natural denver wedding photos

natural wedding photo of bride getting ready

bride and father first look

happy wedding photos

natural denver wedding photos

Every bride at one point or another was a young girl fantasizing in her room about what her wedding would one day look like. This fantasy usually involves a handsome bride, a cool hotel to get changed in, some super cool custom-painted socks as gifts, a broken-down light rail, and a Spring day that starts with moderate cloud covering and ends with the newlyweds dancing together in a thick snowfall and a nearby poweroutage. Okay, so maybe the details aren't always exactly that, but with the way Mark and Holly owned it and the way their families laughed, danced, and ate ice cream together in a snowstorm, you would have thought they had ordered that snow from a Hollywood special effects company.

As their photographers, of course we were happy that they were so happy because though we may not say it out loud in the moment, cloud covers and precipitation of any kind can make for awesome photographs as long as the couple is willing. They were willing. Is it a coincidence that the man who discovered that every snowflake is unique was a photographer? 

Shooting Mark and Holly's wedding was a lot of fun for us and there were lessons learned by many: Hiring a good DJ and having people willing to dance is a recipe for an amazing reception. Just because the father of the groom isn't the best man doesn't mean he can't give a heartwarming yet hilarious toast. Ice cream is still worth eating even if you have stand in line outside in snowy wind while wearing a dress to get it. Make sure your rental car comes with a good scraper even in May. And, regardless of circumstance, what makes or breaks the joyous experience of a wedding is love itself. This lesson learned from Mark and Holly was the best of all.It's love like this that provide meaningful, emotional and natural Denver wedding photos. We were so thankful to take part in their story.

candid engagement photographer

fine art photographs of engagement

Normally when I photograph couples I plan on nailing one or two fine art photos - the hang on your wall - this is an engagement photo? - artsy type of image. Maybe it was the freshness of Spring or the gentle yet intense love of these two, or the espresso I had at the beginning of the session, but whatever it was, there was something about Kip and Pryia that encouraged artwork to flow out of me.

Overall, our focus was to get a set of happy engagement pictures. I love focusing on being a

candid engagement photographer

It's an approach towards photographing that documents relationship and personhood. I hope to encourage the invisibility of the camera and pronounce the joy of the engaged couple and their happiness. It's usually fairly easy to get happy engagement photos when the couple is indeed, quite happy. There is no posing or perfectly lit smiles in this session. Rather a grouping of authentic, joy-filled imagery.

We toured Boulder

I believe every photoshoot should begin at a coffee shop. Therefore I was elated when Pryia told me that this was her vision for the shoot long before the couple was engaged. Appropriately so, as it was the setting in which the two had first met. After an espresso, we did a tour of Boulder - the city where they began as a couple then considered home for many years.

Their wedding is set for the end of May. Check back soon for the rest of their story. 

candid engagement photographs

photoshoot at boulder coffee shop

artistic wedding photographers

artistic wedding photographers

Family Photos. Couple's portraits. Detail shots. Story Telling. Candid Photography. Emotive, personal imagery. There are many unique focal points of a wedding. As photographers, we approach weddings concentrated on photographing every facet that allows the visual story to be told with authenticity. At Selah, our weddings are seen with a lens of real, moving photographs from an artists perspective. We specialize in an artistic photojournalistic style  - within that - couple's direct us on how they would like their photos of be focused. This wedding, we were focused on being

artistic wedding photographers.

The couple sought out an artistic wedding photographer to document their day and we were so honored to be the one's be entrusted with the commission.

Chip and Christine's families beautifully and intimately joined as one. Chip is an avid astronomy buff and it was only appropriate that the ceremony was held at the observatory down the street from their home. The ceremony was small, it was the couple, their four children and two close friends who married them. Every piece of the day was knit to suit their personalities. From the wine, to the personalized music, to the star gazing and the "enjoy a treat...after dinner" sign, the day celebrated the things the family loves most in life.

artistic family photographers in denver

 The family wanted to get a unique, album-coveresk photo for their musical, art-loving family. They thought I would think the request was a bit odd, however, they couldn't have found a photographer that would love making these images more than I. If we would have had time, I could have spent all day taking creative family photos. 

