Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

After shooting Darcy and Kent's engagement portraits this weekend I set out to Wichita State University and Lawrence Dumont Stadium to shoot some state track and state baseball action for the Lawrence Journal-World. I never pass up a chance to shoot baseball. It was a great way to spend the Memorial Day weekend!


Lawrence's Jordan Guntert (6) slides safely into second base as Blue Valley West's Josh Swartz awaits the ball in the first inning of the Class 6A state baseball semifinal.


Lawrence shortstop Daniel Parker (22) glares at an umpire after Blue Valley West's Alex Hughes was called safe on a pickoff attempt in the sixth inning. Hughes would later score as the Jaguars won 7-5 in a game that saw more than one controversial call at second base.


Lawrence Free State's Todd Lee qualified for the state meet in just his second year of competition.


Free State's Christian Ballard, left, takes the baton from teammate Austin Winn in the Boys 4x100 relay. After shooting this scene I ran for the finish line where I saw each time finish but Free State. As it turned out, Ballard would injury his hamstring in the next handoff preventing his team from finishing the race. -Mike

Darcy and Kent's engagement

Darcy and Kent were in town from Florida this weekend to finalize their July 6 wedding so I took the opportunity to meet up with them in College Hill park to make a few engagement portraits.


They are a fun couple and I had a great time hanging out with them! To see a slideshow of their engagement portraits, **click here.** -Mike

heartlandphotography.org version 2.0 is now LIVE!

After several months of re-design, our new web site is up and running! Please take some time to browse through it.

You'll notice handy new features such as linking directly from Heartland Photography to your photos on Pictage. No more searching — just a direct link! We've also added some valuable information in the Q&A sections.

When we were ready to do a web site, there was no question about who we would ask to undertake the project. Jen Friedberg is a friend of both Mike and I, as well as a fantastic web designer (and an amazing photojournalist). We met Jen through A Photo A Day and she was my roommate during a Women in Photojournalism conference.

Jen has worked countless hours to transform this site from a dream into a reality. She did a few overhauls of the site, as well as a multitude of tweaks to make it "just right."

Thanks, Jen!

Buying a dress

Robin, who's getting married in December, invited me to tag along today as she tried on "the dress" the last time before she bought it. I gladly accompanied her to Simplistic Bride in Derby for the task. Part of the afternoon Monday was spent trying to figure out which set of grandma's pearls to wear. She has a few to choose from, with varying lengths and colors. This set was a little long, but she adjusted it and let the extras trail down her back.


Diane, the owner of Simplilstic Bride, measures Robin so the dress fits "just right." Diane is one of my favorite bridal shop owners. Over the years I've watched her grow from carrying an amazing line of dresses in the shop in her basement to a storefront in Derby.

Tori and Brent's wedding slideshow

Tori and Brent were married a week ago Saturday in a nice outdoor ceremony at Andover Central Park followed by a reception in the park's lodge. To see a slideshow from their wedding day, and a few photographs from the rehearsal the night before, **click here.** Make sure you have a speedy Internet connection and the latest Flash player. Brent and Tori, I hope you have as much fun watching your slideshow as I had making it! Congratulations! -Mike

Greensburg Tornado

There are no words that can describe my day in tornado-ravaged Greensburg, Kan.

The sights, sounds, smells were all surreal. Some voice in the back of my head kept telling me “you’re not in Kansas anymore” - but I was a mere 90 miles from Hays.


This fella spent part of the afternoon occupying himself while adults poked through the rubble and what was left of their lives after an EF5 tornado demolished more than 95 percent of the town Friday night.



Volunteers, such as this man from Kingman, poured in from across the state. He and the Knights of Columbus were giving each homeowner a $100 voucher for an area retailer after donations poured into the group from across the state.

I think the most unbelievable thing about the entire situation is that it's not just this one house on one corner. No, it's the ENTIRE town, the grocery store, the John Deere dealership, the hospital, the grade and high schools ... and the list continues ...

The best way to assist in this disaster right now is monetary donations. They are being coordinated through the Red Cross (American Red Cross, Cannonball Trail Chapter, 114 N. Main, Suite B, Pratt, KS 67124, (620) 672-3651) or the Salvation Army (at (800) SAL-ARMY).

Mike and I realize family photos are a treasured heirloom, and while we cannot replace those lost or destroyed by the storm, we would like to help Greensburg residents by offering complimentary portrait sessions. We’re still working out the details, so please contact me at: karen@heartlandphotography.org if you or a loved one is interested.

P.S. — YES, President Bush was in Greensburg today (as was I), but I did NOT see him. I was photographing the emergency workers in a different area of town (I've had about a half dozen calls with this question today already!).

Tori and Brent's wedding

Tori and Brent were married Saturday at Andover Central Park. Despite a few sprinkles and the threat of severe weather, their outdoor wedding went off without a hitch. (Photo by Mike)


Tori and Brent both like to fish and spend time outside, so following the ceremony we spent a few moments on a fishing dock at the park's small lake. It made for some fantastic romantic portraits! We'll be editing our take from the shoot in the coming days and have a slideshow online soon. In the meantime, these are some of our early favorites. (Photo by Karen)


Savannah, one of two flower girls, shares a smile with her mother as they take a short walk before the ceremony. (Photo by Mike)


Ring bearer Taylor enjoys a ride on a swing courtesy of the groom. (Photo by Mike)