Cali Sparing Photography

// The Hartzheim Family + A Warm Reception //

Cali Sparing — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:00:52 +0000

I’m absolutely in LOVE with this family. I mean…in LOOOOVE. There was even a point last summer where I felt like I was adopted into their family. I’ve actually known Doug and Margo since I was a baby. I didn’t really know that until I photographed Hayley & Eric’s wedding last January, and Doug walked up to me and said “you look just like your mother”. I felt like it was fate that I was there, and another reminder that it’s a small world Then I had the opportunity to photograph Maggie & Ryan’s wedding last May, and I became even closer with all of them. Doug and Margo have 4 amazing children who all got married within about 8 months of each other = AMAZING! Their oldest son, Taylor, and his wife, Kelsey, were married in Hawaii, and had a reception at Doug and Margo’s house over the 4th of July weekend. Margo called me and asked if I could come grab some shots of all the family together for their Christmas card. I of course said yes, and I also grabbed some quick shots of Taylor and Kelsey. It was SO much fun, and such a gorgeous evening. I am constantly blown away by the love and close connection this family has with one another, as well as the love they have for others. I’ve felt so blessed to be able to know them and document them as they grow. THANK YOU GUYS SOOOO MUCH, and I look forward to many more photographs together!

Here’s the WHOLE gang!

// The Mayes Family //

Cali Sparing — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:07:14 +0000

We have a saying here in Montana…”If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 min”. Well that was especially true for this family session. The day went from sunny, to windy, to thunder and lightning, to pouring rain, then back to sunshine for a beautiful Montana evening. Olivia and Cory, along with their daughter, Payton, and son, Lucas, traveled from California to visit their family here in Bozeman. I’ve actually had the honor of photographing their cousins’ weddings, and they asked me to do a session of their ADORABLE family while they were in town. We had a limited window of time, due to their busy vacation schedule with family, but let me tell you…these guys are troopers! Like I said, the weather did a complete 180 while I was driving out to their family ranch, but they stuck it out (and thankfully didn’t get blown away), and we had a ton of fun enduring the crazy Montana weather. A HUGE thank you to Cory’s mom, Linda, for setting this all up and for letting me photograph on their family ranch.

Jaime + Lacey : July 1, 2011 :

Cali Sparing — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:15:06 +0000

I’m so excited to finally be sharing this wonderful Montana wedding! Jaime and Lacey aren’t just ‘clients’…they are dear friends. I remember getting a call from Jaime saying he had proposed to Lacey, and that one of the first things they said to each other after the engagement was that they had to have me as their photographer and couldn’t imagine anyone else capturing their big day. I think I cried a little, and then jumped for joy! Jaime and Lacey’s wedding was simply AMAZING and I was so honored to have captured it for them. I think three words sum up this day…Laughter. Love. and a BOOT SCOOTIN good time! Ok I know that’s more than three words, but it’s true. I mean what more can you ask for when you have cowboy hats, rockin cowboy boots, ice cold beer, a barn jamming with country music, and a gorgeous couple who are madly in love with each other? There was even a Down Under twist thrown in the mix, because Jaime’s family is from Australia. I don’t think you can ask for much more! Lacey’s ring, which you may remember me talking about from their engagement session, is a vintage heirloom ring from Jaime’s family. I love unique rings…especially when there is a story behind them. I think the story of this wedding will stick with me for forever, as well as Jaime and Lacey, and all their family and friends in attendance. I can’t help but smile every time I look at their pictures…ENJOY!

This was a vintage veil from their family that has been passed down from generation to generation…BEAUTIFUL!

The ladies set this all up themselves…it’s a re-enactment of the poster for the movie “Bridesmaids”…quite hilarious!

Another BIG SHOUT out to the wonderful vendors at this wedding:

Venue: Lazy B Barn
Catering: Jason George and Pitchfork Steak Catering
Flowers: Blooming Blessings, Harrison
Cake: Van’s IGA, Bozeman
Dress: Beautiful Weddings, Missoula
Hair/Makeup: Hanna Powell

Band: The Dirty Shame

and a BIG THANK YOU to Jennie Lynn Stanley for second shooting with me!

