Wallace, Idaho: The Center of the Universe

This summer has had it share of hot days and I had planned to do more posts about local color. But it was just. too. hot. I felt like a half melted popsicle most of the time. So instead of going to do my shooting in the morning, I waited until late evening. I wanted to show you some of the interesting things around me. This particular night I went to Wallace, Idaho to shoot some of the curiosities available to anyone visiting.

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This spaceship lives outside a restaurant. It's kind of funny because the spaceship itself doesn't have a lot to do with the theme of the restaurant itself -- The Red Light Garage is based more on old license plates than extra-terrestrials, but it's still pretty interesting.

This elk in a still lit store window caught my attention. I wonder if he's for sale or just to attract customers?

 

The other day I told James that the American Pickers would love all of the vintage signs that still exist in Wallace. If you like antiques they have a lot of those too.

 

 

When I took these I was thinking specifically of my architectural-detail-loving husband. He loves neat details from times past and so do I. Craftsman style work really turns my crank. :)

This is part of the main drag of Wallace -- since "The biggest little city in the world" was already taken, they chose to christen it as "the center of the universe." Maybe that is why the alien spaceship is there? Wallace is a fun place with a lot of character. :)

 

All in all Wallace is a pretty cool place to visit. If you ever watched The Gilmore Girls it has a lot of features similar to Stars Hollow -- lots of fun festivals and celebrations that are worth a visit. :)

Josh and Beca are Married!

Josh and Beca's May wedding day dawned cloudy. Overcast skies loomed as I drove to Uptown Hair Studio in Kellogg. I love cloudy days -- I am one quarter English and so the rainier the better. I believe there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Cloudy days also create beautiful lighting for anyone brave enough to venture forth to take photographs. I was excited and ready to shoot. 

 

 Beca wore a mermaid gown from Storybook Bridal in Coeur d'Alene. Her dad helped her choose the fit and flair dress with rosette detail and beautiful beading. Her amazing sisters helped me play stylist to get this shot. :)

 

 

I loved the pearls Beca wore on her wedding day. They were classic with a hint of modern. Gorgeous!

 

 

Ah, the much-heralded blue shoes. The satin covered stillettos were chosen by her husband-to-be, Josh. It is always wonderful to know the story behind the details.

 

 

The makeup artist and hair stylist did an amazing job. If you are getting married or live in the Kellogg area, I highly recommend the Uptown Hair Studio.

 

 

Beca's sisters had some fun after they helped me style the dress.

 

I love the drama of this image. Beca is facing her future, getting ready to marry the love of her life as she dons her pearls. Images like this tell a story and hold so much romance.

 

 

Josh and Beca were married in the Spokane Latter-Day Saint temple. As I arrived on the beautifully manicured property, the clouds broke. This picture shows how dark the clouds were most of the day.

LDS weddings take place inside the temple, and no photographs are allowed as a matter of reverence and respect. As I waited for Beca nd Josh I was able to take this image. Very pretty.

 

 

There was a lot of excitement and emotion as Josh and Beca came out from their ceremony as man and wife. Hugs were everywhere, and I love how Josh swept up his new mom-in-law into a big hug!

 



 After some family pictures at the temple,  the bride and groom went to take a few pictures at Mirabeau park.

 

 

 

These two are so in love and have so much fun together!

 

After a few minutes of photos, we headed back to the Kellogg area -- to the LDS church in Pinehurst where the reception was held. 

 

 

Their friends and family had so many good wishes and blessings for their new marriage. It was so loving and sweet.

 

I asked Beca who she hired to make the delicious cake and the answer was -- no one! A very talented friend made one of the prettiest and tastiest cakes I have ever eaten. It was extremely good.

 

 

It is clear Josh and Beca's family love them and were so happy to celebrate with them. They spontaneously created a confetti moment as Josh and Beca were getting ready to leave for their honeymoon.

Josh and Beca, thank you for believing in me and trusting me to capture your beautiful wedding day. I wish you both a lifetime of blessings and happiness. 

Kellogg Idaho Engagement: Beca and Josh

It all started as water cooler chat. "My son doesn't have anyone to attend singles group with, will you go?" Beca was more than happy to oblige a friend and coworker -- Josh's dad. Her big heart and sweet spirit reached out to this lonely soul in need of fellowship -- until they met up to ride to the church group together. She quickly discovered  Josh was a great guy who could set anyone at ease and that he didn't have anyone to go with because... he was residing in Oregon when the invitation was made. 

As peals of laughter settled into friendly conversation something sparked in both of them and soon they were spending every available moment in each other's company. Sweet romance began to bud and one day a bloom finally appeared along their path. An early red rose and a sparkling diamond ring accompanied Josh's proposal as they walked the dog up the hills surrounding Kellogg. 

Beca and Josh are marrying in the Spokane, Washington Latter-Day Saint temple. It's a day that promises family bonds and everlasting love. 

Their engagement session took place in Kellogg -- part of North Idaho's scenic Silver Valley, resplendent with snowy mountain peaks and rolling fog. 

We were spared rain and instead graced with the ambient glow of clouds. Clouds act as a diffuser for sunlight and can be an ideal natural light shooting situation. :-)

Beca and Josh had so much fun on this shoot. :) They are so spirited and sweet.

We moved a little further into town and found this gorgeous orange door waiting for us. They do not make 'em like that anymore. Actually, they are starting to. And that makes me want to do a happy dance. :)

I just had to include pictures of the ring and the witness to the engagement...Beca's dog Penny. She was so well behaved and all I wanted to do was pet her. I am a dog mom, after all. :)

I am so thankful for Beca and Josh. They encouraged me to get out there and do what I love as an artist and I will be forever grateful to them for that. :) Beca and Josh, I wish you a lifetime of happiness together!

To see more of Beca and Josh's engagement shoot, watch the slideshow. :)

Happy Weekend!

Shooting without a camera

While I have spent much of my life in North Idaho I can tell you that I am not outdoorsy. As a kid I spent a lot of time on rainy and snowy days reading Little Women and The Hobbit. Bad weather was my favorite because it made sure my indoor reading was not interrupted. Later as I got older I realized that books were indeed portable, but the bugs and sunburn factor wasn't exactly my favorite.

With age I have learned to start to like the outdoors. That being said, my idea of camping usually includes room service and shopping. I think that stems from church camp all those years ago, sitting in tents surrounded by the smack smack hiss of girls slapping away mosquitos and then applying more bug spray. I swear those bugs at that campsite were immune to OFF! Deep Woods, which is what my mom always bought me.

Today my outdoor adventures took me to the shooting range. My husband and his friend were gracious enough to invite me along.

  

Shooting friends together (including my own) is my favorite. There is something so natural and unforced about it.

We were there during a particularly moody stint of Northern weather. This picture below was taken less than thirty minutes after the first as the wind bit our fingers until they turned numb and red.

Snow still lurks in the shadows of the valleys this time of year. A little target practice was followed by clay pigeons.

My husband totally looks good firing a gun! Love it. It made me feel like if we became doomsday preppers that we would indeed be prepped.

Our mutual friend Josh is a fellow photographer and therefore can anticipate when I am framing a shot and ruin it. Ten points! :-)

In case you are wondering, I did fire a gun today. It was thrilling. It also hurt my bicep since I wasn't holding it properly -- which resulted in big laughs from my husband. Just keepin' it real here.  Josh promised me smaller ammo next time. I even got to see it -- it was tiny and cute. I can't wait for the next adventure.