Reutzel and Associates

In need of some expertise regarding land development?  Check out Reutzel and Associates.  I have to be honest, I haven't used their legal services (...yet...) but from a personal level they are very down to earth and approachable.  

Enter Karen and Jack.  

They are married and established their own law firm in Littleton, CO. and hired us to take their professional headshots for their website, professional networking and other materials.  I always find it interesting when a husband and wife team work together.  Admittedly, often times I have entertained the idea of working with my spouse and usually at the end of that thought I think "nope, negative, no way, not a chance, no-go, definitely not... we'd end in divorce in about a week's time".  

So when I meet a couple that has made marriage and a working relationship work, I am very intrigued to say the least. These two were fun to observe, from the casual teasing & wisecracks to the ambush of hairspray on Jack (that only a wife could get away with).  Needless to say they made the idea (if it ever comes to fruition) of working with my husband a little less frightening.  I can't say I'm completely sold but maybe a little more swayed in the other direction... baby steps.  Below are a few more of my favorites from our shoot, thanks again Jack and Karen. 

If you think Karen looks familiar, check out my post before this one...those two little boys are her nephews!

I think I've discovered the next Will Ferrell & is it possible for a 2 yr old to be wise beyond his years?

Recently I photographed two little boys, brothers, named Wiley age 4 and Brody age 2.  The word "easy" is not one that I would ever associate with photographing two boys two years apart...no matter what age.  However, there's a difference between challenging and pleasant vs hard and unrewarding.  And even though they were a challenge more importantly they were sweethearts which made the challenge all the more worth it.  

As soon as I walked into their house they made it their mission to identify every single part of the house- this is our table, this is my Dad's guitar, these are our stairs, this is my room...  The best part was when they started to ask me about my equipment and even offered to help!  That was a first for me, the little ones became my assistants helping me carry light stands and reflectors.  And to their dismay my light stands were too cold from being in the trunk of my car...my sincerest apologies.  They were curious little monkeys but also so much fun.

What's funny about being a photographer is sometimes you get so immersed in the photo shoot that you don't notice things until after you go back and edit through your photos.  As I was editing, I noticed a few things about these little guys.  The first: there is no shortage of dreamy eyes with these young men.  

 

  

The second:  I do believe that Wiley will be the next Will Ferrell.  I didn't notice the likeness of his expressions while I was shooting but when I was editing my shoot his photos made me crack up!

And the third:  Mister Brody may only be 2 years old but there's an old soul quality about him.  In the photos below doesn't it look like he could teach you a few life lessons (even with that pink heart sucker in his hand)?

 

As you can see they were lots of fun.  Here are some of my other favorites from that shoot.

 

  

 

Thanks Wiley & Brody, looking forward to watching you grew up!

Wackadoo Cake

Two words: Indulge Bakery.  This tiny little bakery in Lafayette, Colorado has stolen my heart.  I first noticed the bakery when I would visit the coffee shop that was located directly across from it.  I would meet my new mom friends at that coffee shop (tykes in tow) and we'd all dish over the flowing espresso.  Many times one of us would lag behind after we said our adieu's to go peruse the delectable delights the bakery had to offer.  Somehow I managed to resist temptation and never wandered in b/c I knew the inevitable would happen and I just didn't have enough room in my fridge.  Until one day, one of the editors at Yellow Scene Magazine contacted me.  YS was putting together a feature article about the top 25 culinary masterpieces in the North Metro area.  She asked if I'd be interested in shooting anything and curiously I asked, "well...whaddaya got?" The following was actually an email conversation but I will write the way it went in my head:

Calamari salad...,

"meh."

burger, truffle, fries and shake..., 

"tasty but not exactly photogenic."

mejilones de la casa en adobo...,

"...huh?"

birthday cake at Indulge Bakery....,

"stop right there my friend..."

Finally a real and absolute bonafide excuse to go into this bakery that has secretly taunted me.  Below is Indulge Bakery's Wackadoo cake- it's one of their specialties.  They're made everyday and sell out quickly (I was there at 10am and they already sold 2/7 made for that day) and come in all different colors and flavors.   As you can see it looks like Cindy Lou Hoo's Birthday Cake and there ain't nothing wrong with that.  So...if you're in need of a cake (especially for that co-worker's birthday that everyone forgot) drop in and take a gander at all the tasty treats Indulge Bakery has to offer- oh and nothing says "hey you're special & we really didn't forget  *cough, clear your throat, a-hem* your birthday" like a Wackadoo.  And if for some strange reason that cake doesn't put a smile on your face there are plenty of other items that will make your ears perk up, read: strawberries that look like they're dressed in little chocolate tuxedoes, or those fruit cup things that hold glistening berries and fruit assortments....!

