A good reason to break blog silence...

I am breaking my blog silence with a vulnerable mushy birthday ode and a particularly personal love story :) Today my husband turns 35 and as ALL birthdays should be  celebrated WELL, this week is gonna be a good one!

This summer we had a two part family portrait session experience with the fabulous Meredith Amadee Photography. (check her out. she is wonderful, relaxed, loves the authentic and brings out the special :D). This session is fun snapshot of our season. We are city folk learning to be desert rats with an edge. We are falling in love with the craziness that is Tucson and the people that are our church home and the unconventional routine and rhythm that is our normal currently.

We have hunkered down, planted roots, leaned into community and looked toward the future intently. We have been asking questions about "what next"-- "where do we want to grow here in Tucson?" "what do we love?" "what are we passionate about?"...And the single most important and desperately poignant answer has been a mile ahead of all others....EACH OTHER.

I am patiently, loyally, absolutely his. Marriage morphs and fuzzy stuff ebbs and flows and we felt the current HARD and we clung to each other. In the privacy of our home and in the tension of our assessive conversations and growing pains, my head has turned more towards him. The horizon is usually my foremost gaze, but when the race with your best friend hits the hard patches, I realized how much i wanted to stick next to him as I run. WE run. Together. 

Oh best friend and only lover ever--you are mine and I am yours and I celebrate you. The simplicity of this is what keeps me tethered to home--to contentment, zeal for our family and a deep passionate longing to grow, still more, with you.

Bring on more desert romance baby. This is OUR love story and i am THRILLED to laugh, love, twirl and make-out among the cactaii many, many more times. :)

P.S. Thank you Meredith, for this incredible treasure of a session. :) you caught the silly, the sexy, the sassy, and the still. :) It was perfect! Love you! And AnaLia...for her magic with makeup. I felt like a movie star :) 

FEATURED WEDDING | Vintage Countryside Glam | Tubac Arizona Wedding

When we first met, the bride wanted strictly candid coverage. Nothing posed or cheesy or artificial. We thought patiently, "I get you. I get what you are saying. Lets talk more...." We heard her speak of Tubac Resort in southern Arizona and the way she was excited to have people in the same place for the weekend. She talked about her dress and the boots and the mix of sophisticated country with old spanish adobe accents and the red brick silos and green grassed rolling hill panoramic. After we wiped our drool off our face, we navigated the journalism conversation. And as we fleshed out how to best tell a story that would move fast and be filled with details and unpredictability, we merged candid storytelling with some anticipated cluster-catching. We staged a few things while we let other things just happen in front of us. More of the story is scattered below... 

VENDOR HIGHLIGHTS

venue: Tubac Resort and Spa | dress: adore bridal boutique | make up: Maragarite Dominguez | flowers: Posh Petals | flower girl dresses: etsy | bride's boots: J gilbert | bridesmaids boots: J Gilbert | saphire ring: Constatine Creations | wooden ring box: Pink Tree Creations | feather boutonnière: Reed Creative Design | seed bombs (favor): Visualingual | DJ & Musician: Hans Hutchison

Also NOTE: This wedding is being featured on Rustic Wedding Chic and you can see the feature HERE!

Several details were particularly important to her.... that saphire ring was one of them...

The two wanted to wait to see eachother until the wedding. But then knew they would probably relax and really enjoy praying together before everything got swooped up in the fervor. So they did a blind-folded first moment together...

Tubac Resort & Spa's wedding chappel is this fantastic old spanish style chapel with wrought iron details archved ceilings, old lanterns and huge iron chandeliers. 

While guests made their way to cocktail hour, we raced the incoming storm and grabbed a few bride and groom portraits out in the hills of the countryside framing the parameters of the resort. 

The were excited about their cake from Ambrosia Cakery . The butter frosting and staging with eucalyptus vines and hydrangeas were a centerpiece of the hall. They had everybody sign a guest print of a tree with their fingerprints and gifted their loved ones with a bottles of local honey and balsamic vinaigarette.

The dinner party was relaxed and the speeches were classy and meaningful. As the plates were cleared and champagne was enjoyed, the floor was opened. Between special dances and celebratory jigs, there were hugs and belly laughs and all ages seemed to have a skip to their step. 

We were honored to be trusted with this storytelling Mr & Mrs. Andrews! Blessings! | LKM

Art + Sara | Ralph-Lauren-Meets-Mad-Men Inspired Engagement Session

"I was standing on the other side of the glass yelling as nicely as I knew how. We started to laugh. “you want us to do what?!” Their muffled querry came across the glass. my fingers were purple, i was shivering so hard i almost dropped my camera and i most definitely just stepped on a jumping cholla. “LOVE HIS FACE!” i hollered with a chattering grin. After the series was shot I skipped back inside giggling. “wow guys. that was difficult and possibly the most unprofessional i’ve felt in a while…. BUT LOOK AT WHAT WE DID?!” I showed the back of my camera--this picture--the reflection of the winter trees, the bright blue of the sky, and the pop of colors in the modern living room and the dog. oh that dog named blue."