Thank you Chip, Christine and family for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day. The honor is mine.

A special thank you to Veronica who joined me all the way from Nebraska to second shoot.

unposed engagement photos

Unposed engagement photos

I've been really encouraging my engaged couples to re-focus the intention of their engagement photos. I suggest that the couple wear clothing they already own, go to places that are special, bring items that tell their story and overall, make these photos an heirloom. I think about the stories they will be telling generations from now. Back when many of our parents were getting married, they took one engagement photo for the newspaper. The intent of the image was simply to get a photo of what they looked like. That kind of posed photo can be good and valuable, but I can't help but wonder how we can make engagement photos more significant.

I don't think the additional significance is found in going to the prettiest park and smiling your best camera smiles. Modern day photography training has schooled many photographers on how to pose and position a person so that they look most pleasing to the camera which again, can be beautiful and great. But are those photos something that we will cherish fifty years from now? Getting photos in your life involves more than simply choosing to make a book and hanging them on your wall. To make your engagement photos an heirloom, they have to be something that is meaningful to you.

downtown denver engagement photos

We didn't bring in a snow machine for Tab and Vani's engagement session. We stepped into real life; in the shape of a blizzard that wiped off Vani's makeup within minutes. The environment brought out this couple's story as powerfully as the weather that fogged my lenses and blew snow in our faces.

These are unposed engagement photos. They're natural photographs that tell a story greater than our best camera smiles and trendiest outfit. They show the intimacy of a committed relationship, the joy of two people in love, the adventurous spirit of a couple of Californians and a story of who they are and what life feels like to be them in February of 2015.

best wedding photos 2014

best wedding photos | 2014

Arranging this collection leaves me emotionally overwhelmed with gratitude. I tend to fall in love with many of my couples I photograph. Seeing all these stories in one place is almost like looking at an old family album.  Photographing weddings is really an incredible job. We go from barely knowing the bride and groom to being surrounded by their family, life stories, personal, emotional moments and deep, meaningful experiences. Every year I have a hard time imagining how the next year will even compare. This year may top that wonder.

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We photographed nineteen couples and were invited into very personal places in each of their lives. As an artist, I am always hoping to create meaningful work. Looking back at 2014, it's obvious that we were able to tell great stories about personhood, authentic relationships, beauty in emotion and most importantly, love. Matt's and my gratitude overflow to all of our new friends and we can't wait to do it all again in 2015.

red rocks wedding

Red Rocks Wedding

Best Denver Wedding Venues

There are many great places for weddings in Denver but if you're really looking for the most iconic Colorado wedding venue, there is nothing quite like a Red Rocks wedding. The chapel, where most couples exchange vows looks over an open rock structure with a setting sun to its side. It's easy to overlook how awe-inspiring these unique formations really are. If you are looking for a venue to really wow your guests along with a site that you can come back to time and time again, Red Rocks is really one of the top wedding venues in Denver.

Joe and Whitney held their ceremony outside of the trading post with the reception at the top of the amphitheater, giving their guests a view of Denver and the stage where some of the world's best musicians have performed. The couple wanted the venue to be a part of their story just as they wanted the photos to be. Red rocks is a beautiful, natural venue and the couple wanted their photos to be the same. The photos were focused on a close and loving family, a fun group of friends, a beautiful taste in decor and an amazing dance party with Dwight one of the best DJ's we've worked with. We focused on wedding photojournalism, the natural, storytelling style of images that turn into an authentic, family heirloom.

I believe wedding photographers are as unique as musicians. Just as musicians, photographers have genres. Some specialize in traditional photography, some black and white photography, some artistic and some photojournalism.   To find the best photographer, pick your genre and search for artists within the style you like. How do you know what style of wedding photos you want? To answer that, you have to just consider a few key questions.

There are two main styles of wedding photography. You'll find that every photographer dabbles in a bit of both in order to make your wedding coverage complete. We recommend staying away from photographers who "do it all." If you truly want the best wedding photos, seek out someone who has a particular vision and rest knowing they will take care of the wedding photos from there.

Here are a few ways to find out what kind of photography style you should look for.

