destination wedding photographer – Jeremiah Andrews Photography

Our Stunning Pacific Northwest … THE Ideal Destination Photography Backdrop

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If you live in the panhandle of Idaho, you have probably parroted a variation of a famous Mark Twain quote without ever realizing it. “If you don’t like the weather in __________, just wait a few minutes.” I know we have teasingly uttered this phrase countless times during photo sessions hoping to calm anxious clients in the face of foreboding skies.

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The truth is … weather in the Pacific Northwest is predictably unpredictable, and the show must go on regardless. Just this past month we experienced blistering heat, menacing hail, torrential rain, freezing winds, and perfect calm … sometimes all in the same 24 hour period. Fortunately, the brides and grooms we work with not only understand this meteorological volatility, but embrace it!

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Clients who hire us to capture their family, engagement, or wedding photographs enjoy stunning, natural surroundings, and want those surroundings to be the backdrop for their special event. Some clients are local to Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington, and some choose to create a destination engagement or wedding celebration here because of the natural beauty. But, all of these good folks are willing to smile in the face of whatever Mother Nature dishes out.

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Whether high atop blustery Mt. Spokane (Washington) … wading through a sun-soaked field of daisies in Sandpoint, Idaho … indulging in fanciful dress-up in a salvage yard on the outskirts of Hayden Lake, Idaho … or laughing together along the shimmering waters of Priest Lake (Idaho) … our clients’ stories of love and life come alive in the images we capture throughout this breathtaking region.

We understand, our images aren’t run of the mill … but neither are our clients.

In fact, we strive to blaze an exciting new path in the world of commonplace, copy-cat Pinterest images. We are here to do photographic justice for the playful couple who love Star Wars almost as much as they love each other … the bride wearing a hoodie over her wedding dress while eating s’mores by a lake-side campfire … and the groom who whisks his bride off after their wedding ceremony in his vintage single-prop airplane. We celebrate their gusto and we honor them with images as vivid as the lives they lead!

After all … love is alive, and adventurous, and gritty, and awe-inspiring! The Pacific Northwest embodies these qualities and never ceases to impress all of one’s senses. We are truly fortunate to work and live in such a magical region.

When you are ready to share your love with the world, (be it here, there, or anywhere in between,) call Jeremiah Andrews Photography to capture the images of your priceless memories!

Until then … be well and safe travels,

Jeremiah & Shaunna

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Summer Lovin’ … Coeur d’Alene Resort Style

As we chat with engaged couples about their ideal wedding, whether it is a no-holes-barred destination extravaganza or an intimate and charming soiree, the topic of wedding ceremony and reception location is a key point.

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Anyone familiar with the greater Spokane area, Coeur d’Alene, and the gorgeous surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape knows that we are fortunate to have bountiful options for event sites. But how does an engaged couple decide on one location from such a lengthy list of wonderful wedding venue options? Some couples opt for travel convenience, others are sold on amenities, and most consider venue price before locking in their venue choice.

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As breathtaking as many of these options are (and there are some doozies out there for sure) it is difficult to imagine a more elegant setting for a lavish celebration than overlooking majestic Lake Coeur d’Alene at the Lakeview Terrace in the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

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One of our favorite weddings to photograph this past summer was for a stunning raven-haired bride named Gloria, and her dashing groom, Greg. It just so happens that this wedding and reception were hosted by the couple at the rooftop Lakeview Terrace.

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We wanted to give you a peak at their beautiful wedding day images in case you needed to get your own creative juices flowing for a special event site or wedding venue choice.

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As photographers, we love to introduce the couple (and wedding party) to multiple, close-by, locations in which to take photographs. This varied scenery offers a chance for the couple’s personality to shine, as well as bringing different artistic elements into play for their wedding images.

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In the case of Gloria and Greg’s wedding, we chose to hide out from the strong mid-day sun with a walk through the Fort Sherman city park (adjacent to the Coeur d’Alene Resort). In true serendipitous fashion, we were even able to take photographs in front of the building in which the bride and groom met for the first time. Super romantic!

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Of course, artistic photography and a stunning backdrop do not create a flawless wedding by themselves … it takes a village of hard-working matrimonial professionals to pull that off! This day was no different. We want to give proper dues to the talented team who contributed to making this couple’s dream come to life:

Venue: Lakeview Terrace – Coeur d’Alene Resort
Photography: Jeremiah Andrews Photography
Videography: Crain Studios
Hair: Bombshell Salon
Make-Up: SJL Make Up Artistry
Catering: Coeur d’Alene Resort
Sound & DJ: Big Daddy
Live Music: Bill Bosley

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We hope you enjoy these images as much as we enjoyed creating them! We also wish Gloria, Greg, and their sweet family luck and love in the life they will create together.

