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Wedding on Lake Champlain | Vermont Wedding Photography

Mitch — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:44:23 +0000

Stephanie & Kyle are mad, hardcore ski Gods. They coach alpine racers around the country including for the U.S. ski team and they just don’t ever get it out of their system: they even spent their ‘Honeymoon’ in the mountains of Chile teaching kids how to fall down a mountain with style! So when they decided to get hitched everyone pretty much assumed that it would take place on some mountain top somewhere. Instead, they decided to head back to Kyle’s home state to Vermont’s GORGEOUS Lake Champlain – no snow this time.

Here are a couple of video montages to help share the experience.

I’ve only been to Vermont in the winter – for yes I too have the skiing jones and its taken me to Stowe a few times. All I can say about early Autumn in that part of Vermont is WOW! The place is just astounding in its color and history. Thank you Stephanie & Kyle for giving me an opportunity to explore it a bit.

I had one entire morning to myself and this first video shows some of my impressions of the area en route from Burlington to
Basin Harbor the day before the wedding, and the gang that I found relaxing by the lake when I got there.

And here’s the wedding day itself at the Basin Harbor Club on the shores of Lake Champlain.

Again, thanks to Stephanie & Kyle, and their wonderful families and friends who made me feel so welcome.

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!

Winter Engagements | Julianne + Weston | ZumaPhoto

Logan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:30:01 +0000

Julianne and Weston will be getting married in Salt Lake City Temple this February. So we have been venturing out into the crisp cold weather for their engagement and groomal sessions. We had such a great engagement shoot on this chilly winter day. Even in January, Utah can be such a beautiful setting for a handsome couple to take their portraits.

We started at the base of the little cottonwood canyon on the grounds of La Caille. It was an unplanned stop on our way up the canyon, so I want to thank the ladies at La Caille for letting us stop by for a few shots. We sensed a storm rolling in so we hurried up the canyon’s winding road trying to beat the snowfall. It worked for a little while. We were able to play with Tahoe, Julianne’s gorgeous golden retriever. He had so much fun romping in the snow. He liked to jump in the air and catch snowballs in his mouth! Then heading up even further, the snow really began to blow! I just love how the snowflakes look frozen in motion against their dark coats. As cold as it was, the photos are so worth it! When the cold was just too much to bare anymore, we headed back down to the valley to find someplace where the snow wasn’t quickly falling. We ended up in our studio neighborhood, Sugar House where we had a fun time with a big red chair in a cool alley.

Thanks Julianne and Weston! I loved how these turned out! And your wedding is next week! Can’t wait! L, Logan

New Print Ad Released – ‘Gracie’ | ZumaPhoto

Mitch — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:36:18 +0000

This year, we decided to do an ad in Utah Bride & Groom. It features neither bride nor groom, shows no wedding decor, no stunning vista, makes no claims to our prowess, and doesn’t really even demonstrate much by way of its own design. And while it does contain a young couple, they are distinctly relegated to the background in support of the real star…a big playful, slobbery dog named Gracie.

What up with that?

Well, it occurred to us that what we really try to do at ZumaPhoto – what really matters to us – is telling our client’s stories. And so we decided that instead of trying to convey our entire range in a single image, or mount the fool’s errand of attempting to describe what we do, we would simply share one of our client’s stories from the perspective of one of its central characters.

But does it work? We’ve gotten a few comments. One person said that it was absolutely brilliant, but then he owes me money… Others have cited madness. Or simply a lack of judgment. And then there are those who have pointed out that those three are not necessarily mutually exclusive. But the thing that we’re hearing from people with greatest frequency is that the ad makes them…happy. I’m good with happy.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Wedding at The Canyons Resort | Allison & Drew | ZumaPhoto

Mitch — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:18:20 +0000

UPDATE: We’ve been re-published on Utah Bride & Groom’s site.
I don’t think I’ve ever been inundated with so many questions about when a wedding post would going up as I have about Allison & Drew’s! Ever since I posted their engagement session (with special guest, Gracie), I’ve been getting it at every turn – email, phone calls, Facebook, carrier pigeon – all wanting to know when we might see this amazing couple’s wedding day. Well, never let it be said that I don’t cave into peer pressure. Be warned though – this is easily the longest post we’ve ever done (you might want to grab a snack). So without further ado I give you Allison & Drew (and yes, Gracie) at The Canyon Resort’s mountain-top Red Pine Lodge…one of my favorite places to shoot!

In Drew’s room

…preparations…

…and a touch of liquid courage…

…while Gracie supervises, all bedecked in a fancy new collar.

And what is Gracie’s reward for putting up with all of this pageantry?

BUNNY!!!!!!

Oh, and a card. BUT BUNNY!!!!!

Meanwhile, back in Allison’s room…

Fliss and the girls start getting Allison ready.

Something borrowed, something blue, something leopard print.
There is actually a pretty entertaining sequence involving these that Utah law prohibits me from sharing with you.
You should be sure to ask Allison about them the next time you see her though.
Love ya, Allison!

Proud momma.

And then its off to the wedding site! Which, at The Canyons means…

…a gondola ride!

A brief moment to reflect at the top of the gondola.
“What does the future hold?”
“What will our children look like?”
“Did I leave the oven on?”

Stuff like that.

OK, brides – here’s a hot tip, so listen up.
If you have a young member of your bridal party – let’s say a ring-bearer…

…who is active and curious and you’re not entirely certain of his focus on the task at hand…

…it does WONDERS to bribe them for a job well done!

