Explore

Jessica and Jeremy | Salida Colorado Engagement and Wedding Photographer

I am so excited to share this awesome couple’s engagement shoot with y’all! After some serious searching and planning on Jessica’s end, this sweet bride discovered Mike and I a couple years ago. As luck would have it, Jeremy proposed and they got in touch with us. After a couple awesome chats on the phone with them, they decided to come to our ranch in Salida, Colorado for their engagement shoot. We had a total blast! Scylla and Ginger ran around and played while we chatted and explored the ranch. I learned so much about these two and can honestly say we are so thrilled to be a part of their wedding day this September! Be sure to read their amazing love story below.
Congratulations, Jessica and Jeremy! We’re so excited you two have found each other and can’t wait for your big day.
Cheers,
Taylor and Mike
Salida Colorado engagement and wedding photographer
• How did you two meet?
Jessie: “I was dating an EMT in 2012 when I first met Jeremy. Jeremy was his paramedic partner in the ambulance; they worked together. I used to chase the ambulances and bring the guys lunch or snacks, stuff they didn’t normally have time to get themselves, like Chinese food or something. I’d hang out until another call dropped and they’d race off again. Sometimes we would all hang out together, with a bunch of other EMT’s and paramedics, and go bowling or out to birthday celebrations and similar. Things ended badly with the EMT in September of 2013. I tried to stay friends with him and we still tried to hang out with the group but it really didn’t work. What happened instead is I got closer to Jeremy little by little. He invited me to help him pass out hot chocolate and elf hats to the Manitou Springs community where he was a volunteer firefighter. I helped him build his resume portfolios when he decided to apply for his dream job and then celebrated with him when he got it. We went to Glenwood Springs in January for the weekend and I got to see a distant coworker I’d wanted to meet for months. We’d go out to see matinee movies with no expectations. We both bought nice cameras with our tax returns and would go take pictures together. He adopted my sister’s husky, Ginger. We were best friends when, during a sunset dinner on the front porch on June 10th, 2014, he casually states that we’ve been going through the motions of dating already and asked me if I’m ready to take the next step and make it official and start dating.”

• Tell us about your first date!
Jessie: “We really don’t have a “first date” because it started so slowly and built up. There really was no defining moment or event, our relationship just grew so comfortably and slowly it kind of took us both by surprise but it didn’t at the same time.”

Salida Colorado engagement and wedding photographer

• When did you know you wanted to marry each other?
Jessie: ” I think we kind of always knew that that was where we were headed. Before we even started dating officially we’d talked about what we wanted in relationships and the end result for us both was marriage and kids, if we found the right partner. We agreed that previous relationships hadn’t worked out on our timelines and we both made a conscious effort not to rush things and to allow things to grow naturally and in its own time. We knew it would come, just not when we’d be ready for it. We were Christmas shopping for our families in 2015 when he allowed me to drag him into the Kay jewelers in the mall. He said he saw the ring he wanted to get me then and went back for it.”

• How did Jeremy propose?
Jessie:  “We saved up for almost a full year and planned a Florida vacation that we took together with my parents. We drove to Florida and he got to meet the majority of my amazing family. We planned to see beaches on both the east coast and the west coast, for comparison, since he’d never been. We split off from my parents and went to the west coast a day earlier than they did. We spent the majority of the day at the beach on Honeymoon Island (the beach was totally picked on purpose, I found out later; the name wasn’t a coincidence). We packed up right before sunset and went back to sit on a picnic table while we watched the sky turn beautiful colors. I’m taking pictures left and right as the sky changes colors, like I do, and he’s trying to convince me to set my camera down and just enjoy the moment. I told him he’d known me long enough to know that taking pictures of everything is how I enjoyed my moments, LOL. During a lull in my picture taking enthusiasm, he casually says that we’ve been dating for a while and asks how about we take the next step and would I marry him? He pulls out this gorgeous blue diamond engagement ring, which he’s been holding for 6 months, and I am literally speechless and just start crying. For a good few minutes I can only garble nonsense like “it’s blue!” and “it’s so pretty” and hug him every few seconds. After a minute or two, and I’ve got the ring on my finger, just staring at it, he mentions I haven’t really given him an answer. I saucily glance over at him and smile and say “I really shouldn’t have to answer such a silly question, but of course I will!”

