High School Senior Pictures with Austin in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs

I met Austin last year when he joined his friend on her High School Senior Pictures. He said then that he was going to call me when he needed his senior pictures done, and true to his word he did! A really nice guy with a future as bright as the stage lights he aspires to perform under. I hope he's successful in following his calling to the stage and I get to do his head shots when he's on Broadway! Colorado Springs Got Talent anyone?

Austin wanted a more urban feel to his pictures with a mix of nature. Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs was the perfect place to start. The clean up efforts seem to only have resulted in a better path to the falls and the once beautiful layers of graffiti have been painted over with ugly patched of cream and gray. The graffiti, as predicted has returned and we photographers still have our wonderful resource for photographs. A quick stop next to Fountain Creek before heading to Downtown Colorado Springs, photographing till we ran out of light.

Best of luck Austin. Remember when it comes to succeeding in Musicals, you gotta have a dream, if you don't have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true? :)

Maroon Bells Fall Colors

EDIT:
Err sorry I was developing another site that uses the same folder to host the blog images and deleted some of the pictures. I'll put them back up....eventually.

I took a trip recently to Aspen to finally take that photo. The Maroon Bells are the most photographed mountains in Colorado, possibly America. There were probably a couple of hundred photographers lined up along the back that and every morning waiting for the sun to light up the tip of the peak with pink alpine glow.

The conditions were not perfect, there was a breeze distorting the reflection and the snow cover was minimal, but the leaves this year were possibly the best I've ever seen. In previous years photographing the colors I've been too early or late, or arrived after a windstorm had blown areas bare or freezing weather turns the golden to brown. This year the Apsens were full of the most amazing colors.

I spent the rest of the day fly fishing the creek the flows down Independence pass, before camping high in the spectacular rocky mountains of Colorado. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I did taking them!

Climbing photos in Front Range, Boulder, Colorado.

I've not taken as many wedding photography bookings this year. I'm concentrating less time intensive portraits and headshots in the studio. This summer I'm taking more time to enjoy the beauty and challenge of the mountains of Colorado. I've been a climber all my adult life and it's one of the reasons I love Colorado Springs. It's perfectly located to access world class climbing and hiking areas within a short drive.

Sorry the pics are not stellar quality but they were taken with my phone's camera. The one of my friend Roger is taken with his (very nice) point and shoot Nikon, just before the weather turned. I'm not yet up to dragging an SLR up hundreds of feet of rock just to get a better photo. Maybe next time? Maybe I should get a nice point and shoot?

Our goal was a trip to Boulder and to climb Seal Rock, one of the Flatirons. Just a 30 percent chance of precipitation said the forecast, but being Colorado residents, we should have known better! We left the blazing sunshine of Colorado Springs and headed into the murky mist of Monument. But by the time we we arrived in Boulder the sky was cloudy but not too gray to deter this English climber. If English climbers waited for the perfect weather that Colorado is blessed with, they would never climb! My companions on the rock that day were members of the Rock Climbers of Colorado Springs MeetUp.com group. Six of us started but only two of us made it to the final anchor alive! The other 4 had the good sense to turn back when the weather closed in.

While the discussion to turn around continued a couple of hundred feet below me, halfway up Seal Rock, I sat at the next anchor point huddled out of the wind and mist. I had nothing to do but play with my phone's camera so took the second photo below. The mist had stolen the vista we had worked for, but saved us from the dizzying view down hundreds of feet of Boulder sandstone. It's an eerie feeling to push up a rock face into the mist, when you have no idea where it ends or if you can do it. We were relying on the previous vertical tourists and their opinions of the difficulty. Even with the inclement weather we believed the end of the route was within our ability. The feeling of success that comes with finishing a long route was enough to offset the challenge of the conditions, and we were both to dumb to quit.

We hit some traffic as another party above us were going through a similar routine with half their party calling it a day and heading down an escape route. The remainder or their party formed a loose alliance with ours, and we kept an eye on each other as we headed up the final crux pitch to the final rappel anchors.

By now the rain had turned somewhat solid, but was still wet enough to create rivers of freezing water. They cascaded down the face along every crack and crevice, into which we had to put our, somewhat numb, hands and feet. The climbing was fairly straightforward, as long as you avoided the deceptively slippery lichen covered patches of rock. I snapped the final picture of Roger, still being his usual cheery self, as he came to end of the final crux pitch.

