Urban Downtown Wedding Portraits - Poise & Ivy Imagery, Utah Wedding Photographer

I love whenever I get sessions downtown, because this spot is so pretty! I can hardly believe it’s Utah; it looks like it could seriously be New York! The classic Roman inspired architecture has me swooning every time I'm downtown. Of course, Utah it was built more than 200 years after New York, but I love a good sense of inspiration! Not only that but the color of the stonework is so flattering that it makes my life so easy whenever I had to edit the tones in the images from the photoshoot.

These photos are often called “bridals,” but I find that that term is no longer inclusive, especially in weddings featuring two grooms, or weddings where neither party identifies as a woman. I have shifted to calling wedding formal portraits taken either on the wedding day or on a separate day “formals.” Changing my own vocabulary and terminology surrounding my work and weddings is an intentional move. I want everyone to feel loved, welcome, and celebrated here. In the industry of love everyone is welcome and to exclude anyone from that is not standing truly behind the pillar of love and acceptance. LGBTQIA rights forever.

Kenna and Spencer absolutely stunned in their chic and elevated wedding gown and suit. Spencer wears this suit so comfortably it’s like he was born in it, and Kenna could not be more of a show stopper in this gown and matching scarf.

Kenna and Spencer are professional models living in northern Utah, and it was a genuine pleasure having them in front of my lens. This photoshoot was Hosted by Beth Mac Photo and Lundyn Alexis Photo, and all images and works in this blog are my sole copyright and are images that I took, edited, and directed.

We spent time in the venue upstairs in this building, and when it was time to exit, I decided to use my flash to get these photos a late night kind of feel. I usually and often opt to use my flash when photographing exits from weddings, and so I wanted to emulate that same kind of setting here. I love how Kenna and Spencer are both well exposed, and their surroundings aren’t drowning them in shadow.

After our exit from the venue, we had a bit of light left to play with outside, so we decided to take some city formals that pull a more artistic and playful feel into the session.

Sometimes there’s a photo so good it needs to be experienced in both grayscale AND color. This was one of those for sure! Often, I try to be more selective about my editing choices because I find that each photo matters more when it stands alone, rather than as a set, but sometimes I just can’t escape the perfection of having a photo both ways.

Huge shoutout to my favorite lamppost for third wheeling on this photoshoot. Baby almost became the main character tbh haha

I actually edited these photos three times! Once was just a casual “first pass” where I apply my usual edits and say “thank you, next,” and to be completely honest that was just fine for these; they look so good on their own that if I had wanted to I’m sure I could have left it there.

But alas, I am a perfectionist.

So my second edit removed imerfections, and I took a little more charge in my creative direction over the images. After all, I am of the firm belief that post processing is 70% of what makes a photo, shooting style accounts for 10%, and the sky / weather / physical settings of the day only make up 5%, and the other 5% is the opportunity a photographer is presented with and how they access their own artistic eye.

ANYWAY, my third edit:

My usual edits with my attention to detail on the second pass were truly enough; these photos didn’t NEED a third edit…..

but I needed for them to need a third edit hahaa

If you’re not a perfectionist you might not understand, but that’s ok. The proof is really in the pudding.

You see, I decided to revisit color theory.

Again.

I usually operate using a complementary color scheme, because I appreciate the natural contrast I’m able to achieve with complementary colors without solely relying on lights and darks of an image itself, but lately I’ve been feeling drawn to a softer triadic style. Because this uses three colors instead of two, we have a more fully fleshed out coloring and a softer contrast, while still maintaining enough contrast and vibrancy to preserve the depth and visual interest that I love in my work.

Personally, I loved the “added grain” trend from a few years ago, and I think that every artistic decision has it’s place! For me, this photo needed a little extra something, and grain really did it for me. Just a little less focus, a little more vibes.

I will NEVER escape my love of golden backlit images because OMG LOOK AT THEM!!! With the low sun still bright, we were able to get truly glowing images while I told Kenna and Spencer to run around this grass. To me, these photos feel exactly like a nostalgic slow motion throwback in some documentary about a couple super in love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m so excited to get these up on my site, and to show anyone looking for elegant and timeless images that we can get these at any time of year!

Send this blog post to anyone who wants the most incredible photos of them and their beloved. I’m always honored to capture these stories!

All the love!

Ivy

Photography: Poise & Ivy Imagery
Stylists and Hosts: Lundyn Alexis Photo, Beth Mac Photo
Florals: Merci Floral
Models: Kenna and Spencer Jarman
Dress: The Dress Rental Co
Makeup: Peyton Warr Makeup