Van Buren Photography

Van Buren Photography's Blog Has Moved

2009-02-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share my new blog with you! I have been working really hard on getting it all dialed in. I would love for you to check it out at http://www.vanburenphotography.net/. The new blog has much larger images and a ton of new features.

Happy Anniversary!!

2009-01-22T09:50:00.000-08:00

Today is a very special day for Dzifa and I. One year ago from today we got married. Which means today is our first anniversary! I am thankful every day that I found a partner in life like Dzifa. He is everything I could have dreamed a husband could be and so much more I didn't know was possible. I am excited to celebrate many more anniversaries. I came into work today and I had these incredible flowers waiting for me. It reminds me of our wedding in the Bahamas all over again. :-)

Bethlehem Lutheran- Hyatt Wedding

2009-01-19T13:50:00.000-08:00

Reception: Grand Hyatt Denver

Church: Bethlehem Lutheran

Flowers: Newberry Brothers

Emily and David are quite possibly two of the sweetest people I have ever met. They both are soft spoken, delightful and tender hearted. They had a beautiful wedding at the Bethlehem Church in Lakewood. I think the high for the day was 15 degrees. We were able to sneak outside for a few shots without freezing too much. I see both of their soft sides and tender hearts in every photograph. It was great to have a room filled with love around the holidays. Here is a sneak peek at some more photos. Just click HERE to watcht the slideshow.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been so delinquent it posting over the holidays. So much was going on! I am in working on my new blog and a fresh website. Stay tuned for some new updates, more postings and some exciting news. I hope you have a prosperous New Year!!
Love-Katie

This was our "family" photo. It was our first attempt at a snow scene photo. It might have only been 20 degrees, but it was so worth it!

Wedding At The University Club

2008-11-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

Vendor: The University Club
Flowers: Capelli Floral

Keith and Cindy shared their union on a beautiful day at the University Club. Keith's three boys were so sweet to watch during their wedding day. Of course they loved their dad, but the sweetness I saw was how much they loved Cindy. I also saw how much Cindy loved them. There was an undeniable frequency in the room during their vows. This was true love.

Wedding At The Sanctuary Golf Course

2008-10-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Vendor: The Sanctuary
Event Coordinator: Nancy Chase Weddings & Celebrations
DJ: A Music Plus
Cake: Elegant Bakery
Ceremony Musicians: Columbine Entertainment
Invitations: Pampered Papers
Flowers: A Design Resource - James

John and Lindsay tied the knot!

It's always all the little moments that matter. Some times I love that I get to watch and photograph every one of them. I loved how Lindsay walked into the reception area at the Sanctuary and looked at the room as if her dreams just came to life. She walked around the room touching the napkins, admiring the centerpieces and stood in awe of how it all came together. I watched how she looked at John for the first time on her wedding day. I noticed how John would bring Lindsay's beautiful smile to life by letting out his infectious laugh.

Sometimes I forget how ridiculous I can look when I am going for "the shot" that I really want. John and Lindsay were standing in front of the waterfall at The Sanctuary when all of a sudden they looked over at me. They both burst into laughter. It was then that I realized I had wedged myself behind a bush and half way into a tree because I saw a perfect shot. We all got a pretty good laugh out of it.

I photographed a wedding at the Sanctuary the night before John and Lindsay's wedding there. I was in awe of how stunning each wedding was and yet how different each one was. John and Lindsay are both in theater and went for a whimsical, natural and organic theme. I really need to post more detail shots because they were out of this world.

Click here if you would like to see more from their wedding.

Engagement Session in Denver

2008-10-20T14:45:00.001-07:00

Scott & Bethany's E-Session
Scott was a week shy of heading over to Europe for the next six months. Luckily I was able to steal a little of Scott and Bethany's time before he left. Their engagement session was so playful and fun. They brought two different outfits and then we picked what felt like 100 different backgrounds. I can't wait for their wedding day in Fort Collins next summer.

Sanctuary Wedding - Morgan & Nadine

2008-10-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Vendor: The Sanctuary
Event Coordinator: Michelle Gillett- Dramatic Event Design
DJ: Tom O"Malley- Affinity For Music
Bride's Dress: Klienfelds
Cake: Eat Dessert First
Catering: The Sanctuary
Celebrant: Father Marty Hunckler
Ceremony Musicians: Leavitt Music Service
Invitations: Paper Lady
Flowers: The Flower House
Groom's Clothing: Al's Formal Wear
Hair/Make-Up: Christy Harrington

This wedding extravaganza started off on Thursday night. I met up with Morgan and Nadine to do their engagement session. They live in New York and this was the first chance we had to get them in front of the camera. We had four unbelievable days of spectacular weather. Which was a good thing since I chased them around for four days straight.

I photographed their rehearsal dinner on Friday night. I love having the chance to shoot at the rehearsal dinner. It lets me meet all of their family and friends before the wedding day. I learned so much about Morgan and Nadine that I didn't know before. I always feel like being at the rehearsal dinner gives me an advantage for shooting on their wedding day. I have already figured out who is who in the families and since I have met them I become a familiar face on the wedding day.

Of course their wedding was out of this world. The decor was was extraordinary and so detailed. I have never seen so many candles in one place. It was breathtaking. I kept thinking all weekend that someone needed to pinch me because the photographic opportunities just kept getting better. The fall colors were so vibrant and surreal.

I finished their wedding weekend by photographing the brunch at Nadine's families house the next morning. I think by this time everyone had adopted me into the family because they realized I wasn't going anywhere. :-)

SLIDESHOW!!

Wedding at The Maggie in Breckenridge Colorado

2008-09-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Vendor: The Maggie at Breckenridge
Event Coordinator: Erin Martin, An Occasion to Remember
DJ: Jay Kacik, Standing Room Only
Bride's Dress: The Bridal Collection
Cake: Mulberries
Catering: The Maggie at Breckenridge
Celebrant: Carolyn Carpenter, Sunflower Weddings
Invitations: Additional Postage Required
Flowers: The Flower House Weddings
Groom's Clothing: Men's Wearhouse

Jared and Sara united as a family!

Love is in the air... Every detail in place...And a happy ending only an aisle walk away.

This was one of those weddings where you get that giddy feeling all the way down to your toes. Just like it was meant to be... a boy and a girl in love.

Jared and Sara are meant to be together. Their paths crossed years ago and they found their way back into each other's arms. I guess some things in life are undeniable.

Here is a slideshow from their wedding.

Tyler & Trisha's Wedding

2008-09-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Vendor: Denver Kickers Sports Club
Band: Primetime Band Bride's
Dress: D'Anelli Bridals
Cake: Das Meyer Fine Pastry Chalet
Catering: Texas Roadhouse
Celebrant: Father Tom Carzon
Invitations: D'Anellli Bridals
Flowers: Fleur de Liz
Groom's Clothing: Men's Wearhouse
Hair/Make-up: Studio 1870

Over the 11 years I have been shooting I have never seen a dress like Trisha's. I loved it! I shared some of my favorite moments from Trisha and Tyler's wedding. We had so many great options for backgrounds and props. I think I could have dragged the two of them all over town. They followed up their wedding with some fancy footwork. They are both talented German dancers. I was in awe watching them dance during the reception. I knew Tyler from high school and I don't remember him being so talented on the dance floor. Trisha had been dancing since she was a little girl, so it was very natural for her.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your day and for being so outgoing for any photo I wanted to take!

