.bugg.photographer.

.nichols.family.

I don't even have the words to begin how special of a place I hold in my heart for this family.  The only description that sums in up into less than 5 words is that they're our lobsters(and a big high five to whoever can name that reference first)..they are the epitome of generosity, a perfect blend of sarcasm and love, a comedic relief of a hard day, a slap in the face when I need it most, a shoulder to cry on, a inappropriate comment or joke at the most inappropriate of times, yet somehow manages to seem perfectly appropriate..people to just be with.  I could go on and on..

I was so overjoyed to actually have the opportunity to take them out on a "real" session..I've done countless photos of them, but this time we actually left the house and dedicated two whole hours to photo loveliness.  delish.  simply delish.

The weather was amazing..just cool enough, just warm enough.  a slight little breeze...all things that make up perfect picture taking weather..and the light.  GORGEOUS.

 

Such a ham -- totally modeling and posing for me..

 

 

 

 

 

sidenote:  baby = 2 1/2 months.  mama = hot.  just sayin'.

 

love how big sis is stealing a little kiss..

 

picture perfect little family of four.  indeed.

 

xoxo.

 

 

 

 

 

epitome of hotness.  HAWT.

 

 

loooooove this one..

 

and while John ordered food, Amanda changed baby into a warmer outfit -- I had already packed up my gear, but quickly pulled it back out as this little bebe went on a smiling spree.  little beauty.

John, Amanda, & bebes. we love you so much.  I simply don't have the words to express it.  Our heart is simply so full of joy because of your friendship.  Thanks so much for always being there for us, laughing with us, crying with us, just doing life with us.  I have no words to express my heart.  we love you.  so much.  love, ashley & jon.

.dania & jake. engaged.

at the mere mention of the story of how they got to be engaged, he laughs and touches her leg softly, while she shakes her head and smiles.  you see, on a house boat amidst the beauty of Lake Powell, Jake grabbed two bottles of Corona and handed Dania (pronounced da nee a) her tennis shoes and suggested that they take a little hike -- that mountain over there. Despite Dania's record with injury, they make it to the top -- uninjured, unknowingly to Dania that they're in full view of their friends watching from the vast water below.  Simply moved by how amazingly breath taking the view was, Dania burst into tears..and just then, their song, She's Everything (by Brad Paisley) filled the canyon walls.  Jake took her hand and led her in a dance..he spoke of how much he loved her and how she really was his everything.  and then he asked her if she knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life beside hers.  And as she agreed, Jake slipped down onto one knee.

In sheer disbelief, she told him to get up and stop messing with her..but then.  Oh then, he pulled the ring out from behind his back..Dania dropped to her knees, filled with such intense emotion, gasping for breath between tears of joy.  A rupture of applause and screams of joy rose up from the waters below.  All of their friends, witness to the new journey Dania & Jake were about to set upon.

The next day, Dania wandered back up that same mountain to drink in all the memories that were made the day before...and as she walked around, she fell and broke her toe, ripping a huge patch of skin, blood pouring out with each pulse.  Jake came to her rescue and carried her back down the mountain.  He cleaned and patched up her injury which has left her with a very permanent scar and a very permanent memory of the day that her love asked her to be his forever. 

 

 

 

 

Jon's photo skills are seriously getting out of control.  these next four absolutely blew me away.  his ability to grab that natural sun flare amazes me each and every time.  and those blue skies!  I could just drink them up..

 

 

 

Dania and Jake are incorporating their son into their ceremony, so we took the opportunity to grab a few shots with him as well..

 

i looooooove this shot of momma and her boy...so sweet..

 

 

after our trek through the desert, we still had light to use up, so we drove around looking for another location when suddenly Jake remembered this fab waterfall fountain.  now.  I'm not usually a big fan of fountains, as I feel that they're far too used, and often not big enough to pack the punch I'm desiring, usually just feel...lacking.  But this fountain.  ah.  this fountain made me realize that I may have stereo-typed fountains a wee bit unfairly.

 

 

 

 

 

Dania & Jake, your love makes me smile.  You see, I have a special place in my heart for high school sweethearts (8th grade sweethearts, rather), as jon and I, too, have been in love since the days we walked hand in hand across the campus of Mountain View High School.  And we are simply overjoyed to celebrate along side of you and capture this milestone of your love story as you two pledge your lives to each other amongst the trees of the Sedona forest.  We are so very excited for the two of you and honored that you chose us.  Thank you so much. from the depths of our hearts.  love, ashley & jon

.storybook.

I'm super excited to share that we're *finally* ready to submit our order for our 2008 wedding sample album -- a flush 10x10 album.  I can't wait until we have it in our hands.  But even more, I couldn't wait to share. 

{Please excuse the obnoxious watermark, but apparently album design is quite a hot item to steal, so we're just doing our best to protect our work.}

And a big, HUGE, thank you to these lovely brides and grooms for making our job so fab that it hardly feels like work!  We're so honored each and everyday to be the ones that you chose to document the story of your love..our hope is that these pictures will be far more than just pictures.  Our passion is driven by the shear thought of these photographs serving as somewhat of a portal to help you remember one of the most magical days of your lives.  And to aid in telling the story of your love for generations to come.  To simply act as a storybook for your beloved.  we feel so very blessed to have the joy of creating and capturing amazing memories.  thank you.  so much.  love, ashley & jon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

.becca & john. engaged.

I sat in church..and amidst Pastor Bill's words, I was distracted by a faint, yet thunderous, steady pounding on the roof above....what...is..tha-.....oh nooooooo......I give a look of sheer, "what are we going to do?!?!" to Jon.  We stand up afterwords to everyone talking excitedly about the thunderous roar from above, and yet I'm in silent mourning for the shoot scheduled that afternoon...You see it was one of those times that we couldn't REALLY reschedule...but as it turns out, I'm so very happy that we didn't.  You see.  Becca & John were moving across country that week, and this was pretty much our one and only chance to get the engagement pictures done...a quick list of back up plans raced through my head, but after much discussion and a little swaying from the rain letting up a bit, we decided to press on.

Becca & John, thanks so much for being such rock stars and sticking it out though the rain..and while it wasn't enough of a down pour to cause Becca to win that wet t-shirt contest, it was enough to cause hands to get numb, lenses to get wet, and hair to fall.  But with a heater on full blast, a trusty cloth in hand, a little fluffing of the hair and a couple umbrellas, we left the day with some amazing shots.  Plus, I love the soft diffused light caused by big, puffy clouds...

And don't "they" say something about rain on rehearsal means no rain on the wedding day?!?  Well, I'm sure that the same applies for engagement sessions...

 

love those big, rolling clouds..........

 

 

my lens kept getting covered with water from the misty rain..totally causing all these crazy blurs and bits of flare...almost angelic..............

 

 

those gray skies made Becca's eyes look sooo deep and mysterious....

 

 

loooooove this one..

 

 

 

 

Becca & John...we are so honored that you chose us to capture the story of your love.  And we can't wait to pause the moment that you two will pledge your lives to each other.  thank you so much.

love, ashley & jon.