travel – KiKi Creates Blog

{Wes & Franny's Wedding at Woods Walk | KiKi…

November 17, 2017

It’s suppose to snow all day in Crested Butte (fingers crossed) today. So I thought, why not post this winter wonderland wedding! Easily the most magical, snowy, stunning wedding I have had the chance to be apart of.
I woke up the morning of to -4 degrees. Coldest wedding I’ve ever photographed. While the girls were drinking champagne and getting ready, the guys took a couple hot laps on the mountain. I really couldn’t imagine anything more perfect to start your wedding day with.
We did a first look as it dumped snow on us and Franny and Wes’ adorable pup, Mr.Finn, joined dressed in bow tie and all. As they saw each other for the first time, Wes popped a bottle of champagne and they sipped straight from the bottle as we stood in the secluded woods while it snowed. It really was such a happy and beautiful moment.
They gave their guests the option to not attend the ceremony, since it was snowing outside and in 20 degree weather. Everyone still showed up, wrapped in jackets and sharing blankets they watched the two red nosed lovers say I do and kiss with Mount CB as their backdrop. Again, such a happy and beautiful moment.
We photographed everything outside, family photos, bridal party, everything. And not one person complained about the cold, even the girls that had sleeveless dresses were up for it! Such an amazing group of people to photograph and share memories with. The reception took place in a warm and cozy restaurant in town. With a fire in the background and whiskey and champagne flowing all night, we danced, took Polaroids, laughed at speeches, and ate some amazing elk! It was a super classy and beautiful day. But I’ll stop talking and let you just check it out yourself 🙂
Enjoy!
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Thank you to the awesome vendors below that helped make this day possible!

Day of coordinator: crested butte events

https://www.crestedbutteevents.com/about-us-1/

Floral: from the ground up

http://www.fromthegroundupfloral.com/

Ceremony site: woods walk

https://travelcrestedbutte.com/crested-butte-hikes-woods-walk/

Reception venue: elk avenue prime

http://www.elkaveprime.com/

Dress: Christos

http://christosbridal.com/

Bolero: Maria Artega Studios (Milwaukee)

http://mariaarteagastudio.com/

Hair: Kim Jundt of Kim J Beauty

http://kimjbeauty.com/

Makeup: Leilani Drum

https://www.leilanidrum.com/

DJ: DJ Justin Howard

https://www.facebook.com/HighMountainDJs/

Rentals: Settings (Salida, Colorado)

http://www.settingseventrental.com/

SLO motion booth: sweet tea studios

http://sweet-tea-studios.com/

Invitations: xowyo paper + press

http://www.xowyo.com/

transportation: Alpine Express

http://alpineexpressshuttle.com/aexwp/

Destination Wedding Photographer

{Peyton & Joe Engagement in Talbot Island | KiKi…

September 8, 2017

With another Hurricane headed towards the East Coast and as I am about to hop a plane for a wedding in Florida, I figured, what a perfect time to post this Sunset Beachy Engagement! Peyton & Joe woke up super early to play around my favorite beach in Florida.
Talbot Island is a secluded beach that has been hit by some serious storms far too many times. The island, that was once three times it’s size, has been eroding and leaving it’s trees as giant driftwood on the beach for years. It is a beautiful place in Jacksonville and on I hope weathers the storm!
Everyone stay safe and enjoy these sunny Florida Photos for now!
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Colorado Wedding Photographer

{Megan & Myles Wedding at White Fence Farm| KiKi…

August 21, 2017

Megan and Myles are one of those couple that you instantly meet and want to be friends with. Megan has a beautiful smile that seems to never go away, which I was totally fine with. And she’s a red head, so come on, winning. And Myles is a genuine, talented and loving husband to her. I never once had to ask them to smile or kiss. They were so giddy and happy together that it really made my job so easy. I think I caught about a 1,000 moments where one of them is looking off and the other is looking lovingly at them. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is super wonderful to see. Beyond their sweetness, Megan’s Grandma is my new best friend. 🙂 She hugged me a half a dozen times and thanked me for being there at various parts of the day. It may sound like a small gesture, but it really made me feel at home and so comfortable with such wonderful people.
It was also one of the most whimsical and unique weddings I have had the chance to photograph. Myles wore a top hat and held his Grandfathers pocket watch. And let me say he looked like a young , debonair Abraham Lincoln! Megan held loose flowers in her boutique as they were married under a dramatic circus like tent. Then cut their cake topped with T-rex figurines under a wooden barn big enough to fit everyone they love. After their emotional first dances, the band turned down the lights and everyone partied in the Tennessee Mountains. It was a great day!
Enjoy, KiKi
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Colorado Wedding Photographer

