Mark Nagel 11/12/19 Mark Nagel 11/12/19

Ella + Ethan | Topeka KS Engagement Session | Location, Location, Location

I first met Ethan and Ella about 2 1/2 years ago when they came into our studio to discuss working together to capture their wedding day. I instantly knew that this was a couple that I really wanted to work with. They were both so sweet, and such genuinely happy individuals, I was stoked at the chance to work with them for both their engagement session as well as their wedding.

We just shot their wedding this past Saturday (more on that soon), and while I was designing their engagement guestbook as part of the wedding photography package that they ordered I was reminded of how much I loved that shoot. It was a unique shoot for me in a couple of respects: One, we shot in locations I had never even seen (in Topeka, Kansas), and two, those locations were both so unique in and of themselves. We started at a historical park called Ward-Meade and ended at an ice cream shop that Ella used to go to with her mom when she was a kid. I’ve said this to many of you before, but one of the most important things when choosing the locations for your photoshoot is to make it personal! If at all possible, choose places that mean something to you. Many of our couples will choose to shoot at a location where they got engaged or had their first date. Some will choose to shoot in their home (we LOVE that one:). Some will choose certain places in the city (or the country) where they’ve spent a lot of time together… or a special restaurant… or bar… or bookstore… or ice cream shop! Remember, the locations you choose are the backdrop of your images and they can say as much about you and about this stage in your life as how you interact with each other in your photographs.

I had a wonderful time shooting with Ella and Ethan. The locations were super fun and these two photographed SO WELL!

… I can’t wait to get to their wedding photos!

Mark Nagel 7/31/19 Mark Nagel 7/31/19

Chloe + Eric | Kansas City Engagement | Nagel Portraits

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..

Mark Nagel 11/10/17 Mark Nagel 11/10/17

Kristina + Eric | Kansa City Wedding | The Barn at Schwinn Produce Farm

This fun, rustic wedding was photographed by Nagel Portraits, with a ceremony and reception at the barn at Schwinn Produce Farm.

Kristina and Eric were married on June 30th, with a ceremony and reception at T he Barn at Schwinn Produce Farm.

Right from the start, it was obvious that these two had something special. Their first look was one of the sweetest we’ve ever seen as they stood back to back and read aloud the letters that they’d written to each other. After having read, and cried, and laughed, they both turned around to see each other for the first time that day... Eric’s response in particular was absolutely priceless. He seemed to be precuriously balanced on the line between crying and laughing. Overwhelmed with joy, it was as if the emotional side of his brain was trying to make his body do both at the same time. One of our favorite shots is from this moment (above).

The ceremony itself was just as touching, and we were thrilled by the details that Kristina poured into the décor. She did a fantastic job matching everything to the environment at Schwinn Produce Farm, creating a backdrop that had a subtle country / rustic vibe without overdoing anything... not easy to accomplish. It all fit in perfectly!

And we could NOT get enough of that dance floor at the reception! Kristina was a dancer and cheerleader at KU, so during the reception, she and a few fellow cheerleaders performed the classic “Rock Chalk Jaywalk KU,” followed by a dance party of epic proportions. We’ve never, ever seen so many talented dancers in one room before! That was probably the most fun we’ve had shooting a reception—ever!

Of course, for as much fun as the reception was, there was also room for some quiet, beautiful moments. Kristina and Eric were married on the same day that her parents had been married years ago. It was truly remarkable to see Kristina’s mom and dad share a dance on their special day—and to see the love in Kristina’s expression as she watched them dancing.

Kristina & Eric, we can't thank you enough for asking us to document your wedding day. You made us feel like part of the family, and we were so honored to have a small part in your big day. You are truly special people; it was a blessing to watch you move through this part of your life.

***Video at bottom of post***