We always love getting back over to the White Mountains.  It is, after all, the place where Kevin and I first met and our former home :-).  For me in particular, these mountains hold a very special place in my heart.  During some very dark times in my past, Mt. Baldy and it's endless wilderness provided me a space filled with peace and tranquility.  It really is a magical, little-known area of our state.

For Angela, it was her home ... the place she grew up.  And though she lives in the Valley now out of necessity, she hopes to move back to the White Mountains again one day soon to rejoin her family.  It only made sense that she have her wedding in the beauty of the tall pines in a small orchard, known locally as The Orchard at Charlie Clark's in Pinetop.

We first met Angela at a bridal show in Phoenix.  She is a budding wedding photographer herself and she asked if she could assist us at some weddings, which she did.  We were so honored when she asked us to photograph her own upcoming wedding.  She and Chris were married in early September and the weather and the day could not have been more perfect.  It has been a while since I have seen such an outpouring of emotion on so many levels at a wedding and I just loved it!  Thank you both for having us as your wedding photographers and we hope you enjoy the peak :-)!!

Christie and Clint were married at the Amberian Peaks Lodge in Greer on June 13th.  Christie initially contacted us last August, on the first day of our trip to Hawaii for our own wedding as a matter of fact.  I was driving the road to Hana (a very desolate road) and actually had to pull into a local park to talk to her because we kept breaking up :-).  We hit it off immediately on the phone and we have been looking forward to this wedding ever since!

We adore the White Mountains, especially in early June when everything is springing to life and the meadows are covered in wild purple irises.  Greer is one of the most beautiful of all the small towns that dot this vast natural area.  I was soooo excited when Christie said they would be having their wedding there!

When we showed up it was pouring rain and things looked quite bleak as far as the weather was concerned.  Christie and Clint were troopers though and didn't let it bother them in the least.  When it was mentioned to Christie that they were planning on moving the ceremony inside, she replied with a determined "NO."  She had decided on the White Mountains (they live in Phoenix) for its natural beauty and nothing was going to stop her from getting married amongst the tall pines - not even torrential rains.  She was kind enough though to check with us to be sure the photo equipment would be OK.  We smiled and told her not to worry about it ... we had protective measures in place for that kind of thing :-).

And so the ceremony went on as planned and Mother Nature played nice and 15 minutes before it was to begin, all the rain went away and the skies cleared and it was lovely!  The weather held out the rest of the day and it couldn't have been more perfect.  Christie and Clint, thank you both so much for having us as your wedding photographers!  It was so wonderful working with you, both at your engagement shoot and at your wedding.  I know you have been eagerly awaiting this posting - enjoy!!

On Sunday, October 19th, we headed over to the White Mountains to photograph Christie and Clint's engagement shoot.  Christie's daughter, Shelby, was also along for the shoot as was their new, adorable snow-white puppy - a rescue.  Though they all live in Phoenix, their wedding will be taking place in Greer next June, so it seemed an appropriate location for their engagement photography.

We had a great time and the leaves were in their full autumn glory!  We took the family to one of our favorite little spots, complete with old, weathered homesteads and a forest full of aspens.  Christie and Clint, thank you so much for doing all those funny little things we asked you to do ... no matter how strange they mey have sounded :-).  We hope you enjoy the photos and we can't wait to work with you at your wedding!!

This was the sunset as seen from Hwy. 260. Not many sunsets make us stop driving, but this one was worth capturing!