Welcome to Colorado Springs Daily Photo!


Hi, I'm Tamera, a professional wedding, portrait and boudoir photographer in Colorado Springs. But this blog isn't about my professional work; no, it's a daily love note to my beautiful city, where I've lived for most of my life. I love it here and I hope you enjoy seeing Colorado Springs through my eyes and lens!

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31 December 2010

Farewell, 2010!


It's the last day of 2010! What a crazy, eventful and fun year it's been. I think I'll cap it off with this photo I took Christmas night on Wood Avenue, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in our city. We didn't have a white Christmas, but the weather for the last 12 hours has more than made up for it. I've been housebound thanks to the blizzardy conditions; no chance to go outside and take any pictures, so please enjoy this one.

Have a safe and fun New Year's celebration -- I'll see you in 2011!

30 December 2010

A new restaurant!


Look what I found! A new restaurant! I found this tapateria while doing some last minute Christmas shopping in Old Colorado City. I had to snap of picture of their stylish facade and signage to remind myself to go back and enjoy it sometime (and also to show you lovely readers, of course). But now having located their website and checked out the menu, I'm amending sometime to as soon as possible!

P.S. I just found a rave review of the place here: http://www.gazette.com/articles/tapas-109635-tapateria-small.html. I'm definitely going to check out this little restaurant in the very near future!

29 December 2010

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An artful display at one of my favorite local boutiques, Colorado Co-op.

28 December 2010

Castle Rock


Castle Rock is a small bedroom community about 20 miles south of Denver and 4o miles north of Colorado Springs. Since my best friend Jennifer lives in Denver and I live here, Castle Rock is a nice middle ground meeting place. Funny how we've never thought of that before! I guess we can start a new tradition as of Sunday, the day after Christmas, because we decided to split the difference and meet there to exchange gifts -- at the Castle Cafe, to be exact, which is a cool old restaurant/bar in the heart of Castle Rock's tiny downtown. The building dates back to Colorado's gold rush days, and it's a great place to grab a burger and a beer. Jenn and I had a nice time catching up over just that.

27 December 2010

The Antlers-Hilton

The facade of the Antlers-Hilton, on Cascade and Pikes Peak, gets a little dressed up every Christmas. Our largest downtown hotel, it used to be called the Antlers Doubletree, which explains the large silhouettes of two trees affixed to the building (I guess they never bothered to update the holiday decorations after the hotel changed hands to the Hilton group). Before that it was just the Antlers, and it's been a fixture of our downtown for generations. Built in 1883 by our city's founder, General William Jackson Palmer, it was intended as a resort for the well-heeled and has remained an upscale hotel ever since. Here is how it originally looked:

Unfortunately the original structure burned to the ground on October 1st, 1898, and was rebuilt. Here is the second incarnation, which I think was quite gorgeous:


Alas, in the name of progress this beautiful structure was torn down in 1964, and rebuilt to look like this (sigh):


It had a little cosmetic upgrade in the '90s, but still I think either of the two earlier versions are far more preferable! Although I must say that, even though the exterior lacks the charm of its ancestors, the interior of the Antlers Hotel is still luxurious and upmarket, and I've shot many a beautiful wedding there over the years.

26 December 2010

The eclipse


On Monday, December 20th I shot a wedding all day, and when I got home I was extremely tired. I had forgotten that there was going to be an eclipse that night until all my friends on Facebook started posting pictures every other minute. Still, I was too exhausted to go out in the yard and witness this wondrous event. But Pat pestered me endlessly! Finally I agreed to go outside at about 1:30am, and since I had a bunch of cameras within arm's reach I grabbed one on the way out. I'm glad I did. The moon looked incredible! I snapped off a few frames (which isn't easy when your eyes are so bleary you can't see straight, your arms feel like noodles, and your lower back is screaming -- basically how I feel after every wedding!). For you photography buffs: Nikon D700, 80-200 f:2.8 @ f:3.5, 1/100 of a second, ASA 6400, manually focused and handheld. Oh and cropped quite a lot.

25 December 2010

Merry Christmas!


Today's the big day! By now, all the gifts have been opened and you're probably well on your way to a food coma. Since we celebrated our Christmas yesterday thanks to Pat's work schedule, I'm at home just relaxing in my brand new luxurious pajamas :o) Hmmm, maybe a nap is in order...

I'll leave you with this image of a bewreathed, shockingly pink tow truck, captured a couple of days ago next to the
China Village restaurant. Merry Christmas everyone! Hope all your Christmas dreams came true!

23 December 2010

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory


Christmas is creeping up on us! Hmmm, maybe creeping is not quite the right word. It's more like Christmas is screaming toward us at warp speed. That's more accurate, don't you think? I for one am busier than ever. With many business associates on my list to thank this holiday season, I paid a visit to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on Colorado and 25th over the weekend, to pick up some goodies. It's a very popular place this time of year!

18 December 2010

O Christmas Tree


Last night I went to a cocktail party at my friend Stephanie's place. She's a fellow photographer, which means she's got a strong creative streak just like me. I love the chic loft she shares with her husband. But since the space is somewhat limited, there's no room for a big Christmas tree. This is Stephanie's creative solution. Isn't it cool?

