Ya Gotta Laugh....

I laughed out loud when I took a look at this image. I was going through the digital roll I shot, editing for blurs, closed eyes, over exposures, and then I came upon this. I laugh because it reminded me of the comedic circumstances of taking a stellar photo with a stellar backdrop (unseen this in frame) while the wind howled through the venue and the people just not looking quite right. It reminds me of the website devoted to awkward family photos too, and it tickles me because of the special occasion that this was and how funny the portraits would have turned out. They would have been preserved forever: pictures of people with hair blowing in all directions, faces peeled back by the wind, eyes squinting against the mighty breeze, and skirts/jackets sucked to each body. Mmmm... nothing says "Good times; we're happy and thrilled we just got married; we're so in love, this is so elegant," like a wind tunnel moving through your portrait. Once you see the other photos of the bride, you'll see how dramatic the wind was blowing--her hair looked nothing like this here, when walking down the isle.

Hilarity. We chose to move inside.

Needless to say, this will not be making it into the album.

Christine

Whooooey! Rebekah + Phil Get Hitched

A couple teasers to fill some space until I get to the core of editing the western-themed wedding I shot last weekend. I also want to reflect on what a wonderful experience the wedding was.....

Every time I post here, I talk up the weddings I shoot and the brides and grooms who come together in front of family and friends to take their vows. I touch on how wonderful they are, and really though, I mean it. I've been blessed beyond measure to work with honest-to-goodness heart, down-to-earth, kind people. Saturday, May 8th was another one of those days.

Rebekah and Phil are two beautiful, light-filled people. I had met with only Rebekah before the wedding, and when I saw her husband-to-be, Phil, in his dress blues in the church before the wedding, I knew this was gonna be a goooood wedding! Phil is a US Marine, which brought this experience to a personal level, as I am the daughter of a proud US Marine and dated a Midshipman at the Naval Academy when I was in college. The military really hits home for me. I really enjoyed myself and thanked Phil for his service to our country after the wedding.

The ceremony was beyond anything I'd ever witnessed as a guest or as a photographer at weddings I've attended before. The message from the officiant, Phil's brother, was so authentic, eloquent, and so beautifully brought to life in front of the attendees. It was a message from the heart. And although I was focused on capturing all the right moments, I couldn't help but overhear the ceremony. Truly, it was like poetry, and I even almost got teary-eyed.

Thank you, Rebekah and Phil, for having me capture your special day. You truly blessed me with an incredible experience.

~C

Comin' Up In May!

Hello, sports fans! That's right, you know who you are!

Stuned for May! We've got two weddings coming up~ first is Rebekah and her soon-to-be-hubs (whom I haven't yet met, but no doubt he's great since Rebekah is so lovely herself!). Following at the end of the month is the wedding a great junior high school friend, Lani, and her beau Steve. And get this: can it get any better? I will be covering Rebekah and her fiance's wedding at the famed Ghostfield Goldmine, just a stone's throw from Arizona's breathtaking Superstition Mountains, and Lani and Steve's wedding will be my first Jewish event.

To put it in the vernacular: I'm totally pumped!

So stay tuned, sports fans, as we enter May 2010. It's gonna be a good month!

~Christine

Above photo is a Polaroid Transfer I printed in 2009.

Natalia's Session

I had the sheer pleasure of photographing Natalia, a stunning senior at Mountain Pointe HS. What a beauty she is--she rocks the cute and gorgeous look. See for yourself!

Natalia came with her mother and her friend James to meet me early on a Sunday morning at ASU's campus. It was the perfect company, light, and backdrop for an early morning shoot. This to-be Psych major is so full of personality, and has such a light in her eyes that will dazzle you! We had a lot of fun with multiple wardrobe changes, ending with a high note at a funky statue near the education building (props to Natalia for picking that out!).

Thank you, both Natalia and Doreen (shout-out to James, too!), for making my job so wonderful! It's people like you who make what I do all so worthwhile.

~C

Helloooo, April!

Hello out there! My my, it's been a great transition from spring to... well... late spring here in the Sonoran Desert. The weather's been beautiful, and Easter Sunday was the greatest I've seen in awhile--both weather-wise and with family. The two photos are of me and my wonderful, beautiful, inspirational 94-year-old grandmother, who is a living legend in Mesa and throughout the East Valley. The photos was taken on Easter Sunday at her place, a home of such comfort, respite, clarity and peace. There's a quietness to her home that settles your soul and clears the mind, as if the sacred Om is chanting throughout the ethers. Being in her home and spending time with her is like witnessing the unfolding of a rose blossom--a fragrance so special and naturally occurring only witnessed when away from the worries of the world, where time slows down and the magic beneath your eyes dazzles you. Yes, this is my Grandma Sherry; a safe place from the world where you're wrapped in velvety rose petals, all clean and fresh, naturally whole and perfectly joyous, the way you were created to be. I love her, I love her with all my heart.

I wanted to post up here to let you know that Under the Orange Tree Photography is still breathing! Still chuggin' along! I will have a senior shoot to post up here in the coming two weeks, and then wedding season is starting up!

Many blessings to all. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to the magical blessings which are coming our way.... and keep the gratitude flowin'!

Namaste, Christine

Virginia & Karl

Oh, wow. What words can I put on this blog that would describe this sparkling couple?

Virginia contacted me to have a photo session with her husband, Karl, for their 6th wedding anniversary. Even in her emails, Virginia was so warm and friendly--I couldn't wait to meet this couple!

We met in the late afternoon at the historic Camelback Inn in Paradise Valley. The weather was a beautiful 70 degrees, with full sun and a light breeze. We shot all around the grounds: from near the ballrooms, to the gardens, and even right underneath the cabanas on the patio. This couple was so fun and uninhibited--Virginia and Karl were up for anything!

I especially want to thank these two for such a lovely afternoon at such a beautiful location with such great company! Happy anniversary, V & K! ~Christine

We're in MARCH, folks!

Hey all! It's been a month, officially today, since I've last posted! Wanted to get in touch with the world of bloggers to let you know I'll be posting here shortly! Got a beeee-yoo-tiful couple--Virginia & Karl--who I will have the pleasure to share with you sometime by next week. Until then, enjoy this sunshine if you're in the Phoenix area! Blessings, blessings, blessings to all!