Engagement Photos: Mallory & Kylan, Kansas Farm/Eastborough Park June 12, 2009

Every once in a while I meet a couple who makes my heart so joyful. A couple whose love is so pure and sweet that I just want to sigh as I take their photos, edit their photos, and blog their photos. Mallory and Kylan are one of those couples. :)

Mallory is the cousin of one of my brides, Molly, and she caught the bouquet at her wedding. It just so happens that Kylan also caught the garter at that wedding. :) And now, here we are, a few months later doing their engagement photos!

We met before 7 a.m. (Gasp! I know! Are we crazy or what?!) because Mallory really wanted photos at her grandpa’s land out in the country near where I grew up. I knew that the best time for these type of photos would be in the morning light, so they gladly agreed and got up REALLY early to make the drive.

I asked Mallory to bring a quilt to sit on in the field… I didn’t know she’d bring the perfect quilt — a gorgeous handmade one that her great-grandmother crafted! Isn’t it beautiful?

I love this one. I didn’t even tell them to do this. Yes, they are just that cute.

After a wardrobe change and a little drive, we met up again at Eastborough Park in a little town within a town in Wichita. :) They went to this park on their first date, and then again when Kylan proposed. I love going to places that are special for a couple!

We were followed for most of our session by this cute little group of 11 baby ducklings! How sweet!

Seriously. Beautiful.

Mallory and Kylan, I loved meeting you in person and capturing your love. I can’t wait to be there for your wedding celebration!

Family and friends can click here to view all of the photos online once they’re ready to go! :)

(One more reminder… I’m still away having a great time with high school students who are learning about leadership and volunteerism at HOBY! If you’re trying to reach me and haven’t heard back, I promise I’ll be in touch early next week!).

Nathan and Laura in Wichita’s Old Town June 11, 2009

Okay, I just want to start by saying how much I love these two. They are so easy to photograph… AND they do photo sessions “just because.” :) Laura and Nathan’s wedding was last July, so these are what I’m calling their pre-one-year-anniversary portraits. I love that as soon as Laura heard about the portrait special to benefit HOBY, she jumped at the opportunity to participate. Laura and I actually went through the HOBY program at the same place in the same year… although we didn’t know each other and I’m sure she never imagined that someone there would someday be her wedding photographer. :)

Anyway, we got together for some fun portraits of this adorable couple in Wichita’s Old Town district…

I believe it was right about here in the photo shoot that they were talking about how unphotogenic they are… um, yeah, sorry to break it to you — but you’re not fooling anyone! :)

We did a few headshots of each of them — Nathan graduates as a Chiropractor in a few weeks and needed some headshots for the practice he’ll be working for. And Laura… well, what girl shouldn’t have her portrait taken? :)

More photos of the cute couple:

Laura and Nathan, thanks for being so awesome. :) And a big thank you for helping support an awesome youth leadership organization! Enjoy the photos!

(Reminder: I’m at Kansas HOBY right now… I set up these special blog posts for you all while I’m away so you don’t have to wait to see the photos… if you need to reach me, I’ll be answering e-mails and phone calls early next week!).

Wichita Engagement Photos: Michael and Leah June 7, 2009

I met Michael and Leah in Wichita for their engagement session — at Botanica and Friends University, where they met! These two are super sweet, both to each other and to other people. I am really excited to photograph their wedding this September. I’ve known Mike since I was in first grade. He’s one of my older brother’s best friends, and I’m so glad that he found a sweet and lovely girl like Leah to spend life with!

I just love super sweet shots like this… :)

The porch swing sits on the Friends University president’s house… don’t worry, we were allowed to be there. :)

Friends University has such a cool administrative building — of course, we had to get some photos in front of it!

I really love this classic headshot of the two of them. They are just too adorable! :)

Mike and Leah, thanks so much for asking me to take your photos… I’m excited to see you in September again!

Wedding: Nic and Julie, Take Two September 24, 2008

As promised, here are more (a LOT more!) photos from Nic and Julie’s big day. I always love photographing weddings of people who I know (either previously, or who I get the chance to know through wedding planning with them!). It makes the day so special and everything runs so smoothly, because we are all able to collaborate beforehand.

We started out the day at Edgez salon in Wichita, where all of the ladies got fantastic up-dos. They were all so classic and beautiful — I was seriously impressed with what the Edgez team created!

Then it was back to Central Christian Church, where the girls did make-up and finished getting ready in the parlor room. I could’ve shared tons of great photos of the beautiful ladies getting ready! They were all so lovely…here’s Julie’s sister helping with the finishing touches:

I love Julie’s shoes, and the details in the parlor room:

Julie’s dress was stunning, with great classic details – an Anjolique:

Nic and Julie decided to see each other before the ceremony for photos, which I love and recommend. It not only gives the bride and groom time to themselves (with me in the background, of course), but it also allows us the creativity to do some fun and creative portraits. They decided to do theirs at a neighborhood park in Eastborough. It worked perfectly.

This shot is a classic Nic expression…here, he’s waiting for his bride! 

Through all of their portraits, they were just so cute and smiley! That’s how you can spot a couple in love… :)

Julie was just breathtaking in her dress — I love her long veil, and how it really added to her classic beauty.

The ceremony was one of the most beautiful I’ve been to. The personal touches were so great, everything from Nic’s sisters’ beautiful rendition of The Love of God to these awesomely designed wedding programs — illustrated by Nic. This was one of my favorite details of the day, because it really captured their personalities.

During the processional, the readers cited Scripture over Canon in D. I had never seen this touch before, but it was beautiful and moving and captured the essence of Nic and Julie’s bond through their faith. I thankfully held in my tears until I got to the back of the church. :)

Jeff’s perspective during the ceremony:

I love this shot Jeff grabbed from his view behind one of the videographers — check out the screen!

Such joy!

My view of the grand exit…

…and Jeff’s view:

The reception was held at the Olive Tree, and it was just really well-done. With fun details like a coffee/espresso bar, a chocolate fountain, a buffet, dance and a photo booth (so cool!), it was very personalized.

These two have parents who couldn’t be more proud of them. They were all beaming the whole day — I love that, when you know that two people have awesome role models! Nic and his mom:

Julie and her dad:

Julie’s dad gave a great toast to the newlyweds, and a really heartfelt speech about how proud he is of his daughter. It was so special…I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the room. :)

The little ring bearer (Nic’s nephew) was so worn out! Jeff caught him snoozing…what a cutie!

Nic and Julie, thank you for letting us capture your special day. It was such a joyful day!

Family and friends, I could have shared so many more photos on here of the happiness and love you all showed throughout the wedding day. If you haven’t yet pre-registered for their online album, click here to sign in.