Mazie’s First Year HLHS Warrior | Fort Collins Kids Photographer

Mazie's First Year

HLHS Warrior

Oh Mazie. This little girl stole my heart from the very beginning and if I could give her my heart, I would!

Mazie was born with HLHS (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome) and underwent heart surgery at just three days old and has since been fighting and getting stronger every day.

I met Mazie for the first time when she was about 2 months old, when we did her first session and I was amazed at her mother’s amazingness (that is a word, for this blog’s sake), Mazie’s strength, and her sisters patience while her parents tried their best to take care of Mazie and their little 2 year old.

Mazie was admitted into children’s hospital the evening of our shoot and after a lot of struggles and ins and outs of the hospital, they ended up doing her second heart surgery a little earlier than expected.

A few months after Mazie’s second surgery we did a little mini session/almost 6 month old session, and she was doing great! Her incision had healed up nicely and she was doing so much better!

I stay in touch with Mazie’s family and always have her on my mind while her family is back in Children’s, waiting for tests and answers. I don’t know how they do it! They are my heroes! I watch videos of them taking Mazie via flight for life to the hospital and they are always so strong and faithful. It seriously amazes me!

For Mazie’s first birthday, my intern and I spent the afternoon with the girls, taking photos of mazie and her sister. I stayed for dinner with the whole family, and I can confidently say that girl has an army of love and support to help her through this!

It has been a tough year for Mazie and her family, but I believe whole-heartedly (see what I did there??) that if they made it through the last year, they can make it through anything.

Happy birthday miss Mazie! I can’t wait to see where you go in the next year!

Wedding Traditions | Bridesmaids | Northern Colorado Wedding Photographer

Centennial Village | Greeley, Co | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

Why do Brides have Bridesmaids

The reasons for this fun tradition

Country Wedding | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

History of the Bridesmaid

When one of your close friends gets married you may wait around to see if they will ask you to be one of the bridesmaid, but the sad truth behind the history of bridesmaids is that they are actual evil spirit decoys. Many wedding traditions come from wayyyy back and they were often scared of evil spirits. The bridesmaids dressed up like the brides to try and trick the evil spirits. So, next time you are asked to be a bridesmaid, just know that you're really the brides evil spirit decoy!

Northeastern 18 | Sterling, Co | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

Why do we continue??

There are several other reasons for the continuation of the bridesmaid. In this article in the Reader's Digest they said "There’s evidence of this custom {bridesmaids dressing like the bride} dating back to ancient Rome and feudal China, where a bride may have been required to travel many miles to her groom’s town, making her susceptible to attack by bandits or rival suitors. With a host of bridesmaids all dressed alike, it became that much harder to target the bride on the road or at her ceremony".

So the next time you're asked to be a bridesmaid know that you may be in charge of more than just making sure the bride has a good day! You may need to risk evil spirits and kidnapping!

McC Ranch | Loveland Colorado Wedding Venues

But what about the groomsmen??

Remember how the bridesmaid tricked evil spirits and kidnappers? The groomsmen, or Bride's knights, were there to protect the bride on her journey to meet the groom. It is also believed that in some cases these bride's knights were actually the kidnappers who stole her from her family to get married.

There are also sources that state the best man was often the best sword's man and he would stand next to the groom to protect him and the bride. I also read that the reason the groom stands on the audiences right is so that he can easily draw his sword if he is right handed and being attacked. 

So maybe you'd be better off asking the Man in Black or Inigo Montoya to be your best man than your best buddy from college who may be really good at drinking. Although, he may be the best option as a bridesmaid as in some cultures they are to drink all the drinks brought to the bride on her wedding day.

It is crazy to see how some traditions began and have evolved over time!

Kenna + Wade | Ellis Ranch | Loveland, Colorado Wedding Photographer

Kenna + Wade

5.12.18

I LOVE small and intimate weddings. There is just something about being surrounded by your family and closest friends that I love. Kenna and Wade’s wedding was just that. Kenna + Wade got married at Ellis Ranch on a overcast and rainy day, but the weather cleared up just in time for the ceremony and some family picture outside. AKA a photographers dream!

