My favorite take-away from Alt Summit. Worth the trip to Utah.
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Having Guts Always Works Out For Me :: montana wedding photographer
It is ridiculously hard to believe that February is here. A little over a week ago I went to Salt Lake City for Alt Summit, a blogging conference with a focus on design. I’ve read about it online for a couple of years and decided it could be a great thing to check out. I wasn’t disappointed. I connected with new creative people, heard amazing speakers, and generally was able to push the recharge button on my creativity. I think it is pretty rare to have time to do that. So much of my time is spent shooting, editing, and developing new projects and business. To be able to focus on just filling up on creativity is a real rarity for me. While we were there the weather was less than awesome but it did make for the shot above with the mountains peeking up above the inversion.
I had a great time at the conference, met some hilarious and inspiring folks, ate delicious food, and came away with lots of memorable lessons. But my favorite by far was from keynote speaker Stefan Sagmeister:
“Having guts always works out for me.”
Sagmeister’s chat was on happiness, how to keep your love of what you do alive, and what he had done in his own life to stay happy. Basically it came down to knowing yourself and taking risks. But I really loved the idea that no matter the risk things worked out. I have this phrase taped up at my desk now. I don’t want to forget.
The time I was in Salt Lake really flew by. I’ve got some pics here below that hit on some highlights, what the conference looked like, a workshop I took on food photography, and my friends who gave me a free place to stay and kept me laughing even when I was beyond exhausted.
One of the many lounges (this one by The Land of Nod) at Alt Summit where you could chat with other creative peeps.
Boots and carpet during a mini break.
Series of shots from a food photography workshop with photographer Nicole Hill Gerulat. I’m so glad I had a chance to hear her speak and get some greater insight into a subject I love shooting.
Keriann and Alex. Basically two of my favorite people. They let me stay in their adorable new home they recently purchased. And they let me hang out with Huck, their ridiculous Corgi.
View from a walk in the park near Keriann and Alex’s home. We woke up and the city was foggy beyond belief. We went for a walk thru the park and you could barely see 1/4 mile.
This was a great way to start the year off with a running start. I’m excited to see what other adventures 2013 has in store for me.
It’s a new year ya’ll! :: Montana Wedding Photographer
After lots of editing, writing and re-writing, and then some more editing I’m happy to share that Cocoa Blue is now Cou Cou Studio ©. The new and improved website has a much more extensive display of the weddings we have shot over the last couple years. We still have the same colorful logo and photographers behind the lens. Just a little makeover and refresher to start 2013. Thanks for taking time to check out the site. I’d love to hear your feedback!
Best of 2012 :: Montana Destination Wedding Photographer
This year has flown by. For real. It seems like yesterday that I was heading out to start the year in San Francisco shooting Ginny and Matt’s wedding shindig. Now here it is December and I’m watching snow fall out my window. I can’t really wrap my head around it entirely.
The last couple years I’ve done a end-of-the-year wrap up post with highlights of some of my favorite moments throughout the year. It is a post I always look forward to writing. It is such a neat thing to sit down and really look thru images and moments and people I’ve spent time with over the last twelve months. It makes me feel extra lucky that my job is to focus on capturing love – between couples, families, and friends. I’m a lucky lady that gets to document happy people in beautiful places.
1. Lido (who I couldn’t have done this year without) caught this quiet moment between Leslie and Wade just after their ceremony in downtown Whitefish. Sometimes the in-between-times are the best.
2. Melissa and her boys were great sports for our morning family photo shoot in Glacier National Park. Despite rain showers that tried to chase us away, a bit of patience paid off with beautiful early-morning sunshine. I just love how genuinely happy and proud she looks here.
3. If you knew the bride in this photo you’d know she’s one tough lady. She’s stared down hurricanes and deals with judges and lawyers daily (that qualifies as tough in my book). Seeing her share this hug with her mom was one of my favorite moments. It also makes a great case for moments to be found before the ceremony while everyone is getting ready. That time really can fly by with some many things happening before the ceremony. It is one of my favorite times to shoot because I love being able to capture the nuances of people’s emotional lives.
