I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

DOCUMENTING LOVE'S UNSCRIPTED CHAPTERS FROM COUPLES & FAMILIES IN COLORADO + VIRGINIA

@stephaniemessickphoto

find inspiration

Gallery images

February 3, 2014

Weekend Recap

Well, so much for having another snow day … not sure if it is snowing anywhere, but right now it is RAIN and we were anticipating 2-4 inches (as stated yesterday). I guess my car needed a car wash anyways. 😉

Unfortunately, after all the web data I used to rebuild my website, I have no internet. 🙁 Well, I have barely any internet as I have used the 10GB allowance and now my speeds have drastically slowed down. So getting this post together this morning is a task! I am thinking about switching users (as I have Dish) and if anyone has suggestions, PLEASE let me know! I’m desperate at this point! Ideally, I want unlimited and fast! Lol! Isn’t that what we all want? I always have to go to the library to use the internet, or Panera, or Starbucks … I just want to be in my office and backup all of my photos instead of being at another public place for hours. Hopefully something will be brought my way and will be a time savior!

I hope everyone enjoyed their oddly warm weekend! Kyle and I tried to go skiing, but it is WAY to warm and slushy to do that, so we took a day trip to JMU! I feel myself getting excited showing him around campus … brings back SO many memories! Plus, I got a sneak peek of the new and improved Duke Hall, which is where I practically lived in art classes my four years of college. It was pretty awesome to run around the building seeing the new architecture designs! At this point, the building is not open for classes as they are still getting settled in, but it is looking pretty good! Super artsy and way more space for classes! Oh and if anyone is familiar with Harrisonburg, why am I the only ONE who didn’t know that Dave’s is closed?! Such a bummer! I’m hoping the rumor is right that Daves will be back in action in the near future because it is the BEST food place in Harrisonburg!

[IPhone panoramic view of the entrance of Duke Hall]
duke_hall_renivation_web

Funny part of Kyle and my trip to Harrisonburg, I decided I wanted to surprise Kyle. I wanted to take him to the highest point of George Washington Park (Reddish Knob!) where you can overlook Harrisonburg and into West Virginia! Well, half way up the snow started to get deeper … and here I am in my little car going up a hill with snow and a cliff to my right … I started freaking out! Fortunately, Kyle took over and got us up to a safe landing right before it turns into a one-lane road. At that point, we were still 2 miles away from the top after the 45 minute drive from JMU. The snow was at least 4 inches at that point and it was only going to get deeper from there! There was NO way my car could make it up to the top on a one lane road where I might have to back up if a car is coming my way … with snow … 4 inches + … driving my car. So we decided to have our lunch at the landing and not go to the top. Well, so much for my ultimate surprise! Lol! I highly considered hiking it but with it being close to sunset, we would have been walking in the dark and driving down the mountain on ice … so I guess this means a better trip in the springtime to make up for this!

And speaking of adventures, Kyle and I will be making an adventure in a couple weeks where we will be traveling around in California! More details to come later! 🙂

Today, I will be getting my new planning book under control, hoping to keep my sanity with my lack of internet and possibly look for new internet options, complete gift packaging for clients. I hope everyone enjoys their non-snow day! I know my friend teachers are thrilled! 🙂

  1. Casey says:

    Duke Hall is actually open for some classes right now! Isn’t it pretty?? I have a couple classes there! And Daves did close, but they just re-opened Daves Express this semester– its on the corner of Port Republic and Devon near Ashby (where the old Cluckers used to be!). So a steak and cheese pita still exists, just not the pretty downtown restaurant.. 🙁

    • Casey, this is GREAT news to hear that at least their steak and cheese pita still exists! Lol! My FAVORITE! 🙂 And I didn’t know that Duke Hall was open! Awesome! There was a professor I was chatting with who said there was still construction being done … or I guess fixing up. But it definitely looks awesome!