Nelson Atkins Engagement Session | Katherine & Joe

The evening I first met with Katherine, and her lovely Mom - I could not believe my good luck. Both of these women are completely wonderful, full of light, and full of laughter. The really good luck part is that Katherine was referred to me by someone I've never even met - only emailed with. That is huge to me! After a round of chai tea latte's and chatter, we three knew this was a perfect fit.

Though I didn't meet Joe until the day of their engagement session, I knew this guy had to be pretty special considering how wonderful Katherine is - and Joe ended up being just as wonderful as her! These two are so wrapped up together in love and light, capturing them on this sun-filled evening at The Nelson has become one of my favorite engagement sessions to date! I can recall only a couple of times that I ended up laughing this hard during a session, Joe is hysterical! Their good humor, epic smiles and awesome personalities resulted in these two completely nailing their session, and I am thrilled with the images we created!

Katherine & Joe - Gosh. Thank you!!? I had the absolute best time with you both on this day, and I am over-the-moon excited for your wedding next month! I hope you love your images as much as I do!
 

What's a session at The Nelson without utilizing the famous shuttlecocks, am I right?!

Check out more ELP engagement sessions!

Ironwoods Park Engagement - Lori & Rick

The very first time I sat down with Lori and Rick, I quickly noticed how incredibly comfortable they were, - not only in front of me, but equally in showing their love! Panera kisses were in full swing between these two lovebirds, and I sat there thinking "These guys are going to be AWESOME to photograph!" 

Their engagement session at Ironwoods Park in Kansas definitely did not disappoint! 
Lori and Rick are both so crazy-happy to be together, and it shows in every look, every touch, and every smile. Not to mention that they had me completely cracking up multiple times with their playful humor!  It's such a joy to hang out with a couple like these guys, and I enjoyed every minute of it! 

Lori & Rick - I am so glad you guys picked me to document your love! I can't wait for your wedding this June!! :)
 

To see more ELP engagement sessions, click here!

Doing Something I Never Thought I'd Do

Yesterday I did something I never thought I'd do.... 

A month or so ago, my friend Kaitlin asked if I would be willing to some time meet with her and her younger sister, Kami - because Kami is interested in pursuing photography and would love the opportunity to pick the brain of a photographer. My immediate thought was - I AM NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS! - The more I thought about it though...the more I realized there were some resounding and repeating thoughts. 

- How many times have other photographers helped me...(several times!)
- And how much did it mean to me that they were willing to help?....(Uh. A TON.)
- How awesome was it to feel encouraged and inspired by someone in their position?....(Incredibly awesome!!)
- And wouldn't it be kind of cool to pay it forward??....(Honestly,...yeah.)

After that conversation with myself, it didn't take long for me to say "Self! You should do this!"

So yesterday morning us three gals gathered in a corner spot of a Panera and we hashed it out. Kami came prepared with a list of questions - I love lists!! From camera suggestions to lens suggestions, to tips on helping your subjects feel comfortable and behave naturally, to combating your own nerves, - we covered a lot! We also talked a lot about animals :) And volunteering locally! Love fellow animal lovers! But that's a different story :)

- I'm a Canon-girl for life. So Canon, Kami! Canon!
- Prime lenses. It's pretty much all you need to know.
- Give specific direction, but then have them move into the ultimate "pose". Provide constant encouragement. Be silly yourself, laugh with them. 
- Just breathe and allow yourself to be confident!

My biggest advice to Kami was to upgrade from the point-and-shoot she had and enter the world of DSLR's. *coughcanoncough* Once that camera is in her hands - practice, practice, practice. And above all, the best and most important advice I can give to Kami, or anyone for that matter - learn to shoot manually. Learn that exposure triangle! Relying on AUTO is easy to do, trust me, I did it for years. And manual can be tough to master, but! It is the best thing you can do for your photography and you won't regret it! You also won't look back!!

I don't know how I feel about referring to this as a "mentoring session" - as I feel I am far from that! But I do think I helped Kami, and that right there is a great feeling, folks! 

