Melissa & I had the pleasure of meeting Al & Krissy last year in Sedona and felt like we instantly connected.  They were just in the planning stages of their wedding but had a calm and laid back approach.  During our meeting Melissa and I knew we wanted to work with them and get to know them better.  Krissy and Al are from Albany, New York but wanted to have a destination wedding that would create a memorable experience not only for them but for the many guests that would travel for their big day.   Poco Diablo Resort was the perfect venue for this beautiful couple and definitely wowed their guests with the beautiful golf course, creek and vibrant red rock views. The day and evening was spectacular and Krissy and Al could not have looked more happy!

We asked Krissy and Al to share some special stories about their relationship, their stories are so sweet!  Melissa and I wish Krissy, Al and Charlie all the best, it was really wonderful getting to be apart of your wedding day.  We look forward to seeing you the next time you make it out to Northern Arizona!  ~Kristen

Tell us about a meaningful event in your life together. 

 There are a lot of meaningful event, however there are 2 events early in our relationship that would shape who we are as a couple today…

 One…The day we met… We both work at the same company and we were looking to hire new software consultants. Krissy was recommended through a co-worker and was scheduled to come in for an interview. I agreed to bring her in based on the recommendation. At the interview, I remarked that her resume was horrible and needed work, however, based on the interview itself and the recommendation, Krissy was offered a position and thus started the friendship which led to the marriage. 

Two… As part of working together as software consultants, we both spend a lot of time traveling for work. On a trip together to work in southeast Arizona, having a 3-day weekend coming, I asked Krissy if she wanted to road-trip up to the Grand Canyon. She agreed. We took the 3 days and visited Jerome, Sedona and the Grand Canyon. This is a trip where we realized we had a lot in common and had a fun-filled weekend together. This was the reason that 10 years later we decided to get married in Sedona Arizona!

What is or are your favorite place(s) to go together?

 We love to travel and have had the pleasure of seeing a lot of beautiful places in our time together. If we had to narrow down our list, there are our favorite places:

1.  Sedona, Arizona – This place holds special meaning to us, and the beauty is limitless. This area (including Jerome and Flagstaff) has a lot to do. We own a timeshare in Sedona and will keep going back.

 2. Key West, Florida – This has always been one of my favorite places since I first went there in 1994. It has changed a bit, but there is something about a small New England feeling town in the Caribbean. It is a special place that I have brought Krissy. We both love it there.

 3. Lake Tahoe / Tahoe City, Nevada – This is a place Krissy fell in love with and took me to. It is a very scenic place, and where we found Krissy’s engagement ring. We will never forget that place.

 4. Homer, Alaska – This is a place that is unique and spectacular. The scenery (from the water and glacier views, to the wildlife) and the serenity – this place is truly amazing. 

Do you have any funny/interesting stories from your families during your wedding or engagement?

 We pride ourselves on having fun and make the most of everything that happens. Life is fun with the right person…

 There are 3 funny / interesting things just from the week leading up to and including the wedding:

 We met Krissy’s brothers Scott, Dan and Scott’s wife Stefanie in Jerome, Arizona the Tuesday before the wedding. Jerome is known to be one of the most haunted towns in the country. We decided we would stay at the Jerome Grand Hotel, a former hospital which is haunted. At the hotel, Scott asked us to book him the most “active” room for hauntings. So we did. Overnight while trying to sleep, he swears he heard something knocking bamboo sticks together in his room, passing out of his room and then moving down the hall… Who knows?! Jerome is a great town, and every local has their own story to tell. All you have to do is ask.

 During the wedding, our officiate Andrew had practiced with Krissy’s dad to go over what he would say when presenting Krissy to me. Her dad was either very excited to hand her off, or paid no attention to Andrew the day before, but he was quick to respond and did not let Andrew finish his question. Not everyone heard it, but we certainly did and laughed. Thank you George!

