Meet Abbie and Curt - Getting Engaged

I will be shooting Abbie and Curt's wedding next year.

Abbie really wanted fall pictures, and of course, I'm happy to oblige! We had a heck of a time with scheduling due to unhappy, stinky weather, but it worked out well because I found this beautiful yellow tree.

Curt is a quiet kinda guy... did ya notice?

This is how I can tell when I guy loves his girl... cuz he'll let me take his picture anyway.

And kiss her...
sometimes even in public.

Ironically, I shot Curt's sister's engagement pics too. Remember Sarah and Brian? Yeah those guys, the ones that helped me when I broke my foot like a moron.

I was giving Brian a hard time about being reserved. Sarah said "wait til you meet my brother."

Duly noted Sarah.

I got him to loosen up a bit... and I didn't even have to give him beer.
There'll be beer at the wedding right Abbie? Hello? Anyone?


OK OK, I'll stop harassing Curt.
I swear.
He's a very nice guy, and I'm looking forward to their wedding next year... when it's warm again!

Meet Abbey and Anthony - Getting Engaged

Meet Abbey and Anthony. They are engaged.
You'd like them, I know it. Cuz dude, they're so easy to like.

They look pretty serious in the top picture, only because I made them look serious, not because they WANT to be. Anthony is a comic, so I "get it" Abbey. Guys that make ya laugh, are very attractive. Now, how can I back out of this without making it sound like I'm attracted to a client. lol.

I kinda picture the 2 of them, as a NW Missouri Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey. something like that.


This photo is more appropriate for their personalities:

This is at the kissing bridge at the college. I almost always start students at the kissing bridge, but this one was particularly important because.... that's the first place they kissed.

I wonder if she laughed like that then.

I've been wanting to do this shot for a while, and they were so game. It's particularly funny because of him being slighly shorter than her, and totally being ok and happy with that. I've been looking for the perfect couple to do this with for a while now ;)

We were heading to my house, to find a bean field, and chasing the sun as it dabbled in and out of the clouds. I literally pulled over and turned us around to get this shot. (and the last one). Glad I did, as when we got to my house (where all the beans are!) The sun was very low.

American Gothic.
kinda.

And my fav pic of the whole series:

I really am looking forward to their wedding, they are happy and excited and really down to earth!

Josh's Senior Portraits - Maryville Missouri Photographer

Meet Josh.

This is a pretty awesome kid right here. I mean really, how many times do you hear an 18 year old say he wants to go into the field of *history*. Really? I'd just be impressed if my kids showed up for history class.

(oh hush, my kid does)

Josh is not only a really happy bubbly (can you call guys bubbly?) person, but he's also my rep for my alma mater, Bedford Community High School, Bedford, Iowa. (Go Bulldogs!) As soon as I met him, I knew he'd be great at it. I mean, come on, he's all apple pie and baseball... look at him!

Anyway, Josh is also on the golf team and from the looks of it, he is pretty good, but what can I tell ya? All I know is that I'm impressed that when he swings, the club doesn't hit the ground like it would on someone like.. ohh.. me.

Tiger Woods and Josh. Those are the two golfers I know. Not that I *know* Tiger all that well... so Josh, you are the most prolific golfer I know! Go you!

I'm really happy that Josh let me take his photos, they are some of my very fav photos I've taken yet!

Thanks Josh!

Tanna + Errol = Getting Engaged!

You need to meet Tanna and Errol, they are two sweet and beautiful people, and they let ME take their engagement photos!

Of course I'm going to start off with one of my favorite photos. I love this pic, it's just so different. Feels like an album cover to me.

I had just gotten my new Canon 50D a couple days before. No better way to practice than to put your feet right to the fire and just do it!

I'm so happy with the results. So happy with the new camera upgrade!

I know they thought I was crazy. It's hard for me to understand that sometimes ppl can't see what I'm trying to do. I always say "trust me! It will be awesome!"

I love it when couples let me trudge them through mud and weeds, and then smile when they do it.

How beautiful and sexy of a couple are they!?






But it's not all serious.

Yes. I know I cut their heads off. I do that sometimes.
(My mom still doesn't "get it")

I try to talk to the couples, get to know them better, ask them about their lives, see what they do for a living, ask them about their siblings, or their dogs... I ask them about the ring, and the wedding, and what are their colors. Mainly to get them talking, but also because I LOVE WEDDINGS.

Eventually, we talk about the ring, and how he proposed, and sometimes there's a "he didn't". And I shouldn't tell you this part, but I will.

If I get a "he didn't" I'm probably going to do this:

Make him do it again.

Right.

On one knee.

Publically.


:)

Now Tanna has her proposal.

Congrats you two. You're awesome. I wish I could be there at the wedding! (I was booked). I'm so flattered they wanted me to do their engagement session.