Here is their slideshow.

Kristy & Kevin- Tied the Knot

2008-09-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

Venue: Perry Park Country Club
Band: Quality Mobile Sound
Bride's Dress: Dina's Bridal
Cake: Bonnie Brae Ice Cream

Celebrant: Thomas McLaughlin
Ceremony Music: Classic Strings
Invitations: Fine Tip Designs
Groom's Clothing: Men's Warehouse
Flowers: Plum Sage
Hair/Makeup: Natalia Bettencourt
Bridesmaids Attire: Ann Taylor Celebrations

What a perfect day for Kristy and Kevin to get married. They picked an awesome hidden gem for their reception. It is called Perry Park. I have only been there once before, but every time I go, I can't believe how beautiful the scenery is. I had some favorite moments from the day, but I want to tell you about the best one. So, the officiant is telling a story about how their arbor that they are getting married under needs to be varnished and stained over the years to keep it in working order and looking good. He said it is much like a marriage that needs the love, care and attention put toward it to make it last. Kevin, being so witty, adds a cute twist to his wedding vows. He was being very serious and then he throws out "I promise to varnish and stain you every day". It brought a giggle to everyone in the audience along with Kristy.

Thanks for letting me share in your day! Enjoy your slideshow.

Best Wishes,
Katie

Cristin & Ross- Got Married

2008-09-15T15:34:00.001-07:00

Venue: The Sanctuary, Castle Pines
DJ: Bill Carson
Bride's Dress: Anna Be
Cake: Das Meyer
Catering: The Sanctuary, Castle Pines
Celebrant: Dr. Gene Selander
Flowers: The Flower House
Groom's Clothing: Men's Wearhouse
Hair/Makeup: Elevate Hair Studio, Sarah Gard
Videographer: RH Productions

Ross and Cristin are rock stars! I love that one of the goals for Ross was to be on my blog, on my studio walls or in my portfolio. Chances are he has most of those covered! These two were game for anything. You gotta love that they had custom bobble heads made to look like them. My favorite moment of the night was during the removal of the garter. So Ross starts to search for the garter when the music suddenly switches to "Can't Touch This" he jumped up and started dancing in front of Cristin. I haven't ever seen anything like it and I loved it. So did everyone else.

What a night to remember! Thanks for letting me be a part of it. Here is a sneak peak at what is coming soon. Enjoy the slideshow.

E-Session With Sammy & Becca

2008-08-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Corey & Joanna's Wedding

2008-08-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

Rain Couldn't Stop Travis & Courtney's Wedding At The Broadmoor

2008-08-18T16:31:00.001-07:00

Courtney & Travis
Venue: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
Event Coordinator: Annie Myers
Band: Jerry Barnett Productions
Bride's Dress: Andrieson Morton
Cake: The Broadmoor
Catering: The Broadmoor
Celebrant: Ruthanne K Cochran
Invitations: Merci
Flowers: Newberry Brothers
Groom's Clothing: Al's Formal Wear
Hair/Makeup: Lowry Urban Spa, Berenices
Videographer: Matt Chavez, Freeze Frame Ent.
Flower Girl Attire: Three Blind Mice
Bridesmaid Attire: Pricilla of Boston

For a wedding this beautiful all you can say is WOW. It may have poured buckets of rain on Courtney and Travis' wedding day, but nothing could ruin their day. Courtney has the most amazing sense of calm to her. Travis is a mirror image of the kind of person Courtney is. Simply stated they are perfect for each other. Their wedding at the Broadmoor was incredibly elegant and stunning! The decor was show stopping. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day.

Click HERE to enjoy a slideshow.

Brooke & Scott's Wedding At Ten Mile Station

2008-08-18T16:04:00.001-07:00

Brooke and Scott
Venue: Ten Mile Station, Breckenridge
Event Coordinator: Cat Ambrose
DJ: Tommy Shreve
Bride's Dress: The Bridal Collection
Cake: Reil Mountain Confections, Blue Moon Bakery
Catering: Ten Mile Station, Breckenridge
Celebrant: Kirk Brungard
Ceremony Musicians: Alster Entertainment
Invitations: Watermark
Groom's Clothing: Men's Warehouse
Hair/Makeup: Alpine Spa & Salon
Videographer: Jennifer Henderson, Sunshine Images
Transportation: Highside Adventure Tours

It is hard to resist Brooke's giggles and Scott's bubbling personality. Brooke couldn't keep a straight face to save her life. She smiled from her toes to her head. They celebrated their wedding at 10 Mile Station in Breckenridge. The rain threatened in every way, but decided to part through the clouds right as Brooke was walking down the aisle. One of my favorite shots from this summer was with the umbrella (posted below). Dancing was this groups forte'. They brought the moves even on the elevator!

Brooke and Scott you two are made for each other. It meant a lot to me to be a part of the celebration. Enjoy your slideshow!

Katie

It's Official- Jake & Katie Are Married!

2008-08-04T14:25:00.001-07:00

Jake and Katie
Vendor: Keystone Lodge and Spa, Colorado
Event Coordinator: Jennifer Near
Band: New Society
Dress: La Bella Bride
Cake: Keystone Resorts
Catering: Keystone Resorts
Celebrant: Carol Mayewn
Invitations: Just for You
Flowers: A Country Garden
Groom's Clothing: Frisco Fun and Formal Wear
Hair/Makeup: A Colour of Harmony

Dan & Kathryn Tied The Knot

2008-08-04T14:13:00.001-07:00

Venue: The Sanctuary
DJ: A Great Time DJ's
Bride's Dress: Pricilla's Of Boston
Cake: A Matter of Taste
Catering: The Sanctuary
Celebrant: Pastor Rick Barger
Invitations: The Stationary Company
Flowers: A Garden Path
Groom's Clothing: Al's Formal Wear

Only in Colorado do you get sunshine, rain, lighting, thunder and a double rainbow all in 1 hour! Kathryn and Dan's wedding was very sentimental. They got married in a church her father was the architect for. It was his labor of love and the love of his life, his daughter, got married there. The thunder during the cocktail hour was so loud and threatening. A huge bolt of lightening stuck a tree that was close by. Within 15 minutes the storm blew through and brought the most out of sight double rainbow. Kathryn and Dan looked so happy and in love. I was honored to be a part of their day.

Here is their slideshow.

Scott & Sarah's Wedding

2008-08-04T14:08:00.001-07:00

Scott and Sarah are good friends of Dzifa and mine. It was SO cool being able to photograph their wedding for them. Sarah is nothing shy of a model and Scott wasn't so bad himself. :-) They did their wedding in the round. I have done one other wedding this way and it is a pretty intimate way to have your ceremony. It was as if they were literally being embraced by everyone's love around them. Sarah and Scott, you two are a perfect match! Thanks for letting me help you celebrate your marriage.

Here is a sneak peak of their slideshow.

