cute wedding poses – Kansas City Photography

They Cut The Grass! A Country Engagement Shoot

November 8, 2017 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots

Samantha wrote to me about her dream to have her engagement photos in tall grass. I scouted around and found some fields in Eureka two weeks ago and she and Josh agreed they’d would work perfectly. But, little did I know this location was not going to work out!

The day before the shoot, I drove by them again, and … they had been mowed!! I reached out to Samantha and told her, but then realized my own property had exactly what she wanted!

I met Samantha at a winery during a bachelorette party for her now sister-in-law, Maria. I should have known we would hit if off — anyone who loves wine is automatically my best friend.

Since we had both had more than one glass, we started chatting about life and work. That’s when she mentioned she was engaged. And that’s when I told her I could help her out with wedding photography!

I feel like I should be able to write off any and all winery trips from my taxes now as a business expense!! Let’s go again, Samantha!! Hahaha.

Samantha and Josh have been together for 3 years and met each other at work. They picked out the engagement ring together and kept it in a safe under their bed.

Samantha told me she would put the ring on and wear it around the house sometimes before he proposed. Isn’t that cute?

Since she knew Josh had the ring, she was getting pretty impatient waiting for him to actually ask her so that she could keep it on her hand permanently.

Finally, after probably the 1,000th time Samantha asked — Josh proposed! Samantha said he did it while they were sitting on the couch because she kept asking him when he was going to pop the question. So, he did it right there!

And, let me tell you what, these two are adorable! And Samantha kept doing silly things and making Josh smile — probably not expecting me to document them:

Never trust a photographer, Samantha!!

I always tell my clients if they do something silly, or if they fall … I promise to take photos of it!

Speaking of injuries — before the shoot, Samantha asked me if I could Photoshop out some stitches. I told her I definitely could, but didn’t realize how severe the stitches were until she showed me her arm! It was a total freak accident involving her kitchen and some broken dishes.

The happy couple also brought along their daughter, Miss Genevieve. She was a hoot! She is actually hiding in several of the photos because she really, really didn’t want to let mommy’s leg go!

Thankfully, I also have a 2-year-old, so I had plenty of toys for distraction — and a nice playset outside for her to play on while we took some shots around that area. But, as any parent knows, if you walk with your child in between the two of you …

This is definitely what’s going to happen next!

So excited for your wedding next year!

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Wedding Series: Tips For Brides — The “First Look,” / Bridal Reveal

April 27, 2017 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Wedding Series: For Brides

You’re getting married! There’s so much to do, and so many things to get done. Find a caterer, a florist, get the perfect dress, and then make sure you’ve hired the right photographer to capture all of your hard work!

Well, you’ve definitely taken the right step as far as a photographer goes [oh hey, we travel]! 😉

Every Thursday over the next six weeks, I will be doing a piece for our “Wedding Series: Tips For Brides.” It’s going to highlight tips and tricks for the bride when working with a photographer.

Week Two: The “First Look” / Bridal Reveal

One of the first questions I ask at my meetings with brides: “Did you want to do a “first look,” or will walking down the aisle be the first time he sees you?”

Here is a first look we did before the ceremony, below. I was able to get this close and intimate specifically because it wasn’t done during the ceremony. It was a special moment set aside for just the two of them (and me … the third wheel photographer). 🙂

If the bride asks what I prefer — it’s always that we do a special “first look.” It’s where I set the groom up, his back facing away. I bring in the bride. She puts her back against his, or reaches her hand around the corner. There is always so much tension in these shots — the can’t wait to see each other.

From there, I snap the shots and either take the bride back to her room, or … we let the groom turn around.

I prefer this because I can catch the intimate one-on-one response of the groom the first time he sees his bride. It’s special. It isn’t a moment that has to be shared in a crowd. It’s just the two of them.

Now, sometimes I can’t convince the bride and groom otherwise, and that’s ok. It’s your day! I can only speak from a photographer’s standpoint, because after that reveal, we can take the bridal party / bride & groom shots, etc. — all before the ceremony! After the ceremony, we can snap the family photos, and then send the bride and groom off to the reception and not have to keep their friends and family waiting.

That’s not to say we can’t get great photos if the first time the groom sees his bride is when she walks down the aisle.

We definitely can, but if I am ever asked my preference — it’s to have a special first look. So I can get shots like this:

Check back next Thursday for the next post in our “Tips For Brides” series. To read them all, click here.

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Wedding Series: Tips For Brides – Portraits

April 20, 2017January 11, 2018 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Wedding Series: For Brides

Well, you’ve definitely taken the right step as far as a photographer goes [oh hey, we travel]! 😉

Week One: The Bridal Portrait Session

This week, I’m giving tips for the bride during her portrait session! I always set aside time from the chaos to make sure I get shots of just the bride. You’ve gotten your hair done, your makeup perfected, and spent weeks (maybe even months!) picking out your perfect dress. It’s so important to get shots of you as you are in that moment — ready to marry the love of your life, about to walk down the aisle surrounded by your closest friends and family members. There’s so much excitement shining through your eyes — and a world of possibilities in your future.