4. The light at Flathead Lake Lodge for Tricia and Kevin’s wedding was out-of-this-world-gorgeous. When Tricia suggested a couple shots on the staircase I was thrilled. With golden, fall light like that and a beautiful bride, how can you go wrong?
5. Abby is sort of a rock star. Down to earth, funny and an amazing dancer. When we did her photo session together this summer I was so glad she was willing to take a little extra time to venture out to the south end of the valley. This field is only in bloom for a brief period of time and I’m happy we were able to get some shots, including this one, there.
6. What can I even say about this photo? Leanora is amazing. She is a great reminder to lighten up and have a good time.
7. Beautiful couple. Beautiful setting. I just liked the simplicity of this portrait with Leslie and Wade.
8. This moment from Ginny and Matt’s wedding feels so carefree and fleeting. I love how happy the bride looks and how timeless it all feels. Classic.
9. Pure joy. Tami looks SO happy right after her surprise wedding. Every time I see this image it just makes me smile.
10. Ok, ok. I might have fallen slightly in love with San Francisco. This couple with a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge was worth the extra couple minutes we stole after the ceremony to shoot these photos. Sometimes it can be hard to make extra time for photos but when you do I think it can really pay off.
So that’s it. Thanks to all my great clients who fill my year with happy moments. I am so grateful you give me such beautiful things to photograph. Here’s to health, happiness, and harmony in 2013!!
Flathead Lake Wedding
You know what’s awesome? Surprises. I’m a little slow on getting this fun wedding onto the blog — but Tammi and Jason’s celebration was really so much fun. The two rented a boat on Flathead Lake, had guests out for a party on the water, and then surprised them by getting married mid-cruise. Surprise!! So much fun and a really great treat for me to shoot such a fun and joy-filled event. Right down to the end where everyone sent Chinese lanterns into the summer sky.
Thank you Tammi and Jason for including me in the celebration. I had a blast!
Flathead Lake Lodge Wedding :: Montana Wedding Photographer
The weather was chilly but beautiful for this outdoor ceremony at Flathead Lake Lodge. Tricia and Kevin’s small ceremony with family was full of happy moments. And how can you go wrong with Flathead Lake as a backdrop? With a reception dinner following at The Bigfork Inn it was a very sweet celebration of two people who obviously love each other very much.
Congrats to you all! Thank you so much for allowing me to document your celebration.
Beautiful Bride Tricia :: Montana Wedding Photographer :: Preview
I have so much wedding beautiful-ness to show and I am a bit behind on my blogging. Here’s a sneak-peak of bride Tricia from her wedding at Flathead Lake Lodge earlier this Fall. More weddings to come here, including Tricia’s, so check back soon! And I am busy booking for next year so don’t hesitate to contact me as you are moving forward with planning. Next year’s wedding season will be here before you know it!
Family Portrait :: Montana Photographer :: Katie, Keith and Leanora
I’m sorry — but do you see how adorable this family is? Leanora just kills me with the best kind of silly. It was great to spend a still-warm Fall afternoon in Trego, Montana with Katie, Keith, Leanora and their-soon-to-be-expected addition to the family. These guys were very fun to shoot and their easy-going and relaxed nature came thru as we hung out in the fields at sunset. Thanks for a wonderful shoot Poe family!! 
Family Portrait :: Montana Photographer :: The Meuters, Whitefish, Montana
The Meuter family made the trek up to Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park earlier this Fall for a family photo session. They were as fun as always and after a quick rain shower, the weather was spectacular. Photo shoots like this are always extra fun to me because you never know exactly what will happen with kids and pets. In this case – they were delightful, full of energy, and fun. One of the more rewarding parts of my job is shooting families as they grow over time and it’s been fun to come back and check in with this family as it’s grown. Thanks for such a fun photo session Meuters — you guys rock!
by cocoablue
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