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southern utah wedding photography

Beautiful Red Rock Destination Wedding | Lindsey + Jason

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If someone told me Lindsey and Jason weren’t destined to be together, I’d laugh. Their journey started about 10 years ago, and through a series of seemingly insignificant coincidences, they met by accident. Since that day long ago, they’ve traveled the world together, in search of the meaning of life. They’ve moved 16 times in all different time zones, across many states across the U.S. They may not always agree on everything, but the one thing they both couldn’t refuse was their wedding would be held in red rock country of Southern Utah.

Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club is a stunning golf course positioned neatly in the St. George foothills just below the Snow Canyon State Park. Situated just below the surrounding mountains, the beautiful venue offers vastly colorful sunsets as far as the eye can see. Just hours before the Ceremony, Lindsey had a close family member sent back home due to a flare up of A.L.S. symptoms.

While the ladies got dressed at a private home nearby, the men gathered just outside the Snow Canyon State Park for a spectacular photo shoot.

Jason and his new wife Linsey were surrounded by some pretty amazing family and friends who came from all over the country to witness the once in a lifetime event. Being a wedding photographer is such an honor. Jason came up and gave me a hug, though he probably would deny it now that he is sober. “You know why I love you guys?” he asked. “Because when I watch this video in 50 years, and look at these pictures, I will get to remember this very moment”. He continued “You know, my memory isn’t that great, so I won’t be able to remember this, but what you guys are doing will make it possible for me to see it again”. I really do love so much what I do. Sometimes I am the wedding videographer, other times I am just shooting as a photographer, either way, I get to preserve the special day between two people and their families.

After the officiant finished his well polished remarks, the couple continued with their own hand written vows that took each others’ breath away.

Their wedding is one I will never forget. The wedding venue, the spectacular sunset in Southern Utah’s redrock country, the beautiful words spoken about two amazing people, and of course the people. Family and friends danced for hours, never letting up. The photos and video below are just a teaser of what is to come.

 

 

 

 

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Logan City Newborn + Family Photo Shoot

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It’s been a busy year for more than just me, Elizabeth and Josh just welcomed a new bundle of joy into their family. She is so sweet! It was a little chilly during the shoot, they had to keep her warm in between the shooting by swaddling her.

 

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Utah State Capitol Bridal + First Look Video with Shaylyn + Bodie

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Shaylyn and Bodie’s wedding is coming up so fast! With less than 2 weeks to go, the waiting is finally over. Bodie stood in agony while he waited for his stunning bride in her beautiful wedding gown to reveal herself to him for the very first time. What a spectacular sight it was! Just take a look.

Should You Take First Look Wedding Photos? | Big Day Q&A

The ‘first look’ has become a popular trend. This new, intimate photo-op conflicts with one of the most notable superstitions: The groom must not see the bride before the wedding. It’s no wonder this topic was pitched for our Big Day Q&A series! Before you pick a tradition to take on, it may help to know the pros and cons of first look wedding photos—it’s not as simple as breaking with tradition or not. There’s lighting, location, and time to consider, not to mention the different ways you can reveal your beauty to your beau. By the end of this blog, you should have a better idea if this photo-op is right for you.

The Pros & Cons

Before I jump into the pros and cons, let’s discuss why superstition surrounds the first look in the first place. When arranged marriages were commonplace, the ceremony was basically a business deal—one that could fall through if the groom-to-be opted out. In other words, if he decided his fiancé wasn’t pretty enough, he could bail. To prevent this from happening, it was decided that a groom couldn’t see the bride before the ceremony. This is also why veils exist! They were originally designed to cover a woman’s face until both parties said, “I do.” How nice. So seeing the bride before the nuptials doesn’t exactly lead to bad luck—but it could lead to a runaway groom. Now that we’ve taken the superstition card off the table, here are the real pros and cons of having a pre-wedding reveal:

Pros:

-You have more time to take pictures. Waiting until after the ceremony for photography means your guests have to wait too. It also means you miss more of the reception. -You may lose the light. Depending on the time of year and the start of your ceremony, if you wait to take pictures until after the nuptials, you may lose ideal lighting. Make sure your photographer has your wedding day timeline on-hand to prevent this from happening. -You can calm each other down. I expect you’ll be a bit nervous as you get ready for the big day. Who better to calm you down than the one going through it with you? Take a moment to breathe, reflect, and prepare for that walk down the aisle. -The photos are unmatched. If you stage it right, the pictures you’ll get from a first look are unbeatable. Your fresh bridal style, his nerves, your smile, his tears…

Cons:

-More sleep! If you cut a pre-ceremony photo-session, you have more time for beauty rest. -More time to get ready. We all know that hair never cooperates when you need it to, makeup can smudge, and last-minute slip-ups happen. If you forgo the photos, you have more time to perfect your look. -Sunset, anyone? If you time it right, you could be taking your newlywed shots at sunset instead of in the morning. Both are beautiful, but there’s nothing like a setting sun to enhance a bridal glow. -Your guests will be a part of the big moment. Sharing the first sighting one-on-one is intimate, but sharing it with your friends and family is quite special. -You’ll be married! How much fun will it be to pose as man and wife? That just-married feeling will make the images even more magical.

