All Fall Down!

We survived our 2011 wedding season and I must say it was the best year ever!  It is such a pleasure to be doing what you love, it makes our work less work.  We just returned from a mini vacation, road trip, to Zion National Park, Bryce National Park and the Grand Canyon.  We also stopped in Vegas for a bronzing tan before we headed home!  I must say that the 87 degree weather has got me wanting to go back.  In reality and truth, I am glad to be home and let me just say I am loving this time of year.  Fall is peaceful, quiet, and still.  Despite the chill in the air, the colors are warming and inviting.  Love that the sun is lower in the sky and shadowy.  Grab a cup of cider and enjoy the warmth out your window.  Until later..

 

 

 

 

 

We put 12 miles on those tennis shoes that day in Zion. Awesome!

 

The grand-daddy of them all, The Grand Canyon.

In The Market For Love?

Wow, every once in a while I hit the jackpot and todays post is just that!  I adore working with great photographers but even more I truly swoon over working with mega-gifted photographers.  Meg from  www.easydreamerphotography.com is just that.  My Bounty of Summer she photographed, and this french market inspired shoot we collaborated together as well.  Meg and I have had a lot of fun together this summer on a few projects that we have done.  Her soft, romantic style is just the fit for Belle Victorian Gardens.  I have longed to find this kind of art to represent our wedding venue.  Meg, you are a true talent and we are so fortunate to have you in our area to capture special  events in all of our lives.  This engagement  session was born out of our love of color and again the richness of fall and its glorious bounty.  Thanks to Stasha and Justin, you both are the sweetest young couple and I adore you!  *The first 6 photos were taken by Easy Dreamer and the rest were taken by myself.

The Bounty Of Summer!

We are so blessed to have such lush summers and the fruits of it plentiful right in our backyard in the fields of GreenBluff.  These beautiful fruits and berries from the earth inspired this gorgeous styled shoot in a romantic, colorful field of poppies.  I love the feel of the warm sunshine on the soft pale skin of our stunning model MaKenzie and on our delicate arranged florals, fruits and berries.  This was one of the most beautiful shoots I have had the pleasure of styling due in part to our fantastic photographer Meg from www.easydreamerphotography.com.  Her work is some of the best I have seen and we are so fortunate to have her in our area.  She photographs all occasions but does the most romantic wedding  documentation I have ever seen.  I also must give a big thank-you to Shasta Hankins for our make-up, Heather Blake from Fringe Salon and Boutique for our hair, Esther Ryan from Special Touch Florist for the gorgeous florals, and Judy Rozier from Frosting for the most awesome poppy cookies ever!  Thanks to all of you in whom none of this would be possible, love you all!

Poppy Field Styled Shoot, Sierra and Bruce Part 2.

These two certainly have definite style.  They wanted a more traditional styling about their engagements as well as the 40′s theme.  It just so happens that I know of an amazingly lovely poppy field.  What says love and summer more than  thousands of poppies all staged in one romantic field?  Sierra and Bruce’s love for each other definitely shines in these playful and romantic  images in this beautiful shoot.  Romantic love deserves a romantic backdrop!  This is their backdrop.

Sierra and Bruce’s Styled Engagement Shoot!

It is no secret that I love styling photo shoots.  Bruce and Sierra are my bride and groom  next year and Bruce is a collector of World War 11 memorabilia.  Sierra wanted to incorporate Bruce’s love for the 40′s era so we decided to design a story line.  The story is, Bruce has just gotten out of the Army and he picks Sierra up to go to the courthouse to get married.  They get married and on the way out of the courthouse to their honeymoon they break down. We appropriately named this session Stranded in Love.  This was perfect as the Willey’s jeep is Bruce’s and was fully restored by him.  His  World War 2 uniform is also part of his collection.  These two really played the part and it is easy to see their true love for one another.  This session was 100% them.  Enjoy the images of their personal story. 

Photographer:  Ifong Chen, Hair:  Glitter, Make-up:  Shasta Hankins, Antiques:  Fabulous Finds, Attire:  Romancing the Stone and the Groom, Styling:  Pam Terpstra, Romancing the Stone.

A Gorgeous Wedding At Belle By Ryan Lindberg Photography

Afton and Brian tied the knot at Belle on July 9th, 2011.  Brian is a man who pays close attention to detail and Afton is soft-spoken but knows who she is and is very confident in herself.  The two together are like bread and butter, like wine and cheese.  They are a great pairing.  Working with them on their wedding I must say was pure joy.  Their families were so supportive and lovely as well.  Add Ryan Lindberg as their photographer and you have pure magic.  I have watched Ryan evolve from the beginning of his career to now and he has definitely made a name for himself here in the northwest.  Thank-you Ryan for a great day and outstanding images of Afton and Brian.  ENJOY!

A Couple of Weddings at Belle, 2011!

Our 2011 season is in full swing!  I wanted to post a few images of a couple of weddings shot by Mr. Jay’s photography.  You can find him at www.mrjaysphotography.com.  Romancing the Stone styling is also up and running in full tilt as well.  How fun it is to be creative about your big day and infuse a few special elements about the two of you.  It is such a joy to be a part of a bride and groom, and their families, special day.  We consider it a privilege.  At Belle we specialize in you virtually walking in and walking out on your day.  We do everything in between, even to loading your families cars at the end of the night.  We want you to enjoy your day completely and be freed up to take it all in.  Enjoy the planning and let us help you make it above the mark and special!