At Ellis Ranch the bride and her father come down the hill in a horse drawn carriage. I was watching Wade to see when he would turn to see his beautiful bride and he waited to look at her until she was at the end of the aisle and started to make her way to him. His eyes were locked on her the ENTIRE ceremony and even on through the reception.

Kenna and wade spent the evening surrounded by the people closest to them, as they will spend the rest of their lives.

Vendors

Venue- Ellis Ranch

Caterer- Rudy’s

Cake- Donut Haus

DJ- Stage one

Flowers- Lil flower shop

Dress- Bridal Connection in Longmont

Seamstress- Cindi James Alterations

Is Rain on your Wedding Day Good Luck? | Colorado Wedding Photographer

Centennial Village | Greeley, Co | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

Rain on your wedding day?

The reasons for this superstition

McC Ranch | Loveland Colorado Wedding Venues

Rainy Forecast

As a Colorado Wedding Photographer, there is one thing that I have zero control over on the wedding day; rain! The morning of each wedding I check the forecast for the day to see if we should expect any rain. Now, this forecast may change about 40 times before the bride even gets into her dress, but it helps me get an idea of what to expect. So many brides ask me if it is good luck to have rain on your wedding day so I decided to do some research. 

Ellis Ranch Wedding | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

What started this superstition?

As is the case with most wedding traditions and superstitions, rain is considered good luck because it was a symbol. Now, who decided what everything symbolized, I don't know, but I do know what rain did symbolize!

Rain symbolizes fertility, cleansing, and unity. 

You need rain for things to grow, which is the reason for the symbolism of fertility. If you have rain on your wedding day that is a sign that you will grow and raise children. In the same aspect, rain helps to cleanse things, like your past. Rain washes away the past and allows you to have a fresh start. My personal take on unity is this; much like the common sand ceremony, two colors of sand are joined together in one vase and can never be separated again, in the same way, once a drop of rain falls on top of another drop of rain, the two can never be separated and will always be a part of the other.

 

Ellis Ranch Wedding | Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

Is rain bad luck?

BUT, I do have some bad news.

Rain on your wedding day also symbolizes tears. When I first read this I thought of the tears of loved ones in heaven, but it's not quite that sentimental. The rain symbolizes the tears the bride will shed in their marriage. There is a little bit of hope, as I didn't see any posts that specified if they were tears of happiness or sadness!

Why Did I Become a Photographer?

Fort Collins Wedding Photographer

Why I'm a Photographer

And what got me started

Fort Collins Photographer | Elizabeth Jane Photography LLC

Photo by © Darcy Fehringer of Miss Darcy Photography 1998

 

Back when I was a kid..

If you remember in my fun facts about me I said that I was the baby of 5. I was tortured as a child by my 3 older brothers, but loved when my sister came home to visit. She is 14 years older than me and left for college when I was 4 years old, so from a young age I always looked up to her and wanted to be just like her.

When she was in college she started doing some film photography, and I always wanted to play with her camera, but I was a small child with grimy hands and wasn't allowed to play with it for the longest time.

The day finally came that she let me take some pictures with it and I was so excited! And then at the age of 8 (or something like that) I decided I wanted to be just like her.

Fort Collins Photographer | Elizabeth Jane Photography LLC

One of my early (and clearly amazing) photos. 

Where it all started

I got my first camera as a hand me down from my brother. It was a plastic point and shoot film camera. After a few years I upgraded to a new point and shoot film, then I got a digital camera and I was taking pictures of everything from flowers to fences to every cow in the pasture. I took that camera with me EVERYWHERE and it was my baby. I was limited by the capabilities of my camera and saved up the money for my first DSLR. Once I got that camera, the rest was history!

I started a lot of my photography shoots using my oldest niece and nephew as models and my friends as guinea pigs. Eventually this hobby turned into a money maker, then a college major, then a side job, and now a career.

