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July, 2011:

Lee Ann & Margaret’s Intimate Stowe Wedding

Jul 17th, 2011
by kpikephoto.
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Lee Ann and Margaret traveled from Texas to Stowe, Vt, to be able to look each other in the eyes and proclaim their marriage vows each other. Under a Chupah, and the watchful eyes of a rabbi and a few witnesses, the two women exchanged rings, signed the ketubah (the Jewish marriage license), stepped on the glass (Mazel Tov!) and were proclaimed, with the power vested by the State of Vermont… MARRIED!

IT is always exciting to be a part of a same sex wedding in Vermont, because I am so proud and happy to live in a state where all marriages are honored and LEGAL. And, of course, I have the greatest job in the world, which allows me to be as part of such joyous celebrations most every week (at least from May through October!). So, on this wet, rainy day, after a lovely ceremony and some champagne (while the skies cleared from the third or fourth rainstorm of the afternoon), the couple walked the gorgeous grounds at Stone Hill Inn and we made some romantic and beautiful pictures. Here is a sample of images from the memorable afternoon, to Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love.”

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Jenn & Steve: The Story of a boy, a girl and a Bench

Jul 11th, 2011
by kpikephoto.
1 comment

If anyone out there in blogdom follows my posts regularly, then you may recall a couple who’s marriage proposal I photographed in City Hall Park.

Steve proposed to Jenn on their favorite bench; the bench where they had their first date… the bench where they have sat together hundreds of times since their relationship began. So it was fitting that we began their engagement session right where we left off–at the bench! Jenn and Steve’s love story moved on from there, of course, and so do the images that tell that story. It is an old fashioned tale of seeing each other from afar, of wanting desperately to be together and then making that happen, regardless of the obstacles.

Special thanks to Leunigs and 1/2 Lounge for helping us make this fun and sexy slideshow (To the Jason Mraz song, “If It Kills Me”) to get Steve and Jenn excited about their wedding next weekend at Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort in Plymouth…. I can’t wait!!

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Kristin and David’s E session Play date!

Jul 5th, 2011
by kpikephoto.
6 comments

Anyone who knows Vermont roller derby and the Green Mountain Derby Dames, knows STAR SLAYER. She is the queen of the flat track, an amazing athlete and pure sex appeal on wheels! The team coach, “DOUBLE TAKE“, watches her protectively throughout the bout. After all, when the match is done and the wheels come off, Star Slayer and Double Take become soon-to-be-married Kristin and David.

I always love being around this couple; their smiles are infectious and they are both playful and uninhibited and they adore each others company. It’s so much to watch them interact, whether it’s at a bout or at one of the other weddings I have photographed that they have attended as guests.

For their E session, David and Kristin had an old fashioned “Play Date”, starting at a school Playground, then dancing on the Fishing pier at the Burlington waterfront, and ending at the local Skate Park. Kristin showed off some fancy skating moves and David? Well, he gave me a lesson on what NOT to do on wheels if I want to keep my back in one piece! (Note: David is a great sport and he told me that I MUST include the following images in this blog post. As far as I know, the future Groom is fine and will be walking down the aisle as scheduled!!

In just two weeks, David and Kristin will declare their wedding vows in front of family and friends. I will be there, cameras in hand, to tell the story of their day. But for now, I hope you enjoy this peek into their life together with the following slideshow to an old Favorite of mine: “Happy Together” sung by The Turtles:

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July 4th Holiday Head Turner!

Jul 4th, 2011
by kpikephoto.
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Around each holiday, as I go about my life in both in work and play, I am Inevitably stopped in my tracks by something or someone that make me go, WHERE’S MY CAMERA??!! It is that HEAD TURNING moment that seems to just define the holiday and all it symbolizes. This Fourth of July weekend was no exception.

On my way to a wedding Sunday morning, I stopped for a cup of coffee at the Wooden Barrel Country Store in Chittenden, Vermont. Out in front of the little roadside oasis, was the breakfast club of regulars who start their day with a cup o’ Joe and a smoke at one of the blue picnic tables. Among the group was Charlie Parker of Pittsford, drinking his coffee, drawing from his corncob pipe and rocking back and forth on his heels with his glasses resting against his forehead. Behind him in the distance, an American flag hanging above the front entrance to the store.

WHERE’S MY CAMERA??!!

Charlie Parker doesn’t have an email address, doesn’t own a computer and doesn’t use a cell phone. By trade, he is a “skunk striper” for the state of Vermont (A road crewman who paints the white lines down the center of the highway) and he never misses his morning coffee time at the Wooden Barrel before work. Today, I pay homage to all of the Charlie Parkers that live in Vermont and celebrate this truly American holiday!

I will continue posting my favorite HEAD TURNER come each major holiday that I celebrate! Happy Independence Day, everyone!