Kristen Sloan Photography BlogIndependence Pass Colorado Hike above Linkins Lake
Posted on September 11, 2013
I love to walk and I love the mountains, so I am naturally drawn to hiking. I was recently inspired to photograph some panoramics by the rocky mountain landscape photographs taken by Scott Krebs. In addditon to being an amazing portrait photographer, Scott loves to take the time on hikes to document majestic natural scenes. He also happens to be a great hiking partner and was my companion on this hike.
With Photoshop’s merge to panorama feature, my brand new nikon D800, and a perfect sunny day, it was beyond easy to capture this hike above Linkins Lake near Independence Pass, Colorado. While post-processing these images, I kept my edits simple with just sharpening. The dynamic range of the D800 is simply amazing compared to my D700. I was able to maintain highlights in the clouds with details in the shaded areas of the mountains. I shot these images vertically at 24mm between F11-13 and merged to panorama in PS5.
Our day began with a drive from Breckenridge over Freemont Pass into Leadville, through Twin Lakes and over Indepedenence Pass. We parked at the Linkins Lake trailhead, and this was the view from the parking area. Not too shabby.
My brand spanking new Ariat hacienda cowgirl boots needed their photo taken in this gorgeous setting. Apres hike, we drove into Aspen for dinner at Wild Fig, where they were paired with jeans and a tee for their first official wearing. As my first pair of cowboy boots, this would be their birth announcement! 
Quickly we ascended above the parking lot, starting our hike at roughly 12,000 feet. Soon we were above treeline and within an hour we arrived at Linkins Lake. From the lake we continued on the trail, hiking past the old mining cabin and shaft.
Scott photographed me in a photo merge with his Nikon 85mm at 2.8 on his Fuji Xpro 1. This final image was created from 8 separate captures. I am impressed with the unbelievable depth and sharpness in this portrait.
CONTACT KRISTEN TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION OR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY CONSULTATION
Cherry Hills Colorado Wedding with an Elegant French Estate Inspired Pink Rose Theme
Posted on May 20, 2013
My clients hosted their wedding at their home in Cherry Hills, a community south of downtown Denver Colorado. The bride’s inspiration for the wedding theme and decor came from Sofia Coppola’s film Marie Antoinette. Various shades of pink, creams and pale blues were used throughout the French inspired wedding decor and flowers.
The entire estate was decorated with floral arrangements. Feather and rose topiaries were located at the driveway entrance to the home, rose pomander balls hung from the trees, and a white carriage was adorned with flowers and feathers in the front yard. The couples initials in gold were also hung from the trees.
The couple decided to have a daytime private ceremony with their immediate families and children in their rose garden. Their florist created a fabric lined canopy for the ceremony site, adorned with pink roses. Cream couches allowed family members to be comfortably seated during the morning ceremony. Lunch was catered and everyone was able to relax in the afternoon.
Guests arrived in the early evening, greeted by the Bride and Groom at the front foyer door. Guests walked through the main floor of the home to the cocktail hour, located on a stone patio. A massive fountain in the patio courtyard was decorated with flowers and handmade pillows to create a comfortable retreat for guests.
The Marie Antoinette theme continued during the Cocktail hour with passed for d’oeuvres and food stations with delicacies such as sautéed frogs leg. Three signature cocktails were designed and served by the couples favorite bartender, in addition to french wines and champagnes.
Guests walked off the patio to open tent in the Bride and Groom’s yard featuring long tables covered in blue raw silk. An elegant plated multi course meal was served under candlelight.
Guests favors from Laduree were shipped directly from France, and placed on the tables.
Evergreen Colorado Aspen Field Engagement Portrait Session
Posted on May 2, 2013
I have a very quintessentially beautiful Colorado location near Evergreen Colorado that I like to take clients for their portrait sessions. This area includes a couple Aspen fields and I especially love photographing here in the fall. Autumn foliage in the higher elevations of Colorado can peak in early to mid September, way before people in Denver are even remotely thinking about fall photo sessions with lovely golden yellow aspen leaves.
With my wedding clients Shannon and Mark, we happened to be a a little late for peak fall colors, as the area had recently experienced its first snow in very early October. Snow fall in the high country Rocky Mountains can reach most months of the year. In fact, Denver received a good dump of snow yesterday: May 1st 2013!
What I love about this Aspen field, is that it looks amazing year round, especially with summer wildflowers.
The clouds broke for a few minutes to allow some perfect blue Colorado skies to contrast the Aspen.
For fill light I brought my SaberStrip and placed it on a light stand in a horizontal formation above the couple. The ground was a little muddy from the recent snow, but that did not deter our photo session.
Shannon and Mark loved this location for its Colorado outdoor beauty, as Mark is an avid fly fisher. I felt honored to photograph them in such a pretty Colorado mountain location.
CONTACT KRISTEN SLOAN TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR AUGUST 2013 OR SEPTEMBER 2013 PORTRAIT SESSION. KRISTEN WILL BE IN DENVER FOR WEDDINGS THIS SUMMER AND WOULD LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR PORTRAIT WHILE SHE IS IN BEAUTIFUL COLORADO!
