On a gorgeous morning a few weeks ago, Kelsey & Rusty were going through all the preparations for their wedding ceremony. Just before the ceremony started the storm clouds started billowing in over the Chugach. Kelsey stuck with her original plan of an outdoor wedding and after maybe three minutes of sprinkling rain, she ended up with an absolutely beautiful ceremony and beautiful day!

The ceremony was held at O’Malley’s On the Green and it made for a location both inside and out. The wedding party was….well, non-stop entertainment to say the least! Rusty has several brother’s who were not afraid to ham it up for the camera and who pulled out all the stops on the dance floor. Needless to say, it was quite the party and we even had a moosely visitor toward the end of the night!

Congratulations to Kelsey & Rusty on the start of a long and happy life together!

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Another brand new baby boy entered the world recently!  His big brother came along to the studio to offer support and provide lots of hugs and kisses.  Congratulations on the new addition!

Two handsome boys braved the snow and sun for a few photos with their brand spanking new addition to the family — a labradoodle! We had a quick shoot because of some cold wet feet! Hopefully I can talk them into another shoot when the leaves come out!

In March of this year I had the opportunity to photograph Connie and Mark’s wedding at the Anchorage Museum.  I’ve known Connie over the years by way of “the Christmas Parties” and “the Halloween Parties” from back at the Railway Depot.  It’s been several years now since I’ve photographed a wedding where I knew any of the attendees so this was quite a treat!  There were old friends all over the place! Following are a few of my favorites from Connie and Mark’s winter wedding.  Congratulations you two and thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day!

A big surprise showed up a few weeks early just in time to sport a Santa Claus hat and booties! Included are a few photos of his beautiful older sister, as well, from an earlier maternity shoot! He was just a few days old and as sweet and patient as anyone that young can possibly be with a crazy photographer trying to snap photos and make him pose!

Welcome to the world and Happy New Year!

I met this baby girl at a wedding recently and had the opportunity to capture her one year portraits as well. The title says it all. She has the best cheeks ever! Such a cutie and a great sport as long as there was “Pirate Booty” — a fun kids snack– hidden in strategic locations.

My favorite shot is the one of her looking studious reading the book she brought along to play with.

We recently added a new member to our family.  He is furry and runs on all fours and sometimes answers to the name of Ivan. On other times he answers to the name Eisen-Howard (when Sid says Ivan it sounds like Izen) and yet other times he chooses not to answer at all.  He is a crazy fur beast with a perpetual smile on his face.  He looks like a Russian Wolf Hound mixed with an Alaskan Husky then crossed with a Golden Retriever.  He is a a nut (did I mention that already?)  The best part, however, is that he adores Solomon and Sid and they love him!

Ivan came from the Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue from up in Wasilla.  It is a great organization of volunteers who house the dogs themselves until a permanent home can be found for them.  It was great for us, too, because we were able to meet with him in a home environment to really get a better impression of his personality. We were looking for a love sponge who would entirely tolerate two little boys and this silly puppy completely fits the bill.  He is a non-stop barker and the fastest thing on four feet that I have ever seen.  He loves to sleep upsidedown with his paws in the air and he has two ice blue eyes with a hint of brown in one.

This past weekend we took him out for a walk around the lake which is now pretty solidly frozen.  We’ve been dog sitting Mookie for the past week and had him join us for the jaunt.  The boys careened around the lake in the sled and the dogs just played and played and played.  It was a perfect little family adventure on a cold November day.

On a day like today when it is at least 50 or 60 degrees outside, it’s hard to remember what is feels like when you are constantly being hit by arctic gusts of wind.  The day we headed out for Michelle and Brian’s engagement shoot was one of those days.

Michelle & Brian had on the coolest set of trench coats– which reminds me I still need to add one of those to my wardrobe! These guys were fun!  They didn’t even flinch at the chill in the air. They were so accommodating to all my silly ideas for poses that they even came up with several of their own ideas and locations.

This was the second shoot in a month where water was involved or someone falling into water was involved.  This time it was my beloved flash unit taking a digger right after we finished shooting.  I was breaking everything down and launched that baby up into the air for a splashdown completely underwater.   Brian leapt to my rescue and, of course, landed in the water.   He did, however, save my flash from certain death!  I am happy to announce it has now made a full recovery and I think Brian survived unscathed as well!

Brian & Michelle, thank you for your patience in the chilling winds of fall!  I had no idea how cold it was until the drive home so I know you guys must have been freezing!

Congratulations on your engagement!

Amy & Andy are engaged! They will be tying the knot next summer out in the valley. I am excited about photographing their wedding and really enjoyed the opportunity to spend a few hours with them on a gorgeous day prior to the hustle and bustle of the big day!

We traipsed over rocks and outcroppings and played in dirt and water. At one point, Amy even went sliding and splashing into the water as we tried to inch near a waterfall! I fell in a few minutes later as payback for even suggesting such a thing. Luckily it was gorgeous and hot outside. Amy’s jeans never quite dried off but she looked like she was having fun throughout the soak filled latter half of the day.

Congratulations Amy & Andy! I’m looking forward to your wedding next summer.

I met Leslie and her brother & nephew out at Bird Creek right before the autumn leaves had really changed.  Leslie traveled up from Idaho and wanted to have some family photos to take back home with her.  We started out in the rain but just like any other day in Anchorage, if you wait five minutes, the weather will change!  We ended up having great weather and stayed dry for the rest of the evening.

The big challenge of the evening was to counter balance her nephew’s “James Bond” posings with a few natural smiles.  There were some great lifted eyebrows and expressionless glances but eventually we had him crack a real laugh.   I think those are going to be keepers for his grandmother!