Our escape was delayed when one of the party ahead of us jammed their rappelling system. After 30 minutes of shivering and pensively waiting he was able to free himself without compounding the incident or coming to harm himself. We we're all pretty cold by now and trying to find the balance between moving slowly and deliberately and fast enough to avoid the onset of hypothermia.

The final rappel is very committing, 140 feet long and free (in mid air). I had intended to take a photo of the rope dangling below and disappearing into the mist but it had become soaked in freezing water and, what with this being a mid May climb with a only a 30 percent chance of rain, I didn't have any gloves! I'd lost feeling before I even started, no way I was hanging around. I didn't think I was even able to get my camera from my pocket.

As I moved slowly down, brightly colored jackets below began to shine through the fog. I knew the end was only moments away. Another quick mental check to stay focused and I finished the route. Minutes later Roger made it down safely and all that was left was the hike back to a warm car and dry clothes. Simple pleasures but life is best when it's simple!

This might sound like a hellish trip, but I had great time. I look forward to going back and finally getting to see the view from the top of the flatirons. Join the meetup.com rock climbing group here. Tell them Simon sent you!

Hello Facebook, This is Simon's Blog Calling

I have the blog on Facebook. I even have pictures. Now I need to know, will Facebook auto update? After spending hours trying to work out what was wrong, I gave up for the night tried the next day and it went first time. I seem to have an uncanny knack for trying to import my blog to Facebook just as they are having issues with that service. I'll forgive them as recently I've got back in touch with some old friends, the one thing Facebook does very well.

So this is the test to see if Facebook will automatically come and read new posts at the blog. Nothing else to say except here's the picture I promised in every post!

Colorado's State Flower the Columbine

This photo was taken in the high mountains in Colorado Rockies on the Western Slope, beneath the towering Mt Sneffels. I hiked high up the mountain while quads and motorcycles buzzed past me. I have a lot more equipment now so have invested in a KLR 650 to increase my shooting time and reduce the huffing and puffing at altitude. I hope to give it a run out to the Maroon Bells this spring.

You can find Columbines on the roadside in the summer in Colorado and Red Mountains Pass near Ouray is a fantastic place to find them. Colorado really is a beautiful place to live.

New Photo Blog and a Random Stock Photo From Laos

Photography cons are as old as the [photos of] hills, they are just part of the industry. High tech cons and attacks are a bit newer, but the result is the same. Frustration and time wasted sorting out the problems they cause. Unfortunately the very popular Wordpress blogging platform had a vulnerability which has led to the many blog issues I've had lately. There have also been multiple attempts to hack my blog. Nice to be so popular! This resulted in Google listing me as an attack site!! I mean you no harm I promise, however the hackers probably do, so I have taken extreme measures to make sure it won't happen again.

There was only one solution to ensure my photos and content would be secure, I wrote my own blog! Not just the blog posts but I built the database, wrote the server side and client side code. I've been making websites as a professional Web Developer for more than 10 years so this wasn't such a big deal, but somewhat time consuming. The advantage is this blog is now as secure as can be.

I've also changed web host as I've been unable to track the problem down and found their security to be quite poor. My last host has declined in their quality of service over the years I've been with them. My new host is blazing fast in comparison and is a pleasure to work on.

I've transferred the posts and data to the new database. I can only imagine what Google will make of all this. Hopefully I won't get dinged in the rankings too hard. Anyway, enough techy ramblings.

Who Wants to See a Photo?

Bit random I know, but this is a photo blog so I think it makes sense to include a picture in every post. I have lots of stock and library photos and each one has a story. I'd like to share one with you from time to time, if that's okay?

This is a photo I took while traveling in Laos. The woman is harvesting a type of river weed. With a big grin she showed the contents of her basket, which at that time just looked like green goo. When dried into a very thin, flat cake and seasoned, it tastes a lot like potato chips.

It may look like I'm taking a sneaky pic from behind but in fact. I spent a long time winning her trust and sought her permission before taking her photo. She posed for several shots, then got on with her job. That's the photograph I wanted to make.

