Chenzo Photo Blog :: Wedding Photographer from Denver, CO

Pictures 2011: Image of the Year

2012-01-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

The ineluctable joy of innocence. Forever onward.

Immaculate Conception wedding pictures | Kat & Ben in Denver | 12.31.11

2012-01-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Kat and Ben married on the last day of 2011 and it couldn't have been a better farewell to one amazing year. I wish I had the superpower to photograph the same wedding twice—there were so many moments! Kat and Ben share these subtle vignettes of their relationship, like little dreams brought to real life, and it's really cute to observe them from afar. The Immaculate Conception's interior is a wedding photographer's dream (all white walls and just a beautiful passionate design), and I got lost in the eloquent corridors of the University Club, a kingdom of antique banquet rooms entombed in mahogany.

Thank you Kat and Ben for allowing me to share your wedding day with the world in my own little way. As 2012 unfolds, I hope I have the luck of working with couples that share your elegant reverence for young love. ~Chris

Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Reception: University Club
Makeup: MAC
Dress: Glamour Closet
Shoes: Joan and David
Paper: My Gatsby
Bling: Shane Co.
Cake: Lana Auten
Music: David Booker Band
2nd photographer: Ash Marie Photo

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

+ Contact Chris for 2012-13 wedding photography bookings and inquiries.+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

+ Check out recent weddings on the blog. Peace!

Pictures 2011: Weddings, People in Love, and Imperfections

2011-12-30T22:15:00.000-08:00

But the year's not done. One more day, one more wedding, one more pursuit of light, one more piece of wedding cake. And beyond that, infinity.

Christmas 2011 with the Enzaldos

2011-12-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

Every Christmas Eve, the Enzaldo family led by my dad calls up friends and family and sings "Feliz Navidad". I can't sing worth a damn, so I usually end taking pictures (photographers you know what I'm talking about).

My aunt and her family joining us. My cousin Chandler totally rocked rhythm gee-tar!

A little f/22 action for the Christmas Tree. We went lite on the presents this year because we already have everything we need.

Not a fan of faux Christmas trees, but you can't beat the bokeh bursting from the ends of those plastic needles.

Christmas Day mimosas!

Christmas Day pineapple rolls! Breakfast must be this.

White roses that Dad bought for Mom.

Good light for Lucy, my sister's dog.

Two sisters working the Christmas dinner (and dessert).

Toblerone fondue!

Hi-tech Christmas: we all missed my brother's family (they were in the mountains with my sister-in-law's family), so we video-Skyped them up. Viva la Internet! That's my niece Claire, 2 1/2 years old. "MrrryChristmassss!" she screamed. Totally cute.

And that's a holiday wrap! Coming soon: a photographic retrospective of 2011. A stupendous year in so many ways. After that, my choice for 2011 Image of the Year. Stay tuned...

Warwick Hotel wedding pictures | Lauren & Justin in Denver | 12.10.11

2011-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

Justin & Lauren totally owned their wedding day, and their friends are absolute dancemaniacs. What an amazing year for capturing happiness....

Ceremony: Most Precious Blood Church
Reception: Warwick Hotel
Hair/Makeup: Aveda Salon
Dress: David's Bridal
Shoes: Vera Wang
Bling: Shane Co.
Cake/cupcakes: Mulberries Cake Shop
Floral: Alissa Remstad, Rose Petaler
Videographer: One Billion Stories (Seth DeMoor)
Hummer Limo: On Demand Transport
Music: David Tschumper

"They're my favorite part of the whole deal." - bride (brilliant!)

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

+ Contact Chris for 2012-13 wedding photography bookings and inquiries.

+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

+ Check out recent weddings on the blog. Peace!

Autumn pictures in Colorado

2011-11-22T17:53:00.001-08:00

Already missed.

The power of cold light

2011-11-22T17:21:00.000-08:00

More soon from this Hudson Gardens wedding. Shooting happy days like these never gets old.

Boulder engagement pictures - Deanne & Adam in the autumn at Eldorado Canyon

2011-11-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

The power of autumn compels you!

Boulder engagement pictures - Kat & Ben in the autumn at Eldorado Canyon

2011-11-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Peak Week is the most amazing time of year for colors in Colorado. It's the perfect balance of fully turned yellow leaves against the rich blue October sky. And if we're lucky, it's around 55-60 degrees during the magic hour, making it comfortable for an autumn e-session in the field.

But light becomes more scarce this time of year, and next week it'll be dark by 5pm. So we photographers look forward to Peak Week all year. It's just as busy as the peak time of summer wedding season. But it's not 90 degrees out, so it's great!

Kat and Ben had such a great time during their springtime e-session that I invited them to another seasonal shoot, this time in during fall in a remote grove south of Boulder. An amazing location, thanks to Photography by Heather Gray for the suggestion. I liked the place so much I photographed two couples there in the same week. Peak Week doesn't last; and I miss it already.

Our next session? Their wedding! It's on New Year's Eve, with a fine ceremony at my favorite church interior in the city, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and reception to follow at the University Club. Very excited.

Stay tuned for more autumn color madness.

Holy Ghost Church wedding pictures | Anny & Peter in Denver | 10.22.11

2011-10-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

This Colorado wedding was all about the people. As a wedding photographer, you're allowed into a family's circle of trust built over many years, over many generations. And it's always a blast to cross paths with some past clients (total of three that day).

Church of the Holy Ghost is among the most beautiful church interiors in the entire city, and I had the dumb luck of landing the very first wedding reception for what will become Denver's next premier venue for events, the History Colorado Center. It opens Spring 2012, but Anny and Peter got us all in beforehand to test out the space. The view from the 4th floor is unstoppable. Incredibly gorgeous weather for mid-October, and perfect timing on Anny and Peter's part—amazing peak color everywhere!

Thank you both, and thank you to your families for letting me capture the day.

Ceremony: Church of the Holy Ghost
Reception: History Colorado Center
Hair/Makeup: Ahhh Mobile Spa
Dress: David's Bridal
Shoes: Benjamin Walk
Bling: Shane Co.
Cake: The Makery Cake Company
Floral: Alissa Remstad
Music: Erik Everhart at Complete Music
Catering: Continental Divine Catering

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

+ Contact Chris for 2012 wedding photography bookings and inquiries.

+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out recent weddings on the blog. Peace!

Boulder Engagement Pictures: Ben & Kat in the autumn (just a preview)

2011-10-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Prime-time picture-taking time during peak color is super-short! I went back a week later and most of the leaves were already on the ground.

Many more photos of this darling couple arriving very soon. (You can also check out their springtime e-session here. I love the contrast of colors between seasons!)

Mary Lake's Lodge wedding pictures - John & Meghan in Estes Park

2011-10-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Audrey Michel Photography for inviting me to second-shoot this amazing wedding in Estes Park, Colorado. A STUNNING location for a ceremony.

Flagstaff House wedding pictures - Julie & Bill in Boulder

2011-10-10T08:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Andrea Flanagan for inviting me to second-shoot this amazing wedding at Flagstaff House overlooking Boulder. What an exceptional venue!

Try and guess the number of wine glasses pictured in this post. The person with the closet guess wins a month of free video rentals.

Autumn rocks

2011-10-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

On the way to the Garden of Eden.

Autumn pictures in Colorado

2011-10-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

The canary-yellow burst of autumn is now the proud star of the Colorado landscape. Great swathes of glittering aspen blanket entire mountain faces like sheets of gold. They string together arid alpine mountain passes with the glossy cerulean lakes down below. Tourists and nature lovers gawk at the ancient, gorgeous sight of this kaleidoscopic change in nature.

The window of time is frustratingly short; almost a tease, a vision of a more glorious Earth belonging to a more deserved, more prescient species. This is an interesting time of year. We have survived the summer heat of the dry plains in the city; now we are richly rewarded with the third act of nature's paintbrush as it drips its concentrated yellow pigment onto the mountain forests. But only for a while. Afterwards, in a sudden ecological about-face, these trees shake off the autumn, and bow down to snow, and cold, and gray.

