One of the newest venues in Colorado Springs is one of the oldest Churches in town – The Carter-Payne Event Center. When Colorado was still a territory, the Carter family established the first church for persons of color at this site on land donated by Colorado Springs founder General William J. Palmer. The chapel, named for Bishop Daniel A. Payne, became the spiritual and social center for African Americans for more than a century.
It is absolutely gorgeous inside and out and I felt really honored to be invited to this inaugural shoot. Together with my friends and very talented Colorado photographers John Hudetz, Kent Meireis and Sean Cayton, it was exciting to shoot at this venue for the very first time. We all knew everything we photographed had never been shot before at this venue. We discovered interesting angles and new locations and dramatic light situations inside and outside of the church. It was very motivational for all of us.
Sandy Vanderstoep, owner of Garden of the Gods Gourmet, renovated the church and returned it to its proper place as an incredible 2,000 sq. ft. space for weddings and events. I hope this venue will see may weddings in the future.
All the helping hands, who put this event together:
Hardy, this is so lovely:) Wonderful work! Many, many thanks!