{Ali & Mark Engagement in Crested Butte | KiKi…

August 1, 2017

It’s been a solid 7 months since I have put together a blog post. Whoopsies. It’s been one of the busiest and most exciting times in my career. With a new location added in Crested Butte, Colorado and a dozen more weddings (than I normally shoot) added this year in Maine, South Dakota, The Keys, Crested Butte, and North Carolina. I have had an amazing year so far with an amazing amount of travel and new relationships and I just have not had the time to get them all together for a post! So, what do I do? Kick blogging back off with this kick ass couple, Ali and Mark.
I’ve been lucky enough to know Ali and Mark since they first started dating a few years ago. Ali was one of my first friends out here in Crested Butte. We actually became quick friends one night over red wine, napkins on our heads, and forks as beards. Yes, it sounds as weird as it is. A few years later, when I met Mark for the first time, I could not stop laughing. He is a funny, light hearted guy that has a very distinct laugh that you can’t miss and always makes you smile. The two of them together are just the sweetest. I feel very special to have gotten to know them so well. They have become yet another couple I have photographed, became friends with, and then visited and lived with them for a bit (Thanks for that by the way guys :)). So here they are, during wildflower season in CB, hugging and twirling in the woods. I hope you enjoy it, because I sure did!
KiKi

2016 in Review

A Look Back on a Lifestyle & Wedding Photographers…

January 10, 2017March 28, 2019

Every year, when I get together all of my favorite photographs, I am amazed at the things I get to see and learn with each couple and image I make. The intimate moments that include some of their closest family and friends. The cultural interpretations of how each person shows their love and gratitude towards each other. And the moments that will be looked back on with people that are not even in this world yet, but still so much apart of the story.
Photography has the power to create and bring memories to life for other to cherish, even if not there. So to have over 45 weddings, 35 portraits, and 68 photo booth’s booked in 2016 all with little ‘ol KiKi, makes me feel very special and very grateful to all of the wonderful people who trusted me to capture these moments.
8 out of 10 months were on the road from The Keys, Georgia, North Eleuthera, Bahamas, Colorado, Washington, South Dakota, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, Maine, North Carolina, and of course Sunny Florida. I am just blown away sometimes at how magical each year is. And am super excited for all the new things happening in 2017.
Enjoy! 972987957_04ca86414c53281e
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Destination Wedding Photographer

{Kelley & Colin’s Wedding at One Ocean Resort |…

November 8, 2016

Many people prefer to meet their wedding photographers before the wedding. But sometimes it just does not happen. And that does not mean anything because you can still get along wonderfully with someone seconds after you meet them for the first time. And that is exactly what happened with Kelley, Colin and I.
They both live in Bangladesh and flew over to Florida where, their friends and family live, to tie the knot. The entire day was nothing short of magical. So much laughing and excitement from everyone. It was such an invigorating environment to work in.
I pulled up to Kelley’s parents house and I was greeted by her Dad cutting the lawn. I thought I was at the wrong house, but he quickly greeted me with a smile and a “come on in”. The girls were drinking champagne and giggling while getting their makeup done. The house was filled with bright window light and little Florida details scattered about. After the ceremony a beautiful Rolls Royce picked Kelley and Colin up and we went to a Preserve I have been wanting to photograph a wedding at for a while! Dutton Island was a perfect place to pop more champagne, throw confetti, and do a couple heel clicks (you’ll see below). The reception began with a song written by the best man for the bride and groom to dance to as their first dance. There were little details that incorporated their dog (who couldn’t make the long trek) and loved ones around the reception among the candle lit golden details.
As if the night was not perfect enough, right before we went to photograph the two of them underneath the full moon light, the best man grabbed his guitar, got the entire wedding in a circle and had one last acoustic dance for the two of them in the middle of all the ones the love. Holy Cow! What a wedding! I’ll stop blabbering on so you can see it for yourself!
Enjoy!
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Bahama Wedding

{Elizabeth & David’s Wedding in The Abacos | KiKi…

October 7, 2016

With a Hurricane warning flashing on the TV screen in Florida as I type this, I’ve decided to post a wedding that encompasses the exact opposite of the weather outside. Sun, Blue Skies, and a gorgeous beach. Elizabeth and David’s sunny Abacos Wedding was filled with tons of amazing surprises and moments. Including an underwater session, an emotional Chinese tea ceremony right before the traditional Chinese wedding games, two tiny doggie escorts, an absolutely stunning sunset, and to top it off, a private firework show on their own beach they grew up on.
It was a stunning way to get married and I feel so happy to be able to capture all of these loving moments. Check out this fun and colorful wedding below.
KiKi
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Fine Art

Jen & Steve Wedding | Jacksonville Beach Wedding Photographer…

September 5, 2013

Such a bright and colorful wedding! The playful table arrangements by Liz Stewart Floral matched this cute little couple, who flew in all the way from Texas to get married in this beautiful historic hotel. Casa Marina, located right next to Jacksonville Beach Pier, has been open since 1925. It provides a quaint little area to get married by the sea as well as beautiful backdrops for the detail oriented bride.