• What has been the most exciting element of wedding planning?
Jeremy: “I’m still waiting to taste cake and get to taste-test the food. When do we get to that part?”
Jessie: “My favorite part so far has probably been building the invitations. I found a design I liked but thought they were way too expensive for our moderate budget and decided I could design and make my own. I found a lovely site called Cards and Pockets that has been amazing and worked with me to get everything I needed. I’ve built them all by myself so far and am quite proud of them. The best part is a custom logo I created and had laser cut, to represent the two of us. The phoenix firebird is like my personal totem and has been since middle school and he loves wolves and his job of firefighting. Our logo is a phoenix bird and a fire wolf in a yin and yang type circle with a simple heart in between them.”

Salida Colorado mountain engagement shoot photographer

• If Ginger and Scylla had voices, what would they sound like?
Jessie: “I think Ginger, the husky, would be a complete diva. She’s demanding at times and can be vocal about her demands. “Why isn’t my food ready? Why aren’t you petting me? I’m gorgeous aren’t I? Look at me! Why am I not the center of your world every second I’m in your sight?” She’s kind of sassy. She also tries to referee when Jeremy and Scylla play outside. “Careful, you’re not doing that right!” I think Scylla is a more anxious, hopeful sort of companion with a smaller, less assertive voice. “I see you’re getting ready to go somewhere. Can I go with you? I’d really like to go with you, wherever you’re going. I just want to be where you are.” She follows me from room to room. She’s a quiet, more patient, kind of spirit, almost regal in her bearing. She’ll sit patiently and wait at the door or stare at you, willing you to notice her.”

Jeremy: “I think Scylla is one of those types that always needs to be with the group, but she’s that quiet, reserved, member of the group. She’s like a shadow, always near us and underfoot, literally, I’m like always stepping on her. She’d sound mild and unimposing and patient. She comes out of her shell when she’s playing and is thoughtful and wants you to be involved. “I have this toy! Look how cool it is! Wanna play with me?” She’s very composed and in control of herself. She’ll sit anxiously waiting for a treat or for you to throw a toy then will spring into a flurry of action as soon as you say it’s okay. When it comes to huskies, Ginger is quieter than I’ve experienced with most of her breed. She’s still demanding and vocal and makes sure she puts my hand on the exact spot on her head she wants scratched. She always wants to be with me, not necessarily with Jessie, but with me for sure and is remarkably well behaved. She would sound quiet but assertive and persistent, “Me, me, me, hey, over here, look at me. I’m right in front of you.”

• What’s a fun quirk you love about the other?
Jessie: “I love that he is generally super prepared for whatever we’re doing. It may take an extra twenty minutes to go anywhere but he can handle any number of emergencies we might encounter, even if we are just going for a drive in the mountains. He makes sure I have one of my cameras with me whenever we go somewhere that he knows I’d want one, he has spare jackets or blankets for when I get cold, Chapstick to support my minor addiction, etc… I know that whatever happens he’s ready and able to take care of me.”
Jeremy: “I love that I’m her personal heater. She always likes to share her cold hands and feet with me, even if I’m in a dead sleep. It usually means I get to hold her hand though. ^_- She always has to walk on my left side and she doesn’t always notice right away and randomly has to switch sides when we’re walking. She always remembers little things that I forget and has a knack for finding things I’m looking for, even if they are right in front of me. Every so often she writes a cute message on the dry erase board on our fridge that makes me smile every time I see it, or leaves me paper notes that says she’s thinking of me.”