You prefer candid photos over posed ones You value emotional, personality-filled images You would rather hang a photo of you and your mom laughing together over one of you posing for the camera You tend to dislike cheesy, smiling for the camera photos but love photography You prefer unposed wedding photos You like things that are unique If you've answered yes to most of the above questions, you may be a fit for a Wedding Photojournalist and have a style similar to Whitney and Joe's Red Rock's wedding.

best engagement photos

Best engagement photos | how to get yours

With all the details and decisions involved in planning a wedding, why would anyone just wing it with the engagement photos? Believe it or not, there are some things you can and should consider when doing and engagement shoot. As a great example of that, we should view Yen and Adam, who did everything right.

1. Be photogenic.

I'm not telling you to be pretty -  be photogenic. Being pleasing to the camera begins with authenticity. When meeting with a 2015 Bride and groom recently, the groom made a comment about how everyone in my book was attractive - and that they weren't quite like them. I noted how I never shoot models, everyone walks in to a shoot on the same page. I believe everyone is photogenic and as Yen and Adam can show you, it's really their inner beauty that making them look so stunning in these photos. Their poise, confidence, relationship  and that sparkle in their eyes are just a few of the things that make these images some of the best engagement photos. Don't think "selfies"; think "this is a moment with the person I love".

2. Incorporate meaningful pieces in your wardrobe.

Wondering what to wear for your engagement session? I often recommend couples go to their closets before they go shopping. Wear something that is special to you. Put on your go-to outfit that you always feel great in. Wear something that will tell a story in fifty years. Yen has several pieces she wore, including one of her wedding dresses that is both sentimental and unique. Their wardrobe is more then simply a trendy outfit they recently purchased.

3. Be up for anything.

Photographing in the snow looks romantic and all - but actually doing it is a lot colder and more uncomfortable than these photos show. Yen and Adam really fought to get relaxed and forget about the cold to bring out these amazing snowy engagement photographs. While photographing inside of Union Station, I told them we just would run outside and do a few images. After seeing how beautiful it was I asked them to stick it out longer despite the cold. They did. Obviously, it was worth it.

4. This is fun.

Let's be honest, at first, being photographed can be an uncomfortable thing.  If you prepare well, it doesn't have to be. Spare the time you would spend warming up to the camera and prepare yourself to have a lot of fun. You get to dress up, have someone tell you how great you look for an hour and do something really special with your fiancé. Make a night of it. Get drinks before and go out to a nice dinner after.

5. Why do engagement photos?

best engagement photos in the snow

Ah. "We'll have enough pictures of us at the wedding", you may think. "What will we do with the engagement photos?" This is a real thought and concern for many couples. Why even take engagement photos? I argue that if you have amazing engagement photos like these, the possibilities are endless. No, you may not want a huge close-up photo of you smiling at the camera to hang on your walls forever. If you have meaningful, artistic engagement photos like these - hanging the images on your wall forever is a pleasure. To get the best engagement photos - keep in mind that not all photographers are the same. Look for the best engagement photographer to tell your story. These photos will last forever. You're creating an heirloom. 

best engagement photos

stylized engagement photos

Yen and Adam's photos were taken at the newly remodeled Union Station. As an engagement photographer Downtown Denver, this is one of the best spots to photograph. We live in such a great city.

Destination wedding photographer in Colorado

Destination wedding photographer in Colorado

for Ryan and Alysha

Somewhere at the base of the Rocky Mountains between Aspen and Telluride is a small vineyard town with homegrown restaurants, struggling wifi, and a name that's difficult to spell. For some, the beauty may not be worth the distance you are from "the grid", but for Colorado natives, Ryan and Alysha, a small farmhouse in Paonia, Colorado was the perfect setting for their dream wedding. As a destination wedding photographer in Colorado, we've seen many unique weddings and venues -  but none quite like this.

Coming from Denver but each having a penchant for fine taste, Ryan and Alysha put together what was easily one of the best weddings we have ever experienced. With old books, straw bale benches, and fences struggling to retain their paint, the "FRESH AND WYLD"  farmhouse adorned simple and authentic all over the wedding itself; and for Ryan and Alysha, authenticity was important. Our love for wedding photojournalism relished thanks to this couple's personality and openness.

