I love reviewing past bridal photo sessions. Seeing where I’ve been and finding new spots for Sedona photographs and the surrounding areas. Some of my favorite spots in Sedona include the infamous Talaquepaque, Red Rock State Park, and some of the more “private” hot spots I’ve discovered on my hiking expeditions that I love sharing with those brides who are up for the challenge.

If you’re a recent bride, past bride, or simply wasn’t quite thrilled with your Sedona wedding photographs and would like some really sweet and artistic wedding photographs of yourself + your husband all dressed up again, we’re setting up a few dates for Sedona Bridal Sessions. And we promise not to trash your dress!!

Sedona Photography sessions start at 300 and include one to two hours of shoot time, two 11×14 images, and a 5×5 book of images from your shoot. A make up/hair artist will be available for an extra fifty dollars. I’ve got some awesome people on board to help you out before the shoot! Give us a shout at 480.319.3367 or Email us at angela at angelinarosephotography.com

Mom and I made a pact that this year we’d make the trip to see the Desert Botanical Luminarias. Of course I couldn’t go without my camera. I mean… how silly would THAT be!?

Let me offer you a bit of perspective on my silliness here. In 2007, my friends and family had coined a nickname for me: The Photographer Who Doesn’t Take Pictures. At every family function, my mom would be the one taking the pictures as I sat enjoying the festivities. And it’s not that I couldn’t enjoy them while taking pictures, I just preferred to immense myself deep into the sensation of being surrounded by family and relied on my memories to preserve it all. Alas, my memory failed to serve me. I can only recollect so much without sitting down to meditate on it.

So, I’ve since redeemed myself. I truly believe in the power of a photograph and embrace it. To the core.

~ Wishing you and your family a Wonderful New Year!

Check out their Arizona wedding from January at the Wright House in Mesa.

Happy First Birthday Ruby! Looking forward to your future visits in Arizona. =)

This passed weekend was certainly a delight as Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. And being able to celebrate it from Friday through Monday is even better! Gave me a chance to run around town with my devil horns on and my fangs in that much longer and not look insane. Hah! If I had the chance to do that more often I’m afraid the holiday thrill would wear off real fast. So, any how, I invited one of my best friends over to carve a pumpkin with me since he is new to the art of carving. As he was sketching his pumpkin face, I took a quick snap-shot of the one I had taped to my pumpkin.

When you cut into a pumpkin you normally expect to see lots of stringy, gooey guts and seeds. This time, both of our pumpkins lacked a large amount of gooey-ness (yes, I made up a word). I stuck my nose inside the top of the pumpkin and took a deep breathe. I absolutely LOVE the smell of pumpkin. And of course my friend started laughing at me as I continued inhaling it. If it had been more gooey I would’ve grabbed a handful and started a pumpkin gut fight. But, alas, the pumpkins were pretty hollow so, instead, I took what little seeds we had and baked them.

Have a wonderfully goulish Halloween!

My beautiful, independent, witty, and sarcastic cousin from Massachusetts. She finally came out to visit me in Arizona!

I’m going to rehash a tiny portion of our relationship together with this 1987 photo of us playing with Barbie and her friend. I didn’t understand until 6 years ago just why Barbie always, always had an “issue”.

Rebecca on the left : Me at right

If it wasn’t Barbie’s psychotic, irrational temper . . . it was her head literally popping off during conversations with her friends. Ken turned ballistic a number of times with a BBQ grilling fork always saving the day, in a manner of speaking, as Barbie rounded the corner to find herself in an unpredictable situation at the wrong time. Ken being the bad guy turned good to save her. Cause, yah know, Barbie was attracted to the bad boy persona.

It’s easy to see, now, where Rebecca was going with this. . . into the transformation of a life long career. A twist we never saw coming. Rebecca recently completed her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. Suddenly it all makes sense. Not at all the architect I once thought she’d be but now a Crisis Clinician in Springfield Massachusetts. She’s making waves in helping those in need of mental stability. From helping the young and troubled to the old and guilt plagued. Her most recent and aspired position she’s filling is Grant Manager of a Suicide Prevention Grant.

