Erin + Cole | River Market Engagement Session
We absolutely love shooting in new environments and new locations AND we love the intimacy that comes with shooting in a couple’s own home. We got to do both of those with Erin and Cole. They graciously invited us into their home (a loft in the River Market area in Kansas City Missouri) to start the shoot. There is so much to be said about the relaxed environment at your own home. The photos feel genuine, authentic, and often times more intimate. There’s nothing not to love :)
After that, we venture out onto the streets of the River Market and into one of their favorite restaurants and bars, the classy Brown & Loe. As usual with establishments in Kansas City, the staff was very kind and generous and were happy to accommodate us as we roamed around the place searching for angles, backgrounds, and foregrounds for our photos.. we even ventured behind the bar a couple of times.
We had a blast with Erin and Cole, and are so happy that we got the opportunity to photograph them and to document this time in their lives. We also got to extend the evening with a little date night at Brown & Loe :)
Chloe + Eric | Kansas City Engagement | Nagel Portraits
… scroll down for more images :)
There’s a lot to be said for a couple intnetionally putting some thought and planning into their engagement session. A lot of people rely completely on their photographer for capturing that epic style of engagement photography they see on Pinterest and all over Instagram. There’s nothing wrong with that, to be sure. We, your photographers, have a lot of experience and countless hours honing our ability to see our subjects and their backgrounds in a creative and asthetically pleasing way. We’ve learned to push the limits and are ALWAYS trying new things (a subject which may spin off into another post :). We are definitely able and happy to take the reigns and design the shoot 100% autonimously. BUT…. there are a few great things that happy when a couple is mentally and emotionally invested in the both the preparation for and the outcome of the shoot.
You’re better prepared, mentally :: Most of us don’t spend a lot of time in front of a camera, and when we jump right into something that we don’t have consistent experience with, we tend to be reserved and overly self-aware. That can tend to come off as awkwardness and it often shows in the final photographs. We have a lot of practice at making people feel less awkard when having a camera pointed at them while they’re supposed to be acting intimate with their partner and pretent that we’re not there… and I like to think that we are generally fun-loving people and quite easy to be around, thus making the whole experience more natural and enjoyable. But, the fact remains that putting some serious thought into the shoot, and even practicing beforehand can definitely make you feel more comfortable and at ease during the shoot. Yes, I said practicing… together, in front of a mirror. It will feel stupid, but you get to see how your bodies and faces and apendages look together, and I guarantee you that you won’t be nearly as worried about how you look when you’re in front of a camera. Practice poses from those afroementioned photos that you love from Pinterest and Instagram… It makes a HUGE difference!
You make better, more well thoughtout decisions because you know what result you want :: This applies mostly to your wardrobe and location choices. When you take time to research and look (really look and study) the images that you love, your wardrobe choices become more refined and better wardrobe makes better photographs… all. the. time. This is one of the reasons that we pay wardrobe stylises thousands of dollars on commercial shoots (well, that and the fact that their actually doing the shopping and purchasing all of the wardrobe choices). It’s an entire profession, because it’s so important when it comes to how you want the photograph to speak and the emotions and the feelings that you want it to convey… well, that and you want to look killer in the photos that you’re going to share with your closest friends and family :). We’ve had couples even rent dresses and suits and jewelry online just for the engagement shoot and I will tell you that those shoots are some of the most stunning we’ve done and I think that it’s because so much thought and preparation was put into the planning by the couple. (btw I’m not saying that you have to spend any more money that you already have by renting clothes… just underlining the importance of thought and planning :)
You have more fun! :: This usually goes without saying, but the shoot doesn’t have to, and probably shouldn’t, be all serious and “artistic”. Some of our absolute favorite photos of our couples come from those spontaneous moments that we weren’t even planning for. Wether it’s taking photos in your college tee shirts or shotgunning Natty Lites in a city park (yes, that actually happened and it made me very happy), do things that are YOU! The big landscape-backed or architecturally inspired creatively framed photographs with pensive looks spatial separation are stunning and great to frame as large format wall art for your home, but make sure that you’re ready to loosen up and enjoy yourselves by just being you. This is our favorite part of the shoot because we can all be real with each other. We can hang out, joke, laugh, and all be together for a few hours in an atmosphere that has no pressure. Yes, you want to get those big, epic shots, but the most important thing when documenting this specific time in your lives is to be yourselves, laugh a lot, and have fun… it’s then when we, as your story tellers, get to be on your journey and to tell your real life story!
Okay… enough rambling on. I need to get home and have dinner with my family! Here are some more images from Chloe and Eric’s engagement session. They did all of the above, and it was truly a fantastic shoot. They practiced, they thought through locations, made great decisions on their wardrobe, brought their sweet pup (which we always recommend :), and they, and I, had a great time!!
Cheers..
Kristina + Jacob || Kansas City Wedding :: Union Station
Kristina's and Jacob's wedding was a classy affair to say the least, and the venue only added to the ambiance! We've wanted to shoot a wedding at Union Station since we arrived in Kansas City 3 years ago. There's so much history packed into the building and it's a beautiful work of architecture. Mark actually started his career as an architectural photographer, so he's always amped when he sees the opportunity to combine his love of architecture with that of photographing people... so this was perfect.