It's funny to look back now and think that all of this started because I was an annoying little wannabe sister, but who am I kidding, I'm still a wannabe sister!

Miss Darcy Photography

A shout out to my sister

My big sister has been running her own business for years now and has expanded it into quite the amazing business! Miss Darcy Photography is the business that started it all and EVENTography is the business her and her husband have started. If you have friends in California, send them their way!

Two Newborn Sessions available each month! | Fort Collins Newborn Photographer

Fort Collins Newborn Photographer

Limited Newborn Spots available

Time to schedule!

Fort Collins Newborn Photographer

Only two newborn sessions a month!

I am ramping up for a busy season from now until December. I have many family sessions and weddings each month, and because of this I am only accepting two newborn sessions each month!

Newborn sessions can take a long time and you are working with a very unpredictable little human. I want to ensure that all of my clients get the time and attention that they all deserve, so I am only accepting to newborn a month!

Newborn | Fort Collins Newborn Photographer

Customized sessions

I have started spending more time at my sewing machine to add a lot of customization to my sessions. If there are interests that you have or colors that you love, I can make outfits for our session to incorporate those items! Sometimes newborn onesies can be cute, but they may not fit the greatest, which may not make for the best photo. 

Customized items may include rompers, pants, bonnets, hats, etc. 

There may be an additional charge for unique requests.

Newborn | Fort Collins Newborn Photographer

How does scheduling work?

Contact me to book your session prior to your due date! I will add your due date to my calendar and will keep in touch with you around the baby's due date. Once the munchkin arrives we will schedule your session within the first 7-10 days.

Most people don't know this, but we want the little one asleep during their session. Newborn sessions can take anywhere from 1-4 hours depending on how well they sleep while we are shooting and posing etc. I do my best to keep them asleep but some are just heavier sleepers than others, so there is often a lot of rocking involved to keep them asleep!

Contact me to book your session before all my spots are filled up!

The Slow Season is Coming to an End

Fort Collins Senior Photographer

The Slow Season is Coming to an End

Time to schedule!

Fort Collins Newborn Photographer

Ready or Not..

Some businesses have slow seasons and some are just busy year round. For photographers, our slow season is new years until about daylight savings/spring time. During the beginning of the year everyone is recovering from the holidays and no one wants to go outside in the wind and cold we have had here in Colorado. Instead of fighting it, I have been enjoying the calm before the storm and working on business behind the scenes and relaxing a bit before everything gets crazy! Busy season is here!

Fort Collins Senior Photographer

What does that mean for you??

Now is the time to book your summer portrait session! I typically book about 4-8 weeks out during the summer due to scheduling, weather, and me having a bit of a life outside of the business!

If you want a family session this summer, just reach out to me and let me know when you are thinking! Even if it's April and you want a session in July, I will add you to my list and reach out to you once I start booking July sessions! This helps both of us plan!

If you are a 2019 senior and want photos, it is best to do those during the summer BEFORE you head back to school since both of us probably have more flexible schedules! Just reach out to me and let me know what you are thinking! This will give us both some time to prepare for your shoot so we can include everything you want!

20 Fun Facts About Me | Fort Collins Photographer

Fort Collins Photographer | Elizabeth Jane Photography LLC

20 Fun Facts About Me

We're getting personal..

I think I am in the mood to share some fun facts about me, so here is your edition of "Meet your Photographer"! I am going to try up with 20 fun facts about me that are NOT photography or business related! This might be hard...

