This past Saturday Stacey and Ryan were married out at Riverview Golf Course in Sterling, Colorado. While we were walking around doing their portraits we started talking and one of the things that came up was why I do serious shots and not just smiling. Don’t get me wrong, there are always tons of smiling shots! The way that I look at it though are that photos capture who you are. As most people walk around, they don’t always have a smile on their face. When you snuggle in and hug your husband/boyfriend/fiance/wife/girlfriend it isn’t always with a big grin. In fact, the really good moments are usually those ones that really knock the wind out of you, make you close your eyes, just feel, and remember how lucky you are. For that reason, it’s really important to me to get not just the smiles.

There is always an exception though! I’d like to introduce you to Stacey. She doesn’t just smile, I’d say 90% of the time if she cracks a grin, she isn’t just going to show you some teeth, she’ll throw her head back and let out a laugh. And that, well that’s more infectious than you can imagine. My favorite image from their wedding so far isn’t perfect. The wind had kicked up and taken Stacey’s beautiful hair across her face. It didn’t matter though, because she had the most sincere smile full of laughter. Ryan had his arms wrapped around her and the laughter had completely taken him over as well. All that you can see in it is their happiness.

In my book, there is just nothing better than the first dance.

I’ve known Stacey and her family for many, many years. That made the usual lump in my throat during the father daughter dance even bigger.

Last, but not least, I love, love, loved Stacey’s bouquet (and the bridesmaids’). Secret Garden Designs were responsible for the beautiful florals.

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Oh boy, I think that my maid needs to be fired after seeing all of the dust collecting around here! As you can probably guess, the wedding season and traveling combined have kind of kicked my butt. I’ve still been pretty good about getting images up on the Anna Lynch McClary Photography Facebook Page though. The ironic part is that I’m poking my head in here just to let everyone know that I’m jumping on another airplane tomorrow and will be out of reach for a few days. The next couple of weeks I get to travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Colorado, and even make a stop in Nebraska for weddings and senior sessions. I’m going to miss my bed and my kitties, but it should be a good time filled with lots of great photo opps.

Oh, and when I return, I vow to be a better blogger. To show my seriousness, here is one image from each of the sessions that I shared on Facebook today.

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Over the past month wedding season has kicked in and a crazy schedule has kicked off. Somehow this year, my wedding schedule is split exactly in  half. With May, June and July mostly back west and August, September, and October mostly in Indiana. So, if you’re ever looking for me, your best bet is probably either Fort Wayne Internationl, Denver International, or on a plane. During last week’s trip back I squeezed in a Friday night engagement session with Bri and Braden.

You might say that I jinxed the day when I tweeted how beautiful it was the morning. It was absolutely gorgeous that afternoon, too. Then, about 15 minutes before our session was supposed to start a nice 30 mph wind kicked in. We took cover as much as we could, but I could not deny one of the locations that I scouted out. So they both totally bucked up and probably braced themselves for each gust. Not only did we have the wind to deal with, but because I had so much fun downtown, we were running out of light quicker than I could shoot. Here’s just a few sneak peek shots, but you’ll be seeing the full post soon and come the end of July their wedding images.

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My season kicks into full swing this week with seniors and engagement sessions and my wedding season starts next week. I’m so looking forward to getting back into the groove of things and hustle and bustle, but I was not expecting to start it off in the hole. Last week, out of nowhere (after spending the previous week out of the office) the flu got a hold of me. So that to do list that wasn’t all that intimidating is now looking a little scarier. I’m behind on emails right now, so if you’re waiting on one, know that I’m not ignoring you. Now, let’s not let this blog sit empty and unrefreshed for another day.

Brady took me fishing in his friend’s pond and out around the farm last fall.

Honking his horn of course!

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Maybe you’ve noticed, but a lot of my posts from Northeast Colorado include some kind of wind talk. There’s a reason for that, a day that the wind doesn’t blow out there is a rarity. If it were that beautiful nicely wind blown look, I could totally roll with it. But no, this is usually more like a hurricane force, dust in your eyes, and grab onto something sturdy kind of wind. I thought that I had Mother Nature pencil in my session with Alexa in plenty of time. Unfortunately she must be more of a 60 days notice kind of gal because Alexa didn’t get a break. She rolled with the punches though and we were luckily able to find a little shelter or at least a wind break or two to minimize the effects.

This post was pretty appropriately timed as we finally just got the last of her prints and grad cards safely to her yesterday. If only you knew the effort it took to get them from point A to point B (curse you FedEx). I still can’t get over the fact that this school year is almost over and that its time to start shooting the Class of 2011. By the way, I have a few schools that I’m still looking for senior reps from (you get TWO sessions and all kinds of incentives), so shoot me an email if you’re outgoing and interested at anna@annalynchmcclary.com.