Tips for this pre-wedding photoshoot.

If you’ve decided to go for it, there are a few things to keep in mind before the big day.

What do you want to do during this special moment? Many couples simply take it all in! It’s an opportunity to fully embrace the day ahead and the promise you’re making. It’s also a good opportunity to calm each other down—you’re going through the same thing after all. If you’re religious, take a moment to say a prayer. You can say one as a couple and gather your bridal party for another.

Where will this moment take place? Since time is a factor, I recommend choosing a special spot near where you’re taking the rest of your pics. Things to keep in mind are weather (have a back-up option) and lighting. Choose this spot prior to the big day and let your photographer know the details!

When will this moment take place? Give yourselves enough time! I recommend 30 minutes to an hour.

Who should walk? Another common question is whether the bride should walk to her fiancé or the other way around. It really depends on the location and your attire. If you’re outside, nervous to dirty your dress before it floats down the aisle, the groom should come to you. If you get to float down a staircase and see his eyes light up, you should go to him. It’s all a matter of personal preference. Who wants to tap whose shoulder? You could also do a reveal with dad and have him walk you to your fiancé!

Should You Take First Look Wedding Photos? | Big Day Q&A

 

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Millcreek Inn Wedding with Jordyn + Sheldon Teaser Video

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Sheldon and Jordyn met by accident. Sheldon was in college, hanging out with his best friend A.J. On a random night, bored as any college student can be, they wandered over to the quad to see what trouble they could get into. There she was, hanging out with another guy. Sheldon didn’t know if she was single, but with some help from his best friend, they were able to scare off the other guy so Sheldon could make his move. Fast forward a few years later, they are both successful in their own respective careers, and adventurous in their travels.

It was a warm fall day a few short miles up Millcreek Canyon in Salt Lake City. Family gathered from around the country, and from around the globe to witness the moment where the couple would say their I dos.

 

 

 

 

 

About the venue:

 

Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions

Your wedding day is likely the most important and memorable day of your life. We recognize the importance of sharing this day exclusively with family and friends, not with people you don’t know. Therefore, when you book our facility, it’s yours and yours alone. Whether your guest total is dozens or hundreds, our wedding grounds are reserved exclusively for your event with family and friends. Exclusivity is the quintessential element for this most important and memorable occasion. Your satisfaction is our ultimate goal. Your privacy is our first priority. Can you envision your perfect wedding? Take a look at our wedding photos to see what we can offer you on your special day.

 

Private Parties and Events

Businesses, organizations, families, and friends have been sharing their most intimate memories with us since 1999. Our facility can serve as a private party venue for a wide range of events. We can accommodate all types of business functions, including holiday parties, sales training, educational seminars, trade show dinners, convention events and non-profit fundraisers.

Our food, service, and atmosphere will delight you and your guests. It is our sincere hope that you will share all of your family events and business functions with Millcreek Inn. To get a better idea of what your private party could look like, take a look at our private party photos.

 

Dining Service

Delight your family and friends with exquisite food and beverage service. Our talented Chef delivers his culinary flare, while our service staff pampers your guests. Our dining service is known for its fresh ingredients, unique combinations, lavish presentations and service with sophistication. Not only will you get to choose what type of food you’d like, you’ll get to choose the style of service you’d like for your guests. Just a few of the choices we offer are banquet dinners, wedding reception appetizers, themed menus for weddings, slider buffet menus and wedding dessert bars. Take a look at our wedding food photos. Our Chef and his staff ensure exquisite cuisine in all areas: Preparation, Service, Artistry, Taste.

 

Moody Sunset Bridal Photo Shoot up Big Cottonwood Canyon Utah

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After knowing each other for about 10 years, Chelsea and Jordan finally tied the knot in a beautiful backyard wedding just two short weeks ago. During the wedding Ceremony, Jordan’s father reminded Jordan that just a couple years back, he had told his dad that marriage was just an old fashioned tradition. He then reminded Jordan that it was only because he hadn’t found the right woman, and he was definitely right! She didn’t dare do her Bridals before the wedding out of fear that he’d see her in her wedding dress before they said their I dos. So we went up to Big Cottonwood Canyon just before sunset on a beautiful fall day.

