A couple of weeks ago we met with Jodee and Todd for a Trash the Dress shoot. Jodee and Todd were married out of state in Louisville, Kentucky last October and Jodee contacted us because she wanted one last shoot in her dress before she either sells or donates it. She also just wanted to make some fun photographs with Todd where they didn't have to worry about timelines or getting the dress dirty :-)!
We met up at the Mesa Arts Center (a really cool location for shooting) and finished up in the Superstition Range. We have to give props to both Jodee and Todd because it was sooooo disturbingly HOT ..... 105 degrees hot!! Needless to say we had to take many breaks for water and shade so no one would end up in the hospital with a heat related illness :-). They really did an amazing job and never once complained. We even let them have fun at the end of the shoot at the Arts Center, allowing them to take a dip in one of the many fountains. Made for fun photos too :-)!
Jodee and Todd, it was such a pleasure meeting and working with you both! You were so nice, fun to be around and wonderful at posing for the cameras :-). By the way, I just have to throw this out there because I was thinking it the whole day and never mentioned it ... I really think Jodee looks like a young version of Jodie Foster - who agrees?? Thanks guys and enjoy!
Shanna and Justin were married at the Sedona Golf Resort in and intimate ceremony surrounded by close family and friends on May 3rd. Our coverage of the event was limited - only two hours. Who would have thought so many great photographic opportunities could be garnered in so little time! Love, laughter, tears of joy ... they were all abundantly visible in this lovely wedding. This wedding definitely displayed a strong sense of love between families and most apparently, between the couple themselves!
Shanna and Justin, thank you so much for having us as your wedding photographers. It can be awkward when meeting for the first time on the wedding day, but you both made us feel instantly at ease, as did your families, as if we had known you forever. It was truly a pleasure ... you were both amazing to be around!! Enjoy!
Amanda and Tony were married at Los Abrigados in Sedona on May 2nd. The weather reports were not real promising, calling for rain most of the day, but luckily they got it wrong and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day!
We conducted their couple formals before the wedding at Tlaquepaque and Schnebly Hill. The ceremony was lovely and Tony's display of emotion as he gave his vows were unbelievably touching.
Amanda and Tony, thank you so much for having us as your wedding photographers ... it was such a pleasure working with you both!! Hope you enjoy the images - you are such a beautiful couple!!
I love the look on Amanda's face at their first meeting :-).
Payvand and Jeremy were married on April 25th at the Hilton in Chandler. They had a traditional Persian Ceremony and it was simply breathtaking!!! We absolutely adore photographing cultural ceremonies! It is a wonderful way to learn about and experience the customs and traditions of other cultures throughout the world.
The sofreh table is the most ornate component in the persian wedding and this one was made by Payvand's mother, who did a beautiful job. Some components of the sofreh table include the Mirror (of fate) "Aayeneh-ye Bakht" and two Candelabras (representing the bride and groom and brightness in their future) placed on either side of the mirror. The mirror and candelabras are symbolic of light and fire, two very important elements in the Zoroastrian culture. When the bride enters the room her veil is covering her face and when she sits down and the veil is removed the first thing the groom should see in the mirror is the reflection of his bride-to-be. The sofreh is also decorated with a multitude of grains, nuts and spices each with it's own symbolic meaning.
Other notable components of the ceremony include a shawl of fine fabric held over the couple's heads by happily married female relatives and two sugar cones "Kalleh Ghand" made out of hardened sugar which are grinded together over the bride and groom's head (over the shawl held above their heads) throughout the ceremony to shower them in sugar, symbolizing sweetness and happiness. A cup of honey to sweeten life is set on the sofreh and immediately after the couple is married they each dip a pinky finger in the honey and feed it to one another.
Payvand and Jeremy, let us start by saying you make an absolutely stunning couple. It was truly our pleasure to not only be your wedding photographers but to take part in such a magnificent event. Thank you for the opportunity!! Hope you enjoy the photos ... there are sooo many more where these came from :-)!!!
Payvand's dress was Exquisite!!
On an earlier posting when I was visiting my family in North Carolina, I mentioned that my mother had recently rescued a dog named Gizmo. Gizmo was labled a westie by his previous owner (who wasn't really sure) but we were not too sure. When I first laid eyes on Gizmo I was convinced he was a Schnauzer/Westie mix and my mom thought all kind of breeds. So my mom had a DNA test run just so we could know exactly what he is and the results are back ..... Gizmo is officially a 100% full-blooded West Highland White Terrier, otherwise know as a Westie!! Could have fooled me :-). Love ya Gizzy!
