Garden of the Gods is always a favorite place to shoot engagement pictures, with so many interesting places to photograph. The backdrop of Pikes Peak is always impressive and we were blessed with a beautiful sunset. All the recent rain has greened up the whole park and the yucca flowers have just started to bloom! Did you know you can eat yucca flowers, they taste a little like snow peas, although the happy couple will not be adding them to their wedding day menu, less than impressed was the verdict on edible flowers. I hope their engagement pictures are more to their taste!

It was a very fun session and I’m looking forward to photographing your wedding at Elk Ridge Ranch near Breckenridge in a couple of weeks. I’ll try to arrange another awesome sunset.

Engagement Pics Colorado

Kissing Camels

Engagement Pictures Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods Red Wall

Engagement Pictures in Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods Rocks

eShoot Colo Spgs

Garden of the Gods Sunset

Engagement Photographs Colorado Springs

The “e” in e-session (or e-shoot) stands for engagement pictures but this engagement photo shoot was more about the pre-wedding practice for wedding pictures, and to get some recent pictures to use in the wedding planning. Corinne and I still have our photo mat, signed by all our wedding guests, hanging on our wall and I still love to read all the great things everyone wrote.

I know capitol Hill is a popular and pleasant place to enjoy the Denver sunshine but it did seem busier than usual. I thought it was the sunshine drawing the crowds but it turns out there was a political rally amassing on the steps of the Capitol Building! That’ll teach me for avoiding the news (and politics)! We tried our best to avoid the crowds and in the end I had a great day, photographing a nice couple, in beautiful surroundings.

Here’s a few of my favorites from the day.

Denver e-session (e-shoot)

Denver Colorado Engagement Photos

Denver Colorado Capitol Hill

Denver engagement pictures

Denver Colorado Springs photographer

Denver Colorado city skyline engagement photos

Denver Colorado engagement pictures

We didn’t need head shots, just a bunch of fun poses in cool locations so I figured, as the graffiti at Rainbow falls in Manitou Springs might soon go, that would be our first place location. Dani’s first comment when we approached the area was “It’s so pretty!”. We just wanted a few shots there before heading to an iron bridge I found a little while ago while out looking for new places to photograph.

As the sun set the temperature plummeted. The cold air of an approaching storm changed the plans to shoot outside through dusk. Instead I knew couple of indoor locations I’ve been wanting to shoot at for ages, so we headed downtown and inside. Much happier and with less shivering all round we finished up the session with a few pictures that I thought would look awesome in black and white before the final photos from the session tucked away in a quiet spot in Downtown Colorado Springs.

The hardest part of this photo session was choosing which pictures to include in the blog! Anyway I’ve rambled enough, I’ll just say thanks to Dani for discovering the model inside her, for helping me scope my new locations and test my new fancy photography gadgets. Thanks to her brother Scott who patiently chaperoned her for the day and helped with moving my small mountain of equipment. Scott finishes basic training for the Marine Corps and ships out soon. Thank you for your service, take care of yourself and keep your head down!

The blog will return to it’s usual erratic and somewhat delayed schedule next week. Till then enjoy what’s left of the winter, spring is around the corner!

Rainbow Falls Manitou Springs Photography Session

Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

Downtown Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

Downtown Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

Downtown Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

Downtown Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

Downtown Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

Downtown Colorado Springs Model Photography Session

High School Senior Picture at Rainbow Falls

How many high school seniors have had their photographs taken at the Rainbow Falls tucked under highway 24 just west of Manitou Springs? It’s been a popular location for years with photographers, appearing as the backdrop for high school senior photographs, rock band CD artwork and model portfolios, but that might soon be coming to an end.

I love to photograph there but it is soon to lose a lot of its photographic appeal in an effort to restore the area to an impossible bygone era. Recently the local paper announced there are plans to clean the graffiti off the bridge and rocks.

Although you may have driven over it hundreds of times, comparatively few people visit the falls, you have to choose to go in there and see it. There is no other similar resource for photographers in this area but there are many waterfalls that are graffiti free. Manitou is an artistic community and, while not everyone can see the art in random scrawling on the rocks, collectively they provide a backdrop that has been used by almost every professional photographer in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs for years.

I could understand if they were still an area of outstanding natural beauty but they are a shadow of their former selves. I’ve seen the photos from before the bridge was built and they once were beautiful, I know people who remember the viewing platforms that have since rusted away, but the falls have evolved. They are now a place of artistic expression for photographers and kids looking to contribute to the whole scene. Every person I’ve taken there is awestruck by the amount of collaborative effort it has taken to transform red rock and gray concrete into a cacophony of colors that blend into an urban trademark, laid over a natural canvas. If this was graffiti at St Mary’s Falls, or Helen Hunt Falls surrounded by trees I could understand the desire to clean it up, but this fall is in under concrete, hidden from view by engineers.

What is the plan to stop the graffiti from reappearing? Are we to expect more rules and regs banning us or fences keeping us out. The Sheriff is thinking security cameras are the answer, invading the privacy of everyone who goes there. The graffiti will likely return despite the authorities best efforts and with it the photographers. I’m sure in due course the cleaning trucks will return too. The area was cleaned in 2006 by a team of volunteers but you couldn’t tell today. Public funds are simply providing a blank canvas, any efforts to keep it that way can only be more damaging to the area. As purse strings are being tightened all across the state, how is this even a financial priority?

The tranquil beauty of the falls was not destroyed by the graffiti, but by city planners when the highway was built right over it. It was forgotten until rediscovered and reinvented but societies drop outs, looking for a place to call their own. It was a place the hippies came decades ago and now is a place for today’s miss-fit kids who just want a place to hang out. Let them decorate their place, their way and let those of us who appreciate it continue to visit it and share it with others. If the graffiti offends you, this is Colorado, you have endless other places to visit.