 

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon in the Wasatch Range 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The 15-mile (24 km)-long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer. Its two ski resorts, Brighton and Solitude, are popular among skiers and snowboarders. The canyon is accessed by The Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway (SR-190), which runs its length to Guardsman Pass at the top of the canyon, allowing travel to Park City in the summer months.

Guardsman Pass is closed during the winter months and is a popular snowshoe hiking destination for many Utahns.

Hiking to the canyon’s mountain lakes is popular, with many trails leading to lakes such as Mary, Martha and Katherine. The canyon’s most popular hiking trail leads to Lakes Blanche, Florence and Lillian. The trail is 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long and a strenuous hike. Since the canyon was formed by Big Cottonwood Creek, the V-shaped canyon has many impressive rock forms.

The canyon is also a frequent destination for Utah Native Plant Society wildflower walks and for University of Utah botanical field trips. The canyon and the adjoining Little Cottonwood Canyon contain significant biodiversity and are home to a number of rare and endemic plant species. One example is the Wasatch shooting-star, Dodecatheon dentatum var. utahense which is only known from Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a watershed canyon that supplies drinking water to the Wasatch Front, therefore pets and other domesticated animals are not allowed. In November 2011, a proposal to construct a gondola linking Solitude Ski Resort through Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Canyons Resort in Summit County drew criticism over concerns about its potential effect on sensitive terrain and watershed impacts.

 

stunning backyard wedding photogrpahy

Stunning Rustic Backyard Wedding in South Jordan Utah | Chelsea + Jordan

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After knowing each other for about 10 years, Chelsea and Jordan finally tied the knot in a beautiful backyard wedding. During the wedding Ceremony, Jordan’s father reminded Jordan that just a couple years back, he had told his dad that marriage was just an old fashioned tradition. He then reminded Jordan that it was only because he hadn’t found the right woman, and he was definitely right!

Just beneath the Wasatch mountains, nestled neatly above the Jordan river where Jordan had spent some of his childhood, the couple said their I Dos. Just hours before the wedding Ceremony, I had taken the Bride’s dress and hung it from the tree, not knowing that shortly afterward, the couple would be joining their lives together right where her dress hung. The couple danced their first dances just as the sun set for the evening which made for some spectacular colors in the sky around them.

When it came time for dancing, nobody held back. It was a fun filled beginning to a lifelong adventure. I am so glad I got to be a part of their special day. We were hired to shoot both photography and video for the lovely couple, I couldn’t wait to edit a few images and put together a quick teaser video.

 

 

solitude mountain resort utah wedding photography

Solitude Mountain Resort Fall Wedding Christina + Dalton

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Christina and Dalton were married in a beautiful ceremony conducted by Fire Chief Halvorsen, a close family friend.

The couple wanted to do something special, meant just for the two of them. Rather than reading their hand written vows to each other on their wedding day, they invited me as their wedding videographer over to their suite to film the exchange the night before the wedding. As they sat across the couch from each other while they read their vows to each other, they shared a few tears and a warm embrace.

They’d planned on getting married later in the year, but Dalton’s father threatened to not show up, as their original date fell right in the middle of Utah’s hunting season. I don’t know if they could have picked a better day. The skies were filled with blue hues as fluffy clouds floated by. Nestled atop Big Cottonwood Canyon just a short drive from Salt Lake City, Solitude Mountain Resort offered stunning views for miles around. The air was a touch warm, with a gentle breeze which was welcomed by all.

The energy was intense all around as family and friends, young and old gathered from miles around to celebrate the union between this Highschool Sweetheart couple. Hundreds of people flooded the room to enjoy some dancing, and the company of others they’d not seen (in some cases for years).

 

 

castle amphitheater provo utah photography

Smokey Sunset Photo Shoot at the Castle Amphitheater in Provo Utah

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Gema and Jonathan contacted me a while back to shoot their upcoming wedding. Prior to me photographing their wedding, they wanted to do an engagement photo shoot at the Castle Amphitheater in Provo. They simply couldn’t have picked a better day to shoot! The sun was too high in the sky for the first part of the shoot to spend any time in the amphitheater so we took some pictures lower on the property. As we made our way up to the amphitheater the light started to diminish behind the smokey clouds.

This summer, we have had a lot of fires across Utah that have affected the air quality, but it has made for some spectacular sunsets! Toward the end of our shoot, the sun dove behind some clouds which were lit up with some pretty amazing color due to the smoke which made for some amazing portraits. Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.

History of the Castle Amphitheater in Provo Utah

During the time of the great depression, the State of Utah was hit hard economically; harder than most of the states. The state had an unemployment rate of 36 percent in 1933, which was the fourth highest in the country. The unemployment rate averaged 25 percent over eight years, between 1932 and 1940. Due to this crisis, and the fact that Utah was worse off than other states, Utah received more federal assistance than many other states. Per capita federal spending in Utah in the 1930s was 9th highest among the 48 states.