Art + Sara had flown in from Guam to visit family in Tucson. We had prepped for many things, but COLD wasn't one of them. At the end of the day, it was our spontaneous decisions that really nailed the book-end seal-the-deal elements of their session. Shooting through glass, working with horses, playing with interior decor that ends up pushing me as a photographer and providing a really fresh, modern portfolio from this session that has us giddy. Below are a few highlights from their modern love story session! 

James + Lindsey | Vintage Meets Southwest | Tucson Desert Engagement Session | Tucson Photographer

When the morning sun rises and the cactus blooms and twiterpated folks like James + Lindsey come eager to be sweet, silly and nostalgic... I watch the saguaro's shadows shorten, the ocotillo brighten, a yellow vintage dress twirl and a precious anticipation be a wonderful backdrop for it all. 

These are called love story sessions because looks and laughs are my favorite parts of stories--the breaths in between and the pauses that anticipate the next chapter they have yet to experience. | LKM

p.s. and if you love these quaint perfect little details, just WAIT till you see their wedding! :)

Tucson's "Speedtano" Starbucks Celebrates 1 year! | Coffee Giveaway!

1 year ago today I was shooting this fun community event on east side Tucson, Arizona. One of my dear friends opened this brand spankin' new storefront and the people who flocked to support came from all corners of the city. Starbucks fans, non-fans and then some. Kids were stoked. Drinks were gifted. Barista's joked and customers laughed. Lines were out the door. Balloons hailed. Intersection honked. And the foothills glowed as the sun set on the festivities! Here are a few highlights! Happy birthday SPEEDTANO! :) If you're local, stop by! Intersection of Pantando/Speedway

To CELEBRATE,  LKM is giving away 3 Starbucks Gift Cards!

To enter: "LIKE" and "FOLLOW" on INSTAGRAM

(winner announced on Monday)

Wyatt + Hilary | Red Mugs & Desert Wash Coffee Dates | Lifestyle Engagement Session

Wyatt + Hilary are planning their wedding from Sacramento. Knowing that they only had a few trips to cram a whole lot of strategic wedding development in, we snagged some time over the holidays to meet for coffee and hang out in the desert. I was told Wyatt doesn't like pictures. And my response was, "whelp good thing he doesn't have to. he just has to love you and i'll be there for it..."

So we met on a chilly winter morning. Stopped for coffee and then found a wash where the sun was just barely beginning to kiss the dew...

Here are a few favorite moments with these two...

A Birthday Surprise | PERSONAL

Sharing some "behind the scenes" snapshots from my personal life last weekend... :) 

That one time a couple girlfriends surprised me with a night away...

Christe, Hope & I | Girl time 

Tucson's Red Bird of Paradise | "Our Little Desert Peacock" | Arizona-Sonoran Wildlife | Texture Tuesday

As everything shrivels a little in the heat of desert's summer, this fancy plant is cheerful, resilient and so very stubborn. 

I really like these flowers. 

And to get a bit nerdy on y'all.... the Red Bird of Paradise is scientifically dubbed Caesalpinia pulcherrima and part of the pea family. It also goes by Pride of Barbados, Poinciana, Peacock Flower, Dwarf Poinciana, and Flamboyan-De-Jardin (translation: Flamboyant Garden).  

Charlie + Ronika | El Presidio / Tucson Museum of Art Wedding

Charlie & Ronika's Wedding Day Story 

The Details, Behind the Scenes, Memories and Vendor Highlights that made this day extraordinary 

Prep began at the bride's parent's home, surrounded by ladies she loved. The weather was bizarre and stormy. Bridal portraits were done in parent's backyard. Giggles and Fireball whiskey were passed around before the caravan headed downtown.

Downtown at Tucson Museum of Art, the ladies waited while crowds arrived across the street. Katie McClain of Posh Petals arrived with the flowers...

I have never had a favorite flower but thanks to Pinterest I was able to get an idea of my dream bouquet. Katie’s passion alone had me entranced, so fun and bubbly with so much knowledge and advice. She was helpful and determined to help me create the perfect bouquet. The bouquets turned out beautiful looking perfectly spring filled. Charlie and I wanted to stick by our native plants choosing cacti and succulents for the centers pieces. Everything was absolutely beautiful. 

Bridal party enjoyed some fancy poses until dad arrived and he saw Ronika for the first time...Their wasn't a dry eye after...including myself...

