The Steve Z Photography Blog

I had a shoot last week with a young lad who was in need of some modeling test shots.  Apparently he has some interest from some big New York modeling agencies.  I don’t shoot too much fashion these days, but I told him to give me his best Blue Steel, and wouldn’t you know it, he unleashed Magnum!  (Zoolander referenced for those who don’t know . . . )  Anyway, he has some crazy Ukrainian name that I don’t know how to spell, maybe they will give him a cool stage name like Dirk Diggler.

Here we are, kicking off the 2009 Wedding Season with a fresh start in January.  You may remember Jillian and Mike from their Pearl Street Engagement session in Boulder last summer.  When I blogged about it, I jokingly titled it that I made them ‘flirt with death’.  I don’t know if I quite upheld that standard on their wedding day.  I guess Jill could have frozen to death, but it was actually a pretty nice day and the sun was shining brightly.

More and more often, couples are throwing tradition to the wind on their wedding day. I’m talking about that old tradition where the groom doesn’t see the bride until she comes walking down the aisle. While this is certainly romantic, it isn’t always the most practical option if you want great photos. In the wintertime, there usually isn’t much daylight left by the time the ceremony is over, so outdoor pictures often have to be taken beforehand.

Personally, I think this is a good thing! This is often called ‘First Sight’. We still capture the moment, but we do it with a little extra planning and choice of location. Then after the ceremony the happy couple can stay at the cocktail hour, and not have to leave their guests to go off on the Photo Walk. And as an added bonus you can go right up and kiss your spouse-to-be right away! Right Jillian?

I’m going to be taking more of an interest in photojournalism this year. I like shots like these where the guys and gals are hanging out and having fun, acting natural and un-posed.

That’s not to say that a little smile at the camera isn’t nice too! Mom would want it that way.

I try not to make Mom’s flirt with frostbite so we headed into the warmth of the Lutheran Church of the Cross up there in Evergreen.

And I have to say, seeing each other beforehand did not diminish their star-gazed looks they saw each other during the ceremony. Awesome.

And when you leave the church there is nothing better than a sky full of bubbles. Well, wait, yes there is. Flame throwers. But those are dangerous so maybe you should stick with sparklers. Brides take note.

The reception took place at the cozy Evergreen Conference Center down the road. There were passionate toasts, dancing, laughing and more love-struck gazing. That’s all from me, wedding #1 in the books, thanks for reading.

The new year is here and I’ve already cranked out the first photo session of the year!  Nick sent me a text message on Saturday night asking me if I was free to shoot some snowy winter engagment photos on Sunday.  The snow was coming down and the scene was set for a little winter wonderland.

I was super happy that he contacted me, as it turns out it was a gorgeous, windless day.  We had some lunch and then headed out to the trails from his house at the base of the Boulder Flatirons.  Melissa was feeling a little under the weather, so we had to take it easy.  That didn’t stop me from making my usual unusual requests.  “Say, how about standing in the middle of those thickets . . . ?”

“Nick? Baby? Honey? Can I blow my nose on your shirt . . . ?”  Haha, no, she didn’t really say that.  As far as I know.

I know Melissa and Nick from the Boulder Cruiser ride.  So I was very happy when Nick represented and busted out an epic winter hat.  I love costumes and props!

I have some ideas for some great winter shots in an aspen grove.  That will require a small road trip up to the upper mountains outside of town.  Who is up for it?

And last, but not least, I’ve saved the most normal photo for the end.  Gotta make sure Mom gets that photo for the newspaper announcement.  See everyone up in Lyons for the wedding!

Well here is a post just to show you that I’m not a one-trick pony, in case there was any doubt!  I recently did a studio shoot for LaTeen magazine here in Boulder.  I’m posting a composite shot here for you to see, just in case your subscription ran out.