Whoa, I think I just channeled Carl Sagan there.

I've been driving around the Front Range and middle part of the state for the past couple weeks. Here is one picture.... more later (and in color!).

A very intriguing restroom

2011-09-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

A couple collections of wedding photos—one from Estes Park and one from Boulder—arriving very soon...

Santa Fe Arts District wedding pictures - Justin & Mary at Artwork Network in Denver

2011-08-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Extra special thanks to Brooke Trexler for inviting me to second-shoot this pretty spectacular Arts District wedding with her on Santa Fe Blvd. You have to love weddings where all pictures are taken within one city block. The setting sun was positioned perfectly and the dinner menu was beyond words.

Word.

Commons Park maternity pictures - Oscar & Angelique in Denver

2011-08-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

7pm is the new black.

Catherine Grace (my new niece!)

2011-08-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

My niece Claire's 2nd birthday, featuring a monkey cake

2011-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

They grow up so fast!

Amazing monkey cake courtesy of Sugar Bakeshop on Broadway (right by Corepower Yoga). Thanks Natalie and crew!

Dad's fresh salsa makes things interesting::

I got her some walking shoes, Adidas-style.

Guitar skillz at play. Claire already loves to dance!

And the rest of the August birthday in our family. Happy Birthday to all! Stay tuned for a new wedding, coming soon.

Summertime colors

2011-07-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Family pictures at Chautauqua Park in Boulder

2011-07-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

There are three words I have to look up every time so I can spell it right:

Albuquerque
chrysanthemum
Chautauqua

Chau-tau-qua. :)

Any other word, I can spell right instantly. I was born to spell, man.

So I met Alex more than a decade ago in college; he was the next-door neighbor of another friend, Fred, who I met in middle school almost two decades ago.

Funny how Facebook continues to connect. Alex contacted me this year to document his extended family at Chautauqua Park in Boulder. The summer light was epic. I loved the location, which I stumbled across by accident during last year's e-sesh with Hilary & Tim.

You'd miss it if you weren't looking for it. It's kind of tucked away, and I'd actually use the word 'glade' to describe it. Beautifully canopied by the giant summer trees. The sunlight speckles down to the ground. Perfect background for a family summer session.

Zolot family pictures (preview)

2011-07-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

Perfect light at Chautauqua in Boulder a couple weeks ago. Way to go, sun! One picture now, several more next week....

Eisenhower Chapel wedding pictures | Shannon & Drew in Lowry | 6.25.11

2011-07-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

A little Angry Birds before the ceremony.

Color overload the whole day.

Yeah I'll take some of that bison filet. Sure, yeah.

Six flavors on one table. Shannon & Drew know what's up.

Must perfect the focusing on steam trick.

Many many thanks to Annabelle for letting me sous-shoot this very pleasant wedding in Lowry. Vibrant couple, kaleidoscopic outfits, sweet spongy cake encased in cherry-red fondant, and the evening light was like brand-new jewelry.

Girls just wanna have fu-un (Ashley & Bob b-side)

2011-07-05T13:10:00.001-07:00

St. Catherine's of Siena wedding pictures | Ashley & Bob in Denver | 6.18.11

2011-06-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

A wholehearted Thank You to Ashley & Bob for gathering up their friends and family for a nearly flawless wedding day in Denver!

Megan and I lucked out as we lay witness to the wealth of color infused into the day, the camarderie between Bob and his colleagues, and of course the sunny joy between Ashley and her bridesmaids, many of whom I keep running into over and over again from previous weddings!

Question is, who's the next belle of the ball? :) I'm excited to find out.

Ceremony: St. Catherine's of Siena
Reception: VFW
Hair/Makeup: Jen Loser
Dress: David's Bridal
Paper: Amy Frazier
Cake: Masterpiece Cakeshop
Floral: The Little Flower Market
Music: Mark Evevard
Sous photographer: Megan Alvarez Photography

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

Yeah right!

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries.

+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out recent weddings on the blog. Peace!

Oh hi photographer

2011-06-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

Cuter in real life.

Rocky Mountain Rollergirls (they mean business)

2011-06-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

New toys

2011-06-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

My niece Claire with some new ways to have fun weeeeeeee

B-side from the baptism

2011-06-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Scenes from the baptism

2011-05-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

I love these little breaks from weddings. Especially on such a flawless Memorial Day at Light of the World Church in Littleton.

= cutie pie.

Bhut jolokia set my blog on fire (featured in Colorado Springs Independent)

2011-05-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Sick and tired of the subtle taste of Sriracha sauce? Feel the need to ingest actual fire for a decent kick of flavor these days? Here's where you need to go. The restaurant is called Zingers. Open since 2010 and already possessing a devoted following, Zingers knows hot wings. And the Colorado Springs Independent sent me over to photographically capture these wings.

There's one in particular made with the 2nd hottest chili pepper the Earth can make, the bhut jolokia from India. They call it their WTF? wings and it will completely own your sinuses with its hell-raising hotness.

I'm not even kidding. The bhut jolokia pepper is 400 times hotter than Tabasco sauce, and 3 times hotter than habañero. And these skull-clearing peppers get hotter with time. The most intense was around the 1-3 minute mark after I sampled some of this hair-singeing sauce (thanks to Danielle at Zingers for diving off the deep end with me with this taste test).

Lucky for you, I survived. And am able to show you these photos. I love food, even if it does try to set me on fire. It's a love-hate relationship through and through. Go to Zingers this weekend for lunch. FTW.

Zingers
2075 S. University @ Evans
Denver

How I celebrated the Rapture this weekend

2011-05-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

These are chocolate-banana pancakes with raspberries built-in. (Bourbon-maple syrup not shown.)

I like stacking them using fresh banana slices as support columns. The combination of these flavors enraptured me all weekend. Definitely making these again.

Boulder Engagement Pictures: Ben & Kat

2011-05-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

Kat & Ben invited me up to Boulder for a evening walk down residential alleyways just west of the Hill for their springtime engagement shoot. These alleyways revealed hidden secrets of this mysterious city: carefully sculpted backyards, vintage walls and textures seemingly perfect for pictures. Thank you Boulder! Thank you sunlight that lasted till the last drop.

And thank you Kat & Ben for showing me around and being supermodels for me. You got some serious love skillz! Our next adventure will be your New Year's Eve wedding at the Immaculate Conception and the University Club. I wish it was sooner I'm so excited for those moments. But until then,,,

~Chris

+ Email Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

Love

2011-05-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

According to my calculations, there will be more soon.

Big changes on Photographer's Row (Denver Union Station redux)

2011-04-25T19:33:00.001-07:00

For your next evening passeggiata in LoDo, walk from the Oxford Hotel on 17th St. & Wazee, towards Union Station.

Then go inside and take a look around. Then head over to the Sailboat Bridge (more officially called the Millennium Bridge, but hey it looks like a sailboat). Cross over and stroll through Commons Park. At any point during this tour, you're bound to see photographer after photographer clicking away pictures of their clients in a joyous embrace.

This is Photographer's Row. We like to graze around here.

And for good reason. These locales offer some pretty amazing backgrounds for weddings and e-sessions. Union Station hearkens back to the heyday of train travel, Commons Park is surrounded by brand-new bridges and high-rises, and the view of LoDo's skyline from anywhere on this route is unparalleled.

Back in 2008, when I was a little pup photographer with a fancy new Canon DSLR, I naturally gravitated towards Photographer's Row. Proof below, from my very first engagement session::

Notice the LightRail parking lot, the open access to the train platforms. That was then...

