Kim and Nathan are one of our favorite couples to shoot because they are great fun and the camera loves them. This trash the dress session has been on our “to do” list since the summer when we met them for a great afternoon of shooting. Well, three of us had a good time. Aaron was feeling a bit under the weather so Nathan and I jumped in and provided some art direction for Kim.

Like many of our brides (and me – I’ll admit it), Kim is quite familiar with America’s Next Top Model. We used that to direct her and this is a good study in the ANTM lessons.

Even if you’re not the only face in a picture you have to stand out:

Be fierce:

Take help when you need it. Nathan showed Kim how to work her veil ala Miss J:

Smile with your eyes:

Walk the line between ugly and pretty – results are smokin!

Be fierce:

Use your body to make angles:

Be fierce (yes there’s a theme here – they use that term about 30 times per show):

Don’t be afraid to get dirty:

Take risks:

Have fun:

Want your own Top Model shoot? We’re ready and willing! We’ll get you dirty, snowy, wet – whatever floats your boat. Just give us a call for your own ANTM lesson!

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