{Products} Caty + Tyler's Wedding Album

You know I love something (especially an album) when I order a duplicate for a sample of our very own.

That's just what I did with Caty and Tyler's wedding album. Theirs (the 10x10 on the left) is a duplicate of ours (the 8x8 'parent album size') on the right.



(left) outside & inside; (right) it's the same, but just smaller. :)


A closer up photo, just 'cuz I think Amy did a beautiful job designing this spread.

{Photojournalism} Fr. Jeremy's First Mass

After a priest is ordained, he will often go to his home parish for his First Mass. Fr. Jermey was no exception. We were in the small southeast Kansas town of Fredonia for the remainder of the weekend.


A peek into the sacristy where preparations were made prior to Mass.


One of the neat aspects of an Ordination/First Mass is the friends who travel for the event. Fr. Jeremy had several friends from seminary who attended and assisted with the festivities.


As with weddings, there are personal details that go into these events. This crucifix is the one from Fr. Jeremy's grandfather's funeral. Even though his grandfather couldn't be at his First Mass, a memento of him was.


Another aspect of this sort of celebration is the priests who attend the event. I visited Fr. Jeremy at the seminary last year, and it's like a giant fraternity. The same goes for priests of a Diocese. They're often very good friends who aren't always solemn, somber and serious.


Fr. Jeremy's home parish was re-built more than a decade ago, and I had a hunch I might find his family name on a stained glass window somewhere. I was right!


With deep farming roots, of course his chalice would have wheat on it! :)


Let me explain about this photo. Honestly, I didn't notice the sign until a friend of mine from college pointed it out. She smirked and said "they didn't even put his last name on it." Of course, she's from a small town and I've lived in enough small towns to know that a last name isn't needed. :) Makes me giggle and *almost* (Mom, I said ALMOST) miss living in a small town.


This is Andrea, one of Fr. Jeremy's 7 siblings, with her husband.


Fr. Jeremy's first time as the main celebrant. :)


Another angle.


(left) Fr. Jeremy meditates following Communion. (right) Stained glass window of the Sacred Heart. This window isn't actually lit, but it's so beautiful, I added some light behind it.

I know these two blog posts have been a month in the making, but I wanted to do them right; I didn't want to rush through them.

So, in conclusion, I'd like to share a slideshow from the events of Memorial Day weekend! Please CLICK HERE to see a selection of my favorite photos.

ps-for those of you curious about the music used in this slideshow, you may check it out by CLICKING HERE. This version of "Ave Maria" was performed by the choir at Fr. Jeremy's school. Having sung this before for choir, I know how difficult this can be with multiple choirs ... but the St. Mary choir did a stellar job!

{Photojournalism} Deacon Jeremy's Ordination to the Priesthood

At this time last year, I was editing photos from the ordination of Deacon Jeremy (you can see those photos HERE and HERE). Fast forward to Memorial Day weekend and I was again at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita and I was photographing one of my longest-term and dearest friends as he was ordained from a Deacon to a Priest.


This is a quiet moment before Deacon Jeremy robed to enter for his ordination to the Priesthood. There's something about these quiet moments that speaks such volumes to me. I think many of us see clergy members (regardless of your creed/religion) in a public capacity. Yet I would feel confident all members of all religious groups spend a chunk of their private time in prayer or reflection. I'm pleased I was able to capture this moment.

Before we go on, let me say the Cathedral was PACKED. So much so that I had to run around the outside to get from the back to the front. Even then, I still had to wade through a sea of onlookers to get to my photographic perch! I don't think I'll post any of the photos of the overflow crowd, but I'm not sure I've ever seen the Cathedral so full.


This is prior to the ordination, during the Litany of the Saints. Those to be ordained lie prostrate and pray/reflect (even though it looks like they *might* be napping) while the Litany is sung.


There are several parts to the ordination, but the biggest, most visible gesture is the Bishop's "laying on of hands." (left). Following this, the newly ordained is "robed" by a friend who is a priest. Our astute blog readers will recognize Fr. Jim from Caty + Tyler's wedding.


After the Bishop's laying on of hands, the other priests do the same.


Fr. Jeremy didn't get to be the main act after his ordination. He was "singing backup vocals" as I call it. ;) The Bishop was front and center during the Consecration.


Fr. Jeremy giving the Precious Blood to his parents, Jeryl and Mark.


For a newly ordained Priest, giving first blessings is a big deal. Here, Fr. Jeremy gives his parents their first blessing.

I've shared ample photos here; stay tuned for another post on Fr. Jeremy's First Mass!

{Products} Lori + Derek's Wedding Album

Lori and Derek's album is truly a piece of art! It starts off with a beautiful linen spine + case.


Our graphic designer made a beautiful graphic element for the album cover.




The graphic element was continued throughout the album.


A little more! :)


With 100 pages, our graphic designer made some dividing pages. They are simply stunning!


Let's share some of my favorite album pages.


With 100 pages, there were lots of favorites! :)


More graphic loveliness.


Album + case. Really beautiful. This is similar to Andrea + Larry's wedding album. The big difference between the two is Andrea + Larry's album included the album cover printed on the case. Also with Andrea + Larry, the case was black and black only (and no linen spine). With Lori + Derek, there were more color options. :)


The design is "press printed" onto the pages ... and let me just say ... the color reproduction on this album is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! Really amazing.


Another closeup of the pages.


The sturdy binding.

{Wichita Wedding Photography} Christina + Nick's wedding slideshow

Christina + Nick were married three weeks ago in a touching ceremony at Resurrection Church followed with a reception and dance at the Corporate Caterers restaurant. We had a great time photographing their wedding and are pleased to share a few of our favorite images with you, including this stunning image of their first dance. Christina + Nick, thanks so much for inviting us to be at your wedding! CLICK HERE to view your wedding day slideshow. -Mike

{Anniversary} Deanne + Carlos

One year ago today, Mike and I had the honor of photographing Deanne + Carlos' wedding. Carlos' family is Brazil, and even with a slight language gap, we had a blast photographing them all day. They had one heck of a fun reception at the Old Cowtown Museum ... the crowd was full of fun! To relive the memories, you may CLICK HERE to see our favorite photos of the day.

***Editor's note: you'll notice the absence of our green "H" stamp. We're toying with some possible changes/updates for how we tag our blog photos, so please be patient as we try some options. If you see something you like, or even don't like, please feel free to leave a comment!

{Wedding Album Design} Caty + Tyler

It's time to share Caty + Tyler's wedding album design!


I love including personal touches in wedding albums ... and we all knew the fire house would make an appearance! :)