...this is now (courtesy of DUSPA)::

Not ideal for photo shoots, no sir! But hey gang, it's okay. The city is completely rebuilding this wide swath of land into a gargantuan transportation hub. This is a huge overhaul. Check out these compelling renderings of what-will-be, from Denver Union Station's website::

(Train Hall, with Union Station at right)

(looking south on 17th St, towards Union Station)

This looks super-exciting! Lightrail, buses and commuter will congregate here. The Train Hall's canopy is designed to preserve unobstructed views of Union Station and downtown. It also reminds me of DIA's trademark white canopy top (will Denver just be The City of White Canopies in the-not-too-distant future?).

Public spaces and gardens, elevated train tracks, wow. Union Station will morph into a 21st-century wonder of engineering and transport. Our future children will grow up with memories of its sleek, eclectic angles. And I'm gonna be the first kid on my block to shoot an engagement session here.

I just have to wait... until spring 2014.

Happy Merry Easter

2011-04-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

I've missed you (Denver Botanic Gardens in the spring)

2011-04-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

WARNING: major flower overload below. From the Denver Botanic Gardens, in the sharp sparkle of spring.

"I said no close-ups!"

And exhale. I'm going back for more! Who's with me?

Inspiration

2011-04-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not usually one for re-inforced inspiration (I've learned that I'm more of a fan of Nike's motto "Just Do It"), but this compilation of Will Smith's dedication to craft and action gets me every time.

Every single time!

Energized yet? Go get it. Me, I'm off to a birthday party. Sushi-ramaaaaaa!! What's your favorite sashimi? Mine is tako. I love to love it, and I love that everybody hates it.

Shoes (and more shoes)

2011-04-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

You know it, you love it. Each and every way.

From Mariarosa & Paul's wedding in City Park

From Hilary & Tom's wedding at St. Thomas More

From David & Shannon's wedding at Cherokee Ranch / Tweet Kimball's Castle

From Dana & Micah's epic wedding at The Manor House

From Matt & Leslie's wedding at the Oxford Hotel (my very first)

From Stephen & Teresa's wedding at the Boathouse in Wash Park

From Stephanie & Nick's wedding in Bozeman, Montana

Taken by Stephanie Brauer, one of my favorite colleagues in the state! Thanks for the behind-the-scenes.

+ Email Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

Rockies vs. Dodgers (baseball is back)

2011-04-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

One of the more vivid memories of my childhood back in East L.A. (say it with the Cheech & Chong accent, go on) was watching my dad jump up and down in joyous excitement as Kirk Gibson of the LA Dodgers ran from plate to plate during his historic home run against the Oakland A's in the 1988 World Series. With a broken arm, even.

The names of those Dodgers stuck around for a long long time.

Kirk Gibson.

Steve Sax.

Tommy Lasorda.

Fernando Valenzuela (which I'll never forget because my dad's name is Valente)

I'd always hear my dad say, "Tonight, Valenzeula's going to peetch!" in his Mexican accent. (Even in 2011, he still says "Dah-yers").

So baseball has been intricately woven into my life. I even played for two years! Check it, yo::

(the legendary shortstop Chris Enzaldo, 1987-88 Toronto Blue Jays of L.A. Little League)

I think I hit the ball a couple times.

Then I discovered ice cream and got fat. We moved to Denver when I was 10, so my juvenile loyalty to the Dodgers waned and gave rise to a new team. Of a new sport, actually. The DENVER BRONCOS. Denver didn't get a national baseball team until 1993; and since then, I guess I'm now all about the Rockies.

The season started last week, and my old team the Dodgers wasted no time flying in to play my new team, the Rockies. Some scenes::

Rockies win! Let's keep it that way. Wanna hit up a Rockies game / photo safari at Coors Field this summer? Look me up!

Free day at the Denver Art Museum

2011-04-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you Target and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.

To shift, or not to shift

2011-03-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

This is my faux tilt-shift treatment of Cherokee Ranch near Sedalia, CO (via some Lightroom antics). Sorta looks like a miniature model, no? And it got me thinking of how I could be using tilt-shift lens during certain situations.

And not only for weddings. The t-s fad is certainly the fad of choice among wedding photographers now; and like with all fads, they fade. F-a-s-t. One person popularizes it because he does it really well. The herd copies him because it looks cool. Thing is, it's so easy to make it look bad.

Tilt-shift group portraits today is what texture layers were in 2008. Already in 2011, adding layers of textures onto a romantic, sweet image looks dated. It takes a very subtle touch to make the original picture look that much better, because the greatness in an image was laid in stone the moment the photographer clicked that shutter. (Which is why now, any textures you see in wedding photography is super-subtle, like microscopic traces of sand, and that's it.)

Spontaneous thought: will photography eventually run out of optical illusions and chromatic gimmicks? I mean, will someone have to introduce ultraviolet photography into their wedding collections in order to separate from the herd? This makes the future of photography really exciting.

For now, with some adventures I have coming up in the next few weeks, a little tilt-shift action will work nicely. Nothing new for the industry, but new for me. Stay tuned.

And spring is back

2011-03-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

And so is color. This gets my camera excited. Just think, millions of tulips are being circulated all over the world in bunches and boxes.

The freeze is over. Nature is back. And the photons your eyes are soaking in just got a whole lot more interesting.

Mom & Dad

2011-03-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Moments before trekking over to Lola Restaurant for some pretty amazing enchiladas, I snapped a few pictures of mom and dad. My practical side comes one from one, my unhindered creativity from the other.

Spring is near...

2011-03-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

My niece Claire at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2011-03-06T10:37:00.000-08:00

Mariarosa & Paul's wedding book design

2011-03-01T16:52:00.001-08:00

The warm(er) temperatures here in Denver this time of year (lower 60s yeah!) have me thinking of the upcoming spring and summer days. Here's a recently completed book design, this one coming from Mariarosa & Paul's incredible City Park wedding last year . Enjoy it.

(on Google Reader? Click here to see.)

Again super mega-thanks to Beth at Fries the Moment Design for designing my wedding books. Looking forward to another great year, you know it yo.

+ Email Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

It's going to be one colorful year

2011-02-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

The dreary ways of winter have made me appreciate the summer spectrum that much more.

Bring it.

+ Email Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

Zack Arias on CreativeLIVE, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Working with Flash

2011-02-26T16:08:00.000-08:00

I've always had a desire to learn how to use flash in my photography. The underexposed, deer-in-the-headlights flashed up group portrait got really old, really fast.

Natural light can be fun (and I prefer it), but when I have to capture the awesomeness of a joyous wedding reception indoors, it's totally worth investing in flashes and off-camera flash systems to take my images to the next level. With the sun down, I'm free to create my own light and place it anywhere I want to.

Learning how to use flash isn't the easiest learning curve. Most of all, I really wanted to know the relationship between ISO and aperture, shutter speed and flash power. When should I use E-TTL, when should I use manual? How does change in aperture affect the exposure? What are the best settings if you need to conserve battery power? All that stuff I couldn't really wrap my head around, until now.

Zack Arias has a quantum grasp on lighting, specifically when used in controlled settings like studios. Even better, he teaches it in such a way that even I can understand in his 3-day Studio Lighting Workshop on CreativeLIVE. I learned so much about flash and light modifiers from these sessions.

CreativeLIVE is based in Seattle, but it flies in top-shelf photographers from all over the country to host a workshop that can be seen all over the world through their website. It's such a great resource for photographers who want to 'attend' a workshop, but either don't have the funds to experience one, or if the workshop isn't headed to their city anytime soon. The workshop sessions are viewable on their website, or you can download them as videos. So easy and accessible! Buy Zack Arias' workshop if you want to take your flash photography to the next level. So worth it.

Saguaro cactus

2011-02-26T14:31:00.000-08:00

Cactus fascinates me. All my life I've lived around vegetation that generally gets more than .01 inches of rain per year, and cactus seems to thrive in the driest climates on the planet. Here's the iconic saguaro cactus::

There were so many cactus in the area, they looked like motionless beacons left by an alien civilization:

Some barrel cactus, I believe::

And the prickly pear cactus::

Not sure if this organ-pipe or saguaro cactus, but I do know that city beyond is Tucson, AZ::

Love the one you're with

2011-02-13T12:01:00.000-08:00

Veddy fahshionable wahddings

2011-02-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

This is probably what my clients are doing this time of year. 20 years old and it's still fa-reaking hiliarious.

