Kansas State Fair

It was a wild ride! I recently completed my ninth year as photographer of the eleven horse shows at the Kansas State Fair. It is always fun to see the exhibitors...especially the kids showing at the 4H Horse Show. It is wonderful to see the kids grow and become more confident with their horses from year to year. There are many that I have had the pleasure of photographing at the horse shows, then the fun of photographing them for their senior portrait, and several the honor of being selected to photograph their wedding. WOW!
Thought you would enjoy seeing a fun image from the 4H Costume class--(and yes, there is a horse under there). Congratulations to all of the exhibitors!

Horses and more horses

'Tis the season...for a lot of horse shows, that is. In the past few weeks I've had the fun of photographing the SCSHA show and futurity in Hutchinson, the Kansas Palomino Futurity in Kingman, and the Novice/Amateur AQHA show in Kingman. This Sunday is the Appaloosa and KSHA horse show affiliated with the Kansas State Fair ( 5 days early!). The State Fair runs Sept. 5-14--and yes, I will be there every day, photographing every horse show: Palomino, POA, AQHA, Pinto, Paint, Mule & Miniatures, Arabian and then the finale' with three days of the State 4-H Horse Show. I enjoy them all, but when it comes to combining kids and horses, there is nothing better... especially when the whole family gets involved, sharing together their love of horses.

Another great wedding!

Yes, I know you've heard it from me before...every wedding is great...it really is! Last Friday was another fun evening: we got started at the Hyatt with some unique photos along the Arkansas River and the
"water wall". From there we headed to the Petroleum Club, where both the ceremony and reception were held. (By the way, if you are looking for a wedding and/or reception location, just call Kathy at the Petroleum Club-she and her staff will take fantastic care of you!)

The bride had a six year old daughter who was very precocious and darling. She was included in each detail of the day, including having her own candle to light for the unity candle ceremony. Congratulations to Mike, Stacia and Madison!

Special wedding memories...

Congratulations to the 8/8/08 wedding couple, Kelley and Clint. They had a beautiful wedding at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Wichita. Their reception was at the church hall, and the whole day went wonderfully. Because Clint, Kelley and their attendants and families were so organized and easy to work with, we had the opportunity to get some really fun, unique images. The highlight of the day (for me) was when one of the bridesmaids commented that I was "easiest, fastest photographer she had worked with". I want what I do to flow seamlessly with the wedding day, so I considered that comment: Mission Accomplished!

On August 9 I photographed a wedding and reception at McConnell AFB, at the Emerald City Ballroom. Congratulations to Dawn and Tim! We even had extra time to do some unique photos around a pool table at the club there. Again, I was pleased when Dawn's dad said that "it was fun to watch me work because I certainly knew what I was doing, and he couldn't wait to see the images!"

On another note, I had a phone call from a June bride regarding a photo taken at her reception. She was ordering an 8x10 of some friends gathered around a table, with the bride and groom behind them...nothing posed, just a candid moment of friends enjoying being together. She explained that an older gentleman in the photo died later that night, and that the pictures from the reception were the last ones taken of him.

Every picture has a story...

The Good Old Summertime...

Despite the hot, humid days of Kansas in July, the summer continues to be busy. I have been visiting with a LOT of brides-to-be as they are planning their weddings. The Wedding Affair Bridal Show had a great response, and I enjoyed meeting the brides that were there.

This past weekend was spent photographing a regional Pinto horse show in Hutchinson. Even with high gas prices and hot weather, the exhibitors there had a great time....congratulations on a terrific show!

Wanted to share some pictures from a recent portrait session taken at the family's home in the Flint Hills. You can see that they are just as comfortable in jeans and hats as they are all dressed up. Thank you, Preheim Family!

Wedding Affair Bridal Show

To see the latest in wedding ideas, designs, floral creations, wedding gowns and MUCH MORE...come to the Wedding Affair Bridal Show. This will be the 18 year for the show, and features some of the finest wedding professionals in the area. See you there!

What: WEDDING AFFAIR BRIDAL SHOW

Where: WICHITA MARRIOTT (near Kellogg/Webb)

When: Sunday, July 20, 1-4:00pm, Bridal Fashion Show at 2:30

Why: WIN GREAT PRIZES INCLUDING A HONEYMOON GETAWAY, get GREAT IDEAS to help make your wedding plans go smoothly, AND MUCH MORE!

Vendors-to refer or not to refer...

Since I have been photographing weddings across the region since 1989, I have had the pleasure (and sometimes dis-pleasure) of working with a wide variety of wedding professionals. I believe that giving a referral is the highest praise of the work and talents of another business, so I am happy give information about only exceptional businesses in order to help you as you plan your wedding, anniversary, reunion or other event.

For instance, at a recent wedding the flowers, bouquets, etc. were all mistakenly sent to a church in Derby instead of Wichita. By the time the flowers were correctly delivered, many of the photographs had already been taken, sans flowers, due to time constraints. That florist is not on my list of referrals.

At another wedding, there was panic when it was realized that the ringbearer didn't have a boutonniere. As we were at the Cathedral in downtown Wichita, I called nearby JR Koontz Flowers to see if they could help out. Within 10 minutes the ringbearer had his "flower" and the bride never knew there was a problem. JR Koontz was NOT the florist for this wedding...he was just the one who helped it go smoothly, and is definitely on my list of referrals!

On another note, congratulations to Jennifer and John Koerner on your July 5th wedding. It was held at beautiful St. Francis in Wichita. The image above left was taken at their reception held in Cana Hall of the church. The top right image was taken outside in front of the church belltower. They are a great couple and I completely enjoyed working with them. Best wishes!