Brandon and I are so excited to shoot Angela and James’ wedding together in a few weeks.  Here is a peek into their engagement session.

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Friends and followers of the blog,

In February of 2008 Tyler and I began the exciting conversation of teaming up as one studio, and what unfolded as we put our minds together and moved into one space to work together was this wonderful creative collaboration that made every day much more fun than being on our own.  We pushed each other creatively and technically, with regular impromptu discussions and critiques.  We wasted *some* time together and shared lots of good laughs.  As our  two families grew, we also became extended family to each other.

The reason I have always been most drawn to partnering in business with Tyler, is his unrelenting commitment and passion for storytelling through photography.  Tyler draws a stricter line to “true” photojournalism in weddings that any other photographer I know of in Kansas City.  I love Pam and Tyler’s ease of friendship, their commitment to relationships, and their love for family.  We have built our friendship and business on these things over the past 4 years.  The Wirken family grew as David came on board, one of the kindest hearted, wittiest photographers that I know, and The Parigos also joined the team, bringing to life Wirken Films.  Brandon’s artistry and intuitive storytelling combines to make a moving documentary of life in every project he creates.

Because our whole team is so committed to family life, they were completely understanding when I told them that I wanted to cut back on the amount of work I am doing for the next few years, and focus on being home with my quickly growing 3 year old, Charlotte.  As I spent a year considering … Read the rest

When I first met Cat and her mom, it was an instant connection over love for family, soccer, running, and how to throw a good party.  Brett was just as much an instant friend with his warm presence and love for one of my husband’s favorite things- golf.  I love the clean vitality of these two- they are just a picture of happiness and health.  I love that they both love being active and that they laugh a lot.  I love that every time we got together, it became a party, with both families present.

On the wedding day, Cat and Brett lived the whole spectrum- they laughed so hard it hurt, and they shared personal love letters during their ceremony that brought the whole house to tears.  It was such a good party that there will be stories that will last a lifetime.  Love you guys.  Here’s a peek at my last full wedding of 2011.

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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

Sometimes in the course of a year getting to know a couple, I get glimpses of the qualities in them that will possibly be the richest qualities in their marriage.  I remember the first time I met with Tori, she told me that Chris was a big outdoorsman, and loved hunting so much that he really wanted camo vests or neckties for the wedding.  She just kind of laughed, but was totally willing to concede and let him have his voice in the wedding.  Instead of camo neckties, they ended up deciding on camo coozies, but to me, I loved her willingness to do something that she wouldn’t have preferred for the man she loved.  And I can see the equal adoration from Chris, the way he was quietly emotional throughout the day, when he read her card, when he saw her walk down the aisle- the elation on his face after the ceremony.  These are the little things that I get the chance to see as I watch a couple.

Here are my favorite moments from Tori and Chris’ warm October wedding

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