to Millennium Bridge located in Riverfront Park and then quickly to the front entrance of Coors Field before a storm broke open in the sky.





I couldn't help but end this blog with a few pictures from the First Dance. Many times, the photos that I take from this dance become some of my favorites, as the bride and groom are more relaxed with the ceremony having been done. They appear to simply be relishing in the fact that they are now husband and wife and enjoying their party.


I had a great time working with Amy and Adam, and they are a wonderful couple. Here's to their long and happy future together!

Azul Sensatori Resort, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Mexico Wedding

There was a warm breeze blowing, and the sun was bright in the blue sky. There were few people at the resort and even fewer people in attendance. It was May 12th, and I was at Azul Sensatori Resort in the Riviera Maya of Mexico, shooting Kelly and Brock's wedding. I was feeling quite grateful to be there and not at all sick from the supposed swine flu. And the event was simply breathtaking. From the small ceremony on the beach where the brilliant pink stood out against the white sand to the glowing bride and groom decked out in white to the deep blue of the ocean that served as the background to the wedding.








In having traveled to Mexico to shoot weddings, I have found that most of these couples who have such destination weddings are outgoing, fun, easygoing, and friendly people, and Kelly and Brock were no exception. It was easy to work with them and their entire wedding party, as is seen in the photos below.




In addition, Kelly and Brock were very photogenic, and the emotions of the day are transparent on their faces.



I would like to thank Kelly and Brock for inviting me along to capture their amazing time in Mexico, and I wish them continued love and happiness in their future.

It's Back - iPod nano Wedding Promo!

Back by popular demand! Stephen Sanderson Photography will be giving away a FREE iPod nano with any wedding order of $2,500 or more. Pick your favorite color, have it engraved, and if you like, we'll load it with all your wedding images!

This offer is available to the first 10 clients who act on this offer.
Offer ends June 30, 2009.

For our current price list please contact us via our website.
http://www.stephensandersonphotography.com/

Rana and Bishara - Denver, Colorado

The first wedding of the 2009 season took place on March 22, 2009 at the Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver. In truth, the bride and groom held a private Jordanian wedding ceremony a few days prior, so we were photographing the reception in the Grand Ballroom of the hotel. The bride Rana got ready at her parents' home, and we were able to capture some preparation shots there as well as the first glimpse of one another between Rana and her groom, Bishara. Rana was stunning in her ivory gown and chapel length veil, and her bridesmaids were all in various styles of deep purple dresses.

Along with their families and the bridal party, the bride and groom entered the reception hall to Middle Eastern music which continued throughout the reception party. There was quite a bit of dancing and celebration by all, and it was clear that everyone was having a great time. Rana and Bishara were wonderful to work with, as they are both genuine and kind people. We wish them all the best in their future together.

(By the request of the client, we have omitted any photographs of the wedding.)