This winter I drove down to Phoenix to shoot Jessi & Will's wedding. I can get a bit nervous shooting inside a church due to dim lighting, but this church had lots of windows to let all the warm winter sunshine through. It created some beautiful, soft lighting to show off all the love being spread around that day. Lots of smiles, laughter, hugs and cute kids. I love snapping shots of curious, sweet, and silly kids. Enjoy!
I love going to Steep to sip on warm matcha and play some board games. In the winter the big, tall windows steam up from all the hot tea being served... It's cute. :) Also I talk for the first time in video... Ooooer.
Need a recap on the last few MST videos? Check them out here!
The 10th Annual Kahtoola Uphill - Flagstaff Event Film
Last month’s Kahtoola Uphill event felt like a big, fun party. Community members had gathered and were having fun as they cheered on the runners. However, when I stepped back I realized this was, truly, all for the future of society and I was struck by the magic of community. Although everyone was enjoying their time, the runners were ultimately supporting Camp Colton, which supports environmental education in Flagstaff. It's important that students get the opportunity to learn about the environment, to connect to nature, and grow in new ways, especially for them to grow into caring citizens. And I think that's the real reason everyone comes out to the Kahtoola Uphill, not for a fun party, but to ensure that more kids have the chance to grow into all their potential as caring and vital citizens of society. I hope you get that sense of community when you watch the video below!
This February marked the 10th annual Kahtoola Uphill, presented by none other than... Kahtoola! The event is sponsored by Gore-Tex and benefits the Friends of Camp Colton. Participants race up the second highest peak in Arizona, through the snow (here's where those Kahtoola Microspikes came in handy) all in the name of camp. Why for camp?!
Every year, all of the 6th graders in the Flagstaff Unified School District have the opportunity to pack their bags and stay at Camp Colton, an outdoor and environmental education camp, for a week. They get to explore their surroundings through guided lessons all about botany, astronomy, aquatics, geology, and so much more. Watching campers discover a new plant or a horny toad (definitely a crowd favorite!) fills me with one of the sweetest feelings. Students also get the chance to grow their social skills, independence, and responsibility while they stay at camp. And the Friends of Camp Colton, a non profit organization, strives to create sustainable funding for Camp Colton to ensure that many more 6th graders to come will grow at camp. Which is exactly what all the participants in this snowy race helped do!
Yay for camp!!
As the rain was falling, my friends and I pulled into Arcosanti just in the nick of time. The sun was lowering, inching closer to the horizon, and tours were closing. Yet, by chance, we wound up meeting a guide who happily showed us around, filling us in on the special details of the experimental town. Arcosanti is a more sustainable alternative suggestion to urban sprawl, where the buildings are kept to a limited area so as to make the most use of the resources offered by the surrounding land. The trickling rain brought extra attention to colorful land, highlighting it's potential.
The evening had all of my favorite subjects wrapped up into one: lots of beautiful greenery, a gorgeous, shimmering sunset, unique architecture, and lovely friends. Also the opportunity for lots of candid shots! I hope these photos can bring you along for our rainy little tour.
Reach out and let’s start brainstorming!