John & Lindsay's E-Session

2008-07-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

Tiffany Looks Beautiful

2008-07-25T14:35:00.001-07:00

Scott, Nora, & Katie

2008-07-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

Scott, Nora and Katie are the all american family. I wanted to do a lifestyle family portrait for them. We had fun photographing them at their home and a nearby park. Katie's room has one of the coolest murals I have ever seen . Her parents found a wonderful artist that does any type of mural you can think of. They hired her to create a sea world escape.

The Love Doctor Got Married

2008-07-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

When you mix two doctors with one wedding dress and a spectacular day you get Ben and Laura's wedding. They traveled from back east for a Colorado destination wedding at the Wildlife Experience. I think there was only one family at the wedding that was from Colorado. That means that 150+ guests flew in from all over the country to help them celebrate their love for each other. This was one group that loved to party. From the moment the Nacho Men lit up the dance floor the place was hopping. To see more of their photographs click here to view their slideshow.

Tori & Adam - So In Love

2008-07-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

I loved working with Tori and Adam for their wedding. Their love was so innocent, inspirational and refreshing. They have a sense of adventure for love and life. When I watched them through my lens I could see the depth of their love. It was an honor to be there to witness their marriage. They had their wedding in Adam's parents backyard along with over 200 close family and friends. It felt like an english garden party. I couldn't thank their neighbors enough for letting us crash into their backyard for all of our photos. To see more photos from Tori and Adam's wedding click here to view the slideshow.

Lindsey & Tony Wlaking Down The Aisle At The Sanctuary

2008-07-25T14:15:00.001-07:00

Lindsey and Tony's wedding had every ingredient of romance. It was a privilage to get to work with them and become friends at the same time. They came to The Sanctuary for a Colorado destination wedding. They live in Chicago where Tony just became a doctor. Their wedding was so elegant and classy. I think my favorite moment of the day was when they saw each other for the first time. Tony just beamed from ear to ear when he saw Lindsey. He had her spin around and show off her dress. It was so adorable. I know a lot of couples have mixed emotions on seeing each other befor the cermony. I am usually in favor of it. It creates such a dramatic and emotional moment that is all to themselves. Lindsey and Tony's moment at first sight was no different. If you want to see more photographs view their slideshow here.

Favorite Images from Workshop

2008-06-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

It is possible that June was the busiest month I have had in the past two years. Between weddings, portraits, events, workshops, PUG meetings and trying to have a little bit of a social life I was on the go for thirty days straight. I woke up this morning and couldn't believe July has already arrived.

Today is July first and Dzifa and I have given up on trying to cool down our house at night with all of our fans. So we had A/C installed. Yipee! We have been putting it off and couldn't resist any longer. It's crazy to think when our house was built 24 years ago it wasn't a necessity to have A/C because a hot day in the middle of August was a high of 85. Now by the end of May most of our days are in the high 80's and low 90's. Tonight I will be enjoying a good night of sleep in my cooled down house.

I just attended a workshop with David Beckstead. He is a world renowned photographer that came to Denver to put on a workshop. I loved shooting with some of my friends in the photography industry. The models we worked with were willing to go the extra mile for us. Here are some of my favorite images.

Ben & Jenny Get Hitched

2008-06-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Ben and Jenny tied the knot at the Sanctuary. Often times my clients opt to see each other before the wedding. That wasn't the case with Ben and Jenny. They decided to keep to tradition. I usually think it can be just as special either way. I don't know the song that Jenny and her dad walked down the aisle to, but it created the most uplifting and emotional setting. Then Jenny got to the end of the aisle and her and her dad stood there until the song ended. The suspense, excitement and emotion was at an ultimate high. I only put one photo on my blog, but I seriously couldn't stop shooting. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Ben and Jenny's wedding was everything they hoped it would be. Surrounded by the love and support of their biggest fans in life. I was honored to be a part of it all. Enjoy all the memories.

Koncal-Dines Keystone Wedding Weekend

2008-06-23T15:46:00.001-07:00

I think it is possible that one of my favorite things in my photography business is being hired for an entire weekend of wedding events. I got to spend a weekend in Keystone with Scott and Megans family and friends for their wedding. They hosted the most clever "altitude adjustment" welcome party, rehearsal dinner, wedding and brunch.

I arrived to check in only to be greeted with some yummy Buckeye chocolates and a bottle of wine. I hurried off to the stables to catch everyone in cowboy action. They had cattle roping, wagon rides, spectacular scenery, country cookin' and that's just the beginning.

Scott and Megan met in college and have both continued on to be doctors. Scott is in his second year of his residency and Megan has just started her first. Their family and friends came from all over the US to help them celebrate their destination wedding in Keystone.

They had their wedding at the Keystone Ranch. It was a warm, but crazy windy day. Megan was the ultimate bride that never let the wind and her blowing veil phase her. Jensen came up for the wedding to photograph it with me.

On the last day up in Keystone we did a trash the dress session. I haven't posted those photos yet. I couldn't have thought of a better end to the perfect weekend.

I enjoyed every minute of your weekend. Thank you for letting me be a part of it all.

Katie

Nothing beats a photo of Megans mom roping the fake calf. I loved her victory pose.

It was so windy, but it made for some one of a kind shots.

E-Session Marathon #5

2008-06-03T14:10:00.001-07:00

E-Session Marathon #4

2008-06-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

E-Session Marathon #3

2008-06-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

E-Session Marathon #2

2008-06-03T13:57:00.001-07:00

E-Session Marathon #1

2008-06-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Morgan Adams Foundation

2008-06-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I have talked about something that is near and dear to my heart. A year and a half ago I photographed Ariana, a little girl with brain cancer. Sadly she passed away a few months after our session. What she taught me in her short time here on earth was a life long lesson. Live each day to it's fullest because tomorrow is a gift not a guarantee. Hold the ones you care about close to your heart. Never forget to say I love you. Do things to make others smile. Dance like no one is watching. Have compassion for everyone.

I have built a relationship with Ariana's mother, April. I am connected to her in ways I can't quite explain. Our journey in life isn't always clear, but I strongly believe everything happens for a reason. Since Ariana's passing I have had the opportunity to go to a few events for the Morgan Adams Foundation. This is a charity that raises money for research for children with cancer. They do an annual breakfast/fundraiser called "What's Up Doc?" They held the event at the Seawell Grand Ballroom. A few doctors from Childerens Hospital came to talk about the research that is currently being done, how far we have come and how far we still need to go.

The crew from Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Ian & Heather's Wedding At Arrowhead

2008-06-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you mix sunshine, red rocks, a laid back couple and a few deer? A spectacular wedding at Arrowhead Golf Course. Heather and Ian could possibly be one of the most laid back couples I have ever photographed. They had this underlying sense of calm and serenity between them. I love afternoon weddings. Their ceremony was at 11am before the heat of the day really kicked in. We even had some deer come out to see what was happening on the course. Ian completely surprised Heather with a diamond band for her wedding band. She was expecting a different ring that they had picked out. The look of surprise on her face when he slipped it on her finger was priceless. Enjoy some of my favorite photos from the day.

Check out the deer in the background.
Ian striking a pose
I am a sucker for deep blue skies
A private moment...
What a view!! She just noticed that he slipped a surprise ring on her finger.
My two favorite photos of the day.

