My brother-in-law plays the banjo. His preferred musical instrument comes from his life long love of history, in particular the Civil War era. At almost any family gathering he regales us with performances of period music, including but not limited to a lot of Stephen C Foster.

In addition to immersing himself in the mid 19th century, Eric served in the United States Army. In the summer of 2010, right after he got back from 15 months in Afghanistan, Eric out of the blue asked if we could shoot a video for the song “Hard Times Come Again No More”. A few days later, we had a video made. It was a bit rough around the edges, since we literally just got up early the next morning with no plan and shot it. This year, Eric suggested shooting another video. We made an effort to organize it a bit more, and even roped some of the other Wirken team into helping. Big thanks to Jewel and Brady for their hard work.

Here is our most recent effort. A music video of “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”. This might just end up being an annual tradition.

If you are curious about our first video, here it is:

Finally I’d like to share something I had no hand in creating. A video of Eric and a couple of his buddies (Kyle Shaw, and Chris Gore) playing “Hard Times Come Again No More” during a bit of downtime at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wilson in Afghanistan, back in April of 2010. There is something extremely poignant and inspiring about three soldiers a world away … Read the rest

Really all we ask here at Wirken Photography of our clients is for them to just be themselves in front of our cameras.  Not to hold back any emotion or trait that makes them truly who they are.  Katie, Andy and their family and friends had no problem with that at all and I loved it.  I love Katie’s no bs approach to life.  She knows what she wants and she goes for it.  I admire that about her and Andy is such a calm go with it type if guy making the two of them a perfect match.  It was great to watch them interact with their friends and family all day.  You could tell the people in their lives mean a great deal to them.  The entire day was filled with such a relaxed, laid back flow that nothing could rattle.  Not even the rain.  They all just rolled with whatever came their way and enjoyed the day with an unwavering calm.  It was a joy to be involved.… Read the rest

I remember Laren and John’s engagement session as remarkably fun.  As I was shooting, a few times I had to pull my camera down to my knees because I was laughing so hard.  We got together about a week ago to relive the wedding together, and of course, how would I expect it any other way, they showed up with both sets of parents in from out of town, a platter of French cheeses, and a favorite Chianti.  It was a real, deep, hard laughter, flowing tears kind of get together.  True fun, and that is just how their wedding day was.  Laren’s dad described their view on the Catholic ceremony in this way; that the covenant that was happening that day at the Cathedral was as sacred as the ordination of a priest- that it is taken very seriously, and I could feel it, and it was so beautiful to me how invested in that ceremony everyone was.  And then, they celebrated with the same passion, getting guests out of their seats and out of their self-consciousness with silly glasses, hats, and boas.  I love the way John look at Laren, I love the way Laren, a perfectionist like me, ended up being one of the wildest ones on the dance floor at the end of the night.  It was all great, and we thank you for your hospitality and friendship.… Read the rest