Sunshine in November

My last wedding of the year.

November began by threatening us with a few gloomy, pre-winter days, however, sunshine prevailed! We were blessed with a beautiful day! Christy, your dress was gorgeous and you were a beautiful bride! Don is very lucky to have you at his side, and Emma is blessed with you as a mother.

The day began as any typical wedding day does; with the bride running late. Everyone remained flexible and all went smoothly...except for the ringbearer taking flight down the aisle. Ellen, I could tell instantly that you have been an amazing friend to Christy and an important part of her life. I don't think I ever saw a moment where you didn't have a smile on your face. Randy, you kept things lively with your many comments...pictures were a blast to take with you around.

I loved the chapel at Powell Gardens. It is small, but provides a very intimate setting. It was breathtaking. The wedding celebrations continued on back at Don and Christy's home. The garage was transformed into a reception hall and rumor had it that Karaoke and cards were yet to come.

This was a fun wedding to shoot; a close-knit group whose love and friendship for each other couldn't help but be noticed.

Through the eyes of a child...

As adults, far too often we forget the joys and pleasures that once accompanied us as a child. All too soon we forget the feeling of laughing for no reason, or skipping through the room without a second thought. We have long since taken pleasure in the simple things and now find ourselves easily bored and tired of our grown up complex world. What happened to the days where nothing was impossible? When was the last time we let our imaginations run wild with new ideas? When was the last time you found an enchanted forest in your own backyard? Once upon a time has now become time we once had. Princesses have traded their gowns for pant suits; their horse drawn carriages for BMWs and Escalades. Princes have laid down their swords for laptops and bluetooth pieces.

I recently did a photo shoot for a good friend of mine and her nine month old son. It's so weird to think just how fast time flies. Sometimes it feels like yesterday that I was running through the creek bottoms behind my parents house and making mud pies, and now here I am, taking pictures of my friends babies. Time is irrelevant to children and worries are almost non existent. How is it that we forget this feeling of freedom so quickly? I love watching children play. It takes me back to a time where something new and exciting was waiting around every corner, and the smallest moments became the greatest adventure.

Beautiful Me Project

From 2002-2005, I worked at The Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, as a Preschool 1 teaching aide. I absolutely fell in love with every child I worked with! 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. After leaving CCVI, I began my own photography business, and wanted to give a part of that back. While working at CCVI, I heard many parents talk about the trouble they had getting quality photos of their child. Many professional studios were costly, and with the amount of therapy needs and doctor's bill these families had, they were left with portrait studios such as Wal-mart or Sears. Many times, these studios only bring focus upon the disability rather than the child. I understand the demands of medical bills and therapy sessions...not to mention the cost of adaptive equipment, so I will be providing these photo sessions, free of charge with discounted rates on prints and products. When possible, I will bring the studio to these families, allowing their child to be at ease, and enabling me to capture them in their natural and most comfortable environment.

Since I am primarily a wedding photographer, I will be limited on how many of these sessions I will be able to do throughout the year. If you are interested in this service, or know of a family who might be, please contact me for more information and availability.

"Louise, no matter what happens, I'm glad I came with you..."

Although I wasn't the hired photographer, I couldn't go to one of my best friend's weddings without bringing my camera. Lana and I met when we both first moved to Kansas City 8yrs ago. Through a series of car problems and car-pooling, we became friends. There are so many memories between us; some hilarious, some bittersweet, and some I'm sure we would both soon like to forget. I can remember talking about this day with her several times, but it feels like a dream when it actually happens. When you are younger, you can't wait to grow up, and then you blink and here you are...wedding day has arrived!
The wedding took place in Hannibal. My wonderful husband took the trip with me and we trekked through four hours of pouring rain only to arrive with more rain. But rain and all, the wedding was gorgeous...Lana I'm so proud of you...Everything was amazing...from your dress (all I can say is wow), the tuxedos (nicely done), to the church...it was like a fairy tale in modern day times. I hated to rush in and rush out, but I wouldn't have missed this wedding for the world...Even if it was a world away.

Lana...I love ya girl...I wish you all the best! Jason...take care of our girl...she means the world to us!

~Christina

When little brothers marry...

Well...it finally happened! My little brother tied the knot last weekend. It was a beautiful weekend; the weather was perfect and all went well. It was pretty weird for me to be the photographer at my own brother's wedding...of course I wouldn't want it any other way. Still, looking through the viewfinder and seeing my brother in a tux brought a tear to my eye...especially during the slide show. I somehow had to find a way to get it together...there were pictures to be taken! Our parents looked so happy...maybe it was because the last of their children was finally getting married, and now it is just the two of them once again...I'm sure they've been waiting for this since that early 


March morning back in 1980. (Just kidding Mom and Dad...we know how much you both love to have us around). The day had a few gliches, as every wedding does; especially with the slide show. Who was running that anyway? Oh well, we can't get enough of Matthew and Esther...especially when the repeated pictures were ones I took!>Vickie, you made it through the day...I must say, there were moments where I wasn't sure, but you were a beautiful mother-of-the-bride, and I'm so happy to have you added to our family. Thank you for trusting me with the images of this day!
Matthew and Esther, I wish you all the best! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. Welcome to the family sis!
~Christina