Holy Ghost Church Wedding and History Colorado Denver Wedding Reception
Posted on February 12, 2013
Molly McConaty and David Coors were married over Thanksgiving weekend in downtown Denver. Since both of their families each go back five generations in Colorado, Molly and David selected venues, decor, food and drink to compliment their strong ties to Colorado. This wedding was a celebration of Colorado heritage!
Beginning in late September, I photographed Molly’s bridal portrait at Denver Country Club and was lucky to capture the gorgeous fall foliage in addition to the interior and exterior beauty of the Denver Country Club.
On Friday evening, Scott Krebs and I captured candids during the wedding ceremony rehearsal at Holy Ghost Church in downtown Denver. The bride and groom selected a western attire theme for the evening.
David’s family hosted the wedding rehearsal dinner at University Club Denver. Coors beer was featured, along with western guitar entertainment.
David and his groomsmen got dressed at his parents residence in Denver. We photographed the portraits of the gentlemen in their beautiful backyard. The gentlemen were outfitted handsomely in black cowboy boots. David’s dad, Pete set-up a boot shining station to help the gentlemen look their best.
Molly and her bridesmaids dressed in a room on the 9th art deco floor of the Brown Palace Hotel. Molly’s dress was purchased at Anna Be in the Highlands.
Molly and David’s evening wedding ceremony was held at Holy Ghost Church. The full Catholic Mass was officiated by Father Daniel Leonard and Monsignor Michael Glenn.
Flowers were designed by Jil at Moss Pink Flora. Sophisticated woodland rustic was the theme with hydrangeas, roses, thistle, succulents, orchids, nandina and seeded eucalyptus.
All of the wedding stationary, (including the invitations, church programs and menu cards) was provided by Rosie Wiedenmayer of the Paper Lady, Denver, Colorado.
The wedding reception was held at the newly opened History Colorado Museum. Hosting their wedding reception at History Colorado was particularly meaningful to the Molly and David since their families are fifth generation Coloradans.
The menu featured local Colorado ingredients of autumns’ rich bounty catered by Continental Divine Catering lead by Shannon Fitzgerald.
The wedding featured Colorado wines from Creekside Cellars. The grapes were grown and harvested in Palisades, Colorado, but crushed, cellared and bottled in Evergreen, Colorado.
A celebratory grand cru honey wheat ale brewed with local madhava clover honey from Lyons, Colorado was created by the groom, David Coors and Sandlot Brewery for the special occasion. Guests toasted the couple in monogrammed glasses. Later they were able to take these home as a favor along with a bottle of the ale customized with Molly and David wedding labels.
Jerry Barnett and Moments Notice provided phenomenal entertainment.
The cake and cupcakes were made by Brooke Smith at the Dessert Stand.
CONTACT KRISTEN SLOAN TO DISCUSS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS AND CHECK HER AVAILABILITY
University Club Denver Colorado Wedding
Posted on February 11, 2013
One of the beautiful aspects of photographing weddings in Denver Colorado is the opportunity to photograph at historic architectural locations. Our bride and groom selected the University Club in downtown Denver Colorado for their May wedding. The University Club is a 1895 neoclassical home located at 1673 Sherman Street. The Capitol Hill Club House, now a haven in the shadows of high-rise office towers, is one of the few remaining historic buildings in downtown Denver. Since 1891 is has served as a private social club, where members gather for food, drink, entertainment and athletic pursuits.
CONTACT KRISTEN SLOAN TO DISCUSS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS AND CHECK HER AVAILABILITY
Hollywood Glamour Lighting Studio Portraits, Saint Petersburg Tampa Bay Florida
Posted on January 16, 2013
It had been quite some time since I had photographed a studio portrait session and I wanted to emulate the dramatic, elegant and flattering light of old Hollywood portraits of the 1930’s and 1940’s. I kept the lighting very simple: continuous light from my Visatec modeling lamps with barn doors. Camera was my Nikon D700 with the 85mm lens, with most aperture settings at F4 or F2.8. Very little post production in Lightroom was needed because this lighting setup is extremely flattering to skin tones and my model Megan has amazing porcelain skin.
Kristen Sloan Photography is proud to offer Kiss Wedding Albums
Posted on April 11, 2012
Recently I discovered an amazing wedding album and portrait album company called Kiss Albums. These modern albums are printed on photographic paper, mounted on sturdy pages and offered in a linen or leather cover. I was able to utilize their album design software called S.W.A.T. and share the album design on my Facebook page and as a link for the client. It’s super nice when the client says, “I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it Kristen!!! The album looks amazing…I wouldn’t change a thing!”
I love that they also offer smaller mini books called Little Kisses, which are fun for presenting a portrait session.
When the album arrived, I immediately fell in love with its beautiful fabric cover, quality leather cover and binding, and the way the pages are a seamless 10×20 page spread.
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