Emily finished it off with this killer shot

Sarah & Rick's Tied the Knot

2008-05-20T16:00:00.001-07:00

I knew May 17th was going to be a good day. Not only was it my 29th birthday, but it was Sarah and Rick's wedding! I was hired to shoot for 12 hours. It was SO much fun! I started with the girls getting ready and finished at the Hotel Monoco as they left on a horse drawn carriage. Sarah and Rick got married at the Sanctuary on a gorgeous day.

Nathan and Megan's Big Day

2008-05-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Nate and Megan are from the windy city of Chicago. It was fitting that the wind was relentless on their wedding day. You would have never known the wind was a challenge. They made every photo look great. There wedding was at the Sanctuary. I loved the sparkler send off. Here is a slideshow with more photos from the day.

2008-05-05T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a new sample album of Chris and Sharla. I came across this image and I had to share it with you. There is something about this that I am drawn to. It could be the passion that the two of them have for each other. Chris told Sharla that he loved her in the 8th grade under their friends tree. He said his love for her has only grown stronger since. To be in love and to find love is one of lifes greatest gifts.

Snow Day!!

2008-04-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

The past few months I have been on stand by for any day it snows. The tricky part is when it snowed it had to match up with Sarah, Rick and my schedules. At last we had a snowy day in April that worked for all of us. We planned a fun filled outing in the snow. Sarah and Rick really wanted to have a snow scene as the setting for their engagement session. I loved how adventurous they were.

Can you feel the love?
They managed to look cuddly and warm in the freezing cold.

This might just be my favorite... It reminds me of a snowy day in New York.

Nuggets and Lakers Playoff Game

2008-04-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like cheering on your home team from the second row... That is unless they lose. :( I still had a blast watching the last play off game for the Nuggets. I don't usually bring my "big" camera to the games. Mostly because I didn't think they would allow me to. I decided that it was worth a try to bring it. I was almost declined at the door. I was told that my 5D and my 70-200 lens were borderline for being allowed in without a press pass. Some how luck was on my side and I was able to shoot during the entire game. Our seats are behind the visitors bench. So although I love the Nuggets I had a lot more opportunities to photograph the Lakers. The game begins!

The Temptations played at half time.

Salt Lake City

2008-04-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

I can't think of a time that I ever flew in and out of a city in under 24 hours. I guess my last trip to Salt Lake City would make it my first under 24 hour trip ever. I flew out to SLC to hang out with the SLC PUG (Pictage Users Group). They had an awesome turn out for the meeting. It could be because they had Justin and Mary Murantz in town to speak. Justin and Mary are so motivating. They gave me some great ideas for my business too! Davina Fear is the PUG leader. She is a very well known name in SLC.

Justin talking it up!
Mary in the middle of speaking.
Here is a cool shot of both of them while they were doing their presentation.
A photo of the crew after a late night dinner.

Nuggets

2008-04-15T14:01:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to a Nuggets game with Ann Marlin from Nancy Chase Weddings and Celebrations. It was fun to have a chance to catch up before the wedding season takes off. We normally are so busy during a wedding it is hard to find the time to chat. Ann is not only an incredible wedding planner, but she also has an invitation company called Pampered Papers. Here are a few shots from the game. We are so lucky we got to steal Dzifa's tickets for the night. We were 2 rows behind the visitors bench. It is crazy to see how tall the players are. When you watch them on T.V. it just doesn't do them justice. I always wonder where they buy their clothes at or if everything they wear are custom tailored.

Andrea & Luis Tied the Knot

2008-04-01T15:27:00.001-07:00

My friends are married! On March 22nd Andrea and Luis tied the knot. They shared a very intimate ceremony with family and friends at City Park. Of course I don't know how to go any where without my camera. Andrea has been a friend, business associate and my dancing partner for over 5 years. She is the kind of person that would be there any time and any place to help another person out. She is someone that when you meet her you instantly feel a connection because she is genuine. Luckily she found Luis, a man that shares similar qualities. I am so happy for you two!

Psyche Hike

2008-04-01T12:59:00.001-07:00

Dr. Audrey Boxwell is heading out on a new adventure. She is redefining her practice by incorporating hiking into her sessions. We did a photo shoot for her new website that will be coming out soon (http://psychehike.net). Her sessions can include hiking or snowshoeing. We had about two hours in the car driving to and from the location we shot at. I was facinated by her concept and how well it works. I will post a link to her website when it launches.

Best of 2008- Colorado Meetings and Events

2008-04-01T12:39:00.001-07:00

I was recently hired to photograph Colorado Meeting and Event's 2008 Best of Awards. It was great having a chance to reconnect with some of the industries power houses. The awards went to local businesses that stand out. Here are a few photos that highlight the evening. They really did the event in style at Invesco Field.

All the amazing flowers were done by Delilah's of Denver.

Epicurean catered the 'Best of 2008', and the food was phenomenal!

Shawn Preston of Trapdoor Entertainment was there, and kept everyone laughing and on their toes!

The memebers of the dynamic group from Starpro Entertainment. Their group won an award!

WPPI in Las Vegas

2008-03-21T09:20:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again... 12,000 wedding and portrait photographers get together for WPPI in Vegas. Every year it seems to get busier and busier for me. I spent the first few days working for Pictage. Then I spent the next two days doing presentations for liveBooks on the tradeshow floor. I am hoping to round up a few photos that Barry Staver took during my presentation. The rest of the tradeshow I spent buying new equipment, looking for the latest packaging options and purchasing a new album for my elite album line. For all my 2008 brides, I will be releasing an elite album line very soon.

Some friends from CO, Washington DC and Florida.

Fellow Pictage PUGers. (PUG=Pictage Users Group) Pictage had an awesome party for the PUG leaders at Tao.

Livin' it up in San Fran

2008-03-21T09:16:00.001-07:00

Dzifa and I headed to San Fran for a quick weekend to celebrate his 30th birthday! Dzifa extended his weekend with a work seminar. For his birthday we had dinner with a bunch of his friends from Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. It was a perfect way to exit his 20's and head into his 30's. I am not too far behind him. :) I absolutely love San Francisco. The city has so much character and charm. It looks like I will be heading back to SF in November. Me and a few other friends are gearing up for a 1/2 marathon.
Anyone that knows me well, knows I love to shop at Forever 21. It is probably my second favorite to Macy's. This store is 3 stories tall. Dzifa patiently waited while I shopped for over an hour.

A few photos of us "monkeying" around.

Honeymoon to New Zealand

2008-03-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am back from my honeymoon and getting caught up on life. I found some time to post a few images from our trip to New Zealand. We only had a few days that the weather completely cooperated. We seized every moment of sunshine for hiking, fishing and photos. I loved that every time I turned around Dzifa had his camera out and was taking photos. I am more of a people person when it comes to photography. I think the industry I am in is perfect for me. Where as Dzifa is right at home doing landscape photography.

