ZumaPhoto » Bridals (& Groomals)

Sara and Micah Groomals | ZumaPhoto

Logan — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:31:02 +0000

Sara and Micah were such a delightful couple to work with. Though they met in China and their courtship has traveled around the world, they had their wedding here in Utah where both of their families are from. We took their bridals a few weeks before the wedding at La Caille, the prefect setting for the antique/vintage look that Sara was looking for. Her dress was an original Modern Trousseau, and she purchased it from the lovely ladies at Alta Moda Bridal. Micah’s amazing suit was actually custom made in China where the couple met. I think his suit matched her dress perfectly, and I couldn’t stop telling them how much I loved them side by side. Sara’s Bridal bouquet was beautifully crafted by Every Blooming Thing.

Becky & Justin’s Groomal Slideshow

Heidi — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:50:55 +0000

I met up with Becky & Justin at the historic McCune Mansion for their ‘groomal’ session!

For the uninitiated, a ‘groomal’ is like a bridal session where the groom comes along to participate. Its sort of a combination of an Engagement and Bridal session.

We had a great time and they asked us to put together a little slideshow for them to show at their reception. Now its time to share! Thank you Becky and Justin for letting me document your special day – I had a fabulous time!

Becky & Justin
March 29, 2011

Heidi Ann Joins the Zuma Team!!

Heidi — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:01:30 +0000

It is with great pleasure and pride that I announce that Heidi Ann has joined us here at ZumaPhoto! Those familiar with Heidi’s previous work through Retrospect Studios already know what a singular talent she is. And for those of you who are not yet familiar with her work – well, you’re in for a treat!

Heidi’s brings a fashion-inspired aesthetic to bridal photography – ‘Bridal Vogue’, if you will – and the results are dramatic…striking…and just flat out GORGEOUS! The addition of her unique vision and her position as a leader in the photo community broadens ZumaPhoto‘s range to even greater heights and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome her to her new home. Read on for a few samples of her work!

This is Heidi.

And below is just a sample of her stunning work.
Be sure to check out her bio and complete portfolios on her profile page.

Noelle’s Bridals on The Salt Flats | Utah Wedding Photographer

Mitch — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:54:40 +0000

CONGRATUALTIONS to Noelle & Garzhai who done tied the knot this weekend at the Grand Hall at The Gateway.

That means that I’m finally free to share Noelle’s high-concept (well….middling-concept, anyway) bridals!

We lugged ourselves, some furniture, and one 1950′s-era vacuum cleaner out to the Bonneville Salt Flats for a bit of high-key fun in the desert.

I really enjoyed this session, Noelle. Big thanks to you, your mom AND your sister for putting up with my ‘creative conceits’.

So this was my sort of satire of 1950s domestic roles.
Noelle’s mom wasn’t really into it, but she put up with it and was a good sport.
Besides – I lugged the vacuum out there and it WASN’T to clean the place up.

Noelle ordered this triptych as a 12×30 canvas gallery wrap. Gorgeous!
I couldn’t stop looking at it during the reception.
Is it tacky to be in love with one’s own work?

Indian Groomal Session | Kavitha & Fred | Utah Photographer

Mitch — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:19:11 +0000

Kavitha & Fred’s AMAZING Indian wedding is in queue for Monday morning’s post, so be sure to come back for that.

To tide you over until then, here is a little teaser – their über-fun groomal session up Big Cottonwood Canyon!

Thanks K&F!

Enjoy, and see you on Monday!

Utah State Capitol and Salt Lake City Library Groomals | Leah + Dean | ZumaPhoto

Logan — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:33:10 +0000

We took Leah and Dean’s Groomal portraits at the Utah state capitol and at the Salt Lake City library. It was a gorgeous spring morning and Leah was just stunning in her bridal gown from Alta Moda. As we were shooting at the capitol, a tour bus full of Japanese tourists stopped and came in for a tour of the historic building. The moment Leah stepped into the spotlight beaming down from the rotunda, every tourist’s camera was lifted up and 50 flashes began twinkling as they all snapped some shots of the beautiful bride on the marble stairs. It was a pretty funny moment for all of us. Thanks Dean and Leah! You two are so so great!

