Ceremony: Denver City Park
Reception: 910 Arts Gallery
Couple’s Website: www.graceandmari.com/

Mari and Grace have been long time friends of Carin and I. I think one of their first dates was hiking with Carin and I around Boulder back in 2007. They joked about how well documented their relationship has been since I have often had a camera with my while hiking with them.

Like Carin and I, Grace and Mari and avid outdoor enthusiasts. They have helped me by modelling for outdoor photo shoots on several occasions that have entailed everything from yoga to rock climbing. Last year when I was teaching a fall colors photography workshop, the even agreed to help out by modelling for the entire workshop for some great fall climbing shots.

I am not always so fortunate to have had so much experience photographing a couple before their wedding, but this was a lucky exception. I was thrilled when they asked me to photograph their Denver wedding. Have known them so long I felt we clicked really well. It was easy for me to figure out what they were looking for, and after the last four years of me photographing them together, they knew they could trust me. These are the photos from their Denver wedding.

One of the best things about photographing a wedding for a friend is that there is a huge amount of trust. Mari and Grace allowed me to play and experiment. Some of the things we tried didn’t work out, but a lot of them turned out to be amazing. I was able to experiment more with black and white, traditional film, and infrared photography than I normally would at a wedding.

It also provided an opportunity for my wife, Carin, who has been studying photography for several years to shoot her first real wedding. Overall the wedding was a beautiful experience.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that same sex marriages are still not legally recognized in Colorado. To learn more about how you can support marriage equality in Colorado or your own state visit: