Pets and other family members

As you know, I photograph a lot of horses and horse shows, but I photograph all kinds of other animals too.
Clients are sometimes surprised that I enjoy including their pets in the family photo. Aren't they part of the family? Of course!

There is a family that I have photographed for about 9 years, starting with the parent's wedding, now them with their children. For several years in a row, I asked if they would like their small dog to be in the portrait. Each year the answer was no-the dog needed groomed, they didn't want her to shed on their outfits, etc. Last time that I photographed the family, the parents confided that they were so sorry that they didn't add their dog to their portrait the previous year, as the little dog died over the summer. How sad!
In October I set a personal record for the number of dogs, five, in a portrait--all cooperating and with ears perked up. Thought I would share a few recent family portraits-furry family members included!

Christmas time is family time

What do people try to save on their way out of a house fire? After making sure family members get out, they want family portraits. What are people thrilled to find in the wreckage after a tornado? Family portraits. Why do we treasure those pictures? They remind us of shared love-memories evoked when we see that wedding photo of our grandparents, or we smile seeing ourselves in that young, awkward stage.

When all of your loved ones are gathered in your home, or you in theirs this holiday season, make sure to take photos. They are proof of moments shared in the company of those we treasure, to remind us of that bond when we are later separated-by distance, by death.

(On a practical note: when you are taking down the Christmas decorations, take an extra few minutes to download those photos from your camera. Email them to family members, print your favorites and put them in an album, burn them to a CD and then store the CD in your safe deposit box, or upload the images to your Cloud account, or somewhere else to ensure that you have an off-site copy.)

My vocation as a professional photographer gives me the wonderful blessing of photographing many families this time of year. I take this responsibility seriously, as I photograph not only for those here today, but for those yet to come.

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Thank you notes

It seems each day is busier than the one before. That's why I try to take the time to thank friends and family who go the extra mile, with a handwritten note-so they can slow down for a moment and know that they are appreciated.

When I get a thank you note from someone, I treasure it. Recently I received the following from clients. I share these, not to give myself a "pat on the back", but to let you know how seriously I take my job as a professional wedding photographer.

Edye, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your work at the wedding of Lindsay and Ronnie. You helped make everything run on schedule and you did it so effortlessly. You were so behind the scenes that it was like you weren't there, but all the while you were documenting all that went on. As I look at the pictures, I feel as if you are walking me through the wedding all over again. I am so glad we chose you as our photographer. You did a wonderful job. Thank you again. Carolyn S. (mother of the bride)

Edye, Thanks so much for doing such a good job for us. The pictures were all fantastic!

You did a wonderful job, and we are very happy with your work. Again, thank you so much!

John and Marcy (bride and groom)

Weddings...continued

Let's see, oh yes! Photos from the wedding at St. Vincent de Paul! The bride and groom traveled from the church to the reception in an extremely unique Kansas State party van-complete with the K-State fight song played on the horn. Congratulations to Marcy and John!

Our final October wedding was at the University Methodist Church in Wichita. My assistant photographer and I met the bride, groom and wedding party at a fun, funky park in downtown Wichita. The bride and her attendant gracefully exited the limo, and we got great pictures of the pre-planned moment that the groom saw his bride for the first time on their wedding day.

After the outdoor photo session on that perfect autumn afternoon, everyone traveled to the church for formal portraits with their families, then the lovely ceremony.

Following the ceremony it was off to the 2oth Century Center for an elegant reception and dinner. Congratulations and best wishes to Brittany and Austin!

Popular month for weddings

Traditionally, many think of June as the "big wedding month". For several years, October has been extremely popular, too. Perhaps due to the cooler weather, or autumn colors or maybe because there are no major holidays during October to work around.

This October, I started the month in Emporia with the wedding of Chandry and Brandon. They had a beautiful, formal wedding at the Presbyterian Church, then headed to the reception for a '"kickin' country" reception.

