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Dove Inn, Golden Colorado | Travel Photographer

January 14, 2020

If you know me, you know I love to travel! I love big and small trips! There is so much to explore close by where we live! It has been such a long time since I visited the Denver area, and it was time to get back and take a little three-day excursion to visit Golden, Colorado. Golden is located about an hour away from the Denver International Airport, 30 minutes outside of Denver, and an hour and a half to the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.

We stayed at the cutest place; The Dove Inn is a recently renovated 1866 Victorian Mansion. The details inside were soooo amazing! They restored it wonderfully! The Dove Inn is a mix between a Bed & Breakfast and a Hotel. The service happened behind the scenes; we had self-check-in and checkout; the continental breakfast was ready to grab when we woke up. We had excellent service even though we hardly saw anyone during our stay! The breakfast came from local companies and one of my favorites, Noosa yogurt! The delicious pastries are provided by Cafe 13, just down the street! It was the perfect amount for a fresh start to the day! We stayed in the Castle Rock Studio room, and this room would be perfect if you were traveling with a large group. Equipped with a full-size kitchen and the Murphy bed folded right up and opened the space for larger gatherings!

When we travel, I love to find fun new restaurants and Golden, Colorado has so many options to choose from on the historic main street. The Dove Inn is in the perfect location to walk to any of them. We ate at the Thai Gold, Abejas, and The Sherpa House. Our favorite was Abejas, the modern farm to table menu was so unique. The local trout and steak had accompaniments of a fresh twist on puréed vegetables and tasty grains.

We enjoy walking around downtown Golden. We are suckers for outdoor gear shops, and I am surprised neither of us came home with a new jacket! There are so many fun shops to peruse!

When we first decided to go to Golden, I knew I wanted to try and get some time in Rocky Mountain National Park. I enjoy the mountains, and I love being able to check off another National Park on my list. From The Dove Inn to the entrance of the park, it took us an hour and a half to get there. The drive is so scenic once you enter the mountains. We traveled in January, and we were expecting a lot more snow; I guess when you live in Logan and always have snow in the winter, you assume that the mountain towns are going to have the same amount of snow. We rented snowshoes in Golden just in case we needed them, but the snow was packed down enough in the areas that we hiked that we didn’t use them. Next time I will bring some spikes for my boots. We drove up to Bear Lake and walked around it and then hiked up to Nymph Lake. They were easy hikes and very passable in the winter; the views were so spectacular. We only had an afternoon, so we only got to two of the lakes. There were so many other trails I would have loved to explore. After we drove around and chased the last bits of light and viewed the breathtaking scenery.

This year I feel like I missed the holidays, I took on a lot of photoshoots while everyone’s families were in town. Once the New Year hit, I felt like I didn’t get to relax and celebrate. When the opportunity came up to travel to The Dove Inn, the getaway was definitely needed! Everything about the place was so relaxing, we were able to come and go as we liked. The bed and bedding were so comfortable, we didn’t want to leave! They did such a fantastic job on all of the details, it made for a beautiful weekend! Now I am ready to tackle 2020, thanks for the lovely stay, Dove Inn!

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Filed Under: UncategorizedTagged With: Bed and Breakfast, Boutique Hotel, Colorado Photographer, Denver, destination photographer, Golden, Golden Colorado, National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, The Dove Inn, Travel Blogger, Travel Guide, Travel Journalist, Travel Photographer, Visit Golden Colorado, What to do in Golden

Decade in Review | Utah Photographer

January 3, 2020

Amangiri Photographer

It is so crazy to look back on ten years! I feel like I have come so far in certain parts of my life, and in other parts of my life, I haven’t changed at all. My business has slowly grown over the last 15 years, I have always had a steady stream of clients, but not until the last 5 years did my income start to increase. For the first ten years, I was content with where I was at, I didn’t realize that there could be more. I discovered workshops, podcasts, and education courses in 2015, and was able to dream of something bigger for myself and for my business. I will always have things to work on with my photography, I want to improve every year. One thing that has stayed the same is my love for photography, I feel like that is one of my greatest strengths and reasons that I have been successful for so long. I love what I do, and I love working with new clients and connecting with clients that I have photographed for the last 15 years.

Here is a little highlight real for the past 10 years!

2010
Photographed my first international wedding in Cabo, Mexico.

2011
Got married to Cole Parker!
Traveled to England, Ireland, and Costa Rica.

2012
Started using film again in my work. Cole loves cameras, and he is always researching what cameras I should try. I have used film for lots of personal projects and travel. Working on my own projects has improved my client’s work.

2013
Cole got sick with meningitis, this set us back a lot, and we are still being affected by it today. He is almost back to normal, but he still struggles with frequent migraines.
I photographed my first couple at Amangiri and then became one of their preferred photographers. Amangiri is one of the biggest resorts that I work at, I work with so many amazing clients there every year since.
Took a cooking class in Italy, I have always loved making pasta, and cooking in an old flour mill in Tuscany changed everything! I love teaching others how to make pasta and photographing it along the way.
Traveled to England, France, and Italy.

