adam & alex & a very special portrait session | manhattan, ks portrait photographer
This past summer, I had the pleasure of working a couple of times with Alexandra, a local model, doing some fashion shoots, so I was excited when she contacted me wanting to do a portrait session with her husband, Adam. We discussed outfits and the concept she wanted for their shoot, and got all the plans put together.
We met up in one of the fields near their home to make some portraits of them doing what they love to do together: bird-watching. The sun was golden and glorious as we got started.
Out alone, with each other, doing what they love to do. One thing, of course, led to the other… 
Wait…did you hear that?
What? What’s going on?
Don’t you see it?! Over there!
ZOMBIES!!
The rest is just too horrible, much too soon to talk about. The rest of the story, in pictures, after the jump. (more…)
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.
miss zoey – manhattan ks child photographer
Earlier this month, I had the chance to go hang out with little miss Zoey and her parents at their Manhattan, KS home. I had met them the month before while photographing their adorable home (already sold!), and as we were talking about their upcoming move out of state, Zoey’s mom mentioned that they needed to get Zoey’s portraits made.
Two weeks later, and I got to hang out with Zoey at her home and at nearby Anneberg Park. I spent nearly the whole time laughing and playing with this adorable, energetic, Wiggle-loving little girl.
Everyone, meet Zoey:
Zoey is the typical 2.5-year-old toddler: shy at first, but curious enough about the rabbit on the top of your camera that she will eventually come out of her shell and play.
Besides, she loves her little pink sunglasses.
To see more, check out the full post:
kelli and jay – manhattan photographer
I love my job. I get to meet all kinds of incredible people that let me into their lives for a time. There are so many different kinds of beautiful relationships that I get to share, so much love and passion that I get to witness, and so many people in love that I get to work with to create portraits for them to treasure.
Recently, I got to meet Kelli and Jay. They got married a couple of years ago, but at the time, didn’t get any engagement pictures taken. Luckily for me, they came to me to help them create some portraits of the two of them together along with their little girl.
We got together at Anneberg Park in Manhattan, KS, during spring break on a slightly chilly and fairly breezy afternoon. First, we started with Jay in uniform.
Kelli had brought along something that she wanted to use in her portraits, which is such a great idea! Who knows a couple better than themselves?
After getting a few of them together in uniform, they changed and we set off to a few different parts of the park. They also got their little girl out of the car for a couple of pictures. No worries–their little girl was fine waiting in the car.
Everyone, meet Ada.
While Jay took Ada back to the car, Kelli and I took advantage of the time to create a few quick portraits of her.
When Jay returned, we got back to making magic happen. =]
My absolute favorite of the session. Maybe of the year so far.
I’ve always thought the playhouses in the playground would make for a good session location–so much color!
Finally, Kelli and Jay had gotten a matching set of necklaces to wear while Jay is away, and they wanted to incorporate them somehow in the shoot. Ok…done!
Jay, thank you for your service. We wish you all the best over there and a safe return! Godspeed!
jess + mike
It seems like forever ago, but I guess it was only back in November when Jess and Mike came down to Manhattan from where they’re living in Lincoln so we could make their engagement portraits.
I’ll be honest–I was nervous as the date drew closer. Here in Kansas, outdoor photo sessions in early November don’t typically have the benefit of a pleasant climate. However, as Saturday afternoon arrived, so did an incredibly nice warm front. In short, it was a gorgeous day to hang out with two gorgeous people in love.
Jess and Mike had no particular ties to Manhattan–Jess is from Wamego–so they trusted me to choose a location for our shoot. That kind of trust is one of the best things to give a photographer. =]
We went to a building in Southern Manhattan that I had been eying for a while. The grass was green, and yet the leaves were yellow and falling around the lawn. But, I imagine you didn’t come here for a description of the landscaping, right? Ok…here are the images.
Jess (it’s her birthday tomorrow, the 26th–leave her some happy birthday love!):
Mike:
There’s a huge tree in front of this building that had dropped a ton of leaves on the ground. As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted to get a particular shot. But, to get the shot, I’d need to be up off the ground. High.
It’s a good thing I climbed a lot of trees as a kid.
Here’s the shot.
Oh, and this one too.
They were having a good time down there, so I decided to get down there with them.
Well…not with them. Just on the ground. At the same time.
You know what I mean.
Like this:
Okay…I’ll just be quiet now.
And my personal favorite of the afternoon:
Jess and Mike, I had a blast shooting with you, and I just can’t wait until June for your wedding here in Wamego!
ingrid – wamego high senior
I had an incredible time recently working with Ingrid, a wonderful young woman attending Wamego High School. She’s not from around here, or anywhere near here, actually. You see, she’s here for a year from a small town in Norway whose name I can’t even pronounce. 
Ingrid, her host mom, and I had a great time out in Manhattan at City Park, finding some great spots around the new pavilion they just finished, making use of what little autumn foliage was still left. After playing around there, we drove off to find a patch of tall grass out in the sun and then finished up at under the highway bridge by the river.
We had such an amazing time I had a really hard time narrowing down her selection! Here are just a few of the images from her session:
One of my favorites, out behind the pavilion, by the massive air conditioning and heating units they have out back:
Check her out, straight killing it!
Ingrid might have been a little nervous when we got started, but before long, she was working it like a freaking model!
Wow!
I recently heard that some magazine somewhere did a study and concluded that the most beautiful people in the world lived in Norway. While I can’t vouch for the validity of the study, I can say that Ingrid represents her country well. She’s smart, happy, beautiful, and ready to face the world. Unfortunately, under the Norwegian school system, Ingrid will have one more year of school when she gets back, so Ingrid, enjoy being a senior twice!
All the best to you, Ingrid, and good luck in what schooling you have left!
mindy + nathan: engaged!
To those that know Mindy and Nathan, this will not come as much of a surprise, given that they just tied the knot about a week ago in a beautiful hill-top ceremony at her parents’ farm. However, not too long before the wedding, we got together for a little engagement session, knowing that there was little time between the session and the actual wedding (there was only family at the wedding–a total of 18 people).
And, incidentally, for anyone else in a similar situation, where there is not that much time for an engagement session before the wedding, when you might be tempted to just skip it and focus on the nearing nuptials, I’d recommend going ahead with the session anyways. It gives you a chance to get to know your photographer in a much more relaxed environment, to see how he or she works, and develop an amount of trust and confidence that will come back to serve you on your actual wedding day. You’ll be more relaxed with your photographer, and that will only make you look better in your wedding portraits. Trust me on this one.
So, we met on campus at Kansas State University in Manhattan and made good use of the great variety of locations available in such a small area. I’m going to try not to talk too much now because there are a bunch of images to share, so get ready for a long post!
Mindy and Nathan met in grade school. Sounds like the beginning of a great love story, doesn’t it? Really, it is.
It was so cool to see how much fun they have together. They’re unafraid of letting it show around other people, too.
Oh yeah…the dumpster thing? Their idea.
The real Nathan.
The black and white Nathan.
As we were moving from one location to another in the old stadium there on campus, a sweet, elderly couple that was walking the track passed us and commented on how nice the weather was. They then suggested we shoot right there on the track.
Ok!
After the stadium, we moved over to the new parking garage and had some fun there. Don’t worry…we looked both ways before laying down in the street.
The real fun started when we went to the top of the parking garage. It’s not finished yet, so there were a few locations that probably won’t be available in a few months when they do finish it.
And my very absolute favorite of the night, the very last image we made:
Mindy and Nathan, you guys rock! I’m so excited to have been able to create these images of your love before your wedding, and can’t wait to show you the images from your wedding! It’s coming soon…stay tuned!
