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There was some serious ShootShack fun to be had with Bob & Kim's party crew.... Shoot-tastic!
Yes.... Kim even manages to somehow make coke-bottle glasses look good. She's *that* beautiful!
Yep, those were real! Courtesy of the friendly officer on duty....
The fine folks over at AsukaBook invited me to host one of their new FREE "Ask the Expert" series of webinars. (Color me flattered!) Join us September 22nd (this Tuesday!) as I introduce you to InDesign: Photoshop's Best Friend. I'll be showing you how to set-up, create and export an InDesign document into Asuka ready files. Whaaa? You didn't know you could do that, did you? :) You bet you can. And I'm going to show you how!
Click here for start times and to sign up!
I just adore this couple. Yes, just simply adore them. They are fun, funky and so wonderfully easy going! Here's a sneak peek at Tara's dress... I was *lovin'* the rhinestone broach in the middle! Isn't that fab???
Her hands waited patiently in her lap while she got her make-up done.... I love how although she was quite calm and super chill all morning long, you can see the anticipation in her hands.....
Chris sent over a gift for Tara along with a card that made her laugh.... (recalling some funny business from the night before.... I'll just leave it at that. If you want to know the whole story, you'll have to ask them!)
These are the same red shoes Tara wore for their engagement shoot last year. (Albeit a newer, scuff-free pair.) When she told me she was going to wear red shoes, I knew I was in for a treat! :)
Don't you love the on-lookers above in the balcony? Ha ha ha! :)
Chris was sporting Husker argyle socks.... which he gifted to his groomsmen as well..... (coming up down below!)
Tara's super fab dress was nothing short of gorgeous..... she wore it like no one else could! I love this shot of the back....
She is just *so* gorgeous! Look at those eyes!
I just love this one....
I love the mix of rhinestones, feathers, and beads in her bouquet!
Wind has a knack for popping up at opportune moments sometimes! How cute is *this*?
I love the next two images for different reasons.... and couldn't decide between them.... so I broke down and am including both. :)
Chris didn't ask for much. He was a good sport all day, going along with pretty much anything I asked. The *one thing* he did make a point to let me know, was that he wanted a shot of him and the guys with their argyle socks. The only catch was, we had to somehow include Memorial Stadium. With the reception right across the street at Champions Club, it was a piece-o-cake. You got it Chris! :)
More husker fun....
Yes! Love this!
And here's a cherry on top! :)
On to the party! (Look at that beautiful (and delicious!) cake!)
Several different tables featured vintage portraits from Chris & Tara's extended family members. I love this tradition that seems to be popping up more and more. It's always fun to think that someday, when Chris & Tara are grandparents (or great-grandparents!) one of their images might end up at a wedding reception for their grandson/daughter somewhere. How would they ever choose which one??????? :)
Here's one of Chris's dad (I'm fairly certain). Aren't those tuxedos rad? How fun it would be to show up at a wedding and see the guys dressed like that!
I love Tara's expressive face...
Hooray for the feather in the hair!!!
I can't believe your day was finally here! It seems like forEVER ago that I first got to work with you for engagement photos... and now the two of you are a new family, making history today! I'm so thrilled to have been entrusted with capturing your day.... and hope you cherish these images for years and years to come!!!! xoxoxoxo
After shooting Christina & Jason's Destination Wedding in Denver, Emir and I hopped over to Santa Fe to explore for a couple of days. Neither of us had been there before and I've always been curious about the city known for it's art and culture.... so why not? We booked our hotel online (Hotel St. Francis) without too much thought and were thrilled with our choice. We were on the 3rd floor, this was the staircase....
This was our room! (Love the white, fluffy bed!)
The next day we were thrilled to meet up with Peachpit's famed author, Robin Williams and her partner-in-crime, John.We rendezvoused at the well-known dining establishment, Harry's Roadhouse on Old Las Vegas Hwy. Too cool!
Collectively, Robin & John have been in the Santa Fe area for 40+ years... so they had all kinds of suggestions about where we should go and what we should do. One of the things they mentioned was making a trip south of Santa Fe to Madrid (pronounced Mahhhhh-drid) with a quick stop at Cerillos to visit the petting zoo and this curious little shop.... I shot Emir, and he shot the image on the right.
They sold all kinds of interesting things, including old checks from the 1800's....
$5 'Rock Concerts'
and porcupine quills, because you *never* know when you might need some of those!
We continued on to Madrid where we found even more color, yummy, and curious things!
Along the way, we found heaven!
Headed back north back to Santa Fe, I was struck at the scenery. I *love* this image.
When we got back to the hotel, we discovered this little treasure and Emir shot this image. You can't help but smile when you look at this, right?
Wandering around on a quest for yet *more* caloric intake.... we landed at Luminaria. It was as delicious as it was beautiful!
In Santa Fe, even the bathrooms are photo worthy!
Our hotel was so bright and airy, the elevator was no exception!
On our way home soon to continue the wedding photo fun with Tara + Chris & Kim + Bob!
As Gretchen (sister-of-the-bride & Matron of Honor) said during her dinner toast to the charming couple, it's not everyday that a girl from Ohio meets a boy from Nebraska (while in Georgia) and then marries him in Colorado! :) But with Christina and Jason, it somehow makes perfect sense. Emir and I are thrilled they currently call Lincoln home, and we're even more ecstatic that we get to call them friends.
Christina + Jason leave for Greece this morning, so I wanted to post a few quick faves before they take flight. Here's at it you guys! :) Hopefully these are up and you can see them while you catch your connecting flight from Atlanta! :)
Christina is a gorgeous gal.... I love the way this image captures her pretty self!
