For a seasoned wedding professional, there is a common pursuit that is highly tangible but rarely discussed, and that is the coveted opportunity to explore uncharted territory.  The thrill of working in a new venue, with a prominent coordinator that is remarkably on-point, or the buzz that comes from an inquiry for a destination wedding…. When you’ve been in this business for any length of time, these are the moments that really get the blood pumping and keep the passion alive.  Multiply this euphoria times a hundred, and you might find a mere glimpse of what our experience has been in transitioning to our home base here in Colorado.  From the incredible scenery, to the myriad of beautiful and diverse venues, and an impressive list of fellow vendors that have been nothing but warm and receptive, it’s as if Colorado has rolled out the red carpet and put Epic Imagery on the marquis!  This shoot was absolutely no exception.  

Upon arriving in our new state, it seemed only natural to begin making introductions to local venues, and Michelle Benson of The Pinery at the Hill was a quick phone call away.  She was immediately excited to meet us and see who we were and what we were all about, and the feeling was definitely mutual.  Michelle is so relaxed and approachable and upon seeing Danny’s work and the mention of a collaboration, she was instantly on board.  We were equally thrilled to have the opportunity for fresh sample material from our new backyard!  

The Pinery is a beautiful location perched above downtown Colorado Springs, boasting beautiful city views, and a sense of refined, rustic charm with its dark wood floors and stone accents.  Shooting, and for me, styling at this location with this gorgeous couple was just so much fun, and as you will see, it was a photographer’s dream!  The Bridal room is light and bright with giant windows onto the city, then there is the lounge off of the main ballroom with the stone fireplace and old-world charm, which has a look all its own. The Cascade Ballroom is of course magnificent with a wall of windows and large iron chandeliers, and what had to be my favorite was the Bella Vista Ballroom which provided an incredible backdrop for some of the moodier and more dramatic images captured in this shoot.  With Michelle’s help and a visit to Colorado Party Rentals, we were able to combine some of the current Bohemian trends with a more upscale and classic look.  We put together velvet linens, faux furs, gold flatware and votives, with florals provided by Liese at Altitude Floral complete with feather accents to lend themselves to that slightly Boho vibe. Elizabeth at Skapa Designs also lent us some of her talents with the watercolor invitation set, signage, and the amazing leather place cards, which doubled as bookmarks for a useful and cherished keepsake.  Stephanie, our stunning bride, was an absolute dream in her Allure Bridals gown fitted by Something New Boutique, (which has been an instant Godsend to us here) and Jessica and Sonia from ElèPosh completed the look with hair and makeup genius.  

I have to say that even more than the excitement of a blank canvas here, and the seemingly endless possibilities that have come with this new backdrop, the relationships that we have begun with these talented professionals are what we are most captivated by, and I think that will be evident as you look through these images.  We are so grateful for this new chapter in our Epic story, and we are glad to have you along for the ride!

With love and warmest wishes,
Allena | Studio Coordinator

Vendors:

Venue: The Pinery at the Hill
Bridal Gown & Menswear: Something New Boutique | Allure Bridal
Florals: Altitude Floral
Cake: The Pinery at the Hill
Rentals: Colorado Party Rentals
Model: Stephanie R
MUAH: Elèposh Hair & Makeup Artistry
Invitation + Calligraphy: Skapa Designs
Styling: Allena Baker, MissALLENAeous Designs