Colleen Donovan Photography

Hey Party People!

2008-10-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Just an FYI - I don't publish anonymous comments. :) It's no fun to not know who a comment is from!!

Check back tonight for a sneak peek of Michele and Travis' wedding pics from last weekend!

Stephanie and Vlad's Downtown Engagement Session

2008-10-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I got to meet and spend a bit of time with Stephanie and Vlad. We lucked out and didn't get rained on and the clouds were beautiful! Woo hoo! They were a little bit sy at first - I mean how many people aren't?? Here - stand over here and snuggle and kiss while I take pictures. UM AWKWARD!! :) We got all warmed up in a few minutes and then it was smooth sailing. Here are just a few to take a peek at -

Congrats Stephanie and Vlad! Best wishes for your wedding!!

Oh my gosh - do we really have to do this????

Pretty!

I love this one. It says - pick me!!

Secrets...

2008-10-02T22:42:00.001-07:00

Are you ready for some changes? I am. I always am. It's a constant desire to keep moving onward and upward. I'm hoping (and working toward) unveiling a fresh new website mid-October. I'm sure that Jeremy V will still find a way to copy things a THIRD time, but no worries. It would be heavenly if he would at least take my name out of the swiped meta content though...

It's gonna be fabulous and I can't wait to show it to you!! I will now have two seperate sites - one devoted to seniors and one to weddings. I have much more info and pictures than I can possibly share on one combined site. It would be too jumbled and messy. I like nice and clean.

So anyway...

Check back for some killer contests and more pictures!!

Michele and Wayne's sweet wedding at Cave B Inn

2008-10-02T22:23:00.000-07:00

Or Sagecliffe - whatever you want to call it. :) I really enjoy working out there and this wedding did not disappoint! Michele and Wayne had a beautiful, fun wedding on September 20th. I know, I know... I can't even keep up with myself.

Anyway - it was a GORGEOUS day. The clouds were wonderful and it made the light all nice and difused. I guess you could say that everything glowed and the people who joined them on their day were no exception. So many heartfelt wishes for all the best were handed out that I lost count.

I added mine to the mix but just in case - Michele and Wayne - thank you so much for asking me to be a part of your wonderful day. I wish you both all the best and I will be in touch soon!

Now on to the pics (I have to admit I didn't pick very many - I am so looking forward to having them see all the great ones!)...

I loved the bouquet...

I'm sending them my dog so they can teach it how to be as well behaved as theirs is...

Can't have a wedding at Cave B without a picture at the top of the gorge!

Ta da!

See? I told you the clouds were great...

I couldn't resist this one...

I loved how they walked down the aisle together!

So serious...

Leftovers from the champagne toast...

Vanessa and Matt's Wedding at Hidden Meadow

2008-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

I must have the best luck ever. The weather for all of my weddings this year was beautiful and it was no different for this one. Vanessa and Matt got married September 13th at Hidden Meadow surrounded by friends and family who love and support them. It was fate that brought my husband and I to Moses Lake - I'm a sucker for blue skies and bright, vivid sunshine. :)

Anyway - the day started out wonderfully calm and stayed that way. It was almost surreal. If Vanessa was nervous she didn't show it - although Matt admitted to me that he had never been more nervous in his entire life. I should have reminded him of his surprise proposal. :)

I'm a little more attached to these two than I probably should be. I can't help it though - I want all the best for my clients. I met Matt and Vanessa at Matt's brothers' wedding a couple of years ago and then I got to photograph his surprise proposal to Vanessa last winter. And then I got to do their wedding! All I can say is that they'd better call me the second they need baby pics. :)

Okay, enough babbling. Here are a few of my favorites so far!

I wanted to steal the ring bearer and take him home with me. :)

Almost time...

Wow!!

I will have to be more careful the next time I tell the girls to do something funny... :)

Where do people find boys like this???

Here we go!!

I always wonder if moms cry because they already know exactly how hard being married is....

He was a little bit sad...

But Vanessa was all smiles and enjoyed the moment!

Smooch...smooooooch...smooch... okay - enough you two!! :)

Can we say excited?? Love it!

Another quiet moment...

I love the way Matt looks at her...

Ready for the bouquet toss...

It got super chilly when the sun went down so everyone boogied to keep warm...

Thank you Vanessa and Matt for letting be a part of your wonderful day! I'll be in touch soon!

Oh Edward...

2008-09-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

I wish I was a vampire right now... I'd be an evil one intent on getting revenge...

(You can imagine me hissing and growling like a vampire now.)

Kelsey's Senior Portraits

2008-09-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to spend time with lovely Kelsey last Wednesday creating her senior portraits. The deadline for yearbook prints is coming up fast so don't wait too long to book your session!

