lynette + liam | married! – manhattan, ks wedding photographer
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a wedding I was not planning on being at. Lynette, one of my wife’s good friends, moved to England a few years ago with her children. While she was there, she met Liam, and they fell in love. They came back to Kansas to get married near Lynette’s family.
When I found out she was coming back, I told her I wanted to do some portraits of her and Liam, and the best time we could find was right after the ceremony. Since the ceremony was scheduled at 5, we arranged for me to arrive at 5:30.
I got there early and checked out the grounds of the courthouse, then went to find Lynette and Liam. When I got inside, I discovered that they hadn’t actually been married yet because the judge had some concerns. You see, Liam is deaf, so the judge wanted to make sure that adequate interpretation was available and get everything set. In the end, it was decided that Lynette would interpret for him, and that’s about the time I arrived. So, I was able to come in and capture the ceremony as well.
It was a very intimate ceremony, with just Lynette and Liam, his best friend and best man who flew in with them for the ceremony, and Lynette’s family.
Lynette’s daughters and sister served as her bridesmaids.
I absolutely adore this image. I didn’t even notice when I was there that as Lynette was hugging her oldest daughter, she was signing “I love you” to her. So sweet.
After the ceremony, we went outside to get a quick portrait of the wedding party before sending everyone else on to the reception. The light was coming through the trees so nicely, we had to stop and get a couple of the happy couple as well.
Once we sent everyone on, Lynette, Liam and I made our way around the courthouse, finding some fun locations to make portraits in. It was a very interesting experience working with Liam–it was so easy to see his love for Lynette, even though I couldn’t understand a word he said. We had a great time from the get go.
We managed to grab the very last few rays of sun streaming through the trees and made very good use of them.
There’s much more inside, after the jump. (more…)
ashley + ben | married! – manhattan, ks wedding photographer
For most people I know, New Year’s Day means sleeping in, lazily watching the Rose Parade, and getting new year’s resolutions started. However, for Ashley and Ben, it meant an early rise and the start of their new life together.
We started out early, me and the ladies, hanging out at the Manhattan, Kansas, Holiday Inn’s Bridal Suite, getting everyone’s hair and makeup done. While waiting for her turn, Ashley wrote a note to accompany a gift for Ben.
And got a little present from him in return: the ticket from their first date. Yeah, he’s kind of sentimental like that. And Ashley loves it.
While Ashley was waiting for her turn, I grabbed a few frames of some of the important details:
Reception shoes:
Ashley’s turn!
One of Ashley’s precious flower girls, watching everyone swirl around her.
Ben had to get ready, too. Though, admittedly, it was a much simpler process.
There. Done. Back to Ashley.
Ashley, real quick, before you get your veil on…look over here.
Awesome. Thanks.
Personal aside: Since I began photographing weddings, I have become ever so much more appreciative of what my wife goes through when she dresses up. Love you, babe. Back to the show…after the jump. (more…)
my own – manhattan, ks child photographer
It’s not very often that I go to a wedding as a guest. Being in this business, the odds are just against me. So this past weekend, I found myself in a rather rare position: I was at a wedding, I didn’t have to work it, I had my camera, and my oldest daughter was the flower girl. That last one meant that she was all dressed up and at the wedding venue (the Holiday Inn in Manhattan, KS) early.
While we were waiting for the wedding photographer to finish doing the bride and groom portraits, I asked her if she wouldn’t mind me making a few portraits of her. Amazingly, she agreed! I was so happy that she was willing, because the Holiday Inn has some amazing light and great locations. I’ve shot some wedding receptions there before and have never been disappointed.
We spent all of 13 minutes, and I made less than 70 frames, but am so happy with the results. I don’t normally share personal images on here, but since these were not your run-of-the-mill family snapshots, I figured it was okay. So, if you’ll indulge me, my daughter:
My very favorite ones of her from this mini-session (plus my other two kiddos), after the break.
lonnie + annie – fairbury ne wedding photographer
I have come to realize that I am one of the worst bloggers ever. Lately, every time I’ve finished a session, I’ve posted a bunch to my photography page on facebook and done nothing here on the blog. So, if you haven’t checked out my fan page, hop on over and become a fan. There’s a lot of new stuff over there. 
A couple weeks ago, I got the opportunity to drive up to Fairbury, NE and help out a good friend (and even better photographer), Chris Hsieh of La Brisa Photography, as he took on the monumental task of shooting a wedding with 13 bridesmaids and 13 groomsmen (!!!). I packed my gear and drove up, happy to face the crowd and watch Chris work his magic.
Lonnie and Annie were such a great couple to work with, so happy, full of so much love (as evidenced in part by how many people were in the wedding party), and thrilled to be marrying each other. I had a blast getting to know them and all their family and friends.
Chris asked me to show up at the church around lunchtime and assist mostly with the portraits and ceremony, so I got to focus mostly on capturing some of the amazing details and people that surrounded Lonnie and Annie that day.
Enjoy!
Annie with her mom, helping her get ready.
Checking out the finished product in the mirror.
Here’s a better view for you.
More wedding gorgeousness after the jump.
ben + emily
Okay, so this one was really a long time in the making. Back in April—yes, April—I assisted Alan Honey on my second wedding. Before we got there, Alan told me that Ben and Emily were two of the nicest people I’d ever meet, and he was right. It turned out that I had already met them when they came into Alan’s studio for their engagement session, though it took us all a while to figure that out!
One of the many great things about Ben and Emily’s wedding was that it was in Wamego! Probably the only time in my life I’ll be able to walk to work. =]
Here are some of my favorite images from before the ceremony. Ben was such a nervous ball of energy waiting to see his future wife. He simply could not wait one more second to see her. The longing was evident and moving. This is Emily’s reaction as Ben opened his eyes:
Just before the ceremony, we stole Ben and Emily away and did some more relaxed portraits outside the church.
I just adore the love you can see between them in this totally candid moment:
The reception was held at the historic Columbian Theater, across the street from the church. The couple had asked to do a picture of the whole wedding party as they were crossing the street, all holding hands. Alan took it a step further:
And I just had to include this one detail shot from the reception:
Stay tuned for more incredibly delayed wedding posts, as well as the most recent weddings and a couple of family sessions I’m super excited about!
amy + jace – a wedding!
This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of assisting Alan Honey as he shot Amy and Jace’s wedding out at a wonderful little country church. Even though Alan got the majority of the images, he turned me loose to go see what I could find along the way!
It was so much fun working with Amy and Jace–they are really two of the most fun people. They had arranged to see each other before the wedding, so we made Jace wait. I think he actually managed not to peek!
Amy and Jace were so laid back as everything was made ready for the ceremony. They had time to stop and talk to all their family and friends that turned out to help make everything perfect.
Their little ring bearer, on the other hand, needed a whole lot of comfort and encouragement before he felt up to it.
The major players: Best Man, Bride, Groom, Matron of Honor
Finally, it was time.
All of their friends and family threw wheat grains as they left the church. The sun was in the perfect position to just make those little grains glow!
After they drove off, and everyone headed off to the reception, Alan and I sat down and took a breather. I was a bit confused–shouldn’t we be heading off to the reception? Alan said that he told the bride and groom to drive around the block, make out for 5 minutes, and then come back so we could shoot a few more portraits to take advantage of the amazing golden sunset light.
Boy, did we ever.
At the reception: the first taste of sweetness as a new couple.
As it turns out, it was also Amy’s sister’s birthday, so there was plenty to celebrate!
Thanks a ton for letting me be a part of your (almost)* perfect day!
*The Wildcats lost to Iowa St, 20-31.