Bonneville Salt Flats Groomals | Christina + Roger part l | ZumaPhoto

Logan — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:30:59 +0000

I have been so so excited to post this groomal session. Ever since I met with Christina and Roger last fall, I have been looking forward to this session. Together, we came up with some really great ideas, including fire-lit chinese paper lanterns that would be released floating into the sunset. Well the wind was so so strong that the paper didn’t survive even being opened up. I really wanted to do the lanterns so we have since had another shoot specifically for the lanterns. So check back to see those soon!

Even though the lanterns didn’t quite work, Roger and Christina had some other props that were so fun and striking. And they brought their fantastic four-legged friend Peanut! He was so excited to run and run and run. He was a challenge to photograph but I love what I got!

Sometimes I like to do jumping shots if the couple is into it. Roger’s family has a history of jumping family portraits, so we made sure to have fun with the whole idea.

We also spent some time near Capitol Hill and downtown Salt Lake City. I love the contrast of the city with the nothingness of the salt flats. I would have to say this Session falls within my top 5 Groomal sessions. Thank you so much Christina and Roger! I am so excited for your wedding and all of the great plans you have for the big day!

La Caille Groomal Portraits | Michelle + Aaron | ZumaPhoto

Logan — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:30:50 +0000

I had such a lovely groomal session with Michelle and Aaron. With all of this wet weather we have had the past couple months, we were lucky to have a one day window of gorgeous weather between two big storms. At least all this moisture makes everything green and lush and healthy. La Caille was the perfect setting for Michelle and Aaron’s groomals, it was exactly what they were looking for. The two are such a handsome couple, don’t you think? Every time Michelle looked at Aaron, her whole face just lit up. I really didn’t need to give them much direction for the portraits, as long as they held onto each other, they both just glowed and were so comfortable in each other’s arms. Thanks you two! I had a blast and I am so so pleased with the photos we got. And thanks Stacy for assisting me! You are a terrific reflector holder!

Great Salt Lake Bridal Session | Tori

Mitch — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:03:11 +0000

So last week when I was braggin’ on the WPPI print awards I made mention of the fact that I never got around to blogging about Tori’s fabu bridal session out at Saltair on the Great Salt Lake last May.

I threatened to do a proper post about it. Now I’m makin’ good on the threat. Bub.

Please to enjoy!

So here is the print that won the award just to jog your memory.

Looking at these its hard for me to believe just how nervous Tori was.

I mean, Tori is beautiful. Hell, she’s stunning!
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that she’ll be comfortable in front of the camera.
Part of my job is to get clients to really feel that I’m on their side -
to trust me, even in a situation that might initially feel awkward.

It took a few practice set-ups with me showing her a couple of the shots on the back of the camera
to ease her mind and build her confidence but eventually I was able to say:

‘So….do you trust me? I promise I won’t make you look stupid. You ready to rock this?!’

She took a deep breath and said ‘OK’, and she was awesome!
I was able to get this great range of expression out of her.

It probably didn’t hurt that she had her two best friends with her.

Or that they had wine just in case….

Yeah….I have a rough job.
But somebody’s got to do it.

Thank you, Tori!
I’m so excited about your album!

- Mitch

WPPI ‘Accolade of Excellence’ Prints | Salt Lake City Photographer

Mitch — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:50:03 +0000

Just a quick little brag that I forgot to mention…

Every spring, tens of thousands of wedding and portrait photographers from around the world descend upon Las Vegas for the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International convention. One of the highlights is the 16×20 print competition. The competition is notorious for the exacting standards and crazy attention to detail of the judges, for the world-class quality of the entries, and for the sheer number of entries from around the world. Let’s just say this particular competition has some street cred.

I am honored to be able to share with you that two of my prints attained an Accolade of Excellence award this year and I am nothing short of humbled when I look around at the company I am in.

The first is of my gorgeous bride Tori, taken last summer.

Actually I don’t think I ever blogged this session… stay tuned, perhaps.

SmugMug presented me with a metal print of this for helping them out a bit at the show and it is just
S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!

If you’ve never seen a metal print, this is a great image to start with.
Drop by the studio and take a gander sometime.

Tori

–/–

The second awardee is from my Aussie lovely, Dana.

The full session is here.

Thanks for looking, and THANK YOU to my beautiful, fun, flexible clients for rolling with my madness!

- Mitch