The second weekend of October I was in downtown Wichita at the 2oth Century Center for the wedding of Cydney and Chris. Their wedding was in the parlor, jam packed with friends and family. After the ceremony, they walked downstairs for their elegant reception. Despite the rain that evening, the newlyweds and guests had an amazing celebration.

The next October wedding was held at St. Vincent de Paul in Andover. Marcy and John had all of their formal photos taken before the ceremony, then took the time to greet their guests as they arrived at the church. What a wonderful touch! Immediately after the ceremony, the newlyweds hopped into a "Power Cat" K-State van, which played the Kansas State University fight song on their way to the reception at Andover's Central Park. Pictures? Definitely! Be patient though...they will be added soon!

Brittany and Austin were also married in October-more about their special day later...

Whew!

It's that time of year...just finished up photographing all of the horse shows at the Kansas State Fair, still editing the final set of backdrop photos to add to the arena shots already on the website. Had the honor of photographing two weddings in September, also, so each day is very full!

This past Friday, I enjoyed photographing Dustin and Julie's engagement portraits. Started with portraits with the two of them with their horses and dog, then they changed clothes and we all went to the Keeper of the Plains area along the Arkansas River for more formal portraits. Dustin was in his military uniform, and it was wonderful to hear several people share their appreciation of his service to our country.

Looking ahead, I will be photographing the Hope in the Heartland Quarter Horse show this weekend, as well as a drive to Emporia to photograph Chandry and Brandon's wedding on Saturday evening.

Even though I feel that I am meeting myself coming and going these days, I am truly blessed--I love what I do!

Kansas State Fair time

Kansans have survived one of the hottest summers on record, and are looking toward having a lot of fun at the "Party on the Prairie", also know as the State Fair, Sept. 9-18 in Hutchinson.

As the official horse show photographer for the Ks. State Fair for the past 11 years, I have a lot of experience with life on the fairgrounds. Pronto pups. Giant drumsticks. Huge corn on the cob. Been there, ate that!

I have to say that my favorite part of the fair is simply watching people. It's awesome to see spectators get engrossed in watching the draft horse pull, or the mule show obstacle/trail course, or the miniature driving class, or, well-you get the idea.

If you plan on attending the State Fair party this year, stop by the horse show arena on the southeast corner of the grounds and say hello!

Breanna and David

On July 23, Breanna and David were married at the Civic Center in El Dorado. With a hot pink shirt under his black tux, the groom was as striking as his bride.

Since the Civic Center is a little on the plain side for unique photos, the newlyweds decided to brave the nearly 108 degree summer weather and head to a nearby park for some outdoor portraits. We were there less than 10 minutes and got a lot of cool shots...then they were back to the reception without their guests noticing the brief absence!

Congratulations to you both-I had a great time photographing you!

Region 8 Experience

Two weeks ago I had the honor of photographing the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Assn. for my non-horsey readers), Region 8 Championship Show. This Region is comprised of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico and their were competitors from every state. We even had a few of our other neighbors represented, including Missouri and Nebraska. It was a three day event, held at the Pavilions at the Coliseum in Wichita.

I enjoyed the entire show (despite the heat!), but my favorite day was the first day, June 24th...it offered the most exciting photo opportunities. Events range from heading and heeling to reining, working cowhorse, western riding, poles and barrels-lots of action is packed into day one!

It was a great event and I invite those who might be interested to take the time to show, or at least go watch when Region 8 2012 rolls around. Beautiful awards, relaxed atmosphere, fantastic horses and wonderful horse people to hang out with for three days...what's not to love?!?

Molly & Pippin

Church of the Holy Cross in Hutchinson, Kansas was the place to be for the wedding of Molly and Pippin. This wonderful couple met when they were young kids in dance classes, and have known one another about 15 years! They complement each other perfectly.

After the wedding, while their guests were walking to the church hall for the reception, we took a few minutes to drive to a nearby park for some outdoor portraits. A light breeze and the beaming smiles of the newlyweds made for some great shots!