Many public buildings were built with the funds now provided by the national government. This recreation center is historically significant because it represents and helps document the impact of New Deal programs enforced by the federal government during this time of crisis. The structure was built in 1936–37

 

The recreation center covers three acres, seating 800 within its amphitheatre and attached interior rooms. The amphitheatre itself is set against the hillside next to the hospital, on the east end of Provo. “It is constructed almost entirely of stone, as are the attached rooms and two-story towers at the southeast and northwest corners. The towers and the “battlements” of various sections of railing give the structure a castle-like appearance. Attached to the tower at the southeast corner is a large interior room with a fireplace, and above, on its flat roof, is another fireplace and an open-air area for social gatherings. Stone ramps at both the north and south sides provide access to the amphitheatre from the grass play area at the base of the facility (Historic Preservation Research Office p. 2).”

The man responsible for drawing up the plans and supervising the work on site is Lavar S. Morris. Despite plans to eventually build additional recreational facilities on site, such as tennice courts, a handball court, and picturesque gardens, the recreation center remains the only recreational facility near the hospital.

doubletree Hilton salt lake city utah airport wedding venue

Stunning DoubleTree Hilton Salt Lake City Utah Wedding | Jackie and Brad

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Jackie and Brad contacted me months ago to shoot their engagement photos. I gladly accepted the opportunity, assuming that I would be shooting their wedding. They were a lot of fun to work with, Jackie brought in some attitude that relaxed Brad even further.  Shortly after the shoot, I learned that they had planned to get married in Las Vegas. I was disappointed that I would not have the opportunity to be their wedding photographer in Las Vegas as their venue would not allow it, but wished them well.

A while later, Jackie contacted me inquiring about a Bridal photo shoot. Their Las Vegas wedding venue fell through, so they were now looking for a place here in Utah to tie the knot. I was so excited! The most painful part was shooting her bridals, and not being able to post her pictures online. I banned Brad from my website in hopes of keeping him from seeing her Bridal portraits before their wedding day, but I still didn’t dare.

Their wedding day was just a few days ago, it turned out so nice! Granite Bakery cake was both beautiful, and (from what I hear) delicious! They even came in and cut the cake for the couple so serving it was easy.

They spent the night in the hotel (separate rooms of course). Jackie surrounded by her beautiful daughters, along with other family and friends. I recall a moment when I was taking a picture over the shoulder of one of the girls when I asked “is she your daughter?” “Yes she’s my daughter, and this is my other daughter” she replied. I had made the mistake of assuming that only ONE of the girls were her daughter. In fact, one of them was her biological daughter while the other one was becoming hers through marriage, but Jackie did not see it that way. In her eyes, they were both her daughters through and through, it was so touching to see and feel the love between this Bride and the beautiful women in her presence. Jackie did not see it as “his” and “mine”, to her it was ALWAYS “ours”. I can now see what Brad saw in her, such a loving woman without end.

Brad has a kind heart and a love as deep as the sea for his kids, and for his Jackie. He could not keep his eyes, or hands off of her.

Early in the day, when I was in the Groom’s room shooting some photos, I noticed one of the boys wearing a suit with a special name badge that said “Bling Security”, only then did I realize that it was HE that was the ring bearer. I have seen many adorable ideas for the ring bearer, but never a CIA operative outfit, complete with the shades and all. He was looking sharp!

When the time came, Brad waited anxiously for his Bride to join him at the top of the aisle. “I am not emotional” he claimed, but it’s hard not to be emotional when you’re blending two families, making promises not only to your new spouse, but to your children that you will all love and support each other. It was so wonderful to have been part of such a special occasion between two great families, whom despite all odds, lead extremely successful lives. Thank you Brad and Jackie for letting me be part of your special day!

Huge thanks to a few vendors that I am aware of Granite Bakery for the always gorgeous Wedding Cake, Alicia the coordinator with DoubleTree by Hilton, Breezy Floral.

 

Alex + Alex wedding videography photos

Alex + Alex Wedding Teaser Video | Noah’s South Jordan Utah

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The morning of the wedding, Alex’s brother-in-law was flying in from Denver where he was there representing a client. His plane landed just in time for him to marry his Sister-in-law to her longtime friend. Alexa said in her vows “never did I expect to be marrying someone with my own name”. Both the Bride and Groom wanted an intimate wedding with just their closest family and friends. Such a laid back couple, until the dance floor opened. I had so much being their wedding videographer for the day at Noah’s wedding venue in South Jordan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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