There were 17 (or so) states represented (thus the destination wedding!). In this image, one of Christina's bestest girlfriends from all time (in from California) looks on as Christina's mom helps her into her dress.
Christina made all the flowers (hers and the bridesmaids!) herself in the morning. Incredible!
She couldn't have chosen more perfect earrings!
Time to head out and see what Jason is up to!
When Emir and I caught up with Jason, he was getting some last minute touch-up assistance from his brother Jared. :)
The wedding was held at the Lumber Baron Inn. They had about 120-ish guests and this site accommodated everyone comfortably (plus, it was gorgeous... as you'll see in these photos!). The delicious catering was none other than Purple Avocado.
There's the gorgeous bouquet Christina made!
This lovely hair flower was made by Lisa Keely (an upcoming KaBloom bride!). You can get in touch with her and see more of her work on her blog. Good stuff!
This gem is from Emir's cam!
Time for some vintage yumminess!
I *love* the look of old Hollywood.... Christina and Jason make it look so good!
As guests started arriving, they were greeted by this adorable carved sign that Jason's dad made for them. How cute!
Christina and the ladies....
Jason and the guys.... complete with their Chaco sandals! (Jason is a hardcore outdoor adventure enthusiast... so naturally, this was the way to go!) This is another gem from Emir's cam....
I *love* this image from the ceremony!
The three flower girls were excited to celebrate afterwards!
You might recognize James + Rena cutting it up on the dance floor!
The girls surprised Jason with an impromptu performance request.....
Just sitting around... looking *totally* natural! ;)
Love, love love! xoxo to both of you!!!!!!!!
The ShootShack was on special order for Christina + Jason... good times! Here's Paul & Steph workin' the camera...
Sister Gretchen...
Brother Jared
More James & Rena....
Yours truly (thanks for snapping this pic Paul!)
Fitness extraordinaire and P-90X guru... here's Christina showing exactly how to 'bring it.' (Check out those biceps!)
To say that Abbi + Ben's shoot was fun would be a grotesque understatement! In Abbi's own words, here is the email she sent me: "Ice cream is part of our history - We were HS sweethearts who didn't make it past first semester at UNL. However, on Valentine's day of my senior year, Ben made a phone call that reset the course of our lives. He asked if I wanted to get some ice cream. I said 'yes' and the rest is history. It was the best second first date a girl could have asked for."
How could we NOT go for some cool icy goodness? :)
I guess soft serve is really..... soft. It melted in about .2 seconds. Ha! Next time I'll know to bring wipes!
Are you sensing the mood on our shoot? :) It was laughter non-stop!
Ok.... at it again.... more old car radness. Abbi said she loved the vintage look! :)
SUPER FAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sassy!
OMG.... can't wait for your wedding day!!!!!!!! You two are a riot. Thanks for being YOU!
Haifeng and Yuyan's big day was today! I had so much fun doing whatever I could to make their day as great as it could be. I especially enjoyed watching the way they mixed Chinese traditions with a touch of American flair. All that... plus... their friends were hilarious and had me laughing the whole time. :) They were truly a delight.
Here's Yuyan getting the royal beauty treatment from her friendly entourage.
While shooting this image I referred to this as a collection of 'tools.' A nearby friend laughed and corrected me.... referring to them as 'women's weapons!' Ha! I'm not much into weapons, but if I had to pick one.... yummy perfume would probably be my weapon of choice..... :)
Even a couple of the guys were on-hand in the bridal suite. This gentleman put some finishing touches on the evening's play-list in the only quiet space he could find.... the restroom. :)
I'm. In. Love. With. This. One!
Yuyan was incredible. Among other things, she hand-painted these parasols for guests (to avoid the sun during the ceremony). Brilliant!
When I first met with Haifeng and Yuyan, I mentioned how much I love the symbolism of a sand-ceremony. They liked the idea of it too and decided to incorporate it into their ceremony. I asked them if they chose red and white sand to represent the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (where they first met), but they told me it was just coincidence.... Either way... pretty cool!
Too cute!
You make a darling couple, and I am so so so so thrilled you asked me to capture your day for you. I know how much your photos mean to you and your family (who were here in spirit, despite their geographical distance) and I am hopeful that these images make them smile and remind them that they're never really too far.... ;) Have a wonderful time in Puerto Rico!
A dream! Working with Lauren, Dan and their families was deliciously simple. So easy going, their day seemed to unfold effortlessly. Here are some quick faves!
A clock? I suppose that's a funny thing to photograph on a wedding day.... but I've always found them so telling. They mark a moment in time that has come and gone, never to pass again. When you think of it that way.... it's quite worthy of a photo... don't you think? :)
It's ceremony time!
It just so happened that their wedding was on the same day as the first Husker game of the season.... you know what that means! TV at the reception..... :) The celebration was held at Chez Hay (fantastic!) and just when I thought that cake couldn't look any more delicious, the catering staff brought out the chocolate covered strawberries to go with it. And that ladies and gentlemen, is how great got even better! :)
What a fantastic day... thank you for inviting me to share it with you!
I have been looking forward to today for weeks. I got my little nephew Cole-Train all to myself for a good chunk of the day (in between two rockin' loveshoots!). He fell asleep in my arms while in our rocking chair. Pure heaven. I'm hoping to have him for a whole week sometime this winter.... look at that doll face!
He has found his toes... and can't seem to get enough of them!
I'm just in love with this little face..... and I still can't get over how much he looks like his daddy (my brother)!
Love ya Cole Train!
Khara Plicanic. Instructor, Photographer, Designer, Advocate. Here you'll find tools, inspiration, and empowerment to help you on your own creative journey.
