My obsession with Cottonwoods

I was once again wandering around admiring the cottonwoods. I was thinking about what is so intriguing about them and why I am so fascinated with them. It is their strength. They have stood their ground, been battered and hammered by weather, things have been built around them and into them and their roots have been cut. And yet they stand so strong. So unmoved by all of it. That is what I aspire to be like. To let all of life's things, wash and move over me as I stand, strong and free of what is piled upon me. To keep the strength I have found in myself, unchanged by all that touches me.

Beautiful Boudoir

I really love shooting boudoir photographs. What I like best about it is each woman's ability to let go and express in their own unique way. I don't think it is easy to let go and be naked and feel safe in front of someone so for me it is really powerful to see it when it happens. I often feel in our sort of repressed society that we are not allowed to have sexual expression, that there is something wrong with it. But people are so beautiful and wonderful it is awesome to see them in this new light.

Ashley and Dave

When I first met Ashley, we had such a great connection. She's really down to earth, but she's also a lot of fun and up for anything! As we got to talking, she showed me a picture of her dress and I immediately thought of some fun ideas. I thought how cool it would be to use an old window as a frame for her, while she's wearing her dress, with the Garden of the Gods in the background. So off I went in search of windows. Flea market shopping is one of my favorite things to do. I love the history of old objects. I found the windows and a cool vintage umbrella that I brought along. I always try to give my couples something unique. I also always challenge myself to never shoot the same way twice. I feel it is really important to get to know the couple and then shoot the story of who they are ,while also creating some beautiful art pieces for them.


David had a really cool vintage phone app on his Droid that I need to get. It was really amazing what this app could do. I've spent years in a darkroom trying to do just what it does. Technology is amazing and baffling.

Their families were awesome. I always look forward to getting to know them. It seems as if we often forge strong bonds through being together throughout these amazing, transitional moments.
The older I get, the more I really appreciate the connections that I make through my work. Life is so short, and to have an inside view into a couple's life together, even if only for a moment, is absolutely a gift. Thank you.

I love this vintage umbrella I found.

Don't you wonder what is going through her mind?

I love the play of the light on her.

Pure Joy.

This bridesmade is getting married soon herself. Again, I wonder
what is going through her mind.

I love this shot of the dress thru the window. Really cool light.

A day of shooting abstract

I have always had a love of landscape. When I first started photography, that is all that I shot. I am so intrigued by the things made naturally and the things that are man made and mix with the natural environment. I love that an old Cottonwood tree was wanted, yet to make room for mankind, it had to be split for some telephone wires. It stands strong, unmoved by the split. That is so powerful to me. I also really love to experiment with the abstract. To look at something and wonder what it really is. Again, that feels like looking into someone. Who are they really. I am always fascinated by myself. By all the things I convince myself are true about myself. And I know that being a photographer I am always looking in, into people themselves, and into things. I am so interested in the story of each person and of things left to be. Why is a person the way they are. What beliefs do they hold? Why did someone leave that old building? Who lived in it? What was the story? Life is so full of stories. I guess that is why I like to tell them with my camera.