We wandered around down by the lake and I had a great time staring at her gorgeous skin and hair - I'm really jealous - no one should have hair that pretty. Just wrong I tell you. :)

Kelsey - when you are done with school and have a job as an accountant I'm going to look you up - I need someone smart to do my taxes! Have a great year!!

I think this might be my most favorite senior picture ever...

Love the earrings!!

I am going to my happy place...

2008-09-13T08:37:00.001-07:00

A wedding!! After a crappy discovery last week and then again last night I posted about what was going on. My awesome and supportive friends Carrie and Jules reminded me that my blog should be a happy, fun space on the world wide web for people to visit when they need a break from this somewhat hostile place we call civilization.

So I took the posts down. I love my clients and friends and I would never want to put a dark cloud over my blog lovin.

Vanessa and Matt are gettting married today!!! I can't wait -

Senior Portraits for Brenda

2008-09-08T09:32:00.001-07:00

Friday morning I was able to spend some time with Brenda creating her senior portraits. The session was wonderful! She drove all the way from Mattawa to work with me and I think it was worth the trip! We went out to Hidden Meadow and the light was so pretty that morning! Loved it!

Anyways, Brenda was a sweet girl to work with and I'm excited to show her the rest of her pictures. In the meantime here are a few of my fav's so far.

Brenda was soooo relaxed in front of the camera - she was amazing!

The Barlow's Family Portraits

2008-09-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

So much fun! I love spending time with the Barlows and on Thursday night we headed out to Hidden Meadow to take some family pictures. The last session they did was when Elizabeth was 2!! I'm beginning to see a theme with family pictures this year... the pressure freaks me out a bit. :)

The evening was gorgeous - no wind, beautiful light complete with a colorful sunset. Yummy.

Their oldest daughter is heading to Kentucky on a mission for the church (jealous!) and we were talking yesterday about how light dispells darkness. Darkness can't go where light is and because it was getting pretty dark before we finished up I hope the Barlows realize what a light they are for me and those around them. :)

Anyway, here are a few teaser pics cause I know they are excited to see SOMETHING!! I didn't post my favorite one yet - I want to get them all ready for the big reveal!

You can visit Colleen Donovan Photography to inquire about a session for your family!

Michelle got a blog!

2008-09-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

She isn't just any Michelle so this blog is special. Michelle was my trusty assistant this summer and she did a great job helping me out. Unfortunately she's heading back to school tomorrow. :( This last weekend she came over and we giggled a lot while we put together her blog. Okay - well - maybe we laughed out loud a couple of times. I'm going to miss her.

Anyway - check it out! Someday she's going to be so busy with clients that she won't have time to post on her blog anymore and then you'll be sorry you didn't let her take your pics!! :)

Michelle Nelson Photography

I think she was delirious from the 105 degree heat at Stephanie and Mike's wedding!! :)

I think we did a pretty dandy job for the first blog design. Nothing super duper fancy, but I love the colors and I think it looks clean and professional. What do you think??

Oh, and how do you like the dot background on my blog? Cute?? Too much?

Now I know...

2008-09-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

how it feels to be too busy to post all the pictures I love! And I'm certainly not complaining! This has been such a fun, fun, busy summer. I have been way beyond blessed! The only bummer is that I have so many pictures I want to share I'm having a hard time finding the time it takes to share them. :(

Oh well... I have all winter to dream about summer wedings and share pictures...

I LOVE these pictures of Annalee from her July wedding. You can see more a few posts down, but I wanted to share - she's a beautiful girl inside and out!

If I could do my wedding day over I would wear running shoes for sure!!!

Sorry boys - she's off the market. :)

Sigh... not very long until the cold weather sets in...

This girl is so crazy it's hilarious!!

2008-08-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

I saw this today posted on OSP and almost died laughing. If you are a bride to be - you can relate. If you are a wife already - you can relate. So funny. So, so funny. And if you don't think this is funny - please forget where you found the link. :)

It's the Knot LIVE!!!!

http://themessage-board.blogspot.com/

Don't hate me cause I think it's funny. :)

Tanya and Matt's Perfect Wedding at Beecher Hill

2008-08-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

I think Tanya and Matt are charmed or something. I've never seen a more perfect wedding day. It was amazing! The weather was gorgeous - perfect temperature with a nice little breeze sneeking through once in awhile - and the sky was bright blue with a few wispy white clouds.

I was super excited because this was my first wedding at Beecher Hill! It's always fun to go somewhere different and explore new places. Beautiful, beautiful venue and the ladies running the show were awesome!! They did everything right.

Tanya and Matt have wonderful friends - the ladies were gorgeous in their chocolate colored dresses and the guys were white hot in their linen suits! I'm thinking everyone should do linen for summer weddings. :) I hope they forgive me for giving them a hard time (all in jest) during formals!

