blog make-over...

i'm going to attempt to put my blog "under the knife" and give it a new look...so be patient with me if over the next couple of weeks it looks a bit distorted.  just think of it going through those awkward teen years!

why i love indy...

i'm here in indianapolis for a few days attending OSP Indy (OSP is an on-line forum of amazing, inspiring, and generous photographers.)  so far it's been two full days of meeting new photogs, being challenged in our business styles and shooting techniques.  my head's swirling a bit, but i'm having a lot of fun!  

so why do i love indy?

*  cause even in the midwest you can find some rockstar photographers (kevin swan, kiera dubach, nate and melissa reynolds, brandi brown, bobbi...just to name a few)

*  i get to enjoy my friend cara who treats me to a great feast, listens to me with such tenderness and care, and makes me laugh with her sassy spirit

*  i met one of my biggest inspirations (and someone i have a friend crush on)...the bobbi of bobbi & mike.  she was delicious!  

one more day o' mad fun with these peeps...and then off to florida!

christy & brad...

there are people in this world that inspire you. people with infectious spirits. authentic souls. i knew the instant i met christy and brad and heard their story that there love was real, it had depth. i hoped and prayed that they would hire me to capture their wedding, cause i knew it was going to be an amazing experience. (and i had developed a bit of a friend crush on them...you just want to spend time with these cool peeps!)

as the day unfolded i observed that christy and brad have had the same impact on their family and friends. this couple was celebrated! and this couple showed their love with pure abandonment. i spent over 14 hours with this couple but the day just flew by...

brad and christy, thank you for the honor of capturing your celebration. i am blessed.

christy is full of joy!

this is one of christy's dearest friends...and the world's best personal attendant EVER!

one of the best moments of the night was when christy and her grandpa did a little country two-step!

sigh...

you can't tell it's the second day of spring today cause it's snowing. again. our trip to florida next week couldn't have come at a better time.

hopefully i'll be posting some pics of the wedding i shot last weekend soon. it was an amazing experience for me and i just adore this couple! (congrats again brad & christy!)

but i thought i'd tell you a bit about my "co-workers". these first two keep me company while i stay up till the wee hours, editing pictures (or reading too many blogs). scout & lucy are our two entertaining and sometimes crazy cats.

i'm so thankful this year to have a second shooter. it will allow me to offer so many more amazing pictures of the couple's day, but it also is more fun for me! i love to collaborate and be inspired by others. joining me for most of my weddings this season is jill devries. a soon-to-be calvin college graduate, jill has studied photography and graphic design. i love her ability to compose a beautiful and creative image out of some ordinary objects.

this past weekend my friend alexis was my second shooter (jill had spring break) and it was so fun working with her. i met alexis at a photography workshop (led by jen kroll and john pottenger) this past fall. she brings a calming presence to what can be a crazy-fun wedding day. hopefully we'll be able to work together again soon!

lil' miss cupcakes...

as i mentioned a few posts back i wish i had done something different for a wedding cake...well Grand Rapids now has a new option for delightful treats. lil miss cupcakes! i'm already thinking of a party to plan just to order some cupcakes...(and she's organic! love that!) check out her blog for news and maybe a special!

on the road...

one of the blessings about being an artist is the new community of friends i've found. i've met some amazing photographers who have been so affirming and generous...and there's a desire to learn from one another. i hope i'm always pushing myself to grow both as an artist and as a business woman.

so i'm excited for two opportunities to connect with other photogs and learn:

in a couple of weeks i'm hitting the road with three other amazing women (kerri, amy, and jen) to attend OSP Indy. we may not be new york or california, but the midwest has some brilliant photographers. so we'll be hanging out for almost three days, listening to some presentations, practicing our skills and hopefully making some new friends. and some of the photogs who's blogs i stalk will be there. i think i may be a little star struck! oh and did i mention it only costs $50!!! check out the details. (and sign up!)

then in april i will be jumping over to detroit to attend a one day intensive workshop, One Light workshop. i've heard nothing but amazing reviews about this experience and how it has increase photogs understanding of light and how to use it creatively. while it's an investment my husband and i made a deal...he could get an iphone and i could attend this workshop.

i can feel spring trying to emerge...the sun is out and i'm starting to see patches of green.

farewell winter!

(northeast washington state...when we used to live in seattle)

pearl events...

my friend aletha of pearl events offers some great services for your wedding day. whether it's day-of-coordination or ultimate planning she brings a great energy and consideration for all the details. but soon she will be raising her rates. so if you'd like to take advantage of her services and her introductory rates book her before March 17th...

aletha recently blogged about if she could redo her wedding celebration what would she do differently. this is something i dream about a lot...especially since there are a lot of great options now in Grand Rapids that didn't exist 7 years ago when i got married.

so if i could have a wedding redo....

* i'd for sure marry the same guy! my husband mike is kind and sensitive. he's so sincere and generous in spirit. when i'm with him i'm home...

okay now for the fun, delightful details.

* i would have planned a smaller, more intimate celebration. 50 people gathered at a vineyard up in the leelanau peninsula. one of my favorite spots is the ciccone vineyard. oh and in the fall, cause that's my favorite season.


{© Colleen Woolpert Photography/ http://www.photocolleen.com/}

* i would not do a receiving line. we spent so much time on these brief greetings that we didn't have time to eat at our own reception.

* i would have had cupcakes or something else other than a wedding cake. one mike and i had no idea what we were doing when we "cut the cake" and i'm not a big fan of wedding cakes.

* i would have let my bridesmaids wear dresses that were styles they liked but the same color. and maybe have the guys wear suits instead of tuxedos.

* i would have had a live band...now my husband is not much of a dancer so we didn't even have dancing at our reception. but i LOVE to dance, especially to some classic motown tunes.

* i would have pampered myself more. had someone do my hair and make-up, maybe be willing to spend a bit more on the dress and accessories. i was (and still am) so so practical. i love spoiling others but tend to keep it simple for me. right now i love the vintage style. a little birdcage veil and maybe an unexpected splash of color (the shoes or a sash on the dress).



so maybe i'll save these fun details for a big anniversary party!

stay tuned for specials on family and senior portraits...

kyle & joanna

Despite the eternal winter we seem to be having here in Michigan, Saturday was a brilliant day, with blue skies and warmer temps. A perfect day for a wedding. I met Joanna several times before the event, but didn't meet Kyle till Saturday. He was so fun-loving and relaxed. You put the two of them together and you have a delightful couple! And they didn't let the snow stop them from being outside...they just embraced it. Here are just a few shots from the day...

(oh you know how much i adore the grandpas'...this is homer!)