Miles + Kristen : June 25, 2011 :

Cali Sparing — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:48:44 +0000

I will never forget this wedding. Mostly because I felt so connected to these two and their special day. Kristen and I are best friends and we were roommates all through college. I was there when her and Miles met each other, and throughout their journey together as a couple. I remember getting the text message and phone call from her when Miles proposed, and I couldn’t have been happier for them. You may remember their engagement pictures from back in 2010. We had so much fun, and I knew their wedding was going to be a BLAST…and I was right. Me, being the crazy wedding fanatic that I am, told Kristen that I would help her out with all the wedding planning chaos, since she was going to be planning it from out of state. So I went to work, and with the help of our other friend Jessica, and lots of AMAZINGLY talented vendors, Kristen and Mile’s wedding day went off without a hitch. I know it’s almost their 1 year anniversary, but CONGRATS again you two…I love you both!

Here is there album slideshow from the day as well…ENJOY! (if this doesn’t work please go here.)

Also a HUGE shout out to all the wonderful vendors (I hope I’m not forgetting anyone!):

Venue: The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon

Dress & Tuxes: After 5 & Weddings

Hair: Maggie Rickert of Theory Hair Salon

Flowers: Stems

Cake: Anticipated Cake Creations

Caterer: Just A Taste Catering

Music: Joe’s DJ Service

I’M BAAAACK!

Cali Sparing — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:19:16 +0000

WHOA! Where has the time gone?!? When I was little I never understood the meaning of “time flying by”, but I feel I have a full understanding of it now! First, I want to apologize for being MIA for so long. The past 9 months have been some of the most challenging of my life. I’m not going to write a sappy-whining-emotional-”poor me” post about everything that has been happening, but I will tell you that God is good, the sun still rises everyday, and that I have SO much to be thankful for. Secondly, I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all my family, friends, clients, colleagues, and avid followers out there for all their support, understanding, and willingness to stick around and encourage me on a daily basis. I know a lot of you out there have been ‘patiently’ waiting for me to share my work over the past year, and it really does make my day when you ask me “when will you start blogging again? We miss seeing your pictures!” Well the waiting is over, and I’m getting my groove back and into the swing of things! I’ve learned a lot over the past year…not only about myself, but especially about my photography and my business…and I really want to thank all my past, present, and future clients for being so amazing and awesome! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you, and for that I am beyond thankful! I’ve also learned that change can be good…and it was time to change my business a bit…give it a little facelift So without further a do…I present to you the new look of Cali Sparing Photography!

A HUGE shout out to my dear friend Molly Freze for helping me design this. I am working on updating my website, blog, and Facebook business pages with the new logo, as well as a ton of new photos. I can’t wait to share everything with you all! Stay tuned for some AWESOME stuff coming your way, and THANK YOU again for everything! BIG HUGS TO YOU ALL!

Sneak Peeks!

Cali Sparing — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:34:35 +0000

I promise there will be a full blog post with fun stories for each and every one of these, but for now, here is a quick glimpse of what I’ve been up to the past couple of months!

