Heartland Photography: November 2014

{Emporia Wedding Photography} Meghan + Brock

Nov. 1 was a brisk day in Emporia, but Meghan + Brock's wedding ... but the warmth of this couple toward everyone around them ... their desire to celebrate and honor each of their guests ... made this one of the most beautiful weddings to date!

Hair & Makeup began at Bravo Salon.

There was a TON of bling on her wedding shoes!

The couple opted for a First Look as part of their wedding photography. These first few moments when a couple sees one another on their wedding day are so special.

The fall colors provided some nice background.

The groomsmen busted into the rehearsal dinner sporting Lego costumes ... and along came the heads for a few casual pictures.

There were so, so, so many amazing details! Meghan is the third generation in her family to walk down the aisle carrying this Bible. The hankie & her garter were both made from her mom's wedding dress (love!).

:) As parents, this photo makes us giggle. It's just live with a little one. But she made it down the aisle!

Inside the ballroom, the ceremony was beautiful!

A quick hello to every single guest was such a personal touch.

The First Dances were so sweet!

The first night Meghan + Brock met, a pushup contest followed. I think Meghan won that one. Well, during the reception, a rematch ensued. Yes, the bride was IN HER WEDDING DRESS for this competition. Anyone want to guess how many pushups were completed? 30+. Yes, I said THIRTY. It was pretty intense. Brock finally prevailed, and afterward, he quipped "I thought she'd make me do a dozen or a few more ... but not nearly 3 dozen."

Yes, the Lego heads strike again. ;)

Emporia State University has a beautiful campus .... The Memorial Union is so pretty at dusk.

A final and GIGANTIC thank you to Kathryn from Everyday You Photography, who assisted me with this wedding. It's always fun to shoot with you, girl! :)

Wedding Photography • Family Portraits • Senior Portraits

{Wichita Senior Portraits} Meredith

When Meredith's mom called me for her senior portraits in Wichita, we started brainstorming ideas. With an interest in all things literary, we started our session downtown, at one of my favorite publishers. The back docks are graphic, visual and were the perfect backdrop for her portraits!

Meredith also loves literature (a girl after my own heart!), so we stopped at one of my favorite bookstore to get our literary fix. Of course, she brought the Harry Potter series. :)

How I love senior portraits in black & white! So timeless & classic!

But she's not all books. We concluded our session at the stadium, where Meredith is a goalie.

Wedding Photography • Family Portraits • Senior Portraits

{Wichita Senior Portraits} Shayla

While Shayla is a senior at Marion High School, we opted to meet in Wichita for her senior portraits. She wanted her senior portraits to be a mix of urban and country.

This is one of my most favorite senior portraits ever!

Even in Downtown Wichita, we managed to find some delicious sunlight for Shayla's senior portraits.

Love the post-sunset glow.

Shayla, what a fun session! Thanks to you & your mom for the wonderful afternoon. :)

{Abode Wedding} Janessa + Neal

In October, Janessa + Neal were married at Abode in Wichita. Both the ceremony and reception were at Abode, and they opted for a First Look (pictured above) so we could take most of their portraits before the ceremony.

Even though the entire week leading up to the ceremony, rain threatened, it stayed away on their wedding day, and it was such a beautiful one! Janessa enlisted the expertise of Faith at Bel Amour Events to help with all of the details and Ryan from Absolute Sound to provide the soundtrack and amazing lighting.

The morning started out with the girls at Charisma with hair.

Then, off to Abode for makeup and to get dressed!

Janessa is such a beautiful woman, both inside and out!

The entire bridal party was along for some casual portraits. This is one of the biggest perks of doing a First Look and taking the bulk of portraits before the wedding.