All the best … from us to you!

Jeremiah & Shaunna

Newsletter: January 22, 2016

Read the January 22, 2016 Newsletter Here

Young couple under fruit tree in romantic summer wedding

In this issue:

Image of the Week: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Romantic Summer Wedding
Featured Local Business: Selkirk Abbey Brewing – Post Falls, Idaho
Must-try Recipe: Thai Green Curry Chicken Stir Fry
Travel Dreamin’: Havana, Cuba
World in Pics: Rock Legend Glenn Frey Dies

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The dishes can wait … GO with your husband!

If you know us… or have ever read any of our blogs… you know that we travel together. A lot. I may even be so bold as to say that we ‘adventure’ together more than most couples.

I firmly believe that our shared love for travel, culture, music, theater, and other such adventures is one of the cornerstones of our strong bond.

This past weekend, during the reception of Zach & Kyla’s stunning Stinson Beach, California destination wedding, we heard this sentiment echoed in a simple toast. Zach’s grandmother waited patiently until all other well-wishers had raised a glass in honor of the couple before standing to offer her simple (yet profound) advice. She turned directly to the new bride as if the two were alone chatting over coffee and sweetly said, “Honey, when your husband has somewhere he needs to go and he wants you to join him… Go! Leave the dishes in the sink, and the laundry can wait. Your husband, however, shouldn’t. If you don’t go with him, someone else may.”

Admittedly, this statement was met with a mixed bag of giggles and cheers. After all, we don’t hear advice like this often enough these days. Her statement wasn’t meant to be a threat; quite the opposite is true!

This (grand)motherly advice was a not-so-subtle reminder to nurture (far into the future) the commitment made during the couple’s wedding ceremony. Most married couples can attest that the single-minded focus placed on our spouse prior to exchanging nuptials can diminish once real-life timelines, deadlines, and obligations become permanent, daily fixtures. Under such circumstances even the strongest bonds can become frail. Grandma’s advice? Don’t let it happen! Become, and remain, partners. Each hugely supportive and an integral part of the other’s life experiences.

While I may not lose much sleep over undone laundry anyway… my take-away message from these sage words was the same. Learn about each other, experience new things together, see the world together (even if you never get beyond your own backyard), grow individually and encourage your spouse’s growth, develop inside jokes, and never (ever) stop giving your all to the person you chose to spend your life with.

Take the time needed to actively love your significant other… to nurture the living, dynamic entity that is your relationship. Remember that the time you have with this person is a precious gift; act accordingly. Or, (as Grandma warns) someone else may.

The joys of being a destination wedding photographer far exceed the beauty of the ceremony location and celebratory experience of the reception. We are exhilarated and honored when we are able to share these candid and loving moments. They strengthen us as a couple and deepen our appreciation for love found, won, and kept true.

Until next time,

Jeremiah & Shaunna

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Oh, the places we go …

You wouldn’t believe the number of comments we get while out and about, “You are always on the go! So busy! How do you find time to work?” It’s true. We are always on the go, but… surprise, surprise… we aren’t always just playing.

In truth, we intentionally try to find ways to bridge the work-fun gap by playing while we work.

I know, mind = blown, right? After all, who can actually pull off having a blast while they work? Um… a destination lifestyle photographer, that’s who. Want to see a little bit of what that looks like? Okay, come on… let’s go!

Last weekend’s mid-September shoot was an engagement session for some very dear friends, Jamie and Andrew. When approached with the idea of piggybacking their engagement photo session onto a weekend hike into Goldbug Hot Springs (located near Salmon, Idaho) we were all in! We have been wanting to explore some of the amazing hot springs nestled on and around the Snake River and this trip was the perfect excuse… I mean, reason.

Since this was not just a “fun” hiking trip, we had to be mindful to pack our equipment carefully into our main packs. Yup, you guessed it… our beer reserve suffered for the cause of lightening our packs’ weight. After all, we planned to hike, with full backpacks, the whole 3-4 miles into the hot springs and camp for three days. We needed to bring only the essentials… and 40 pounds of “essentials” consisted of camera gear alone. Thankfully, the late summer Idaho/Montana weather was on our side. Bathing suits, Chocos, and sweatshirts to stave off the evening chill completed our weekend wardrobe.

