When you plan a summer wedding in Nebraska, taking a gamble on smothering humidity comes with the territory. Suffice it to say that yesterday's weather had no mercy (as in, none whatsoever). Thankfully Rachel, Jeff, their families and the entire wedding party were great sports. Thank you all for your cooperation!
I'm heading out the door to celebrate my birthday (cake anyone?), but couldn't go without sharing some images for the new Mr. and Mrs. Dias! :) Enjoy!
Here, makeup artist extraordinaire Natalie Bartling gives Rachel a wedding day glow (that held up like none other despite the smothering humidity!).
Birthdays are a big deal when you're a kid. We may not remember when we turned 1, but our parents probably do. Turning 5 was another milestone, and you knew you were cool when you turned double-digits.
When I turned 13 and became a teenager, I actually wrote a note to my parents apologizing in advance for whatever drama my teenage years might hold. (Who does that!?)
Turning 15 meant you got a learner's permit (mine came with a typo that made me 24 instead).
Turning 16 meant you could finally drive without your dad in the seat next to you, grinding his teeth every time you let the clutch out too quickly (or not quickly enough). (Pst! Love you Doad! :)
Then you turn 18. 21. And—30.
Then, you just turn... wait? How old am I again? I'm lucky if I actually remember my birthday when it arrives...so to figure out how old I am, I usually have to resort to math. That—or ponder the age my siblings are, and then add the correct number of years. :)
So this year, I've done the match, and apparently, I just turned 32. I'm grateful for all the Facebook posts, cards, twitter/text messages, and—voice mails. Particularly these three:
My mom was the first to call today, which makes me smile. How sweet is her voice? I love her to pieces. (And now you know that my parents call me "Pumpkin.")
This one is from my aunt. I love it when she (and the rest of my family) calls me "Kharita." (This is, of course, in addition to "Pumpkin," which is reserved exclusively for my parents' use.) My aunt was followed by mi Abuela (grandmother)—who calls me Princesa (as well as "Kharita) and speaks to me in Spanish. I treasure it. She also sent me a card, like she has every year for as long as I can remember. Her handwriting is impeccable and instantly recognizable.
Then, my brother-in-law, Adis, called and put little Haris on the phone. The sound of his sweet little voice saying, "Happy birthday Khara!" made my heart melt.
That was so much fun. I'm already looking forward to 33! :)
My Guide to a Wickedly Fast Workflow has been flying off the shelves our server since I launched it last January. If you've been waiting to get your hands on a copy, now is a great time! For a limited time, it's available for only $39 (regularly $89) courtesy of the folks over at PhotoDough.
I've gotten a lot of questions about the software I use and recommend. My favorite combination includes Lightroom, Photoshop, and InDesign. But the guide is about so much more than software—it's about the philosophy of building a wedding package with your clients' best interest at heart, ultimately making their lives (and yours) easier. It's about setting up a system so that no one (you or your clients) has the chance to drop the ball and delay the process. And it's about the potent combination of efficiency and effectiveness.
I hope it truly changes your life! Here's what other folks have had to say:
“I thought my workflow was ok—but after reading the guide’s tips on how to cut images down, how to design and set up a winning wedding package, my workflow has been blown completely out of the water! No wonder I hated the whole process before!” —Carly Rodgers
“Being new to the business, I was overwhelmed at what seemed like never ending post production. I’ve read about photographers finishing in 8 hours… but no one was telling me *how* to do it… Until now! Khara’s guide laid out everything… from leaving the wedding, to ordering the album. She even talks about the steps she takes before the wedding to make sure everything afterwards is seamless. My New Year’s resolution is to have proofs and album design back to the client in one week!” – Lauren Mingus
“I just put the finishing touches on the edit from this past Saturday’s wedding thanks to Rock My Workflow this season!” —Sandra Regier
Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love. (Isn't the Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge incredible?)
Best wishes for you both—I'm looking forward to photographing your wedding celebration next year!
After completing her Ph.D in Oregon (and an internship in Iowa), my sister Gina, her husband Roy, and their son Dominic are proud Lincolnites again! I stopped by to help them with the aftermath of the move, and couldn't resist a few shots (with my beloved S95 compact camera).
Dom is at the age where in order to get him to lay down with his head on the cushion, I had to ask him not to lay his head on the cushion. Worked like a charm. I'm onto you Dom!
