Photography by Megan Sneak Peek Blog!

Kael, Paxton, and Beni in Mesa, Arizona

This trip to Arizona was short and sweet, and I had just enough time to fit in one of my favorite families from my trip last April!  You may notice something different, though....there's a new baby in the pictures!  Little Beni was born in August so it was a lot of fun to finally meet her.  She fits in with her big brothers Kael and Paxton quite well, and sat so nice and still for pictures in Grandma and Grandpa's desert backyard in Mesa.   It was another gorgeous day, of course.  Gotta love that Arizona light!

 

Jason and Mya in Paradise Valley, Arizona - 11.14.08

My last destination wedding for the year was absolutely amazing!  Everything took place at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort which was yet another photographer's dream with all the breathtaking backdrops within walking distance around the grounds.  We even got a quick golf cart ride up the mountain to one of the homes with an incredible view!  And I know I talk about the weather all the time but it was perfect--mid 80s and just a slight breeze.  Jason and Mya were a blast to photograph and were open to all my ideas, even posing patiently as I experimented with lighting a special shot near the pool at sunset.  I was so excited how it turned out!

Michael and Jill in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - 11.2.08

Wow, what an incredible weekend!  I'm "sneaking in" this sneak peek right away because I've got a four hour layover at the airport on my way home and I have all their pictures on my laptop just begging to be shared!  I had an incredible time at this wedding.  Both Jill and Mike and their families welcomed me instantly and I felt right at home.  The weather was gorgeous and I was absolutely thrilled to be shooting at the historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens.  With loads of lush gardens and palm trees and colorful archways and doors I was definitely in photographer's paradise--literally!  Jill and I have actually "known" each other online by reading each other's blogs for a few years now so it was so fun to finally meet her.  There were some other blogging girls there so we snapped a group picture at the end--myself included.  I had such a hard time narrowing these shots down for the sneak peek so there are a LOT.  Also, this was my first Jewish wedding and I had SO much fun!  My favorite part was when they got lifted up on the chairs at the reception!

 

 

Scott and Andrea - 8.8.08 in Islamorada, Florida

WOW!  That's what I have to say about this amazingly gorgeous destination wedding in the Florida Keys!  Scott and Andrea tied the knot on beautiful Islamorada (just south of Key Largo) at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe at sunset.   I was so honored to be a part of this celebration, and to photograph at such an exotic location was yet another dream come true!  The skies were absolutely breathtaking and the breeze off the ocean was perfect on this hot day!  This post is going to be another LONG one because I couldn't possibly narrow down some of these shots.  I finally just had to stop or it would probably take up the whole page, although I'm sure you guys won't mind!  And if anyone hasn't caught on by now, I LOVE shooting destination weddings and would be happy to continue doing so.  (I actually have two more this year!)  So check out some of my many favorites from Scott and Andrea's fabulous day!

 

 

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Ryan and Krystal - 8.2.08 in Sedona, Arizona

I had the privilege of photographing Ryan and Krystal's gorgeous wedding in Sedona last week and it was an amazing experience.  They got married at the Tlaquepaque (ta-lack-a-pack-ee) Arts and Crafts Village in the heart of the town with so many gorgeous archways and staircases and hidden walkways I was in photographer's heaven!  The wedding was simple and beautiful.  Just like her older sister Kelli's wedding that I shot in Mexico in 2006, Krystal's father not only walked her down the aisle but he was the pastor!   As soon as the ceremony was over, we rushed up to find a spot to take pictures with the red rocks before the sun set.  Needless to say we just made it just in time!

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Krystal and Ryan's Engagement Session

Ryan and Krystal decided to do a last minute engagement session around Mesa, Arizona the day before their wedding... just in time! We had gorgeous evening light and of course I loved taking advantage of the desert landscape. We also headed over to Starbucks because that's where they first met! Ryan's son Ethan joined in for a few shots, too. Stay tuned for their wedding pictures soon!

Arizona Sessions: Grant and Kelli

My last session in Arizona was with none other than my wonderful hosts, Grant and Kelli.  We ended up walking to a place to eat one evening and took pictures along the way... in alleys, on the train tracks, and in empty lots.  In other words, a photographers creative dream!  I love using non-traditional backgrounds and thinking outside the box.  And of course with friends like Grant and Kelli it's hard to go wrong.  They're great subjects!  I even took a shot on our way home after dark, trying some 'light painting' with my camera to draw hearts with the streetlights.  Here are just a few of my favorite shots!

It's a real plane--we were right in the flight path and one flew over every couple minutes!

Arizona Sessions: Hayden and Parker

You may recognize little Hayden from her session with cousin Brendan about a month ago when she visited family in Minnesota.  Since Hayden and her family are actually from Arizona, they asked me to come back again and include her friend Parker, too!  We had a fun time at the playground with the kids on a beautiful morning, and even their mommies joined in on a few shots.  Then it was time to head back home where the kids enjoyed some ice cream--yum!

