Rollins Pass Nederland Colorado Engagement Session
Mercie & Dan’s Engagement Session | Rollins Pass Nederland, Colorado | Mountain Engagements | Apollo Fields
As night gave way to day, rays of sunshine swept away the shadows on the trees, lifting golden purples and greens to contrast with the muted blue sky. The morning chill still lingering in the air brought our breaths and bodies closer together as our reflections shivered upon the reservoir’s still surface. Movements warm our bodies just as emotions stir our souls; and there’s always that one look during these engagement sessions that reveals this inward dance in the eyes of our couples—a sort of intimate revelation—that leaps from their irises like the first light over a dark horizon.
Mercie and Dan were first set up in high school and their relationship still shines with an optimistic and exuberant young energy. Bolstered by their strong and confident characters, it’s hard not to be enamored by the story of how Mercie asked Dan to prom by spelling it out in sushi at Dan’s first experience with the Japanese culinary tradition. Cuter still is how Mercie doubled down on this romantic gesture when asking Dan to marry her! (If that doesn’t immediately make you think of a scene in a romantic comedy I don’t know what does.) Their happiness during their engagement shoot in Nederland was as palpable as the smiles on their faces. Kind of like what Dan said about the first time she told Mercie she loved her (at prom), “[the words] just sort of fell out of my face.”
Bearing witness and documenting relationships like Mercie and Dan’s is just one of the many reasons why Heather and I love running Apollo Fields. Whether it’s the privilege of connecting with such loving people, or appreciating a love in an idyllic yin-and-yang, conditional-meeting-unconditional balance that serves as a reminder for Heather and I’s own symbiotic relationship, or perhaps the most practical and paramount point— what these photos mean to them. Around every corner of every moment of these engagement sessions are parts of life to be appreciated. We promise to never to forget that. For our sake—and for Apollo Fields’ sake.
Mercie and Dan aren’t sure where or when they are going to get married, but we hope to be there. They’re moving to California in a couple months and we’d follow them coast-to-coast, hell maybe even continent-to-continent if they asked us. We’re so excited for them to start this next journey together and know that they have all of the support they will ever need.
Sometimes in life you take leaps and sometimes you take bruises. “You learn to figure things out,” Mercie said, “I am who I am through trial and error.” I believe that the freedom to explore the world inside and outside ourselves is the key to finding enduring happiness and supportive partners. By staying close to home, or refusing to acknowledge the movements of the emotions inside our bodies and minds, our worldviews become myopic and close-minded. Learning to take risks and choosing to be brave opens an entire world of experiences, so if you’re looking for that little push—just remember—that first light is just on the other side of the dark horizon.
Here’s to you Mercie and Dan!
Colorado Engagement Photography:
Colorado Wedding Photography | Apollo Fields
What's In My Camera Bag (That's Not Camera Equipment): Capturing Smiles Instead of Stresses
A little behind-the-scenes of me attaching the sleeves to a wedding dress in the midst of photographing my bride getting ready.
Being a wedding photographer doesn't necessarily mean shooting pictures throughout the whole day.
It means getting the shot no matter what it takes.
Sometimes that means putting the camera down for a second to help my brides get into their wedding dresses. Sometimes it's folding pocket squares, opening bottles of wine, showing them where to sign their marriage certificates, or bustling a train. The reality is, I am with my couples all day, and very much so on the front lines of whatever action takes place. Weddings have a way of bringing out the best and worst in people – emotions are high, sometimes there is family tension, a lot of opinions, and various moving parts.
My job is to take beautiful and compelling pictures.
It is also to make sure that my couples feel excited, at ease, and most of all PRESENT in the moment. The day goes by so quickly, and it is easy to get wrapped up in greeting guests, checking on the caterer, and obsessing about timelines. Now, I am by no means a wedding planner. I am not a day-of coordinator. And I have no intentions of ever becoming one... but sometimes the planners are busy doing their jobs and situations arise. In those moments, it's about serving my couple. Sometimes that means taking pictures and sometimes that means lending support to keep things running smoothly, camera-in-hand.
The Importance of Hospitality...
I've worked as a bartender while building my wedding business cause you know, girl's gotta eat, and I do believe that it helped me become a better photographer. It has made me more sensitive to my client's needs. It could be as simple as realizing that my out-of-town couple from sea level is getting dehydrated up on top of a mountain in the Rockies and grabbing them a few waters. Basic needs sometimes go out the window when weddings are in motion and catching small stuff like that can prevent much bigger problems. It has given me a better sense of where the action is at in a busy room while only visually seeing things through my small viewfinder on my camera.
Additionally, being a great wedding photographer also means caring about your couples. So many of our clients have become friends, and this has just as much to do with the pictures themselves as it does with the ability to provide good service. It's also about empathy, understanding, and the ability to listen closely and read between the lines. Being able to put small fires out as the day unfolds is oftentimes what sticks out to couples as above-and-beyond the call of duty. It is something that really shows that we care about them as much as we care about making beautiful pictures. As a result, I always throw a few things in my camera bag to keep the day running smoothly:
What's in my camera bag besides camera equipment?
- A wine key. No, I'm not a raging alcoholic.. this is actually out of utility. I've had countless couples want to pop a bottle to celebrate or toast with, and find themselves without a bottle opener. Pulling one of these out on a whim is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and keeps the good times rolling! Also, the knife edge on them has come in handy for a myriad of non-alcohol related tasks.
- A lighter. Another crowd-pleaser! Sometimes, it is as simple as somebody wanting to step outside for a quick smoke. But mostly, I find this super helpful for staging my detail shots before the room is actually set. Venues and rental companies usually prefer to light the candles last (because they don't last that long), but I cannot wait until last minute to do my room shots and details because it is already too late. So I'll light a few candles on the table, snap the shot, and then blow them out. No hassle and no harm.
- Oil blotting sheets. Summers are hot and sometimes wedding dresses are even hotter. Nothing ruins a shot like a shiny face, but after your makeup is set, the last thing you want to do is take a tissue or cloth to your face. Oil blotters are easy, compact, and so helpful in these moments.
- A sewing kit. Why would a wedding photographer need a sewing kit? You wouldn't believe me if I told you how many dresses that I have last-minute mended! Nothing puts out a fire like being able to repair a dress right before the ceremony is about to begin. Buttons pop off, beads snag, zippers jam. Knowing how to solve these mishaps can prevent a full blown crisis in the moment.
- Bobby pins, hair spray, safety pins, small scissors, and rubber bands, fashion tape, and white duct tape. I literally wear half of these on my expodisc around my neck when I shoot! This is how frequently I find myself needing these items. Hair pops out, wind takes over, bow-ties are too big, tags need to get cut off... And the white duct tape? Let's just say that sometimes wedding dresses are more see-through than we realize and the built-in bra doesn't do the trick ;) A little square of duct tape can work wonders.
Again, stuff happens. To be able to put these fires out quickly keeps my couples happy and on schedule. If they are happy, the pictures are better. If we stay on the timeline, we have more time for pictures and we capture smiles instead of stresses.