Sunday, September 28, 2008

Lindsey + Justin Engagement | Blissful Autumn Love

Lindsey requested to have their engagement photos taken at Cedar Creek. We couldn't resist not to start at the famous waterfall. Lindsey added color to the early Autumn weather by wearing a colorful sun dress with yellow "Jessica Simpson" stilettos.

Their wedding will take place late August 2009.







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Friday, September 26, 2008

CCO Honors Two Great Men

Thursday evening Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), formerly known as the Kansas City Church Community Organization, held a Soul of the City Jazz Café Concert at the Scottish Rite Temple, Linwood and Paseo Blvd. To distinguished men were honored for the community service.

Mr. Alvin Brooks was given the “Father Don Helfrey Commitment to Community Award”. For more than 40 years Brooks has been a leader in his community. Whether it was driving around encouraging lids to stay out of trouble and get involved in sports as a police officer, to being the Mayor Pro-Tem; Brooks has shown he cares.

He has been a stalwart in Kansas City public service as a long time member of the City Council, as a former Assistant City Manager and candidate for mayor. As founder of the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, Brooks has been a champion for non-violence.

Tom Sweeny was given the “Phyllis Bahner Legacy of Leadership Award”. Sweeny embodies a lifelong commitment to improving the world around him through law, justice, civic involvement, and faith. Sweeny, once listed as one of America’s top 100 lawyers, improved the legal system to serve others by providing legal advocacy to the homeless and serving on the Missouri Supreme Court Advisory Committee to establish legal ethical standards. He championed social justice by marching for civil rights in the 60s, organizing KC Harmony events in the 80s and speaking out against voter suppression in the mid 2000s. Improving our civic institutions has also been important to Sweeny, he has made extensive time and a financial commitment to multiple schools, coached teams, and was elected a committeeman in 1990s. In the area of faith, Sweeny served on the Catholic Inter-racial Council, was a church finance chair and visited the sick with communion until his stroke in 2007.

Now you ask…why was I there? Well, Royal Photography was hired to set up a mini-studio, take guest photos and prints on the spot. Considering this event was a fundraiser to CCO, a percentage of our proceeds were given back to the organization.

This was a fun event and I even ran into a few couples whose wedding I photographed a few years back. Good work Mary (Mardee’s Design & Consulting). Kudos, Tameka on a job well done organizing the fundraiser. I’m still wondering why everyone was asking you to dance.

Congratulations gentlemen on your continued community involvement and may other local citizens follow in your footsteps.

Mr. Alvin Brooks (second from right) is flanked with friends at the event, shortly after he received his award.

Tameka Bell stands with her husband, Jonathon, at the fundraising event.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Wachinda + Wendell | Just The Two Of Us

When I met Wachinda and Wendell I could tell they were a couple who knew what they wanted in life. Wendell listened and allowed his future bride to plan her wedding day just the way she wanted. The moment Wachinda started to stress over the wedding, he was there to comfort her and correct any road blocks that may have surfaced. What a good man!

Their wedding was fast paced and elegant. Friends and family packed the chapel from the floor to the balcony. Her dress was unique but beautiful. They even had our past KCMO Mayor and now our Congressman Emanuel Cleaver to officiate the ceremony. Cleaver wouldn't be himself if he didn't add his own flavor/humor to the ceremony.

The entire wedding party was a hoot! Congratulations Wachinda and Wendell.

The wedding and reception took place at The Loretto.

The caterer was Hill House.













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Helaine + Charles | Finally, Soul Mates Unite

A long awaited wedding took place early Saturday afternoon between Helaine and Charles at Sheffield Family Life Center. You all may have remembered their engagement session. Helaine, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority and Charles, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, reminded that they are “under-cover” (a inside joke).

Before they recited their vows, Helaine shared a few words to her soul mate, Charles that made him cry and warmed the hearts of all the guests present. She promised to love him, to stand with him, to endure life’s trials and to never leave him.

Both of them are madly in love with each other. Congratulations Helaine and Charles and glad that I was able to document your love story.















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Friday, September 19, 2008

A Busy Saturday | Double Booked

My last wedding was on September 6 and I've had a nice little break for some much needed R&R. During this time, I've completed several projects and started on some that I don't know when they will get completed. Needless to say, the break is over.

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 20 I will be photographing two weddings. the first wedding will be at the Sheffield Family Life Center and the second wedding at The Loretto (one of my favorite places to photograph). Ask me how I feel after both weddings :)

Needless to say the last weeks of September and the entire month of October is going to be one of my busiest months of the year. Check back real soon and I will do my best to load a few teaser images to the BLOG.

Talk to you all soon.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Finally...'Jordon Family Photos'



Several of our family and friends have been on us about posting photos of our children (Andrew and Sydney). The truth of the matter is that we honestly haven't printed any pictures out - they are all still on our flash cards and external hard drive.

Plus Tailese wanted to take time out to get Sydney's 3-month pictures taken. However, we waited until she turned 4-months old on the September 5.

Now, I know many of you are asking the question, who was I going to have take them? We opted to go to JC Penny's when we had Andrew's taken. Did I like that? NO, but I comprised. This time, I asked my good friend, Terri, take our pictures. She did a marvelous job. The session lasted all but 15-minutes. Terri and I knew all the pictures would come out great because Andrew and Sydney cooperated perfectly - no tears, no tantrums or upsets. I couldn't believe it. Andrew is a "ham" in front of the camera. For a 3-year old, he couldn't stop smiling and posing in the camera. Sydney on the other hand just chewed on her hands, drooled and stared at the camera.

Needless to say we love the pictures! Terri, you are the bomb! I owe you big time.

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Obama | Our American History Transformed

Tonight I was digging through my archives of photos and would you believe that I totally forgot that I documented a Sen. Barack Obama Pep Rally in May '07? How could I have forgotten about that – especially with him coming to Kansas City so many times??? Looks like I need to do a better job in archiving my photos.

The Pep Rally took place at the historic Marriott Muelbach hotel and over one-thousand supporters rallied to show their support and Get-Out-The-Vote initiative.

I feel honored and privileged that I could witness a part of history. Not only were the AP photographers, local professional photographers (including myself) present but everyone in the room had a digital camera fighting to get a glimpse of the presidential hopeful. I remember that day vividly. It was mad house – everyone was elbowing and maneuvering themselves to get a clear photograph of Obama.

No matter the outcome in the ’08 General Election, there is one positive attribute that will transform American history – an African-American would have been the FIRST presidential nominee in U.S. history!

Below are images from the rally.













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Vote For Us!

Some of you all might have heard about KMBC-TV and KCWE-TV's vote for your favorite local Kansas City Business contest. The contest is being featured on their website as Kansas City's A-List. Well, we are listed and we would like nothing more than to hear from you. CLICK to view our listing and rate us between 1 - 5 stars.

We realized that surveys and questionnaires can be cumbersome but I do promise this is a easy tool. They have made it really simple and it will take any user less than 60-seconds. These comments will help us transform our business, service we provide to our customers and also help us compete in this competitive market.

Thus far, your rave comments have given us high marks with The Knot as being named one of the 2008 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings. We couldn't have done it without you and giving us the opportunity to document your wedding day love stories. Help us continue this huge honor as well as win the Kansas City A-List "Best Photographer" award.

VOTE FOR US!

Best of Kansas City's A-List Nominated: Best Photographer in Kansas City

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