Month: December 2010

Grandparents: Story Keepers

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Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Life is a story – the story of our journey in time.  Which is why it is so important to value the lessons of the past through interaction with the elderly and promoting the art of storytelling.  Whether caused by distance, busy schedules or a growing generation gap in the Internet age, it can be a challenge for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren – but learning from the past and relationships is such an important part of feeling part of a family.

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

 

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Grandparents & Great Grandparents are Story Keepers

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Weddings in Mexico – Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Wanderley

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Riviera Maya Beaches

Welcome Party. Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

This is a wedding above most when it comes to style, grace, beauty and all of the amazing details.  This couple is just one of those that stands out in a crowd, not only because they are a couple of the most beautiful people around, but such nice people and genuine – with a wonderful group of family and friends.  It was an amazing day from start to finish with the clouds rolling in just in time to give everyone some much-needed shade for the ceremony and reception and the rain stayed away so all was dry.  Heidi (from Texas) in her Oscar de la Renta gown was a stunning sight as it fit her beautifully, and the ever so handsome Jorge (from Brazil).  Loved my trip to Riviera Maya to photograph their wedding on the beautiful beaches and amazing sunset skies.

Destination Wedding Diva’s took care of all of the little details to make it a wonderful and stress free day for all.    I took a trip into Puerto Morelos for some last-minute table decorations/gifts for the welcome party – and what a quaint little “authentic” feeling town.  It isn’t the commercial Cancun – and I love the OFF THE BEATEN PATH towns in Mexico whenever I go.

Beautiful formal dinning.

 

Puerto Morelos

..a place where the tradition of fishing for a living still survives, and the boom in tourism is on the rise. Here the prices are lower, the pace is slower and the atmosphere is laid back. There is a zocalo (town square) in the center of town with a few stores, a dive shop and some restaurants along its perimeter. Just off the zocalo on the beach is Pelicanos offering a nice view of the Caribbean and good food. The beach in the center of town is rustic, with small fishing boats on the sand and moored just off shore. The main fishing pier and the lighthouse are the primary points of interest, with friendly locals and some good photo opportunities. You can expect to be offered an excursion to the reefs from here since most of the boats in town tie up on and around the main pier.

The surrounding area

Puerto Morelos is expanding and has been discovered by the all-inclusive developers, and yet in town the neighborhoods are a combination of modest homes, hotels and cabañas. Here lodging opportunities range from rustic palapa style huts with thatched roofs and beds suspended by ropes; to air-conditioned condo style hotels with meal plans, spa services, jacuzzi and swimming pools. It’s an interesting mix.

Cabanas....

Don’t rule out a beautiful destination wedding for your wedding day

Planning your wedding in Mexico, definitely has its pros and cons.  But it is an amazing experience for every wedding couple and family that has been part of a destination wedding there.  I know many people’s first thought that it is something for celebrities and the superrich, Destination weddings become an exotic way to remember your special ceremony. From destination wedding coordinators and travel agents that I have talked to and work with – they  say the properly planned destination has the potential of saving you upwards of  10-20k,  and can also turn your wedding day into  “mini-vacation” for your family and friends – this alone can make the day unforgettable.

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Court house couture

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Civic Center Park - Denver, Colorado

People may jest about going down to the court house to get married, but not many people associate couture with a court house wedding.  This fashionista made a typical court house wedding look more beautiful than most that go all out for a huge wedding.  Small it was – but with the fashion & beauty that surrounded this wedding day, it was nothing short of an amazing wedding.   This is proof that a small wedding can be grand, and with close family and friends it was perfect.  Now, of course Denver – Colorado has the benefit of having Civic Center Park across the street from the court house wedding… so why not use it for some beautiful images of this amazingly stunning couple.

Deep breath

So, next time you think you want to spend tens of thousands on the wedding… take a peek – this may change your mind.

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A moment alone. Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

Watching the twins grow

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The Erickson Twins - as newborns

Peyton (top) Quinn (bottom) as newborns

One of my photography projects over the next 15 months  is photographing the Erickson twins.  Photographing them as newborns, I will be continuing to photograph them about every 8 weeks for the next year or so.  I continually tell people how fast their children will grow – and am very excited that we will be able to see this beautiful sister and brother get bigger along their way.  After our next session in a couple months I will also begin a blog page for them to write a little about the experiences of having twins too.  My fascination with twins may be due to having identical twin younger brothers, but in having two children of my own only a year apart – I’m also very curious at how children grow and change, especially during the first few years of their life.

Peyton at 3 months old

Quinn at 3 months old

Anyway – I hope you enjoy seeing this sister and brother along their way!

