Impeckable Photography

Ashley and Bryan's Wedding ~ 12.28.08

2009-01-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

Ashley and Bryan were married last Sunday at the beautiful Arizona Inn. It was a lovely day (well, maybe a bit chilly, especially for Ashley) but it was such a day of celebration and a bringing together of two wonderful families. I had a great time with everyone and enjoyed getting to know Ashley and Bryan's families throughout the day.

The slide show will be up on my website early next week. There are so many beautiful images I am having a hard time choosing the ones for the show. Here are a few sneak peeks to tide you over until next week...

Congratulations to Ashley and Bryan!

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Family Session at Agua Caliente Park ~ 11.08.08

2008-11-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a fun family session out at Agua Caliente Park. Jen is a friend of mine from my days at Savannah and Nick's elementary school. I've known their oldest son since he was in kindergarten. Last fall they had another baby and he is as cute as a button. He was so enthralled with everything at the park, especially those ducks! His big brother gave me his very best smiles all day. Grandma and Grandpa came along to help and we got some lovely pictures of them with the boys. It was a really nice afternoon. Here are some of my favorite images so far.

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Ashley and Bryan's Engagement Session ~ 10.26.08

2008-10-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with one of my couples, Ashley and Bryan. They are getting married in December and we had decided to wait as late as we could to do their engagement session so the temperatures would cool down. We had temps in the low to mid 80's all last week and wouldn't you know it...come Sunday, we're back up to 90 degrees again. We started late enough in the day and brought plenty of water and there was also a bit of a breeze so things ended up being fine. They were very good sports as I dragged them all over the U of A campus for over two hours.

Ashley and Bryan met their freshman year in English class. They also lived in the same dorm on campus. One of the places they wanted to do some photos was at their old dorm (see image with the big palm tree). This was an area where they used to hang out and talk so we decided it was a perfect spot for some pictures. As I started snapping away I noticed there was a foot hanging out one of the windows on the left side of my shot! We got a big kick out of this foot...no doubt attached to a student probably studying or listening to his/her iPod and very unaware an engagement session was taking place outside the window.

Ashley and Bryan ~ I had a lot of fun hanging out with you yesterday and getting to know you better. I am very excited about your wedding and am looking forward to meeting your families and making more beautiful pictures together.

Julie

2008-10-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

Micki and Carl's Wedding ~ 10.18.08

2008-10-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend it was my pleasure to photograph Micki and Carl's wedding. I met with them for the first time last spring and liked them immediately. We did their e-session at the beginning of June and had so much fun together. They brought their Golden Retriever, Charlie, to our session and their nephew C.J. came along as well. It was the first Tucson summer day over 100

degrees and they were all such troopers, hanging out with me for two hours and lots of photos.

Fast forward to October. Micki and Carl invited John and I to their rehearsal dinner which we were unfortunately unable to attend because our son wasn't feeling well. We did attend the rehearsal at the hotel and as soon as we arrived, Micki walked us around and introduced us to all of their family and friends. Everyone was so warm and nice and we immediately felt like we were part of the group!

On Saturday, John went up to Micki and Carl's house to hang out with the guys and shoot their "getting ready" photos while I went to the hotel to meet up with Micki and the rest of the ladies. When I arrived, everyone was getting beautiful. Micki and I hung her dress up so I could get some photographs and the little girls were just amazed at how beautiful it was. These little girls were all in the wedding and it was so apparent to me that they all just adore Micki. And she obviously feels the same about all of them and showered them with lots of love. I really enjoyed my time with all of them.

John was having as much fun with Carl and the rest of the guys. When I called to touch base with him, he happily reported that they had a football game on. He did manage to get them all (except for Chris, who had to run Micki's bouquet down to us) outside for some fabulous photos in front of a beautiful, gigantic saguaro cactus in the yard. What a handsome bunch!

The ceremony was beautiful. You could feel the love and good wishes that all of their friends and family were sending their way. I saw smiles all over the room. Watching Micki and Carl, I could see the love they have for each other in their eyes and on their faces. Everyone had a fantastic time at their reception. Delicious food, wonderful toasts and lots of laughter. Oh, and I can't forget the dancing...these people LOVE to dance!

It really was a wonderful day and I think I captured the spirit of the day in the pictures. Here are some of my favorites so far...I'm busy editing and will get the slide show up sometime this weekend and the rest online next week. In the meantime, enjoy the ones I've posted here.

