Mentee: Katrina

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Katrina *gets it.* Since launching her business just over six months ago... she is already well on her way to many of the revelations and epiphany moments that can often take years to arrive at. What separates Katrina from the countless numbers of folks who pick up a dSLR on a daily basis and proclaim their professional ambitions to the world, is that Katrina is willing to invest. Not just financially, but emotionally and even more importantly.... she's willing to invest time. Folks often underestimate the amount of power hours that go into not only mastering your craft, but also... building a viable business. Many of the folks who email me asking for advice are looking for magic bullets, a simple 'to-do' list that will turn them into a guaranteed success story overnight.

But... it just doesn't work that way. There are helpful hints, lessons and strategies you can pick up along the way to accelerate your learning (hence, the mentoring.....) but... in the end... you still have to do the work and put in the effort. Of course, that's why it's all so rewarding!

I was thrilled to hear about her slow and methodical acquisition of new gear... meaning, she buys what she can afford after saving up from the work her business has already brought her. Those of you who know me well know that I'm a bit of a personal finance maniac (thanks dad!), and one of the mistakes I see so many aspiring photographers do, is to rush out and drop mad money on gear. The latest and greatest camera won't turn you into a photographic super star... and the sooner folks realize that, the sooner they can focus on developing the actual skills that will bring them success. As much as I wish owning Emeril's pots and pans would transform me into a gourmet chef.... I'm not holding my breath. :)

We talked about some techniques... and largely discussed carving out your niche, working with clients and balancing life/work/family/personal needs. A compassionate teacher whose heart is handed to her students on a daily basis, Katrina balances her passion for photography with a full-time teaching career and her main priority.... her family that includes her husband and their two young sons.

Her recent FB post said, "I had multiple epiphanies during my chat with Khara today about what my goals are and how to accomplish them, what an awesome experience! Thank you Khara, you ROCK!"

YOU rock Katrina! You should be proud of where you are and all that you've accomplished already. Congrats on taking the first leap! :)

Love Shoot: Jackie + Monte

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This... is Jackie + Monte. Together, they make up the dynamic duo that is often known to take Lincoln by storm with all of their mad talent in the worlds of business, marketing, and all things creative. They're witty. They're sharp. They would likely kick your butt at any genre of movie trivia.

And... they're planning a very unique wedding coming up this September. Monte selected the poem "Habitation" by Margaret Atwood for their wedding invitations. It reads, "Marriage is not a house or even a tent, it is before that, and colder: the edge of the forest, the edge of the desert, the unpainted stairs at the back where we squat outside, eating popcorn. The edge of the receding glacier where painfully, and with wonder at having survived even this far, we are learning to make fire."

Being as how their house is such an extension of the two of them, I suggested we shoot there to capture them as themselves doing what they do. I love this series of the next 3 images...

The other members of their family include Samples and Mia... who couldn't decide if they wanted to participate in our session or not. :)

Jackie's studio is the kind of place you just never want to leave. Monte often keeps her company amongst the beads, fabric swatches and various notions.

One of my favorite things about their house is the staircase that greets you when you arrive at the front door. This mirror hangs on the landing... conveniently making this image possible... :)

Connoisseurs of fine architecture and design, Monte & Jackie have thoughtfully collected inspiring furniture pieces throughout their home... not the least of which is this love-seat (complete with Samples, posing next to Jackie).

Trees frame their home on one of my favorite streets in the city.

September will be here soon... we're all anxious to celebrate with you!

Down the Aisle: Ashley + Jason

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My role as a wedding photographer is a colorful and varied one to say the least. In addition to my actual photographic duties, I often also play the part of wedding coordinator, mental-health cheerleader, and.... occasionally... custodian. :) I happily roll up my sleeves and push a broom (or, as last night.... a mop) with the best of 'em. :) Often times I tell my clients that I will be like part of the family on wedding day... and I mean it. Pulling off a huge wedding in a small town is very much a family activity... and if that means we need to break down 10 tables (center pieces, table cloths and all) to make room on the dance floor before the bride and groom can have their first dance... well.... I'm not about to just stand there and twiddle my thumbs while the rest of the crew goes to work! (Even when it's 100 degrees out with all the famous humidity Nebraska can muster.) Becoming part of my clients' families for the day is something I very much look forward to... and is how I know I'm truly doing my job (whatever all that happens to involve on any given day). Thanks for letting me join the club guys!