Dom is such an expressive little guy... he always makes me laugh. :)
We lucked out with great weather for Heidi & Nick's wedding yesterday! Here's a few quick highlights. :)
(Are these the shoes of a dance teacher, or what? Wowsers!)
Congrats and well wishes for a great time in St. Lucia!
The crowd would be roaring, the band rocking, pom poms rustling—and in the corner of my eye, there was always this curly haired cutie with a huge grin on her face running around watching the commotion. I don't remember her exact age at the time, but Shawna and her sister Nicole could usually be found near the Lincoln East sideline at Seacrest Field where their Dad, "Mr. Gingery," coached the football team (while yours truly tried to remember the kick-line routine for that night's half-time dance performance).
Sometime last year, I got an email from Shawna asking about having me photograph her upcoming wedding. The curly haired cutie I remembered from the sidelines had blossomed into a beautiful girl who shares her father's gregarious grin. And as it turns out, she had fallen for a boy named Todd, who happens to be the son of another East High teacher—Mrs. Ogden. (Go Spartans!)
Yesterday—their storybook tale became a reality. I'm so honored to have been invited to capture it all. :)
PS: Shawna's dress had zip away bottom, converting it into a short dress for the reception (see the later photos). Brilliant!
I love Shawna's mega-watt grin. Combined with her laugh... simply beautiful!
So—this isn't your traditional portrait, but I think it's rad.
As the ceremony was about to start, Todd watched through this window...
Then he caught me watching him with the camera. Doh!
Married!
What a fun reception! Shawna's dad announced the wedding party as they arrived, then they turned their father/daughter dance into a disco revival a la Saturday Night Fever. To top it off, there was a dance off between the top contenders to see who could best impersonate Todd on the dance floor. (Not to mention Shawna's zip-away dress!)
Two great families becoming one. Congratulations to you all!
One of my favorite parts of my job comes after I get home from photographing the wedding—designing the wedding album to tell the story of my clients' day and showcase all their great imagery. I'm also obsessed with getting this to clients as soon as possible. In this case, Mitch & Carrie's album was finished on the Tuesday after the wedding (though as I type this, it's now the wee hours of Wednesday morning—travel coordinating, book edits, and Law & Order got the better of me, what can I say?).
If you're a wedding photographer who struggles with workflow and album design, I've got your back! In an effort to save our industry from potential production pitfalls, I've put together a wedding workflow guide and InDesign tutorial video that will take the sting out of your production schedule. You can even save 10% with the code: CRAZYFAST. I hope it rocks your world! :)
In the meantime, here are some of my favorite spreads from Mitch & Carrie's book (they're still in Mexico... but it will be ready and waiting for them when they get back!). :)
The sound of Carrie's laugh still echoes in my head. "Make me a Kardashian!" she exclaimed to her make-up artist extraordinaire, Natalie Bartling (Sweet Jane Salon). Well—as you'll see in the photos that follow, perhaps the Kardashian girls are at a salon somewhere saying, "Make me a Bergen!" (Isn't the personalized hanger adorable? :)
Gorge!
I l-o-v-e this photo. :)
(jaw-drop!)
Carrie's mom Joyce looks on as they honor Grandma by wearing her wedding ring down the aisle. :)
Emir scored this awesome shot of the St. Mary's church in the background. Doesn't it remind you of the castle at Disneyland?
More from Emir's cam...
Prepare yourselves: What follows is all-out, jaw dropping beautifulness from none other than Stacy Combs at Petal Creations. She is nothing short of magical. You could literally hear people gasp as they entered the Embassy Suites ballroom. (wow!)
PS: Reception venues are all about the lighting! Theatrical Media Services helped bring this to life with accent lighting galore. Totally worth making room in your wedding budget!
The Rumbles were on-hand to get the party started!
Sorority sisters for life!
Nothing twirls quite like a wedding dress! :)
Buen viaje a Mexico! :)
PS: Special thanks to Cali Hlavac from A Sound Impression for being so easy to work with and Darcy and crew at Embassy Suites for accommodating the Shoot Shack so graciously! xoxoxo!
Khara Plicanic
Khara Plicanic. Instructor, Photographer, Designer, Advocate. Here you'll find tools, inspiration, and empowerment to help you on your own creative journey.
Two great families becoming one. Congratulations to you all!
Buen viaje a Mexico! :)
