This is US!

Who are Creative Captures?

We are a Family run Photography Business.

My name is Jen. I started this company and this is my cute family. We have considered starting a YouTube Channel, because of the fun we have together, but who has the time?!? We enjoy being together and that includes working together. When Creative Captures became a reality I only photographed families. Soon I started expanding my business to Seniors, Babies and Maternity. I said I would NEVER, EVER photograph weddings. Well, I had clients keep asking and finally I decided to take the leap. I brought our son, Hayden, along with me as moral support and as my assistant. He was 11 at the time, but was great at helping grab equipment and holding reflectors for me. Then when it was time for me to upgrade my camera, I handed him my old one and said “lets see what you can do”. That was the beginning of turning this one woman show into a family company. Hayden is now my 2nd shooter to all weddings. He takes Photography courses in High School and soon I’m hoping to have him assist on editing! My husband, Geoff, also 2nd shoots when he can get away from work. Typically, we use out of town weddings as a work/play getaway for the two of us. Our oldest daughter, Kaylyn, hopes to follow in Hayden’s footsteps soon, but I’m thinking of having her run the social media aspect, since she’s very app savoy and on her phone all the time anyway.

Disneyworld 2016

As a family we enjoy traveling, particularly Disney Trips. We used to go every year, but now it’s more like every 2-3 years. I love to chat Disney, if you have any park questions please ask! (I debated on writing a Disney Parks Travel book years ago, but then started this business and again who has the time?!?!) We’re hoping to one day shoot some Disney themed weddings. Personally my dream career is to work as a Disney Fine Arts Photographer at Disneyworld. Hayden would love to work as a Disney Imagineer. My goal is to become a Disney Annual Pass Holder.

Jen

So here’s a few things about me. My name is Jen. I love Disney, Photography and Reading. Chocolate always wins over Vanilla, Sunsets over Sunrises, and Disney over Universal. I love naps (hate mornings) and workout 4-5 days a week at the gym. I don’t like to chew gum and I’m not a big candy fan, baked goods are where it’s at (brownie batter and cookie dough)! My favorite animal is a lion or Golden Retriever. I love romance/comedy movies and fiction books. I’m addicted to travel and hope to visit more places around this beautiful world in the future.

Geoff

Geoff is my husband of 20 years! When we met my senior year of high school, neither of us had plans of marriage. We were both dating other people and incredibly young. We dated for 4 months, engaged for 10 months and then married at the young ages of 19 & 20! I guess when you know, you know! Geoff started in a career in retail around that time. We did not expect him to stay in that career for 20 years, with the same company. He worked his way up the corporate ladder, making good money, but having no home life. Then, slowly his health, both physical and mental, started to decline. Ulcers, anxiety attacks, insomnia and depression found him. He realized he was not happy in the direction his life had taken. He had missed out on so much of his family life and watching his children grow……so after much discussion, prayer and thought he quit his job. We survived off savings and my photography business and 10 months later he found a career he LOVES. This is what brought us to Utah. Moving away from family and the only place Geoff had ever lived Portland, Or. It was a leap of faith, but we couldn’t be happier here. You’ll find Geoff in the gym 6 days a week or playing video games.

Hayden

Hayden is our 16 year old son. He often gets mistaken for 19. He’s responsible, smart and witty. He loves video games, the paranormal, comic book heroes and being creative. Watching this young man grow up has been an honor and the thought of only having him home for another two years, breaks this mamas heart. He has taken photography every year in high school and is currently learning Photoshop and Lightroom. I’m excited to see where his future will take him.

Kaylyn

Kaylyn is our middle child at 13 years old. She also gets mistaken for much older than she is, usually 15 or 16. She loves the beach, travel, sappy romance movies and all things girly. This girl is most happy listening to music in her room, while doing her hair and makeup. Kaylyn holds her standards high and her values true. Her friends and family all admire the person she is.

Brynley

Brynley is the baby of the family and she takes that position seriously. There are times we wish she’d act more her age, but then again she is only 10! She’s incredibly spunky and feisty. She hates peanut butter and fish, but loves all things spicy or sour. She is very crafty and enjoys creating projects. She has her Daddy’s sense of humor, but can also be very sensitive like her Mommy.

So this is us in a nutshell. When you hire me as a your photographer, you’re also getting either Hayden or Geoff, sometimes both. We’d love to work with you and get to know you, our clients.

Jen

Our happy place. Disneyworld Sept 2016

"How should I budget our Wedding Money?"

“How should I budget our Wedding Money?”

As a Wedding Photographer I hear this question often. So many options how do you choose?

Let’s start with a few questions…….

1. Do you have a set budget you and your fiance’ have agreed on?

2. What is most important to you on your day?

3. Are you paying for your wedding or is family helping?

So with those 3 questions answered now we can chat about where your budget should be spent.

I know you’re thinking I’m going to say Photography should be #1 on your list. I do agree it’s one of the top 3 things, but I’m not going to tell you what should be most important to you.

I have worked with couples who are Foodies and what they serve their guest is more important than centerpieces, flowers etc. It’s a personal decision but here’s one thing I can tell you……the only item you will have to remember the most important day of your life is the Photos and Video. I have been married 20 years and our wedding photos still hang on our wall. We still see them daily, our kids have spoke to us about them. (“Mom why was your hair so curly.” LOL it was the late 90’s what can I say?)

Here is where I believe the majority of your wedding budget should be spent and not always in this order.

#1. Venue - The location is very important. Do you want a beach, barn, ballroom or maybe a garden wedding? The location sets the tone for everything else. How many guests do you plan to invite? Do your guest mind traveling? How do you picture your guests apparel at your wedding? Do you have a theme? So much to consider.

#2. Dress - Well ofcourse the dress is important. You want to feel the most beautiful you have ever felt on this day. You want to look at those wedding photos and think “wonder where I could wear that dress again, that would be appropriate?” LOL. The Bride pictured above ROCKED her dress. It fit her perfectly and she was beautiful. Would you believe she ordered it online for $120? Can you believe that? It can be done and done well.

#3. Photography/Videography - Now this is my professional expertise. Photography captures a moment in time that you can never get back. Do you trust your Uncle or College Roomate to remember the most important day of your life? I have heard so many horror stories that break my heart of people who had a friend or family member take their wedding photos and they hate them all. They’re out of focus, the angles are weird, they missed the big events like the first kiss. I’ve had many brides contact me to do just some wedding formals long after the wedding so they can have something to display. Do you want this to be you? I like to remind my brides your guests won’t remember your centerpieces at your tables or your cake, but would you like to remember who came to your wedding? Do you want to remember the LOVE felt on that day? Photos can do that!

Please invest on your wedding day in your Photography. Shop around. Meet with photographers. See if you groove with each other. View an entire wedding album of theirs. View their portfolios. Read Reviews. Feel confident with your photographer on your wedding day. They will literally be with you for every second on your day, so make sure you like them! Sign a contract for the security of you both. Keep in contact with each other and take a sigh of relief that one big vendor is crossed off your list. Doing all these things will help your day run smooth.