The hike in was challenging… and breathtakingly remarkable. So worth it! Goldbug’s hot springs did not disappoint; there must have been almost a dozen tiered pools with varying combinations of hot and cold rushing spring water. To say that sitting on the top of a mountain, basking in the warm summer sun, eating fresh foods/drinking local beers, and taking pictures of a beautiful couple full of love is “work” is not 100% true… but it is truly a perk to my profession.

During the photo session we needed to be mindful of all of the things that go into producing beautiful images for the couple, as well as keeping water out of the cameras… very, very careful.

Jamie and Andrew were wonderfully spontaneous and fun, fun, fun! Their personalities shone through so easily. We didn’t have to coax kisses or love out of these two.

Now that the weekend is over and we are back to day-to-day life we get to reflect on the wonderful benefits of being a destination photographer. We really do get to see some amazing sights… and, oh my, the wonderful places we go!

We should mention, the support system we have at home is unparalleled. Our friends, family, and even grown children rally around us and help keep everything from falling apart while we embark on our photography journeys… we know we couldn’t do all of this without all of them!

So what’s to be learned from this? Maybe, sharing our adventures will prompt others to get out and explore. Perhaps someone will realize that “jobs” don’t have to drain you, they can feed your soul too. Whatever the case, we hope that our images and exploits bring enjoyment and laughter to all they touch. Go on… live every moment… laugh every day… love deeply… and take lots of pictures!

~Jeremiah & Shaunna

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Destination Wedding: LaCrosse, Wisconsin

Last weekend, while my friends and family were enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest’s early start to summer weather, I boarded an airplane for La Crosse, Wisconsin.

“Why in the world are you going to Wisconsin?” you ask. To photogrph my favorite kind of wedding … a destination wedding … I say!

While I love to take photographs in and around the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane areas, I am always super stoked when I have the opportunity to join a wedding party in another state (or country) on their special day. This was just such an occasion!

It all started in early Spring 2014 when my fun-loving bride and groom (Matt and Kelly) drove over four hours from their home in Montana to have me shoot their engagement photographs. What a rad couple! We had many laughs throughout the day and realized that we all shared a love of fine spirits and beer … these are my kind of quality folks.

We instantly hit it off and had a blast during the photo session. The couple was surprised to learn that I encourage out-of-town wedding inquiries. In fact, I like to remind people to consider hiring me (a photographer they are already familiar with and trust) for destination wedding events. Often times the price paid to me for my photography session and travel is LESS than hiring an unknown photographer at the destination location.

Wherever I travel I try to find interesting ways to catch some of the local culture and night life. I was stoked to be able to catch a Devil Makes Three and Old Crow Medicine Show concert the night I flew into town.

These bands rocked and the Vetter Stone Amphitheater in Mankato, Minnesota is an awesome venue. I highly suggest both.

My bride and groom-to-be were perfect in every way! Matt and Kelly graciously invited me to share the fun of their rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, and made me feel like ‘one of the gang’. I got to experience some great fun and lots of really flavorful craft beers.

The day of the ceremony went off without a hitch. The bridal party and I took our time playing and taking pictures. We spent a good portion of the day off gallivanting even before the ceremony’s festivities began.

The couple was spontaneous and gladly let me work my creative magic. I feel that the images I delivered of their day show the true celebratory vibe of their special day. With very little direction, Kelly and Matt knew I would deliver a product that was beautiful, joyful, and captured their love for each other. I have to say that I believe we ended up with just what they wanted.

We traveled in a party bus (super fun, by the way) to multiple breweries, and even stopped along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and greenery.

We had lots of time to incorporate quirky picture settings and take candid shots of the bride, groom, and wedding party outside of the formal ceremony. This is so important for a couple like this who wanted to make a day of the celebration. This was their day and they loved every minute of it.

During the ceremony and reception I could really feel the love and happiness that wrapped around the couple. They are blessed to be supported and cared for in such a deep and meaningful way. By the way, did I mention that these people could get their groove on? Oh, yeah. That happened!

Thank you again to Matt and Kelly for making my trip to La Crosse such a blast! I am a lucky guy to get to spend time with cool lovebirds like them, and capture amazing portrait memories for them in the process.

This is why I love being a destination wedding photographer!

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