Quinn (3months)

Peyton (3months)

Peyton & Quinn at 3 months old

Can you believe Quinn and Peyton are already 5 months old?

They are growing… growing… and still as cute as ever!  It was so nice having them in the studio this past weekend – next session in a couple months, or when they start sitting up.  I can never believe how different children look once they are sitting up, then standing… and wow… watch out then when these two decide to crawl.

Photographer: Jeanine Thurston

 

Kate, Sam, Love the dress, and Bridal Fashion

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Love the dress - fashion fun shoot

So, I have to admit I had my hopes up really high for this wedding – after doing an engagement session I was just so excited to photograph Kate and Sam’s wedding.  Needless to say, I was not dissappointed!  It was a beautiful day for their wedding August 1st, and the location at Shupe Homestead was amazing.  I could have photographed the two of them for hours… but of course there was a party to get to! 🙂  And, with a groom that dances – well, all I can say is tons of smiles and laughter – JUST EXTREMELY FUN TO WATCH… AND PHOTOGRAPH.  Back to the ceremony though, set under trees with field & mountain background – everyone had a smile on their face as they were watching the exchanging of vows.  I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face… and intent on getting Kate out for a “Love the dress” session.

Steps before "I Do"

The Kiss

The love the dress sessions are so much fun for the bride (and me I must admit).  I encourage every bride to put that dress on one more time for a fun photo shoot.  With Kate, we did a love the dress session – and she was just so amazing that I pulled her back again after that to model some 2010 gowns for a bridal fashion shoot in January too.  She is beautiful from head to toe – inside out, one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

Vintage Romance - a little escape from the day

Fashion fun with an amazingly beautiful bride.

Boudoir Portraits

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It’s a great gift for your significant other… or for just a fun night with your friends.  Have a last minute little holiday party with your “girls” in the city style, with some chocolate covered strawberries and girl talk with your best friends… and maybe top it off with a bottle of champaign while you do some fun and sexy photos for your significant other.  It’s a super fun time… and adding in some professional hair and make up can make you feel extra special too.  Check out Gallery Art Boudoir and set up your holiday session or fun with friends package today.

Tasteful, fun... Boudoir Portrait Sessions.

Red Rocks, Dazzle, Wedding – need I say more?

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Beautiful day again for a wedding, starting out at Diana’s house for the getting ready photos with her ladies and her dogs looking on quite curious about what was going on.  Everyone was beaming happy since I walked in the door around 10:30am.    We hung out at the home front until the limo came around 1pm for the girls, whisking them off to Red Rocks Trading Post.   I met up with the men for a few shots and then right from the limo to the ceremony line up for the girls when they arrived.  The sun was so bright at that point at least half the crowd of family and friends had their sunglasses on, but the temperature was comfortable.  It was a short and sweet ceremony behind the Trading Post – not without some giggles, as a tecno band was warming up for the concert that evening and decided to belt out some tunes while Ben said his vows.  We did a few shots of family after the ceremony we held out awhile for the scattered clouds to roll in over the foothills and saving the best light for the photo-shoot with Diana and Ben.  Because of the concert we couldn’t go up to the overlook as planned as they were not so forgiving to give us access; however, we still found a perfect spot for a couple shots of the wedding party and some amazing images on the rocks… while lightly on the lookout for patrols… we gratefully got the amazing images and dodged the hefty fine if we were caught climbing on the rocks – worth the risk in my mind as Diana and Ben were wonderful in following my direction in climbing, and laying on the rocks with their wedding best dress on.  Then off we went to Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver for a fantastic reception.  The food was absolutely amazing, the cake beautiful as well as delicious, and a group of friends and family that really knew how to keep the dancing and party going strong.   The flowers were done by Kimball Floral that did some really fantastic bouquets for the ladies – and Sue Kimball was so nice.


King Vitale Wedding: MEXICO

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Mexican shores

From the bright sunny skies to the beautifully staged ceremony and reception – this wedding was a dream wedding by anyone’s standards.  We got a little “extra” music during the ceremony, but Dawn and Corey laughed a little and everything was still great.   Destination Wedding Diva’s created a beautifully orchestrated wedding and reception – and left the bride and groom with smiles on their faces to enjoy their wedding day.  Ceiba Del Mar is a boutique hotel that would meet nearly anyone’s highest standards from the food, to the service they were spot on everything.

Riviera Maya - Mexico

But… best of all, was how completely happy the bride and groom were on their wedding day.  They are beautiful, and their personalities made everyone else just beam when they looked at them.  Plenty of amazing photos, I just couldn’t be more thankful than to have a couple that was willing to have fun and be a little playful to get some great images.

