Renee Vanni Images

Cathy Shaffstall & Brandon Barter are Married!

I was honored to have been chosen to photograph Cathy Shaffstall & Brandon Barter’s wedding event. We got together to photograph their engagement last Fall season and got some fabulous images together. So I knew they are a gorgeously fun couple. Just delicious together. Recently, they were married at the Denaina Center in Anchorage, Alaska. It was a larger wedding than I usually photograph with somewhere around 400 guests. While processing these images, I now realize that this was truly the Alaskan wedding event of the year!  What a party. Enjoy this sneak peek.

When the handsome groom, Brandon, decided to have a cigar, he had a bevy of beauties jump in to light him up!

Anyhow, this couple had every major vendor for this big event. Not only was it a huge affair with guests from all over the country but held in the greatest venue of the state, The Dena’ina Center, had the best entertainment company, Shawn of  Five Star kept things rolling smoothly, Kory of Superstar Pastry designed the incredible cake, (she is so darn cute & a wildly talented baker) and the videography provided by the very talented team of Cameo Productions Alaska.

Cathy wore an exquisite gown design by Maggie Sottero. Many of my brides tend to wear Maggie Sottero but Cathy truly looked every part, Diva! The dress looked as if it were made just for her. Her hair design was the talented Kerry of Shear Gallery – my own hair dresser.

This wedding event was also covered by the media company, Pacific Rim Media of Alaska. Super cool team of people. Yes, all weddings are fun but this was an incredible party with giant ice sculptures, several chocolate fountains, champagne fountain, superb food, oh my goodness, there were flowers, flowers and more flowers! Those floral designs provided by Anchorage Floral. The floral scents just filled both the ceremony and party rooms. Just incredible beauty and such colour!!

Simple elegance! Gawd, this bridel is just gorgeous.

You know, I can do the formal poses, but in all honesty, I am really all about the more casual elegance as in the one below this formal shot where Cathy is laughing.

I mean, really, look how comfortable she is. Just grand beauty.

Signature cocktails were cosmopolitans and margaritas!

Below is Kerry of Shear Gallery and her mom, Cathy Novotney.

Cake design by Kory of Superstar Pastry. It was about 5 layers high.

Such extravagance, even the ladies room was decorated with all of these little splashes of floral bouquets. Fun.

Lynette and Adam in New York

This is Lynette and Adam. Let me tell ya, it was chilly on this spring day in New York but I think that we got some really fabulous images together. We were in Argyle Park on Long Island. The cherry blossoms made for a beautiful backdrop, as well as all the spring tulips! The lighting was a bit flat but soft, from heavy cloud cover. Disappointing, since the entire week was gorgeous and warm. But what are you gonna do? Enjoy! I sure did.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

Since Lynette had a vintage dress on, I decided to play with some vintage processes. I love how they came out.

This might just be my favorite from the day.

This piece I added a vintage touch but below, I really like it in a deep black and white for drama! What do you think, which do you prefer?

Venice Beach Flash Class

I was in Venice Beach, California for a course I wanted to take with  Julia Dean Workshops.  It was a great week and we were in LA during torrential rains and flooding. The board walk was pretty quiet, due to the rains and I liked that just fine, since I really do not like crowds. The course was intensive and since my old brain does not absorb as quickly as it used to, it was a tough study for me but I am thrilled I had the opportunity to take the class. Dori came with me so we made a girls trip of it and our evenings were free to discover this eclectic liberal town. I loved it and want to go back. Julia Dean is a fantastic soul and really a very good teacher. If you get the opportunity, you photographers really should consider taking one of her workshops.  Dori and I really enjoyed her laid back, fun, teaching style.