Lauren and Don

Alright, guys. Clear your mind. Done? Okay. Now, when I say the words "backyard wedding", what are you picturing? I absolutely guarantee it won't look like what you are about to see! When I stepped on the property belonging to my bride Lauren's family, I was in awe of its waterfront views, weeping willow trees, and the eventual evening sunset. Sharing some of my favorites from their summer wedding below!

3 Photos, 3 Ways

When you're first starting out as a photographer, even after you've mastered the camera, there's a beast you must tackle before you really hit your stride - your style. Are you a light and airy photographer? Are you a fan of the dark and moody look? Or how hot is the film look right now, am I right??!!

Back in 2011 I wrote an article titled 3 Photos, 3 Ways. In the post I explored the impact processing can have on a photo. I used editing styles that were very popular at the time (and unfortunately also my noob "tilt" in almost every photo...) and applied them to each, including my edit of each image alongside. Looking back at that post now, it's interesting to see how dated those editing trends now look. Yup, just like really big hair or fanny packs, photographers go through trends just like everyone else. 

I thought it would be fun to apply the same idea to images using trends for the past couple of years. Yes, the era of light and airy, dark and moody and film. The edit I delivered to the clients can be seen as the first in each series. 

You know what's really tough? All of these edits work wonderfully on these images. I love the film trend right now with it's bright greens and man, can it really flatter the skin tones! On the flip side, sometimes when I'm editing, it's hard not to pull myself to a dark and moody edit. Some locations and some styling just really call to that look. In the end though, no matter how many times I experiment I always come back to my style that I consider a bold, colorful, classic edit.

Just as the post before this, this article is in no way meant to throw shade (gosh, let's see how this slang dates this in a few years...) on photographers who deliver images in any of the styles I have used. There are clients for every photographer and a photographer for every client. When choosing your photographer, it's important that you book that photographer because you like their work, you like their style and the end product is what you want to hang in your home. While it's possible for me to edit and mimic the style of other photographers, I want my clients to hire me because they love my work and my creative eye. Being on the same page before the session begins is a great way to find success with a photographer!

Anna and Austin

Austin and Anna were so easy to photograph. Here's my #sorrynotsorry confession - whenever I book with a client, I may or may not stalk them on social media. It just helps me get to know them a little better and of course, get a sneak peek at just who will be in front of my camera. Well, as you'll see looking at these images, I about died when I saw this adorable couple. Better yet, the first few images I saw of Anna were her standing on the back of a horse, snuggling a pig and standing on the top of a mountain. (Sadly that was not all in one photograph) Though looking straight out of a magazine spread on their wedding day, their adventurous, laid-back personalities came through their images. It was such an amazing morning at the Washington D.C. LDS Temple!

Photography // Kelli Brewer Photography

Additional Photography // Doorly Winegar

Hair and Makeup // The Bride

Bride's Dress // Maggie Sottero

Flowers // The Bride

Venue // Washington D.C. LDS Temple

Jeff and Larlee's New York City Engagements

This Spring I had the absolute, most unbelievably good fortune to be able to travel to New York City to photograph Larlee and Jeff's engagements. Both living and working in New York City, it was important to them both to capture "as our love story is unfolding in our favorite city". After working out all the details, I was able to check off some major bucket list items and travel to the heart of Manhattan.

These two were absolute naturals in front of the camera. They're both tall, stylish, ridiculously good looking and most of all, you'd never meet nicer people in your life. I am so happy for the future Mr. and Mrs. Bjorkman and I cannot wait to capture them again for their Washington D.C. wedding one week from today!

Want to see more from my travels up to NYC? Check out the hashtag #KBPinNYC on Instagram! 

Kelli Brewer Photography in Martha's Vineyard

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Martha's Vineyard for an engagement session. I didn't even try to play it cool or pretend it was just business as usual. I was incredibly excited and just couldn't believe how lucky I was to be apart of something so awesome! 

A few weeks ago one of my very best friends from Utah text messaged me and asked me what I thought about flying up to the island to take his engagement pictures. He and his beautiful fiance, Becca, would be there visiting his family's vacation home and they'd love to memorialize such a special place to him and what I imagine will someday be a special place to her. The stars aligned (and Nana agreed to babysit...) and before you knew it, I was booked on a plane from Washington, D.C. to Martha's Vineyard!

