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..
Allison + Jaron | Kansas City Wedding | Nagel Portraits
Allison and Jaron decided on the The Legacy at Green Hills for their wedding venue. The Legacy at Green Hills sits on nearly 40 acres just outside Kansas City. With the woods and the pond and the pavilion, It's a location that seems destined for an all-day, outdoor party. One potential problem for this particular day was that it was forecast to rain pretty much all day long... and not just rain, but a torrential downpour with a tornado warning just waiting to be dropped.
Shortly after we got there we watched high winds and heavy, nearly sideways, rain pummel the entire area. Needless to say, the bride and groom were a little distraught as they watched their long awaited, well planned, day changing before their eyes. We knew that there would most likely be at least a couple breaks in the rain so we made sure that we were always ready and watching for a chance to get outside. And sure enough, those breaks came. Not only were we able to grab a few photos outside, but those photos came with epic skies, muted (in a good way) colors, and a uniqueness that otherwise would not have been found. A perceived setback turned into a perfect part of their story... and we had the opportunity to document it. For that we are grateful!
Katlyn + John || Kansas City Wedding
Katlyn and John... what a pleasure to work with these folks! They were so easy going... so natural... and so fun! It was our first time shooting at 1890 Event Space... and we LOVED it there! There is a beautiful old home on the property (where the girls got ready), a nice red barn, and a clean, crisp event space where the reception was held. There is also a great patio where the guests can enjoy a cocktail hour.
Courtney + Jeff || Kansas City Wedding
Rarely in my life have I seen 2 people laugh so much in one day… genuine, joyful laughter and smiles… all day long! Courtney and Jeff are not only SO apparently in love with each other, but they exude this authentic love and care to everyone around them. It’s beautiful to witness, it’s lovely to experience, and it makes you want to love better. I need more people like this in my life on a regular basis! Thanks, Courtney and Jeff for letting us into your world… it was truly a pleasure.
On a side note, we began offering video services as an extension of what we’re able to offer to our clients. Courtney and Jeff allowed us to create our pilot episode at their wedding (scroll down to view). More to come soon!
Ariele + Trevor || Kansas City Wedding
More Spring weddings, please... Wow! What a beautiful day in Kansas City?! We had such a fantastic time shooting engagement photos for Ariele and Trevor (didn’t hurt that we did the session right around the corner from our house out in the country, south of the suburbs), and we couldn’t wait to join them on their wedding day! Despite being behind schedule at the beginning of the day due to delays in makeup prep, we caught up, got some amazing images, and had a blast doing it!
Ariele and Trevor got ready at the Westin Crown Center, photos at Liberty Memorial and Loose Park, Ceremony at Colonial Church in Prairie Village, and Reception at 28 Event Space
Jessica + Tim || Kansas City
It’s always fun, and often a little nerve-racking, to shoot for other photographers. But when Jessica asked me to shoot a couples’ session for her and Tim, I jumped at the chance. Not only is Jessica a friend of mine, whom I’ve have I had the joy of working with on multiple occasions in the past, but I also loved the idea of the shoot. They wanted something simple that just captured who they are in real life, and they wanted to shoot in their new loft in the Western Auto building in downtown Kansas City. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again and again: I absolutely love shooting in people’s homes. It’s a place that holds so much intimacy and vulnerability. It’s a place where it feels completely natural to be completely ourselves. An added bonus was rooftop access with a view of the city, of course!
Ariele + Trevor || Kansas Country Engagement
What a fun shoot! Ariele and Trevor put a lot of thought into wardrobe choices, and I LOVE that! They brought a carload of clothes and I got to help them pick and choose what to wear. I HIGHLY recommend doing this, if at all possible. It leaves your options open and gives you the ability to, not only change your mind on the spot, but also to make an informed decision based on the environment that you’re in. I chose the locations for the shoot, so Ariele and Trevor had never seen them. They were able to update their wardrobe on the spot after seeing the different locations and deciding what would look best on them... and in the environment.
We shot in our own backyard, out south of the suburbs. I love getting to drive home as the sun is going down on most days and I have fallen in love with how the light rakes across the trees and the fields in these open spaces. I LOVE shooting here and was stoked when Ariele and Trevor were into the idea :)
We had a blast working with them, and can't wait until their wedding!
Loni + David || Kansas City Wedding
Loni and David were married at Christ Community in Brookside and their reception was held at The Little Theatre in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
Felicia + Cody || Kansas City Wedding
Felicia and Cody were married at Our Lady of Sorrows in Westport. Their reception was held at The Monarch Room in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri
