Kaitlin + Nathan | Vintage Charm

Some of you may remember Kaitlin and Nathan from their superbly stylized engagement shoot earlier this year at Camp Long. If not, do the vintage trunk or umbrella ring a bell?  Well, at any rate they got married in December!  Imagine that. 

I met them at Kaitlin's grandpa's place in Eastlake for some pre-fun getting ready shots, afterwhich we hopped in the car and headed over to downtown Seattle.  Our first stop was Pike Place Market. Gumwall, Post Alley, Pig, Produce...you get the idea.  I never ever get tired of shooting there because everytime you go it's just a bit different from when you left it last.  After the Market, we made our way over to Easy Street Records on Queen Anne.  This was what I'd been excited for since Spring when Kaitlin first told me they were really hoping to shoot there.  It did not disappoint. Vinyl, CDs, artwork, phonebooth listening stations...we were there for a half hour or so and I left with three discs of my own.  Thanks to the newly married Goodey's for assisting me with my selection!

From Queen Anne we drove to the Seattle Washington Temple in Bellevue (why Seattle Temple and not Bellevue Temple? I have no idea.) Nathan and Kaitlin had a Mormon ceremony which meant no photographs... which meant two hours to kill... which meant Cupcake Royale.  :)  After a wonderful slice of quiche, a Dance Party Holly Hobby cupcake, and a delicious latte, Adam and I headed back to the Temple for family photos outside of the Temple. Then it was off to the reception at the Skansonia Ferry on Lake Union.

Before dinner they had a lovely ring ceremony for those friends and family that were unable to join them at Temple.  The food after was wonderful and they had the sorts of heartfelt speaches that make me tear up when I don't even know the stories behind them. The sorts of kind words and gestures that make you smile inside and go home and hug your loved ones.

Kaitlin and Nathan are wonderful people, sort of people that when you're around them you just can't help but to smile.  I feel so blessed to have been a part of their special day and look forward to this Summer when I'm hoping we'll shoot again.  Congrats you two, I hope that you enjoy this little sneak peek...

hugs,
a

Marlis + Mitch | Part Two

A few weeks after the wedding, I met up with Marlis and Mitch at her parent's place in Lake Stevens. From there we drove down to a very special dock on the lake where Mitch proposed.  It was such a cold day, but these two toughed it out for a fantastic Mr. and Mrs shoot.  Thanks again you two for all the fun and much luck to both of you in Mitch's upcoming season!

xoxo,
A

Marlis + Mitch | Part One

I'd like to apologize for the briefness of this post before I get started.  In my haste to get several weddings blogged before I post my European holiday photos, I'll be keeping my chatter short.  I have a feeling no one will mind.  :)  Please don't take my sparse commentary as a sign that this wedding was mediocre in any way.

The newly married Canhams are two of the sweetest and most charming people you could meet. Marlis was such a stunning bride and once her brother worked a little magic with some hair product, Mitch didn't look too bad himself.  Their Marysville Opera house wedding was so incredibly fun to be a part of. They had a wonderfully touching ceremony which was followed by some beautiful toasts, and a whole lot of dancing and complete silliness.  :)

Mitch was playing baseball in Oregon through the Summer, so we weren't able to coordinate their engagement shoot before their wedding day.  Instead they decided on a post-wedding Mr + Mrs shoot, photos which I'll post in the next blog.

Thanks to Marlis and Mich and their wonderful families for making me feel so welcome and putting on such a fantastic party!  Adam and I had such a blast and I cannot wait to post the pics from our second shoot!!

hugs,
Amy

New Year, New Project and a little sappiness.

the stroke of midnight at kathryn and brian's wedding last night

Hey guys!

Just wanted to send out quick Happy New Year wishes to all of you.  I greatly appreciate all of you who read the blog and follow my work and all of the kind words you've given me this past year.  Thanks to all of my brides and grooms and all of the fabulous vendors I've met all year, my co-workers, kitties, big crazy dog, Facebook friends and Twitter pals.

I've started a new (for me) project for 2011: the 365 project.  This isn't a new concept, I'm sure many of you have done or seen this before, but it's new for me so I'm excited about it.  :)  One new original photo taken and posted every day for a year.  If you'd like to follow along, check it out here: Soper 365.

Now, bear with me for just a second.  I also have a few extra special kudos that I really need to mention, special people who literally make me the person and photographer that I am...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my wonderful boyfriend Greg who put up with my mental dysfunction and irrational fantasy football crying fits during my busiest wedding season to date. Nichole, I have limited words (which is a shock, I know) to truly express how much you've meant to me personally and professionally.  You kick my ass and holler every time I sell myself short and are the best travel companion and friend I could ask for. To my cousins Kate, Colleen, and Erin (and honorary cousin Gretchen) who are always keeping me busy with referrals and shoots of their own.  To Rex, Alan, DC, and Liz for reminding me Happy Hour is a necessity no matter how busy you get.  To Dad in Texas and Molly in DC, thanks for all your encouragement and comments you give me on nearly every blog I post, you're far away but always on my mind and in my heart.

There you go, sappiness concluded.  I hope you all enjoy your first day of 2011, personally I'll be watching bowl games and editing some beautiful photos.  Go TCU!

xoxo,
amy

Annie + Danny | Inglewood Always Up to No Good.

Now who can resist a little 2Pac reference when it presents itself so clearly?  Oh, in case I forget, Annie and Danny were married at Inglewood Gold Club in Juanita. Hence my 90's rap reference.

The first time I met Annie, for our bridal consult, was at Starbucks.  We talked for two straight hours before realizing at the end of the conversation that we should probably spend little time talking about her wedding. Annie is a very good friend of my cousin's very good friend, Gretchen.  What I didn't know is that vicariously that makes her my very best friend.

I didn't actually get to meet Danny until the rehearsal a couple nights before the wedding.  I had been told by Annie that he was not a smiler.  This was sorta funny to me because Annie is a uber-smiler and I just couldn't picture her groom stone-faced while she was cheesing in all the photos.  So I braced myself for a difficult groom and was instead plesantly surprised with not just one but a whole party of goof-offs.

To be honest, while Annie is super laid back and fun, I thought this wedding may be a tough one for me.  I had just shot Cassie and Matt's wedding the day before and had the image of a grumpy groom imbedded in my skull from their rehearsal two days before.  I was of course delighted to be met with great family, a fun wedding party, and a very no-nonsense bride and groom.  I had a wonderful time, devoured some fabulous food, danced a bit myself, and left the night with more than one smiley Danny photo.  Now that is a good wedding.

Annie and Danny, you were all about getting the party started and for that, I thank you.  :)

Let's party again soon,
ames