{Engagement Album Design} Jillian + Drew

Strap on your seatbelts, folks, because it's engagement album season!

Today: Jillian + Drew. You might remember them from their super-fun engagement session in Kearney, Nebraska.

With just a few short months until the wedding, I can hardly wait. :)

{Announcement} 2011 Bride's Choice Award Winner

This morning, we received a bit of good news. Once again, Heartland Photography has been selected by to receive a Bride's Choice Award from WeddingWire.com.


This is a 3-peat for us, as we received the award in 2009, 2010 and now in 2011.

What does it mean, though? Wedding Wire gives awards based upon feedback and reviews from Brides who have used our services. Only the top 5 percent of professionals on their site are awarded this honor. This is in contrast to some other sites. Other sites might give a ranking or mark a photographer as a "preferred vendor" because the photographer has paid to be listed on that list.

Being acknowledged as a Bride's Choice Award winner is truly an honor!

{Products} Wall Portrait Sizing/Options

A quick post today to talk a little bit about portrait sizes for your wall. Pictured above are three different kinds of product options. Left is a framed 20x30 print. Top is an 11x16 canvas gallery wrap and bottom is a 16x24 canvas float wrap. I just wanted to show a quick visual comparison of what I know many people think of as a big photo (11x14) with a one size larger.


This is a great visual comparison of a framed signature print with a gallery wrap.

On the left we have a 24x36 inch canvas gallery wrap. It's next to a 20x30 signature print. With larger images, it all depends upon a person's taste. Some prefer the look of framed art. Others like a more contemporary look, which is the gallery or float wraps.

Often times if someone wants a smaller print (read: 11x16, right photo), I will suggest a framed signature print as a good option because it takes up a bit more space on the wall. But a lot depends on the size of the space you're trying to fill! We are always happy to assist with selecting the best product and size to fit each person's space.

Happy Monday!

{Engagement Album Design} Kristi + Cody

Following with a graphical element used on Kristi and Cody's Save the Dates, our awesome designer also used the element in their engagement guest book.

As I'm taking engagement portraits, I tell the couple the photos will probably be played across the page from one another, but Amy always outdoes herself. Seriously, using the element on that page blew me away!

We're trying a new system of proofing albums. Our hope is that it will make the process easier for our couples. So you may enjoy the slideshow/proof below. :)

{Bridal Show} 2011 Bridal & Prom Expo

Over the weekend, Mike and I were at the 2011 Bridal & Prom Expo at Century II in Wichita.

We followed the KISS strategy: Keep It Simple Silly. With a pending snowstorm, we wanted to showcase our stunning albums and images, but not have to drag too much through the snow to our cars at the end of the weekend. :) Also, after having several years worth of "lower" tables at bridal shows, we decided to go with a "counter-height" table, thinking it'd be easier on our backs because we wouldn't have to bend quite as much to show visitors our albums. That table was a GOOD call!

Even though I'm a married woman, I can't help but ogle over wedding stuff. It's true, I'm always looking at dresses and cakes and such. So I thought I'd share a few visual treats I enjoyed from the weekend.


Our direct neighbor was Monica's Bundt Cake. I couldn't help but sample a few bites of cake ... and their cream cheese frosting is unparalleled.


Those of you who know me know I have a quirky sense of humor ... this sign was right up my alley! It kept me giggling all day long. And the itty bitty bundt cakes ... well, I've never seen a bundt pan so small. Seriously cute!


(Left): Monica's Bundt Cake; (Right): Simply Sweet by Priscilla


Since we're talking cakes, let's look at a few treats from Cheri's Bakery.


More beautiful work from Cheri's Bakery.


Check out these beauties from Velvet Cream Bakery!

Ok, enough obsessing over sweets. Let's look at other "eye candy."


I enjoyed seeing the work of Action Tents & Party Rental in the other hall.


BEAUTIFUL place settings! (Action Tents & Party Rental)


More loveliness. (Action Tents & Party Rental)


Last one!(Action Tents & Party Rental)


Stunning floral decor by Stems in the Ray's Party Rental tent!


Last stop is in another Ray's Party Rental tent, with flowers by Moore's Flowers and lighting by Accent Mobile .


Another lovely Moore's Flowers centerpiece.

{McPherson Wedding Photography} Lindsey + Shiloh's wedding slideshow

Last month I posted a sneak peek of Lindsey + Shiloh's wedding in McPherson. I also hinted at another post about Christmas trees. As you can see from this photo, a small grove of Christmas trees, decorated in elegant white lights, served as a backdrop to their ceremony at First Baptist Church. Karen and I both told a church official how impressed we were with how the church decorated for Christmas. And while they wanted to take credit for it, we were both told that it was all Lindsey's doing. It was her idea to line the stage with trees. It was executed beautifully and provided a striking backdrop to their ceremony. In fact, there were many striking images from their wedding day. To see a few, CLICK HERE.

{Announcements} 2011 Wedding Dates

Happy Monday after Christmas!


If you received something sparkly, a hearty congrats is in order. :)

We'll be at a few bridal shows over the course of the next month or so, so stay tuned here on the blog for dates/updates.

One thing I wanted to chat a bit about, though, is the wedding planning process.

You might have your heart set on a specific location for your wedding or reception. And when you find an open date around the time you think you want, it's really easy (and more than tempting) to snap it up pronto. Believe me, I know. Mike knows. We both went through the wedding planning process.

I want to share with you a little story about one of our 2011 brides, Jillian.


Before Drew proposed to Jillian, Jillian's mom had quietly talked with me about wedding photography. Just getting some details and a broad scope of what to expect.

A few weeks after they got engaged, Jillian called me up and wanted to talk about dates. This is SMART, SMART, SMART. Jillian had an idea of the date she wanted, but also knew she wanted a specific photographer (us) for her wedding. So before signing a contract with a reception location or locking in her ceremony location, she checked with us.

It's a really good thing she did, because I have a previous commitment on her No. 1 date choice. But because photography was a priority, Jillian and I talked about some dates in the general month she wanted to get married and were able to find a date that worked for she and Drew, as well as the ceremony location, the reception location and for her favorite photographers.

Your big priority might be the ceremony location, a killer reception venue, or a slammin' DJ ... that's way cool. Just take it from us: be sure to check with your No. 1 choice, especially if they are only able to take one event per day (i.e. photographers, DJs and some reception venues).

I will close with this: Our calendar is filling up QUICKLY.

We are completely booked for May and June 2011.

If you would like to talk with us about other open dates, please feel free to CONTACT US VIA OUR WEB SITE ASAP!!!!!!