I wonder how much trash is generated by the Manitou Carnival and the Coffin Races? How much effort goes into cleaning up after those events. Does the trash at Rainbow Falls through a whole year come even close? Sure there are some cans on the grounds and probably enough trash to fill a couple of trash bags but it’s not a stinking refuse dump by any means. I propose we leave the graffiti, but those of us, especially photographers, who see this place as a resource, contribute to cleaning the area up and keeping it that way.

L’Aura Montgomery Rutt of the Manitou Environmental Citizen Action, commented in the Gazette on the plans to clean the area, “Now we will be able to take action to restore Rainbow Falls to its former splendor,” Careful L’Aura, I think removing the bridge might upset a few people.

The yoga teacher is my beautiful wife Corinne. She held a demo class for all who wanted to participate. Those brave enough to participate got to benefit from her soothing style of relaxing Hatha yoga. I highly recommend you check out her classes and can get more info from her website, yogafied.com. She even has me doing it from time to time and there’s no way I’d be caught doing yoga, unless it really left me feeling good. Love you baby!

We know a thing or two about wedding stress. Our wedding venue was evacuated in the 2002 Haymen fire. Two weeks before our wedding date we lost our accommodation, our wedding ceremony site, and our reception location. Yea, stress city. We did pull off a wonderful day thanks to the help of our friends, family and countless others but we really could have used some way to chill out in the days leading up to it!

To help with your wedding stress, we’re offering a discount for brides-to-be, for my wife’s yoga classes. I’ll put another post up once Corinne has worked out the details but just to give you some info, if you decide to book us Admire Photography your wedding photographer, I’ll pick up half the cost, so you can come to class and not stress about anything. The first class is only $5 so you get to chill out and take a quiet moment for only $2.50. Hummmm that sounds way too low… but I’ll only have to cover $2.50 as well, sweet! Don’t expect a hard sell for future classes, just soothing movement and a relaxed body and mind. If you have an interest in continuing the classes then great, the discount will continue until your wedding day. If you want to tell your friends how amazing you feel after her classes that would be kind of you too. You’re more than welcome to bring a friend. If you actually succeed in bringing your groom-to-be along too, he get’s in for free! I’m guessing that’s a safe bet for me!

Photojournalism front cover

Photojournalism center spread

Google recently decided, it’s just not so into me anymore, It’s sharing its first page with any photographer who will give it a fresh article or recent wedding photostory. I still dream, I’m hoping we can make it up, sniff, or at least be friends, sniff, sniff. I realize now, a relationship has to be maintained. Google’s head has been turned and now it’s up to me to turn it back. Google, you know we were meant to rule this land together.

On the plus side, the hiatus means I do have a load of photos and news to share. Maybe I’ll pull a few favorite shots from past wedding and portrait sessions and post them. Maybe I’ll post more than once a week, or will that just make me look desperate?

This time the star of the show was Cassie. We started in the studio and took a few photographs around the back streets of Old Colorado City then headed downtown via the train tracks.

Before her shoot I went looking for new locations and found a great new graffiti wall. Then we raced an ominous black cloud downtown and finished a few more shots as the sun finally set and the heavens opened!

This was a fun shoot and I hope cosmology school goes great for you. Photographers always looking for a great make up artist for their clients!

Senior Picture headshot Colorado Springs

Senior pictures studio Colorado Springs

Profession senior photographs

High school senior photos

Senior photographs Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs senior photography

Colorado Springs high school senior picture

They shared their senior photo session so we visited the same locations in Colorado Springs. They both wanted something slightly different from each others graduation pictures. Ashley wanted a portrait by the waterfall at Helen Hunt Falls and Cody wanted to head downtown for a bit more of a band photography feel to his shots. We started the photography in the studio and stopped for a few photographs at the train tracks along the way. The pictures are post processed with a slightly harder edge to give a more rock feel. He’s very into his music and brought along his drumsticks to use as a prop and is a member of a local band. He could have brought his drum set if he wanted and set it up downtown, how cool would that have looked. Next time Cody, and bring the rest to the band!

To book your photography session with admire Photography call Simon on (719) 502-9045 or email info(at)admirePhotography.com.

Senior picture in Colorado Springs studio

Senior Picture Colorado Springs

Graduation Pictures in Colorado Springs

High school senior in downtown Colorado Springs

Senior Photos in downtown Colorado Springs

Rock Star Cody Portrait for high school in Colorado Springs

Graduation Photos in Colorado Springs

Thanks for being such a star!

To book your photography session with admire Photography call (719) 502-9045 or email info(at)admirePhotography.com and speak to Simon. There is limited availability, so don’t wait. Graduation is coming and the school needs those pictures soon!

High School Senior picture

Senior Picture Headshot

High School Senior Studio portrait

High School Senior Studio Portrait

Senior picture headshot

Helen Hunt Falls, Colorado Springs Senior Picture

Senior Picture at Helen Hunt Falls, Colorado Springs

Senior picture Helen Hunt Falls Colorado Springs

Senior photos Colorado Springs

Senior photos at the train tracks Colorado Springs

Senior photos at the train tracks Colorado Springs

Senior Photos Colorado Springs

Senior photographs Downtown Colorado Springs

Senior photographs Downtown Colorado Springs

Senior photographs Downtown Colorado Springs

Senior photographs Downtown Colorado Springs

I mentioned on my Facebook page that our studio is up and running and Sean was the lucky fella who was to help me take it for it’s first spin. Sean is an film aspiring actor off to College this year and we wish him the best of luck in his chosen career. Thanks choosing admire Photography!

Here are a few of the head shot photos from our session this week.

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs

Actors head shots in Colorado Springs