ericamay photography blog: thought studio.

The photo blog of www.ericamay.com.

Photo Coaching Session… Featuring Lauren and Mark August 7, 2009

This week, I had a “photo coaching” session with Kasie, whose work you’ve seen a little bit of on the blog already! I am super excited to have Kasie in training with the ericamay team. You’re going to hear a LOT more about what she’s going to be doing with us, and you can look forward to seeing much more of her work in the future. More on those details later. :)

For now, I want to share with you a coaching session we did together, where she got to learn how and why I do the things I do and then test them out for herself. It was so much fun to explain (and have to put into words) what I’m thinking when I set up a couple in a specific location or why I choose a certain spot because of the light that’s reflecting there… photography is such a fun art, and the coolest part is that two people can be in the same moment at the same location and still come away with completely different “takes” on the scene. 

Below, you’ll see photos that both Kasie and I took of our fantastic models, Lauren and Mark (thanks for letting us practice on you guys!). I’ll put a photo credit before each photo Kasie took, so you know which are her shots and which ones are mine. Sound good? :) Okay, here we go…

Lauren and Mark were too much fun. They’re dating, after becoming reunited after they finished college at different schools — but they first met as high school students! How adorable are they? :)

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We met in downtown Kansas City, and most of these photos were taken in a 2-block radius from the central library location at 10th and Baltimore. Speaking of the library, how awesome is the library parking garage? I love the big book staircases and the book spines on the side of the building.

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Here’s my take:

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And here’s Kasie’s:

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Another one of Kasie’s (I love this one!):

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Right across the street was a cool alley, and Kasie switched to the wide angle lens to capture the whole scene in this shot:

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In a random event of happenstance, we met the super nice owners of The Sawyer Room (a sweet downtown venue!) on the sidewalk as we were walking around. Eric and Jodie were so kind to point us to an awesome rooftop location that they use during weddings that take place in their venue. How cool is that? Thanks so much for the tip! :) If you’re looking for a great venue in downtown KC, I’m going to bet that Eric and Jodie are just as awesome helping people plan their events as they were helping us find great photo locations — we didn’t even ask! :)

These next few shots are mine, taken on the rooftop area:

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The setting sun was giving us some awesome light to work with — both with flare and with shadows! :)

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A few of Kasie’s shots on the rooftop:

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After we were back safely on the first floor, we stopped at a street corner for a few more close-ups. So much of photography is about the light in the location — not necessarily about the location itself — and this was the perfect example. We were really standing on an very un-cool street corner, but I love how these turned out. :)

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This one is Kasie’s view:

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And my view (goodness, Lauren, you are just gorgeous!):

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A huge thanks to Lauren and Mark for volunteering to participate! :) I hope you both had fun, and maybe learned a few of my “secrets” of photography along the way… I hope you have an awesome rest of the summertime!

Leave a comment here and tell Kasie how awesome you think she is. :) I promise I’ll pass them along… aren’t you excited to see what else she’ll do? I know I am!

Also, if anyone’s interested in participating in any type of photo coaching/group workshops/etc. leave me a comment here, too. I’d love to coordinate some of these in the future for other aspiring photographers — if anyone would show up. :) Let me know if it’s something you’d be interested in doing!

 

Operation: Love Reunited Session at Liberty Memorial, Kansas City April 2, 2009

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I met up with this gorgeous family for an Operation: Love Reunited session. These sessions are for the families of deployed soldiers, where we send a surprise photo album directly to the soldier during their deployment. If you’re a photographer, check out my previous post about a large-scale OpLove day at Fort Leavenworth!

These kids were a dream to photograph. Not only are they all super cute, but they were so great about taking photos together! We did their session at Liberty Memorial in downtown Kansas City, home of the National World War I Museum.

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Of course, their Mom had to get in on some shots, too. I love this one!

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The memorial is gorgeous, and the inscription on the side is so moving.

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The view from the overlook provides a really fun shot of the Kansas City skyline, too.

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I also took one of each of the kids separately… all so photogenic!

9-year-old Thomas:

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7-year-old Maggie:

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6-year-old Johnny:

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And 3-year-old Catherine:

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This one just makes me laugh. We were playing a game to get the kids comfortable and moving around, and little Catherine ran the wrong way… luckily, her older siblings were there to help her out. :)

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What a cute group!

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And one more shot of sibling togetherness. :)

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Jeanne, I’m so glad you found me through the OpLove organization. We’ll be praying for a safe and speedy return for your husband!

 

The photos and other content of this publication do not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

 

Engagement: Kim and Kyle October 5, 2008

Kim and Kyle were up for anything during their engagement shoot — when I suggested visiting the rooftop terrace of the library downtown, they didn’t hesitate. When I suggested taking photos on the giant chess set on the rooftop terrace, they still said sure (even though Kim doesn’t know how to play the game…). :) Thanks for being so open to new creative ideas!