How I capture macro images, without a macro lens

2011-02-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

Here's how I get that macro look when taking pictures of wedding rings, without actually shooting with a macro lens. I'm saving up for the new-ish Canon 100mm f/2.8 L macro lens (which looks completely awesome), but until then, I use this "faux-macro" technique to capture sweet pictures of the wedding rings, and details that have tons of... detail.

Ingredients:
1) DSLR with interchangeable lens mount (I use a Canon 50D).
2) a zoom lens that goes from wide-angle to telephoto (I use the 17-55mm, or 17-85mm).
3) File size should be set to the max resolution (on the 50D, it's 4700x3300 or thereabouts).
4) Set the focus on the lens to manual.
5) If you have a lens hood attached, take it off (it might actually block the light).

(I'll use the 17-85mm lens here as an example).

Okay.
1) Zoom your lens all the way in (that is, 85mm).
2) Adjust the focus ring all the way to the minimum focusing distance (that is, the opposite of infinity). It might actually say "Macro" on the lens itself here.
3) For your exposure settings, have a high aperture (f/8 or more) and a shutter-speed fast enough to prevent blur (like 1/200sec or faster).
4) Now, see how close you can get to the subject until it's in focus. You'll find that you can get in pretty close. Fill the frame as much as you can without ruining the composition or losing focus on the subject.
5) Take the picture.

Since you're really close, though, and you're not auto-focusing, you might have to take several pictures to get one that's tack-sharp. I use a high aperture because at that proximity, a low aperture will make just the very tip of the ring in focus and the rest way out of focus. With a high aperture, you'll have more in focus.

Now even with these settings, you'll see that the ring still doesn't take up the whole space in the picture. You need an actual macro lens for that. So here's where you crop. Remember, you had your file size set to the max setting, so the pixels are more forgiving when you crop in, even a lot. The image would look more pixellated and un-natural if you had your file size smaller.

I'm sure there are macro options on point-and-shoot cameras, and you can get something similar without pro gear, but if you want control of all your options, then DSLR is the way to go.

Now go get it.

Canon 50D, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM at 55mm
1/500sec @ f/2.8
ISO 250

Canon 50D, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM at 55mm
1/90sec @ f/9.5
ISO 500

Dreaming of summer (and free wedding cake)

2011-01-28T22:31:00.000-08:00

It was nearly 65 degrees in Denver today (almost a record), and it got me thinking of how exciting the thought of summer can be in the deepest mid-winter. Except it wasn't mid-winter on this winter's day, it was like springtime. Which makes me think of summer colors. And summer adventures. Lots of them.

See, in Denver, the months of January thru early April-ish are officially sponsored by two colors: brown and gray. And unless you trek up to the mountains for a winter-wonderland feel, it's a unique challenge to get some colorful nature backgrounds in the city.

You implore your client to bring the fuschia-infused scarf, and you explore the urban kaleidoscope in LoDo for the striking background you want. But the emerald-green foliage of summer, yes. The slow-motion sunsets of summer that seem to sing gold. Yes, that's the ultimate time for photos.

I also miss the free artisanal wedding cake. Summer can't come soon enough.

Embrace joy

2011-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Embrace joy.

And dinosaurs. Happy Sunday.

How I deliver your images

2011-01-16T13:50:00.000-08:00

I remember how completely elated I was when I got my first CD/cassette stereo. Yes, it played both CDs and tapes. Like whoa. And the sound blew me away. I played Morphine pretty loud and my parents noticed. I can remember the sound of the CD starting to spin, and the sound of the laser-eye thing moving to play the first track.

I think I was 16. This was in 1995, when the following didn't exist:

+ iTunes
+ iPod
+ Amazon.com (it launched later that year, though)
+ and in my world, the internet

I kept that stereo all through college, playing my CDs an untold number of times. (Same thing went for DVDs. The first DVD I bought was Cast Away, in 2003.)

So much has changed in the past decade of tech that it's necessary to plan for the future when dealing with computer stuff. I've learned to "buy for the future". In my world of photography, file sizes are getting bigger; and the more weddings I shoot, the faster my hard drives fill up with photos.

As a photographer, I have to think how my client will be able to access their wedding photos, say, 5-10 years down the road. Just because they want to.

So I'm modifying the way I deliver my images to the client. While DVDs are popular and very usable, I think they'll go the way of the floppy disk. People stream movies online now. They download music. I literally haven't purchased a compact disc in a jewel case wrapped in cellophane in probably five years.

But I still need something tangible, and stylish. So I've decided to upgrade to USB flash drives...

They've been around for years, but I think they'll remain in the near future as one of the more reliable vehicles for data transfer. Some advantages of USB flash drives::

+ Flash drives have no moving parts and don't add unnecessary movement inside your computer, like DVDs.
+ A flash drive can't get scratched or besmudged with fingerprints, and is harder to break than discs.
+ Most PCs and Macs have USB ports.
+ Flash drives can hold a lot more data than a DVD.

Often, my collection of wedding + engagement images need multiple DVDs, so I'm thrilled to have it all in one place now. Transferring files takes less time than burning on several discs, which had labels that sometimes hindered usability in my client's computer (especially self-printed labels, bad first-hand experiences on that note).

Plus, if I forget to add some pictures, I can just remount the flash drive and add them. I don't have to burn a new disc.

Flash drive is easy. Put pictures on drive, send to client, they mount on computer, and they transfer.

Most importantly, my presentation can still be stylish and branded. The flash drive and its box is personalized with my company colors and logo. And they're bedazzled with my clients' names and wedding date.

The box is just big enough to make a statement, but just small enough to keep in a box of wedding memories (like with their wedding book) without taking up too much space.

So glad this has made the experience so much better! Interested in knowing more about your wedding photography experience? Click below.

+ Email Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

Goal: to concentrate

2011-01-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

Details can be shy at times. Almost standoff-ish. They're like cats, actually. Gain their trust with patience, and then you can take the shot.

Introducing wedding books (Part 1 of 3)

2011-01-11T20:04:00.000-08:00

When you invest in your wedding photographer, you're also investing in the future. So much goes into the wedding day, but so little actually physically stays with you after the fact. The cake is sliced up for guests, the tuxes are returned, and have you seen how fast they clear those reception tables, like whoa.

That's why you want your photographer to offer wedding books. I mean custom-designed, custom-tailored books that feature the most important pictures of your day. Digital files on your computer is one thing; an actual physical book telling your story is so much more.

The first of three books included in my collections is the Lustre Book, a genuine leather-bound book with heavy cardstock lustre-finish pages that lie flat. It's pretty amazing. Here's the 12x8" leather book for the client, with two duplicate 9x6" books for the parents::

This is one of a couple options for the cover design::

The photos are printed continuous across the spread. No gap that disrupts the photo:

This is actually the first time I saw my pictures printed on this new lustre stock, and I was pretty satisfied (think of it as halfway between matte and glossy).

Confession: I really didn't want to actually give it to Stephanie & Nick because I liked the book so much. They got married this past July in Bozeman, Montana and I love how we worked the big sky and trees into the design::

*I actually did end up delivering their books, but I got samples for myself to show future clients. Really happy with this first go.

I make the process of getting these books from computer screen to coffee table very very simple and easy for my clients. Trust me, a wedding book is totally worth the investment! Want to know details? Click below.

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

Pictures 2010: Image of the Year

2011-01-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

Going through my favorite pictures of 2010, I didn't really have a clear frontrunner that *defined* my growth as a photographer last year. Not like last year. Then it hit me:: "It's not about the best photo, silly."

So right. Instead, I picked a picture that I've gone back to again and again over the past few months, and every time I was like, "Wow, I love that look. I love the spontaneity of the moment. All of the elements harmonized."

