Las Vegas Wedding shoot: Little Church of the West

April 9, 2013: Last month when I was in Las Vegas for the wedding photography conference WPPI, one of my goals was to arrange an impromptu photo-shoot. I made my list of top wedding chapels in Las Vegas and planned to call them all until I found a good fit. Luckily my first call and my absolute favorite chapel - Little Church of the West, was able to do it. This is an amazing little church. It's one of the first things you see when you head to the strip and is right across the street from the famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. It was built in the early 1940s and Elvis filmed a movie here, and other famous folks like Jody Garland, Cindy Crawford, and Angelina Jolie were all married here. Huge thanks to Dan from Little Church of the West for letting me photograph at this chapel. Not only was he super nice and accommodating, but in his amazing British accent he told me some photography war stories. I could not believe just how many wedding he's photographed. Oh the things he has seen...

Also, big thanks to Pam for serving as the officiant at this "wedding." Pam officiates weddings for free in Vegas! How cool is that? Her tagline cracks me up - "Because love shouldn't cost a thing." Check out her website here.

I spent some time reaching out looking for different models for the shoot, but just couldn't seem to find the right fit and was worried that I was going to need to call the whole thing off. Then I found Maarten and Jessica. They met working on a cruise ship and have traveled the world together, only to end up in Las Vegas a few weeks before this photo-shoot. I was so happy that I got to work with a real couple that was tons of fun and obviously so happy together.

Aaron and Megan's Wedding Album! Omaha Wedding Photographer

One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is giving my couple their completed wedding album.  I received Aaron and Megan's wedding album in the mail yesterday!  I get so excited when I get packages and ESPECIALLY someone's wedding album. This one turned out beautiful.  Aaron and Megan's wedding was at the Henry Doorly zoo on November 17th.  I love that they included a photo on the front!  Sea turtles are really special to them so when I saw this sea turtle sculpture at the zoo, I definitely wanted to get a picture of them with it.  And it ended up on the front of there album!

For my photographer friends out there - this is a 10X10 Leather Craftsmen album with a split tone cover - silver brush premium fabric and black leather spine.  A 6X6 photo is mounted in the optical center with no flush liner, black gilding, and silver imprinting on the spine.  Aaron and Megan added on a set of 5X5 inch softbooks to give to their parents.

Of course I busted out the camera right away to snap some pictures.  Like this one of Kevin?  Ha!

If you know of anyone looking for an Omaha wedding photographer, I'd love if you could pass along my name  :)  Thanks friends.

Ashley and Jason: Omaha Engagement Photos

Ashley and Jason are great.  And Ashley is a big time planner like I am so we've got to have all sorts of fun chats about her wedding.  I'm super pumped to see it all come together.

Things I will remember about this shoot:  Jason's great jokes, their perfect outfit choice for fall photos, how not fair it is that Ashley both has great hair and great legs, weird buildings and long shadows.  Hope you guys like the pictures!

Julia + Dustin: Omaha Wedding Photographer

Julia and Dustin, I'm so glad I got the chance to photograph your wedding.  I thought everything about the day was beautiful, and romantic, and on top of it really fun.  These are the things I will remember about your wedding day: the tears in both your eyes when Julia walked down the aisle, the sun setting as you exchanged your vows, the bubbles and the smiles as you walked down the aisle with your kids in your arms, the candlelit reception, the matching wedding rings and chuck taylors, and how happy I was when the rain went away and the sun came out. I loved it all.  Kate - I know you and Julia worked really hard on all these details and I think you guys totally pulled it off.  Even the weather cooperated!

Not everyone is natural in front of the camera, and I consider it my job as the photographer to make people feel comfortable and get great images of them being themselves....  BUT honestly I think you guys just forgot that I was there and enjoyed being together and married. It was so cool to watch.  I think your mom said it best when she contacted me about shooting the wedding and said, "It will be an amazing positive evening... two kids showing all us old folks that love really does conquer all."

Huge thanks for Charista for driving down to Kansas City with me and doing such a great job helping me shoot the wedding!

Jeff + Traci: Omaha Wedding Photography

What a beautiful weekend.  This is the type of weather every Omaha photographer loves and that everyone planning an outdoor wedding prays for.  Jeff and Traci had an awesome wedding and I'm so glad they asked me to do the photography.  They were married on Friday evening at Bella Terra, a really cool outdoor wedding venue near Omaha located in Glenwood, Iowa.  This place is brand new and really unique with all the Italian theme touches.

 Huge, huge thank you to Tiffani from Tiffani Jedlicka Photography for second shooting this wedding with me.

I hope you guys enjoy your pictures.  You guys are so great together, it made taking the pictures really fun.  I know there are plenty of photographers in Omaha to choose from so I'm really happy that you let me be such an important part of your day.