Just in case Jason were to forget... he is indeed... the groom. :)

Ashley's hair was a golden swirl of wedding bliss...

l.o.v.e.

Jason was such a great sport! You can't tell from these photos... but it was literally 100 degrees out... with a humidity level that made me seriously consider jumping in the near by neighborhood pool... camera and all. :) Yet, look at that smile on his face!

Love the pink shoes Ashley!

All together now... "awhhhhh!"

Proof! This is my car's rear-view mirror with built in outside temperature gauge. Yikes!

Happily back inside the air-conditioning at the church... I caught these glimpses of Ashley while she watched the crowd gather from the choir loft. :)

A very ornate church in the middle of a very small town. (population 3,660) Beautiful!

Small town tradition (and early ceremony times) lends itself to the time honored pit-stop at the neighborhood watering hole before heading to the reception.... and if you can squeeze in a game of pool... well.... all the better. :)

Jason was so happy to be in this moment.... the day behind him, the ring on his finger. Ashley is his forever now..... :) Congrats you two!

Love Shoot: Lauren + Bobby

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Lauren said to me, "Let's go fly a kite!" To which I responded, "You bet!" She and Bobby are getting married in November and after shuffling back and forth between Kansas and Nebraska (and soon to be, back to Kansas) I'm amazed we were able to make this shoot happen! But... happen it did... and we had a blast! Aren't they sweet? Can't wait for November you guys!!!! Enjoy all the miles in the meantime!

Mentee: James

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Of all the fabulous folks I've had the pleasure of providing photographic mentoring to, James is certainly the youngest. He's an amazing young man whose excitement for photography is hard to miss. We've been working together for quite some time and the improvements he's made in his images is notable... and of course, above that.... he's having a blast (definitely a key component). :) I recently caught up with James and his sister Catherine for a shoot to commemorate his senior year as well as to provide some additional hands-on shooting experience with his sister as the lovely and cooperative subject. Nice work guys!

Down the Aisle: Allison + Trevor

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Me to Allison: "How are you feeling? How'd you sleep last night?" Allison: "I felt tachycardic!"

The night before your wedding day is enough to make most anyone's heart race... even a cardiac nurse's. :)

But all was well... and how cute are these???

Allison's signature scent... I'm told all of the bridesmaids were wearing it as well. Poor Trevor! Do you suppose he got confused? :)

Last minute hair touch-ups...

The ladies...

The girls planned ahead for the possibility of rain with these darling umbrellas... I don't think they were too sad that they didn't need to use 'em. :)

When Allison's parents met... there was a song that provided the soundtrack and years ago at their wedding, the DJ didn't have the song available.... so now.... they got a much deserved and long over-due dance. :) I love stuff like this! (It was a surprise from Gary to Tami!) :)

Well done. :) Enjoy your down time before having to put  your feet back on the ground again! :) May your hearts always be together in the clouds!

Down the Aisle: Kaylie + Jeff

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Kaylie & Jeff are quite the pair. Together since she was a high school freshman (and he was a junior), their wedding day has been a long time coming! They tied the knot in West Point, Nebraska yesterday, surrounded by what can only be described as an enormous group of family and friends. As Kaylie so eloquently put it last night at the reception, "I'm happy to be a Bracht, but let's party like a Wietfeld!"And party they did! Having become a frequent guest of West Point's incredible hospitality... I'm always excited when I get to make the drive up and photograph the famed Saint Mary's.

Is she a cutie, or what?

There was a lot of laughing and joking going on between them... lots of fun moments like this one.

I love their body language in this shot.... too fun!

Personal touches like this always pull at my heart strings. For some reason, I seem to get very emotionally attached to nostalgic trinkets like this. To imagine that Kaylie has had this 'hanky' since birth... with the intention of one day wearing it down the aisle, brings the whole 'circle of life' concept into focus and hits me like a punch in the gut.