Kami! My dear! I'm here any time you have a question!! You are already such a creative individual, I know you are going to take the photography world by storm :) 

Deer Creek Bridal Show | First Bridal Show SUCCESS!

Well folks, I more than survived my first bridal show! I had a wonderful time!!

One week ago today I was out at the fantastic Deer Creek Golf Club for their bridal/wedding show, and as I previously mentioned - it was my first ever bridal show as a wedding photographer! I definitely went into this feeling slightly intimidated, mostly clueless. But now I can look back and say that everything fell into place! 

For future reference, I learned that I, - 
A: Do not need to arrive so early! I had my booth set up so quickly and then had nothing to do but wait. And I hate waiting.
B: Take way more canvas prints of my work! Those other photographers brought their A GAME, and though I definitely had a few, a few just doesn't cut it!
C: Purchase some Dr. Scholl's inserts for my favorite boots.

The really, really good news is that I had several brides interested in my photography services! I met so many lovely ladies all very excited for their upcoming weddings, and that excitement is so contagious! I also got to see not one, but two of my own brides for this year! Always good to see their smiling faces and know that I get to be a part of their biggest day soon!

Aside from meeting wonderful brides, their fiance's, and families - I also hit the jackpot on meeting other wedding professionals! Deer Creek set me up in a perfect spot, putting me next to a DJ who I now absolutely love! Across the room from me was a splendid invitation designer who is just the sweetest gal! And I also met a photographer duo of ladies who I really hit it off with! Needless to say, I think I made some wonderful new friends! And now I'll have other wedding professionals who I feel comfortable referring my brides to! Or, referring brides to another photographer when I am already booked! So many WINS!!! :) 

Here is a photo of my booth all set up! This is an iPhone pic people, no judgement.

I of course did also have that drawing at my booth I previously mentioned - for TWO WINNERS to win discounts on wedding collections from me! 
Here are my entries!!

Anddddddd there, rightttt there on those 2 pieces of paper are my TWO WINNERS! AHHH!!!
These lovely ladies will be notified of their winnings by email, so if you came by my booth, and you entered - click refresh repeatedly in your email to see if you won!! ;)

I feel just like Oprah! YOU WIN A DISCOUNT! andddd YOU WIN A DISCOUNT!
Drawing names was too much fun. Addictive really. 

So addictive in fact.

That I decided...

TO DRAW A THIRD!!!!!

To ALL that entered! - Thank you so, so much for coming by and chatting with me that evening! 

To say I enjoyed this would be an understatement :) Now that my first bridal show is under my belt, I'm really excited for all the shows in my future!! 

Deer Creek Bridal Show | First Bridal Show for ELP!

This Wednesday the 18th, I'll be over at Deer Creek Golf Club. I'll be beside an 8-foot skirted table which will hold a few of my images, some of my office decor, info about my wedding collections, and business cards. I'll be among several other local wedding professionals, and together we will greet and meet lots and lots of brides. 

I'll be the newbie, you know, the nervous one who feels a little out of place, a little intimidated. 

You see, next week I'll be doing my first ever bridal show as a wedding photographer. Let me say that again,...my first ever bridal show...as a wedding photographer. This is a big deal to me!! I definitely feel a little nervous. The thought that every other vendor around me has probably done this plenty of times, and I have done this z-e-r-o times, will likely be at the forefront of my mind. 

But I'm excited too, excited as heck actually! I'm sure I'll learn a lot, and hopefully book a wedding or two! I plan to do a little drawing at my booth, which I'm kind of giddy about ;) TWO WINNERS. I mean come on! Two winners will be drawn from a lovely mason jar, and those ladies will both win discounts toward my wedding collections! Yes!! I also entered into the big drawing that Deer Creek itself does, and that prize is a FREE engagement session! AHH!!! :) 

So if you're engaged, looking for a photographer, or know someone who is - come out to see me on the 18th at Deer Creek Golf Club! ;)