We traveled across the entire South Island. We started on the northern part of the island and worked our way south, east and west. It was quite a vacation. The next time we go I want to go for a month...maybe in retirement. There were sheep, deer and cow farms every where you looked. I have never seen so many sheep in one place. I guess that is why Uggs come from that part of the world. :-)

I loved the road leading into the country side. It reminded me that the road that lies ahead of us is full of spectacular surprises.
This place was so cool! It was called Punakaiki. Most of the locals called it pancake rocks. The rocks did look like stacks of pancakes.

A few more shots from our hike

New Zealand is one of the best fly fishing places in the world.

Dzifa, workin' it!

A new storm rolling in.

This guy was so cute, it was too bad what he was laying in smelled so bad.

Doesn't he look like he wanted his photo taken?

On our way to stopping for lunch at a winery we passed this pig farm. I couldn't resist a photo of little piglet.

Scott and Megan's E-Session

2008-03-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Megan and Scott found time in their crazy schedules to make it to Colorado for a ski week. Scott is a doctor and Megan is well on her way to being one. I can't wait for their wedding in Keystone. I am especially excited for the trash the dress session we are going to do after the big day! We did a fun e-session at Red Rocks. If you want to see more view their slideshow.

Pucker Up!!

2008-02-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

I was just downloading the photos from my wedding and honeymoon from my point and shoot camera. I came across this cute picture of me and a dolphin. Our cruise stopped in Freeport and we had an excursion that you could swim with dolphins. Maren, Denise, Debby and I all jumped on the opportunity to swim with dolphins. The weather was a bit chilly, but it didn't stop us from having a great time. I was practicing my first kiss with Dzifa for our wedding that took place the next day. :-)

Cleaning Off My Desktop

2008-02-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

I have been attempting to clean off old folders from my desktop. Since "wedding season" will be kicking off in the next few months I figured now was a good time to get organized. I always come across some of my personal photos that I shot, downloaded and never posted on here. This is from my trip to Cape Cod. The sunsets at the Cape there are unreal! Dzifa and I head out to the Cape for a week every year. This year will be a little different because I have a wedding on both weekends that bookend the week out there. I am sure we will still manage to get out there for a few days in the sun. :-) Speaking of sun I am ready for it to warm up and stop snowing in Colorado. Just another month or so...

Northwestern at the Broadmoor

2008-02-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

Every year I have the pleasure of photographing Northwestern Mutual Financial Network's annual party. I always photograph one big group portrait of all of the reps. This is the first year in 29 years my dad hasn't been in the photo. Both Dzifa and my dad work for NMFN. Poor Dzifa missed out on this photo too. He caught a stomach bug and had to stay in the hotel room. It is always a challenge to arrange and photograph 100+ people in one shot. Thankfully Tom Moore came down to help me out with this.

Jake and Katie's Engagement Session

2008-02-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

Katie and Jake are such a sweet couple. Jake was just getting over a cold and Katie had been dodging him all weekend to avoid getting sick. Then I came along to do their shoot up in the mountains. I had them kissing every other minute. Katie kept laughing because she was bound and determined not to catch Jake's cold. It was pretty cute watching them together. They have planned their destination wedding for August 2nd up in Keystone. You can watch a little slideshow of their engagement portrait here.

A perfect match. This was a cool scene!

Gerrard-Kuttler Wedding

2008-02-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Justin and Meagan were incredibly adorable in freezing cold weather. They tied the knot on January 5th and pushed through the cold to get some great photos. I just loved how sweet Justin was to Meagan. They were wonderful to work with. If you want to see more of their wedding click on this slideshow link.

This is one of my favorites!

I love it when the wind comes at just the right moment.

Simply beautiful.
Handsome guy.
This is a fun dramatic shot.
The perfect way to end the perfect day.

First Post As A Married Lady!

2008-01-29T09:27:00.000-08:00

Words can not express the what I experienced at my own wedding. There I was standing with my feet in the sand pronouncing my love to Dzifa. I didn't know loving someone could be so wonderful.

We just got back from our cruise to the Bahamas. We ended up with 99 guests on board the Sensation cruise ship. Dzifa and I had our ceremony on Paradise Island on January 22, 2008. We brought the party back on board the ship and danced the night away.

I have always loved what I do and I have always known it's importance. I think I truly realized the magnitude of my job as a photographer after my wedding. By the next day I was dying to see the photographs that could help me relive it all over again. The memories fade so quickly, but when I look at the photographs I am right back in the Bahamas on the beach... I know now more then ever that I help in creating a legacy of memories for all of my clients. I am blessed to have such an incredible job.

Here is a SLIDESHOW and a few photos to enjoy. My photographers Jensen Sutta and Emily Brumley knocked it out of the park! I love every image they took.

Welcoming 2008

2008-01-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

The past month has gone by with the blink of an eye. Dzifa and I are busy finishing up last minute details for our wedding. I can't believe the big day is only a few weeks away. I wanted to be sure to wish all of you a fabulous 2008! I can tell that this year is going to be incredible.

I have some killer weddings scheduled for this year. I can't wait for the year to get started. My 2008 couples are so much fun and their weddings should be out of this world. It will be tough to compare to my 2007 weddings because they were all wonderful. I am looking forward to what is to come...

Have a happy and healthy New Year!
Love-Katie

Nathan & Megan's Engagement Session

2007-11-26T10:01:00.001-08:00

Nathan and Megan win for being my bravest couple. They braved the 19 degree weather for their engagement session. They were only in town for a few days and we only had one chance to do the photographs. They managed to pull off some beautiful photographs in spite of being freezing cold. Their wedding is going to be at the Sanctuary this April. It is one of my favorite venues to photograph at. Every place you turn is a good place for a photograph.

Garcia's Family Portrait

2007-11-12T09:29:00.001-08:00

Fall is a really busy time of year for family portraits. Every year I photograph the same families. I love seeing the same families year after year. The kids grow up right in front of my camera. I photographed Rich and Becky's wedding 8 years ago and I just photographed their family. These are a few of my favorite pictures.

Highlands Ranch High School

2007-11-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

For the past few years I have photographed Highlands Ranch High School's orchestra and choir groups. It is pretty fun to see the students year after year. Here are some of the group shots that we did. It is usually an hour of racing around because we do the photographs just before they have their concert.

Ben & Jenny's Engagement Portraits

2007-11-12T08:42:00.001-08:00

Ben and Jenny are getting married next summer and we just did their engagement session. They were so adorable to each other and in front of the camera. I love that they came ready to shoot and had tons of fun doing it. They gave me so many opportunities to get great photos. Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.

Portraits in Laguna Beach

2007-11-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago I had the opportunity to work in Laguna Beach. I photographed five families on the beach and at the surrounding hotel grounds. The first photos include my sister and her family. It was great getting a chance to photograph in a new setting. I also was able to photograph a few of my really good friends families. After a day of hard work we headed to my sisters house for a yummy dinner.

Chris and Christine's Wedding

2007-10-30T14:36:00.001-07:00

I had such a wonderful time photographing Chris and Christine's wedding. I think Chris is quite possibly one of the most animated grooms I have ever photographed. The wedding was picture perfect from start to finish. Ann Marlin with Nancy Chase Weddings and Celebrations helped in making it all happen. We stayed until the very last dance and farewell send off. The last song was played by Heartbeat and Chris's brother. They rocked the house and everyone loved it! Then they left with a rose petal send off. The day was simply perfect and I am so happy I was there to photograph it!