  1. I am the baby of 5 and there is a whopping 16 year age gap between my oldest brother and me. And yes, we all have the same parents.
  2. I. Love. Spaghetti. It is seriously my weakness and I have no "I'm full" warning when I'm eating it. The same might go for Fruity Pebbles...
  3. I have a lot of people who ask me if I have a nickname since Elizabeth is so long. My friends call me Libby, and I'll give you permission to do the same if you'd like 😉 How did I get the nickname of Libby? I came home from school one day when I was in 2nd grade and told my mom that my name was SOOO long compared to everyone else in my class (my first and last name are 18 letters total. Try fitting all that on a bubble test. I get a lot of mail for Elizabet because the H won't fit!) So my mom gave me a book with nicknames for Elizabeth and I thought Libby was good! And the rest is history!
  4. I love tomatoes and I am a vodka drinker, but I HATE Bloody Mary's
  5. I was a whopping 10 lbs when I was born, but I wasn't even the heaviest baby in the family. My brother was 11 lbs. 10 oz. His son was 12 lbs. 1 oz. I come from a family of very big babies!
  6. I am a Colorado sports fan. The Broncos, Nuggets, Avs, and Rockies are my teams! I have to admit that I was a Houston Rockets fan for a few years in high school while I was playing basketball and wanted to grow up to be like Yao Ming!
  7. I drank about 4 cups of coffee a day for a few years, and quit cold turkey last January! It was soooo hard, but after the first few months it was much better!
  8. I love to travel and hope to visit all 50 states in my lifetime. I have a list going right now and am up to 20 (plus Washington D.C.) I have a lot of traveling to do in the south, Midwest, and East Coast! I think I want to visit New England next!
  9. I grew up about 2.5 hours from the Kansas border, but have NEVER been to Kansas!
  10. I am currently learning Italian! It has been an interesting little adventure!
  11. I am also doing some sewing during my slow season! I sewed my best friend a baby blanket for her little munchkin that is due here in less than a month! The other day I made a really pretty Kimono that I LOVE! I also tried to make some leggings, which was successful, but they will have to be my "Just for home" leggings as I found out the fabric is pretty see through. Oops!
  12. I grew up in a small town. And when I say small town, I mean population 225. I went to a Pre-k- 12 school and had 15 classmates and went so school with 8 of them all the way from Kindergarten till graduation.
  13. I am 5'11" tall. They say your wingspan should be as long as you are tall, but I have a 6'1"+ wingspan. There is a reason you will rarely see me wearing full length sleeves or mens long sleeve shirts HA!
  14. I HATE seafood. Just the smell of shrimp makes me start to gag. YUCK!

  15. I love me some Kraft Mac 'n Cheese, but only when it's fresh. It can't be re-heated!

  16. I went all 4 years at college without ever ditching a single class. I missed a few due to sickness, but part of me wonders if I missed out on the whole "college experience" by not having 1 day of notes from a class because I stayed in the dorm watching movies or taking a nap.

  17. I get nauseous at the sight of blood, which I just looked up and it is called Vasovagal Syncope. Most of my family has the same issue. I HATE hospitals because of this. The littlest things make me sick. I hate to admit it, but I've had to take a few breathers (and lay down with my feet up) while visiting family in the hospital...

  18. One of my biggest pet peeves is mouth noises. I hate when I can hear people licking their lips, chewing, grinding their teeth and smacking their lips. Sometimes I go crazy when I can hear people over-exaggerating their breathing. It is the worrsttt.

  19. I have been learning how to play the violin! It is by far the hardest instrument I've played, but I love the challenge!!

  20. I love trying new breweries. I have almost visited every brewery in Fort Collins, but new ones keep popping up! I love trying craft beers, but when I'm hanging with friends my beer of choice is usually Bud Light. I know, I'm terrible, but I gotta watch my girlish figure!

Porter’s First Year | Fort Collins Children’s Photographer

First Year | Nine Month Old | Fort Collins Children's Photographer

Porter T.

Baby's First Year

I cannot believe this little munchkin is already a year old! And I have a slight confession, it makes me SO sad that I am not going to see him everything 3 months behind my camera!

I have loved watching this little boy grow up this past year. Newborns and 3 month olds are just so cute and all you want to do is snuggle them the whole time, but by the time they're 6, 9 and 12 months they start to develop such a personality and I LOVE photographing that with little ones.

The last two times I photographed Porter it was so awesome to see him start to become his own little person. As a farm girl myself, it was so awesome to see Porter running around the farm like the owned the place, but also to see how much this little human loves his cows at such a young age!