Time together

Then came the reception.  Their first dance was beautifully done as they had been taking dancing lessons (which I always appreciate), but at the end of the dance they broke out in a fantastic Salsa dances that had everyone amazed.  Congratulations Dawn & Corey!!!! It was amazing being here to photograph your wedding!!!!

Ceiba del mar resort & spa

Sunset

In my hands

I will follow

A day of bridal fashion photography

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Fashionista

Sunday – Sept. 26th finally!  After about 6-8 weeks of planning/coordinating… and more, it all came together perfectly.  Beautiful upper 80s for weather… bright sun, everyone involved showed up on time or early.  I have had a chance to work with Heathyrre Kautz a few times over recent months and she again… worked her magic on the models turning the canvas into absolute perfection, and Claudia Opara was assisting Heathyrre.  Berenice worked on hair…. and when she arrived she was a little quiet… with a little nerves because it was actually the day before her wedding.  While the models rotated in and out of chairs between make up and hair the ones on break poured over bridal magazines and chit chat until everyone was ready to go to play dress up for the afternoon.  David was the lucky “groom” for my ladies, with huge beautiful light brown eyes that would make about any girl melt.  To round out the models we had Tristin Huntamer, Rachel Vigil, Melissa Schans,  and Courtney Dalton.  Newberry Brothers provided us with a couple beautiful bouquets, and I did a quick stop at Fun Services to add balloons to a few shots too.  Danielle from Blushing Bride Colorado met us at the park with so many beautiful gowns, and even a tux for David.  It was a completely exhausting day – but so much fun, and loving the images that we all managed as a team.

I would love for you to visit the little video we put together with some selects from the shoot : Bridal Fashion

Black and White

International Charity Model Search 2011

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Fototails Photography is participating in the International Charity Model Search to select North America’s Cutest Kid and to raise funds for the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. (NILMDTS.org)

Is your child North America’s Cutest Kid? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! The grand prize winner will win a $2500 savings bond, a $2500 travel package, and a $100 Target gift card.  The second and third place runners up each will win a $500 savings bond and a $100 Target gift card.

Model Search Special:

$45 entrance fee includes a 30 minute model session with Jeanine Thurston and one image submitted to the international gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).  Every family member who registers their information on the Charity Model Search Website will also receive 1 complimentary vote.  The top 5 paid votes, and the top 5 complimentary votes in each region will move on to the final judging round for a total of 50 finalists.

Grand prize international winner and runners up will be determined from the 50 regional finalists. The winner and runners up are selected by photography experts.

Call 720-454-7608  or email wendy@fototails.com to enter your “Cutest Kid” in this exciting contest.

*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.charitymodelsearch.org.

Local Artist Spotlight: Stephen Roberts

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I’ve been involved in art as long as I can remember.  I’ve dabbled in charcoal, pencil, oils and etching – which eventually lead me to photography that I love so much.  Many of my clients are interested in art as well, however it is always exciting to me when one of my clients practices their art.  So, this is the start to my monthly blog post “Local Artist Spotlight” to show off some of the amazing artists that I am fortunate enough to cross paths with along my way.
DECEMBER 2010 SPOTLIGHT: Stephen Roberts
 

 

Stephen Roberts/ Title: UNFINISHED

 

I’ve been photographing for Stephen and Jaya Roberts for some years now, starting with their wedding.  Over the years their family has grown – and it is what I love most about my clients and getting to know them more over time.  I get to see them and their families grow and grow up – it can’t help but make me smile.  Our last session this fall with the Roberts, I was talking a little more with Stephen and found out that he is an artist.  I can’t help but get a little anxious when people tell me they practice their art and of course couldn’t wait to see some of his work.  Thanks to cell phones these days, he had something to show me to appease my “photographer” instant gratification need to SEE! 

Stephen Roberts/ Title: Dead Bird Circus

The colors in Stephen’s art are amazingly attractive to the eye and the brilliant colors and shapes draw you into his work.  It is wonderful looking at his work, and the only hard part is trying to look away – there is just so much to see in each piece, you don’t want to stop looking.
A creative with deep spiritual connections. Developed talent from a young age and has worked many different mediums.

Stephen Roberts/ Title: Passion

From oils in a wandering type composition to photorealism with pencils.
“I Enjoy painting with my boys of five and three years, and look forward to tomorrow and the colors that will be enjoyed!”
Stephen J Roberts
Ps 27:1
A Creative