There's just one photo in this Feb. issue but it's big, as in two page spread big.  I like big and if you ask any other photographer who tells you differently they're a liar.  Size totally matters.

Beauty and Meatballs

There's a magazine here in Colorado that is distributed  in the North Metro area called Yellow Scene.  Occasionally, I shoot some assignments for them.  Normally, my business focus is all about weddings and portraiture but sometimes it's nice to shoot something a little more "out of the box" for me.  Keeps things interesting to me and I enjoy the challenge.

These photos are from the Dec '09/Jan '10 issue.  One of the feature articles was all about alternative ways to achieve/maintain/acquire beauty.  One assignment was to shoot at a place called Bar Method, it's a workout routine that combines dance conditioning (as in ballet-hence the "bar"), interval training and isometrics.  I didn't get a chance to actually participate since I was doing my own isometrics with my camera equipment but I did stay and watch the whole class.  Holy cow.  Ladies who've had babies & you want to get back in shape- this is the place for you. Like all weight lose/get in the best shape of your life plans, they only work if you do them.  But let me tell you- this class hits all the right areas- butt, thighs, quads, calves, lower tummy bulge, higher tummy bugle, side tummy bulges, tricep arm waddle- it gets them all.  If you've got the time, money and motivation- I recommend this place.  Check them out if you're interested: The Bar Method

The second assignment was at a place that does facial acupuncture.  Since I've had my baby, I've developed a little bit of queasiness to needles.  You'd think it'd be the opposite, but having difficult veins combined with monthly, then bi-monthly and weekly doctor's visits I've grown to be not such a fan of sharp pointy things in my flesh.  I didn't know how I'd handle this photo shoot, knowing I was going to be there when someone was getting the treatment but I was pleasantly surprised.  It seems that I'm just fine watching others getting poked, just not myself.  Supposedly, facial acupuncture can get rid of wrinkles, jowls, etc...so you wouldn't have to go under the knife.  I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this but if this is the type of thing that floats your boat, this procedure is done at 360 Degree Woman in Boulder, Colorado.

Yellow Scene does a dining review every issue and that was my 3rd assignment- Pinnochios Restaurant in Lafayette, CO.  Cute restaurant in a quaint town, who can resist the quintessential Italian comfort food- Spaghetti and Meatballs?  Yum.  Yum.  Yum.  But what's better than spags and balls?  Italian lemon cake.  I didn't have the opportunity to taste this one, and it wasn't selected to print in the magazine but this one is too delish not to share.  It will motivate me back to Pinnochios Restaurant.

Miss Mary -9 months

On Monday we had a photo shoot with little Miss Mary.  This is the second time we photographed her, the first being her 6 month session.  In 3 months Mary has mastered the art of snacking (complete with matching dinette set), growing 2 teeth, army crawling and pulling Baxter's hair.  Here are some of my favorites from our session...

Enjoy!
Andrea

 

Any lovers of musical theater out there?  Doesn't this first image in the series above remind you of Oliver?  "Please Sir, may I have some more?"

  

Poor, poor Baxter...you have many more months of this to endure...

 

Faces of Mary- check out the one- eyebrow she's giving me here.

The photo shoot was for Mary but I like to capture the interactions between parents when I can.  This was towards the end of the session and Mary had tolerated me long enough.  It's photos like these that drove me to become a photographer, maybe it's because I'm a recent mother but this photo just pulls at my heart strings.  The single tear in her eye, clutching for Mom, Mom's loving hug... this photo, to me, is the epitome of motherhood.

Hello and welcome to 2009!

Well we've finally hitched a ride on the blog train, welcome to our inaugural post.  Today is Superbowl Sunday and as I'm awaiting for the big game to start I decided to finally take a look back in 2009 and collect some of my favorites.  I've been dreading this, not because I don't like to do it but because I like it so much it's a HUGE time commitment.  You know- it's like that book you keep putting off reading b/c you know once you get started you won't be able to put it down.  I've bit the bullet and here you'll find some of my favorites from 2009- enjoy!

-Andrea