Colorado Springs Photographer Blog
Oceanside California Street Photography by Colorado Springs Photographer
I took my shoes off and walked in the sand, the waves reaching my toes only every so often. Me keeping my distance from anything major that might pull me (I am not too fond of big waves, hence my overreaction, haha). Everyone with a camera stopped and chatted with me. If you have a camera while traveling, you have a friend. I really enjoyed the me time for reflection and solitude.
In October, I was able to travel to Oceanside California due to another photography obligation. I had booked an Airbnb for my stay. A beyond cute little vintage RV (you can find it here). While there I took a full day to myself and walked down to the shoreline.
I took my shoes off and walked in the sand, the waves reaching my toes only every so often. Me keeping my distance from anything major that might pull me (I am not too fond of big waves, hence my overreaction, haha). Everyone with a camera stopped and chatted with me. If you have a camera while traveling, you have a friend. I really enjoyed the me time for reflection and solitude.
Here are some favorites from my time in Oceanside.
Click Magazine for Female Photographers: Why I Love It
Click Magazine from Click and Company is a publication for female photographers by female photographers. Featured sessions, curated stories, gear reviews, education and more, Click Magazine is a must have. Colorado Photographer, Wild Prairie Photography talks about the magazine and why she loves it.
Are you looking for a publication that supports female artists, encourages growth and success, publishes meaningful articles written by female leaders in the photography industry as well as keeps you up on the latest with gear reviews? Click magazine delivers all of this and more to your mailbox (digital subscriptions too) on a bi monthly basis.
Click mag is a different kind of photography magazine. One that will inspire you to create, to take chances and to bring out your inner “you can do it” voice.
Reasons why I love Click:
Innovative. Articles are written about a variety of topics that are not run of the mill. That is refreshing.
Personal. I often see the names of my photog friends when reading through the magazine which is so cooool.
Relevant. Because it is written by women, Click approaches their publication from a women’s point of view. Full of power, love and strength.
Beautiful. Can we just talk about the images in the mag for a sec? Wow. Drop dead gorgeous. Click is curated magnificently.
Affordable. At only $22. a year, it’s just a good deal.
Click is one of a kind and brought to you by a team of amazingly talented female photographers.
Want to subscribe? Click this link to get going! https://subscribe.pcspublink.com/sub/subscribe.aspx?guid=33584d6d-7014-4bc0-afea-75521bba88bf
ARE YOU STILL READING? GOOD! BECAUSE I AM GIVING AWAY A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO CLICK MAGAZINE! HEAD OVER TO THE POST ABOUT CLICK ON MY INSTAGRAM @WILD_PRAIRIE_PHOTOGRAPHY OR FACEBOOK PAGE AND TAG A FRIEND TO ENTER! ENTRIES CLOSE MAY 30TH. WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL.
My cat and I love Click and I know you will too!
Colorado Springs Newborn Photographer: Williams Family Welcomes Baby K
It was just a few short days after Colorado Springs endured a blizzard and the side roads were still partly covered in ice that I made my way to the cozy home of Kristen and Mark to meet their sweet baby, Mr. K. Born at St. Francis Medical Center the week prior, the family was settling into their new routine. I was invited to document the love that was abound. Upon arriving, Kristens dad, Grandpa Dean, welcomed me inside and I could tell this session would be one for the books. Lovely light, lovely family and the sweetest, most perfect boy. The Williams’ home was warm and full of the kind of love you look for in story books.
On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.
It was just a few short days after Colorado Springs endured a blizzard and the side roads were still partly covered in ice that I made my way to the cozy home of Kristen and Mark to meet their sweet baby, Mr. K. Born at St. Francis Medical Center the week prior, the family was settling into their new routine. I was invited to document the love that was abound. Upon arriving, Kristens dad, Grandpa Dean, welcomed me inside and I could tell this session would be one for the books. Lovely light, lovely family and the sweetest, most perfect boy. The Williams’ home was warm and full of the kind of love you look for in story books. Calmly, Kristen and Mark cradled their sweet son and you could just see the love radiate from their souls. Moose, their ever so much loved cat, was never too far behind as we moved from room to room in their home. She was curious who this person was taking photos of her boy. Ever watchful and protective.
I was so excited to get back home and edit the images of the love I witnessed. Eager to share with them what I see when I look at them. Overjoyed with love and peace, I said a goodbye to the family and made the journey back to my computer to bring their story to life. The story of a beautiful and perfect baby boy.
Colorado Springs Branding Video Model Call for Families
Colorado Springs Photographer, Sandy Patterson is looking for a model family to have a family photography session in the brand film being created for Wild Prairie Photography.
Hello everyone!! I am pleased to announce that I am having a brand film made for Wild Prairie Photography!! The purpose of the model call is to find a family that would love to model for me for this film! The filming will take place on June 20th, 2018 between 6 and 8ish, possibly later. I am looking for a family of four. Any combination of parents is fine (we are inclusive over here!) and two kiddos whose ages range from 3-6 (but feel free to reach out if your kiddos are slightly older or younger) is the ideal model family for this project. This application will stay up for a week or two and then I will review all of the families who would like to do the model call!
The session will take place in Colorado Springs and have mountain views. To thank the model family for their time, I will be giving them their entire gallery as well as access to the brand film to share and a photomontage of their session with me for free. Thank you, thank you!
It is important to me that the model family chosen is open to allowing me to style their wardrobe. This could involve using clothing you already have if you fit the style I am looking for, or purchasing clothing for the session. I will be there every step of the way with your clothing choices to make sure your look is flawless and the film is amazing!