These two are the kind of people who greet everybody with hugs, who include their families in the ceremony, and who kiss each other and giggle between ever click of the camera. They are the kind of folks who are not afraid to show emotion as vows are being read, nor the kind who feels at all timid on the dance floor. For Ryan and Alysha, authenticity is natural and inevitable. They are two beautiful and fun people, and thus invited their families and friends of that ilk. Perhaps our opinion of their friends is biased because we had met several of them shooting another favorite wedding in Puerto Rico a couple years back. However, as the events of the day turned into toasts, videos, and campfires, our estimations of their coolness were continuously vindicated.

Apart from how enjoyable and friendly the bride and groom were, we also took some amazing pictures. Paonia is a beautiful place and has moved its way up into our "favorite locations of all time" list. Then again, our opinions may be biased here as well because we got to experience with such amazing people. Every smile was genuine. Ryan and Alysha's wedding was a victory for humanity. We were happy to be a part of it.

How do you get great wedding photos like these? 

Lessons from Ryan and Alysha

• Let there be nothing that can ruin your day
• Plan well, delegate and experience your wedding
• Lose track of the camera, be yourselves
• Express your feelings, laugh loudly
• Realize how beautiful this day is and experience it fully
• Be up for anything

colorado wedding pictures

un posed wedding photos

wedding photojournalist

destination wedding photographer in colorado

Would you like to see more? View Ryan and Alysha's extended wedding preview below.

non-traditional wedding in denver

Non-traditional wedding in Denverfor Ross and Kiki

Have you ever seen a sushi bar at a wedding?

Every married couple has had that dreamy conversation when planning their wedding. Maybe, we could do some of our favorite things — like have an 80’s band, give all of our guests crazy sunglasses, project Bond: Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64 on to a wall while serving our favorite cocktails with aspen tree twig and leaves in them. Then you fall asleep, the morning lightly remembers those fun ideas and your wedding planning goes on with the normal traditions in tact. I think you can see where I’m going with this. Ross and Kiki’s non-traditional wedding in Denver truly was an authentic, personality-filled celebration. We loved it so much we plan on calling Kiki to set it up again for our ten year anniversary.

A non-traditional and personality filled wedding calls for quality, unique photos such as these. Our focus was, romantic, fun and artistic. Those three pieces of Ross and Kiki’s story were a pleasure to tell. Any documentary style wedding photographer would bask in a wedding such as this and as you can tell, we were no exception.

If you know me well or have been a follower of my blog, you know I talk a lot about using photos as meaningful artwork. Ross and Kiki’s photos are a really great example of the way that I love to blend documentary style photography with fine art imagery. Let the artwork on your walls be an intimate reminder of your wedding day vows.

candid wedding pictures

artsy wedding photographers in denver

quirky wedding pictures

A special shout out to our favorite urban art gallery wedding venue, Space Gallery. The talented Bareroot Flora and Danielle from Entwined Planning.

Like to see more? Check out an extended preview of this modern Denver wedding below.

Still here? If you've made it this far, take a look back at Ross and Kiki's Denver engagement photos.

City wedding photographer Denver

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City wedding photographer Denver

for Sam and Caitlin

Naturally, the traditional concept of a wedding imagines a bride walking down a church aisle. The couple exchanges vows, runs out of the church while bird seed lands on the folds of a white veil and the church's steps, then jumps into their waiting limo. This is followed by a reception at a local ballroom - tables with white linen cloths and every adornment following the standard white, borrowed and blue. The modern couple, however, has spun away from doing things in step with tradition and instead weaves their wedding day with personality-filled details - only the things that matter most to the couple.

Sam and Caitlin's wedding is such a great example of a modern wedding. It was filled with meaningful and unique pieces of who they are. The wedding was held in one of my favorite artistic wedding venues - the Space Gallery. We were able to highlight downtown Denver's best locations as we photographed the guys getting ready at the Denver Athletic Club and captured portraits of the wedding party at the newly renovated Union Station. Caitlin was a strikingly beautiful bride. Her poise and warm, welcoming personality came together to present a truly beautiful woman paired with her groom who was just as dapper in his early fall, steel-blue suit.