I love the dreamy quality of this image.

I can't wait to hear about Aruba!!! Safe travels guys!

Down the Aisle: Stephanie + Lance

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I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of roaring thunder and a downpour that would typically cause panic in the hearts of many brides. I checked the weather report and quickly texted Stephanie to keep her spirits high with the prediction that the clouds and rain would clear by 11am. After falling back into bed, I remembered that Stephanie and Lance are meteorology majors, and certainly didn't need a text from me to let them know the weather predictions... ha! We all had a laugh about it when I arrived and Stephanie confessed that she hadn't checked on the weather yet... I think she just knew in her heart that all would be well... and well it was!

I first met Lance and Stephanie when they came from Salt Lake City for their Nebraska engagement photos. We kept in touch via email, blog comments (she's a blogger too!) and occasional shipments (me sending them their love shoot session album, and her sending the most adorable knitting and delicious muffins!). Their day has been a long time in the making, and I'm so happy it was finally here!

Filled with countless hand-made touches, you can tell how much they enjoyed putting their hearts and souls into the event, and I'm thrilled to have been able to capture it for them in a way that celebrates those things. Enjoy!

How cute are their flowers!? I love the country bumpkin feel to them... perfect for a ceremony at Country Pines!

Their guest book is quite possibly the coolest thing I've seen! Guests were greeted with green ink pads upon their arrival and the little sign instructed them to place their thumbprints on the tree and sign their names. When all is said and done, it's a gorgeous wedding tree with a record of who was there. Love it!

Instead of a unity candle or sand ceremony, Stpehanie & Lance had a 'tree ceremony' where they and their mothers added soil and water to the pot of a young fern tree to travel back to SLC with them and be planted in the yard of their newly purchased home. :)

Boys and their socks always make for good photos... lol!

Is the back of her dress gorgeous, or what!? Absolutely stunning!

Another Emir super shot!

Lance's aunt Linda made this traditional Norwegian wedding known as "kransekake." It's a surprisingly chewy, almond based slice of heaven! I've been trying hard not to indulge in all the sweet yumminess I am tempted with every weekend, but I had to give in & try some of this because it was so unique (and I love Scandanavia and couldn't pass up the chance to experience this tradition!). You can get the hook up with the specially made baking pans and recipe (or this one!) and try some for yourself!

Fun and interesting entertainment options for the guests are usually a solid hit! Stephanie and lance provided several choices including games like a bean tag toss, ladder golf, horse shoes and pick-up football (of course, the Shoot Shack was also on-hand for guests to enjoy!)

Can't get enough of the back of her dress!

Love love love those purple shoes!

For a Nebraska girl who wanted a Nebraska wedding, you hit the nail on the head! :)

You did it! Enjoy your drive back to SLC and best wishes with the move. Jamaica will be waiting for you when you get there! :)

Down the Aisle: Megan + Justin

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Before getting into the story of Megan & Justin's day... I have to start with this image of Megan and my uncle Tom heading down the aisle because... well.... look at it! I love you guys. (Thanks to Emir for this shot... it's all his!)

It's not everyday that I get to play the role of cousin of the bride while simultaneously serving as wedding photographer. :) It makes for a very busy, but memorable day... and Megan & Justin's Omaha wedding was no exception. Held at Lauritzen Botanical Gardens, their wedding was... anything but ordinary. I'll give you the play by play as you work your way down the post, but I'm warning you now... it's an insanely large one... despite several repeated edits....  What can I say? :)

Megan's dress was beautiful and fit her like a glove...

I was anxious to see her shoes as I don't know anyone who walks in heels better than she! She wears them all the time and makes them look comfortable!

Megan's mom Patti... are they twins, or what? Patti looked stunning as the mother of the bride... a role she played so well!

The girls. The coordinator at the gardens told me the bridal room was small... and she wasn't kidding!

So... this is my new cousin-in-law, Justin. Many of you may know him as one of the guys behind the famed American Outlaws... I know him as a super fab guy who I'm proud to have as the newest member of our family. Here, he rocks the front of my lens big time!

Meanwhile, the girls took care of important things.... like FOOD! :)

The first look...

