Colorado Horse Park - Mandy Porter by Jimena Peck

The Equestrian world holds a special place in my heart. Animals were a huge part of my upbringing in Argentina, and witnessing the deep connection between people and horses made a lasting impression on me. Working on projects involving people and their animals warms my soul. As I photograph the subjects, I get to catch glimpses of the intimate moments shared between humans and their companions. It is in these moments where I feel my photography becomes much more than taking pretty pictures. It becomes a venue for sharing emotion. I can look at a photograph, and recognise the feeling someone is experiencing for something they love.

I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Mandy Porter., a show jumping professional and owner of ACP Enterprises. Mandy and her horse, Milano, took 1st place in the Front Range Kubota Grand Prix at the Colorado Horse Park this year. As the head trainer of ACP Enterprises, Mandy specializes in developing young horses to the grand prix level. While she is now based out of San Diego, she also travels the world competing professionally.

I had the honor of meeting Mandy and some exquisite horses at the Colorado Horse Park for a photoshoot. These gentle creatures can often come off as shy, but each one is filled with so much personality and spunk. I felt right at home at the stables, and was able to capture some sweet moments. Each horse is totally pampered and adored, each stall complete with their own stuffed animal. Mandy was also in her element, of course. Her warm energy and close connection to the horses made my job easy. While she is considered one of the top show jumpers on the West Coast, she is still playful and kind with these amazing animals. Her knack for actually knowing her horses is what makes her a champion.

I always feel so refreshed after spending time outside with horses and their folk. I hope to have more projects like this in the near future.

Fort Collins, Native Hill Farm Flowers by Olivia Terry | Jimena Peck

Native Hill Farm has a close place in my heart. When I first moved to Fort Collins I began volunteering here. I received one of the prized CSA boxes in exchange for my work. From harvesting vegetables on summer afternoons, to helping them out at the farmers market on weekends, this place reminds me of good times. 

Olivia Terry is one of the many wonderful people I got to know through Native Hill Farm. She is the queen of all things flowers and natural arrangements. Her bouquets are extra special because they come from a sustainably grown garden and they are the opposite of the non-sense buckets I see nowadays on wedding and events. You can find her flowers at local grocery stores and the farm stand at the farmer's market. Olivia also does special orders for events. You can come to the farm and pick out the flowers that go with your vibe (so dreamy).

I adore plants. I bring as many as I can into my own home, and delight in all their colors and textures. Needless to say, this shoot made me swoon. I did the best I could to capture her amazing garden and incredible display of craftsmanship and design. I could have spent hours there just smelling and investigating the flowers. Their jaw-dropping details are the epitome of nature's perfect touch. 

Olivia was totally at home in her garden. We wandered around and she pointed out different varieties, It was like watching an artist in her studio. It was the best of both worlds: capturing someone in their element, and allowing nature to speak for itself. I am happy with how these pictures turned out.

I am always glad to work with Native Hill, and am grateful for everything they contribute to the community. 

Decatur Point Denver for The Wall Street Journal by Jimena Peck

If you have driven through Denver over the last few years, you've may have noticed the construction sites and huge cranes towering alongside the city's downtown area. Many of these projects are the assembly of high-end, contemporary apartment buildings. The different complexes host a variety of amenities- something for everyone. Everything from rooftop dog parks, bowling allies, heated infinity pools, restaurants, billiards tables, to community kayaks, bikes, ski storage, and dog washing spas. These new apartment structures cater to their resident's interests and create a sense of community. 

These common areas were actually one of my favorite parts of the complex I had the opportunity to photograph. Working with The Wall Street Journal, I got a firsthand look at Decatur Point Denver. This vibrant and cosmopolitan community is nestled in the charming Jefferson Park Neighborhood. I really appreciated the emphasis on the communal areas.

As a person who grew up in a city like Buenos Aires, I know by first hand that apartment life can feel a little too cozy sometimes. The readily available spaces for people to work, play, exercise, or just relax outside of their apartment fosters a place for people to connect.

I am honored to have worked with The Wall Street Journal. This project highlighted my unique photography style- natural, clean, classy. The assignment went hand-in-hand with my brand, capturing the youthful, contemporary, and energetic Colorado lifestyle. 

Read Full Article HERE

The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market | Fort Collins | Jimena Peck

I feel so fortunate to have been chosen to take the pictures for the new Emporium restaurant in Fort Collins. Of course, when I heard they serve wine and cheese platters, it was a done deal. 

Fort Collins has been said to have one of the highest percentages of restaurants per capita. This creates healthy competition, which hopefully will lead to a wider selection of good, local, and hand-crafted food options.

The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market offers a place for people to come and actually savor incredible food. In addition to the restaurant, they offer wine-tasting and I've happened to found some special Argentine grapes. The space is vibrant, welcoming, and is a wonderful addition to a community who values intimacy and connection. While Old Town already boasts dozens of breweries, bars, and is a beer connoisseur's galore...the Emporium is a fresh space and showcases an eclectic wine market. The atmosphere brought me back to the heart of Argentina, where meals are enjoyed slowly- with good company and a glass of quality wine. 

As a foodie, I was totally blissing out during this shoot. Every little detail in these dishes was taken into consideration. The sense of effortlessness and simplicity were met with divine flavors and textures. The passion with which the dishes were creating definitely attributed to how brilliant and delicious these pictures turned out. I had a great time collaborating with these folks, and would highly recommend checking it out!

Here's a sneak peek of some of the dishes we captured.

Enjoy and Buen Apetito!

Colorado CorePower Yoga Portraits | Jimena Peck

I am a big Yoga Lover. The opportunity to take pictures in one of my favorite yoga spots in Colorado was such a honor!

I began at Corepower Yoga a while back. My friend Monica worked there and she mentioned they offer a free week of yoga- it was wintertime and the idea of stretching in a warm and cozy room after long shooting days, sounded perfect. Over the years it has been wonderful to get to know the unique style of the different instructors and classes. Some days I go to restorative classes to rest and unwind from the week. Other times I take hot power classes, which kick my butt and leave me feeling totally energized. 

Photographing the instructors was such a fun chance to get to know them on a different level. Hanging out with them all outside of class made me realize they are not just the "zen" people I know. They are silly, quick to laugh, super kind, quirky, and all come from diverse backgrounds. It's amazing what happens when you ask a room full of instructors to just play on their mats. I got to witness them get in their zone, both individually and collectively. 

Each and every one of these yogis is such a special instructor. I believe the pictures turned out so lovely because of the energy and passion radiating from each instructor...not to mention they are simply beauitful people both inside and out. 

The background was made by local wood artist Craig by Colorado Reclaim.

 

COREPOWER YOGA -  PORTRATIS

COREPOWER YOGA - THE FLOW