Engagement: Amy and Roy, KC Crossroads District November 9, 2008

Amy and Roy met through their church youth group in high school. Then, Roy’s family moved across the country to Maryland, leaving the two friends miles and miles apart. They remained friends, kept in touch, and eventually fell in love… and now, they’re back in the same state at least, and planning a wedding!

I love stories like this (maybe because I had a long-distance friendship/relationship that turned into marriage!), and I love couples like Amy and Roy who are so excited about their engagement and wedding photography. They came with outfit ideas, knew that they wanted something urban and artsy and fun, and also trusted me to pick that location. That led us right to the Crossroads District of Kansas City, home to lots of art galleries, studios, coffee shops and cool abandoned buildings. :)

I love the colors Amy and Roy chose for their outfits. It created a modern type of twist on traditional fall colors, and it was perfect for our downtown location! Plus, they look amazing…

The weather was so cold — in the 30s — but Amy and Roy did such a good job looking stylish and keeping warm. Cold weather? Nothing a little hugging can’t fix! :) And thanks for lending me your gloves, Amy! :) You are too sweet.

I LOVE when we capture images like this — two people madly in love, having fun together… that’s what makes life so happy.

Amy and Roy were willing to be a little silly and try some crazy things during our shoot. I love to hear people say things like, “How about I’ll jump on Roy’s back?” :) There’s a whole series of fun photos like this, which are going to be so fun for them to have!

Amy and Roy, thanks for braving the cold with me and being just so much fun to work with. I can’t wait for your big day in May! :)

Friends and family, click here to sign the guestbook of the online album and receive an e-mail when all of the photos are available!

I’ll leave you with one of my (many) favorites — congratulations, you two!

A different perspective September 8, 2008

This past weekend, I was able to check two more things off my 101 in 1001 list.

The first of those arrived in the form of a cardboard box…long-awaited, I might add. I ordered a wide-angle lens quite some time ago, the Tokina 11-16 2.8 (task number 37 on the list of things to do). Now, for those of you photography nerds out there, I know you’re probably wondering why I ordered that one instead of the comparable Nikkor lens (being the Nikon addict that I am). Well, after researching and researching and testing out rental lenses from the local camera shop, I just wasn’t convinced by the Nikkor version. And then, this review won me over.

So I ordered the Tokina, thinking that if it wasn’t high-grade, I could use it just for fun. Well, I am so impressed. I got to test it out during our weekend trip to St. Louis for Jeff’s birthday (also helping me cross off number 12 from my list!). It’s sturdy, quiet, fast and sharp.

I’m excited to try this out over the next several weeks to form my final opinion, but I must say, I am pleasantly surprised and very pleased with it. Welcome, Tokina 11-16, to my Nikon family.

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!

ericamay in the news! August 17, 2008

If you get the Saturday edition of the Kansas City Star, you hopefully saw the feature on 8/8/08 weddings yesterday! And that hopefully means you saw the rooftop dancing photo of Greg and Meryl from their big day! The Star ran one of the photos I took on their wedding day, and it was so much fun to see it in print!