I completely adore my latest wedding album! It's a flushmount album covered in aqua book cloth. The cover fabric is similar to dupioni silk, but more durable and substantial. It's SO pretty! I keep staring at it.

I'll be offering this style of album as an upgrade to my current line of flushmount albums. The cover fabric comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. If you have already ordered an album, you are welcome to upgrade it to a premium fabric cover if you'd like. Please contact me with any questions.

( More photos of this new album style )

Have you ordered your Christmas cards yet? It's that time of year already! I offer a wide array of designs for your holiday cards, and there is still time to order them. You'll need to act quickly, though! Please contact me at charlotte@charlottegeary.com.

If you haven't had your 2009 family portrait session yet, I still have a few open sessions in the next two weeks. They are filling up quickly, so let me know if you'd like me to reserve a spot for you.

( More designs for your holiday cards )

Heather, Eloise, and Leon, with Rubix the dog
Cripple Creek, Colorado
November 13, 2009

Last week I photographed this fun and fabulous family up in Cripple Creek. 2009 has been a huge year for Heather and Leon, with the completion of their dream house in the mountains, and the arrival of gorgeous Eloise. I was happy to be able to help them document such a great year!

( More of their family portraits )

Ally and me
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Colorado Springs
November 15, 2009

It snowed here all weekend, so when the sun came out this afternoon, Mike and I hurried to Red Rock Canyon with the dog. The frosty blue sky and snow-capped evergreens were as beautiful as we'd hoped. Ally was even happier than usual, because it was her first snowy walk of the season. She makes me smile.

( More photos of today's snow )

The Garden of the Gods
November 2009

Last weekend I finished a portrait session in the Garden of the Gods just before sunset. This was the sublime view on my drive home that night.

Me, photographing Brandon and his groomsmen before his wedding
Photo by Brad Walters

Earlier this week I posted lots of pictures of me and my colleagues during photo shoots. Here's the second half of my photos of us behind the scenes. What a good life.

( Behind the scenes with me and my team! )

Garden of the Gods
November 8, 2009

I photographed this adorable family on Sunday at the Garden of the Gods. The boys were initially reluctant to have their photos taken, but after I showed them all the fun rocks they could play with, they opened right up. The Garden of the Gods is a great setting for family portraits for many reasons!

( More of their family portraits )

Stephen and Amanda
Garden of the Gods
November 7, 2009

Over the weekend I got together with Stephen and Amanda for an engagement session in the Garden of the Gods. They are getting married next spring at Lake Tahoe, which should be fabulous. We wandered around the Siamese Twins rock formation, climbing rocks and enjoying the warm weather. Thanks, Amanda and Stephen!

( More of their engagement portraits )

Me, photographing Jenny and Brian at their springtime wedding in Maryland
Photo by Heather Clarke

Wow, I haven't blogged in a while, sorry! It's been a busy few weeks, and I'm still trying to get caught up on work after a trip to see my family in Virginia last month. I have a lot of things I've been meaning to post, including this fun series of behind-the-scenes photos from 2009 weddings.

My good friend Heather took this picture of me crawling around in a field of flowers, taking this photo of Jenny and Brian last spring. Here are lots more photos to reveal what happens on the other side of our cameras!

( Behind the scenes with Charlotte and her team! )

Stay tuned for Behind the Scenes, part 2, coming later this week! I've got some great photos for Part 2.

Pawtoberfest
Colorado Springs
October 17, 2009

Happy Halloween week! Last week Mike and I went with some friends to Pawtoberfest in Colorado Springs, because Oktoberfest for dogs is our idea of a great day out. We brought our dog, Ally, and spent an afternoon on the patio of Nosh restaurant with some friends and their beagle, Nancy. The dog costume contest was my favorite part.

( More photos of the dogs' day out )

Tara
Rainbow Falls
Manitou Springs, Colorado
October 18, 2009

Tara and Bryan got married a year ago at the Garden of the Gods Club. They asked me to photograph their first anniversary portraits, and got all dressed up in their wedding attire for the occasion. Because Tara wouldn't need to wear the gown again, we didn't have to worry about getting it dirty or wet, which gave us lots of opportunities for great photos. They lay in the grass at the Garden of the Gods Club, went hiking at Rainbow Falls in Manitou, and rolled around in the sand at the waterfall. Tara was even brave enough to stand in the freezing cold water for some pictures!

The popular name for this kind of portrait shoot is a trash the dress session. I prefer to call it a fearless bridal session, because my goal is not to destroy a gown, it's to showcase a bride who isn't afraid of getting a little dirty. The results are liberating and so much fun!

( More of their post-wedding portraits )

Me with my niece, Kenna
July 2009

I miss my niece and nephews! I'll get to see them in a couple weeks, but in the meanwhile I have to enjoy pictures I took with them earlier this year. Here are some that I haven't blogged yet. :)

( More photos of my niece and nephews )

Kelsey
Colorado Springs
October 7, 2009

Last week I met with Kelsey for her senior pictures. We lucked out with the last beautiful day before an ice storm arrived. Kelsey is an outgoing, adventurous student who loves the outdoors. Red Rock Canyon Open Space was a perfect setting for her personality and lifestyle. Thanks for a great photo shoot, Kelsey, and good luck with your last year of high school!

( More of her senior portraits )

We've been iced in all weekend! Colorado Springs is covered in a layer of ice, leaving a coating of icy crystals everywhere. Here are the rose bushes in our front yard. This ice storm is beautiful, but I look forward to having our autumn back.

