MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
Courses + Products
SHOP

Weddings

Jack + Haleigh

A Maroon Bells Destination Wedding in Aspen, Colorado

filed in:

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!

A Romantic, Intimate, Maroon Bells Destination Wedding in Aspen, Colorado by Katelyn James Photography

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

5 Essentials to Turn Pro

5 Essentials Beginners Need to Go Pro and make your photography business a success!

I’m breaking down the MUST-HAVE ITEMS that every photographer needs to be successful at the start of their career! 

READ MORE
Youtube

Oh where do I begin? This wasn’t just another wedding for me. This was a legacy KJ Wedding and I have been looking forward to it ever since my first email from Danny and Megan!

READ MORE

Danny + Megan A Biltmore Estate Wedding

Weddings
10 posing red flags

10 Red Flags in Posing And how to fix them!

I’m really excited about this YouTube video because I know that it resonates with ALL photographers who photograph PEOPLE!!

READ MORE
Youtube
How to Serve a Client Who Isn't a Perfect Fit

Ep. 33 | How to Serve a Client Who Isn’t a Perfect Fit And make it a great experience

Have you ever walked into a client experience and realized “oh wow, this is not what I was expecting?” ….

READ MORE
The Katelyn James Podcast

The business world (and just the world in general) looks A LOT different today than it did 15 years ago when I started my business. 

EP. 32 BUSINESS STRATEGY
READ MORE

Ep. 32 | The Proven Business Strategy That Hasn't Changed in 15 years

The Katelyn James Podcast
HOW TO PERFECT AI EDITING

How to Perfect AI Editing and save more time!

We’ve talked a lot lately about how great AI editing is and how it can be revolutionary for so many wedding and portrait photographers.

READ MORE
Youtube

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 93,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.