I was jetting up to the island on Tuesday evening, shooting on Wednesday and flying home Thursday afternoon. We were so incredibly lucky that Wednesday blessed us with great weather. I wasn't quite as blessed as I traveled up to Massachusetts. After flying over beautiful lighthouses and scenery in Boston, for my layover, I ended up getting stuck for an extra 2 hours due to a pretty bad rain storm. Aside from the lack of air conditioning in the Boston terminal I was in, it wasn't all that bad. In fact, I even saw Ruby Rose! She's the new "it girl" from Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Nobody seemed to recognize her under her hat or sunglasses, but I didn't put the fact I am obsessed with celebrities and celebrity gossip on my bio page for nothing! I wanted to get a picture, but when I found her later, she was eating, and I didn't want to be that fan.

I arrived in Martha's Vineyard a bit later than expected, but I still had plenty of time to get to catch up with Regan and get to know Becca. Meeting a new client isn't anything I stress out about, but there is definitely a new element added when you're rooming with them! Becca couldn't have been nicer, and we hit it off immediately. I knew it was going to be a fantastic trip and more importantly, a fantastic session. 

Regan's cottage home on the island was so Martha's Vineyard. We had a few hours to kill before our session that evening, so I hopped on a bike provided by Regan's mom Wendy, and did a little site seeing and exploring. 

I found my way to the beach, passed by Regan's family plane at a small grass airport, explored some back roads, and eventually walked around Edgartown, MA to see some of the old, beautiful homes and inlets full of boats.

Finally, it was time to set out for our session. We knew we definitely wanted to capture some photos on the beach. Luckily, Regan's home was just 2 miles from the shore. Most of the crowds had cleared out, which was a bonus! However, in order to make it to the Gay Head Cliffs to capture the gorgeous sunset - 30 minutes away - we'd need to start our session a little bit earlier and when the sun was quite higher than I prefer. We made it work, and we were able to capture some absolutely stunning back lit images of our newly engaged couple. After carefully selecting a few outfits and what locations they'd work best in, we knew we'd nailed it when we scanned the back of the camera. Once we captured all of our beach shots, we rushed to the car to start the drive to Gay Head and prayed we wouldn't miss the sunset!

Luckily, we made it just in time! Becca and I had been emailing back and forth before the session to swap ideas and make a plan. I knew she wanted to try some OCF (Off Camera Flash) and I was game. I wasn't able to carry my light stand with me on the plane, so I hoped and prayed I'd be able to rig my light up when it came time. I died a little when I saw so many people (see the 3rd photo below) but I could have fallen to my knees and rejoiced when there was a fence, with FLAT posts, at exactly the height I wanted them. We were able to capture some fiercely unique shots, but also dial things down and go more organic and really showcase the amazing sunset over the Atlantic. 

Up on the cliffs it was a bit chilly, so while we waited for Regan to park the car (such a gentleman, dropping up ladies off!) Becca threw the actual shirt Regan was going to wear onto me to keep me warm! Of course I had to snap a shot for my Instagram! Despite stepping into some poison ivy, we captured some stunning images. We saw the sun set over the ocean and called it good, ending on a real high note. 

As part of my fee, I was promised a genuine, New England lobster roll. A few months ago I had my first roll at a wedding and it was amazing. I couldn't stop thinking about it! You have no idea how incredibly excited I was to not only have another one, but one with real northern lobster! Regan recommended Nancy's in Oak Bluffs and it did not disappoint. It was absolutely stuffed with lobster... overflowing!

After doing a bit more sight seeing the next morning, it was time for me to head home. A short trip, but an incredibly memorable one. Not only was I so excited to be apart of my close friends special day and give them images they'll have forever, but I pushed myself a lot as a photographer stepping out of my comfort zones. Full day sun, OCF on the go... Pushing ourselves usually only leads to bigger and better things, and I can't wait to see what else lies ahead for me and Kelli Brewer Photography!

PS... I also saw Bill Murray on my flight home but alas, no picture again. Photographer fail...