Blogging Marathon...

2007-10-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

It seems as though the months keep slipping by too quickly. I have been shooting a ton lately, but haven't made the time to update my blog. I know, shame on me. :) I thought I should do a little blogging marathon today. I just posted quite a few sessions and weddings I photographed in September.

I am looking forward to 2008 already! I have a lot of spectacular weddings already booked. Plus I will be getting married in January 2008. Here are some photographs of Tyler and Trisha. They will be getting married next September. I can't wait for their wedding. They are doing a HUGE German wedding.

I have known Tyler since high school and I just met his fiance Trisha. I can see why the two of them have connected. They both have the same warmth about them along with their cute personalities. We had some good laughs and a lot of time for awesome photos.

Jim & Kelly's Wedding

2007-10-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

This was my month for mountain weddings. You can't beat getting out of the heat and heading to higher ground for fall weddings. Here are photographs from Jim and Kelly's wedding. They got married at the Taharra up in Estes Park. Both Kelly and Jim are from back east. They had so many family and friends travel in from out of state. I loved how laid back both Jim and Kelly were. They made photographing their wedding really enjoyable. I think one of the most impressive things about their wedding was their first dance. Those dancing lessons paid off! If you want to see more of their wedding photographs click HERE to see their slideshow.

Cally & Firas' Wedding

2007-10-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

I got to photograph another wedding in Estes Park. Cally and Firas had their wedding at the Stanely Hotel in Estes. I am not sure if I have ever seen a wedding gown quite like Cally's. Not only was her dress stunning, but so was she! Cally and Firas live in Atlanta, but decided to have a Colorado destination wedding. Cally's family has a home in Estes Park, so it has always been a very near and dear place for her. I had been looking forward to Firas and Cally's wedding. There have been a series of weddings that I have photographed this summer where all my brides were friends. It was fun to see some of my brides from this summer as wedding guests or in the wedding party. This wedding was coordinated by An Occassion To Remember. Both Erin and Michelle had put special attention into every detail.

Josh & Kellie's Wedding

2007-10-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

I think Kellie and Josh's wedding was the most sentimental for me this year. They got married at the Breckenridge Lodge and Spa. That is where Dzifa proposed to me last year. I loved coming back to photograph a wedding at the same place. I think it meant even more to me that it wasn't just any wedding, it was Kellie and Josh's wedding. Josh cried from the moment he first layed eyes on Kellie. I don't think the tears stopped flowing all night. You could feel how lucky each one of them felt to have found each other and to be spending the rest of their lives together. It was a magical night and I was blessed to have been there to witness it.

Wedding in Tahoe

2007-10-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

If you have never been to Lake Tahoe I encourage you to visit there. My good friend Jensen Sutta had a wedding to photograph in Tahoe. I was fortunate enough to have the weekend off, so I went with him to photograph Meshelle and Josh's wedding. It was nice to go to Nevada because my sister's family lives out there. I was able to spend a little time with her and my nephew before heading up to Tahoe. Jensen and I had a great time shooting together. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the day. Jensen and Emily will be photographing my wedding and I can't wait to see the awesome photos they come up with.

Jensen getting some scene setting shots before the action started!

Brian & Kim's Wedding

2007-10-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

I think the first photo explains it all. Brian and Kim are so fun and full of life. Thier weddding was at the Sanctuary. Ann Marlin with Nancy Chase Weddings had every little detailed planned perfectly. Gail and George (Kim's parents) surprised them with a dove release. From the moment they saw each other to their last dance they were happy and so in love. We did have a little rain that came our way during the wedding. Not even rain could damper this crowd. Brian and Kim thanks for letting me share in your wedding celebration. To see more of their wedding click HERE.

Best Wishes-

Katie

Speaking at Partner Conference

2007-09-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

I am not exactly sure where the time is going this year. I feel like the minutes, days and weeks are just blending together. I recently had the opportunity to speak at Pictage's Partner Conference. It was great! The conference is designed to be very dynamic and unique for Pictage's photographers. The seminar sizes aren't too big, the tradeshow isn't overwhelming, the food is great, the speakers are fantastic and diverse and the sense of community is incredible.

I made a goal a year ago that I would speak at a conference within a 1-2 years. Well here I am one year later and I finally did it!! I gave my first hour long seminar about the pursuit of online wealth. I primarily talked about using all the tools that Pictage provides to it's photographers and how capitalize your profits on them. I was a little nervous before it started. Then right as I was setting up we couldn't get my notes to come up for my presentation. I ended up wingin' it without my notes and it went just fine. Here are a few photos that were taken by Loren Scott. It was great catching up with old friends and meeting new ones at this years conference. I am looking forward to speaking in Vegas too!

Here is a photo of Sue Ann, Holly and me right before my speech started.

Nothing like a good action shot. (lol)

Matt and Sarah

2007-09-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Matt and Sarah! I loved working with you. Your photographs reflect the beauty and happiness you both have within you. Enjoy! Best Wishes- Katie

To see their slideshow from Keystone Ranch click here!

Steve and Lisa

2007-09-07T15:24:00.001-07:00

Steve and Lisa were such a fun couple to work with. Steve would wrinkle his nose at the camera and then bust out laughing. I thought they looked stunning in all of their pictures. The church was fabulous along with the reception. The view from the Pinnacle Room is unbelievable. You can see for miles and miles. To top it all off we had a perfect Colorado sunset. If you want to see more of their images please check out their slideshow!

Vote For Me!

2007-08-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

I am excited to share that I have been nominated for Denver 7's A-LIST under the “Weddings/Photography” category! The A-LIST is an online competition for local businesses to discover “the best" in each highlighted category. I am so excited to be nominated but I need your online vote to win. Please VOTE for me under the "Weddings/Photography" category as soon as you can. This would be a wonderful honor for me to win – but your Vote is required!

To vote, please go to: http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/details.aspx?business=49132 (you may have to copy and paste link to browser). You should see a vote tab so please vote! It will ask you to put in your email address and create a USERNAME and PASSWORD and then you can Vote (very easy).

I appreciate all the support we have received- it means so much! Please pass this along to anyone who might be interested in voting!

Best Wishes-
Katie Van Buren

Tim, Faith & Dzifa...My 3 Favorite People All In One Place!

2007-08-01T09:40:00.001-07:00

Last night Dzifa and I went to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in concert. We had such an unbelievable time. Of course I love country music and I love Dzifa, so needless to say I was in heaven. We bought front row tickets! I haven't ever sat in the front row of anything before, this was quite an experience. We were so close Tim and Faith came by and touched our hands. Here are some pictures that we snapped as they came through. I haven't ever felt star struck before, but last night was a different story.

If you look close you can see my hand (the one with the ring). Faith had just swept through the crowd to shake everyones hand. This is just a second after she let go of mine. :) Pretty fun!

Everyone likes this side of Tim McGraw. : )

They walked off stage about 3 feet from us.

Dzifa and I hanging out after the concert.