To let me know you are interested in your family modeling for me, please fill out the form below. Thank you so much to everyone and much love!! <3
-Sandy
P.S. Applications for this model call are now closed. Look for the video coming soon!
The Train That Gave Me Power – Ringling Bros. Circus in Colorado Springs
Still life photography is one of those things that just doesn't happen often for me. My kiddos are generally always with me or I am elbow deep in schoolwork or tasks for my business. Sometimes though, sometimes I get to take the time to adventure and go beyond my comfort zone. Those are the times I live for. That is where the drive is.
In 2015, when I first moved to Colorado, I remember arriving in Colorado Springs. My path took me towards downtown under the Uintah bridge. I had just spent the last five years of my life on an isolated ranch in the middle of nowhere Nebraska and the sight of a giant shiny CIRCUS train stopped on the bridge was more than my brain could process. This stuff actually exists? I was in awe. Dumbstruck. I had to document this.
The next morning I got up at 5 am and journeyed down to the tracks where the train sat. Focusing on the details of the train, rather than the fact that it was a circus train, was the goal. To tell the story of the metal boxes. In 2016, when the circus and train came back to town, I revisited the metal beast again, this time with a fancy new camera in tow. I tried to take myself back to the day I moved to town. It worked, and something else happened in the process.
When I was photographing the train, I didn’t realize that the set of images created a statement within my soul. To me, they symbolize something beyond what I even knew when I was creating them. A new start. A fresh journey. Hope. Happiness. They mark the turning of a page and the strength of being on my own. I was a woman finally free. Free of the hands that bound me. Free to adventure in life without someone trying to derail your every move. I can do that just fine on my own, thanks. Everyone stumbles, but keeping someone in place just to do it just isn’t the same.
Still life photography is one of those things that just doesn't happen often for me. My kiddos are generally always with me or I am elbow deep in schoolwork or tasks for my business. Sometimes though, sometimes I get to take the time to adventure and go beyond my comfort zone. Those are the times I live for. That is where the drive is.
In 2015, when I first moved to Colorado, I remember arriving in Colorado Springs. My path took me towards downtown under the Uintah bridge. I had just spent the last five years of my life on an isolated ranch in the middle of nowhere Nebraska and the sight of a giant shiny CIRCUS train stopped on the bridge was more than my brain could process. This stuff actually exists? I was in awe. Dumbstruck. I had to document this.
The next morning I got up at 5 am and journeyed down to the tracks where the train sat. Focusing on the details of the train, rather than the fact that it was a circus train, was the goal. To tell the story of the metal boxes. In 2016, when the circus and train came back to town, I revisited the metal beast again, this time with a fancy new camera in tow. I tried to take myself back to the day I moved to town. It worked, and something else happened in the process.
When I was photographing the train, I didn’t realize that the set of images created a statement within my soul. To me, they symbolize something beyond what I even knew when I was creating them. A new start. A fresh journey. Hope. Happiness. They mark the turning of a page and the strength of being on my own. I was a woman finally free. Free of the hands that bound me. Free to adventure in life without someone trying to derail your every move. I can do that just fine on my own, thanks. Everyone stumbles, but keeping someone in place just to do it just isn’t the same.
The circus and the circus train are no longer in service, and that's okay with me. I have this set of images that no one will ever be able to take away. I have a memory attached to the giant metal boxes. Boxes that pave the way for new life. Boxes that used to bring joy, town by town. Steadily moving towards a new destination. When I look at them, I do not just see a set of still-life images. I see my life. Renewed, healthy, and just like the train; moving forward. Inch by inch. As the heavy train starts to move, with it’s slow but steady pace, you think, will it ever get up to speed? Then, when it reaches its full power, the train becomes an arrow, difficult to stop without some force.
That is me. Moving forward with such gusto that it would be difficult for someone to stop me in my tracks.
I want to share with you the power of symbolic hope. The train that I captured created a sense of renewed power and drive for me. Trains are heavy, oh so heavy, but they are also powerful and full of might. Difficult to start but even more difficult to stop, I look to the train as my reminder that I too am like a locomotive. You can't stop me. Not without a fight.
Women’s March in Colorado Springs – January 21, 2017
January 21, 2017 Womens March on Colorado Springs. Downtown Acacia Park.
THE WOMEN'S MARCH ON COLORADO SPRINGS. A SISTER MARCH THAT JOINED ALONG WITH WASHINGTON DC IN 2017. DOCUMENTED.
Mama Ain’t Got No Green Thumb
Trying to figure out how to grow green plants in Colorado was a journey to say the least.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS WITH ME AND PLANTS BUT I ALWAYS KILL THEM. NOT THIS TIME. SUCCULENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SUPER DUPER HARDY SO MAMA DON'T NEED NO GREEN THUMB TO MAKE EM' GROW. HOPEFULLY.
Pueblo Drive-In Sunset with Colorado Springs Photographer
Summer nights spent at the Mesa Drive in located in Pueblo Colorado are the best nights. Sunsets that are golden and warm and all the goodies you can think of from the stands.
WE LOVE TO TAKE TRIPS TO THE DRIVE-IN. CUDDLED UP IN BLANKETS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. SNEAKING IN OUR OWN CANDY AND DRINKS BUT STILL SPLURGING ON THE FUNNEL CAKE FRIES (YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT). WEEKNIGHT VISITS ARE THE BEST. UNCLUTTERED, QUIET, AND LOVELY.