Molly's mom is an amazing seamstress, as she made both the wedding gown and veil. The gown was as practical as it was beautiful, with a detachable train for the reception.

Pippin and Molly are students at the University of Kansas-I wish them much success and happiness!

Shana

Pretty girl + beautiful horse=a fantastic morning of great portraits!

Recently I got to photograph Shana and her Paint gelding at Wichita Riding Academy. Shana recently graduated from high school, and she and her horse are headed to Kansas State University, where Shana will be studying to become a veterinarian.

Savanna & Chris

The end of May I loaded my camera equipement and drove west to Colorado for the wedding of Savanna and Chris. We began photos at Garden of the Gods, on the edge of Colorado Springs. That was the first time I've ever had a wedding party have to get off the trail so that a string of horses could go by!

After some unique photos with Pike's Peak in the background, and with the "kissing camels" rock formation in a few others, we headed over to Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs for the wedding ceremony. It was a beautiful location for the ceremony! The reception was in the Conservatory there. The bride had selected a butterfly theme and the wedding cake and decorations were extremely unique and creative.

Chris and Savanna were a lot of fun to photograph, and quite willing to hike around for unique photos...I wish them many, many years of fun together!

Kennetta & Jeremy

April Fool's Day seems an unlikely day to select for a wedding, but that was the date chosen by Kennetta and Jeremy...and with their lively sense of humor, it was perfect! Their wedding was held in the "theater" of the 20th Century Club in downtown Wichita. Afterward, everyone headed to the lower level for their reception.

Jeremy made jaws drop when he grabbed the microphone during the reception to say, "Thought this would be a great time to share some happy news-we are expecting a baby!" After gasps and then applause, Jeremy smiled and said, "April Fool's! We couldn't get married on April 1st without at least one big joke!" The expressions were priceless.

Congratulations to Jeremy and Kennetta and best wishes for many years of laughter.

It's YOUR Wedding

Just read an article on the latest designs of Disney inspired wedding gowns. The dresses are even named after your favorite characters, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, and others. Recently Costco began offering wedding gowns at wonderfully reduced prices. Happily, there are still bridal shops owned by individuals with a passion for helping you to find, and then to fit, the perfect wedding dress. The choices are limitless!

I was thinking back to a visit to a bridal salon last summer. I watched as a plus-size bride tried on dress after dress that her mom and sister chose for her. Finally, she gained permission from them to try on her favorite. As she emerged from the dressing room, she was already saying, "I feel like a princess! This is exactly what I dreamed of!" You could see it in her face, she knew that she had found "The Dress", and she was beaming.

The mom gave her daughter a quick look, and pronounced the dress "...absolutely dreadful for your figure...". Her sister didn't acknowledge her comments at all, but instead pushed the bride-to-be back toward the dressing room to "try on that first one we picked out" again.

Sadly, our heroine took a last resigned look at herself in the "Dress of her Dreams", and obediently went back to the dressing room to remove it.

OMG! Please remember that YOU are the one getting married! Not your mom, your sister, your future mother-in-law, or your BFF! You don't need to go all "Bridezilla", but gently remind everyone that it is YOUR day, your once-in-a-timetime, been dreaming about it since I was a little girl day. If you want to wear a "Cinderella" or "Ariel" or "Famous Designer", or even your grandmother's wedding dress, remember that famous ad slogan: JUST DO IT! It's YOUR wedding!

Misc. Stuff

This is a unique time of year...a little early for senior portraits and not exactly a picturesque time to have a wedding. There are a lot of other things happening though: winter dances, charity events, basketball teams, promotional shots and catalogue photos. In recent weeks these are a few of the things/events I have photographed: 10 pairs of cowboy boots for a website and print ad, the Flinthills High School SnowBall dance, the El Dorado Charities Auxiliary Hollywood evening, a boys basketball team, classes at a church, and my personal favorite...a pet rabbit for Valentine's Day cards!