Still True In Iowa....

I've often said that Iowa is one of my favorite places to shoot. A couple weekends a year I get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend the day with some of the most genuine people a place has to offer. This hands down was the longest engagement session I've done but I loved every minute of it! From off roading on the family farm at sunset to smoothies at a quaint outdoor cafe every spot was a picture waiting to happen. This couple couldn't be sweeter, and I'm thankful I got to spend so much time with them. Looking forward to October when I, Iowa, and it's most genuine couple re-unite. (:

 

Rialto Wedding

Once in awhile a gem crosses my path that despite all my wedding location stalking I had no idea the place existed. Such was true for what could be one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. (Let alone got to shoot at) Getting there before the bride and groom allowed me the opportunity to figure out how to work in this huge space. So as I'm walking around this ginormous theatre it becomes more and more apparent that I'm the only one there. Amazing? yes. Kinda creepy? Yes. As if I were transported into the Phantom of the Opera I keep checking over my shoulder to make sure it's still just me. (: It was such a great opportunity and I loved every bit of it! Thanks to Issa and Elaine for allowing me to be a part of their special day. 

What Has Washed Away My Sin...

Like molasses from the jar my stubborn and hardened heart has been so slow to move. I thank God He hasn't given up on me! Often times I find myself caught in a world of Christian cliché's, where one is admired for saying how they know they aren't perfect and like a work in progress, God is continuing to change them. Which in a sense is true. But there's something so much greater than that. Something that's past tense but completely effects today and my future. God isn't just changing me...He has CHANGED me! 

I found a note that I wrote myself while listening to a sermon this past summer. It was based from our Study in Revelation 22:14- Here are the words of Pastor Colin...

"Simply owning a washing machine doesn't make your clothes clean nor does owning a laundry basket. Clothes must be washed. Simply owning the machine (Admitting you're dirty) doesn't cleanse you, only the submerging of dirt and sin in the blood of Jesus will do." 

Later he prayed and today this is mine: "Wash me, clean me, change me until I meet you, so that every bit of evidence of sin is out of my life. Keep washing until the stain is out." 

Yes, I'm a work in progress, but my my heart is no longer sitting on top of the machine. God has washed it. 

Eric & Jerusalem's Wedding!

It's 8am back in college and just before class is about to begin  I'd always see this gorgeous girl come in to say a quick "hello" to this guy....After seeing it occur day after day I had this little secret crush on this couple. Wondering if they're still together, if they'll someday get married, have a house with the white picket fence the whole bit. Well...After several years I get a call and instantly I know who it was...It was the girl that everyone talked about (in a good way) back in college, the girl that seemed to be friends with just about everyone, the same one that would stop by to see this guy in my class everyday. As lame as it sounds I've secretly been rooting for this couple for years and now I get to shoot their wedding! Throughout the process I fell more in love with these two. Despite naturally being one of the most good-looking couples I've ever seen the thing that shines the brightest is how they wholeheartedly love the Lord and love each other. I always say in the end I want my clients to become more like my friends and such is genuinely true with these two. I know we'll have many Ethiopian dinner and dance nights to come. (:

 

Who Doesn't Love A Good "Ball" Game?

For those of you who are die-hard Cubs fans, Chi-town residents, or beings with a heart beat prepare yourself for envy...Myself, Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls Guard), and most importantly the future bride, Erin, and groom, Dave, with several of their friends got to put life's troubles on hold for all of 3 hours and not only watch the Cubbies from a luxury rooftop party but we got to see 'em win in extra innings! Dave and Erin and two extremely generous people that are completely loyal to their family and friends. I've been privileged to get to know them over the past year or so and wish them all the best as they marry in Hawaii and come back to the best city ever and take some great wedding shots. (: Side note- One of the groom's friends wanted me to take a picture of Kirk so I did. Kirk wasn't so happy. To avoid getting pummeled by a 6'3 basketball player I will omit adding his picture to this blog. (: But here's a few other fun shots from the day.

 

A Girls Best Friend...

It's often said that "Diamonds are a girls best friend." Well...For a girl that's longing to be engaged that may be true but really...in a span of a lifetime how many diamonds do we really get? Shoes however...Now that's a different story. I would typically say I'm not a stereotypical girl when it comes to the passion of shoes yet I own an unforgivable amount of them, and oddly enough, it just may be one of my favorite things to shoot at a wedding. Just like brides...Each wedding brings a new, beautiful, and unique shoe that just awaits to be captured in an image. Thankfully I'm not alone on this. The bride, Leigha, even the day of the wedding still was choosing between several potential shoes. All were adorable and feminine, just like the bride. (:

It was a beautiful day with a beautiful couple and I wish them the best! 

Grab A Parka There's Gonna Be A Wedding!

If there were ever to be hurricane winds in the midwest on a wedding day it was this day. Despite crazy weather I know I can get outside the box and get some fun shots, but sometimes convincing a bride of that can be a little trickier. Luckily for me I had the most laid back couple I could have asked for. The groom actually asked for pictures out in the rain! No one ever asks for that! So of course I jumped at the chance! So here I am balancing an umbrella between my chin and my shoulder, while holding a camera on each shoulder, all the while the first ever hurricane via Wisconsin is occurring. (Maybe a slight exaggeration but not by much!) (: Personally, I thought it was worth it as it's one of my favorite shots of the day. 

Truly though, I think it says a lot about this couple. They have their priorities in check and whatever storms come their way in life I think they'll challenge it head-on. I wish them all the best!