Kristen & Miles : Wedding

Lacey & Jaime : Wedding

Mayes Family : Portraits

Kelsey & Taylor : Wedding Reception

Samantha & Skyler : Wedding

Groves Family : Portraits

Sarah & Corey : Wedding

Alyssa & Ross : Engagements

Knutson Family : Portraits

Jaimee & Cole : Wedding

Sarah & Will : Wedding

Kaitlyn : Senior Portraits

Hilary & Andrew : Wedding

Joseph : Senior Portraits

Leanne & Joe : Wedding

Kiosse Family {Montana Portrait Photographer}

Cali Sparing — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:53:31 +0000

Ok so I’ve been a little MIA…ok A LOT MIA! It’s that crazy time of year where I’m constantly running at 100 mph, and I still can’t keep up with everything that’s going on. I promise I have LOTS of great stuff coming from weddings, engagements, family sessions, seniors, doggies, you name it! So please hang in there a bit longer, and I will fill you in on all the things that have been going on in my crazy life. For now, I want to share some photos from a family session I did back in June (like I said…I’m playing catch up). Meet the Kiosse family. They are very near and dear to my heart. I’m going to geek out for a minute, and admit that I was Ashley’s MSU Orientation leader. Yes, I was one of those super MSU students that was really involved and welcomed students with a big smile, lots of energy (weird I know), and walking backwards around campus giving them tours. HAHA! Ashley and I hit it off right away, and once school started we began hanging out. I guess I took her, along with a group of my other orientation students, under my wing and showed them the ropes of freshman life. We became great friends, made lots of amazing college memories together, and the rest is history. Then, a little over a year ago, Ashley’s world was turned upside down when she found out her Dad had brain cancer. It rocked all of our worlds, but her Dad is a fighter, and with lots of prayers, love, and support, along with the help of a clinical study at Duke University, he has now been cancer free for 13 months. So when Ashley told me her nephews were going to be in town, along with her parents, for Father’s Day, I knew we had to do pictures. Actually it was really Ashley’s idea. She said that her Mom and Dad haven’t had their picture taken together since their wedding day, and then we both laughed out loud, and agreed it was time for some updated pictures. So off we went to a relatives house, and snapped some shots. I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to capture this family in action, and the happiness, joy, and love they have for one another. I think we all take life for granted, but sometimes we need to stop and appreciate life and all it has to offer. We never know what tomorrow holds, so live each day to the fullest. I know these guys appreciate every second they have with each other, and I love the connection they share. I know they will cherish these pictures forever. Love you guys!

Rich & Michelle : MARRIED! {Boise, Idaho Wedding Photographer}

Cali Sparing — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:33:57 +0000

I’m so lucky to be able to capture one of the happiest day of a couple’s life…especially when I’ve know them forever. I absolutely adore these two! I’ve known Rich since my freshman year in college, and he was also my husbands roommate. When he moved down to Boise after graduation, and met Michelle, I knew they were meant to be. I was so giddy when they asked me to come to Boise and be their photographer. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! The day was perfect, and full of love, support, and emotion. I even lost it during the dances, and was bawling my eyes out behind my camera. I’m just so happy to see these two together, and I was overwhelmed by the love they have for each other. Love you guys! Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

There were so many family and friends that helped to make this day special! I especially loved all the vibrant colors and decorations!

Venue: Bride’s Aunt and Uncle’s Private Residence

Catering: Le Cafe de Paris

Cake/Cupcakes: Alana Duffin

Rentals: Brown Rental

Wedding Design/Centerpieces: Liz Workland (the bride’s Mom…and she is AMAZING) and Jaime Brewer

Flowers: Christina Williams

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE :)

Cali Sparing — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:05:18 +0000

It’s official! I am looking to expand Cali Sparing Photography! I’m looking for part-time color correction/editing/office help, which could possibly involve some second shooting with me. Must have experience/passion for photography, photoshop, lightroom (basically just some computer skills!), as well as like to have FUN! Please email me your resume, some of your work, and why want to become part of my team to cali@calisparingphotography.com. Only serious applicants please!

Jamie & Nick : Meant For Each Other {Helena, MT Engagement Photographer}

Cali Sparing — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:34:28 +0000

One of the best things about my ‘job’, is that I get to capture my family. I have talked a lot about my husband’s family in past posts, and how wonderful they all are, and this post is no exception. Jamie is my sister-in-law, and I love her dearly. She is an AMAZING mother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend. I was overjoyed when she told me that her and Nick were going to get married. They have known each other since they were little, but grew up to go on separate paths. Then with a little help from God, and a splash of fate, they are together again. I know they are truly meant for each other, and I can’t wait to see what journeys lie ahead for these two lovebirds! CONGRATS again you two, and welcome to the family Nick! We did a small engagement/wedding session, and here are some of my favs from the evening