I had to wade into the river. Digital cameras and water don't mix but I had the image in my head so had to take the chance to capture it. The limestone cliffs of provide a dramatic backdrop to this travelers refuge. Vang Vieng is also notorious for being a secret US military base. Here the army built a hospital and asphalt airstrip during the Vietnam war, to tend to soldiers wounded in the jungles of Vietnam..... Hang on that can't be right? The US army was never officially in Laos. I also have a photo of the remains of bombs that were never officially dropped either.

The Laotians remain a beautiful and friendly people who treated us very well. I hope to return to there again some day.

Fashion photoshoot in Colorado Springs

A fashion photographer may not choose Colorado Springs to launch their career in the fashion industry, however I do still get the occasional request to shoot more than head shots and weddings! It's fun for me to photograph other things and I like to shoot a variety of styles. And occasionally even photoblog about them too!

I met the designer of these garments through a fashion and couture website. Anne of Feltcrafts hand makes both the material and then designs and makes the outfits to produce unique couture clothing. She was preparing for an upcoming fashion show, and needed some photos for submission and her portfolio. My model for this photoshoot Lori, was able to turn up with little notice and modeled these clothes with style!

Thanks Lori for doing such a great job and thank you Anne for choosing Admire Photography. Good luck at the fashion show!

Simon

The New Studio

*Edit: Turns out my claims of fixing the blog were a little premature!

I think I have fixed the blog problems [no, no Simon you didn't], but will have to wait and see to be sure.

I thought while I was in here I'd show you a picture from the opening of our studio a while back. So many people helped to get it to this point. We couldn't possibly have finished if it wasn't for Corinne's Family and our friends. Corinne has been teaching Yoga for the last few months and has classes pretty much to capacity. I'm even allowed to use it myself from time to time!

We're very happy with how it all turned out and decided it was just about worth all the effort!

If you want to see Studio 313 call me and come take a look. If you're interested in Corinne's yoga classes contact her through http://Yogafied.com

Photo Studio Grand Opening with Exhibition "Alternative Energies"

The photo/yoga studio is finally done! Corinne and I are having our grand opening this Saturday 11th from 2-6pm. They'll be drink and snacks to nibble on while you look at an exhibition of some of my photography from world travels and closer to home. The theme of the exhibit is "Alternative Energy", alternatives to negativity.

The studio is on the West side and the address is 313 N 24th St, Colorado Springs, 80904. From I-25 take the Uintah exit (146) to 24th and we're on the left. Studio 313 is round the back, we'll have a cold one or a glass of something waiting for you!

Come and support local art, and find out about Corinne's yoga classes. They are filling fast!

So who can caption this picture?

Engagement Pictures in Colorado Springs

Matt and Nicole's engagement was some time ago, before Matt left for a year long tour in Iraq. So this was our opportunity to all get together before their big day.

Garden of the Gods is always a favorite place to shoot engagement pictures, with so many interesting places to photograph. The backdrop of Pikes Peak is always impressive and we were blessed with a beautiful sunset. All the recent rain has greened up the whole park and the yucca flowers have just started to bloom! Did you know you can eat yucca flowers, they taste a little like snow peas, although the happy couple will not be adding them to their wedding day menu, less than impressed was the verdict on edible flowers. I hope their engagement pictures are more to their taste!

It was a very fun session and I'm looking forward to photographing your wedding at Elk Ridge Ranch near Breckenridge in a couple of weeks. I'll try to arrange another awesome sunset.

Engagement Pictures in Denver, Colorado with Nate and Aimee

Capitol Hill in Denver is the center of picturesque, historic buildings, under the backdrop of Denver's city skyline. It was the perfect location for Nate and Aimee's e-session, an Aurora couple getting married in April.

The "e" in e-session (or e-shoot) stands for engagement pictures but this engagement photo shoot was more about the pre-wedding practice for wedding pictures, and to get some recent pictures to use in the wedding planning. Corinne and I still have our photo mat, signed by all our wedding guests, hanging on our wall and I still love to read all the great things everyone wrote.



I know capitol Hill is a popular and pleasant place to enjoy the Denver sunshine but it did seem busier than usual. I thought it was the sunshine drawing the crowds but it turns out there was a political rally amassing on the steps of the Capitol Building! That'll teach me for avoiding the news (and politics)! We tried our best to avoid the crowds and in the end I had a great day, photographing a nice couple, in beautiful surroundings.

Here's a few of my favorites from the day.