Welcome! Saturday, November 24, 2007 - Treasure Box
Well, you've arrived at the Blog of Jared Wilson Photography! I'm glad you stopped by. For all of you visiting this new blog for the first time - let me be your guide. First you'll notice that there are now categories for each post and a drop down menu of the categories is available in the menu bar right - up - there ^. This will make it easier to find new and old posts on the topics that interest you. You can also use the Search box to locate topics or people or posts. My favorite feature is that it is so easy for you to join in on the conversation and let your comments be heard. So, please, leave a note - it makes me so, so happy! Also, if you click on "JW Mail" up there ^ you'll be able to subscribe to my monthly email newsletter that will keep you updated with everything going on and just might include a few bonus photography tips, contests, and more for all subscribers! Finally, notice "Email A Friend" underneath each post. You can use this to send a post straight to everyone you know!
Wow! That's a lot of > ! But I'm so excited about JaredWilsonBlog.Com. Thanks again for dropping by, and make sure you bookmark this site or, if you prefer, subscribe via www.jaredwilsonblog.com/rss
Now, join the conversation!
Also, being a fan of contests (or, really, a fan of winning prizes) I've got one running right now that I'd love for you to be a part of. I'm going to work up some stickers of this image below and I'd love to see where my blog readers are able to "spread the love" so to speak. Email me at jaredATjaredwilsonphotographyDOTcom and let me know your address. Soon, you'll get one of these pretty little stickers in the mail. Take a few photos of this sticker in various fun and exciting places and send 'em to me. In August, I'll post my favorite shots and we'll vote for a winner. I'm thinking up some huge and awesome prize...
Bye Bye Sticker! Oh, the places you'll go!
Jill and Josh - The Wedding Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - Weddings & Clients
Jill and Josh tracked me down to photograph their wedding what seems like ages ago. I was so happy to photograph their wedding - but nothing could have prepared me for all of the kissing that went on. Just look at them!
Ok, no - seriously...
Jill and Josh's wedding was a delight from start to finish. One thing is absolutely clear - they are surrounded by some amazing family and friends, and there's just no way to measure how special that is when you have it.
Here's Josh...
Here's Jill...
Here they are moments after seeing each other for the first time...
And here's the crew.
Now, sometimes accidents happen. Did you notice this in the photo? No, they're not a part of the wedding party.
You know, I have so many conversations centered around 'posed' or 'formal' photos. I have a few thoughts that I'd like to share here on the blog at some point in time, but not now. For now I want you to take a look at these two photos. One was just a random capture of the guys hanging out (minus our groom) and the other is posed. I like them both. What about you?
And here's a shot of the ladies. (This one was a first for me. It's the first time I got topless for a photograph. I didn't want anyone's pretty dress to get dirty before the wedding and so our lovely bridesmaid is sitting on my shirt! Yes, I was shooting in the buff - well, partly. Don't you wish you had a photo of that! Hah!)
How about some more of our Bride and Groom together.
The ceremony was filled with sunshine - but it was the love and beauty of these two together than warmed our hearts and filled our lives with light. AWWwwwWW!
And the reception was great too! They had their wedding at the Spice of Life Event Center which I know from previous weddings can cook a great meal. But my first time at the event center showed me that there's more to Spice than just great food!
But the Champions of the reception were Jill and Josh!
May your lives always be filled with the love of these moments - and thanks for letting me share in them.
Emily and Jason - The Wedding Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - Weddings & Clients
Every wedding is special and each person, unique. But as the saying goes - if you look up 'one of a kind' in the dictionary, you're gonna see a photo of these two.
Emily and Jason were married in Crested Butte, Colorado - another extremely unique location and a perfect place for these two to be wed. When I pulled up at the the little cottage to meet up with them, this is how I was greeted as I stepped out of my car.
"Hi, Jared!!"
I was instantly 'happy' - and that feeling never left. This day was a delight. While we waited for Jason to get ready, I grabbed this image...
And then it was off to the site for some portraits before the ceremony. I love it when couples are ok with seeing each other before the ceremony and make extra time for photos together.
And then we headed back to the ceremony site...
Many of the guests had already arrived and Emily and Jason were wanting to sign the Ketubah before the ceremony. But they also wanted it to be private, with just their closest family and friends around. So someone ran and grabbed the table and set it up here, off the beaten path, and Emily and Jason signed the Ketubah, designed with a beautiful picture of Aspen trees, and read their vows.
I love this photo of Emily's father and Jason greeting one another at the beginning of the ceremony.
And what a place to get married!
After the ceremony we did a bunch of family formals. But as they were winding down Emily was getting a bit restless with the whole 'line up for a photo' thing and so the moment we were done with family photos and they all left for the reception and it was time for some wedding party photos - Emily was done just standing there. Chaos erupted and the party was on! :)
And then, before they joined everyone at the reception, they took a few more minutes for even more photos of the two of them! I'm so happy they did, because then we got these images...
Down at the 'Gronk' in Crested Butte...
And almost back to the reception now we just had to stop at one of the many Crested Butte barns!