Before the wedding Caitlin, Sam, and I sat down, and as I learned more of their story as a couple, we agreed the goal of the wedding day's photography would be to capture the modern and authentic style of the wedding. As a city wedding photographer Denver provided the scenery and the couple was just right to make a story like this. The story-telling approach towards documenting this day created this beautiful heirloom for the couple and their family.

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Would you like to see more of Sam and Caitlin's story? Check out the video below.

colorado wedding photography

Colorado Wedding Photography

for Max and Courtney

This was one of those weddings that little girls dream about. I imagine Courtney and her girlfriends having sleep overs, laying in the dark and whispering about what they wanted their weddings to be like. Little did they know, she was probably dreaming with a couple of the girls who would actually be bridesmaids. She was probably hoping her wedding would be on a mountain in Vail; the place where her family vacationed frequently. And just maybe, she would meet her husband skiing at the same location they would be married. In fact, as fate would have it, Vail is where Max met Courtney.  Specifically, the two met near the Vail mountain lodge known as The 10th, a location Colorado Wedding Photographers love as much as Colorado skiers. It would be years later that the two would have their wedding in that same location.

Everyone dearest to Courtney and Max were present. There were so many people in attendance that the couple rented out the entire Tivoli hotel and had twelve attendants on each side. The friends that stood up with them came from every chapter of their biography between childhood and professional life. The wedding celebrated everything they loved in life and every piece of the weekend was polished and treated with the prestige a celebration like this should have.

Wedding days are just as much about who you are and who has come along with you as where the bride and groom are going after their vows are complete. It's this interesting climax in a couple's lives where every piece of life comes together and the two no longer walk as individuals. The emotion in these photographs share what it feels like for the couple and everyone around them. A story of hundreds of embracing hugs, a day where everyone looks their best and eats like kings. A time when there are no limits on emotion and excitement. A story that's really best suited for several albums' worth of documentary style photographs that bridge between words not being quite enough for a story so great.

Want to see more? Check out the video below for an extended preview of the Key wedding.

urban wedding

Urban Wedding | Colorado Athletic Club

For James and Jennaweh

It happened just like it does in the movies.

She’s in a place in life where she’s ready to meet someone. She’s accomplished with notable honors, he’s a gifted culinary artist - They’re in their own worlds, out spending a Saturday night with friends and walking amongst many eyes, he sees hers. He stops her, tells her how beautiful she is and the “I think I’m going to marry him” conversations start happening with the best friend that next day. Then the credits roll, we take a deep breath and remember that love never really happens that way.

Well, almost never. The busy street corner was 20th and Market. The stars of the movie were Jennaweh and James. One evening walking in downtown Denver, one of the most kind and joy-filled couples I’ve had the pleasure of photographing were randomly lead together and on a lovely evening the following September we met in the same urban setting to celebrate their union.

The wedding took place at one of the most beautiful and ornate Greek churches in Denver. The ceremony was rich with tradition and symbolism. The reception lead us downtown Denver near the location where the two met at the urban wedding venue, The Denver Athletic Club. Cultural dancing, fine eating, joy and gratitude were just a few of the things that highlighted the evening.

It’s the stories that draw us in to one another. Weddings are wrapped around stories of who you were, stories of wise people who wrote of love, our creator who dictates our story and hope and prayers for where the story will go. I think this small selection of James and Jennaweh’s documentary style wedding photography will encapsulate the pieces of life up until today. We’ve got the story of the city, the emotion, affection and feeling. The trailer to their next movie is said to be even better.

why engagement photos

why engagement photos

Denver Art Museum Engagement Session for Krista and Eric

Why engagement photography?

Why do they matter? As a professional engagement photographer I still come back to that question. After you get them, it's fun to see how beautiful you are and send a few to your parents but after that - honestly, who really cares?

Maybe engagement photos are for tomorrow.

I think your children will care. Their children will care. I think the discouraging days will care. Can your engagement photos be more then a photo of you? What if the images show who you are and how you feel. Can they be an art piece, a family heirloom? Can they hang on the walls of your home to help you remember the joy and beauty that's been. I believe the answer is yes, and this makes the engagement photos matter.