I had a hard time cherry picking just a few pictures for a sneak peek but I tried my best. I am so grateful that I was able to be there and see this wonderful celebration! Leave some love for Tanya and Matt!

Here we are!

There is a fun dressing room for the bride...

Hmmm... could this be pure excitement???

Moms are always, always the best helpers...

These guys were serious groomsmen! They were taping their ankles and everything! ;)

Sweet tears courtesy of the first look...

Are these ladies not gorgeous????

The boys (I mean men) aren't as tough as they look...

Beautiful view and perfect sky!

I had to try my best not to giggle out loud during this prayer. Tanya took advantage of the opportunity to do some adjusting while everyone had their eyes closed. Except me. :) I love the sneaky look on her face...

Yum!

Checkin' out the goods!

One last group picture before the reception...

We stole some quiet time after dinner...

The best man and maid of honor gave the most heartfelt speeches...

A little dancing...

Some cake up their noses...

I loved the centerpieces!

A fun shot of the rings...

Calling it a night!!

So much fun! I'll post more in a few weeks when the entire collection is ready so come back and check them out.

Stephanie and Mike's Wedding at Hidden Meadow

2008-08-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Remember how hot it was on Saturday?? Me too. It's because Stephanie and Mike got married and they along with their family and friends turned up the heat!! These people were hot! :) Stephanie kept it simple with black, gray and red for her color scheme and it looked so classy!

I know that this couple is deeply loved - and I am not kidding here - I did not hear one person say anything about the 100+ degree weather. Everyone was so excited to celebrate this marriage! If you must know I whined a couple of times to my assistant about melting, but no one heard. :)

Complete with delicious food, gorgeous sunset, and lots of hugs the wedding was beautiful and lots of good memories were made by everyone. I am so grateful I got to be there! Here's a few of my favorites so far...

There was good music on this CD!!!

Go Mom, go!

I made this little guy cry! I felt sooo bad - I told the girls to kiss his cheeks and he was NOT into that!

Silly boys...

Pretty girls...

Here she comes!

If I could escape...

On their way to the reception...

Mike got his cheeseburger....

I had to do something with it!

Delicious and beautiful cake by For Goodness Cakes...

Sweet kisses at sunset...

Nicole & Dan's Gorgeous Wedding in Moses Lake

2008-08-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a day! I have really enjoyed the time I've been able to spend with Nicole and Dan - they are caring, funny, laid back people and their wedding was wonderful!! They were married this last Saturday at Hidden Meadow in Moses Lake.

It started out a bit blustery but the sky was bright blue and the white fluffy clouds were perfect. Perfect I'm telling you! :) I actually thought that the wind was kind of fun - people pay money to buy those big wind fans for photo shoots and we didn't have to spend a dime.

Anyway, I'll stop blubbering and post the pictures.

Totally yummy colors...

Mom was the best helper and since this was her fourth daughter to be married she was a pro!!

On her way to see Dan for the first time...

I'm pretty sure Nicole was admiring Dan's camo vest...

Finding the perfect spot for some pre-ceremony formals...

Gorgeous girls and gorgeous colors!!

Check it!!

So I pulled into Hidden Meadow and I see the pond and think 'Wow! Shannon must have aquired a ton more ducks!!' Well - it turns out they're decoys. Dan's personal touch to the whole ceremony. I thought it was too funny and you should have seen how many people were fooled. Funny...

The groom's cake...

The bride's grand entrance...

Yep - just all around pretty!

The ceremony...

I do...

I almsot lost an eye for this one, but it was worth it. I can't put my name on a wedding unless there is a little flare!!

Don't everybody jump at once!! You know it isn't true that the person who catches it will be the next one to get married. :)

The bouquet toss - if you look close you can see it streaking through the night sky...

This one is for Dan. Can you see the goose??

Had to catch one of just the bouquet...

This was a fairytale dream wedding for sure...

Congrats Nicole and Dan!! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day!! I will be in touch soon...

A whole lotta somethin'

2008-08-09T23:38:00.001-07:00

One of my hermit crabs (in my reef tank) had babies 48 hours ago. The ones I sucked out and put in a seperate container are still alive.

My beloved G7 decided to die on me. Dumb camera.

I'm drooling over a new lens, but am having a hard time justifying $5300 for glass (even if it's good glass).

I wish Burger King would bring back their spicy tendercrisp sandwich. I like it when my mouth is on fire and my eyes get all teary.

We bought a 215 gallon aquarium. We have no furniture in the downstairs living room, but we have an aquarium!! :)

My husband parked his suburban in the garage. If you have previously seen our garage you will know why this is significant.

