Rachel + Stephen || Engagement :: Kansas City, MO
I don't often get the opportunity to shoot engagement photos in the dead of the Kansas winter, however, I was stoked when Rachel and Stephen decided to do their engagement session on a trip to KC to see family in December! There are a few things about the winter here that I absolutely love: The chance to bundle up, the excuse to drink hot chocolate & Bailey's on a semi-consistent basis, a good reason to revert to my childhood while I tromp around snow and play with my kids, and the love of a well crafted fire in the fireplace while listening to Gregory Alan Isakov. On top of those, I do love to shoot in the winter. Whether it's just after, or during, a snow storm when I'm just shooting for my own creative exploration, or it's shooting a couple who are willing to brave the cold and work together with me to create some beautifully unique images. Not everyone wants to have their photographs taken when it's below 40 degrees and overcast, but I believe that those who are, are in for a treat. I had a great time getting to know Rachel and Stephen and had a blast hanging out with them while we did the shoot. I'm glad that we got to shoot when we did and where we did, and I believe we came out with some pretty fantastic images. So, without further ado, and with no more rambling, here they are...
Abby + Tyler's Engagement: Fields, Frolicking, and Fences
Okay, so maybe a little bit less "frolicking" than the title implies, but I can never resist a good alliteration.
When Tyler and Abby decided to shoot their engagement session out in my neck of the woods I was thrilled. One, because it's a lot closer to me than St Joseph, MO where they're from :) ...and two, I absolutely love the scenery out here. We live just beyond the most southern reaches of Overland Park, KS amidst some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area, regardless of the time of year. Fall is definitely one of my favorites, and although the trees had only just started their yearly transformation into their deeply saturated colors of yellow, orange, and red, I couldn't have asked for a better setting for the shoot.
We shot for less than two hours, but were able to capture a very wide breadth of imagery. This was partially due to the fact that all 5 of our locations were within a mile and a half... of course, it also didn't hurt that Tyler and Abby are both natural born models and moved inherently and effortlessly into different poses that relentlessly forced my trigger finger onto the shutter button.
Kristen + Brandon || Wedding :: San Diego, CA
Although most of our wedding photography is now based in Kansas City, we do still shoot fairly often in San Diego. It is always a pleasure to return, especially when it's to work with such fine people as the Braunreuther and the Wischmeyer families (yes, it did take me a bit to learn the spelling on both of those names, but I think I've got it now). I mean, with the weather, the beach, the Mexican food, the lifestyle, and the dear friends that we have there, there's not many negative things to say about the greatest place on earth (except perhaps that we now live 1,679 miles to the East.
So... this post has a lot of photos! And here's my official disclaimer :: I usually try to trim down to about 20-30 of the best (my favorites), but there were just too many in this case! I don't know if it is because I get sucked into telling a story through the imagery and don't want to leave anything out, or if it's because we had such a blast working with Kristen and Brandon and their crew that every shot holds some sort of personal value, or if it's just because I'm still in love with San Diego and looking through these photos keeps taking me back. Well, regardless of the reason, here are 60 photos from the Wischmeyer wedding... Enjoy!
Dan + Emily || Wedding :: San Diego, CA
I met Dan a long time ago through a mutual friend, so I was so glad when he called me up and asked if I was available to shoot his wedding. Dan and Emily are a very sweet couple. I don't often shoot a wedding without an entire wedding party, but when I do, I always enjoy it. You get to know the couple a little bit more intimately, not to mention the fact that you get much more time to be creative with portraits of just the bride and groom. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Dan and Emily. Thanks, guys!
Clare + Barak || Engagement :: Spring Hill, KS
Upon extreme coincidence it turns out that the little sister of the bride-to-be (Clare) that contacted me through theKnot.com was in my mom’s kindergarten class. Clare and I also graduated from the same small, private high school in Kansas City and know some of the same people. Beyond that, we live in the same small rural town south of the suburbs that is, or at least used to be, relatively uninhabited. Yes, a strange mix of coincidences, but I’m glad that they somehow worked out the way that they did, because I’m really excited to know these folks, had a great time shooting their engagement photos, and I’m stoked to be shooting their wedding this coming April!
Corinn + Jake + a belly and a baby
I had a great time shooting Corinn and Jake and their baby-to-be. These are two people that are clearly excited about their not-so-distant future of becoming parents. We roamed the countryside where I grew up in Spring Hill, KS to get these shots, and it turned out to be a beautiful night! Neville, their dog, is the most photogenic animal I have ever seen and he brought an added element of fun to the shoot. Thanks, Corinn and Jake, I had a great time hanging with you guys!
Kristen + Brandon || Engagement
When they invite you up to your apartment in the middle of a shoot and out for a beer afterwards, you know you've found the right clients! Seriously, Kristen and Brandon are two of the nicest people that I've met. I had a great time stilling around Balboa Park and the beautiful beaches of La Jolla for their engagement session, and I'm excited to be a part of their wedding next August!
Trish + Martin || Engagement
I will be shooting Trish and Martin's wedding this coming February in San Diego and I'm very excited to work with another fantastic couple. I love it when I'm on a shoot with a couple that I just met that day, and yet it feels like we've been friends for quite some time. Trish and Martin are on of those fun and easy going couples that makes my job a pleasure. Thanks guys... I'm stoked for your wedding!
The Wallace Three
Two of the coolest people on earth... well, officially three as of 6/22/12. Abby and Jon have not only given us a place to lay our heads at night while we look for a place in San Diego, but they are two of our very best friends. It was an absolute blast to tromp around with them on the hillsides of Encinitas while I watched their eyes twinkle in expectation of their first baby... that also could have been remnants from the wine tasting that Jon and I participated in less than an hour before the shoot :)
Carlos + Angela || Wedding
I had the pleasure of helping a friend shoot part of a wedding a couple of months ago in Santa Barbara. I shot the groom’s prep as well as the first few minutes of the reception. I don’t really have any photos of the actual wedding (since I wasn’t there), but I do have a handful of images from what I did shoot that I thought I’d post.