Charlie had started the day off right, breakfast with his best bud, then a man trip to the club for some hot tub and steam room time. As the day went on he worried about is bride to be with the unpredictable weather, was she freaking out? All he wanted to do was comfort his bride. As he kicked back some Manhattans with the guys, she was still lingering in his thoughts. From putting on the crazy socks, a Ware tradition, to tying the dress ties and swallowing the last gulp of Manhattan Charlie was ready to greet his bride. The boys walked form the historic Hotel Congress to the ceremony they passed a few guests driving past them. It was awesome to be cheered be passing guests, with lots of whoops and whistles. 

The weather was cloudy skies and as we drove to the ceremony it started to pour in that moment I surrendered to God knowing Charlie was the man for me and how our outside day of events would somehow be nothing short of perfect. The time had come and it may have been sprinkling rain as I walked down the aisle arm and arm with my dad but no one could have wiped the enormous grin from my face. It was happening now and I was determined to be in this moment and I was. All I could register were Charlie’s eyes.

Charlie could hardly stand the suspense now he could slightly see his bride sitting in a turquoise restored 1960 Impala. He watched her walked toward him and just before she was to handed to him he jumped the gun and reached for her hand before it was given. ( that was a super cute moment during the ceremony. see below...)

Family stayed behind and lingered in the El Presidio Courtyard while sunbeams came out with a fanfare full of joy. Family portraits were a blast. Everybody just laughed and laughed. Family Formals are always a little like herding cats but mix in a bit o' humor and funny uncles and a spirit of "best day ever" and you get some pretty wonderful moments...

Downtown sparkled with dew and celebration. While the wedding party wrapped up their show at favorite restaurant La Cocina, bride and groom stayed behind to take a few more pictures alone. 

Megan Crain of MC Events helped design and coordinate Charlie & Ronika's wedding day. Here are some of their thoughts about her role in their wedding day...

Charlie and I decided we wanted to celebrate our wedding with everyone we love. We saw our wedding as a day of celebration and wanted to be the best celebration/ party ever! With our guest list reaching near 300 people I wanted to get the best deals and explore all my options when it came to food entertainment and décor costs. When we met with Meagan it was a no brainer that she would be worth investing in. Meagan directed me with all the essential guidelines as far as questions and timelines I needed to answer and create. She worked hard for me to get the best prices so I could stay within my budget. 

And then the party began. Guests got settled in, wedding party introduced, and bride and groom came rejoicing in, danced and dinner...

Caterer Carte Blanche was willing to be creative giving us a traditional Mexican menu with a exotic modern twist. Prickly pear meatballs and veggie stuffed quesadillas for the cocktail hour. I loathe the time between a ceremony and reception with no food. Everyone’s thinking whose table is going to get served first, so I insisted on hefty appetizers during the cocktail hour. Our experience with Carte Blanche was awesome and I love their promise that there will always be more than enough food. It is pricey to feed 300 guests but Carte Blanche made it possible to feed my guests a delicious appetizers and meals until their tummies were stuffed, all while staying within budget. 

During consults the year preceding wedding time, Charlie & Ronika MOST talked about their day being relaxed, natural, uncontrived, non-cheesy, celebratory and totally 'them.' When the floor was opened, people danced...and danced...and laughed...and danced. I even got off the clock and was invited to stay and hit the floor too! 

We wanted to party the night away dancing with all our favorite people. DJ Andrew Wagner of Tucson's Muse DJ learned our taste in music and really listened to all of our requests. He set up a sharp sound system and provided us a never ending selection of tunes!

Of course every bride wants to look fabulous on her wedding day and look back at the pictures in awe. Well Laura K Moore Photography was my top pick. She is able to get people to come out of their head while in front of a camera. I knew she would be able to capture the best shots. Turns out I was right the photos are ridiculously amazing; from happy, to sexy, to goofy and precious we got every emotion of that spectacular day captured--so full of life and real emotions! I got my dream wedding photographer. Enough said.

Overjoyed to share this story. To know these people. To consider them friends. Thank you for letting me be part of this whole process of planning and delighting. You guys are awesome :) 

If you want to see more work or keep tabs on what LKM is doing... click on the follow tabs in the right column. | Joy, LKM

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VENDORS

Dress: Alfred Angelos // Bridesmaid's Dresses: Alfred Angelos // Bride's Shoes: Dillards // Hair Sylist: Gaetanas Salon // Groomsmen's Suits: Jos A. Bank // Catering: Carte Blanc // Florist: Posh Petals // Coordinator: Meagan Crain of MC Events // Photography: Laura K Moore Photography // Ceremony Location: El Presidio Court Yard // Reception Location: Tucson Museum of Art // DJ: Andrew Wagner of Muse DJ // After-party Location: La Cocina

P.S. And just for fun, if you missed Charlie & Ronika's precious, casual, stupid-sexy engagement session, go here