I love the bride's gaze. Her eyes just stunned me, so I stepped aside and concentrated on her eyes while she waited for her soon-to-be-husband to join her on the bench outside of the church.

I like how this picture is decently exposed. I like the contrast of shadows and highlights. Her dress and her hair just rocked the whole wedding day. The placement of people in background could have been better, but it's not about that here. It's the feeling. Sometimes stepping out of your own expectations for a minute can be so rewarding.

(More pictures from this wedding here.)

I still have mucho mucho to learn with finding more of these moments during a supercharged, sometimes hectic, wedding day. But I'm learning more and more how to be both outside of the frenzy and within it. I'm excited to explore that bubble even more this year as a photographer. So here's to it!

Tech::
Canon 50D
Canon 85mm f/1.8
1/200sec, f/2.8
ISO 800

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is only a year away.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.

Pictures 2010: Weddings, People in Love and Dreams in Color

2011-01-01T22:22:00.000-08:00

There is something of the whimsical in a marriage of color and form. These designs trace back billions of years to the birth of time, when they simmered in a black bath, when the concept of a line was only a dream.

Now, we are confounded by the wide-eyed mischief of a light-obsessed being. I am a photographer, and I explore the relationships of light and shadow as they dance beyond me. I've come to know there are purple lyrics in an orchid; I know I can find the measureless undercurrent of a mutual gaze.

When I take your picture, I look for the liquid qualities of light, and the colors that paint the world. Some moments are touched up with tints of orange, yellow and jewel-fire red. I've become familiar with blue hues—raw winter blue, beach-party summer blue. Summer green is king of the jungle. The burst of autumn orange is more mysterious than any spring mauve. Indigo is fleeting. Purple is attractive, rich and lusty. Green revels in subterranean rarity, and yellow in a rare drop of honey.

The camera is more a kaleidoscope than machine. Our tool remains simple in its brilliance. How else could you view the world through someone else's eyes so easily, than through pictures?

The cover image to Dana and Micah's wedding book, from their Manor House wedding::

The cover image to Stephanie and Nick's wedding book, from their Bozeman wedding::

High-energy dance party at Anand and Lindsey's wedding::

Last picture taken at Hilary and Tim's wedding::

From Anand and Lindsey's urban e-session::

The Oval Wedding::

Stylin and profilin at Mariarosa and Paul's City Park wedding::

Candy a-go-go at Krista and Micah's Space Gallery wedding (I still think about that grape licorice)::

Favorite picture from Courtney's family shoot at Wash Park::

Some things I learned this year:

+ Style is borne out of intent.
+ Fear is the bitch of laziness.
+ Back-button selective focus is the key.
+ Flash will be your best friend if you let it.
+ Silence is golden if you want the scene to unfold.
+ MST3K is excellent background noise for editing.
+ Even light is good light.
+ For great pictures, know thyself before knowing bells and whistles.
+ They're not kidding: PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.
+ Coopetition (cooperation + competition) will make the industry more successful.
+ 2010 was pretty amazing, and I want 2011 to be even more so. So let's get started!

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and 2012 is not too far away.
+ Check out future weddings by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Cute chocolate mouse, or cutest chocolate mouse?

2010-12-31T18:21:00.000-08:00

My Aunt Carol made these for the holidays. Food art, no?

Totally awesome total lunar eclipse 2010

2010-12-21T00:32:00.000-08:00

This is the best I could get sans tripod, sans telephoto zoom lens, of the total lunar eclipse on December 21st, 2010.

Canon 50D
85mm f/1.8
1/30sec at f/1.8 ISO 800, handheld

It was an awesome sight because you don't get to see the moon in hues other than bone-white, unless it's right above the horizon as a harvest moon, or however. I don't know what was more ominous, the shape of the moon being eaten away by the earth's shadow, slice by slice, or the dull wash of burnt-umber light that enveloped it. The copper disk contrasted with the black sky in a way I've never seen before. It looked like a penny on a black velvet blanket.

Not that I'm planning ahead or anything, but I'm looking forward, way forward, to the total SOLAR eclipse on August 21, 2017. It'll pass through the US from coast to coast (very rare path), passing through Wyoming in the afternoon. Length of total eclipse? 2 1/2 minutes. Let's just say it better not be overcast that day....

Anand & Lindsey at Immaculate Conception, Part II | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-12-19T17:29:00.000-08:00

Getting married this year at the Immaculate Conception? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! This cathedral is a pretty amazing place for photos.

Part II...

Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Reception: Temple Events Center
Hair/Makeup: Jen Loser
Suits: Andrew Fezza
Dress: David's Bridal
Paper: Amy Frazier
Cake: Jeanie Donahue
Floral: Alyssa Renstadt at The Rose Petaler
Bling: Diamond World
Dinner: Culinary Wave
Video: One Billion Stories
Sous photographer: Brooke Trexler Photography

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

The wedding party surprised us with a choreographed dance to Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, total Bollywood!

You can never tell if a crowd is going to tear up a dance floor. But these guys? They tore it UP.

Thank you both for the ultimate year-end wedding. It was an amazing weekend. Let's do it again sometime? I can't wait to hear about your India wedding this week (yes, they're doing it all over again in front of one thousand of Anand's closest friends and family in India). Again, it's all about bringing people together.

For an Extended Look at this wedding, check out the slideshow below.

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Year's Day.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Anand & Lindsey at Immaculate Conception, Part I | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-12-19T15:48:00.000-08:00

Getting married this year at the Immaculate Conception? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! This cathedral is a pretty amazing place for photos.

Some weddings you wish you could photograph again and again, like going to a movie and liking it so much you stayed in the theater to watch the next showing. Anand & Lindsey's wedding was a cornucopia of moments, colors, surprises and connections. What an incredible event.

Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Reception: Temple Events Center
Hair/Makeup: Jen Loser
Suits: Andrew Fezza
Dress: David's Bridal
Paper: Amy Frazier
Cake: Jeanie Donahue
Floral: Alyssa Renstadt at The Rose Petaler
Bling: Diamond World
Dinner: Culinary Wave
Video: One Billion Stories
Sous photographer: Brooke Trexler Photography

Anand was born and raised in India, so they merged some Hindu traditions into the day. The bridesmaids wore amazing malachite-hued saris laced with bright gold sequins. Some of Anand's relatives from India showed everybody how it's done.

So much color, I had black & white take the day off::

Elegance::

I was impressed with Anand's signature panache for bringing people together. Over 350 guests, most of the vendors and assistants were friends and associates; you could tell he was born to create community.

Like I said with their e-session, Lindsey takes grace and makes it her own. A spectacular bride. (And she's really resilient because it's getting pretty cold by these two shots.)

Hindu culture in the florals: roses cocooned in banana leaves.

Anand's five ushers wore sherwanis and jeweled turbans, while the groomsmen wore western suits.

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

On the other side of the basilica, the bridesmaids looked AMAZING. The emerald bindi was the perfect final touch.

When I got back to the guys, they were goofing off.

A prayer before the ceremony::

For a bride just moments before her wedding, Lindsey was amazingly composed and calm, and excited::

For interior ceremonies, the Immaculate Conception is a photographer's dream. Bright, open and spacious so you can explore the angles.

Love her look::

Choir loft access, too::

Click here to see this image super-sized::

Married!

With every photographer I meet, I ask them what's their favorite moment of the wedding day. They all say the same thing: it's the moment just after the first kiss and recessional, when the bride and groom are tucked away for a brief moment, absolutely stunned that they're now husband and wife. After months and years of planning, they did it. You do not want to miss Anand & Lindsey's Moment, and the rest of their wedding, plus a slideshow of even more pictures, all featured in Part II.

Find it here.

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Year's Day.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Anand & Lindsey | Wedding | Pre-preview

2010-12-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Anand & Lindsey, they pulled it off! What an incredible wedding. More pictures coming soon, just as soon as I finish this egg nog. December rocks!

~Chris

Christmas card session at Wash Park

2010-12-07T19:28:00.001-08:00

Fact: My niece Claire and I are both really ticklish.

