We have a new bundle of joy at the Hawes house. Meet our new studio! We converted our relatively unused basement from a media room to a home studio extraordinaire. Here’s a quick tour and some of my favorite highlights.

The space received a new metallic paint treatment, some modern furniture and a bunch of canvas prints. The back wall (on the right here) is our e-session grouping.

The coffee table was almost our downfall! A week before most of the furniture was delivered, they called to say it would be another month on the coffee table. We couldn’t very well meet with people here without a coffee table so we scoured Kanas City for a suitable replacement. We found this monster (it’s a 4′ square) at the EuroDesign furniture store in the West Bottoms.

Aaron made this gorgeous custom desk so we could have a dual workstation.  The paisley chairs are probably my favorite things from the new furniture, but it’s hard to choose.

The hallway gives a great gallery feel — you might even see someone you know. By far my favorite accessory are these killer vases. We stopped in Z Gallerie on the plaza and fell in love! So many things that fit our style and very affordable prices – it could be dangerous in the long run.

In celebration of our new space we’re offering a great special (see details below and contact us to schedule a real tour)!

 We love all the couples we work with, but occassionally we have the good fortune to get a couple who just lets us do what we do. David and Kindra was one of those couples. We marched them all over the grounds of the Longview Mansion, even into knee high grass. We had a blast and the creativity was through the roof. The final portfolio is one of the best we’ve ever shot.

Details:

Location: Longview Mansion

Florist: Sidelines Custom Floral Designs

Cake: Nataha’s Mulberry & Mott

DJ: Pace Sound

Read the rest of this entry …

If Aaron were to make of list of things that stop at marriage it would include holding hands and miniature golf. I was not aware of these rules before our wedding day, but have since become accustomed to sneaking in both when I can. On a recent trip to St. Louis (gasp! a free weekend in October), my mom and I persuaded him to join us for a round at the St. Louis Mills mall. This particular outlet mall has a NASCAR themed store/model car racetrack/arcade/bumper boats/mini golf. I real high class place - but it was close, the course was outside and we wanted to enjoy the gorgeous weather. 

The course left a little to be desired. I literally think they got a discount for putting in similar holes throughout the course - maybe it was a bulk deal. The “water” traps on this course were just blue astroturf and there was not a windmill to be seen. 

My mom is notoriously bad at miniature golf but she has a lot of fun playing.

I used have quite the short game but my talents have withered. Apparently I can still putt while holding a purse though.

Aaron has great mini golf form – that he demonstrates here.

No hole in one and I certainly didn’t get the best score (Aaron – first, mom – second, me – last) this is just how I roll – a winner in my own mind and goof in front of the camera.

So the end is in sight – just a few more blog posts and we’ll be caught up enough that I could potentially post pictures BEFORE the clients see them. What a tease! (Watch out Kerrie we’ll make you crazy yet!) So we have two weddings left from August (including this one), a little miniature golf fun I’ll post Sunday, and then back to weddings.

Let’s get down to business –

Tina and Cody were one of the most photogenic couples we’ve ever shot (see their awesome e-session). We had a great time shooting at the Nelson-Atkins with them and their wedding party. I’m posting just a few of my favorites in an effort to get caught up!

Top and bottom views

OMG sultry! Are you kidding me with those eyes!

 Tina and Cody – We had a great time getting kicked off property, parking in “no parking” zones and being part of your loving family for a day. You are a gorgeous couple so you made our job very easy!

- Aaron and Heather

 CJ was the first senior this year to get a free shoot with our ambassador program and boy did he bring it. With his love of music and fashion it was easy to just let him rock out!

If anyone else is interested in a free session we still have several unclaimed schools. Just shoot us a message and we’ll fill you in.

This could definitely be a Nike ad

Michael Jordan tribute

Chuck and Beth were up for anything for their engagement session as long as it involved some green space. It was no surprise considering Chuck recently spent a month hiking the Appalachian trail. Beth didn’t go, but I’m sure she was there in spirit. So after a failed attempt to get to a broken down barn Aaron had been eyeing in Independence, they settled on some perfect train tracks and a sort of dirt pile down the street from our house.

They are so expressive! We can’t wait to shoot their wedding!

I love kissing shots and I just couldn’t choose between the next two.

So Beth has an incredible fake frown … and Chuck can’t frown. He’s trying hard to no avail. Their reactions are priceless.

Chuck and Beth - Thanks for being up for anything - from four-wheeling to frowning. We’re looking forward to the wedding and more smiles and more frowns (or in Chuck’s case frown-attempts)!