Over the years, I’ve watched her grow into a very strong and beautiful woman. Someone who’s not afraid to stand for what she believes in. Courageous by nature. Mysterious, intelligent, and exceptionally charismatic. She reminds me of Wednesday from the Adams Family. =) And I say that with love.

You’re a rock star Rebecca! And I love yah.

While she was out shooting portraits with the bride and groom I went about photographing the details of their reception and Wrigley Mansion with it’s beautiful ambiance that had captured Julie and Jared’s heart when they booked this wedding reception venue.

I can’t really explain what it was I saw in this image on the right with the light switch. It spoke to me so I had to photograph it. Let’s just say it’s one of those unexplainable and random photos.

These girls were obviously deep in conversation and as cute as buttons!

I saved my favorites for the very end here.  I absolutely love these moments between Julie and Jared. Soooo in love with one another.

There are two slightly different variations in the tone between the two images below. Something I’m experimenting with. Please let me know which one you like best!

A creative, gifted, passionate, and beautiful business owner of Keepsake Blossoms. A fabulous clay-flower -maker extraordinaire. Deb and I found one another among a wedding industry networking group called WEN.

Having lived in Arizona for the past 5 years, Deb opened her home studio in Maricopa where she continues creating flower bouquets made from clay. Yes … CLAY FLOWERS!! (sorry.. inside joke) About as life-like as they could possibly get. She can create anything from bouquets, boutonnieres, hairpieces, centerpieces and cake decorations down to table number holders. I recently referred my bride to Keepsake Blossoms for a beautiful hairpiece specially made for her wedding in Flagstaff. Emily immediately fell in love with it and I think you will too!

So… Looking for social media profile portraits, we took a walk around Tempe and found some cool spots for Deb’s portraits.

~ Breeanna Badie

“I am responsible for the growth and maintenance of mindfulness in my own life. Each day is an opportunity for me to discover deeper truths about myself. Every moment is an invitation for me to grant others the space they need to be themselves. Within me exists a world of awe and splendor, and every morning is my own majesty. This life is my inheritance as a human being and I will claim it by living as fully as I possibly can through mindful and compassionate participation. May any reward I receive be recycled through my service to others.” ~ Benjamin Riggs

Five years ago I photographically documented the Division of Insects at the Field Museum in Chicago. They hold the largest worldwide collection of insects. Although, you’d never know it because they don’t display much to the public.

With my 4×5 camera in tow, pulling out trays of pinned insects, I came upon this lovely pair. I was immediately taken with them.

The Tarantula Wasp  and Tarantula. A side by side comparison. And the bug that’s chillin’ in the lower left? Yeah.. a regular wasp. I never thought I’d see these two up close and personal . . . I didn’t know it at the time that I would move to Arizona. Now I’ve seen them both. Alive and up close.

Cause life’s funny like that.

It makes up for the too-hot-to-handle summers here.

The Waterfront is a beautiful wedding venue right on a lake in the middle of Tempe, Arizona. Imagine having your wedding ceremony on the patio overlooking the lake near dusk and surrounded by bright pink bougannvilla. Sounds like a little oasis for the desert! To top it off, Lisa Cyr, the General Manager of The Waterfront, was telling me about a private boat ride for the bridal party and guests that would take them to a little island on the lake. Many brides opt-in for this for some stunning wedding portraits. Seriously.. how sweet would THAT be?!

Here are some beautiful flowers by Wild Child floral designer, Patricia Poto Eastwood

The happ-go-lucky music man: Applause Productions & Entertainment, Inc.

Delicious catered food by Creations in Cuisine Catering

The man behind these delectable treats: Honey Moon Sweets bakery and dessert bar.

Lisa Cyr herself with the fabulous Carl behind the bar. Thank you Lisa!!

And of course the beautiful sunset on the lake.