Eliza Jane Photography, LLC » Blog || Kansas City Wedding Photographer

Thursday, October 13, 2011

a year full of firsts… | kansas city photographer

Posted in personal

Since concluding my three year stint as an admissions representative for my beloved alma mater (yeah I know what you’re thinking, “Courtney–an ADMISSIONS REP?!?!”), I’ve really begun to branch out and explore/experience new things both personally and professionally. This year has definitely been a year of growth and change!

As I was sitting at my computer today prepping for Lewis and Angela’s wedding (that’s happening on Friday and I’m SUPER excited for it, by the way), I just took a moment to reflect over 2011. Wow, what a year! There were a lot of new things that happened to me this year and I decided to just sum them all up in one post.

•This year, I had my first full wedding season. Last year, I was honored to be able to shoot my first three weddings ever. This year, things got into full swing and I’m incredibly blessed to continue this ball rolling into 2012!

•I got to check a goal off of my list of things to do in 2011: being published in a wedding blog! I had Kenneth and Kameron’s engagement session featured on the Middle of the Map Weddings wedding blog.

•Anyone who knows me knows how much I adore Rooney. So when I heard that Rooney was coming to Kansas City on their tour, I knew that I HAD TO BE THERE. I own pretty much any song they’ve released and I listen to them endlessly. So imagine my delight when I actually got to meet the lead singer after the concert and he complimented my camera! SCORE! This was my first time ever meeting the lead singer of any remotely famous band, let alone my favorite!
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•I went to my first soccer game last night! I’ve really enjoy the sport and so it was a blast to be able to go and experience it firsthand.

•I have never really had a significant change in my hair length until this year. I decided to get it cut. And last week it got cut even lower. AHHH! I still can’t believe I did it. It took me weeks to get the nerve to even cut it the first time. I almost cried. As a matter of fact, I think I did. I can get pretty weepy at times–like when I get my hair cut, when someone does something nice for me, when I watch P.S. I Love You and Rudy…you know, things like that :/

•Last week, I also tried something that I am now convinced that I love: Indian food. I can sum it up in one word: AMAZING.
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•In other “firsts” news, I also had my first car accident, which definitely wasn’t fun. I’m praying that it was also my last too! Thankfully no got hurt.

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So here’s to new experiences! Have any of you had any “first time” experiences this year?

Posted in personal

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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

jarrett + jackie after-wedding session | kansas city wedding photographer

Posted in weddings

I was fortunate enough to make Jackie’s acquaintance back in July when her best friend April (who also happens to be my lovely sorority sister) contacted me about shooting Jackie’s bridal shower. It was plain to see just how many lives Jackie has touched by the outpouring of support at her shower. I had a BLAST. So when I received an email from Jackie a few weeks ago, I was super excited for the opportunity to see her again and to meet her new husband and stepdaughter Jaida!

Jarrett and Jackie got married in August and wanted a few more shots in their wedding attire, so of course I was more than happy to oblige.We headed over to the beautiful Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery for their session. It was such a beautiful day and they are such a beautiful family! I feel like I’m tearing up over here, lol.

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LOL, I just thought this was really funny. Jaida was determined to get some camera time!
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kansas city wedding photographer

Bling, bling.
kansas city wedding photographer

I say it all the time, but I’m going to say it again–Kansas City really is a small town lol. Sure the metro area has almost 2,000,000 people in it but it seems like everyone knows everyone! It was at this point of the session that I discovered that Jackie is friends with one of my previous wedding clients (and friend), Taryn.
And I asked Jarrett and Jackie how they met and they said that they met through different Greek functions and that’s when I found out that we were all members of Divine 9 organizations (historically black fraternities and sororites). I’m an AKA, Jackie is a Delta, and Jarrett is an Alpha. It really is a small world!
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I had so much fun with you all! I am truly, truly happy for the both of you. Can’t wait to work with you again!

Posted in weddings

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Monday, October 3, 2011

taryn’s bridal session | kansas city wedding photographer

Posted in bridals

A couple of weeks before Taryn and Shug’s nuptials, Taryn and I headed over to Crown Center to get a few shots of her in her beautiful, beautiful, beautiful (did I say BEATUIFUL?) wedding dress. There were so many intricate details on her dress.

I loved the Crown Center hotel rooms with their floor to ceiling windows. The sunlight that came into the room…sigh.It’s what dreams are made of, people!

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Taryn, you were such a gorgeous bride! I can’t wait for future photo ops with you and Shug in the hopefully not-so-distant future

Posted in bridals

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

lewis + angela engagement | kansas city photographer

Posted in engagement

On Sunday, I met up with Lewis and Angela in Kansas City’s Power and Light District for their engagement session. Meeting up with them was like a mini-school reunion. I went to high school with Lewis and also with Angela’s sister (who were both a year ahead of me), and I think I went to middle school with Angela–but I just didn’t know her then (which isn’t saying much because I didn’t really know anybody then lol).

Lewis and Angela are so great together–you can definitely see the love they have for each other. They met 3 years ago when they both worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. Angela was quiet and didn’t really say much to him but Lewis noticed her smile. One day he got a call at work from whom he initially thought was a manager, but actually turned out to be Angela–the woman who he thought was beautiful, but a little mean to him. He told her that he didn’t appreciate her not talking to him until then and that she had to make it up to him by calling him. That definitely worked, because they’ve been together ever since!

Last Thanksgiving, Lewis blindfolded Angela and took her (along with their cutie pie daughter Anaya) to the hospital where Anaya was born. He took her to the spot where the three of them stood when their families watched as Lewis took his new family that he was now responsible for home. He got down on one knee and told her that he wanted to be responsible for them forever and asked Angela to marry him! Awww!

They are getting married in a couple of weeks and I, for one, couldn’t be more excited!

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It was around this point in the day that I asked Lewis to whisper something in Angela’s ear. Not sure what it was, but hey–it got some laughs!
kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

Bling, bling.
kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

After leaving Power and Light, we headed a couple blocks over to the new Kauffman Center for Performing Arts. I had never been there before this day, but now I’m pretty sure I’m in love with it. It reminds me of the Sydney Opera House. But maybe it’s just me lol.
kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

Dance break! (Even though there was no music. But who needs music, right?)
kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

And a surprise attack…
kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

kansas city engagement and wedding photographer

Can’t wait for your wedding day!

Posted in engagement

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