Our New Adventure

Growing up with four brothers, and two adventurous parents, people would call us Ken, Jen and the Adventure Men. Adventure stuck with me, and so Luisa and I LOVE adventure. We love exploring, going to new places, meeting new people, living like the locals when we travel. We have had some amazing adventures in our life, but yesterday, this new baby adventure really kicked in gear for us. Our future baby looked more like an actual baby, and less like a little "gummy bear". It was real, we could see the baby move, yawn, and clench its fist.

The Sonographer dimmed the lights, and started the ultra sound. Immediately Luisa and I saw exactly what we were looking for and started laughing. So as soon as the doctor said, "Do you want know what it is?" We both screamed out "IT'S A BOY!!!!" and started laughing and cheering. The sonographer was a little taken back by how excited we were, and asked if we had a bet going on or something. Nope. Just really really happy to begin this new adventure. Thankfully, everything looked incredibly healthy. We were so happy. A little boy. A baby boy. We couldn't be more proud and humbled at the same time. The new adventure begins.

Sitting on a fence

Today, I'm sitting on a fence. I come from a family of all boys. Lots of them. 5 to be exact. Every time I tell someone that there are five boys and no girls in my family, their immediate response ALWAYS is, "Oh, your poor Mother, what a saint." And honestly, she is. I don't know how she did it. Boys will be boys, and boy, were we boys!

Today, Luisa and I woke up happy, excited, anxious and even a bit nervous. Today we go to the doctors, and find out whether we're having a boy or girl. We've always joked that we wanted boys. All boys. It seemed to work out fine in my family. No drama, no trying to balance between the difference between boys and girls. Just boys...give them their Tonka trucks, and they're happy. Usually. All boys would be nice...until just recently, we've talked about having a girl, and how wonderful that would be. Even this morning, Luisa woke me up and smiled at me, and said, "I would be so thrilled if we found out we're having a girl." And it's true.

Luisa and I were driving home one night, and she spotted turkeys, sitting on this fence. We laughed so hard, we had to pull over and take a picture. So here we are, sitting on a fence, not knowing quite what we'd prefer, boy or girl, as if our preference has any weight in the matter.

We've been thinking it's a boy all along, but in the end, who really knows? How about you! Any predictions!?

Natalie's Bridal Session

Natalie and Brian are getting married this Saturday at St. John's Cathedral and I couldn't be more thrilled for them. On Tuesday, I shot Natalie's bridals at the Rose Room in Boise, and she looked absolutely stunning.

...her beautiful dress and wedding shoes.

The window lighting was GORGEOUS!

Love this shot!

Natalie! You rock! I'm so happy that we were able to get these and I'm so excited for the wedding this Saturday!

Zach+Kelsey Wedding

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph Zach and Kelsey's wedding. You might recognize them, as I shot Kelsey's bridal pictures which can be seen here and here, and their engagements which can be seen here. Zach and Kelsey are an awesome, fun couple who met while attending BYU Idaho. Zach is from the Boise area, and Kelsey and her family are all the way from Georgia. Both of their families were so incredible, some of the nicest most genuine people. It was such a pleasure to be able to be with everyone.

Now...wedding time!

Zach and Kelsey coming out of the Boise Temple.

After the family formals, I had the chance to photograph just Kelsey and Zach for about an hour which was wonderful!

A few with the Groomsmen and Bridesmaids.

Time for the reception...

Zach's adorable little nieces.

Kelsey's Mom was just wonderful! Here she is holding another one of Zach's nieces.

Cutting the cake...

Zach and Kelsey wanted a shot with both of their parents dipping and kissing at the same time. They had everyone laughing as they practiced their dips.

At the end of the night, Zach and Kelsey headed out to find their car quite decorated!

Today they are heading to Georgia, where they'll have another reception with most of Kelsey's family! Zach and Kelsey, thank you THANK YOU! You guys were wonderful, and you make the cutest couple. Congrats!

Happy Labor Day

A few weeks ago, I found myself in Vermont with my wife and her family. It was a perfectly timed, and much needed break in between photo jobs, and it was SO great to be in this incredibly green state again. Not joking there, the ENTIRE state is green. Rolling hills, beautiful forrest, gorgeous farms, and the cutest old New England towns with their little white churches and everything. It was beautiful.

We spent the weekend reading, playing games with the family, cozying up by the wood fire (not to be confused with the "flip-a-switch" fire), and canoeing and row boating (? is that a word) on Lake Champlaine. It was an incredible weekend!

I left Monday evening to catch my flight the next morning out to Seattle for the CreativeLIVE and Jasmine Star event. As I left Vergennes Vermont, the sun was setting, and there was an incredibly dark rainstorm in the mountains. The sun caught the rain and created one of the most spectacular double rainbows I've ever seen. I kept driving, blasting the only station I could pick up, "105.3 The Peak - World Class Rock", snagging a few photos with my iPhone here and there...nothing special. I finally decided to get out, ran in the rain into a very wet (and muddy) field in my shorts and flip flops with my D3s and fisheye. I started laughing out loud as I hopped around the farmers field getting soaked, thinking of the owner coming out waving a shotgun, yelling at me to get out of his property. Just one sec...snapped a few photos of the rainbow, then turned the camera around and snapped a few of me. I've been told that I always make faces into the camera. I don't know why I do it, I guess it's my way of feeling more comfortable in front of the lens. I'm quite happy to be in my normal spot, right behind the lens.

Happy Labor Day everyone. Enjoy your Monday!

Billy and Laura - Seattle Wedding

The first time I "met" Laura and Billy, was from their video they submitted to be a part of the Jasmine Star and CreativeLIVE event. I immediately liked them, as they were fun, relaxed, REAL and so in love. They seemed to support and build off one another seamlessly. Meeting them in real life was even better.

Laura and Billy met in college in Oregon, and dated for only 2 months when Laura moved to California to pursue her education and passion in photography. Billy soon followed, realizing that, well...he'd be crazy not to. After seven years of being together, Billy popped the question, and the rest is, as they say...history.

Please PLEASE take a look at Jasmine Star's blog to learn more about Laura and Billy and their story, and to see their gorgeous wedding pictures. I'm SO ridiculously happy that I had the chance to shoot backup for Jasmine and JD, and to be a part of Billy and Laura's beautiful adventure.

I was able to shoot tag-team with 4 other amazing photographers, at two different times during the wedding. First, in the morning with Laura and all her bridesmaids getting ready. Second, during the first dances.

So...here we go.

Laura's beautiful wedding dress, by Priscilla of Boston.

Now...my favorite part. Laura and Billy decided to see each other before the wedding ceremony for a "first look", which was so powerful and incredible. Laura walked through the door of the Theo Chocolate Factory, where everything was taking place, and everyone and everything just fell completely silent. No one whispered or talked as everyone watch Laura come up to Billy and turn him around. They embraced, and the feeling in the room was unforgettable. Their love was clearly evident.

A few of the beautiful details.

And their first dance. They broke onto the dance floor and Billy immediately dipped Laura almost to the ground. Everyone smiled and laughed as Billy and Laura showed us their dance moves...

Laura's father watching Billy and his Mother dance.

Congratulations Laura and Billy. You were absolutely amazing, and I'm so happy that I was able to be a part of your incredible day.