Six Peeps

March 27, 2009

Amanda & Chez, Royal Palms Wedding in Scottsdale Arizona!

OK, this was a great wedding for several reasons. Where do I begin. (this might be the longest wedding post in my history!)

1. Amanda, a beautiful bride was one of the coolest, most laid back brides EVER. I love it when brides treat me like a professional, and not like a slave for a day! She was no exception and I liked her from the first meeting at my Scottsdale Studio.

2. I have only photographed parts of weddings at the Royal Palms in Scottsdale. I have been dying to shoot a full wedding there!

3. I worked with Jen at Imoni Events once before and knew I’d like to work with her again. She is really great to work with. She keeps things on schedule without stressing everyone out. Trust me, in wedding coordinating, this is an art!

4. I was excited to meet Chez, the groom. He’s a PGA golfer. Won the Canadian Open, and is starting to make a golf fan out of me, especially when I see stuff like this:

And it wasn’t a surprise to me to find that he is also a really awesome guy. Seemed very appreciative of the work that I was doing…

5. I was fortunate to have one of the most recognized names in photography in the world as my second shooter. Thanks to photographer and good friend Becker for being there! Your generosity is much appreciated, has been for the past 3 or so years that I’ve known you , and I had a good time shooting with you… and watching you lose at poker later that night! Usually my 2nd shooters just come for 4 hours. Becker got there when I did, which was way early and stayed for like, 12 hours. I told him to just come when he wants and leave when he wants. Pretty amazing. This is a guy who LOVES wedding photography, it was great to be with another great photographer who is so passionate. I really needed that! I am sure he has or will post some of his favorites, so check his blog, too! I joke around on this blog about him not working, but that’s not true at all, he was workin it!

So let’s get down to bizzness! This is my favorite shot of the couple. I’m thinking canvas print!

Back to the start. Hey hey, I’m at the Royal Palms… FINALLY after 4 years of shooting in AZ!

Room 139 is where Amanda got all primped up for the big day!

Love her dress, It was super cool with this strap that went around her right arm only. It was PERFECT for her.

She was just chatting away on the phone…

Jen with Imoni Events showed up with some cool details…

All the guys, including the ring bearers wore these cool Con All-Stars. Nice call!

I was a little early so Becker and I decided to walk around the property and get some details…

Is Becker working hard, or hardly working?

I yelled at him for sitting on the job, so he quickly got his act together and pretended to take some photos

You will see that there were a lot of good looking people at this wedding. Bridesmaids no exception!

Here’s the man of the hour, he looks good in sepia!

The dudes. Love the skinny ties, con all-stars and Chez’s Hugo Boss suit.

This could just as easily be a photo of myself and my sister, shaking the fist. Chez and sister…

Chez and his mom.

Back at Amanda’s room. Here’s what girls do when the bride puts on her dress.

Some final touches by AZ Make up artist, Linda Wagner, who I have worked with before.

Amanda also looks great in Sepia!

Details details details!

Flowers by Tabletops Etc… all I can say about them is WOW! They are amazing. The flowers just looked incredible.

The girls were having plenty of this before the big walk. But they managed to walk a straight line down the aisle!

Chez’s mom? Nope! Grandmother! My studio manager kept talking about how good looking Chez’s mom is. That’s not Chez’s mom! Simply amazing!

Here’s the bride! I love her dark features!

Amanda and sisters…

The ladies

Everyone knows my favorite part of the wedding is shooting guests as they are getting seated! It’s like a candid photographer’s paradise!

The guys all had great style which made me feel a little self-conscious! I am taking fashion notes!

Somehow my lens is drawn to pretty girls like a magnet.

There’s a confident groom

These little shavers were cracking me up all day

Amanda’s mom in her amazing Vera Wang dress! WOW! I only know this stuff from being a wedding photographer! ha! Anyway, she looks great!

My favorite series of the day. Jen from Imoni events is coaching the little dudes to walk down the aisle… just like we practiced at the rehearsal, right?

Well 2 out of 3 isn’t so bad…. where is number three???

Found him! (that would have been me as a kid!)

His little outburst made for some good shots

It’s time!!!

I love this shot of the proud father of the bride!

Some after-wedding candids!

The FOB (Wedding Photographer Terminology, Father of the Bride). He photographs well! They all do!

I snuck one of these and I’m sure Becker did, too. WOW it was like brunch! Made for great food shots!

I love photographing parents as they try to make their kids smile for the camera.

that’s better!

The Royal Palms is a haven for wedding photography. So many great backdrops!

Time for a reception…

Look at that cake, very cool, love that 3rd tier!

Flowers, absolutely stunning! a’ la Tabletops, Etc!

This is the third wedding I’ve photographed with a mariachi band. I think it should just be a requirement for every wedding! I kept photographing the oldest member. He had a ton of character. Love it!

During dinner, I backed up my images and made a slide show. Becker took advantage of the down time to update his facebook status.

First dance!

I heard one of the bridesmaids telling someone how she always cries during the Father Daughter dance. I am sure she was flowing during this one, a real touching moment!

Slideshow is up and people are loving it. Doesn’t take much! And I try ti do it whenever I am shooting an 8 hour or longer wedding.

These are the people from Imoni events who really brought everything together. Amazing job to all! (Jen, Gretchen and Kate!)

I have a thing for redheads. I’m not going to lie. I sort of followed her around a bit!

Doing the sprinkler… ohhhhh yeah.

This is more of a fine-art shot, no flash, just the lights from the DJ setup. Pretty cool I think!

WORK IT!

I went outside to get a breath of that warm AZ evening air, which we just don’t get out in Colorado.

And finally, the late night munchies. Fries and shakes. I approve!

Thanks again Amanda and Chez for having me out to shoot your wedding, we had a blast! Congratulations!! And good luck Chez at the Masters, I have a feeling I will be glued to the TV for that!

March 27, 2009 |