Imagine getting an email from one of your sweetest students saying that they wanted to hire you to come out to Colorado to capture their small, intimate wedding in Aspen…. I was SO EXCITED!!! This was long before COVID or travel bans or quarantine. Haleigh planned her wedding quickly because her dad’s health was declining quickly and she wanted nothing more than for him to walk her down the aisle and get to experience an amazing trip with him. Haleigh’s dad has been battling cancer with a prognosis that is hard to imagine. That reality made Jack and Haleigh’s wedding day so incredibly special, meaningful and intentional.
Jack and Haleigh are from Florida and so their mountain wedding was a drastic change from their normal day-to-day view. The views were just unimaginable. As soon as I walked around the corner of the ceremony venue and saw the backdrop, I was shocked. I hate to say it but images don’t even do it justice. It’s impossible to fully capture how grand and majestic Maroon Bells is in real life. It’s stunning. We were shooting in the middle of the day and so even though the light was harsh, it was still absolutely beautiful and I was able to capture images that I will cherish for the rest of my career!
Their day was so incredibly beautiful, simple, and so them. They wanted epic portraits and to be surrounded by those that love them the most and with the exception of a few friends what couldn’t come because of Covid, that is exactly what they got! It was such an honor to be trusted with their day and to be the ones who had the privilege of capturing such special moments for a family that is walking through so much right now.
Enjoy Jack and Haleigh’s wedding day and just prepare yourself…. these are portraits like I have never captured before!! I would go back and do this all over again in a heartbeat! …. except I would make sure I research the elevation restrictions while 20 weeks pregnant so that I wouldn’t have to order an Oxygen tank just in case!! We have so many fun memories from this trip that will be shared in our next KJ All Access episode and our members are going to LOVE it! Thank you Haleigh and Jack for allowing us to teach and inspire other photographers through your epic wedding day!!!
We love you both and we are cheering for you and this exciting new season of your life!!!
Haleigh you are beautiful!!!!
When her dad saw a note she had embroidered on the back of his tie….
Have you ever seen a more epic First Look location?!
Photographers, notice how much the light was changing literally every few minutes. It was challenging but still epic! We kind of got the best of both worlds…. sunlight and overcast!
Jack tossed this veil himself… Michael may be out of a job in the veil department!
This one got me when I took it. I had mascara everywhere. Haleigh you have such a beautiful relationship with your precious dad. It was such an honor to capture it.
Ceremony | Maroon Bells Amphitheater
Reception | Highlands Alehouse
Dress Store | Minerva Bridal
Dress Designer | Morilee by Madeline Gardner
Florist | Bride & Groom, Florals purchased from Afloral
Hair & Make Up | Aspen Hair and Makeup
Catering | Highlands Alehouse
Groomsmen Attire | Vest: JJ’s House | Shirt + Pants: Kohls
Invitations | Minted
Rings | Manly Bands, Kohls, Blue Nile
Hair Piece | Bella Via Designs
Hope Charm for Florals | Etsy
View Jack + Haleigh’s Engagement Session HERE!
This week, Michael is sitting down with me at the microphone to join me on the podcast! When we started our Acton Academy journey, we had big dreams and very little idea of the practical challenges that lay ahead. Today, in year three of running our own Acton Academy, Michael and I are thrilled to reflect on the incredible transformation we’ve seen in our learners, our community, and even our own perspectives on education.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Erica and Jon, two incredibly talented photographers and educators who have redefined their business and life by embracing change. From leaving a corporate career to transforming their wedding photography business into a thriving brand photography venture, their story is full of inspiration for anyone looking to take bold steps and live life on their own terms.
I run a Facebook group with over 20,000 photographers, and something I see constantly are people sharing their editing struggles, asking for critiques, or seeking advice on how to fix issues in Lightroom.
This is going to go down as the wedding day were we got lucky over and over again. Blair and Ashley heard that there was a chance of rain on their wedding day but we all wrote it off as nothing and kept moving on with all of our original plans.
In the fast-paced world we live in, finding purpose and intention in everyday life can feel like a distant goal. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, a creative, or simply someone searching for more meaning, this probably resonates with you! If you’ve been a longtime follower of the Katelyn James podcast, you know it’s always been about authenticity, growth, and family. So, we wanted the podcast to represent just that. Welcome to Doing Life Differently!
If you’re looking to build a personal brand that genuinely connects with people, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or just someone looking for more purpose in life, I think these insights will resonate with you.