Congratulations Micki and Carl...I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor! It was a wonderful wedding and John and I hope you have many years of love and happiness together!

Julie

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Micki and Carl's Wedding

2008-10-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

The Celebration!

Fourth of July 2008

2008-07-06T22:31:00.000-07:00

We were up at my mom and step-dad's house for the fourth this year, which is where we usually spend this holiday. We were joined by Joanna, Paul and Stella (my sister and her family) and Pat, Jen, Emily and Caitlin as well as Jen's mom, Peggy (my step-brother and his family). The kids got some swimming in before the monsoons started. Unfortunately, just as I was heading out to take some pictures of them in the pool, Pat was making them get out as he has just seen lightening. So we got them all inside and it did rain for a bit (and got incredibly muggy!) We then got the BBQ and cooking underway and enjoyed a great meal of burgers and brats and all the fixins'. Then we waited until 9:00 to all troop out to our chairs set up on Drammy and Papa's driveway (this is what the kids call Mom and Fred). We watch a great fireworks show here each year from the Tucson Country Club. Unfortunately, each year we forget what time this show actually STARTS! It starts at 9:30 but for some reason we are out in our chairs promptly at 9:00 and then think they are not doing the show since there are no fireworks at 9:00...or at 9:15...this year for some reason I KNEW they started at 9:30 so as my mom went in at 9:28 to call the Tucson Country Club, I said, "I know they are going to start in 2 minutes" which they DID! We seriously have to leave ourselves a note next year not to freak out because they don't start until 9:30!!! Anyway, it was a great fireworks show as usual and we had the BEST seats on Drammy and Papa's driveway.

Posting some photos below: The five cousins (Emily, Stella, Nick, Savannah & Caitlin), John & Pat grilling the burgers and brats, the girls with their sparklers, Nick plugging his ears (he HATES loud noises!), Caitlin and then the group watching the fireworks show.

Fourth of July 2008-continued

2008-07-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

American Idols Concert; 7-01-08

2008-07-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you "American Idol" fans.....Savannah and I have gone to their concert these past two years and when I asked her if she wanted to go again this year she replied, "Mom, it's our tradition" (and I think it's very cool that my fourteen year old actually wants to go to a concert with me!) Just a few pics of us and two of our favorites...(not the greatest pics...taken with my point and shoot).

A Weekend at the Cabin

2008-06-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

We spent Father's Day weekend up at my brother's cabin. He and his family have a place near Flagstaff and we are fortunate to be able to spend time there with them and get out of this crazy Tucson summer heat! It's also fun in the winter because we usually get snow and the kids love to have snowball fights and build the occasional snowman. We left almost 100 degree weather down here and enjoyed temps in the mid 80's up there during the day. Believe it or not, it actually got down into the high 30's at night. My sister and her family also joined us and then those of us from Tucson headed back Sunday to spend time with our Dad and step-mom.

I'll post some pictures from the weekend. This first set are Savannah and my nephew Jack and Savannah and their dog, Lovee. The next one is my nephew Mitch, who as you can see, had a run in with a metal putter a few days before our trip. He and my sister-in-law, Angela, were at a friend's house and he and her son were outside on the putting green when Mitch accidentally got whacked in the head. Thank God it missed his eye (but barely!) and also he's got a hard head and is one tough cookie. My brother was out of town so Angela spent several hours in the ER and Mitch ended up with six stitches. So now he's had stitches in his forehead and staples in the back of his head (on another vacation...our yearly San Diego trip when split his head open jumping off a couch...at least we got to see cute firemen and EMT's that time!) :-)

The next two pictures are all of the cousins having dinner together and then the guys heading off to golf eighteen holes on Saturday. John and Nick had a great time on the course so thanks to my brother, Jon, for setting it up. And thanks again for another fun weekend in the pines!

Cabin Pics

2008-06-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is Savannah in the hammock, relaxing in the beautiful, cool pines...and yes, she is TEXTING! Aaah...typical teenager. Also Stella and Mitch and Jack with his Mama...he had an issue with a mud puddle during his golf outing, as you can see by this photo.

More from The Cabin

2008-06-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

I was sitting outside on the front deck one morning taking some pictures and this bird flew into the yard. I put my long lens on and got a few close-ups of him.