 During the reception, we had just come back from pictures and were waiting to walk in to our cocktail hour, around the corner and out of sight from most everyone. There was a small group of people having a cigarette break where we were. My sister Christine and her husband Mark were the last to head down to where everyone else was, and turned the corner just as Kevin from Pure Entertainment announced Krissy and I. Oops! Krissy and I certainly had a good laugh; we hope Christine and Mark did to. 

Vendors:

Venue: Poco Diablo

Officiant: Rev. Andrew Murphy

DJ: Pure Entertainment

Wedding Cake & Cupcakes: Gisele’s in Jerome

Floral: Mountain High Florist

Photo Booth: ShutterBooth Arizona

Brides Gown: Demetrios in Macy’s Herald Square NYC

Tuxedos: Sedona Tuxedos

As Arizona wedding photographers, the Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful and scenic places to get married.  Meredith and Miles traveled from New York because they knew the Grand Canyon’s Moran Point would be a perfect spot for their intimate I do’s.  This sweet couple invited just their parents to join them on their big day, keeping a secret from the rest of their family and friends until they returned from their honeymoon.  After their beautiful ceremony they celebrated with their family at the El Tovar and then backpacked into the canyon to Phantom Ranch for their honeymoon.  What an amazing wedding and honeymoon!  Meredith was nice enough to share how her and Miles met and some fun stories about their big day!

Tell us about  how you met?

Miles and I met at a McDonald’s on the upper east side after a night out with friends.  Miles approached my friend and I asking ” hey ladies what’s good here”. He claimed to be a lawyer but my friend and I didn’t believe him telling him we were both lawyers.  He then told us that he went to Brooklyn Law School which we replied no we went to Brooklyn Law School. He then started naming professors and we finally were convinced.  It turned out that miles and I lived near each other and ended up sharing a cab home to Brooklyn and have been together ever since.

Tell us about your wedding planning and honeymoon:

We had a small wedding at the Grand Canyon with just our parents. No one else knew we were getting married until we got home. It was tough for everyone to keep the secret but thankfully we had only planned the wedding a month prior so everyone was able to hold out. Meredith’s parents and Miles Dad and girlfriend had never met each other prior to the wedding weekend but were like old friends almost immediately. 

 Our honeymoon was at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  We hiked to the bottom the morning after our wedding and spend two nights at the bottom of the canyon before hiking back up to the rim. We explored Ribbon Falls and Phantom Canyon while we were down there. 

What type of things/hobbies/interests do you both have in common?

 Hiking, Biking, Swimming , Travel, Pizza , Roast Beef sandwiches at Brennan and Carr in Brooklyn AND mutual dislike of cruises, we were once left behind by the boat in Bermuda

We were very excited to have this little angel in the studio again.  And we couldn’t believe it was time for her first birthday!  It’s been such an amazing thing to be able to see little Kendall grow up.  And it seems like yesterday that we did her newborn and six month old photos.  This little girl is growing up SO fast!  Parents always tell us that they wished they could stop time, and I’d like to think that photography helps them remember the little things about their baby girl that change all too quickly.   The Cake Smash session was a lot of fun, and I think big sister, Myra, even got in on some cake tasting too  Happy First Birthday sweet Kendall Betty!  Hugs, Melissa & Kristen

Alexa will be graduating from Northern Arizona University in May with her degree in Accounting and English.  Alexa has kept very busy during her college years, she works at Bed Bath & Beyond, is a student mentor for the College of  Business and is currently the President of her service sorority.  Alexa often works with Paw Placement of Northern Arizona to help rescue animals.  Animals have always been a big part of her life so she thought it would only be fitting to share her senior photography session with her cat Jax.  We asked Alexa some questions about her and Jax to get to know them a little better.

What is your pet’s official name and how did he get it?

His name is Jax, but when I need to be stern it’s Jackson!  When I rescued him he had been named Jackie because he was dropped off to Jackie, who works at Coconino Humane association, on her birthday.  My sister’s name is Jacquie, but her name tag at work says Jaxx.  I was also watching a lot of Sons of Anarchy at the time.

What is your best guess at your Jax’s breed?

He is a domestic longhair, but looks to be a bit of Norwegian Forest Cat. 

