Jenny & Gary's Suffolk Wedding

I had the privilege a few weeks ago of shooting Jenny and Gary's intimate wedding in Suffolk, Va., at Vintage Tavern.

They're easily one of the most relaxed couples I've seen lately -- and madly, deeply in love. Gary's a tough-looking dude, but when it comes to Jenny, he's a big softy. Bottom line: They're an awesome couple.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from their ceremony:

We went. We saw. We ate.

While Hurricane Danielle was making waves here on the East Coast, Kristen and I were munching our way through Seattle. We headed out there to mark our fifth anniversary, albeit three months early. (She's a teacher, so we try not to travel during the school year.)

Why Seattle, you ask? Because it's new. I've never traveled on the West Coast, and we didn't feel like hitting California. Several people questioned our decision, but we heard enough good things to know we'd made a good choice. 

Now that we're back, I have this to say: Visit Seattle. 

The city is clean. The air is refreshing. The people are friendly. And it does not rain every day

We had maybe twelve hours of clouds during our five days out there. Of course, it's amazing we saw the sun at all. You see, Kristen and I travel with one thing foremost on our minds: Food. In all, we hit about 15 different eateries or places at which we could sample food. (Note: If you follow my Twitter feed or have friended me on Facebook, you would have been able to track our gastronomical adventures in real time.) I returned with a thin layer of pre-winter insulation that I now have to burn off, even though we walked more than five miles a day. 

But even if you're not a foodie, Seattle absolutely is worth the trip. It has a world-class music scene -- which we didn't get a chance to sample -- and breathtaking natural features. It's walkable, comfortable and a freaking blast.

Check out some of my favorite photos from the trip. For the ones that are food related, I put the eatery's name in the caption.

Space needle on the left. On the right, the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum -- building designed by mad genius Frank Gehry.

Me and Kristen atop the space needle.

During the Underground Tour. This is where the first floors of many downtown-Seattle buildings really is. A few of these skylights remain in the sidewalk. From below, they're clear; from above, manganese has turned them purple.

Pike Place Market.

Breakfast the first morning at Top Pot Doughnuts. Look at the size of that mama-jama!

Top Pot Doughnut.

When we got in our room at Hotel Vintage Park, the awesome concierge, Louis, had left this note congratulating me and Kristen on our fifth anniversary -- along with a bottle of wine, chocolates and fruit. That dude rules.

This is Kristen, about to dig in to the "world's best mac and cheese" at Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market. She's a big cheese fan.

This is Kristen after the first bite of said mac and cheese. Clearly, she's enthused.

The "life-changing toast" at Blackbird Bakery on Bainbridge Island. It's worth the ferry ride.

I love this shot. Clean and simple. Clear lines leading the eye to the center. I might make a print of it.

Proof (again) that photojournalism is timeless

Culling through my Twitter feed the other day, I came across a tweet from film critic Roger Ebert with a link to a collection of some of the few Depression-era color photos. I hit the link, and my jaw hit the floor.

The scenes are intensely human. And while many of them depict raw poverty, there's a closeness and fortitude to many of the subjects. Very "American." The photographers captured the strength, determination and dedication to family, country and fellow man that became a hallmark of that era.

From a technical perspective, the images hit all the marks. The compositions are pleasing, the colors are rich and the stories they show are engaging.

Simply put, I love these images. They show that thoughtfully executed photography is truly timeless. A great photo is a great photo forever. It may be decades old, but it feels alive. I'm thankful to have been reminded yet again of that by the images. You'd be doing yourself a favor to check 'em out.


I linked a few of my favorites below. You can see more on this special page on the Denver Post's website.

Enjoy!

P.S. - I wouldn't mind if someone wanted to make a huge print of the Pabst photo to hang on my wall. Wouldn't mind at all.

Audra + Chris's uber-chill Richmond, Va. wedding

Audra + Chris were married in a super-relaxed Richmond ceremony in mid July. They kicked it off with a ceremony at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Let me pause to note one thing about the pastor there: Best. Speaking. Voice. Ever. Seriously, the man could have been reading the dictionary, and I've have been enthralled.


After a few minutes mingling with guests at the church, the crew cruised a few miles down the road to Deep Run Recreation Center, a nice little venue tucked inside one of Henrico County's public parks.


Thanks to my good buddy Tom Sanderson for sending this wedding my way.

There's a story here somewhere, I'm sure. ...

And this one's just for fun. ... Two Altoids to keep the bride's breath minty fresh.

Katie and James' badass wedding in Suffolk, Va.

I had the opportunity a few days ago to shoot with another Norfolk-area wedding photographer, Nate Kinnison, for Katie and James' wedding out here in Suffolk. After the ceremony at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, we headed just up the street to Cedar Point Country Club for an absolutely awesome reception. It's always a good sign when Ben Folds' "The Luckiest" is the song for the first dance.

Here are a few quick favorites (I'm partial to the garter-toss shot, second image down):