• What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
Jeremy: “The end, LOL! Actually, I’m really looking forward to the reception to celebrate with our friends and family all together. The ceremony will be nice and of course I get Jessie in the end regardless, but getting all the friends and family together to celebrate with us means a lot.”
Jessie: “I’m really looking forward to marrying my best friend but in a way that I’m proud of and want to share with the world and most especially my friends and family. We could sneak away to a courthouse, I’ve been there and done that, but what kind of celebration is that? I want to announce to the world that I have found my partner, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with and share everything with and grow old with. I think our wedding day will be the perfect way to do that and share the moment with our friends and family we love the most and are just as excited for us as we are.”

Salida Colorado mountain engagement shoot photographer

-Codey & Taylor

“We knew our photos were going to be something we would treasure forever, but what we didn’t expect to walk away with was an effortless bond turned friendship.

Taylor and Mike are not just invested in capturing the magic of the wedding day, but their heart is in it for the marriage and future that follows.”

-Brett & Mendy

I did not feel rushed or anxious, just simply in the moment—which was most important as this would be a once in a lifetime experience—and believe me, Taylor and Mike made it memorable. Separately they are an absolute delight, and together they make the ultimate team and genuine couple. You can see the true dedication they put into making that day, your day…special! It was an absolute joy to work with this inspirational couple."

"With grace and charm, Taylor and Mike set the tone for our beautiful wedding day!

-Jake & Christina

They did everything we asked and more. Our friends and family keep remarking how great our photographers were. They took so many photos and delivered them in such a fast turnaround."

"Taylor and Mike are professional, friendly, detailed, flexible, committed—exactly the kind of presence you want from photographers on your wedding day! 

-Chris & Kim

On the day, they were so organized and kept things moving at a perfect pace. We never felt rushed yet were able to adhere to our timeline perfectly. They made everyone, including my generally camera-shy husband, feel at ease making for photos with real smiles."

"From start to finish, Taylor and Mike take great care to make sure you are comfortable and have clear and prompt communication. 

-Jake & Haydn

We are so impressed with not only them as people and their amazing work, but also their communication skills throughout the entire planning process."

"Taylor and Mike have a great ability to take photographs in places no ordinary person would ever think of, and, while still focusing on you, they are also able to capture the beautiful scenery.

-Adam & Sydney

Though we had never met, it was as though we were life-long friends and it was immediately apparent we wanted to work with them. They are so pleasant, personable, and go above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable and relaxed. We were so worried the photo process would be weird and awkward, but they made it one of the most fun aspects of the whole day. To top it all off, the photos are simply gorgeous!"

“We gave them a call and they were the first, and only, photographers we spoke with.

View
their
love
story

The Surf Hotel
Buena Vista Colorado Wedding

Chris and Kim

View
their
love
story

Mount Princeton
Hot Springs
Wedding

Jarrod and Brittany

View
their
love
story

the Donovan Pavilion Vail Colorado Wedding

Jake and Mary

View
their
love
story

The Barn at Sunset Ranch Buena Vista Colorado Wedding

Hayden and Erin

View
their
love
story

Salida Steamplant Wedding Salida Colorado

Reid and Michael

View
their
love
story

Piney River Ranch Vail Colorado Wedding

Codey and Taylor

Let's BEGIN OUR JOURNEY

We embrace diversity and welcome couples of all backgrounds, religions, genders, races, and sexual orientations with open arms. Your love is unique, and we're here to celebrate it in all its beautiful forms.

We're located in Buena Vista, Colorado, but our love is universal: we shoot worldwide.

Reaching out about your portrait or branding session?

Visit our portrait page

Are you a planner? Click here!

Let's BEGIN OUR JOURNEY

We embrace diversity and welcome couples of all backgrounds, religions, genders, races, and sexual orientations with open arms. Your love is unique, and we're here to celebrate it in all its beautiful forms.

We're located in Buena Vista, Colorado, but our love is universal: we shoot worldwide.

Reaching out about your portrait or branding session?

Visit our portrait page

Are you a couple? Click here!

To honor your time, we will reply to you within 24 hours.

THANK YOU

FOR GETTING IN TOUCH!

If you're simply too excited (we are, too!) and can't wait that long to connect, please feel free to give us a call directly at 720-412-7237.