It seems fitting that the house where we became a family was on Oak Street.  Within these walls we solidified like the hard trustworthy wood.

The house became our complete renovation; Mark literally built it with his own two hands.  There is so much satisfaction in making your own home, like growing your own food- it just tastes better.  We have memories of late knock-down-drag-out nights hanging drywall, mudding and taping, edging paint, engineering new materials to fit the strange crooked frame of a 90 year old house.  Life unfolded in this space in the mean time- dinner parties, overnight stays, everyday joys like how the light looked in the front room in the evening.  I remember where I was sitting in this house when we found out we were expecting, and when we found out people had passed away.  Countless mornings, and evenings, and walks around the block and up to the park.  All of these beautiful moments will be forever connected to living in this house on Oak Street.

Today we close on a new house.  We know it will be a new love.  A new collection of stories.

This post is a kind of  love letter.  Vignettes of memory from the house we’ve said goodbye to.

(Photo above taken by my good friend Kelly Jackson on moving day- thanks Kell)… Read the rest

Lauren’s dad said in his wedding day toast, “Everybody knows that Lauren is the nicest girl in the world…”, and when he said that, I thought that those might be the exact words that I would use to describe her.  Both Lauren and James are this refreshing blend of sophistication and approachability.  I knew it the first time I hung out with them at the engagement session and they showed up in cowboy boots.  Cowboy boots are usually a good indication that I will like a person.  I was moved to hear the words James friends used to describe him at the rehearsal dinner; loyalty, devotion, integrity.  Another favorite anecdote from my experience with Lauren and James is that both sets of their parents came to every viewing that we had at the studio, so that it wasn’t just a chance to see pictures, but a chance to be together.  There is an incredible climate of love and relationship in both families, and what a blessing to merge two families like that together!  Thank you so much for allowing me to get to know you guys and to record your fantastic day!… Read the rest

I told Kara and Taylor when they came in for their viewing party that I see a lot of relationships, and every couple expresses their love differently, but the expressions and gestures of endearment that these two show make me very sure of their love.  I love how they “match” each other in the faces that they make.  I love how hard they laugh and how real they are.  It was just so easy to be with them every time I got the chance.  A bit of background, they met in firefighting training and fell in love.  The Kauffman stadium setting was fitting for Taylor’s aptitude and love for baseball.  Jewel and I just loved being a part of your day and your lives.  Thank you guys for choosing us.… Read the rest

The Short Film of the wedding of Mallory and Patrick. The wedding took place in May, at the Cathedral of St Joseph, in St. Joseph Missouri. I’m a big fan of things happening during a wedding day that I haven’t encountered before. This wedding had two: Patrick dressing in his brides veil (which his mother explained was his sister’s idea. Dressing the little brother up was very common for them as children), and the newly married couple stopping to visit their dogs who were staying at Mallory’s parents home. Both of these things truly express the kind and open nature that Mallory and Patrick have. It was a pleasure capturing their day!

Ceremony: Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Reception: Stoney Creek Inn
Photography: Johnna Bryn
DJ: Jeff Sullivan
Dress: Bridal Extraordinaire
Florist: Butchart
Hair: Tricia Litton
Makeup: Bliss Salon

Music by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. … Read the rest

This is a big day.  I am so excited to officially kick off the first of many of the 2-day Intensive Wirkshops as part of our Wirkshop Series!

I am even more excited to talk about the team making it happen.  I am joining forces with two of my favorite photographers whose work I have admired for quite a while.  Ben and Erin Chrisman.  In case you have not had the pleasure of knowing who these two are they have pretty much taken the wedding industry by storm over the past 3 or 4 years.  Besides being known for their artistic documentary approach to wedding photography – pure photojournalism combined with creative, artistic portraiture. Ben was named Photographer of the Year by the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and Ben and Erin were listed as two of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by American Photo magazine.  I have had the pleasure of teaching side by side with these two at the Foundation Workshop and was thrilled with the idea of teaming up with them to launch the first of the Wirkshop Series.  Check out their work- http://benchrismanblog.com

Below you will find a link to all the info you need as well as a link to register for this unique opportunity.  See you in KC!

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE TO REGISTER CLICK HERE!

… Read the rest