Jeff and Cara-Kansas City Wedding

At some point last semester one of my professors approached me with the question “would you like a job?” Of course any college student loves those words so I was eager to hear the details. It turned out that one of his greatest friends was getting married and was in need of a photographer! I really hesitated knowing that the wedding date was going to arrive about the time my last semester in college got insane, but my instincts told me experience and opportunity aren’t always easy to be found.

As the date got closer I suddenly realized that this couple had agreed to have me photograph their wedding with only a quick glimpse of my work online and faith in my professors recommendation. They hadn’t even met me! I started to get nervous, realizing that these people must be really amazing to have so much confidence in me right off the bat. But the best part is that kind of confidence really makes you want to do your very best.

The day arrived and I could not wait to meet this couple. I didn’t even know what to expect. When I entered the church I noticed how lovely and bright it was, and then I saw Cara. She looked like the kind of bride straight out of a wedding magazine. Not only was she gorgeous but incredibly welcoming and sweet, making Charlene (my awesome assistant for the day) and I feel totally at ease and excited about what was to come.

The craziest part was when they told me that they had planned the whole wedding in FIVE WEEKS! You would never have guessed it, it was beautiful. If someone told me I had to plan my wedding in five weeks you better believe the atmosphere of the day would not be stress free. I’m pretty sure you would see me pulling my hair out! Amazingly enough it was the most relaxed and stress free wedding I have been to yet.

And that is Jeff and Cara.

The most beautiful part of the day was the undeniable love that surrounded Jeff and Cara. The love their families and friends have for them, the love they have for the people around them and most clearly, the love they have for each other. It was an honor to be a part of a day like that. I can safely say that these people will always be a couple I am thankful to have met.

12 days – Ravioli

12 long days until I graduate. This is unreal to me. I can hardly believe that the time has almost come, and that I might actually survive college

I had been drooling over butternut squash recipes for months and so my cousin and I determined that we were going to make it….

Making pasta is difficult…Bethany and I found this out the hard way. I’m determined that we will try this again. But possibly after we invest in a pasta machine…

 

Domburg

Everywhere you go that is beautiful holds a special place in your heart. For me the city of Domburg, in the Netherlands is a place of magic (and scary seagulls). I can still hear the whooshing of the waves, the sound of the birds and the little dutch children yelling and laughing. I can still smell the saltwater , feel the breeze and taste the coconut ice cream we ate. I miss it. I’m ready to be there again. 

Herbed Polenta with a Mushroom Ragu

A while ago my cousin Bethany gave me this great recipe for parmesan herbed polenta with a mushroom herbed ragu. If you like vegetables it’s a great variety to the normal dishes you might serve for dinner. The bread is a herbed pull apart roll bread that is absolutely amazing! I just love the richness of the colors in these images.

11

My little munchkin of a sister was born on August 26th and to celebrate such an occasion we had a little party. Of course we had to eat her favorite food; stroganoff, corn and cottage cheese and cake for dessert! So I decided that even though she thinks she is 11 going on 30 she still needed a girly cake. I still can’t believe she is so old! These are just a few quick shots of the cake for fun.

{Sophia}

I am alive.

I know you were all wondering what happened to me, I was even starting to wonder! I have been catching up with my life since my little jaunt to EUROPE!!! and have been swamped with all the things I need to accomplish this summer before school starts again! I can’t  wait to share more images from our trip to the Netherlands but for right now I need to get caught up first!

So a while ago I did a shoot with a local model whom I just love! She is so talented and I cannot tell you how great it is to work with someone who is so comfortable in front of the camera! It has taken me so long to get these up partly because there were just SO many good ones that I could hardly choose! I cannot wait to do more shoots like this with her! I think you will agree with me that she is gorgeous…ladies and gentleman, meet Sophia

Pretty Cards

So I don’t know if you remember but a few months ago I posted a few photographs of some beautiful home made cards. It’s a long time coming but here is the second installment! I love how much character each card has and the fact that each one is unique! Thanks again Carol for letting me photograph your cards!

Chocolaterie Stam-Zona Rosa Shopping

This is a two-fold post. One to showcase some of my work from this last semester and two to make a BIG announcement. I am finally doing something I have dreamed of my whole life.

I AM GOING TO EUROPE THIS SUMMER! I will be traveling to the Netherlands in June to study abroad for the month and take lots and lots of pictures and shoot some video! I am incredibly excited! I found out about this opportunity at the beginning of the year but thought it would only be another “dream.” After telling my cousin Bekah about it at a rendezvous lunch at Olive Garden, we decided that we could NOT pass this up. So we started brainstorming, fundraising, stressing out a little, and finally bought plane tickets (I may or may not have had a mini heart attack when we finalized the purchase!). My name is Dutch, my handsome boyfriend is Dutch, Gouda cheese is Dutch (who doesn’t like that stuff? cheese is gouda ), Windmills are Dutch, Van Gough was Dutch and lastly but definitely not least, there is some pretty AMAZING chocolate that is Dutch. So now let me ask you, is this reason enough to go? I think YES! I am beyond excited!!! My cousin and I have created a blog that we will keep updated on our travels and you can check it out to see how you can support our study abroad!

annekabekah.wordpress.com

So about these chocolates….did you know that in this very city you can have a taste of what I will be experiencing in month?? (see you can’t hate me!)

At the Zona Rosa shopping center is a shop called Chocolaterie Stam! Their chocolate originates from Amsterdam! Please take a moment to visit their Facebook page to find out more, ‘like’ it and definitely stop in if you get the chance. Their chocolate is really wonderful and their gelato and coffee IS something to write home about . You will not regret your trip!

Advanced Color Portrait-Qflash Demo

Seth

Working on fashion. Still have a long way to go.