Keep in mind folks, if I'm already booked on your date (and trust me, there are 3 dates this year that I could have sold 12 times.... *no kidding*), we can still do engagement session, a pre-wedding bridal, after the wedding session, a rock the dress session (putting your dress back on and taking awesome pics)... heck, if you were married 4 years ago, we can still put your dress back on and take some awesome pics.

Call me!

Maternity Shoot - Amanda (and crew)

WARNING!:
Cutest Maternity pic ever on the way!

You were warned!

This is Amanda. New mom to baby Isabelle.

Isabelle has already rolled over! I saw that as a sign that I REALLY NEED to get these pics uploaded!

This is Dad... Patrick.
They are a sweet couple. Patrick is the talker. Amanda is the quiet one.

In a quiet beautiful sort of way....

You know what I mean.

We went to the lake and there were so many beautiful spots there in a small area that I could have shot all day. I was very impressed considering this was my first shoot after I broke my big giant foot. I only tweaked it twice.

Thanks Patrick for helping me up after I laid on the ground for pics. I know I couldn't have made it without you :)

These tall grasses, queen anne's lace and clover. Mmm! Delicious! I took half my pics here, and I could have taken 200 more easily.

Amanda reminds me so much in this pic as a 70's flower child, that I had to juice it up and make it look like I just pulled it out of grandma's magnetic album.

Patrick showed up with a pretty nice camera himself and I was all "what the heck do you need me for?" and their response? "We didn't wanna chance it."

dude.

I have mad respect for ppl that "get it"

So I gave Patrick a couple tips, and then stood back and watched him practice. Go Patrick Go!



Amanda and Patrick have 2 other little children. Let me warn you, this is the most adorable maternity picture EVAH!

Doesn't that make you wanna run out and have a couple....
weiner dogs?

It does me!

I've begged for a weinie dog ever since I saw this adorable girl.
I want!

Really.

I offered to do the shoot for free if I could have that dog.

I meant it.

I still mean it.

Bridal Fair Report

I haven't had a chance yet, to update you on how the bridal fair went. This was the second time I did the show, and I was really impressed by how many people showed up this year. Last year, there was a fair amount of brides, and this year, it seemed like there were many more. I gave out a lot more brochures than last year, I almost ran out!!

It was pretty busy, and at points you couldn't even get in my booth!

Gene came along to help, and so did Tanner:

It's a where's waldo kinda photo.

Each year, they put on a fashion runway show of latest dresses. These dresses are supplied by the lovely Shannon Renee's in Maryville. I have shot a couple weddings with dresses from Shannon's and they are really beautiful! Please be sure to check them out if you are looking for formal wear.

This dress was one of my favorites, maybe it's because I wore a great big red, white and blue dress. LOL. Just a guess!

Look at all those beautiful buttons up the back!!


And now for the best/most unusual fall color combination ever!

Aubergine and orange! Oh so pretty. If I were getting married in the fall, I'd SO DO THIS!


And here's something you almost never see at bridal fashion runway shows!.....

A cowboy!!
(for the lovely readers that don't know, and that have just joined us, that's my hubs)

That's not something you see every day.

There were a ton of other great booths. I did want to send a shout out to some cool vendors whose info I gathered up to share.

Marriott Party Decorations and Catering.
They had a beautiful and TASTY chocolate cake there. Highly impressed!
3201 Oak Ave
Braddyville, IA

712-370-2651

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Mobile DJ
Tony Haist
660-652-3477
I've shot several weddings where one of Tony's DJ systems was there (he has 5!), and they do such an awesome job!

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If you are looking for an unusual venue to hold your wedding AND/OR reception, you have to see Paradise Park in Oregon. It's so pretty! You don't have to have a wedding there either, what an awesome spot for a family reunion or a christmas party. They are not that far from Kansas City!

In the center of the park, is a 100 year old barn, and it's surrounded by beautiful landscaping, artwork and even an indoor pond.

OK, I'm thinking paradise park, with purple and orange in the fall. yep. Think I can talk my husband into another wedding?

Paradise Park
Roderick Dryden owner
Oregon, MO
660-446-2407


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Of course, Spectacular Settings was there again. She does awesome decorating, and I swear, she has half the weddings I shoot! cool arches, greenery, tablescapes. You need Teresa!

Spectacular Settings
Teresa Hayes
660-582-0791

Of course there were many others there that deserve recognition, I just didn't get everyone's cards as I was so busy!!

Michelle + Joe = Getting Married!

Meet Michelle and Joe...

They were married at a beautiful local church with many of their closest friends and family at hand.

You can't take prewedding photos, without at least one cell phone shot. Usually it's the bride!

Go Bittersweet Florals and Gifts in Maryville! They rocked the flowers!!

Defjam DJ was awesome, totally had everyone rocking out and dancing!

Thank you Joe and Michelle for letting me be the photographer of your special wedding day!!