While walking around and checking out the details at their reception I came across their wedding cake. How cute!!
And one tiny little story to try and shed a bit of light on how unique these two are... Towards the end of the toasts (which were beyond beautiful even if it did get a little long) they seemed to be getting that antsy feeling again. Kinda like the whole 'We're tired of standing here!' again was creeping back into their bones. And so right when the toasts were finished and they were told that it was time to go cut the cake - they said 'No! It's time to dance!' And so Emily and Jason danced and some others were left to go cut up this cute little cake. That's right, no Bride and Groom 'cutting the cake' photos at this wedding! I guess I just admire individuals who are able to throw out 'normal' and make their own path. Desiring to live from the passion in their heart and not from what's expected of them...
Anyway, the cake they never cut. :)
This was one of the most joyous parties I've ever attended. Smiles like these were on everyone's faces all night long.
Another little side note about spontaneity - Emily got tired of wearing her wedding dress. What to do? Easy! She simply changed into her street clothes and then kept on dancing and enjoying the party.
I'm so happy that I was there to witness the happiness of these two people committing themselves to live as one. Knowing that there are people, and families, like this in the world - seeking to lift others up and to shine a light in the world - is truly something remarkable to behold.
Congrats you two! Enjoy the green and lush beauty of Seattle! And wherever else the road leads you both in the future, I know it will be a brighter place when you arrive.
Shauna and Aaron - The Engagement Monday, June 30, 2008 - Weddings & Clients
It was a real treat discovering that while I was out in California I would be able to spend the evening with Shauna and Aaron for some engagement photos. I always love the thrill of new places - especially when they don't look like Colorado! And I love spending time with couples before their wedding day. I just think it makes photos on the wedding day that much better for having 'done it before' together.
We started things off at Kate Sessions Park, one of their favorite little parks. My good friend Jolynne was able to join us and she got this great photo...
She also took this one of me...
...right before I took this image.
Shauna and Aaron are some of the liveliest and funniest people you will ever meet and I'm sure they've constantly surprised their friends and family with their hilarity with such regularity that perhaps it's not such a surprise anymore. You can just expect that Shauna and Aaron will put a smile on people's faces wherever they go. They're also big 'Seinfeld' fans and so, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I witnessed this...
Eventually we made our way down to the beach in La Jolla. Yeah, don't get to do much of this in Colorado!
Another one of Jolynne's images...
Thanks Shauna and Aaron for meeting up with us out there in your little neck of the woods! It was a blast and I'll never forget shooting photos of you two at sunset with the waves crashing on the rocks and spilling over my feet. What a great time!
Jessica and Jeremy - The Engagement Saturday, June 28, 2008 - Weddings & Clients
Jessica and Jeremy's wedding is coming up soon and it's hard to wait - especially after spending an evening with them taking photos. They are such a fun and beautiful couple and I know their wedding is going to be fantastic!
Before their engagement session, Jessica and I were going back and forth for awhile, tossing out ideas, trying to figure out a way to do an engagement session that wasn't 'Olan Mills' style. (Jessica, are you sure you've visited my website!?) Nothing really seemed to 'stick' until she had this idea to ride the lightrail. None of us had done it before - and I love doing something new and fresh - and so lightrail it was!
It was kinda full when we started - with people going home from work I suppose - but we rode it down to where it stopped at Union Station and got out for some great photos downtown.
We walked all over and at one point it began to rain. Jessica made very good use of Jeremy's extra shirt - and I know she's gonna dig this photo! :)
(But, really, I do LOVE this moment)
Jessica said something about them not being models and how when she looked at my previous engagement sessions she just didn't think she'd be able to create those intimate looking photos. But if the next two images tell the tale - Jessica and Jeremy, you look great and yes, you did!
(I kinda got this idea from John Michael Cooper. That is, lighting one person with a video light, and not the other. There's one of Jeremy too, but you'll have to watch the slideshow.)
And then it was time to head home - back on the lightrail.
See the guy in red just over Jeremy's shoulder? After a few minutes of snapping photos this direction he stood up, turned around, and then sat back down with his back to the camera. Sorry, dude! You've still been blogged! :)
Jessica and Jeremy are getting a Guest Book album as part of their package. There's plenty of open space inside for all of their guests to sign their names and well wishes. If you want to see it, just click the slideshow to view it. I thought about putting some 'Train' as the background music - but I'm just not into Train I guess. The song is by my friend Tyrone Wells. First line is kinda weird I know, but it will make sense... :)
Congrats guys - and really - can't wait until August!
Marissa and Jeff - The Engagement Friday, June 27, 2008 - Weddings & Clients
I joined Marissa and Jeff in Chautauqua Park the night before my plane took off for California. It was a beautiful evening and reminded me of why I love Colorado and why I love doing what I do.
I guess it wasn't just the three of us.
I'd heard that if you keep on driving past Chautauqua you get to Flagstaff. I'd never been up there and I suggested we give it a try. They were up for it and we had a fun time going up the windy road and getting to know one another a bit more while Jeff kept us from going off the cliffs. I'm glad we made it up there - Stunning Vistas!