Jackie & Luke at St. Thomas More Church | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-12-05T09:18:00.001-08:00

Getting married this year at the St. Thomas More this year? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! Looking forward to hearing from you.

Jackie & Luke were blessed with an uncommonly warm November day here in Denver. It was like 60 degrees outside! We lucked out. Sure, visions of sugar plums and snowy backgrounds danced in my head, but you can't beat bright sunlight and clear skies for some weddin' pictures.

Ceremony: St. Thomas More Church (Littleton, CO)
Reception: Terrace Gardens at Ken Caryl
Hair/Makeup: Skye Salon
Suits: Jim's Formal
Dress: Mori Lee
Paper: American Wedding Company
Cake: Patrick Leahy (not the senator)
DJ: DJ Guy
Sous photographer: Nichole Nichols Photography

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

Hair-on-fire effect not intentional, but I love Jackie's expression here.

You have to wonder if Billy Jean really was his lover::

Ha!

Jackie & Luke had this pretty sweet idea:: guests wrote best wishes on quilt-grade paper so they could sewn together into one big quilt.

Thank you all! Off to scout the locations for my last wedding of 2010. This will be a big one...

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Years Day.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Stephanie & Nick's book design

2010-11-30T17:01:00.000-08:00

The whole concept of wedding albums was a total mystery to me for the first year of my business. Like a black monolith of labyrinthine confusion (which company? who designs? how much awesomeness per page???). But now, I have seen the light. Wedding albums (or as I'll call them, wedding books) are amazing vehicles to propel not only my business, but also my vision as a storyteller through images.

Thumbing through 60 pages of my pictures has changed the way I photograph the wedding day. No image stands alone. Now, each image is part of a series, a string of events that tells my client's story. The whole is more than the sum of its parts.

I could design these books myself, but I just take the pictures, and I want to concentrate on this joyous part of my career. I'm so happy I have Beth Fries of Fries the Moment Design to design my wedding books. She's a stellar designer of these books and now books are very much part of my business. Best part, she's local! (Always Buy Colorado.) Thank you Beth!

Here's the first book out, from Stephanie & Nick's wedding this summer in Montana. Enjoy.

+ Contact Chris for wedding photography bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Years Day.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

All together now, awwwwwww....

2010-11-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

I can't decide if I should file this under "so cute" or "so darling". Thoughts?

More from this wedding soon. As soon as I finish these leftovers.

Anand & Lindsey at DCPA | Engagement | Denver wedding photographer

2010-11-22T22:38:00.000-08:00

Stephanie & Dane at Peace Lutheran Church | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-11-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

Getting married this year at Peace Lutheran? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! Looking forward to hearing from you.

For some, it's all about the eyes.

Many thanks to Nicole Nichols Photography for having me tag along as 2nd shooter ("the good life"). Here's her post from this wedding.

+ Contact Chris for wedding bookings and inquiries. 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Year's.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

THE pair of gloves every photographer needs in the winter

2010-11-14T09:57:00.000-08:00

Picture-takin' man in the winter? Engagement session in the tundra? Well my friend, your hands might need some protection from the cold while you're tripping that shutter button like nobody's business. This time of year it can get mighty frigid during those late-afternoon portrait sessions when the sun don't feel like being Mother Nature's softbox anymore. That's why I recommend wearing C9 Powerstretch Running Gloves found at Target for your cold weather-conditioning needs.

I love these gloves because they're form-fitting and laced with griptastic material so you can keep warm while still messing with your camera's bells and whistles.

Sleek, affordable, freaking awesome. Buy a pair today.

Feeding the giraffes with Anya at the Denver Zoo

2010-11-10T17:42:00.001-08:00

Anya is the 4 year-old darling daughter of my good friend Will (we both went to the mighty school of Colorado College). They've had a very challenging year with Anya being diagnosed with retinoblastoma. After six months of chemotherapy, Anya has proven to be one of the strongest kids I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Seriously an inspiration.

Her favorite animal is the giraffe, so her parents got connected with Kyle and Amanda at the Denver Zoo, who generously offered the family a behind-the-scenes tour of the Giraffe House and to feed these awesome animals. And I tagged along! Mucho thanks to Kyle and Amanda for allowing Anya's family and me access to a rare opportunity.

Giraffes are the best! Here's Kipele, the supermodel giraffe who liked having her picture taken::

It was kind of a privilege to go up to the feeding platform (which isn't accessible to the public), but Kyle and Amanda were nice enough to let us feed these amazing creatures some carrots and pumpkin slices. Kipele working the camera again::

And Anya was the happiest girl in the world! A great day at the Zoo.

Afterwards the family found themselves at a baseball field in City Park, and we played pretend baseball::

Homage à Max Wanger::

The family::

I've had the honor of getting to know Anya for the past three years and you can't say enough about this amazing kid. Nor can I take enough pictures. She's going places in this world and I look forward to keeping the pictures coming.

Reuer Family at Wash Park, and a duck (Denver family photographer)

2010-11-07T17:40:00.000-08:00

Courtney and I attended the same middle and high schools in Littleton way back in the late 20th century. Many years later, we reconnected on The Facebook and she was pretty psyched to have an awesome family portrait session. Our schedules finally synched up for this autumn, and we picked the perfect day in Wash Park. Courtney and Matt have the most adorable daughters. The first one here couldn't stop running around the autumn leaves.

Oh and the light was perfect.

And the duck! I love Wash Park.

+ Contact Chris for family portrait or wedding bookings and inquiries. 2010 is almost over, 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Years Day.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Jackie & Luke at Wash Park | Engagement | Denver wedding photographer

2010-11-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

Did I mention it was windy?

Chocolate-covered bacon now 2 for 2 at parties

2010-10-31T11:20:00.000-07:00

If you hang out with the bad boys long enough, you'll eventually find out about chocolate-covered bacon.

Denver Marathon, meet Chris the wedding photographer

2010-10-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

This summer I ran 400 miles (or, from Denver to Santa Fe on I-25) to attempt to finish a 26.2-mile race in one go. It happens this weekend!

I don't know why I keep running. Maybe it's because I'm too much of a sissy for any major contact sport out there. Maybe it's because I'm part Mexican-Indian, maybe it's simply because I'm human and I enjoy getting back to my roots.

Who knows.

What I do know, is that it's possible.

I'll be so glad to cross "Run a marathon" off my bucket list for this year. I'm looking forward to getting my social life back (it takes a long time to run these miles, people!). I'll be glad to have something other than RUNNING dictating my schedule. I'll be glad to fully concentrate on my business. And to be able to just enjoy the holidays.

Major props to Hal Higdon and his novice training schedule for marathons. It works perfectly for someone who's never ran more than a half-marathon. Go get it!

Autumn in Breckenridge - Anand & Lindsey's Engagement (Denver wedding photographer)

2010-10-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

At Hilary & Tim's wedding this summer, I had a feeling that when I started spying on these two with my little spy lens (Canon's 85mm f/1.8), I'd see this couple again. And it turned out that they got engaged right after, and here we are, in the midst of my favorite season of the year, taking engagement pictures before their December wedding.

Guanella Pass was closed about three miles up the winding road, so we raced the setting sun for Breckenridge, where I knew there'd be a million more yellow trees.

Anand was born and raised in India, but has spent the past twelve years in the US. He's an effervescent soul. Lindsey is a sweet gal with a beautiful grace about her (thanks for listening to me jabber on about cameras and why the leaves change color all the way up and down I-70!).

Their wedding will be one for the record books. It'll have the largest number of guests, as well as the largest wedding party ever in my career. They're taking friends-and-family to the next level. It's going to be epic!

But that's not what I'm most excited about.

On top of all that, it's going to be my first Hindu wedding. Well, a Catholic wedding with Hindu traditions woven in here and there. They are literally going to tie the knot, and there will be turquoise saris.

Oh yes.

