Photos from Ouray & Crested Butte

Here are a few photos from a recent trip to Ouray and Crested Butte, Colorado. I'll have more to share in a few days.

Rachel & Guy's Engagement

Over the years, I've been very fortunate to have had such wonderful wedding clients (knocking on wood), whom I still consider friends to this day. From the first day I met with Rachel and Guy, I could tell we were all going to get along wonderfully. They're creative, they're fun, and they're in love. Whenever we get together (brunch, lunch, or photo-shoots), it's like spending time with very good friends.

A few weeks ago we took a trip to the Botanic Gardens for Rachel and Guy's engagement photo-shoot. The weather was nice, so we just explored the park and stopped in various places for photos. It's so nice to leisurely stroll and chat with couples - not necessarily about wedding stuff, but about each other and things that interest them.

After the Gardens, we had lunch, Rachel & Guy made a wardrobe change, and we were off to another park for a few more photos. Check out a few of the photos below:

Beautiful Sunflowers

With the help of a small army of friends, I finally found the elusive Colorado field of sunflowers. It was quite the journey. With so many people mistaking daisies for sunflowers, I was about ready to give up my search. Nearly two months of inquiries and lots of driving, my good friends Marijke and Eric steered me to the location I had been searching for for so long. Thanks to David as well for finding alternate sunflower locations.

I carefully stood along side the field of sunflowers so that I wouldn't damage any of them, and captured these wonderful photos. (To see the remianing photos, visit my sunflower photo gallery.)

Elizabeth and Ken's Engagement

We traveled to Lake Evergreen a few weeks ago to shoot the engagement photos for a long-time friend of ours and her fiance. Elizabeth and Ken found Lake Evergreen to be a very special place for the two of them. In fact, it's so special that Ken decided to "pop the question" here during one of their visits. Elizabeth happily said, "Yes!"

While waiting for a thunderstorm to pass, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Aspen Grill, which is right across the street from the lake. Once the skies cleared, we took a walk around the lake taking photos and chatting about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.

Their wedding is coming up, so stay tuned for more photos.

Holly & Robert's Wedding

Recently, we had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful outdoor wedding for our good friends, Holly & Robert. They're such a sweet couple. The wedding ceremony was full of tears and laughter, while their daughter, Lily, stole the hearts of everyone (including me).

The entire family pitched-in to make this wedding so amazing. From the multi-layered cake designed/baked by Holly's mother, and the mouth-watering food prepared by Holly's father, to the beautiful flower arrangements by Robert's mother and sister (Elizabeth Floral Delivered). Even the decorations around the house and yard were set beautifully. This is one talented family! I just hope we're invited to their next party. :o)

Improve Your Digital Photography Experience

Are you frustrated with the photos you're getting from your camera? Are you always missing "the shot" at special occasions? Do you feel like you're not getting the same quality photos as everyone else?

Register today for my upcoming class/workshop, "Intro to Digital Photography". This class is perfect for those who are new to digital photography, those who are looking to improve their photo-taking techniques, and those who just want to go beyond their camera's "AUTO" mode.

Whether you have a compact digital camera or a digital SLR, understanding how to use your camera, and knowing how to get the best possible photos from your camera, will yield more flattering portraits, better-quality photos, and will minimize the number of missed-shots during those important occasions.

For more information about this Intro to Digital Photography class, and how to register, please visit www.1focustree.com/
dp101class.htm

Maternity Photos with Wendy & Trevor

I had the great pleasure of photographing two very good friends of mine (Wendy and Trevor) who are expecting their very first baby this summer. Instead of doing an indoor photo-shoot, we thought it would be more fun (especially for the mom-to-be) if we headed outside to a nearby park for the maternity shoot. It was a bright sunny day, so we started our shoot at 9:30am. Once we were done at the park, we drove to a local amusement park (Lakeside) to get some unique photo opportunities, and to relive one of our childhood pastimes. This was one of the most fun photo-shoots I've had in a long time. Thanks Wendy & Trevor!

The $100 Wedding Promotion is Back

The $100 wedding promotion is back, and we've extended it through the end of 2009. How does it work? Well, if you refer a couple to FocusTree Photography, and they hire us to photograph their wedding, we'll give you $100 cash. It's a win-win situation. Your friends receive amazing wedding photos and renowned customer service, and you walk away with $100. Just make sure the couple tells us your name. (Each couple may only give the name of one referral)

The couple's wedding day can be in 2009 or in 2010, just as long as they hire us before December 31, 2009. Once they hire us, you receive $100! It's that simple.

Now go tell your engaged, and soon-to-be-engaged, friends and family about FocusTree Wedding Photography (www.onefocustree.com). You'll both be happy you did.

This offer expires December 31, 2009.

Taking Your Digital Camera On The Road

I love traveling, but what I love most about traveling is sharing photos of my trip. From extended vacations, to short weekend trips with family, I always travel with a camera. You just never know when a photo opportunity will arise.

Of course, when traveling with a camera, there are many things to keep in mind. Here are just a few tips to help keep your camera safe during your next vacation.

1. Keep it close. Keep your camera and equipment near you at all times. In fact, don't just hang your camera strap on your shoulder, place the strap around your neck and pass one arm through the strap.

2. Stealth mode. Keep your camera equipment in a case or bag that doesn't scream "expensive stuff inside". I carry a Lowepro Flipside backpack when traveling. The cool thing about this backpack, is that the main compartment can only be accessed from the "flip-side" of the bag (the side that rests on your back). This is perfect for over-crowded buses and trains.

3. Airport security. Do not pack your digital camera in a checked-bag. Keep it with you at all times. Airport x-ray scanners will not affect your memory cards, so don't be afraid to take your camera on the plane with you. Film cameras, however, are a different story. Check TSA policies and warnings before traveling with film.

4. Weather. Check the forecast of the areas in which you'll be traveling. Bring the appropriate protection for your camera if you think you'll be out in the elements. A waterproof case or plastic bag will suffice if it's raining. If you're traveling someplace where the temperature will be near or below freezing, bring lots of batteries. Batteries drain much faster in colder temperatures.

5. Insurance. Consider getting insurance for your camera equipment. Your camera typically sees a lot of action on vacations. This increases your chances of dropping or mishandling your camera. It also increases the chances of your camera being stolen. Make sure your insurance plan properly protects your photo equipment.

Beautiful Moab

After living in Colorado for years, I finally made a trip to Moab, Utah. Wow! Moab is a photographer's paradise. My wife and a few friends of ours decided we should all take a long weekend and visit Moab. I'm so glad we did! Of course, photographing on vacation with friends means a lot of mid-afternoon shots, which isn't the best time of day for photos. I knew that would be the case so I brought along a neutral-density filter as well as my polarizer filter.

I brought the neutral density filter to help cut the amount of light coming into the lens, and the polarizer filter to help restore some blue back to a mid-afternoon sky. The polarizer can also help increase color saturation and contrast. As it turns out, I was able to use the polarizer filter for most of the trip.

After a few days of camping, hiking, and biking, we were ready to get back home. I'm sure I'll be visiting Moab again, hopefully sooner than later.








More Moab photos can be found here - 1focustree.smugmug.com/Travel