I really want to post up all of the custom grad cards that I’ve been working on, but don’t want to ruin the fun and surprise for them. So, you just get a little peek at Alexa’s. Once they get these mailed out I’ll post up all of them. I custom design a card for every senior based on their personality and style.

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Three posts in one week is nothing to some bloggers. However, to this one, who is trying to get back on the blogging horse, three posts in one week is a rather fantastic moment for me. So, to keep this streak alive I’m going to have to post up one without a lot of back story. The images are always better than my words anyhow. Let’s suffice it to say that Sarah is one of my awesome seniors from Sterling. I asked her more than once during the session where she got whatever cute accessory or shirt she had on. Her family came along on the session and they had scouted out some great locations!

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I’ve finally figured out why I let myself get so behind on blogging images. It has major perks… well sort of. So, maybe it has more like one perk. You see Heather and Freddy have long since been married, but hey I couldn’t just ignore their engagement session. That perk I was talking about, well getting to show off one of the cool products they picked out to show off these photographs.

Last year was the first year that I offered guest books to my clients. While it is a no brainer product for wedding guest books, it doesn’t stop there. Seniors, these are perfect for your graduation receptions, moms to be could use the images from your maternity sessions for your guest book at your baby shower and even in those first weeks as your new baby’s first visitors stop by.

Now, I think I’ve already held these pictures up long enough, so without further ado…

You may notice a theme…

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Going into my first ever destination wedding, as a guest and a photographer, I had some pretty high expectations. I mean when a place is called Dreams, who wouldn’t? Personally, I can say that it was pretty fantastic and held up to all of those expectations. Professionally, I couldn’t say anything less.

In my opinion Bobbie and Ryder had one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve seen. They knew what they wanted and went with that. Their wedding day was enjoyed 100% and never once filled with worries about their officiant, the flowers, or any of the other details that I’ve seen so many get tied down with. When I started shooting that day Bobbie was so relaxed as she sat in the stylist’s chair. She was fresh out of the spa from a massage and didn’t have a thing to worry about, which I think is what most brides hope for at the point in their wedding planning. Meanwhile, upstairs in the the groom’s suite, the guys were joking around, laughing, and throwing back a couple Coors Lights (what else would you expect from Colorado boys?).

The relaxed theme had begun much earlier in the trip and carried through all the way through the ceremony, right to the end of the trip. I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever gone back home from shooting a wedding 100% more relaxed than when I left. I guess the massages and beach might have helped.

The entire week we spent down there was a testament to the support that Ryder and Bobbie have surrounding them.

When in Rome, right?!

The resort photographers had dibs on Bobbie and Ryder following the ceremony, so we met up a couple mornings later to do a Day After Session.

Congratulations again Ryder and Bobbie!

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It may be 2010 in the real world, but in my little blog world I still have lots to post from 2009. I find it so crazy that it has been 10 years since all of the Y2K worry, and even more how much has changed in a short 10 years. 10 years ago I was just discovering the freedom that being 16 and having a driver’s license could bring. I thought that life was incredibly hard and full of stress, if only I had known how easy it was. It is hard to believe that over the last decade I met some of my best friends, graduated from high school and college, moved enough times to make me never want to do it again, had my heart broken a couple times, went through some rough patches, met and married the man of my dreams, started my own business and found so much happiness. It really feels like all at once 2000 was a lifetime ago and a minute ago. I’m sure in 2020 I’ll have a million new memories to add to the list, and feel the exact same way.

A little note to anyone waiting on an email or call back from me, today is my first day back after about three weeks off. I’m slowly working my way through my inboxes so keep an eye out!

Now, to kick off 2010 right, with a blue eyed little boy who has grown an absolute TON since we shot these!

These eyes will break many girls’ hearts.

This could quite possibly be one of my favorite images ever. There is something just so timeless about Hudson and his mommy.

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I should probably start this post off by saying that the search party can finally be called off. Let this post be proof that I am still alive and kicking. The holiday season this year just had to be prioritized over my blog for a little bit. Luckily, just in time for Christmas break I am back!

I couldn’t really think of a better way to kick off my return tour than to get to brag up one of my couples and show proof of their awesomeness. About a month ago I received an email from Amanda asking if it would be okay to post a wedding image on J.Crew’s website. Her dress was from J.Crew (absolutely stunning by the way) and throughout her planning process she kept in touch with one of the ladies who had helped her through the ordering process. So, of course I said to run with it, and I have to say it is pretty cool to see one of my images up on a national site, and even more up on a site that I might have a bit of an addiction to.

To check out The J.Crew Wedding Album click here. Their image is in the bottom right portion of the page and you’ll be able to see the ALM logo to pick it out.

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