Fast and Furious

I often feel like I am constantly running on the treadmill....go, go, go. If only I could get the treadmill results, hmm. This week has been no exception. It is the last full week of school for the girls, another school year has come and gone. New schedules and routines, or lack thereof, are upon us.

But this week started off a bit different than my normal. Monday afternoon I headed to the airport, by myself, to fly out to Orange County, California for my own little adventure. A workshop. I have wanted to attend a photography workshop for quite awhile. Derek and I had decided that we could make it happen this summer. I had kept in my head that if I was going to make the effort to attend a workshop I wanted to just go for it, go big, find someone who I knew I would enjoy. Over spring break an opportunity came into my inbox, a Jasmine Star workshop. Her workshops are known to sell out in as quick as an hour so there was no time to debate! After texting back and forth with Derek we decided to go for it. No regrets.

Tuesday was filled with information, laughs, challenges and new friends. I am now looking at my business through a different set of eyes. My head hurts a little and my lists are long but I am excited to dig deeper and see what I can find.

I truly am thankful for such an opportunity to come my way...I plan to post more, just waiting for some of it to settle in.

We had a quick shoot with these two hotties.

Jasmine and I

Shelby + Lisa = Engaged! - {Lawrence, KS- engagement photographer}

My title should probably read, Shelby + Lisa + Bentley = Family. How could I have left him out? Oh, but we didn't. He was right with us the whole time & not too happy if he wasn't included in the photo.

Newly engaged. Sigh. They met as many couples do these days, online. I will date myself now, as that was not an option in my prime dating days. Maybe a few personals in the paper (ewww) but no real online presence like there is now. A first date to El Mezcal, a yummy Mexican restaurant in town, & the rest is history. They could not have been any cuter. So happy together and so excited to be getting married. I got an email from Lisa just a few days (maybe a week or so) after the proposal and we had engagement photos planned. A check mark on the long list of wedding planning. Although they are planning a small destination wedding. Smart, very smart.

We decided on a rural location and ended up at an apple orchard not too far out of town. Sadly their crop has a fungus this year so no apples. But the scenery was just as beautiful. The owners couldn't have been nicer to us. They allowed us to roam all over their beautiful property (in a golf cart even!)

I am so happy to have met you both - even though Lisa, we sorta met in our past.- Yes, Lisa figured out she use to be our mail carrier. How funny is that? You better be sharing photos of your fabulous wedding!

Front & center where he probably belongs

In the middle of the orchard

How funny is he?

After an outfit change, we drove up to the top of the property.

It was a gorgeous spot for the sunset.

Hawaii bound in May for the wedding!

Seriously?

This was the very last shot.

We were already in the cars, it was almost totally dark & I made them stop for one more

I like the feel...

Ten years! {Lawrence, KS couple's photographer}

These two celebrated ten years of marriage this month. They celebrated with a week long trip to Mexico, can I say jealous! But they have been together for twenty years. Eeek! That starts to make me feel old because I remember when they first started dating in high school. You see, Kim was one of my very first friends all the way back in 1st grade. Yep, we go that far back. Most all of my elementary day memories include Kim. I won't bore you with them...but it is fun to think back to the days of true youth. :) Well, fast forward many years and Kim and I are back in the same town (not our hometown) and do occasionally get to hang out. Not near as much as we should. Isn't that always the truth? She is now a successful attorney, always, always a smart thing! As for me, well, you know about me.

I was of course a thrilled when she asked me if I would take pictures of she and Jeff. I love to take pictures and it is always that much more fun when it is with friends. I am pretty laid back when it comes to shoots. Well, at least I think I am, others may disagree. Shoes kicked off. Laying on the ground. Even drank a beer with them last night. It was a prop but what the heck. I just go into my zone and love to absorb it all. Sometimes that means I am just waiting for their lead, trying to get the "real" stuff. That's when it gets good.

Enjoy your peek guys, just a few that jumped out at me. Thanks for letting me hang with you last night. Btw folks, we are going for part II on Saturday when they are all dressed up for a wedding.

Had to take advantage of the beautiful tulips!
Not only are they one of Kim's favorites they were the flowers in their wedding.

Quick change of clothes and scenery.

A toast to many more years!
Yes, those are the same glasses from their wedding.

Steamy...this is what I mean by when it gets real.
Not sure if they remembered I was there.
Love it.

Kim told me many times how non-photogenic they were.
You couldn't be more wrong.
You are absolutely stunning.