Letting them walk the dog down the aisle is a pretty good inducement as well.

We’re ready for liftoff!

OK, grooms – pay attention. Real men cry at their wedding. End of story.

And usually…

…everybody else does too.

Laughter is good too though.

Every Blooming Thing did the flowers and it was just gorgeous! Seriously, just jaw-dropping.
There’s a reason that they’re Florist of The Year. No, not in Utah….in the country.

Cake by Carrie’s Cakes. Perfect, in other words.

And of course there was a place for Gracie.

The toasts.

Funny…

…occasionally embarrassing…

…always heartfelt….

…and genuinely moving.

So these are their very unusual (and very cool) rings alongside Allison’s personal totem that she kept in her bouquet – her lucky bee.

First dance.

They had secretly prepared and they really kicked it up.

Which brings me to the band.

I had not had the pleasure of seeing The Sensations in action before and we were all in for a RIDE!

The Sensations bill themselves predominantly as a soul band.
But when I walk in and see a horn section, a percussionist, keys, three singers and brothers on both bass and kit, well there’s really only one thing I’m hoping for.

Funk.

You see, I grew up in the Detroit area, and one side effect of that is that I love 70′s funk.
When it comes to funk, I am a junky. Hit me on the one and you’ve got my attention. And keep your Doobie out my funk!
Have I made my point?

So when I saw them setting up I asked them off-handedly if they would be dropping some P-Funk on us (or some other feeble attempt at sounding hip).
They laughed and said that they’d see what they could do. I figured they were just making conversation, but I swear I saw a glint in Craig’s (drummer) eye…

Anyway, more on that later. For the next 3 hours Darrell, Renata and the band put everyone through their paces with DEEP renditions of soul, R&B and disco favorites.

Bandleader Darrell kept everyone motivated…

While Nick, Dan, Skip, Amp, Craig, Randy and Anthony laid down the law…

…and the law was ‘dance!’

Everyone followed the law.

Allison & Drew and company had arranged a sort of make-shift photo-booth for polaroids complete with a TON of costumes.

Allison’s bridesmaids had thought that she ought to have a special costume just for the occasion, so they bought her this really beautiful mask.

The mask started to make its rounds amongst the guests.

….and eventually bits of costume from the downstairs photo booth started to find their way to the dance floor…

…bit by bit…

…until it was basically Mardi Gras.

And then the band got into them.

And it was about that time during a song break that I heard a voice over the microphone ask
‘Hey, where’s your photographer?!! There he is! Mitch, this one’s for you!”

And they launched into a blistering rendition of Ohio Player’s ‘Fire‘ which merged into Parliaments ‘Give Up the Funk‘!

Darrell & Renata lead the crowd in their own signature dance number – ‘The Sensations Stomp’ or something like that.

After the demonstration of The Sensation’s funkmanship, Craig asked over the mic
“Is that funky enough for ya, Mitch!?”

It was. It was funky enough. Even for me.

Thanks guys!

Gracie was secretly hoping that they’d play ‘Atomic Dog‘, but she settled for petit fours.

Naturally it wouldn’t be a party if the band didn’t end up on the bar.

After the band had to say goodnight, Allison & Drew had everyone form a circle.
I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening but as the circle began to close in on itself – with ME in the middle – I had to make a quick choice!

So I hit my back in time to get some ‘under-handed’ shots of every guest doing a mass hand-huddle over my head.

I liked the movement and color on this one.

Allison & Drew – THANK YOU, to you and your families, for allowing me to be part of your extraordinary celebration, and for treating me as one of your guests.

And as always…

Good girl, Gracie!!

Puppy Love – Allison + Drew + Gracie | ZumaPhoto

Mitch — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:23:09 +0000

I just shot Allison & Drew’s phenomenal wedding this past Saturday, and as I was starting to think about bloggin’ it, I realized that you all really needed the same introduction to this crazy-in-love couple that I had a little while back – their engagement session.

I feel that the perfect engagement session isn’t just about making a couple look cool, its about revealing something about who they are. Engagement sessions generally include just two people – namely the ones gettin’ hitched – and I’m always trying to capture images that speak about their relationship. But sometimes in this big complicated world a wedding is actually about families uniting, and in those cases it really is a marriage of more than two people. In such situations I find it only fitting that all of the characters of the love story are included. Such was the case with Allison and Drew, because the other member of their family is…

…Gracie!

Yes, between the three of them this family has eight legs, four arms and one big heart.
(and a bit of a slobbering problem, but Drew seems to have gotten it under control in time to say his vows – Zzzing! )

Sometimes it takes a while for a couple to loosen up and get comfortable with expressing affection in front of the camera.

This was NOT a problem with Allison and Drew, who positively GLOWED at each other the entire session.

In fact if anything, I had the opposite problem, having to remind them more than once that yes I was still there and yes we had a job to do, thank you very much!

In fact it really was just a matter of finding new places for them to love on each other.

See – it says ‘Rock + Roll’ on the bridge there. That’s called an ‘editorial element’. Its totally clever of me. Yep, its pretty advanced stuff I’m doing here.

Ok, seriously? I thought they might die here. They had some serious speed and came within inches of stopping in front of a concrete wall at the bottom of the hill. Naturally, as a photojournalist I would have been honor bound to shoot the entire catastrophic scene through to its conclusion. And I probably would have felt really bad about that. It would depend on how good the images were.

Funny, I always thought ham came from pigs.

Thanks Allison & Drew! I love your energy and your commitment to each other!

Good girl, Gracie! Woof!