Hey, we're here in Las Vegas at the WPPI convention (Wedding and Portrait Professionals International). What a fantastic event. We have heard some of the world's greatest photographers speak - Joe Buissink, Denis Reggie, Mike Colon, Kevin Kubota, David Jay - just to name a few. Incredible. Seriously, these guys open up their hearts and minds to speak and teach others, and it has been invaluable for us. We have soooo many new ideas and things that we are so excited about! We can't wait to shoot Ginny and Dan's wedding next weekend, 'cause we are jazzed about where our business is going and the fabulous things we have in store for our clients!

WhooHoo!

Happy Birthday to me! Yea, what a fun day. Had breakfast with my inlaws at the Village Smithy. Mmm. Then lunch with my mom, and Gil made me my favorite dinner - stuffed shells. Too bad I don't get to eat like that everyday!

Autumn and Nicholas

We had so much fun shooting Autumn and Nic's wedding yesterday. Boy, did they have a rough go of it! The day before the wedding, the bride, groom, groom's parents, the groom's brother and his girlfriend all got food poisoning! They had to cancel the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner because everyone was so sick! Autumn ended up at the hospital getting IV fluids!

Then, after everyone pulled it together for the wedding, the band was in a 30-car pile up on Vail Pass in a blinding snowstorm! They totalled two vehicles, but managed to have their equipment trailer towed to Glenwood - only two hours late - but the show must go on! Everyone was such good sports through the whole ordeal! But everything turned out so nice. It was a beautiful ceremony, and the entire day was just so much fun!

Here are a few pics from Carrie's labor and delivery. See the slideshow here.

Well, what a long haul for Carrie and Mike! They induced her on Friday night about 6pm, and things started going a little bit. She had an epidural, but things moved out of place and it wasn't working. She was feeling every contraction, and was in quite a bit of pain. They called in the anesthesiologist, and he started from scratch and put in another epidural and she finally got some relief. What a trooper she was!

She was able to sleep a little Friday night, but by Saturday morning, she hadn't progressed very much. More waiting. Finally, after all the tricks in the bag, Carrie's midwife decided that a c-section was the only choice. She was prepped and wheeled in to surgery. I was bummed - they don't allow photographers into the operating room. And at 2:48pm, little Joey made his appearance into the world! And I was there to greet Mike when he walked out of the OR with his new little boy in his arms! What a proud Daddy!

We spent some time in the nursery weighing, measuring, and monitoring little Joey while his mommy was in recovery. They finally brought her to her room and I was able to watch them spend their first few moments together as a family. What beauty. Kids change your life forever, and it is such a special thing to see those first few moments of disbelief, wonder and amazement.

I want to thank Carrie and Mike for allowing me to be a part of this most special time in their lives.

I'll have the slideshow posted in a few days.

Whoa! Carrie just called and said she is going to the hospital! Her doctors are concerned about some blood work she had done, and they want to induce in the morning! I'm photographing the birth, so it looks like things are going to happen tomorrow! I'll keep you posted!