I pulled out a small sample of Krista and Eric's engagement pictures to highlight the beauty of personality filled, hang-on-the-wall, fine art photography. There are many ways to describe it but, let's call it meaningful, purposeful artwork. Engagement photos that matter.

documentary wedding photographers

Documentary Wedding Photographers

for Alec and Megan

After I was through editing these images I felt kind of sad that this story was over, like you should when any good story ends. I think that Megan and Alec are a really good couple to explain why documentary style photography "storytelling" for weddings is so wonderful. Life, after all, is really just a collection of stories and moments and relationship. So we have weddings. Weddings are these once-in-a-lifetime days, centered around being with the people you love most in the world. Everyone is dressed their best and placed in the most beautiful setting to celebrate you. The people you choose to spend and share most of life’s moments around are all dressed in their best together in one place.

So you’ve got one day. After your wedding day ceases, the overly-asked question turns from "are you excited for the wedding?" to "how was the wedding?" You know, the day that you spent a year planning and a lifetime dreaming about. You know what the answer will be, "good" or "I'm sad (or glad) it's over." Your wedding story deserves such a better explanation than "good." The documentary style approach to photographing weddings tells the story as it should be told. The Alec and Megan wedding held at Peaceful Valley Ranch near Estes Park, Colorado is a story about a happy, joy filled and fun loving family. A story about a group of organized, non-traditional, meaningful and loving group. My words don't tell the story well. Let the images show you how "good" it was.

P.S. Occasionally there is a wedding where the MVP deserves a shout out. Shouting out to you, bridesmaid Maggie. Thanks for your assitance and for being so wonderfully expressive.

A non-traditional destination wedding photographer

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A non-traditional destination wedding photographer

for Bobby and Melissa -  at St. Thomas

Bobby and Melissa (based in Boulder) may just be among the coolest people we have ever met. Therefore, it is not surprising that the weekend wedding celebration they put together was also one of the coolest weddings we have ever attended. It was definitely one of the most unique, and probably one of the most fun as well. This is officially our first wedding where the pictures are worth one thousand adjectives, because we're falling short with words. By being a non-traditional destination wedding photographer we've been gifted to work allowed us to work with people like this and have so many stories to tell. We have not stopped telling the story of this wedding since returning, but the abbreviated version goes like this:

After a few hours on the airplane

We landed on the warm island of St. Thomas, of the US Virgin Islands. Quick nap, squeeze in a little snorkel, then we're off to the open-air bar by the sea, where Melissa's brother, Jesse, is playing live music with his friends. Mel's mom, Sue, was the gregarious host of that party, making everyone feel invited as well as keeping the dance floor vibrant. With around 50 wedding guests in attendance, there was a lot of emotion to capture; especially when Jesse forced his sister to accompany them in a surprise performance. The following day we I found myself in the downward facing dog photographing the Bride's Yoga Session as they practiced to the soundtrack of the sea.

"They wanted nothing to do with a traditional wedding"

I remember when I first talked with Melissa about her wedding upon inquiring. She told me they waited so long to get married because to be honest, they wanted nothing to do with the traditional wedding. They wanted their wedding to be about their love, friends, and nothing more. The theme for the wedding was "fun" and the attire was "reflecting light." The guests had been at St. Thomas all week prepping for the headlining event, Bobby and Melissa's vow exchange at sunset on a sailboat.

Late Saturday afternoon we found ourselves depositing our shoes into a barrel and signing the manifest of a local sailboat. As everyone enjoyed themselves on the ride, our captain drove us to the calm and beautiful waters of "Christmas Bay" (where Columbus once spent Christmas) in order to conduct the actual ceremony. The wedding officiant, once again Melissa's mother, did a wonderful job in leading the two through vows and various readings one would expect and hope for at a wedding. What nobody was expecting however, was for the parents of both bride and groom to break into an original song of blessing for the couple, sung to the tune of Leonard Cohen's "Alleluia", during which Melissa dropped the most endearing "F Bomb" ever heard in a wedding ceremony.

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The reception was nothing like a traditional reception.