Their future kiddos are going to have gorgeous eyes... no doubt.

This is one of Emir's shots... I love it!

Holy cow... this one gives me goosebumps! Breath. Taking.

The location provided tons of gorgeous backdrops for photo yumminess... this Victorian garden reminded me of the Queen's garden from Alice in Wonderland... "Painting the roses red, we're painting the roses red!"

Love the soulful look on Justin's face here...

This one is one of my faves too...

One of the things I was really looking forward to on Megan & Justin's day... was to capture my uncle Tom. I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for Tom... who often serves as a much appreciated mentor and confidant (he's also my accountant, who I'd be lost without!). I've always appreciated his sensitive nature, and knew that Megan's wedding would be a joyous and emotional day for him. This is my gift to them both.

Emir caught this shot of Megan's face during the same moment. ***This*** is why I love to do what I do!

Ceremony time! It was fun to watch the guests roll in. A lot of family and mutual friends were in attendance, some of whom I haven't seen in years!

A string quintet entertained the guests as the seats quickly filled and the start of the ceremony drew closer. This song selection, "The Luckiest" was the perfect choice for a couple who is truly 'lucky.' Not only to have found each other, but to come from two families so loving and supportive... they truly have it all.

My cousin Jeff (Megan's brother) read the classic Shel Silverstein poem, "Sister For Sale!" The two of them have always been very close, it was fun to see their comedic interjection into the ceremony. Justin swooped in to take Megan off Jeff's hands... :)

Justin's brother, Jason, flew in with his daughter Sabrina (the flower girl) all the way from Taiwan. Very cool!

***News Alert***

Ladies and gentlemen, I may be related to the most chill and relaxed bride in all of history! Just as they were about to exchange rings, the sky opened up and a downpour ensued. It seemed as though the next few moments passed in an instant as the guests fled inside and we wrangled up a few umbrellas (thank you to Mrs. Goertzen & everyone who relinquished them to the greater cause!) to snag a few shots before rushing to finish the rest of the ceremony in the shelter of the atrium. Talk about teamwork! (Note the smile on Megan's face... she's amazing!)

Definitely a memorable ceremony!

We regrouped inside, and within minutes, the ceremony was back in session! (Megan smiling through the whole thing!) I was impressed not only with her calm surrender to the rain, but also by everyone's teamwork. Everyone jumped in, moved the tables, set up chairs and literally.... within seconds, it was as if they had planned the ceremony to be inside the whole time. Everyone was feeling a rush of exhilaration and remarked that the rain and location switch was, of all things... fun!

On with the show!

In honor of our German roots (and her extensive German travel/living/education experience), Megan incorporated the German log-sawing tradition known as "baumstamm sägen" into their ceremony. Our uncle Brian constructed the saw-horse and instead of a 'ring bearer,' Megan and Justin had a 'saw bearer.' It was a riot! They sawed back & forth while the crowd cheered "Drücken/Ziehen!" (push/pull) in eager anticipation of their success. (PS: The quilt in the background was made by our Grama, of "Grama's Jellies" fame).

After the ceremony, it was time for some fun with the wedding party!

The reception was simply stunning. Mulhall's provided the floral arrangements, and would you believe my dear old dad welded the candle holders? Amazing. He may have to come out of retirement and start a new business... ha ha!

Another German tradition Megan & Justin included is that of the "brautbecher," or "cup." Wine is poured into both cups, then the bride and groom race to see who can empty their cup first (though the bride's cup is much smaller!). It is said that whoever wins will be the boss of the marriage. Look out Justin!

As they were about to start toasts, it was called to our attention that a full rainbow had appeared just over the patio. Of course, a photo was practically required!

After toasts... it was time to dance!

Emir captured these two cuties...

Then... it was P-A-R-T-Y time! One of the traditions among neighborhood family friends is called the "Alligator." Somewhat like "Simon Says" on the dance floor... it involves crawling around on all fours and occasionally flipping onto your back while flailing your arms and legs around. Always a good photo opp! :)

Thanks to Emir for snapping this shot of Tom and I. :) I'm honored to be entrusted with such important family memories... Much love and hugs to you all!