Thursday, August 27, 2009

Trey & Annie: Engagement Photos

I was mingling and talking to friends when I saw Trey and Annie out of the corner of my eye standing there a few feet away staring at me with huge smiles and big eyes. I KNEW something was up!

Because I'm officially a nerd, I accidentally called Annie, "Annie Ammons" (Ammons is Trey's last name, not Annie's) and then realized that I had made a mistake. Annie laughed and said "Well, that's what we wanted to talk to you about! We're going to get married!" I think my next few sentences came out in squeals to high-pitch for anyone to understand, but I'm sure I said something like, "yay! omg!"

ANYWAYS! Trey and Annie's story is pretty much adorable. Have you ever seen The Princess Bride? Trey was in charge of mowing and maintaining the never ending country acres where Annie lived during the summers. More and more she noticed he would come by, VERY often. Trey didn't mind because he got to see Annie. Eventually, Annie realized that every time Trey said, "as you wish", he was really saying, "I love you!" (OK!!! That's from the movie! But it's pretty much true!)

They fell in love and the rest is history! They asked me to take their engagement photos at the place where they fell in love! We also went to Baker University where they both went to school, and a nearby airport [of sorts!]. Their wedding is September 5th and I'm so excited to be their wedding photographer!

Here are some of my favorites:

I love this one because of Annie's laugh. This photo just makes me smile!
And it is always fun when my couples decide to have their pets come along for the engagement photos!
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We are SO in Kansas! Something about being out in the country air with nothing but fields and dirt roads is romantic to me :) What a perfect place to fall in love.
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Then we headed out to Baker University. Are they adorable or what?
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Trey was a little nervous about taking photos. He thought he was going to hate it. It turns out taking engagement photos can be fun! ;)
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Annie is GORGEOUS!
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I love love!
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The sun began to set and we managed another outfit change and headed to the local airport! Hello airplane!
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As the sun went down and out of sight, I had to get a few more shots of them on this hay bale! Trey and Annie are troopers! Getting onto this giant thing was kinda tricky!
I love this!!!
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I love these next two of them. Trey and Annie are perfect for each other and I'm lucky to have them in my life! You guys are amazing.
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Trey loves Annie. A whole lot. And she loves him back! I love my job :)
How sweet are they?
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Thanks a million Trey and Annie for allowing me to capture your love for each other and tell your story through these engagement photos! I'm so excited that I'll also be your wedding photographer in just a few days! XOXO - Claire

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Natalie & Ryan: Engagement Photos in Lee's Summit, MO

Ryan might say something like... "we go together like her eye socket fits perfectly onto my cheekbone". And I would have to agree :)... even if YOU don't get it, it makes perfect sense to me!

Natalie and Ryan are pretty much... adorable. If I had to sum them up in one word! But I don't, so I will say they are FABULOUSLY adorable! Because I love that word and I add it to everything!

I don't know how we got ANY photos taken at all because Natalie and I TALKED through the whole shoot! Ryan and Natalie, thanks for be so amazing, friendly and welcoming! I love your photos! Check'n 'em out!.......


Ryan loves Natalie a whole lot. See, Fabulously adorable, right?
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WARNING! Hotttt photo below, ok.
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OK. We had the BEST light the night of their engagement session. In this unpredictable month of August, I'm sooo thankful for you Mr. Sunshine! This is one of my most favorite [SET OF] photos! So romantic!
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Nothing like kissing the love of your life in the sunset in a field of wild flowers. (Or Smelling like bug spray and having sticky bur things all over you in itchy grass while your sweating. But the "field of flowers" just sounds better, you know?) AND THIS PHOTO IS HOT! I love it!
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Oh, hello anthropology ad!
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Love.
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"relax babe, I've got you!" AW! That pretty much sums up Ryan.
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UGH! How are you guys so ridiculously good looking?! And don't you just love Natalie's dress and boots combo?! AYKM?
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love!
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Natalie and Ryan had just a couple requests. One was that we get some shots of them work'n it out in their ku tees! If you're not a KU fan, just suck it up for a few minutes ok?
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Their other request was some laying-down-in-the-grass shots! Which I love. AND, MY one request was that they have to make faces at each other! win-win! (ok, we got some not-silly face ones too, but these next 2 shots made me smile!)
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Thanks a billion Natalie & Ryan! I'm super excited for your wedding this fall!!! Woo! You guys are so sweet... thanks for reminding me again why I LOVE my job so much! xoxo Claire

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Carey & Richie: The Wedding

Carey is the kind of woman who knows what she wants.
And she also knows how to GET what she wants. And Richie is the guy for her! Carey and Richie had been together for 18 years before he FINALLY proposed!

"She's a tomboy at heart", the mother of the bride kept saying.
But on this day, you would NEVER know it. Carey was radiant, feminine, and FIERCE!
Richie couldn't take his eyes... hands.... off her all day! Carey and Richie's wedding day was just how they wanted it to be: relaxed, fun, rowdy, crazy, memorable and full of love! This was one day that NOTHING could spoil and I was so lucky to have gotten to be a part of it! Thank you Carey and Richie for being so AWESOME, full of love and for welcoming m into your lives on your special day!

Flowers: Hy-Vee
Reception: Grand Ballroom, Bartle Hall
Dress: Emily Hart Bridal ...who carry my personal favorite designers, Bonny and La Sposa! Great bridal shop!
Planner: Tara with All About You Event ...Tara was GREAT and every detail was PERFECT! I love having another professional around who understands and manages the flow of the day! THANKS TARA!!!
DJ: Jimmy Vogel with Complete Music kept the dance floor moving! He was so easy to work with, great energy, and even got down on the floor with the crowd to make sure everyone was having a good time!
Video: Complete Video (same company as the DJ!)

Here are some of my faves!

The girls got ready in their suite at The President
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Her bouquet was so beautiful and smelled so good that Larissa had to stop me from eating it! (OK, not in real life, I promise I would never eat the brides bouquet!)
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Yes. 2 shots of the bouquet.
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Her dress was a couture dropped-waist/mermaid style gown with so many unique details it would need it's own blog post dedicated only to it's amazingness!
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Carey, you are so beautiful! What a stunning bride!
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Love her accessories :)... and I had to squeeze one more detail shot of the dress too!
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The wedding version of being born! And almost as much work! (Ok... obviously, I've never had kids) I love the expression of the bridesmaid on the far left!
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Me loves shoes :)
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We all made it to the ceremony in one piece...
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Aww...
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The bride and groom at the altar! (I think I heard someone say, "last chance, Richie!" from the crowd!...
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Married! Love Carey's expression! They both look so happy!!!
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Due to rain, extreme heat, and generally YUCK weather, we decided to do photos in the Ballroom at Union Station. Usually NOT going outside isn't really an option, but we had great natural light in here and it wasn't crowded at all! So it worked out perfectly!

I love the classy colors of mocha and champagne... any color that sounds good enough to eat/drink is good to me! You guys are so FABULOUS. (I personally think Carey rented models to be her bridesmaids!)
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Gorgeous :)
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Bride and groom!
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I'll end with a few reception details... This reception was off the hook with great color, professional lighting, a great layout and decor!
I'm going to find out who the cake designer is, and when I do, I'll post it on here! I love how the base looks like glowing ice!
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Carey and Tara used a LED light to uplight the centerpieces! What a dramatic effect..
The centerpieces also acted as ambient warm light for the reception.
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Carey and Richie, you guys seriously rock! Your day was sooo much fun... and crazy!
Thanks a million trillion for allowing me to join you guys on your wedding day!
xoxo

Claire