Kristina's and Jacob's wedding was a classy affair to say the least, and the venue only added to the ambiance! We've wanted to shoot a wedding at Union Station since we arrived in Kansas City 3 years ago. There's so much history packed into the building and it's a beautiful work of architecture. Mark actually started his career as an architectural photographer, so he's always amped when he sees the opportunity to combine his love of architecture with that of photographing people... so this was perfect. Jacob and Kristina hail from Boston, so planning a wedding in KC was no easy chore. However the day went off without a hitch, thanks in large part to Hannah Klamann of Weddings By Hannah. Here's what it looked like to us :)
Megan + Luke || Engagement :: Columbia MO
Hey, look at us... a blog post. Yes, we always seem to be a bit behind on sharing our images, but we just had to get some up from this shoot with Megan and Luke! We shot in the woods just outside of the MU campus in Columbia, MO. Wooded areas have always been one of our favorite places to photograph. Part of it may be that Mark grew in the country, exploring the woods nearly every day of the summer with his older brother. Part of it may just be the sheer beauty of nature. Whatever it is, we're so glad that Megan and Luke wanted to shoot here... we loved the backdrops that the location offered and it was well worth the drive :)
Here's a little sample of what we captured...
Cody + Felicia || Engagement :: Kansas City
If you've thought about dressing up a little for your engagement session.... DO IT! This was one of our favorite engagement sessions this year. Cody and Felicia decided to get a little dressed up and start off the shoot at Harry's, one of their favorite local Kansas City establishments. Their wardrobe matched the environment perfectly. After leaving Harry's, we headed to a lesser-known spot that overlooks the West Bottoms near downtown to chase the remaining daylight.
Not only did I have a great time shooting with these two, but they treated me to a gin and tonic to start things off! Gotta love drinking on the job ;)
Justin + Adrienne || Wedding :: Kansas City, MO
Ever since we shot Justin and Adrienne's engagement session, we've been stoked to partner with them on their wedding day. They are two of the nicest people you will ever meet, and we've really enjoyed getting to know them. Justin and Adrienne were married at Christ Community Church in Brookside had their wedding reception at The Guild in the Crossroads.
On a side note: I've been after that particular photograph above since we moved to Kansas City about 2 years ago. I finally had the time, location, and the perfect couple to pull it off!!
Oh, lastly, this was also our first time working along side the folks from The Photo Bus. They've got a seriously rad thing going (there are a couple photos at the end of this post)... so, if you're looking for a fun and unique photo booth option for your wedding reception, please check them out!
Now... some photos...
Matt + Diana || Wedding :: Nashville, TN
It's not too often that we get down to Nashville, and that seems somewhat unfortunate. Not only does Katherine have fairly strong ties there, having grown up visiting family in Nashville and then heading there for a degree in vocal performance from Belmont University, but we also have some very close friends that live just outside of the city. So it's always a pleasure to visit (especially when we can extend our stay, and still expense most of the trip!).
Matt and Diana tied the knot a couple months back and their wedding was really one of a kind, created by them from start to finish and inspired by some of their favorite classic authors. It was full of class and style, and we enjoyed getting a chance to capture something so unique. The ceremony and reception were held at Events on 3rd (an historic Speakeasy from the 20's) in the heart of Printers Alley
Laura + Dan || Wedding :: Kansas City, MO
Laura and Dan are two of the sweetest, most genuinely nice people I've ever met. It was a joy to be a part of their day!
Theda + Igor || Wedding :: Kansas City, MO
Better late than never, right? Theda and Igor were married in Kansas City last November, and for some reason, I'm just now getting around to blogging it. Theda and Igor both live and work in Washington DC, so our pre-wedding time together was somewhat limited. However, we did get to meet up for dinner in Westport one night at the delicious Westside Local (which I would highly recommend!), and we sort of became fast friends. I had a ridiculously good time with them and it was one of those moments when you realize that you probably would have been good friends in back in high school. Anyway, Katherine and I had a great time celebrating with them on their wedding day and we're so glad that our worlds ended up colliding. This is one of my favorite parts about the job, getting to meet and befriend people that you may not otherwise get the chance to.
Our post-ceremony photo journey included a stop at one of Kansas City's oldest burger joints, Winsteads. Everyone was hungry and much of the wedding party was either from out of town or out of the country, so the consensus was that a local burger run was a must. It's that type of spontaneity that often gives you such memorable experiences from your wedding day.
One last comment: Theda and I shot a bridal session a couple of days before the wedding date, and after including several of those, the gallery below became somewhat large. So, I apologize if I crash your computer.
Wiedenmeyer Family
Katherine and I shoot mostly weddings these days, but every once in a while we get to take a brief hiatus from the creative space of wedding photography and focus on the smaller, and often times even more intimate, setting of a family photo session. I love these sessions! It's an entirely different approach to the creative side of image making; it's generally a much more relaxed environment; and you get to see the dynamics of one of the highest forms of love, that which exists between a parent and a child, play out right before your eyes. It's refreshing and it's inspiring. The Wiedenmeyers have been friends of ours for a long time, and it was a pleasure to take part in the celebration of their sweet little girl's first (or second, depending on when you start counting) birthday!