2014
Photographed a wedding in London, England.
Traveled to Spain and England.

2015
Last year of doing Bridal Shows, this was such a huge step, my website was finally being found with my SEO, and social media began to be an excellent tool for marketing.
I celebrated 10 years in business, I co-hosted a party with The Riter Mansion to celebrate our businesses turning 10, and it was a huge success! We were able to turn it into a fundraiser to help those affected by the earthquake in Nepal, we raised several thousand dollars to send back to Nepal. I was able to send the money to those that I had just worked with before the earthquake hit.
I started investing in education. I attended my first big workshop in Nepal, I was able to learn from some of the most amazing people in the wedding industry, and I was able to recognize where my business could go. I started learning from podcasts and books, I know that as I increased in my business knowledge, my revenue increased dramatically every year.
My Nepal images were published in Cottage Hill Magazine.
Traveled to Nepal and Costa Rica.

2016
I hosted my first dinner party, which has become a part of my business since then. Instead of doing styled shoots that you take down after it is photographed, I set up styled dinners to photograph, and then enjoyed a beautiful setting with friends eating a lovely meal. I love entertaining other creatives, and vendors, it has been fun creating relationships with others over the years through dinner parties.
Photographed an engagement shoot in Tulum, Mexico.
Traveled to Mexico, Dominican Republic, The Netherlands, Hungary, and Austria.

2017
I started my printshop website and had a booth at Swiss Days selling my double exposure temple photos. It has been so fun adding this part to my business.
I started photographing in Jackson Hole. I have always been so inspired by the Tetons, we would always travel there growing up, and I always knew I wanted to do photoshoots there. I did eight shoots there the first summer, and in 2019, I did 24 sessions in Jackson Hole, and I met some of the most amazing clients from all over.
Traveled to France, Monaco, Italy, Cuba, France, and Denmark.

2018
I hosted my first Creative Workshop, where I taught attendees how to make a leather passport, and how to make fresh pasta. We ended the day with a beautifully styled dinner and talked about creativity. I have always been a creative person, I love making things with my hands, and trying a new art or hobby. As an artist being creative in other outlets has helped me to avoid burnout in photography. In 15 years, I have never wanted to quit or not go to a shoot, I get excited about every shoot. I wanted to help others find their creativity and avoid burnout, it was such a fun workshop.
In 2017 I made the goal to reach six figures, and I finally achieved it in 2018. I had never compared myself to others, and I have no idea what other photographers make. All that mattered to me was that I was working hard, paying my bills, and traveling a few times a year. I was very proud of myself for getting to that point. It gave me the confidence to keep reaching for other financial goals.
Traveled to Iceland and The Faroe Islands.

2019
I increased my prices 5 times in 2019, which lead to a 50% increase in one year. At the beginning of my business, I was afraid to raise my rates, and I held off for too long to make changes. I get several inquiries a day, and I couldn’t keep up with the demand, I was turning so many people away because I can’t shoot everything, so I started raising my prices every few months, and I kept booking clients. Right now, I am booking family photoshoots for what I use to book weddings for in 2010. I am working with my dream clients, they value my work and the experience that I am creating for them. I have loved all of my clients along the way, and they have all contributed to my success.
I invested in the Knowledge Business Blueprint, it is helping me become a better business owner, and I am in the process of creating a course to help others achieve success in their photography business.
I had 34 out of state shoots in 6 different states. I was on the road a lot this year, I always look forward to listening to inspiring books and podcasts while driving and flying.
Traveled to Canada.

Total Shoots in 10 years:

Weddings: 200
Family/Senior Sessions: 656
Number of total shoots: 1381

When I started photography, I envisioned my income being the fun money, our extra money. But when I married a student who got sick 2 years into our marriage, I had to reenvision what my photography would be. I had to figure out how to be the primary income and sustain a household. As I have been persistent and patient, I have built the dream life that I had before I got married. Through our challenges and trials comes our greatest joy. I had to dive deep into photography to provide, and it has made me a better photographer. I wouldn’t be where I am at today without having to push through and survive. I am so grateful to be able to see the growth that I have made, and I can’t wait to see the life that I will create in 2030!

Filed Under: UncategorizedTagged With: Amangiri Photographer, destination photographer, Jackson Hole Photographer, Jackson Hole Wedding Photographer, Park City Photographer, Park City Wedding Photographer, Utah Photographer

DIY Holiday Wreath

December 16, 2019

DIY Christmas Wreath

One of my favorite traditions around the holidays is going to cut down a fresh Christmas tree! We always find one that is way too tall, and we think it will fit every year.  I love being in the mountains and smelling the crisp, fresh air.  One of my second favorite traditions is using the boughs from our extra tall tree to make a wreath.  Several years ago, I was invited to a wreath making party by Nicole Land with Soil and Stem, and I fell in love with making wreaths. Since then, I have thrown my wreathing party with friends and family in my little townhouse.  I fill my car with several loads of greenery, and then fill my kitchen with a lovely mess!  One of my all-time favorite quotes is:

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty.

Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.

