This year, I entered into the international photography contest hosted by Shoot & Share. It's the world's largest photo competiton. 74,000 people, 225,507 photos total and 32,622,327 votes cast overall crossing 149 countries. WOW, what an experience!

I was hesitant at first, questioning if I had what it took to get anywhere, and I had so much reassurance along the way from friends and family members, helping me deceipher the images I chose for entry. They allow 50 photos to enter, into 25 different catergories. I selected to put my images into 15 of those! The craziest thing to me is that it is a completely anonymous voting process, and anyone in the whole world with an internet connection can scroll through and make their selections.

Over one month's time, it was so addictiing for me- and so many others in my photography community, as well as those who helped me along the way to pick the best of four when they popped up over and over. It became so thrilling to potentially see my own images!

After this month came to a close, there was a month of rolling out results. I couldn't believe how nerve racking it was to wait. Prior to this, I'd only entered one contest ever. I was absolutely OUT OF MY MIND, blown away THAT I PLACED! 7 of my favorites made it! In the photos below I will go through the full results.

Thank you to all my amazing clients who let me have the opportunity to share their sweet moments with them- and create some beautiful images. All the support from family, friends and my photography community blew me away through these last couple months! Thanks so much ❤️ Enjoy!

Category- Children: Kids/ Teens Round 6/12Placed 5,416 out of 23,969 Siblings at the Larimer County Fairgrounds at The Ranch- Loveland, Colorado — **Category- Children: Kids/ Teens**
**Round 6/12**
**Placed 5,416 out of 23,969**
**Siblings at the Larimer County Fairgrounds at The Ranch- Loveland, Colorado**

Category- The Wedding CoupleRound 6/12Placed 7,119 out of 35,527 Wedding Couple at YMCA of the Rockies- Estes Park, Colorado — **Category- The Wedding Couple**
**Round 6/12**
**Placed 7,119 out of 35,527**
***Wedding Couple at YMCA of the Rockies- Estes Park, Colorado***

Category- People Portraits  Round 6/12Placed 4,354 out of 17,751Birthday Session at Standley Lake- Westminster, Colorado — **Category- People Portraits**
**Round 6/12**
**Placed 4,354 out of 17,751**
**Birthday Session at Standley Lake- Westminster, Colorado**

Category- Engagement & Couples Round 6/12Placed 9,294 out of 32,282 Engagement Session- Breckenridge, Colorado — **Category- Engagement & Couples**
**Round 6/12**
**Placed 9,294 out of 32,282**
**Engagement Session- Breckenridge, Colorado**

Category- Emotion and ExcitementRound 7/12Placed 1,183 out of 9,197 Vow Renewal with McGonzo Photo at Black Canyon Inn- Estes Park Colorado — **Category- Emotion and Excitement**
**Round 7/12**
**Placed 1,183 out of 9,197**
***Vow Renewal with McGonzo Photo at Black Canyon Inn- Estes Park Colorado***

Category- Styled Shoot Round 9/12Placed 854 out of 8,928 Couples Styled Shoot with Jenae Lopez Photography at Meadows at Marshdale- Evergreen, Colorado — **Category- Styled Shoot**
**Round 9/12**
**Placed 854 out of 8,928**
**Couples Styled Shoot with Jenae Lopez Photography at Meadows at Marshdale- Evergreen, Colorado**

Category- Phone Photography Round 12/12Placed 46 out of 4,330 Chevelle (Bassist Dean Bernardini) at the Boulder Theater- Boulder, Colorado — **Category- Phone Photography**
**Round 12/12**
**Placed 46 out of 4,330**
**Chevelle (Bassist Dean Bernardini)** **at the Boulder Theater- Boulder, Colorado**

A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES...

Jeff and Veronica are some of the most adorable, authentic couples I've ever photographed. They light up around each other in a way that I don't see that often. They melt into another and you can tell that they're best friends. For real guys, how beautiful are they?

A simple guitarist strumming "A dream is a wish your heart makes," had me hiding tears while their precessional started, a walk down the aisle from Veronica's brother was so touching. Some of the most heartfelt vows were exchanged as a big, blue clear sky hung open to the gorgeous Rocky Mountains behind them. "I promise to always hold your hand when we go over bridges," Jeff said. He had me laughing because I too, have a fear of them. They compliment each other so well, even with their words exchanged. I would've guessed they wrote them together. Tears were shed, family was thanked for all their love and support, and we all witnessed pure magic. After the ceremony, they kissed for me (a lot,) sang some N'sync, and the groomsmen got to walk down the mountain as t rex's. I was elated to witness their goofiness and friendships.

These cuties met in 2013 while working at a local coffee shop, and have been together for 2 years but it looks like they've been lovers much longer with the way they interacted. All the way from Indiana, they decided to make Colorado the space they would say I do in front of their closest friends and family. They enjoy visiting local coffee shops, trying new beers, pairing them with cigars (how awesome,) and all around, adventure and be the coolest two cats ever. They claim to not like picture taking, but their passion determines that that is a lie!

May the two of you have the best adventures of a lifetime, I was honored to document your magnificent souls! xoxo