The party afterwards was in the trees near the coastline. Featuring some great dance music, great food and libation, and an amazing hand-made disco ball by Jesse. It was a party so festive that local islanders ventured over to join in the fun.

This wedding did take place in an incredibly unique location, we love being wedding photographers that travel to unique weddings. But what really made it a wonderful experience was the people themselves. We find that amazing people tend to congregate with other amazing people, and it truly was our pleasure to take part in this group - with all the laughter, joy, pride, and love elicited from family and friends. We'll leave it up to you to read the faces and figure out which is which. We can't thank Bobby and Melissa enough for letting us into their lives and share their friendships during such a memorable event. Being a non-traditional destination wedding photographer, you allowed us to be in complete bliss at your wedding. People like you deeply remind us of how much we love our job.

Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House wedding

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Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House wedding

| For Matt and Rebecca

By looking at these photos of her, you can tell how fun and warming her personality is. The bride. She's one of those people you can meet for a second and feel like you've known forever. If you're like me, you want to be her friend and want her to take you shopping (and out to eat).

On July 12th, she was joined with her one. The groom that will likely be able to speak circles around you in the realm of science and with his wife, advise you on the most prestigious eateries and the best BSB moves to perform at your wedding (pictures below).

I'm not usually big on posting detail shots of weddings. I believe the photos should be more about the relationships and stories rather than the decor. But because I was tempted to take home all of their vintage glam decor, it was necessary to post a few images for inspiration.

Matt and Rebecca brought their New York Style for their downtown wedding at the Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House and showed that Colorado has style that can compete with any city. It was a stylish city wedding. As someone who adores the modern and unique elements of life - along with artistic wedding photography - we found a perfect match with these two.Their modern/vintage/glam decor was refreshing scenery for their stylish downtown Denver wedding at the Kevin Taylor's at the opera house. Thanks to Julia and her team at A Touch of Bliss who placed everything together beautifully.

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Photojournalists for weddings

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Photojournalists for weddings

Spruce Mountain Guest Ranch Wedding Photographers | for Jason and Lisa

On a warm Sunday afternoon in Larkspur, Colorado, the rain seemed to be timed perfectly with the events of Jason and Lisa's wedding; only falling during the indoor parts. The skies made for great photo lighting, and the people made for some really great photos. When dark clouds cover the sky on a July afternoon, the bride and groom get worried, and pray it doesn't rain. Meanwhile the photographer is secretly smiling, knowing we are in for some beautiful lighting.

As photojournalists for weddings, thee stories this couple gave us began like this:

Lisa was like one of those brides you see in magazines. She was a beautiful to photograph alone but aligned with Jason, her beauty multiplied and was even more photogenic. There wasn't a dry eye to exit this wedding day. Emotion was painted upon the face of every friend and family member in attendance. As photojournalists for weddings, there is nothing quite as delightful as a group of loving and expressive people. This set of images tells a lot more than simply what everyone looked like. The day was filled with joy and love - and the photojournalistic approach towards documenting it tells that story well.

Other highlights of the night were the various activities facilitated by their DJ, some serious talent on the dance floor by multiple people, and a quite funny yet sensitive speech by Lisa's dad. Great food, personality filled details, and a wonderful sparkling send-off made their memorable day extra memorable as Lisa say goodbye to her "Zucchini" past and started a new chapter of her life together with Jason. We had been anticipating hanging out with these two for over a year and they were even more fun than we expected.

A special thanks goes out to the coordinators Feather and Twig and the staff at Spruce Mountain Guest Ranch for making the so great. [/flo_one_third] [flo_two_third_last padding="20px 20px 20px 20px" class="" ]

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natural denver wedding photography