But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.”  Dieter F Uchtdorf, Happiness, Your Heritage

I believe as people and especially women create, they feel something different about themselves, and they feel proud of themselves for creating something so beautiful.  I have done this for four years now, and every time I have someone new come, they say I can’t do this, I am not creative, and they always leave so proud of what they created.  My favorite part is hearing their excitement with building a beautiful fresh wreath.

After my party, I go and hide one somewhere in Cache Valley and then I post a photo on my Instagram, and the first one to it gets to keep it!  It is so much fun!  One of the catches is that the person must pay it forward to someone else.

Here is a little tutorial on how to make one of my favorite wreaths. This wreath was made with all foraged items, so it didn’t cost anything!
DIY Christmas Wreath

For my wreath base, I collect the sticks from willow bushes, the best ones I have found are usually by a river, I try to choose tall and straight sticks.  You can also use any other type of vine; I loved using grapevines, you only need one or two long ones to create a good base.
DIY Christmas Wreath

Recipe for this wreath; Douglas Fir, Wild Boxwood, and Juniper.  The Douglas fir is from our Christmas tree, you can also go to Christmas Tree lots and they usually have some greenery for sale if you can’t make it to the mountains.  The Wild Boxwood was growing beneath some of the pine trees where we were cutting our tree down.  I loved the vibrancy of the green!  While my husband Cole was searching for the perfect Christmas tree, I was on the hunt for the foliage for the wreaths! Juniper grows a lot lower in the mountains, and it has the most beautiful dusty blue berries on it!  Just beware some Juniper trees are pokey!
DIY Christmas Wreath

I first start with three branches that are about the same length; I use my thumb to bend and soften the sticks all of the way down.  I will do this to all three branches.
DIY Christmas Wreath

Once I have them all softened up a bit, I will hold the end of the branches in my left hand, and then I will braid the sticks together with my right, they don’t have to be tightly braided.  After I bring the ends together and create the wreath ring, I use green floral wire to attach them.  You will then need to mold it to form a circle. Usually you will have to bend the thicker part of the sticks a little bit more.
DIY Christmas Wreath

Once I have my base ring together, I will bend some more sticks, and then I wrap it around the opposite direction so that where the sticks are thinner in the braid, they now have some support from the thicker ends of the sticks.
DIY Christmas Wreath

Once I get it to the desired thickness I will start adding my greenery, for the first few layers you will need to attach it with the wire, once you get a good base you don’t need to add wire to every branch.
DIY Christmas Wreath

I will cut off small pieces of greenery that makes it a little easier to control the look of the wreath.  I started with the Douglas Fir, and then I added little spots of the Juniper and the Boxwood.
DIY Christmas Wreath

For the finishing touches, you can add sticks, ribbon, other berries or dried flowers; I also added some dried Lunaria to add a little bit of elegance!
DIY Christmas Wreath

Here is my finished wreath!  I love not filling the entire ring, but you can definitely fill it all up, and it will be just as beautiful.  There is no right or wrong way!  Just be creative and have fun!
DIY Christmas Wreath

These are all of the items that I had at my wreathing party; it is so fun to have a variety of things.  It is my favorite to see how different everyone’s wreaths are!
DIY Christmas Wreath

I think these are pretty finishing touches. In the end for my wreath I added a few pieces of Lunaria.  I am kind of obsessed with that plant, and it is kind of magical.  The little silver dollars are dried up leaves from a flower, and those are the seed pods, and when you find a bunch of them it feels like you hit the jackpot!  A lot of parking lots have good selections on Crab Apple. Learn how to correctly prune a tree before you start gathering trimming. The Acasia Feather, Privet Berry, and Rosemary were purchased.
DIY Christmas Wreath

These are the evergreens that I love to use.  The Juniper and the Douglas Fir are the only ones that I foraged, the rest I got from Ensign Floral.  I purchased the Red Cedar at Trader Joes, they usually have great prices on garlands and boughs that you can use for your wreath.  And while you are there, you can stock up on your favorite Trader Joe holiday treats, I love grocery shopping there!

DIY Christmas Wreath

I foraged the Wild Boxwood all of the others I purchased. I love having some leafy options to add variety and depth to your wreath.  And the Eucalyptus also smells fantastic!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I enjoyed putting it together.  I had my tripod set up over my head, and with the Canon 5D Mark IV I was able to photograph this all by myself!  I wish someone could have filmed a behind the scenes of it because I was laughing at myself the entire time!

If you don’t have the time to make your wreath, I have several floral friends that sell beautiful wreaths for the holidays!

Salt Lake Area:

Amber Reverie Floral and Event Design

Carpe Diem Floral

La Fete Floral and Events

Logan Area:

Freckle Farm

The Fleur Market

 

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Welcome

Hi, I’m Jessica! I am very passionate about photography, everything that I do revolves around my camera and creating exceptional photos for you to remember every stage of life. I have been a professional photographer for over 15 years, and I still get excited about every shoot. I love being creative and going on adventures, and I try to bring that experience into my shoots, by exploring the mountains, chasing the light, and helping you relax in front of the camera! Thanks for stopping by, let’s work together!

e: jessica@jessicasphoto.com

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