Arizona Sessions: The Forsythe Family!

I had a great time with the Forsythe family in their beautiful desert backyard.   I've known this great group of people for about five years, back when I was going to school in Flagstaff and roommates with one of their daughters, Kelli.  I even spent a couple holidays with them when I couldn't get home.  It is so fun to see how their family continues to grow... there are two more grandchildren on the way! 

Even Miss Puggy posed for a couple shots!

Arizona Sessions: Joe and Lora - 4.5.08

Joe and Lora had a gorgeous wedding and of course, gorgeous weather--it's Arizona, after all!  The sun was shining and there were so many fabulous spots to take pictures.  Their reception was held at Superstition Springs Golf Club and we ventured around (trying to avoid flying golf balls!) and got some awesome shots amongst the green grasses, waterfalls, and palm trees!  They had such a fun wedding party and it wasn't hard to bring out their personalities. Again, I had way too many images to choose from, so here is my attempt!

Arizona Sessions: Kael and Paxton

My first session in the beautiful state of Arizona was with a great family of four (well, five--one is on the way!) and we headed to a nearby park with plenty of green!  Coming from where it was still cold and brown with a few patches of snow on the ground this seemed like paradise!  I tried to capture as much of the 'desert' as I could in the photos.  I even spotted a few palm trees.  Kael and Paxton were so cute and photogenic.  When we were done with the main family photos we headed over to a little playground where the kids could slide, swing, and climb a few trees!  I had too many to choose from, as usual, so here are some favorites!

Adventures in Arizona - Going Home

My trip is coming to an end, with my flight leaving today around 3 p.m.  I'll travel back across two time zones and hopefully get home late tonight.  Then the REAL work begins!  I know I've got tons of e-mails to return so you'll be hearing from me soon.

I had such a fabulous time, and I am especially thankful for my wonderful friends Grant and Kelli for letting me stay with them.  Last night I gave them a little photo session as a thank you (their full sneak peek will also be up later... expect many Arizona sneak peeks for the next week or so!) but I wanted to post just a couple.   These guys are great and if any of you have been reading me for awhile I also shot their wedding in Mexico back in October 2006.  As I predicted, our session was so much FUN!

Can you spot the jet plane in each shot?

Adventures in Arizona - More Peeks

Wow, the time sure is flying by!  Today is my last full day of shoots and then I leave for home tomorrow.  I'm sad it went so fast but I've had an AMAZING time.  The wedding was gorgeous on Saturday and I had a family shoot last night with another round of incredible evening lighting.  I don't think I'm ready to leave Arizona just yet!

Here are some more previews of some of my MANY favorites...

Adventures in Arizona - Checking In

I just had a quick moment this morning and I wanted to check in and update everyone on how my trip is going after my first full day here.  I'm having a GREAT time; the weather is amazing (of course), the people are fabulous (my friends put me up in a guest room in their condo with my own bathroom!), and I've already taken two photo sessions... one "impromptu" and one real one!  Later today is the wedding.  I even got to meet the lead singer of Jimmy Eat World last night at an art gallery because he is friends with the people I am staying with.  It was a really cool experience; he and his wife are totally laid back and it was a fun night.

As I mentioned above, I'm staying with my friends from college, Grant and Kelli, and they are dog-sitting for some friends who have two English Bulldogs--Winston and Georgia.  They are amazing animals, and completely hilarious, with their pushed in snouts, short legs, and stocky build.  When we took them for a walk the other night on Mill Avenue in Tempe we couldn't go half a block without people stopping us to pet them or say how "cool" they were.  It was crazy!

I also had my first official session yesterday with a terrific family of four, with one on the way (they'll have a more detailed sneak peek when I return) but I had to share just one--because it includes one of my favorite intricacies about Arizona, the saguaro cactus!  I really hope to capture Arizona in all of my sessions.  To have this change of scenery is like an explosion of creative ideas for me.  There really is no limit around here, and the awesome weather just makes it even better. 

So--pictures!  The first one is a shot I grabbed from the family session with the saguaro.  They were so happy and fun!  I can't WAIT to post more from this session, it was one of my favorites.

Ok, ONE more.  The light was absolutely PERFECT for this session. 

And here are some of Winston the Bulldog!  (Georgia was sleeping).  I might have to give these guys their very own post when I get back, because I'm sure I'll take more of them throughout the week.

I caught him mid-yawn!  Love it!

So, I hope to update more if I can.  I don't have too much time on the computer so hopefully I can get on again and post more shots and news from the trip!

Kelli and Grant - 10.14.06

Kelli and Grant had a beautiful destination wedding in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico.  I was lucky enough to be able to photograph it, catch up with old friends, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and warm weather.

View their photo slideshow here.  The song was written and performed by the groom himself!