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Mogollon Rim Wedding

Alex & Jade | Mogollon Rim Wedding

The Mogollon Rim will stop you in your tracks…all that space and stillness. On this day, it also showed off its dramatic side in full force.

The ceremony started with storm clouds gathering across the valley. Then came the rain. Steady, insistent. But no one even thought about stopping. Alex and Jade just smiled through the downpour, held onto each other, and said their vows without hesitation. The umbrellas came out, and the rain became part of their story.

Dashing back to the parking lot, any additional plans tossed aside, everyone gathered behind the lifted tailgate of an SUV as Alex and Jade lifted a tiny pink blanket from a wicker basket. A little pause. A few tears. A lot of smiles. It’s a girl!

When the sky finally cleared, the Rim was wrapped in the golden light of sunset, quiet and dreamlike. We wandered the overlook for a few minutes, letting the calm settle in while capturing some of the most breathtaking images of the day.

The celebration at The Old County Inn was easy and warm. Pizza, drinks, and toasts from the dads that drifted between laughter and that kind of emotion you only get at the end of a long, good day.

Days like this are why I love what I do. People leaning into life as it happens, rain and all..

Congratulations, Alex & Jade!

Another Wedding Favorite on the Mogollon Rim

Ceremony: Mogollon Rim | Reception: Old County Inn

Embracing the Unscripted: How to Relax and Be Yourself in Front of the Camera

Picture this: you’ve spent months planning every detail. The flowers are perfect, and your dress fits like a dream. Then I raise my camera… and you freeze. Suddenly, you’re questioning everything: Where do my hands go? Teeth or no teeth? Do we look natural?

After 200+ weddings, one rule keeps winning: connection over angles. Be with your favorite person. Presence > perfection. Take a breath, find each other, and let the moment do the heavy lifting.

Here’s how.

1. Take a Moment to Just Be Together

Weddings feel like controlled chaos, but before we start shooting, I always give couples a quiet moment to reconnect. Whether it’s stealing 30 seconds away from the crowd or simply pausing to look at each other without any agenda, this brief reset helps you shift from “wedding mode” to “us mode.”

2. Focus on Each Other, Not the Camera

The instant you start worrying about “doing it right,” you lose your natural chemistry. Instead, I’ll give you simple prompts: share what you’re most excited about for your honeymoon, remind each other of your first date disaster, or just whisper something that makes you both laugh. When you’re genuinely engaged with each other, the camera slowly becomes invisible.

3. Trust the Creative Process

Yes, I might direct you to “walk toward me like you’re sharing the world’s best secret” or ask you to dance to silence. These prompts aren’t arbitrary; they’re designed to evoke genuine emotions and natural movement. My job is to see the shots before they happen and guide you there authentically.

4. Find Your Natural Rhythm

Every couple has their own energy and pace. Some are playful and spontaneous, others are quiet and tender. Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, I take time to observe how you naturally interact. Are you the type to burst into laughter at random moments? Do you communicate through gentle touches? I adapt my direction to match your authentic dynamic, not the other way around.

5. Celebrate the Perfectly Imperfect Moments

Wine spills, wind-blown veils, unexpected rain, these aren’t photo disasters; they’re story gold. Some of my most treasured shots capture couples laughing through the chaos, helping each other through wardrobe malfunctions, or sharing quiet moments during unexpected delays.

The truth is, being “natural” in front of a camera is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with the right guidance and practice. When you work with a photographer who understands how to create genuine comfort and connection, being yourself becomes effortless.

Ready to see what your authentic love story looks like? Let’s chat about capturing your day exactly as it unfolds, beautifully unscripted and entirely you.

A favorite wedding here | Arizona wedding venues to inspire your journey here

Hiking up Humphreys Peak…. but only 33%

We didn’t hike far—about a third of the way up Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff—but we weren’t in any rush. It wasn’t about the summit anyway. Oliver spent most of his time climbing over fallen trees, picking up would-be walking sticks, and turning the forest floor into his own adventure course. And mostly, I just tried to keep up. But this wasn’t a big trip or a bucket-list kinda of hike. Just a simple break from the everyday monotony, a quiet afternoon hiking in the woods with my youngest.

And honestly, that was enough.

Humphreys Peak | Another Hiking Adventure

An Unforgettable Spring Wedding at The Cove – Bartlett Lake

Spring in the Arizona desert doesn’t whisper, it announces itself in bursts of wildflower gold and cactus bloom. Against this stunning natural canvas, Cole and Makenna’s unforgettable spring wedding at The Cove unfolded with Bartlett Lake’s shimmering waters as their backdrop, creating a celebration that felt wonderfully authentic and personal.

With Bartlett Lake gleaming silver-blue behind them, every moment unfolded with an authenticity that can’t be choreographed. Before the ceremony, they stole away among the saguaros for private vows—just the two of them, love spoken in the desert silence. This intimate beginning set the tone for everything that followed: a ridge-top ceremony filled with warm smiles, lots of laughter, and the occasional happy tears. And in the background, the persistent breeze, carrying that distinct desert fragrance, seemed to underscore the perfection of finding your person.

As the sun set behind the hills, guests settled in for dinner and toasts under the open sky. The celebration continued with easy conversation and dancing, which lasted well into the night, the beautiful starlit sky serving as their ballroom ceiling.

This day was a celebration not just of love, but also of the calm, easy feeling that comes from being right where you’re supposed to be.

Congratulations, Cole & Makenna!!

Venue | The Cove at Bartlett Lake Another Favorite Wedding | Rob + Sarah

A Spring Wedding at Andaz Scottsdale Resort

It was a picture-perfect spring day at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort when Jake and Reagan stood together in front of their loved ones and friends to be married. As the sunlight filtered through the clouds with a gentle warmth, you could feel the excitement humming in the air.

A breeze carried soft laughter and happy chatter across the courtyard. As Jake looked on, Reagan stepped into view, the golden light catching her beautiful wedding dress. Their vows felt both intimate and expansive, like a promise shared in a secret only they could truly understand. And in a beautiful reminder that love never really leaves us, a photograph of Reagan’s lovely mother was in the front row, an invitation for her spirit to look down on this romantic spring wedding in Arizona.

As the ceremony ended, the party drifted to the outdoor dinner. Candlelight flickered over tables while guests watched the newly married couple share their first dance. The setting, perfect for a Scottsdale desert wedding in spring, made the whole evening feel like it was plucked from a dream.

Before long, the first notes of music coaxed everyone onto the dance floor. The room buzzed with energy, grandparents tapping their feet, college friends laughing over shared memories, and Jake spinning Reagan in a joyful whirl. This modern Arizona resort wedding celebration carried on late into the night.

As things slowed down, the whole day felt like them. Easy, meaningful, and full of heart. No fuss, just the kind of love that quietly fills a room.

Congratulations, Jake & Reagan!

And a huge thanks to the team at LS Events Planning for keeping the day running so smoothly!