Wedding In Mexico

2007-07-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

This was a shot that Jaime took of me. :)

I am at a loss for words on how to describe how incredible Ali and Jason's wedding was. Everything from the setting, dress, music, weather, guests and the bride and groom was spectacular. Ali is my best friend and she happens to be my cousin too. I have known her since we were five. She and I live miles apart, yet we talk everyday. I have never seen her look as beautiful as she did on her wedding day. She was STUNNING!!

It was such an honor to stand by her side as she married Jason, the man of her dreams. Since I was in the wedding I wasn't able to photograph it. My friend's Jaime and Brad Collier from Texas flew out for the wedding. Of course I couldn't leave my camera at home so I took quite a few too. I will post a slideshow on here soon. Enjoy looking at all of the photos. Congratulations Ali and Jason!!! I am so happy for the two of you. Best Wishes- Katie

Nick and Lauren

2007-07-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Nick and Lauren had a beautiful wedding at the Hudson Gardens. I loved how they had the pedicab to cruise them around. The pedicab driver was working hard to get everyone to and from the ceremony. This crew knew how to dance. I had so much fun listening to DJ Bill Carson's music selection and watching everyone groove. It was awesome watching Lauren's grandma move to MC Hammer. I was impressed by her moves!

The pedicab driving keyed me into this nice spot!
Here is Grandpa giving me a run for my money!

Brownstein | Hyatt | Farber | Shreck

2007-07-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

I get to photograph some of BHFS's events. They throw some really fabulous parties. I just recently photographed their Young Professionals Networking event. Here are a few of my creative shots from the event. Most of the photographs were of young professionals in Denver. What a fantastic idea! Their next big event is a for professional women. We are heading to the golf course for that one. : )

07-07-07

2007-07-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

07-07-07

Today is one of the busiest wedding dates in all of history. I am just getting back from Joe and Haylee's wedding up in Keystone, Colorado. I should be heading to bed because it has been a 14 hour day. Before drifting off to sleep I thought I would post a few photos. Jensen Sutta photographed the wedding with me. We had a wonderful time working with Haylee and Joe. I can't wait to show you more once I catch up on some sleep. :)

07-07-07

2007-07-06T21:38:00.001-07:00

I just spent a few days in Salt Lake City attending a seminar. It was taught by a few of my friends, Brody Dezember and David Salomone. The seminar was incredible and really helped me open my mind and get my creative juices flowing! I have way too many favorite images from the shoot, but here are my top 10. This was a bridal session we did on the salt flats. Cash is getting married in August and she was a trooper to let us take her out here. What you can't see is the bugs flying around and what you can't smell wasn't good, but what you can see is AWESOME!!

Dream Foundation

2007-06-26T22:21:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had an opportunity of a lifetime. My good friend Jensen Sutta has been working with the Dream Foundation. He has told me it would be a great charity to get involved with. Jensen received a call to donate his photography to making a dream come true. I was lucky enough to be invited to photograph the session with him.

We headed down to the Broadmoor to photograph Linda and her sisters. Linda's story is incredible. She was diagnosed with breast cancer just over two years ago. She has fought with every ounce of courage and will power that she has in her. She has endured over 30 chemo treatments, over 40 radiation treatments and numerous surgeries. She is still fighting this battle and all she asked for was one wish... to spend a few days with her sisters.

As many of you know this hits very close to home for me. It meant the world to me to be able to photograph her dream come true. Jensen worked on a slideshow of some of the images we took together. Click HERE if you want to watch the slideshow.

Chris and Sharla at Phipps Mansion

2007-06-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

Chris and Sharla have a connection that started over 10 years ago. The first day that Chris told Sharla that he loved her was the last day of 8th grade under their friends tree. It is obvious that their love has only grown deeper since then. I joked that after the first 5 minutes we started taking pictures we had enough great photographs to be done for the day. : ) Eight hours later we have too many good ones to choose from. Here is a slideshow of their wedding day. I forgot to mention that my good friend Jensen Sutta came along to shoot with me. We had a blast working together.

Firas and Cally

2007-06-16T12:38:00.001-07:00

I just knew I was going to like Cally and Firas from our very first conversation. They live in Atlanta and booked their wedding with me after our phone conversations. The first time I got to meet them was at their engagement session. We had a almost perfect shoot in Boulder. It did rain for about 15 minutes, but it made for a great time to catch up in the car. We moved around to a few different spots near the flat irons. I think we could have stayed out there all day taking pictures. I can't wait for their upcoming wedding. If you want to see more check out their slideshow.

Andy and Jessica's Wedding

2007-06-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy with shooting there has been little time to post on my blog. I am back and have a lot to show you.

A few weeks ago I photographed Andy and Jessica's wedding. They got married at St. Johns Cathedral. It is one of the most incredible churches in Denver. The wedding was highlighted with hues of bright pink peonies. Andy and Jessica are such a darling couple. They are a perfect match. They had a huge band that rocked the reception and got everyone dancing. If you want to see more be sure to watch the slideshow.

Check out the bling! : )

These are two of my favorite images from the entire wedding. The architecture of the church is perfect for pictures.

Here is Andy just a few minutes before the ceremony.

I loved this shot of Andy and Jess right as they were heading into the reception.

My Birthday

2007-05-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well my birthday has come and gone so fast this year. I wanted to post a cute photo Melissa Rich sent to me on my b-day. She is so creative. : ) She actually wrote this out, took a photo of herself and emailed it to me on my birthday. I have a lot more to post from shoots I have been doing. More to come soon...

Seal of Approval

2007-05-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Dzifa and I went out for a morning jog down to the beach. We saw these two little guys playing in the shallow waters. We booked it back to our room, grabbed our cameras and prayed that they would still be there. Just to our luck, they were! These monk seals are endangered, but often make an appearance on the shores of Poi Pu Beach. They played for over an hour with each other. One of the seals was a ham for the camera.

Kauai Bound

2007-05-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Dzifa and I headed to Kauai to visit with my family. We manage to duck out of Colorado once a year to visit the garden island. This year was just as spectacular as our previous years. Here are a few images from our visit with our dear friend Wayne and Nancy. We went for a hike while Nancy stayed back at the cabin to work on a delicious meal for us. I don't think I have ever had homemade noodles before, but it is a delicacy I will always remember. Visiting Wayne and Nancy is one of my favorite things to do in Kauai. Thier hospitality and friendship is endless. Wayne is a photographer and Nancy is an artist. You can check out their work at http://homepage.mac.com/kauai.woodandpaper/nancy.dawson/page1.html I will have more photos coming soon.

Nancy busy at work making us a yummy dinner.

They collect bottles from all over. Here is an image of some of my favorite ones they display in their window.
This cabin has so much charm and charisma.

A visit would not be complete if Wayne didn't sing and play for us. He has traveled with Taj Mahal and makes it out to Colorado every now and then. We all sat back, drank wine and soaked it all in.

Chris and Sharla

2007-04-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

At last we had a week of good weather! We kept having to reschedule Chris and Sharla's engagement session because of rain or snow. We had a little wind, but it ended up being a perfect day for photographs. I loved spending time with Chris and Sharla. They are so cute and loving with one another. After ten years of dating their deep connection is obvious. I can't wait for their upcoming wedding. Don't forget to check out their slideshow!