And the ceremony will be held at a very amazing venue here in Denver; I've wanted a photograph there for the longest time. Serious colors coming my way! And yours.

More Colorado autumn madness on this here blog right quick. Stay tuned...

My Uncle the Air Force Colonel

2010-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Meet my Uncle Rod, now a retired Colonel in the Air Force. He and his family have been stationed all over the world while serving in the USAF since the mid-80s.

He flew an F-15 Eagle for years, and he's the only one in family who can take apart that plane and put it back together again. I hope that in my career as a wedding photographer, I might be able to accomplish the same thing with

Now Rod's family is living in Denver! He's starting a military-defense consulting firm, and asked me to take some images for his website. Gorgeous September evening in Denver::

Dana & Micah at the Manor House | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-08-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Getting married this year at the Manor House? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! The Manor House is a pretty amazing place for photos.

Dana & Micah were super troopers during their e-session at Riverfront Park in Denver, and they totally delivered on their wedding day.

Makeup done with light-speed by Lea Curry.

(photo by Lori K, my amazing 2nd photographer)

I get luckier and luckier with every wedding.

Ain't she darling?

Dana's family was so helpful and on top of things the whole day. I think it was because it happened to be my birthday, so I deserved the best treatment. But seriously, you'd think they had planned weddings before, even though Dana's the first to get married (Erin, I'm coming for you next!). Here's Dana with her sister and mother. Aren't they gorge?

And the handsome groom::

The ceremony was held at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Parish in Littleton. One of those fab in-the-round interiors that photographers love.

(photo by Lori)

Show time::

After the ceremony, we headed to The Manor House near Red Rocks for the ultimate reception and amazing evening light.

Awwwww (to the max)::

"Hi, I'm Kevin, btw."

Major props to DJ Guy for working two dancetrons: one in the reception tent, one inside the mansion.

The ladies pretty much took over the rest of the night. It was intense.

(See yourself in these photos? Tag them on Facebook here...)

+ Contact Chris for wedding bookings and inquiries. 2010 is in full-swing, 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Year's.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

The St. Thomas More Wedding - Hilary & Tim 7.24.10 (Denver wedding photographer)

2010-07-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

Getting married this year at the St Thomas More? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! Would love to hear from you.

Hilary & Tim and the gang were the most vibrant, personable, gorgeous, and excited wedding party I've worked with in a long time. I was so spoiled!

There's a certain grace to Hilary that I really appreciated throughout the day.

The girls (and the bride's parents) enjoying the gorgeous Colorado morning::

A gift for Hilary from the bridesmaids (a scrapbook of all their times together)::

The ceremony and reception was held at St. Thomas More Church in Littleton, newly remodeled::

The silent conversation between the bride and her bridesmaids during the ceremony is always a treat:

Married!

Brothers and sisters! Big family.

This guest was a little overdressed, but he was fun to photograph::

Off to Mexico! Hilary and Tim, enjoy the beach and sunsets.

Check out the slideshow below, featuring The Extended Cut of this wedding. More photos, some hidden gems and B-sides.

+ Contact Chris for wedding bookings and inquiries. 2010 is in full-swing, 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Year's.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Down on Main Street (Bozeman, MT)

2010-07-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

Bozeman's Main Street has some cool store signs.

The Oval Wedding - Kris & Dave at CSU in Fort Collins (Denver wedding photographer)

2010-07-16T19:07:00.001-07:00

Getting married this year at the Oval? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! The Oval is a pretty amazing place for photos.

Why is it that I always have the best light all year when I'm second-shooting? It's pretty funny.

Dave's two dogs were part of the wedding party, made official by the pink bow ties.

The best man's girlfriend was super-helpful and she put all the floral décor together. Very impressive.

Hey check this out, GQ magazine. I'll be waiting for your phone call.

Happy people make for the best pictures / I love my 85mm lens.

Yeah!

I always want that moment of First Sight. Dave delivered.

Amazing, classic bride!

The officiant was a longtime friend of the groom, and he delivered one of the more detailed, rich speeches I've heard in years. Major props.

The Oval at CSU in Fort Collins is a spectacular place for a ceremony. Secluded, yet open.

Before it got windy...

BFFs! (and how their hair got caught up once again)

Thanks to Zudio Photography & Design for inviting me; check out his blog for his perspective. I love second-shooting! And thin, overcast skies.

Stephanie & Nick at Baxter Hotel in Bozeman, MT | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-07-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

Over the Independence Day weekend, I trekked up to Bozeman, Montana, for my first destination wedding (Montana's a destination, right?). Stephanie & Nick were joined by their loving family and crazy-wild friends (the Gonzaga girls, woo!), so it made for a fab holiday weekend.

No boys allowed::

Isn't she gorge?

First Look is always a treat. I love the tap on the shoulder::

The sky is actually pretty big in Montana::

Beautiful everywhere! Add to your bucket list: see sunset above Bozeman from Peet's Hill in town.

Gonzaga girls! I heard some crazy college stories throughout the day.

Bride's family heirloom::

Five minutes to go!

The sky was stupendously bright after the ceremony, so we beelined it to the beautiful grove of shady goodness (and a sweet barn) behind the church.

Good work, angels.

Off-camera flash is my new best friend. (At the Baxter Hotel for the reception.)

Great moment between mother and groom::

This is why I have a "Dangerous Conditions" clause in my contract, ha!

Steph & Nick, thanks so much for inviting me to Bozeman to document your wedding

+ Contact Chris for wedding bookings and inquiries. 2010 is in full-swing, 2011 is filling up, and prices go up on New Year's.
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to this blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site. Peace!

Engagement Session - Hilary and Tim at Chautauqua Park and Pearl Street in Boulder (Denver wedding photographer)

2010-06-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

Hilary's eyes are every woman's nightmare, and every man's fantasy.

Callie & Scout the Weimaraner go to the dog park (Denver Colorado dog photographer)

2010-06-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

We're going to the dog park, wooo!!

The End.

The Riverfront Park Engagement Session: Dana & Micah (Denver wedding photographer)

2010-06-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

They're getting married this August on my birthday! I'm bringing 31 candles for my piece of wedding cake.

You can take your picture on 11 different bridges around Riverfront Park and Cherry Creek.

And scene.

Deanne and Lacey

2010-06-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

The City Park Wedding, Part 2 - Mariarosa & Paul 5.23.10 (Denver Colorado wedding photographer)

2010-05-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Getting married this year in City Park? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! City Park is a pretty amazing place for photos.

[Visit here for Part I]

Mariarosa and her father, moments before her wedding...

The Sun did an AMAZING job lighting the ceremony. The Denver skyline as the backdrop made for a pretty special event.

Totally married!

Mariarosa's family is 100% Italian (Abruzzo region, to be exact), and one of the proud Italian traditions is the corteo nuziale, where the bride and groom lead the entire party in a celebratory walk after the ceremony to the reception site, with musical accompaniment (here, a violin and mandolin).

When Mariarosa told me about the corteo, I was psyched and was instantly reminded of the corteo in The Godfather. I want to spend a year in Italy just shooting weddings!

Some familiar faces from past weddings. It's great to see happy people coming back for more merriment.

City Park has great light and even better backdrops. Walking the grounds before the reception got us some pretty sweet moments between Mariarosa and Paul.

Que bella::

Anche::

New bling::

Cake tastiness provided by Kathleen at Mulberries Cake Shop::

Florals spectacularly arranged by Belle from Bonnie Brae Flowers::

One happy bride! Mariarosa exuded a certain elegance about her the whole day. She was an amazing bride and I checked, I don't have a bad picture of her!

Catering once again provided by Flying Horse Catering in Castle Rock. Great people.

My second-shooter had this brilliant idea, so I got the shot from the side::

Stephanie's set of the first dance::

Also, of the bride's mom, dad and relatives during the first dance, love the expressions::

Mariarosa and Paul, seriously an A+ wedding! Thanks for signing me on; it was so much fun and I can't wait to hear about your honeymoon in Scotland (freedom!).

