wedding | anya elise

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June 21, 2012 by Anya Elise

june 18, 2011 || one year anniversary

I asked him recently, “When was the first time we discussed starting a wedding photography business?” It may sound silly, but neither of us could precisely remember the answer to that question. For such a life-changing decision, neither of us could recall the exact time we decided we could do this.

This past Monday — June 18 — marked the one-year anniversary of our wedding photography business. On June 18, 2011, Dan and I photographed Seth and Brigid’s wedding. Since then, in just one short year, we have grown so much as a photography team.

We have challenged each other. We have succeeded. We have stumbled. We have navigated the treacherous trenches of small business tax filings. We have traveled to different time zones. We have photographed in ideal conditions and sloppy ones. We have danced. We have eaten hurried meals in a spare reception hall corner. We have downed a lot of coffee (oh wait…that was just me). We have improvised. We have planned.

We have found our fit.

Though we may never know when we decided that this idea could be a reality, we have since discovered that this is right and good.

And that’s the thing about perfect fits: they become so much a part of you, it’s like they were always there.

Thank you for an incredible year, Dan. I’m so excited for many more to come.

(Photo of Dan taken in New York City on our one-year business anniversary.)

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May 1, 2012 by Anya Elise

second shooting || Denver wedding photography

Second shooting. The act of shooting second. Being next in line to the throne. Yeah, OK, that has absolutely no relevance to this at all. It’s early, forgive me.

Second shooting is another way to describe the act of assisting a lead photographer at a shoot. The nice thing about what Dan and I have going as partners in A&D Photography, is that we have the support system afforded by a second shooter already built in. It’s like that song “Lean on Me” epitomized in the form of a photography business. (Coincidentally, I once had to dance out a choreographed routine to that song in front of a whole group of people. It was mildly mortifying. Except without the “mildly.” So yeah, just mortifying.)

Not all photographers have that built in partner, however, and so they frequently hire a second shooter. Photographers such as Gino Siller, who hired me to be his photography cohort for a day back in April. It was a great experience, and really interesting and educational to see how another photographer approaches a wedding shoot.

Here are two pictures that I shot that day. There are several other photos over on our A&D Photography site all set and waiting for you.

Thanks for reading, viewing, and stopping by.

Love and coffee to you,

-a.e.

p.s. And Happy May to you! Who would have thunk we’d be five months in to 2012 already!

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December 30, 2011 by Anya Elise

a retrospective slideshow || 2011 in review

a retrospective || 2011 in review from anya semenoff on Vimeo.

10 states.

Two oceans.

Lots of driving miles (yes that’s the official tabulation: lots).

A theme park, a national park, a fancy phone, thousands of pictures.

Four whales, several buffalo, a llama, iconic sites.

A business, weddings, two churches, one arch, lots of dancing, old friends and new.

One family, three siblings and an adopted transplant from the east coast.

A blog.

You.

Add all these ingredients together in a blender, puree, and the result will be my 2011. It was an incredible year.

Thank you especially to Mom, Emily, Chris, Elise, who will always be my favorites; my whole extended family, who I wish I could see much more often; our 2011 couples, who took a chance on a new business and trusted us with their love stories – we’ll never forget that and owe you so much gratitude; my friends here, old and new, who always offer fun, laughter, support and inspiration.

And, of course, to Dan, who pushes me to dare. Dare to be something more, dare to reach further than I think I can, dare to allow those dreams to be a reality even if they seem too extraordinary. I really couldn’t do this without you.

Finally, thank you to all of you who come here every day to look at my photos, read my (frequently) ridiculous musings, and share in this journey.

I love you all, so very much, and look forward to 2012. It’s going to be a big year – I can feel it.

BUT, before we drop the big flashing ball and pop open that champagne, here’s a 2011 year-in-review slideshow. It’s a little random — but when am I not? — and pretty silly. But then again: when am I not?

Much love, -a.e.

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October 24, 2011 by Anya Elise

Mike + Anita || Denver wedding photography

We have had the privilege of working with some lovely, relaxed, warm, friendly clients.

Mike and Anita embodied all of these things and more. From their engagement shoot, through to the last moments of their wedding, they were such a pleasure to work with. They made the day about their love and their future lives together, about their family and friends, about a grace that is larger than themselves, and that dedication infused every bit of their day.

So, Mike and Anita, thank you again for sharing this piece of your story with us!

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October 13, 2011 by Anya Elise

a wedding preview || Denver wedding photography

With each wedding I have the privilege of documenting, I fall more in love with this kind of photography. There’s a vibrancy of life and love, hope and joy, that envelops you when you’re in the midst of each day.

Yes it can be hectic and stressful, and an absolute whirlwind all around you, but in the grand scheme of things, how could you not love playing even a small part in such an incredible piece of a couple’s story?

We will be doing the big reveal on our most recent wedding next week. But until then, here’s a little preview from Mike and Anita’s lovely day.

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