Best Wishes- Katie

Spring Is In The Air

2007-04-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

I am ready for warm spring days and crisp cool nights. Here are a few hints that spring is right around the corner. I am looking forward to this week and next because I have a few engagement sessions. Stay tuned for the latest photographs to post here.

Little Ayla

2007-04-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

I was leaving work the other day and I turned around in the parking lot to pick up Ayla. When I looked down she wasn't there. I looked back towards the stairs and there she was waiting for me. I had to take a picture becuase she looked so darn cute.

Josh and Katie at the Brown Palace

2007-03-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Josh and Katie had a beautiful intimate wedding at the Brown Palace. It was a very quaint wedding with just family and a few close friends. It has been really great getting to know them better. By the time I showed up for the wedding, I felt like I was in the company of good friends. Here are a few photos from their engagement session. I had too many favorites from their wedding, so here are some of them.
Best Wishes- Katie

A Preview Of My New Website

2007-03-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

I will be launching my new website in the next few days. Here are a few screen shots of what it will look like. I can't wait to share it with you. I have been working on my website with liveBooks, they have been awesome to work with. Tomorrow I will be heading out to Vegas for WPPI. It is the largest convention and trade show for wedding and portrait photographers. I will be speaking on Tuesday for liveBooks on the tradeshow floor. Also, Pictage always hosts a swanky cocktail party. It will be great to meet more of my fellow Pictage photographers. I am sure the next few days will come and go with a blink of an eye.

Fun Photo

2007-03-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

I just came across this photo of Jenna, Susan and I from last summer. We did a shoot out with the men in our lives. It was a blast. This photo sums up how much fun we had. : )

Family Photos

2007-03-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures from Adam and Jil's visit in December. This was the first time I met my sister that was adopted 35 years ago. We enjoyed getting to know Jil and her family. They are very down to earth, kind and loving people. It is crazy how much she looks like my mom. We also got to spend time with another one of my sisters, Jacquie. She was home from college. We spent a few days being snowed in together. I am looking forward to all of the years ahead of us with Jil, Adam, Leah and Carter as part of our family.

Here is a photo of the ladies, my mom, me, Jil and Jacquie.
Sweet little Leah sound asleep.

Carter, Adam, Jacquie, Jil, Leah, Debbie, Jerry, Katie and Dzifa

California Babies

2007-02-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

I made a quick trip out to California to visit some of my friends. I spent the first night in San Diego with my cousin Ali. We had so much fun catching up over a few glasses of wine. Two of my friends, Lisa and Shannon, just had babies. Of course I had to bring along my camera to photograph the newest additions to their family. My last night in California Ali and I joined my sister Jil and her husband Adam for dinner. Here are some of my favorite images of Lisa and Shannon's babies.

Taylor Ryan Johnson at 11 weeks.

Addison Michelle Tauscher at 4 weeks.

Addison and Ayden

My little buddy Ayden. I just loved these ones of him laughing.

February PUG Meeting

2007-02-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

Last week we had a great PUG meeting. I know it probably sounds like we had a meeting with dogs, but actually our PUG is short for Pictage User Group. This last month we were lucky enough to have a speaker from liveBooks come out and talk to us. J Sandifer led a very insightful discussion about websites and webdesign. I am so excited because I am working with liveBooks on my website. So keep your eyes open for the announcement of my new website.

The PUG crew!

J giving his presentation. : )

Ready For Color!

2007-02-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

Do the mid-winter blues have you down? I was going through some of my photographs from last year and came across these. Hope this helps brighten your day.

Mike and Heather

2007-01-31T15:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few images from Mike and Heather's wedding this past September. I was so impressed with how much Mike helped out with the wedding plans. He even had a couple surprises in store for Heather.

Andy and Jessica's E-Pics

2007-01-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

I mentioned that I was going to go through some of my images from the past few months. I had to put a few photographs of Andy and Jessica up here. Their wedding is coming up in May. Andy and Jessica were great to photograph even after a night of celebrating. We did their portraits on a Sunday afternoon. It sounded like they had a very fun night before at their engagement party. Jessica is good friends with a friend of mine and a wedding coordinator named Erin Martin. Enjoy!

Joe and Haylee

2007-01-08T15:51:00.000-08:00

The past few months have been flying by at an incredible pace. I thought it would be fun to take some time this month and next to post some photos that I took in the last few months. October I did about 25-30 portraits so there are a lot to post. :)

Here are some photographs of Haylee and Joe. I knew I was going to hit it off with Haylee and Joe from the second I first met them. They are huge animal lovers, they have three dogs two of which are Mastiffs! They love taking photographs and being in them. I couldn't wait for their engagement portrait. We had a lot of fun playing around down town. Here are a few pictures from the day. Oh yeah and don't forget to check out their slideshow!

Ariana Earned Her Wings

2007-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

As most of you know I have been working closely with the Samaras family over the past few months. Ariana earned her wings to heaven on January 3rd. I wanted to share with you what was written on her website. (www.arianasamaras.com)

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ariana King Samaras, 4. Ariana will be forever remembered by her father, Paul; mother, April; brothers, James & John; grandparents, Jim & Mary Samaras, Burwell (Bud) & Kaye King, and the many family and friends that adored this little girl.

Ani's mom and dad were by her side this morning when she passed away just after 7:00 a.m. While laying and wrapped her mommy's arms, she gave out two deep breaths, followed by a sweet playful sounding sigh, and then went peacefully. During the last few days Ani was, as she as always been, extremely brave and strong.

She was a courageous little girl that touched many people’s lives. More importantly, she taught us lessons about life that most adults fail to learn in a lifetime of trying. She is no doubt in heaven, lacing up her dance shoes, and preparing to sing and dance with the other angels! Though we'll miss her more then words can convey, she will always be with us.

Happy New Year From My Home To Yours

2007-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and relaxing new years. I wanted to reflect on 2006 for just a moment. The year was very exciting for me in my personal life and my professional life. I think I encompassed just about everything it 2006.

The year started off with the launch of our Denver PUG (Pictage users group), which has been going strong ever since. After buying my new office space, remodeling and moving in we were open for business again. We moved right into the hustle and bustle of wedding season. I have been so lucky to be able to work with as many incredible clients, most of which I now consider friends. My wedding travels took me all over Colorado and all the way to Florida.

Dzifa and I traveled like we usually do visiting family and friends from Cape Cod, Kauai, California etc. We enjoyed camping with my dad over his 65th birthday. Shortly there after we found out my dad has Parkinson’s. In October my family received an incredible gift. My mom's daughter she had given up for adoption found our family after 35 years! This past month my sister has been reunited with our family. I met her last week, so I will be sure to post a few photos. : ) In November we found out that Dzifa's mom is battling breast cancer for the second time. I know she is going to come out on top, but we have a big surgery to get through at the end of the month. To cap off the year as most of you know Dzifa and I got engaged.

Looking into 2007... This year is going to be filled with joyous occasions, triumphs, challenges and happiness. I am looking forward to spending more time with all of you. Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to stop by my blog and spend a little time with me. I hope 2007 is all you want it to be.

Happy New Year! Best Wishes, Katie

This is Dzifa, Faust, Ayla and me! Our good friend Jensen Sutta took this photo. :)