Micki and Carl's Engagement Session ~ June 11, 2008

2008-06-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I met up with Micki, Carl and their beautiful Golden Retriever, Charlie. They chose Trail Dust Town for their e-session and I think it was the perfect spot! We spent about an hour and a half taking pictures and considering in was about 102 degrees yesterday, they were very good sports. Charlie was very well behaved and actually enjoyed having his picture taken, I think. A big thank you to C.J., Micki's nephew, who came along and hung out with Charlie when we were taking pictures of just Micki and Carl.

One thing I can say about this couple is they are REALLY in love. They are so loving and affectionate with each other and it really warmed my heart. I'm really looking forward to their wedding in October.

Thank you Micki and Carl (and Charlie!) for a fun afternoon. We got some amazing images! Here are a few to wet your appetite before I get your slide show done.

Have a great weekend!

Sara and Corey's Wedding ~ May 3, 2008

2008-06-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

Sara and Corey were married on May 3, 2008. I met them for the first time in December of last year and I knew we were going to work well together after our first meeting. Sara and I basically talked non-stop for the first two hours of our meeting with Corey sliding a few words in here and there. Corey is a bit shy and reserved (until you get to know him!) but he held his own at our first meeting. They didn't really need eight hours of coverage but the package they were looking at had a second photographer and they wanted that. So we played around with things and decided to substitute an engagement session in for the two hours they didn't need. This proved to be an excellent plan!

Sara and Corey are fairly new to Tucson so I suggested one of my favorite places for their engagement session ~ Sabino Canyon. We rode the tram up and spent the afternoon taking pictures in some very cool places. They were game for anything and at one point even rolled up their pants, hiked across a fairly large stream to get great images in front of a small waterfall. We had a lot of fun together that day and got some amazing images which we used in their guestbook. The best part of the day though, in my opinion, is that Corey got really comfortable with the camera and was ready for the wedding day. Sara actually emailed me after that weekend and said, "You've created a monster!" Apparently Corey was doing his runway modeling walk for her all week!

Can you tell yet that I LOVE Sara and Corey? I knew after meeting them and getting to know them a bit that day at Sabino Canyon that their wedding day was going to be a wonderful event.

I was right! From the moment I met Sara, her matron of honor and her mom at the salon (at

6:15 a.m.!) until the last shots were taken of them under the gazebo, it was a really special day. I loved meeting both of their families and spending the day with such nice people. The day was full of lots of love and laughter, a few tears, but mostly joy as this really great couple came together as husband and wife.

I feel like I've made friends for life with Sara and Corey and I look forward to taking photographs of the beautiful babies I know they are going to bring into this world.

Mr. and Mrs. M. ~ I hope you have many, many years of love and happiness together!

Enjoy some photos from their big day...

Sara and Corey's Wedding

2008-06-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more from Sara and Corey's Wedding...

Savannah's latest feis

2008-06-10T12:58:00.001-07:00

My daughter, Savannah, is an Irish step dancer. Her Grandmother, "Drammy" (she is called this by all of her grandkids thanks to Savannah not being able to pronounce the "gr" in "Grammy" when she was learning to talk) got her involved in this when she was seven. She takes two classes a week and different work shops each year. One of her teachers is Michael Pat Gallagher, who was the lead in River Dance for many years and now teaches in Phoenix and Tucson. Savannah also competes several times a year.

An Irish dance competition is called a "feis" (plural is "feisana). You start at the beginner level and progress up through many levels. Savannah is now competing in the "preliminary championship" level. She has been at this level for almost 2 years now. It gets harder and harder the better you get! After not placing for a year, in her last four feisana she has placed sixth, fourth, second and third in the recent feis in Phoenix. She has to place first TWICE before she can move on to the next level, which is the "open championship" level.

I was the photographer at the feis. This is the second feis I have photographed and I just love it!

We are not allowed to photograph the actual competitions, but I took plenty of pictures during the two awards ceremonies. I love seeing the looks on the dancers' faces when their name is called. The looks range from surprise to happiness to disbelief! It is especially fun to see the little kids' faces when their name is called. Some are competing in their very first feis and the looks on their faces when they receive their medal or trophy are priceless! The nice thing about Irish dancing is the support that the kids give each other. They are always so thrilled when someone from their school wins something and there are squeals and shouts and lots of applause when their friends do well. It has been a wonderful experience for Savannah and she has made some life long friends. My nieces are also all dancing now (ages 9, 8 and 6) so Drammy has done well!