Natural Denver wedding photography for a non-traditional wedding

for Matt and Melissa

We walked away from this day thinking we may have just experienced the perfect wedding. If there were a national contest to create the most authentic, enjoyable, and meaningful Colorado wedding, looking to sum up the entire zeitgeist within a 5 hour period, even the top brains at etsy.com would find themselves in second place after the wedding that actually did happen by Matt and Melissa. These two highly-educated and fun-loving people brought guests from all over the country to experience a real one-of-a-kind wedding, that may actually have made itself an official world record. When planning the wedding, Matt and Melissa seemed to understand how to make happen what most weddings only hope to achieve: friends together having fun. Not only did they rent out the pavilion at Cheesman park, but they also planned a meal put together in picnic baskets for people to enjoy afterwards. When stomachs were full and but feet were itchy, they provided several yard games to take place in the surrounding grassy areas, and even built in the time to do it, where one could enjoy both a frisbee toss as well as a little cornhole, without feeling the pressure of "what do we have to do next?".  If "best cocktail party" weren't enough, the crown jewel of the day's events came in the transitioning of party at the park to reception party at the Mercury Cafe. In order to get all of the wedding guests to relocate one mile away, the plan was to rent a truckload of bicycles and wheel over as a well-dressed parade, with bride and groom at the head, and two relatives on motorcycles serving as escorts. Among the group (which included a few PhDs) it was the consensus that this was perhaps a world record of "highest percentage of wedding guests participating in post-ceremony bike parade"; a title worth tattooing for those involved. The enormity of the parade was unlike anything we've experienced in a wedding before and we really enjoyed photographing it.

Matt and Melissa's wedding was very cool, and all the people we got to hang out with and listen to were a big part of that, including Matt and Melissa. Their wedding truly will stand out in our memory as having some of the best ideas and most fun we've seen. The day was about Matt, Melissa and the people they loved - doing the things they loved to do. This was one of the gigs that reminds us how blessed we are to have the job we have. Also, their wedding cake was covered with fake ants. Very cool.

wedding at arrowhead golf course

Wedding at Arrowhead Golf course

A wise wedding coordinator once said that "the best venue decorator is God. He is arguably the cheapest too". These words ring truer with every visit to Arrowhead Country Club we make and after attending the recent wedding of Damian and Ashley, we considered changing our slogan to: "Selah Photography - where we make good-looking and fun people look good-looking and fun." In this wedding, perhaps the two best-looking were also having the most fun.

Damian and Ashley knew what they wanted their special day to be like and they got it. The ceremony was outdoors and with some cooperative weather and the amazing backdrops of rock, forest, water, and golf course it was easy to shoot the two of them and capture all the splendor the location. After that the party headed inside, where they were appetized for a while by what was perhaps the best macaroni and cheese bar we've ever seen, then transitioning to an awesome dance party, the star of which, was Damian himself who pulled out some surprise break-dance moves for all to enjoy. After a brief break for creative and comical speeches, the party entered its next stage, which included some dynamic karaoke performances. Within all the festivities, we did manage to pull the couple outside for a few great open-exposure night shots as well.

All in all, every stage of this event was well-planned and beautifully carried through. It was definitely our pleasure to get to hang out with Damian and Ashley and their guests for the day, as well as the night.

wedding photojournalism

Wedding Photojournalism | Denver Art Museum Wedding

for Judy and Anthony

Judy and Anthony's Pretty pink vintage meets modern art gallery wedding. Where we were continually forced to choose between things like "flowers floating in glass jar details" vs. "guy in bow tie dancing the robot". Anthony and Judy put all the pieces in place to have an amazing wedding, then they went along for the ride and had the time of their lives.  Their guests picked up on those cues and joined in the fun, thereby making it a real nonstop and unpredictable party.

Starting off at The Oxford Hotel downtown, we documented Judy getting ready in the luxurious vintage setting that only old hotels can provide. From there we loaded up the limousine and Rolls Royce and headed to one of our favorite new venues, the SPACE GALLERY, where the two of them had adorned the modern art gallery with some of the finest wedding details Denver can provide. Gretchen of Chairished Vintage Rentals decorated the event with every unique piece of eclectic furnishing one could ask for.  After the ceremony, the wedding party then returned to the reception and commenced with some of the most creative dancing we have ever shot. It was as if each person there had also been instructed to take dance classes before attending.

Many thanks to the lovely ladies at We Tie the Knots for orchestrating the event so masterfully and to Judy and Anthony for  being such joy to document.We also want to send our love to Intricate Icings (the most amazing cake designers), Cori Cook Floral Design (have you ever seen such beautiful flowers?) and one more to Gretchen of Chairished Rentals for always having the most amazing decor and design.