mary and chris: engagement.

My friendship with Mary was forged in the fires of the Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise. We have spent many hours together in front of the television with partially covered faces, just waiting to see how the dumpster fire of a show will pan out. It's admittedly a guilty pleasure, but we can't help ourselves.  

Now over the years, I've come to know and love Mary for much more than our mutual obsession with the Bachelor. Mary is a person who just makes you feel good. Every time we are together, I leave feeling encouraged and loved. She always seems to know what to say to make me feel known and appreciated, so clearly she's very easy to love. Enter Chris: her equally as kind and wonderful fiancee. You couldn't put two nicer people together if you tried.

A few months ago they got engaged, and we had the best time a couple weeks ago walking around downtown Denver to document this exciting time in their lives. They are getting married next summer in the mountains, so they wanted these photos to be in the city they love so much.

Mary and Chris, I just adore both of you. Thank you for spending your evening with me. I love being a small part of the story you two are creating together.

the houghtons: family.

I first met Michaela a couple of years ago when she worked with my sister, and she is one of those people you just love immediately. She's kind and warm and genuine. I am definitely a fan.

So it just made sense that when I met the rest of her family a couple of weeks ago, they were all the exact same way. Spending the morning photographing them together was fun and light. Just the way it should be. 

We spent the morning at Wash Park and baby girl Marlee stole the show from the very beginning. I think it's pretty clear in these photos how much everyone adores her. She is surrounded by such a loving family. What a lucky little girl!

Thank you so much Houghton family for spending your morning with me. I hope you will cherish these photos for years to come!

the chilimindris family: newborn.

Phil and Nikki welcomed their first baby, Jaxson Chilimindris at the beginning of May when he decided to make his appearance a few weeks early. I guess it's not exactly accurate to say that he is their first baby though, seeing as their dog Felix is definitely an integral member of the family and a protective and loving older brother.

I had the pleasure of meeting all of them at their home a couple of weeks ago, and I was so impressed with how calm and content Jaxson was the whole time I was there. He is such a wonderful baby, and Nikki and Phil are already dominating this whole parenting gig,

Thank you again Chilimindris for welcoming me into your home and choosing me to photograph this beautifully sacred time in the life of your family. It is an honor I don't take lightly, and I hope these photographs remind you of the depth of love that you share.

PERU!

Last month Nick and I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Peru and hike to Machu Picchu, and at the end of the trip as we debriefed our time we both decided with absolute confidence that we wouldn't have changed a thing. The trip was a dream from beginning to end, and we had the very best time.

We planned our trip through OneSeed Expeditions and couldn't recommend them more highly. In my early 20's I was more of a budget traveler and preferred to blaze my own trail. These days, I want someone to pick me up from the airport, plan out every detail of my trip, and if a fancy hotel is included in one of the days, you won't hear me complaining. Oneseed met and exceeded all of our expectations. If you are looking to go on a trip, you should check them out immediately. 

Now as to our trip...

We explored Cusco, drank craft beer in the Sacred Valley, considered eating guinea pig for about .5 seconds, really utilized our hiking poles on the Salkantay trek, hung out with our fair share of llamas and alpacas (and learned the difference between the two), reached the highest altitude of my life (15,200 feet), ate like kings per our incredible cook, became very familiar with our waterproof hiking gear, spent time with our amazing guide Juan Carlos, learned the ins and outs of harvesting coffee beans with Freddie Loco, finally made it to Machu Picchu and felt the magic and wonder of it all, soaked in every second of our time together, and documented like my life depended on it (as is my custom).

So in case you like seeing pictures of someone else's vacation (I know most people don't, so just humor me), here are some of my favorites (you know there's obviously much, much more). I feel so grateful that Nick and I had this opportunity (major thanks to Nick's parents who watched Nora while we were away), and I tried my best not to take any moment for granted.

Until our next adventure...

“Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” – Ray Bradbury