lovin’ on Colorado | anya elise

Archives

May 22, 2013 by Anya Elise

seven bridges || a Colorado hike

….and yes, there were in fact seven bridges. Shocking how that works out. We went on a hike in the mountains just west of Colorado Springs this past weekend. We got some of that delicious Colorado sun, we crossed many bridges, we attempted to make different photos of each bridge even though they looked suspiciously similar to one another as if we were trapped in an infinite loop. I think I missed by true calling as a guide book author.

What?!

Thank heavens for this fellow, who wandered into the scene just in time to rescue this not very unique seventh bridge.

But really, Colorado and all its bridges are fabulous and you should come explore them this summer.

Contrary to Dan’s belief, we do have water and the need for bridges in this state. Trust me, I am the honorary (self-appointed) guide book writer of Colorado.

Over and out.

Archives

October 23, 2012 by Anya Elise

true color || Colorado sunset

Editing is a natural step in everything we do.

We edit our appearances before we leave our house in the morning with what clothes we choose to wear, the makeup we apply, the hairdo we style. (The copious amounts of coffee we drink…)

We edit our voices in what we say in a text message to our sister as opposed to a work email to our boss; over a phone conversation with a close college friend, as opposed to one with an insurance agent.

In photography, we edit down the number of photos we take in any given shoot to a group of images we feel best represents the story. We edit the tone and exposure of the photo. We edit how we choose to share those photos across the many media available to us.

Yet, in the midst of all this routine editing, sometimes you come across a moment that is so beautiful in and of itself, it requires no modification.

Like this.

I snapped this with my fancy phone Saturday evening after an uplifting and gorgeous engagement session in Boulder. I haven’t altered it all. It is as it was: perfect.

Archives

September 17, 2012 by Anya Elise

umbrellas || Beaver Creek blue

“Text and stuff…”

Sometimes I feel like leaving my text placeholder when I lack something else to say.

“Text and stuff…”

I love the following photos. They were shot over lunch in Beaver Creek back in August.

I love the reflection, the color of the umbrellas, and the clever model captured in them.

I love that these remind me of our weekend away, and the delicious pizza we crafted from a “choose your own toppings” list (and were waiting for at the time of this photo).

“Text and stuff…”

Sometimes I think you need less text and not nearly as much stuff. Sometimes you just need to share a few photos for no other reason than you like them.

And that time is today.

Archives

September 3, 2012 by Anya Elise

once in a blue moon || colorado fourteeners

Early Saturday morning, really early Saturday morning, pre-sunrise Saturday morning, we were driving west into the mountains.

The blue moon was slowly setting in front of us. The travel coffee mug I clung to as though it contained the elixir of life itself (which, let’s face it, it pretty much did) warmed my fingers. We were on a mission.

A few days prior to this, Dan somehow managed to coerce me into climbing a fourteener. He asked, and I said, “Sure.” The fiend.

A fourteener is a mountain peak in Colorado that measures 14,000 feet in elevation or more. There are over 50 of them in Colorado. And is wont to happen when such natural phenomena exist, it has become a common pastime to summit them. Common enough that as a Colorado native, people are often rather surprised I have never climbed one myself.

So, because they are there and because we had time and because I needed to defend my honor as a Colorado native, we went for it.

The mountain nearly won.

Continue reading →

Archives

August 27, 2012 by Anya Elise

details || aspen, colorado

Last-last weekend, two weekends ago, the weekend before last…earlier than now is what I’m saying, my family headed up to Aspen, Colo., for the memorial of our soon-to-be-stepfather’s brother. It was a beautiful gathering, and we felt extremely lucky to be so immediately included in our stepfather-to-be’s family. (So to all of them, thank you for that, truly.)

It was an enchanting sort of weekend, very non-typical for us, but from what I understand, very classic Aspen with parties, soirees, exclusive clubs with passwords and everything. Having never been to Aspen prior to this trip, the introduction couldn’t have been more welcoming, pleasant, or surreal.

Here are some detail shots from the weekend.

Continue reading →