The rooftop gave us some great views of downtown Kansas City. I love these cityscape shots:

Kim and Kyle meet while living in the residence halls at K-State — they met the year that I was an RA in the very same building! More proof that the world is really small…

Thanks for choosing ericamay photography — I’m looking forward to your wedding next October!

 

Engagement: Beth and Geoff September 9, 2008

Beth and Geoff met as high school seniors. A time when a million decisions, plans and ideas abound — and for these two, that time included the first spark of true love. They met through friends, continued their friendship and began dating before they went off to college…both chose K-State.

She is a classical singer. He is a graphic designer. Together, they are one talented, artistic (and cute!) couple.

They wanted to do their shoot in downtown Kansas City, and I of course obliged. The result? An artistic, creative, urban vibe. I love it!

Beth and Geoff totally “got it.” Check out their strike-a-pose awesomeness. I LOVE these two photos!

Don’t you agree they are just too adorable together? :)

I also adore this shot of Beth (and Geoff)…she just has beautiful eyes! Check out that stare!

I love these book-shaped stairs at the library parking garage downtown. Being the book nerd that I am, I can’t believe I’ve never done photos here before… :)

Beth has a really great and unique engagement ring. We wanted to do some creative shots that really showcase the colors and design — I think we succeeded! This first one is my most favorite ring shot ever right now. And the second…so classic, yet so modern.

Beth and Geoff, thanks for trusting me to capture your special moments…I can’t wait for your wedding next May!

 

Alison and Chris (and Piper) September 2, 2008

Four years ago.

It was four years ago on August 28th that she put on her wedding dress. He put on his tie. She got her hair and make-up done. He stood nervously at the top of the aisle. She walked down the aisle with her dad by her side. They said their vows. They exchanged rings. They were pronounced husband and wife.

Four years ago…and decades more to go.

Alison is Jeff’s older sister. Chris is her husband. And they are too, too, TOO cute.

We went for an anniversary photo shoot in downtown Kansas City, where they were spending their anniversary weekend. We started out at the historic and beautiful Hotel Phillips. I love how shadowy and vintage these photos are. Very cool.

The street views were just great in the morning light. And what about these awesomely urban fire escape ladders?

 

The Kansas City Public Library is in an old bank building in downtown Kansas City…I LOVE this building, from the big marble columns, to the ornate front doors…it’s an architectural treat.

Are you kidding me?! I think these two are models on the side…

More fun streetside shots on Baltimore…seriously model worthy.

And it wouldn’t be a Kansas City photo shoot without a fountain!

After their shoot, we took out their Boston Terrier girl, Piper, for a modeling shoot. She was SUCH a good model — check out these shots of their canine daughter!

 

Wedding: Greg and Meryl August 15, 2008

“Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfill
For, my darling I love you
And I always will.”

– Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley), Norah Jones

Aww…when I think about Greg and Meryl’s wedding and their relationship, I seriously get warm fuzzies inside. :) These two know how to be in love. I could tell during their engagement session…but their wedding day had that same feeling x 1000.

Their Friday night wedding was at Club 1000 in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and it was the perfect venue for their wedding. Everything just fit so well. The planning was fantastic, and the venue really played up the elegant and thoughtful details that they had planned, like these wildflower-growing wedding favors:

Greg and Meryl are just so photogenic and absolutely adorable. They have more photos with one of them looking at the other than they do of staring into the camera, which I think is absolutely PERFECT!

Their bridal party was also awesome — so easy to work with, ready to go on time and just really easy going. Thanks so much for being great! Check out these super pretty bridesmaids…hello, J. Crew catalog?

And the equally photogenic groomsmen…they were naturals!

The ceremony was gorgeous, and offered a view of the downtown Kansas City skyline as a backdrop — what can beat that?! Seriously, Club 1000 earned major points in my vendor book. And so did Greg and Meryl’s choice in music — they had a fantastic vocalist, who performed the Norah Jones rendition of “Love Me Tender” (I’m still humming it!), and the Ben Harper tune “Forever.”

My all-time favorite wedding day photo shoot took place in about 10 minutes on the roof of Club 1000. The first image in this post is from that, as are a few from the sneak preview from earlier this week. Here are some more…

I’m not usually one to go crazy with sunflare, but you just can’t deny the romantic feel of these warm, summery glowing photos on a roof in downtown Kansas City…am I right? :)

Quite possibly one of my favorite ring shots to date:

The reception was equally fun — filled with mingling, dancing and laughing…and a song from Meryl’s sorority sisters at K-State.

I love this shot of Meryl and her Grandaddy:

Meryl and Greg, I hope you’re having a great time on your honeymoon! Thanks for letting me capture your special day…it was absolutely beautiful.

 

 
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