I can't wait to see where this little blonde hair, blue eyed farm boy goes in the next few years and I love watching his little family grow! I have been documenting this family since the engagement and can't wait to see what the future brings! 

Here are a few of my favorite photos from Porter's first year!

Should you do a “First Look” | Colorado Wedding Photographer

First Look | Elizabeth Jane Photography

To "First Look"

Or not to "First Look"

First Look | Elizabeth Jane Photography

To do, or not to do

One of the most important parts of having a successful wedding day is having a good, well thought out schedule. In my 10+ years of experience I have learned one thing about this though, it's a wedding day, it's not going to go just as you planned it! But with that in mind I always add a little cushion time into the schedule to allow for the little bumps.

When I'm working with my brides I always work through the schedule with them to see if they have a lotted enough time for pictures, getting ready, eating, etc. but one of the first questions I ask is, "Will you be seeing each other before the ceremony?". This one question can make a huge difference in how your day goes and what to plan for in your schedule. I have come up with some pros and cons of each that I always discuss with my brides when they are struggling to make a decision.

First Look | Elizabeth Jane Photography
First Look | Elizabeth Jane Photography

Waiting until the ceremony

Most couples choose to stick with the traditional method of waiting to see each other until the ceremony because of superstitions. I did a little research on why it is that couples do not see each other before the ceremony and the reason may surprise you. Back in the olden days (Say that as if you're an old grandma telling a story, makes it more interesting!) weddings were a business transaction. A father found a wealthy man for his daughter and worked out a deal for him to marry his daughter. The bride and groom were not allowed to see each other before the ceremony because the fathers feared that the groom would see the bride before he said his "I do's" and get cold feet and run off without holding up his end of the bargain. Because of this the couple didn't see each other until the very last minute.

Also, fun fact about this- the reason for veils?? to cover the bride's face so the groom doesn't see it until after they're married. All of these fun facts has inspired me to do a little wedding fact series about traditions! So many good ones!

Some couples are very firm in the fact that they do not want to see each other until the bride walks down the aisle because they either want to stick to tradition or they are superstitious that seeing each other beforehand will bring them bad luck in their marriage. Sometimes the bride just wants the groom to be surprised/emotional when she walks down the aisle

The major con to this is that it means you have to do all of your photos after the ceremony while your guests wait. Sometimes we can get through them quick and get on to the party, but sometimes important people for the photos take off and we spend a lot of time waiting on people or getting photo groups together.

First Look | Elizabeth Jane Photography

First Looks

I absolutely LOVE it when couples to first looks for SO many reasons. 

  1. Nine times out of ten if you are super nervous on your wedding day, you are likely to relax once you see your spouse and calm down and enjoy the day. So many times my brides are nervous and stressing but then they see their groom and all of that goes away!
  2. First looks are such a private and intimate moment that you get to share on the biggest day of your life. When I do first looks with my clients I let them do their thing once they see each other. I let them talk about how good the other one looks, I let them chat about how excited they are, I even let them sit with each other and just enjoy the moment. Wedding days are CRAZY, but this is the one moment where you get to be together and (mostly) alone without everyone telling you what is going wrong or who needs what.
  3. The biggest reason that I opt for a first looks is because that means we get to do ALL of the photos before the ceremony so you can go straight to the party! I've been at so many weddings where guests start to get bored and start complaining because they're hungry and the bride and groom are taking FOREVER to do photos. When clients see each other before the ceremony the whole day seems to run a little smoother than if we have to rush into photos after the ceremony.
First Look | Elizabeth Jane Photography

So which one is right for you??

Every couple is different and every wedding is different. Although I usually suggest that clients do a first look, I also respect the fact that it is your wedding and you can have your cake and eat it too! I have had many different clients do both options and they have all turned out great. No matter what you choose and what your reason is for that decision, I will do my best to work with you to create a schedule that works for YOU and what YOU want and take the best photos to show off your special day!