17 December 2010

Ringing a bell for Christmas giving


Yesterday was cold, cold, cold! And snow was predicted, so everyone made a mad rush for the grocery store to stock up on basics, lest they get stuck at home with no milk. As for me, I needed a few supplies for the studio so I visited King Soopers at Uintah Gardens. The place was a madhouse. There was a Salvation Army bell ringer outside their doors when I went in, and by the time I left he had moved his operation into the foyer to get out of the cold. Smart man! I always put a little change in the bucket when I see a bell ringer. I may not be rich, but I can afford to let my spare change go to a good cause when I have an opportunity to do so. The bell ringers make it so easy to give.

This fellow was really nice and cheerful despite the cold. He told me that he's survived eight heart attacks (!!!), is one of twelve siblings and is a grandfather of 20. My goodness! Well, here's to many more happy Christmases for him and all of you!

16 December 2010

Tony's


On Tuesday night my brother and I dropped into Tony's for a beer. We sat at the end of the bar, where I snapped this picture. Look at it, you'd never know that the place was jam-packed, we could barely find a seat! I've been told that my photographs can be a little remote. Well here's your proof. I quite unintentionally made a crowded bar look empty.

15 December 2010

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Last night my brother Chuck treated me to dinner at SeƱor Manuel's, and afterward we went for a beer at Tony's on Tejon Street. I grabbed a quick snap before we went in.

14 December 2010

An unexpected birthday present


Yesterday was my birthday, and one of the presents I received was this beautiful sunset from Mother Nature. This was just outside my studio door, can you believe it? I love Colorado Springs!

12 December 2010

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A row of gorgeous cowboy boots at Lorig's Western Wear. Wouldn't you love to have any of these fabulous bootsies on your tootsies?

11 December 2010

Lorig's Western Wear


My birthday is coming up in a couple of days. I told Pat I'd like some cowboy boots for my present, since I don't own a pair. I think that's kind of pathetic. I've lived in Colorado for over 30 years. At some point it becomes a moral imperative to own a piece of western wear if you live here. Don't get me wrong, I've owned cowboy boots in the past, and somewhere in a closet I've got a rumpled old cowboy hat.

The place to buy western wear in Colorado Springs is Lorig's, which has been around for generations. A couple of years ago they moved to a new location near my house. Handy! I've never been in Lorig's before. I was so impressed. They had the most amazing selection of beautiful boots. I fell in love with all of them! I tried on many pairs, but unfortunately I do not have the kind of feet that take kindly to cowboy boots (a little wide, and a very high instep -- cowboy boots just absolutely kill me), so I did not walk out of Lorig's with a pair. Sigh. But it sure was fun trying them on!

09 December 2010

It's getting to be that time of year!


Another quickie out-the-car-window picture, snapped a few nights ago while we were out furniture shopping. This Santa figure tops a Christmas tree lot on Academy and Union. I thought he looked very cheery up there! I haven't even started Christmas shopping yet. How about you?

08 December 2010

Recycling


Pat and I used to have curbside recycling, but since we switched to a cheaper waste disposal company we have to do it ourselves. So when we reach critical mass with the paper and plastics, we load up the truck and off we go to the bins at Waste Management over by the dog track. Usually there are lots of other good citizens there performing the same chore as we are. It's a very popular spot. That's always good to see!

Here are the bins by night, illumintated by the headlights of Pat's truck and the truck behind us. I thought they had a nice rhythm to them.

07 December 2010

A Filipino snack


Yesterday I went to the sari-sari store (Filipino market) on Chelton and Academy, to buy supplies for a big Filipino dinner I was planning on cooking for some friends. As I was paying for my purchase I noticed these eggs on the counter next to me. No, those are not pretty Easter eggs. They're balut, a popular snack in the Philippines (and for heaven's sake do not click on the link unless you're really, really curious!). Even though I grew up in the Philippines, I never could bring myself to eat balut. Let's just say you have to be 100% Filipino to appreciate it, and I'm only half. The American in me prevails when faced with the option of eating balut! Ha! The lady at the sari-sari store told me I should just eat it with the lights off (and if you clicked on the link you'll understand the joke). Somehow that didn't convince me ;o)

04 December 2010

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Yesterday I did a photo shoot on the Monument Valley Park footbridge that spans I-25. I just love the industrial look of it. Over the years I've used it many times as a location: everything from models, to rock and roll bands, to high school seniors, and yesterday a couple in love. Here's what it looks like in the late afternoon sun on an unseasonably warm December day.

03 December 2010

What's wrong with this picture?



Today I did portraits of my assistant Allison and her boyfriend Chris at Monument Valley Park. We decided to do a few shots on the walkway that goes over the interstate. As we walked up the ramp, we noticed this little advertisement stuck to the railing. Now, I must commend this entrepreneur for posting an ad for leaf raking in a park -- the power of association can be very effective, and after all what evokes dread raking duties more than a gigantic park filled with enormous, shedding trees? Great idea! On the other hand, maybe he should have put his complete phone number on there. I'm just saying.