Botanical of the Week

When I was small I lived my grandparents for many years. My grandfather was a photographer and I remember an image that was framed on the wall of a simple white flower that he had photographed. I stared at the photo for hours on end and sometimes I wonder if that image planted a seed in my heart that would bloom when a camera finally found its way into my hands.

My mother gave me my first all-manual camera body (a Pentax K1000) when I graduated from high school. I'm not very good at reading directions or staying awake during any sort of "instructional " anything so the first 10 years of my experience as a photographer was an endless series of "mishaps." (I think this might be a wonderful theme for my blog, actually.) Anyhow, my parents took me to visit the botanical gardens in Wisconsin that summer where I shot my first botanical images. I was very confused when I got my prints back from the lab by all the wacky psychedelic colors until someone explained to me that I had shot slide film and had it developed as C41 film ("cross processing"). I was an artist and didn't even know it. Here are a couple of my favorites from that batch.

"Hearts on a Limb"

"Peony Peek-a-Boo"

Botanical photography became a very private love of mine over the years and I've had the opportunity to photograph gardens and plant life all over the world as we've traveled for weddings and our own little vacations. Opening my gallery this winter has given me the opportunity to put many of them on display and I think I'll start posting a couple here on this blog every couple weeks. I adore them and I'm excited to share them with everyone!

"Milkwash"

"Rosy Cherry Glow"

The Donaldson Twins

We got a run for our money today! Rachael, the very stylish and super cool owner of Product Denver brought her twins in for a photo shoot. It was intended to be a surprise for her husband but she couldn't keep the secret for more than 5 hours! Here are my favorite images from our portrait session/play session.

If your wardrobe and/or personal style is in need of a "makeover" or update, this is your lady! www.productdenver.com

Holly Morgan is 9 months!

I met Rebecca when I lived in a tiny studio apartment off of Pearl Street about 7 years ago. When I walked into her brand new store stocked with "recycled" furniture we were instant-made-friends. She was vibrant, engaging, straight forward and on a mission! She had just started her business, Good Use, and I was a couple years into figuring out what being a photographer was all about. I spent hours upon hours in her store brainstorming, ranting, recovering and reeling. Starting and running your own business is not for the faint of heart. Luckily neither of us is.

In the last seven years we have seen each other through many crazy experiences, relationships, business ups and downs, and falling in love and saying "I DO" to the man of our dreams. I've done publicity shots for Good Use, photographed Rebecca & Jason's wedding and her pregnanct belly.
And then Holly Morgan burst onto the scene in April of 2006. All I can do when I'm around her is gaze at her and slobber. And sometimes I manage to take a few photos. Here are a couple of my favorites from our latest "session":


Sidenote: If you have ever been to my home or studio and lusted after all the gorgeous furniture I have- great news! Almost every single piece has come from Rebecca's store, Good Use, in Boulder on 28th Street and Glenwood. They are always just piled with one-of-a-kind cool retro or shabby chic furniture. It is one of my favorite spots on the planet. SO go for a visit and support a locally owned small business and get some cool stuff! www.good-use.com