I just got back from documenting Nicole and Dan's wedding and I am exhausted. Time for bed!

Leave me a comment about your whole lotta somethin'. It's better than nothin!! :)

Family portraits at my favorite place :)

2008-08-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

I donated a couple of portrait sessions for the annual Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce auction this year and this awesome family won one! I was a little nervous and was feeling the pressure when they told me that they hadn't taken a family portrait in 14 years!! That's okay - my brain works better when the pressure is on. :) Anyway, after speaking with them while planning their session I decided that the perfect place for them would be Hidden Meadow. It's got everything - a relaxing environment and beautiful places everywhere to take pictures. Yay for me!! I think the Noyes enjoyed it too. Oh - and I can't tell you how happy I was when they decided to wear red and black! Yes! Color!!!!!!!!

They were all super good sports and made my job so easy! It was a joy working with them and I hope I get the opportunity again! I wanted to share a few of my favorites -

Sneak Peek ~ Annalee and Scot's Wedding!

2008-07-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

What a day! I am in an editing frenzy but I wanted to share a few from Annalee and Scot's wedding. They got married this last Saturday at the Assembly of God church and had their beautiful reception at the Convention Center. I loved the church - beautiful and simple - a photographers dream. :) And you should have seen the convention center! It was gorgeous! They spent days hanging lanterns in the trees and putting finishing touches on everything and it was so pretty. Very romantic! I must have been off my game a bit though because Scot kept catching me taking pictures of him and being the funny guy that he is, would make faces and otherwise destroy my 'candid' pic. I'll have to work harder next time...

Congratulations to Annalee and Scot! I am so grateful to have been a small part of your day!!

A girl after my own heart... Nike's!!

I loved the look on her Dad's face...

Had to grab a few outside afterwards...

First dance...

Bad Scot!!!

Mmmmmm... Baby Session

2008-07-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

They get so big, so fast I forget how little they are. I got to spend a little time with this sweet baby yesterday and it was wonderful! She was such a good sport - she was trying to sleep (and we were trying to let her) but she decided to stay up and watch the weird looking black thing pointing at her. I think homes are sacred and so it was a real treat to be invited to capture a little bit of life for this family! Their home has perfect light everywhere and we had fun finding different spots for the baby to go. Anyway, here are a few from the session - please refrain from trying to munch her toes! :)

Stephanie's Bridal Session at Hidden meadow

2008-07-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

I LOVE doing bridal sessions before the wedding! I love being able to visit with the bride and her mom and just getting to know her better. It makes things so much more comfortable on the wedding day. Usually by the time the wedding rolls around I've spent time with the bride three or four times. (At least) I think that's why I'm always a little sad when the wedding is over!

Anyways, it was super fun to spend relaxed time with Stephanie and her mom takikng some beautiful pictures of just her! Stephanie scheduled her hair trial earlier in the morning so she was looking gorgeous and ready to go. SO much fun...

Mike - if you happen to be reading my blog you can stop now. No peeking either!

We went out to Hidden Meadow and dared the sun to ruin our pics!! I think we won. :)

Family Portraits in Moses Lake

2008-07-11T14:40:00.001-07:00

Last Tuesday I was able to spend some time with the Aronsohns taking their family portraits. I had such a good time with them! The kids did a wonderful job paying attention and they even came up with a few fun poses of their own. Super fun! We headed out to Hidden Meadow and found some pretty spots before the wind started howling. It came out of nowhere! Oh well - we got just what we needed and I can't wait to see which picture they decide on to enlarge (I mean really enlarge!) and display in their living room. Thanks to all of you Aronsohns for being so much fun and congrats on the little one coming soon!

I think this one is my fav!

My Fishies

2008-07-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

After three years of debating and researching my husband got tired of me wanting a reef tank and not deciding on one. So he bought me one for my birthday! Woo hoo! They take a lot of patience - you have to start slow so you don't kill everything. It's been up and running for about 6 weeks so we decided to add some fish.

We picked out two blue chromis and a blue goby. So far so good! After 4 days they're still alive. Actually I'm not too worried about them. The water is great and has been stable for about 3 weeks. Anyway, here's two pics from my newest favorite obsession. :)

Sorry - these are a little blurry - they are super fast little buggers.

Happy Independence Day!!!

2008-07-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

Nicole and Dan's Engagement Session in Moses Lake

2008-06-28T15:41:00.001-07:00

Woo hoo! It's so hot today. We were frying this morning and tried to stay in the shade. Dan and Nicole were so much fun to work with! Well - Nicole was. Dan is a different story. Hehehe. He knows I'm kidding. :) Anyways, it was super fun to get to know these two and take some pretty pics of both of them. I can't wait for their wedding in August. Yay!