Rebekah & Gary | 10 Year Anniversary | Garden of the Gods

Long blog warning because it has lots of personal story mixed in with this super fun session! So, keep reading if you’d like to learn about me and some of my journey with photography!

Rebekah (Rebekah Mann Photography) and I are in a photography group together because we both take the same online course. Honestly, those photography groups and my business page are the two biggest reasons I keep Facebook around. The group we are in is SO supportive. It’s encouraging to have an online community that positively gives helpful feedback, critique, and ideas.

After meeting Rebekah, I can say I have also experienced a part of the group in live, face-to-face action! She reached out on the group saying she was going to be in Colorado in mid-August for a trip with her husband and wanted to know if anyone would be willing to trade photography sessions at Garden of the Gods. I happen to live 3 miles from the Garden and I have been trying to find someone to trade sessions with me for almost a year, so I quickly responded that I was interested! Rebekah is from Florida and I’m always eager to share my beautiful home with others, especially through photos. Plus, Joshua and I have lived here for SIX years, and mostly only have iPhone pics to show for it. My dad did capture a few photos of us back in March that I love! But I was also eager to have a full photo session as our last full photo shoot together was on our wedding day…on June 2, 2012!

Honest moment – It’s challenging to not compare myself to other photographers. I mean, just check out Rebekah’s work on IG here. Stunning right?! However, I am working hard to believe in community over competition and to celebrate others. At the same time, I’m focusing on finding my style and my brand and who I am as a photographer. Period. Not in comparison to others. Plus, it’s so much more personally rewarding and ultimately enriches my life to share a love for my craft with other artists and badass lady bosses.

So that’s what we did!  Rebekah and I first enjoyed time with the wonderfully kind and talented Jessica Sutton. Jessica did Rebekah’s hair and makeup and my makeup. (Please click on her name to check out her work and hire her for your next event!) We got to spend a few relaxing hours getting to know each other while enjoying feeling pampered.

Once we were feeling beautiful, we went our separate ways to collect our husbands, get into our dresses, and to get our gear. Let me tell you, it is definitely a different experience to shoot with false eyelashes, in a dress, and with your husband waiting on standby (though, it was awesome to have him hold my gear). On top of that, I had to be really conscious of staying calm and not moving around as much as I normally do so that I wouldn’t overheat and ruin my makeup and dress (not attractive!). Plus, it was odd to start and stop shooting as we traded back and forth. Not to mention, it’s just a little nerveracking to be shooting another photographer. However, we had such a GREAT time!

Rebekah and Gary handled the altitude change well and came prepared with plenty of water. Rebekah’s gown that she rented from Rent The Runway (I am so doing that next time!) was GORGEOUS. There was a light breeze and it just picked up her gown and gave it such a flowy, lovely look all evening! The light was perfect. The Garden was looking awesome, as always. The temperature was warm but not hot.

Really, the experience could’ve gone either way. It could have been awkward, difficult, or disappointing. Thankfully, it went the other way and was totally enjoyable, encouraging, and awesome! Rebekah and I, we learned, act similarly during sessions as we were both just gushing over gorgeous light and sweet poses. If you were watching us, you would have heard literal squeals and many exclamations like “Oh my goodness, I love this so much!” from both of us.

It was so fun to experience the session with someone who appreciated and understood the artistry of photography like I do. Not only do I feel like I learned from Rebekah, but I also gained a new friend! Plus I have tons of beautiful images of me and Joshua that you will be able to see soon.

Rebekah and Gary – Happy 10 year anniversary! You two are beautiful people, inside and out. It was absolutely my honor to capture these memories for you. May your marriage continue to thrive and be an example of love and life to those around you! I look forward to seeing you again when we visit Florida in February! Much love!