It was my first trip to Vegas and only my second time in the desert, and now I’m sitting back here in Madison just craving that desert sun! As much as I love living in Madison and shooting all over Wisconsin, there was something magical about golden hour in the desert. I was there in February for WPPI — one of the biggest conferences for wedding and portrait photographers. Since I started my business last year, I have been consuming all sorts of education nonstop, but going to conferences and learning hands-on from photographers I admire is definitely my favorite!
I went to WPPI with my friend and mentor Talwin (Moose) Davis of Blu Moose Photography, and he brought me along on this styled shoot put on by some of his photographer friends from South Carolina. I was so fortunate to be able to work with these talented photographers and beautiful models, in the middle of the GORGEOUS desert right outside of Vegas! I flew back from Vegas right before the coronavirus started spreading in the U.S. The first case of community spread was actually reported a day or two before we came back home, so airports were still busy, and nothing around us had shut down quite yet. By the time I edited these pictures, we were just on the brink of full quarantine mode — when the uncertainty and fear was most palpable. Looking through and editing these pictures provided a perfect mental break and reminder of what is beautiful in this world. If you’re struggling through anything right now, I hope these images provide you with some escape, even if it’s temporary, and remind you that there is so much beauty in this world. There is a golden desert light at the end of every tunnel!
Scroll all the way down for some fun behind-the-scenes shots featuring Michele Butterfield (Magnolia Photography) and how photographers pull off veil tosses 🙂
The talented people who made this happen:
Planning and Concept: Corina Silva Photography and Jana K Tyler (Magnolia Photography)
Models: @bredejenne, @nicoleniena, @derrickboyce_
Rings: Melissa Tyson Designs
Silks: Jenifer Fowlkes
Bouquet: Corina Silva Photography
Big Dress: Carol Hannah Bridal
Fitted Dress: BHLDN Weddings// Daughters of Simone
Behind the Scenes
Curious how those pretty veil-toss shots happen when there’s no wind? Check out Michele in action 🙂 A crop or a different lens would easily make these images look natural, but I thought Michele looked way too good doing the “toss and run” not to share! Scroll back up — Can you find the image that uses this technique without Michele in the frame?
And Moose just for fun! THOSE views! <3
[…] and the first time I ever explored it like this. I got a little taste of it the day before at a styled wedding shoot with some of my fellow photogs — but Red Rock was unlike anything I’ve explored […]