Denver Photographer Kristy Rowe

Fighting for Marriage Equality in Denver Colorado

moodeous — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:46:05 +0000

This week President Obama announced his support for gay marriage, a move that to some was long overdue, to others was derisive and to most undeniably important.
Here in Colorado we’ve been watching the saga of SB-02, the Civil Union bill, make its way through the legal system. On Tuesday I attended a rally on the stairs of the State House in Denver. Around 200 people stood together asking for SB-02 to be heard on the House floor and given a fair up or down vote. Later that day the bill made its way through appropriations and to the house floor, where a vote was refused and Republicans more or less filibustered the effort late into the night. We all lost hope that night, waking on Wednesday angry at our political system.
Until rumors started flying in the late morning that the Governor, John Hickenlooper, was going to call a special session. At 1:45 on Wednesday May 9th, an emotional Hickenlooper held a press conference stating just that and urging a fair debate and vote on the House floor. The special session commences today.
At the core of this argument are families, children, people in love and many of them my friends, but certainly all of them equals. I simply can’t understand the desire to discriminate against that. I can’t understand why anyone, particularly those who identify as followers of Jesus, would deny others the rights that they have and hold dear. I don’t understand what people are scared of, how people call this a “war on marriage”. I don’t know why giving families the protections they deserve under the law can even be put to a vote. But it has.
It saddens me that Colorado is among the 29 states with discrimination (hate!) written into our constitution, defining marriage as between one man and one woman. But I hope that we can take a step in the right direction this week and make Civil Unions legal for ALL couples. My gay friends certainly deserve it, but more importantly no American should be “less than” another. That actually IS written in our Declaration of Independence.

Self Evident Truths in Denver

moodeous — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:00:15 +0000

“We challenge you to look into the faces of these people, and tell them that they deserve less than you.” Self Evident Truths

Above: Artist iO Tillet Wright with Matt from Tranifesto.

In April A Vote & A Vow* was proud to help promote and host Self Evident Truths on the Denver leg of their journey around the US to document 5,000 faces that identify on the LGBTQ spectrum. Check out their site to learn moreabout this amazing project. Denver has the distinction of being the new record for a single day of photos, capturing 101 faces! I was so moved by the variety of participants. Everyone from high school students, to families with small children, to the elderly came to stand up for equality and add their face to the project. And the best part? Many of them stayed all day becoming fast friends, sharing stories and uniting behind a movement that aims to demonstrate that we’re all cut from the same cloth and we all deserve the same protections, privileges and rights under the US constitution, regardless of our sexual identity. Because really. Who can say they’re 100% anything, except human.

Tattoo above reads: “on ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. ” Translated, it’s from The Little Prince: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Above Left: Mile High Gay Guy and Matt from Tranifesto. Thanks for helping promote you guys!

Over the course of the day we realized we were very close to beating the (former) record of 95 faces in one day. I’m beyond thrilled that Denver showed up in force. and created a new record Self Evident Truth captured 101 faces on their Denver stop! The 101 first face above and his gorgeous hands below. Oh and Kashi reacting hitting our goal!

Above left to right, Kashi & iO of Self Evident Truths.

*Something that’s incredibly important to me is equality for the LGBT community. And because I’m a wedding photographer, marriage equality is very high on that list. You can find out more about that over at avoteandavow.com where I’m working with my fantastic partner in crime, Jessica, to provide a national list of resources for same-sex couples planning their wedding.

Dad & A Take a Trip to the Park – Curtis Park Denver Family Portraits

moodeous — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:17 +0000

I love this adorable family portrait series of Dad and daughter. We took their rad bike to Curtis Park for a family photo session and had a wonderful time playing and biking!

Candid Family Portraits – Cheeseman Park Denver Colorado

moodeous — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:00:55 +0000

A quick sneak peak of some photos from one of my Week of Love photo shoot giveaway winners! This family was super sweet and we had tons of fun creating their family portraits. More on that soon!

Studio Maternity Photographs – Denver, Colorado

moodeous — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:00:37 +0000

It’s so exciting when wedding clients return and ask me to document the next stage in their lives! For this studio based maternity shoot we first collaborated via Pinterest boards to determine the type of pregnancy photographs the couple wanted. Since they’re both in the field of medicine they wanted to highlight the human body and it’s changes during pregnancy. We decided on a classic maternity session shot in studio and converted to black and white art prints. I love the drama and beauty of these shots and how they highlight the gorgeous expectant mother’s belly.

Casey & Luke’s Downtown Denver Urban Engagement Shoot

moodeous — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:00:52 +0000

When I met Casey and Luke in Denver for this shoot they told me that their friends tease them for being so adorable. Turns out, they deserve it. They are so sweet together and from what I hear their upcoming nuptials are a long time coming! Thanks you guys for being so awesome. I love shooting in downtown Denver and I hope you love the contrast of these urban shots to your Iowa wedding. Best wishes!

At the end of the night Casey and Luke took a carriage ride to relive one of their first dates in Denver. I hear Luke’s a bit of a romantic and I know Casey is a very lucky lady!

Winter 2012 – Shot on Film

moodeous — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:00:33 +0000

Old 35mm film and an old Topcon Besler Super D with a light leak.

“Don’t be afraid.

Continue to show up.

If the divine cockeyed genius in charge of your case decides to show up. Then, ole’!”

Quote from somewhere I didn’t write down…

Megan + Nate – An Intimate Wedding at Hotel Teatro Denver

moodeous — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:00:49 +0000

I’m so stoked to share Megan and Nate’s Hotel Teatro wedding in downtown Denver, because it’s intimate in the most lovely way, while also beautiful and emotional. And as Megan said when she and I met for the first time “perfectly imperfect”. Enjoy

Since their families were far away lots of sweet notes, texts, and skype chats were exchanged so everyone could be part of the day! Megan picked up these fun props for the wedding. Since they had such a small guest list everyone got to be in a photo and use the props. I love the urban Denver backdrop and the gorgeous awnings of the Hotel Teatro in this shot.

The fine young gentleman in these photos is Nate’s son. Megan said beautiful vows to him during the ceremony that made me cry. They were so moving and perfect, she’s going to be a fabulous Step-Mom!

Megan set aside extra time to visit Denver’s Larimer Square for some awesome night portraits. I love how they came out!

Luke + Liz: A Denver Wedding in 50 Frames

moodeous — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:00:50 +0000

Recently, I had the pleasure of shooting with the fabulous Ryan Olsen. Ryan’s clients Liz & Luke had a fantastic event down at District 475 in Centennial. It was my first time shooting at the location, which is always fun for me because I get to explore and see things in a totally new way. Ryan and his clients had picked out some amazing locations for photography so I can only take credit for my eye, not for the poses, direction, locations or anything else! I decided it would be fun to try and tell Liz & Luke’s entire wedding story in just 50 frames. Don’t miss the emotional moment as Luke walks up behind Liz for their first look. So sweet!

A Favorite Place: Las Vegas

moodeous — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:00:20 +0000

We went to Las Vegas to surprise someone very dear to us. The week was indulgent, happy, beautiful. We are the lucky ones.

2 little whos by E. E. Cummings

2 little whos
(he and she)
under are this
wonderful treesmiling stand
(all realms of where
and when beyond)
now and here(far from a grown
-up i&you-
ful world of known)
who and who

(2 little ams
and over them this
aflame with dreams
incredible is)