+ Contact Chris for wedding bookings and inquiries. 2010 is go for launch and 2011 is filling up!
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to his blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site.

The City Park Wedding, Part 1 - Mariarosa & Paul 5.23.10 (Denver Colorado wedding photographer)

2010-05-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

Getting married this year in City Park? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! City Park is a pretty amazing place for photos.

I'm noticing a trend: someone from the wedding party of my last bride and groom tends to be my next client. I met Mariarosa and Paul at Mario & Jenni's wedding back in December, and I was super-excited when they mentioned their wedding plans at City Park this summer.

It was great to see everyone again at this amazing outdoor wedding in Denver's City Park. But first! The girls started their day at File-N-Style on Colfax for some beauty prep::

Needlessly to say, I was THE ONLY BOY there, and I didn't really understand all the girly goings-on, but I was pleasantly distracted by the décor and colors of this salon::

The bride in her wedding-day colors::

At the City Park pavilions, the families assembled the reception so efficiently. They were like professionals! Really impressive in the DIY tradition.

My second-shooter for the day was Stephanie and I totally scored having her help me out. The next couple are hers::

Finishing touches before portraits::

Here's a first: the bride had THREE flower girls. They assisted her the whole day like one big flower-girl entourage. It was hilariously cute to watch them follow her.

Shoes in platinum tones::

Meet Paul! The handsome groom::

Mariarosa worked the birdcage veil::

Stephanie's action-shot of an eager bride. The ceremony site was just ahead::

Another one by Steph. One last moment, it's really sinking in! I'm about to be married...

Go straight to Part 2 for the ceremony and reception. You don't want to miss it...

+ Contact Chris for wedding bookings and inquiries. 2010 is go for launch and 2011 is filling up!
+ Check out future wedding images by Chris — subscribe to his blog via Google Reader by clicking here.
+ Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site.

My housemate's new dog, Scout the Weimaraner (WARNING: cuteness overload)

2010-05-12T17:29:00.001-07:00

This weekend my housemate finally received Scout, a pretty cool Weimaraner-Lab mix. 8 weeks old, and cute to the max.

Today she learned how to jump for attention.

Also, she learned how to chew on everything.

Scratching and learning to like the imposing big camera.

I kinda took her out in the rain for better light (note raindrop-in-eye action shot on the right, oops). She needed to go, anyway. I like this dog!

22 hours into being my new housemate and she's doing just fine in the tear-stuff-apart department.

And finally she got tired and rested. I hope I don't have to take any more cute photographs of Scout because this is exhausting.

Krista & Micah at Space Gallery | Wedding | Denver wedding photographer

2010-05-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Getting married this year at Space Gallery? Email Chris to see if I'm available to photograph your wedding! Looking forward to hearing from you.

I was spoiled today with a wedding that took place in an art gallery on Santa Fe Blvd., PLUS there was candy. Krista & Micah pulled it off perfectly and I had so much fun on this May 1st wedding.

Aforementioned candy. Yes those are grape gummi bears.

Petals perfectly arranged by Denver's own The Perfect Petal.

Sistahs!

I found a new favorite portrait location.

I love how colors just pop out of nowhere. Santa Fe Blvd. you rule.

Melody::

The hors d'oeuvres were meticulously made by the bride's own mother and aunt. It was so impressive I thought it was all catered. Did I mention there was candy in big glass jars?

Some for the road.

Krista & Micah, thanks so much for being amazing on your wedding day. You made the magic happen.

Much love,,
Chris Enzaldo Photographer

[Contact Chris for bookings and inquiries. 2010 is filling up! Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site.]

On Google Reader, for ultimate blog-addict satisfaction

2010-04-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

Back in the old days (2007), I jumped onto the blog bandwagon and start subscribing to all sorts of blogs via Firefox. To see if there were new posts, I had to manually scroll through each bookmarked blog in my Favorites and check for new post titles. Now my blog-addict life is so much easier with Google Reader.

Among the many things that fellow rockstar photographer Melissa Jill in AZ taught me via her own blog was this handy RSS feed reader that makes blog reading so easy. Google Reader shows all my blog subscriptions on one page and it updates automatically when a new post is available to read. Clicking on the blog name uploads the new content on the right panel.

The cool thing about GR is that it shows how many other people are subscribed to this blog. Click on any blog on the left panel, then click on 'show details' on the upper right. It shows the number of subscribers, plus how many posts per week this blog produces. While Google Reader is not the only feed reader out there (and thus doesn't account for all subscriptions from all the other feed readers), it does gauge a blog's popularity among others.

Other Pros:
- You don't have to refresh anything. It refreshes for you (I've noticed sometimes you have to hover over the blog list so it updates, but that's no big deal).
- You can back-read the blog just by switching to 'show all items' at the top center. The more you scroll down, the further back in blog posts you can read.

Some cons:
- The uploaded content does not carry over the original blogsite's design. All you get in GR is the text, links, photos and videos.
- Commenting is not possible from GR unless you click on the new post's title, which will redirect you to the original blog post, where you can read all the comments.

There are many many other cool features about GR, so get your blogs transferred onto GR today and you'll be a happier person. Happy Sunday!

Happy Easter weekend from Denver

2010-04-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

It was a GORGEOUS sunny day in Denver for Easter Sunday. We get to experience the full schizophrenia of Denver weather during the months of March and April, so it was timed perfectly. The Enzaldos and the Heules congregated at my brother Bobby's house for a fab brunch.

Brother Bobby and Sister Julie with Claire

Me and father

Lens. Want.

The entire Enzaldo family!

Cuteness to the max.

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Denver

2010-03-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

Some flowers and plants and stuff (photo safari at Botanic Gardens in Denver)

2010-03-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

Photo safari with my friend Cat at the Botanic Gardens here in Denver. I taught her how to take some sweet pictures using the more 'pro' settings on her camera. Teaching's fun! I'm going to announce a multi-country workshop tour here very soon... ha. Ideas for the workshop name! (So far I have "Smell the Light".)

Actually you never know! Let's see how 2010 turns out.

Wedding Favorites of 2009: Image of the Year

2010-02-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

2009 was a formative year for me as a photographer. I traveled all around Colorado to document weddings of all kinds. Some traditional, some modern, some in mountain resorts, some in city churches, some serious, some pretty wacky, all of them lots of fun! I've managed to eek out an emerging network of new friends and new vendors to work with. I am getting referrals and requests from wild places. My brides rule.

I chose this image as my favorite of 2009 not because it's the most technically polished, or even the most awe-inspiring, but because of what brought me to even click the shutter button at that particular moment.

This is in between posed portraits, and I was leading the bride outside the church for her some portraits before the ceremony. I just clicked away while I was walking backwards because I thought she looked pretty sweet as a silhouette in front of her sister, who was carrying the train.

I think the bride is looking back to answer a question or something, I don't remember. Thankfully my camera settings allowed a pretty sharp picture. And the elements in the composition managed to convey an emotion. As photographers, our goal for an image is to tell a story of a precise moment, no matter how mundane or how divine.

While I *maybe* could have set up this pose if I thought about it, I don't think it would have come out as spontaneous and as in-the-moment as this. And while I try not to resort to a "spray and pray" style of shooting, I do relish in those quick moments where I don't even expect anything but I see a possible good image, and sometimes all the elements harmonize and I get a peek into what photography is really capable of.

Plus, Heather looks absolutely fabulous. Heather you're just mahvelous, simply mahvelous.

Wedding Favorites of 2009: Engagements

2010-02-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

Next up: 2009 Image of the Year. I love it!

[Contact Chris for bookings and inquiries. 2010 is filling up! Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site.]

Wedding Favorites of 2009: The Happiest People on Earth

2010-02-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

Testify.

Next up: Favorites of 2009 - Engagements. And finally, 2009 Image of the Year.

[Contact Chris for bookings and inquiries. 2010 is filling up! Check out the portfolio back at my wedding site.]