There are a few shots I always love to get:

The Eyelash Shot:

It’s a classic shot, your head tilted slightly, gazing down, capturing your perfect lashes.

The Silhouette:

Definitely one of my favorites. I love playing with the light. I had one bride call me a “lighting wizard.” I’ll take it! These are so pretty and fun to do.

Just The Dress:

You spent so much time (annnd probably money, if we’re being real) to find the perfect gown for your big day. I like to get details like this!

Lacing It Up:

Some of the most important people in your life help lace up the dress. It’s usually a mom or Maid of Honor. Although, I’ve had to step in to help countless times when they couldn’t figure it out! I’ll never leave ya hangin’!

Full-Length:

You’re in the dress, it’s almost show time!

My last little tidbit to mention is the bouquet.

Where To Hold Those Dang Flowers!

As every bride will tell you whose wedding I’ve shot — the one thing I repeat over and over and over is: “Hold the bouquet at your belly button!”

I say it to to the bride and bridesmaids at the beginning of the day. I repeat it before every shot. Sometimes I turn it into a question and ask them, “Now, where do you hold the bouquet?”

I get that chime of a teacher lecturing her class, “At the belllly buttttton,” they repeat back.

I remind them right before they walk down the aisle when I stop them to take a shot before they continue the rest of the way down. This way you don’t get shots with the bouquets all over the place!

Let’s review! Here are some important shots to make sure your photographer gets!

The eyelash shot
The silhouette
Just the dress
Getting “into” the dress / lacing up
The bouquet / holding the bouquet at the belly button

Check back next Thursday for the next post in our “Tips For Brides” series. To read them all, click here.

Jeremy & Amanda’s Warm and Beautiful Country Club Wedding

April 11, 2017 by Kansas City Photography, posted in Photoshoots

Mid-70s, a cool breeze, and a wedding! There was nothing better this past Saturday. The weather was absolutely divine, it was like God said: “Today, Jeremy and Amanda are getting married, so let this day be perfect!”

Speaking of perfect – Amanda’s bouquet was stunning. Just stunning. Lilies, tulips, roses, and a tear-drop style. It was definitely one of the most breathtaking bouquets I’ve ever seen!

Plus, those rings! *whistles*

I always love it when the bride’s ring fits inside the groom’s. I have only ever had it happen a handful of times — and this was one of them! I always personally find it to be a good omen, they’re so meant to be together … the rings fit together — just like them!

Now, let’s talk about Amanda. The new Mrs. Maxwell. She was so grateful to everyone there. She thanked her bridesmaids repeatedly, the Executive Hills Polo Club owner, and me. She thanked everyone for being there to support her and make her day special. She was also a total knockout!!

She had six bridesmaids in beautiful royal blue dresses – ready to cheer her on!

I know I’ve already mentioned the flowers, but seriously … look at them! It reminded me of something out of a royal wedding!

The ring bearer was decked out in a shirt that said: “Ring Security.” So clever!! His glasses totally matched his shirt and gave the perfect overall “anybody who wants that ring has to get through me first” vibe. And their little flower girl — decked in a white gown befitting a princess, complete with a blue ribbon to match the bridesmaids!

Now it’s time to talk about Jeremy, and his groomsmen. This picture literally sums up what a fun crew they were! I suggested they pick him up, but definitely didn’t realize this is what they’d do!

Ah, and then the moment everyone is waiting for! The vows, the”I do,” the forever! There was a set of white doors to hide Amanda from Jeremy, and when she walked through them he teared up. He may tell you didn’t, but he totally did. He was knocked out by this stunning woman he would soon get to call his forever! There were tears and laughter. A good mutual friend, Tim Kile, officiated. My favorite line of his: “I’ve only done this one other time, but it’s bound to be better than the first time.” Chuckles everywhere. Amanda couldn’t stop talking about what an amazing job he did, tying their love together into the sermon and reciting scripture to help them in their new lives together.

And after that first kiss as husband and wife — many more followed!

And their location was picture perfect. Bright grass, tall trees, a white picket fence surrounding the roadway, and a deck to stand on. The ceremony was outside, with a reception inside. One bar outside, one inside. The Executive Hills Polo Club was just stunning!

The inside reception area had multiple chandeliers, a perfect backdrop for a first dance as husband and wife!

Then came time for the speeches. While the Matron of Honor, Maid of Honor, and Best Man did a really great job, it was Amanda’s dad who knocked it out of the park. I heard one of the wedding guests say he should be on “Comedy Half Hour.” He had everyone in stitches, and Jeremy covering his face!

Their wedding hashtag was so cute. #Maxout. I can’t wait to see what their many years of marriage bring!! Congratulations, Amanda & Jeremy!

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