The hunt was powered by SCVNGR, technology that asks questions and accepts answers through a mobile-phone interface. All of the questions were location-specific (translate the Roman numerals on a certain sign and submit the number, for example), which forced two-person teams to run around downtown El Paso in search of answers.

The winning team visited all of the locations, and reported only missing three questions. Screaming Light was chasing people around for nearly two hours, following the bright-orange shirts and looking for photo ops. (We actually pulled up the game on our mobile phones and played along; it was tons of fun to see where everything was, although we were too busy taking photos to actually seek out the answers!) Afterward, the SCVNGR and Lacy teams hosted a party at The Plum, where the winning team was announced!

We had a ton of fun, and the fast-paced game and varied locations forced us to change up the careful, studied pace we use for portrait sessions and even weddings, for an ultra-fast-paced, completely photo-journalistic style of photography, using long lenses in full desert sunlight. It was a refreshing change of pace mid-senior-portrait-season; we’re hoping it becomes an annual El Paso event!

After the airport, we went to Rachel’s family farm for some images with her brother and sister, and possibly one of my favorite geek images of all time, in which Rachel is literally illuminated by the large book she’s reading. Our final stop was one of our desert spots with a mountain view, for some high-fashion images.

Jalilah rode her white Honda motorcycle to the wedding ceremony (the same one we brought into the studio for a session when we first met Jeanette and Jalilah); she looked great in a white tux, and Jeanette’s gown was incredibly intricate. The local Unitarian Universalist minister officiated the ceremony. She met the controversy surrounding same-sex unions head-on; both Roz and I were in tears when Jeanette’s sons stood up and said their vows alongside their parents.

After an incredibly emotional ceremony, we photographed the bridal party on the nearby Horseshoe before driving out to Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park for more bridals and the reception. Jeanette couldn’t have chosen a more perfect day for the wedding; the blue sky and perfect sunset were the backdrop for photos and dinner.

After dinner, the DJ spun up the dance tunes and the floor filled up. Jeanette and Jalilah are long-time clients and good friends; photographing their wedding was tons of fun.

On Saturday, we met Cindy at the gardens early for some amazing bridals in my favorite section of the gardens, the children’s garden. This fairytale area is fronted by a giant topiary dragon guarding a castle turret and moat, and contains giant vegetables (Cindy, a strict vegetarian, posed with giant carrots and inside an enormous pumpkin), an oversized ant colony (and gigantic ants), and too many wonderful twisting tunnels, bamboo groves, and incredible portrait spots to describe. Mano, who’s not nearly adventurous as his bride, refused to let us do any couple portraits in this section – spoilsport

The wedding ceremony was held in the Ceremonial Garden, which is roofed by an enormous trellis covered in vines. Cindy’s brother, a professor of Anthropology, delivered a wedding sermon/lecture describing different marital traditions from around the world before pronouncing the happy couple man and wife. After more bridals in the more traditional sections of the Gardens, Mano and Cindy joined their guests for a cocktail hour in the Moorish Garden before adorning to the reception.

The most unusual part of the reception was the venue – it was held at the Sharkbite Cafe, part of the Albuquerque Biological Park, and the featured guests were undoubtedly the sharks, tuna, sea turtles, and giant puffer fish swimming behind the glass which formed one whole wall of the dining area. All of the guests, especially the children, spent the first hour of the reception just gazing in wonder at the marine life. Cindy opted for a wide variety of differently-flavored mini-cupcakes; every variety we sampled was wonderful, and none of the flavors were traditional – although the lemon were exceptionally good.

Never one to let life get to her, Cindy dealt with her recently-twisted ankle in typical fashion: she ordered a bight-pink ankle wrap adorned with a silver skull-and-crossbones from Germany, to compliment her vintage-style tea-length wedding gown. The “guest books” were a tradition new to me: Cindy and Mano had their guests sign bottles of wine, which they will open on future anniversaries. I think that may be the best way I’ve seen yet to carry the well-wishes of your wedding day throughout your married life.