Amy & Andy's Wedding

How's this for good luck: the 3rd late summer wedding in a row with dark cloudy skies and NO rain...well, just a few sprinkles, as the reception wrapped up.
I'd like to talk about friendships for a minute, please. How many of you have friends you've known for over half of your lifetime? We've known Amy's parents, Bonnie and Dick, for 30+ years. Of course, that means we've known Amy since before day one, in a manner of speaking.
It was a real joy to not only photograph the wedding, but watch mom and dad walk Amy down the aisle. It was also very cool to sit down for a few minutes and enjoy dinner with family and friends at the reception.
Best wishes Amy and Andy!!

Nichele & Greg's Wedding

It didn't rain! The ceremony at the Grant-Humphreys Mansion was delightful as family and friends gathered for the evening event. As you can see, the ambiance of the Mansion is 2nd to none. I'd say everyone had a grand evening. Congratulations Nichele and Greg!!

Dianna & Matt's Wedding

What a fabulous day, a great wedding, cool portrait session, and rockin' reception. Since I'm too tired to write anything coherent, the photographs will speak for themselves. Here are selections from a very quick first edit. Enjoy!

Getting to Know You

Engagement sessions provide more than cool photographs. In fact, they should be mandatory with all wedding photography coverage. First, there's no better way to get acquainted with your bride and groom and vice-versa. The photographer is closer to couples on their wedding day than anyone else-- literally and figuratively. Engagement portraits help break the ice before the big day. Second, it gives couples a nice break from the craziness of wedding planning. Sure, I do some posing but once couples settle into the session they forget I'm there and just enjoy their time together. Third, it's just plain fun going to a favorite outdoor locale, not a stuffy studio. Add in the luxury of showing up in casual attire, saving the formality for the wedding, and you've got the makings for a successful photography session. These images of Melissa and Aziz were taken along Bear Creek in Lakewood, CO.

Run for Remembrance

The first annual "Run For Remembrance" was held last Saturday at Clement Park in Littleton, Colorado. According to the newspaper, about 900 participants ran, jogged, or walked the 5K course. Thanks to Columbine High School teacher Mr. Hill for organizing the event and inviting me to photograph it. Okay, Mr. Hill and I are second cousins, which may have had something to do with it, but I consider it an honor and priviledge to be included. Here's a shortened version of the race day photo story.






1st place women's runner and 1st & 2nd place men's runners pictured above.







All photographs ©2006 Barry Staver. All rights reserved. No publication or other use permitted without express written permission.

Wedding Cake for Breakfast!

Not just 1 wedding cake, mind you, but 3 fabulous varieties of mouth-watering cakes, served right after omelettes and fresh fruit (as a teenager I tried eating ice cream and cake for breakfast but Mom's disapproval led me back to Cheerios).


Drooling is allowed as you look at Vail Cascade Pastry Chef Tony holding a tray with Vanilla Cream Cake with White Sponge, Raspberry and White Chocolate Mousse Cake with White Sponge, and Chocolate Mousse Cake with Chocolate Sponge. While the Chocolate Mousse Cake was my favorite, the Raspberry and White Chocolate Mousse came in a close second. Okay, let's face it, I'd have eaten more of all 3 except I'd filled up on French Toast w/maple syrup.
Now add to the picture, lunch served under a beautiful blue Colorado mountain sky: First Course-Pear and Blue Cheese Salad; Second Course-Slow Smoked Ribs, Rocky Mountain Trout (finished w/citrus beurre blanc and Maine crab meat), or Pepper Crusted Filet Mignon; Dessert-Pineapple Peach Strudel, Classic Creme Brulee, and Carrot Cake. Chef Adam, of Sonnenalp Resort is setting one of the Carrot Cakes on the table.


Let's not stop here: Lion Square also provided lunch of various salads and pasta dishes, served overlooking the Vail Gondola and chair lifts. Finally, a delightful dinner of chicken salad, more pastries, fine wine, and generous lodging accommodations at the Vail Mountain Resort finish the grazing portions of the trip.
Did I mention that I was in the company of 7 wonderful Bridal Consultants? Char, Karyn, Norie, Diane, Kate, Angela, and Debbie, all members of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants, put up with me on this 2 day Fact Caravan to the Vail Valley.
We did more than eat decadent desserts...really! In 2 days, including round-trip drive time from Denver, we toured 12 different venues, checking out everything from spas to guest rooms, menus to floor plans. These monthly trips help consultants meet and exceed a brides expectations with her wedding planning. I'm able to make new friends, see and pre-visualize wedding photo-ops at all of these cool places.


After all, a successful wedding is the result of planning, more planning, and even more planning. Networking is pivitol. Brides depend on Consultants, Sales and Catering specialists to not only organize their wedding, but lead them to good photography. In turn, my passion for photography translates into memorable images that couples will always cherish. Everyone wins.
Guess it's back to the Cheerios for breakfast tomorrow.

What Happens in Vegas...

...doesn't always stay in Vegas. Well, some things stay in Vegas, but I'm breaking the rule with the rest of it.
Passion. Passion in pursuing great photographs. Making photographs from the heart. Going with ones instinct. Capturing those decisive moments.
It was refreshing to have these themes intertwined at the annual Wedding Portrait Photographers International convention over the weekend. Great reinforcement to me to continue using these basic concepts when photographing wedding celebrations. More details and specifics soon.
In the meantime, the tax return won't get started and finished by itself.

April 1st Wedding - No Foolin'

Congrats to Patty and Miles! Beautiful, intimate, and romantic best describe the Saturday ceremony and dinner party held at the Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe.

Need a flag?

Albuquerque, I-40 & Carlisle St: Although I didn't see any wedding flags, I'm sure vlflags.com can come up with something. Vernon and Linda travel from town to town in their bus, setting up in K-Mart lots to sell their flags.
This is a quick example of how I tell stories as a photojournalist. Lower photograph is a scene setter taken with a wide angle (fisheye) lens. It gives an overall view. The top image (moderate telephoto lens) takes you in for a closer look as Vernon unfurls flags atop the bus.