How and where did you get your pet?  

I lost a cat I had rescued from Coconino Humane Association about five months after having her due to undetected cancer that had developed in her lungs and intestines.  Immediately afterwards I was approached by Paw Placement of Northern Arizona to foster four kittens for a week.  The day they were picked up by their new foster I went to PetSmart and ended up coming home with him!

 Please share Jax Rescue Story:

I have always had the mindset that if there are cats still in the shelter, I cannot have an empty home.  Just a week after my cat passed I was looking at all the rescues at PetSmart just browsing, not really with any intentions yet.  I had developed a great relationship with Jackie, from the Coconino Humane Association, who often works at PetSmart since she helped me adopt my first cat.  I started petting Jackie the cat, and we had an immediate connection through the cage bars! He was such a lovebug! Jackie explained his story to me. He used to live with a family, but when they moved, they left him outside.  The neighbor tried to take care of him, leaving out food and such, and he kept trying to get into her house.  She couldn’t have a pet, and she began to worry about him so she took him to CHA.  The neighbor would still visit him and bring him sardines and brush his long gorgeous hair while he was up for adoption.  As I was about to leave Jackie seemed frustrated.  One of the other workers had not taken a cat back to the shelter so she did not have room for all the animals at PetSmart.  I told her, well, I will take this little guy then, and you will have more room. 

If you could have your dream job, what would that be?

I really want to start my own animal rescue, and a foundation for mental health awareness.

How  would you describe yourself and your style?

I’m very laidback, down to earth, and practical.  But I do enjoy the occasional girly night out, and often you will catch me in some sort of workout attire.  I try and be really active these days, mainly so I can eat as many cheeseburgers as I want. 

Where do you plan on going or plan on doing after graduation? 

I plan on continuing my job with Bed Bath & Beyond as the Customer Service Trainer. In addition to this I will be studying to take the CPA exam.

Where do you think you’ll be in five to 10 years? What do you think you’ll be doing?

I have no idea, and I think it is very exciting! I used to have this ten year plan of everything I wanted to do.  But I’ve recently had a new perspective on life and I am just seeing where all these opportunities lead me. 

Thank you Alexa & Jax for spending time with us!  We wish you the best of luck with your very bright future!  ~Kristen

We love having little babies in the studio, I mean, it really doesn’t get any happier than having a sweet little angel wrap her fingers around yours to make your heart melt. Baby Emilie was only one month old when we met her and I absolutely fell in love with her the instant I laid eyes on her.  It was so great to see proud mom, Jessica and smitten dad, Jeff, interact with their little piece of heaven.  This is one of the parts of  my job that I love, watching how something so little can create a love so BIG!

Welcome to the world little Emilie!  ~ Melissa

In 2010 I taught a workshop for beginner photographers called “Picture This“.   In developing the class syllabus, I quickly realized that I needed some models.  Being that Kendall’s mom, Kirsten, was a friend of mine and a workshop attendee (the workshop was promoted through her then store, About Memories and More), it wasn’t hard getting the girls to come out.  You see, Kendall and Leah have been best friends since Kindergarten and they were always together.  So, it was perfect to have them involved in the workshop.  In exchange for being a model for us, I always told these young ladies they could have a free photo session any time they wanted.

And the time came last week.

Kendall and Leah are about to leave the nest as they graduate high school and begin a new adventure on their own, an education here in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University.   Currently Kendall attends Flagstaff High School and Leah goes to Northland Prep Academy.   Both girls have enjoyed high school but are looking forward to the next stage of their life as college students.  Kendall is undecided for a major, but is leaning towards a career in Nutrition.   Leah has her eyes set on a degree in English with a minor in Psychology.  Leah hopes to one day live in Oregon or Washington State to teach kids how to write stories, poetry, essays and to show them that reading can be fun!  Being that their paths will ultimately stray far away from one another, doing a Best Friend photo session seemed very fitting for these beautiful young ladies.

Thank you for spending the afternoon with us ladies, we had a great time with you both! ~ Melissa