Sarah with her daughter Naomi, only a few minutes old
October 6, 2009

I'm excited to share one of the most beautiful events I've ever photographed. My good friends Sarah and Brad Walters invited me to photograph the birth of their daughter. I was deeply honored to have been asked. When I got the call early Tuesday morning, I rushed to their home to document the stages of labor and the delivery. I had never seen a birth before, and it was a profoundly beautiful and emotional experience to witness.

Baby Naomi was born at her family's home, in a water birth that was assisted by Laura Luckett of Baby's Breath Midwifery and her assistant, Dana. Sarah chose not to use pain medicine, instead opting for the comfort of a pool of water. Brad comforted her throughout her labor, and monitored her contractions with the help of an iPhone app. Sarah and Brad's parents were there for support and to take care of almost-two-year-old big brother Isaac. I observed quietly and documented events as they occurred around me.

I have been documenting Sarah's pregnancy since her first ultrasound. You can see my previous photos here:
First ultrasound
Second ultrasound
Third ultrasound

I am grateful to Sarah and Brad for inviting me into such a private moment, and for introducing me to the miracles of childbirth. I would love to be able to photograph more births in the future, so if you or someone you know would be interested, please let me know.

I present these photos here on my blog with permission from Sarah. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

( More photos and a slideshow from Naomi's birth )

For the complete story, you can watch their slideshow: http://www.charlottegeary.com/slideshows/NaomiBirth/

John Paul and Brittany
Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs
October 3, 2009

Brittany and John Paul got married last weekend at the colorful and dramatic Air Force Academy chapel. Their reception took place at the Association of Graduates at Doolittle Hall. Brittany and I have become good friends over the last year, and I've had a chance to get to know several of her friends and family, so this wedding was a lot of fun for me. Brittany and John Paul, I'm so happy for you!

This wedding coverage was quite a team effort. Thank you very much to Tamera Goldsmith, Lindsey Zahalka, and my wonderful husband Mike!

( More photos from their wedding )

Ceremony: Air Force Academy Chapel
Reception: Air Force Academy Doolittle Hall

Susan and Alex
Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs
October 2, 2009

I had an engagement portrait session with Susan and Alex on a perfect fall day. We walked around the Garden of the Gods with their two dogs, and enjoyed the fall colors that are at their peak right now. I look forward to their wedding in Denver next summer!

( More of their engagement portraits )

Yup, we all attempted the Thriller dance at Brittany and John Paul's wedding Saturday. That's me on the far right. Maid of honor Amy is in the front, looking great as the only one who knows what she is doing. The rest of us tried to make uncoordination look zombie-fabulous.

Brittany, your wedding was so much fun! I can't wait to show you the photos from when I was actually working!

Look who we encountered during my family portrait session Sunday! I was walking around Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield with my clients Kaylene and Chris, when Chris noticed some great wildlife! That snake didn't like being photographed, but the cute frog posed for me briefly.

Lance and Abby
North Catamount Reservoir, Colorado
August 29, 2009

Today I spent a gorgeous autumn afternoon at this lake with Abby and Lance and their dog and cat. Abby and Lance are veterinarians in Woodland Park who get to enjoy this view every day from their home. I was thrilled to discover that they brought their dog, CR, and kitty, Simon, along for some pictures in the forest -- how perfect for two vets to be with their animals!

( More of their engagement portraits )

Chris, Riley, and Kaylene
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
September 27, 2009

Yesterday was my first fall photo shoot of the year, and the colors were perfect. It was a beautiful day to walk around a park with Chris, Kaylene, and their eight-month-old daughter, Riley. They just moved to Colorado from southern California, so the autumn colors are a fun change for them.

( More of their family portraits )

Me, lounging with a latte
Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado
September 12, 2009

Earlier this month, Mike and I spent a weekend in luxurious Beaver Creek for Liz and Dudley's destination wedding. It was great to have a few days to enjoy the early autumn, with the aspen leaves starting to change throughout the area. This is how I spent the early part of the wedding day, lounging outside the Hyatt with Starbucks and a general sense of bliss.

( More photos of our weekend )

I've created lots of albums over the last few months, but unfortunately I haven't had time to post them here. Here's a set of books that I finished a few weeks ago, and I love them! Jenny and Brian ordered a large fine art book for themselves, and two smaller ones for their parents. I hope they all love them as much as I do.

Jenny and Brian got married on May 2, 2009 at Stone Manor Country Club in Middletown, Maryland. My good friend Heather Clarke was my second shooter for their wedding. Thanks, Heather!

( Photos and layouts of the albums )

Margie and Jason
The Cable Center
Denver, Colorado
September 19, 2009

Margie and Jason got married on Saturday at the beautiful Cable Center on the campus of the University of Denver. I loved the contemporary architecture of the venue, especially its large windows and curving lines. As soon as I met Margie and Jason, I knew that they'd have a great party with friends who are just as fun as they are. Mike and I laughed all day long.

I'd like to thank my assistant, Lindsey Zahalka, and my husband, Mike, for all their great work. I couldn't do it without you! Congratulations, Margie and Jason, and thanks for making us feel like part of the family!

( More photos of the wedding day )

Photographers: Charlotte Geary Photography
Bridal preparations: Brown Palace
Venue: The Cable Center
Florist: Bittersweet Designs
DJ: A Music Plus

Ally and Mike
Dillon Reservoir
August 30, 2009

A couple weeks ago, Mike and I took Ally to our favorite dog-friendly bed and breakfast in Frisco. We spent a couple days lounging by the lake and enjoying some downtime during our busy summer.

( A few more pictures )