Enjoy this beautiful summer wedding!

KiKi

Destination Wedding Photographer

Kristen & Chris Engaged | Sailboat Engagement Session |…

August 5, 2013

Went Sailing yesterday. Something I try to and most times get the privilege of doing every Sunday. It almost seems as if the weekend is not complete without this ritual I have grown a loving and learning relationship with. It’s a chance to get away. Even if within swimming distance from the shore, it still feels as if there is a new and distant journey ahead each time we go out.

I haven’t always been so drawn to the water, or sailing for that matter, until about 5 years ago. Hate to say a typical “girl” comment, but I met a guy, he swept me off my feet, and took me sailing on our second date. I was, to say the least, in love. I would presume I get my romantic feelings and ideas towards sailing by my first experience on the water and the enjoyment I had with such a new and different adventure. And also by the thought of controlling a 30 ft boat that is being powered purely by mother nature. What happens with the boat is between the captain and her to decide, with little communication or warning. Things can happen fast and things can happen slow. It all depends on the day.

Naturally, being a photographer, and sharing the same amount of interest in sailing as photography. I wanted to merge the two. Over the past couple of years I have photographed the boat at sunset, on trips, on the water, at the dock, etc. But never with a couple.

This brings me to these photos. My sisters engagement. I knew that I didn’t want to take someone out that wouldn’t appreciate the boat (and the captain who was doing all the work) as well as its surroundings. When discussing locations with my sister, she mentioned the sailboat. I had no hesitation in thinking that they were the right couple to take out. For two reasons.

One, Kristen is my only sister, and I wanted to make her engagement photos a little more sentimental than others because we have a personal relationship and this would only happen once for her and I.

And secondly, my sister and her fiance Chris have only been out sailing once. It was on this boat. And it was one of the most intense sailing days I have ever had in Julington Creek. I’m talking 25 knot winds, buckets of water splashing directly on people (mostly Kristen), things flying around in the cabin, 10 people on the boat, and overall not one of the best trips to be taking a first timer on.

When we finally got back to the dock, Kristen said she would never go out again.

This Engagement Session was her second trip. It was a slow , slightly rainy day. But it was just the four of us this time. And after about two hours of sailing around with no wind. A nice gust came through and a double rainbow came out.

Goes to show that if you let your guard down, beautiful things can happen.

Enjoy!

KiKi

Fine Art

Courtney and Braden Ocean City Maryland Wedding | Destination…

November 16, 2012

Courtney and Braden Ocean City Maryland Wedding

Interesting story about how these two met, well at least there first date. It was at Nascar. Nothing Fancy, just the complete enjoyment of each others company at a nice family gathering of Fast Cars & Cheering Fans. I think this first date tells a lot about this couple. And here is why…

I met Court & Braden about a year or so ago through a friend. They were road tripping throughout the US and stopped in Jacksonville Beach for a few days to visit.

Now off the bat, you can tell there a good looking couple. But once you hang out with them you realize there more than that. They are always laughing, always enjoying the moment, always looking at each other as if its the first time. Always following what they want to do. Together.

All in all a very mellow and happy couple. Probably the most stress free bride I have met. Courtney was the exact opposite of a bridezilla and actually made my job so easy. She hired me within minutes of meeting me and without seeing my work. A girl that knows what she wants.

I didn’t know at the time how much in love they were. But I soon found out as I walked into the Sunset Room the day before the wedding. I met all of there wonderful family & friends, enjoyed the beautiful ocean in Maryland, and instantly felt that this wedding was going to be magical. All because of the details.

Every detail was true to what they were & who they are. From the chandelier made out of chains from an old bike (Braden is into motocross), skateboards made into signs for the reception, the church that Courtney’s parents were married in, the ring box made out of legos from her nephew, the flower arrangements grown & arranged by her mother, the mini cupcakes made by Braden’s mom and the grand finale of riding in on Braden’s bike (Something the Coordinator did not know about) 🙂 Oh and there was a firework finish from one of Braden’s groomsmen right before we all left.

I could honestly go on and on, but you can look at the pictures and see. See that this wedding’s most important details was the two of them. Who are so much in love. And were an absolute blast to work with.

Thanks for a great time.

Enjoy!

KiKi

Tag: travel