CCVI FOOD FIGHT :: PART ONE

Monday night, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a fundraiser for The Children's Center for the Visually Impaired.  The fundraiser, CCVI Food Fight, was held at the Liberty Memorial/World War I museum.  As I mentioned in a previous post, the mission of the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, is to prepare children with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities, to reach their highest potential in the sighted world. CCVI is a place where disabilities become abilities. It's a place of acceptance and love, and gives children and their families a hope for their future.
The Food Fight was an Iron Chef inspired event, with three of Kansas City's finest chefs battling it out in the spirit of supporting the children at CCVI.
Here is a list of the chefs who competed in the cook off:

Ted Habiger from Room 39 http://www.rm39.com

Colby Garrelts from BlueStem http://www.bluestemkc.com

Debbie Gold from The American Restaurant http://www.theamericankc.com

The chefs had one hour to create a dish based on a pantry of preselected items, and on one secret ingredient.  The secret ingredient, which was Anise, was introduced only moments before the competition began.

I was so honored to be a part of this evening, and was able to capture many images, thus there will be a second part to this blog post in the next few days.  Here are some of the moments experienced at Monday nights fundraiser.

It was hard to stay focused on photographing... I was drooling over all the amazing food!

Audrey is one of the students at CCVI, and came out on stage to draw the winner of the raffle prize, as well as help to introduce the secret ingredient.

I loved the set up on stage.... Looked just like the show!

30 minutes into the competition, Colby from BlueStem realized he had plenty of time left, 

and decided to take a little wine break :)

And now to the best part!

Lon Lane of Lon Lane's Inspired Occasions http://www.inspiredoccasionskc.com was one of the judges for the evening, as well as one of the main organizers for the event.  He did an incredible job of bringing everything together.
Lon, I know CCVI thanks you greatly!

In the end, Debbie Gold won the cook off.  

This was such a fun evening, and for a very worthy cause!  Look for part two on this event in the next few days.  I'll share more images from the event, as well as a list of local restaurants that participated, and provided us with many tasty and delicious dishes.

4 yrs ago...

Four years ago today, I married the man of my dreams.  I know this may sound a bit cheesy, but he really is.  He's everything I ever wanted in a man, and some things I didn't know I wanted, but really needed.  It's amazing how so much time goes by, yet it seems it's hardly went by at all.  In celebration of this day, I thought I'd share a few images from our wedding.  Our photographer was Ryan Brown.  His work is truly amazing, and I couldn't have been happier.  Check out his work at:

http://www.ryanbrownphoto.com

      

 

About a month after our wedding, we went to Atlantis for our honeymoon.  What an amazing place!  How I wish we were still there!

To my husband, Paul... I am so grateful, and blessed to have you in my life!  I've enjoyed every bit of the last four years with you... seriously... I'm grateful for everything... the silly times, the hardships, the fights, the romance... just being together... it's made us stronger, and I'm more in love with you now than ever before!  Happy Anniversary!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I realize I've been a bit M.I.A. on the blog these past couple of weeks, but between the bridal show and travel... I've been a bit exhausted. Spring is finally here, and for me, that means the start of wedding season. I'm so excited for my brides this year! I can't wait to get started. I've also been working on some new plans, or rather new dreams for Sandberg Photography. I can't wait to see these dreams become a reality!

So while I go back to dreaming and planning, here are a few images from today. We had a quick lunch with my sister-in-law and her family, and of course, my camera came along as well :)




I hope today was more than chocolate bunnies and family dinners. For me, it was a gift... A reminder of what was done for me!

Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show & Wedding Package giveaway!

Well, another Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show is over. I had a great time yesterday, and it was so much fun to meet so many new brides! Some of my brides from the last show stopped by to say hello. It was such an honor to have them there, and to see how excited they were! I took some pictures of the brides who stopped by, but unfortunately, the point and shoot camera I brought along was on it's last leg, and the images were too blurry to post. Don't worry, this is not the camera I bring to weddings :)

I did manage to get two decent shots before the show began of me with my parents. They drove six hours to be with me and help out and support my dream. I love them so much, and feel so lucky to have them as my parents!

My sister-in-law, Denna, helped me out again. I am so happy to have her in my life! I know she supports and believes in me, and it was such an honor to have her by my side!

Well, once again, I had a drawing for a free wedding package. I drew 5 names today, and this weekend, after the brides submit their reason why they think they should win, I will pick one bride to win a free wedding package. Check out my POST on my last winner. She was super excited, and I can hardly wait for her day to get here!

Here are my five finalists!

I can't wait to get their submissions. Best of luck to all of you!

Family, Cake, and Sunshine...

This past weekend, Paul and I headed down to southeast Missouri to spend some time with my family, and to celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday. I know I've said it before, but I love going back home... no matter where I end up in life, it will always be home for me.

I can't believe this little guy is 2yrs old already.

Paul enjoyed playing with Joah's blocks. He's convinced he's turning into an old man, but here's proof that he's still a kid at heart :)

Joah LOVES his trains! So cute!

T-ball with Daddy!

My Dad still has some youth left in him. He looks so natural with the football :)

Here's the reason I don't like photographing my subjects with them facing into the sun.

Paul had to show off his football skills and his new ability to do the crane thanks to P90X.

I snapped these two as Joah was talking with Grammie... not quite sure what he thought about their talk

I thought the weekend was all about Joah, but my family surprised me with an early birthday party that Saturday evening. I had no idea and felt so loved!

CAKE!

My cake was absolutely fabulous!

Dad apparently likes to stock up on wood. I don't think they'll have any wood shortages anytime soon :)

I also created a little short video for Joah's birthday on facebook that can be viewed by CLICKING HERE