Rachel + Josh Wedding | Jan. 17, 2009

This past Saturday was the first wedding for us in 2009. Rachel and Josh are now husband and wife! They made it official in front of over 250 guests at the St. John United Methodist Church. What made this wedding even more special is her grandfather, an ordained minister, officiated her wedding. Rachel is a very pretty young lady. Most of my BLOG readers who saw their engagement pictures call her "dimples".

Indeed, this was a different bridal shoe. Would you believe Rachel wears a size 5 1/2?

The dress

Groom and groomsmen chill out before the wedding. By the way, cars honked in approval.

One of the bridesmaids shoes.

Rachel gets help with her veil from her attendants.


Josh is having a little trouble with his vest.

"I will, I do, and I promise"

Totally sexy!

SCLC | Dr. King Holiday Activites in Kansas City

On the national observed holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the eve of President-elect Barak Obama inauguration, Kansas City residents packed St. Stephen Baptist Church to participate in the Dr. King Mass Celebration. Throughout the day, I photographed several events across greater Kansas City that commemorated "The Dream" of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The photos below are just a few images.

An Associate Minister of the St. Stephen Baptist Church, KCMO, rejoices in praise during the guest speaker's message.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Livingston, President, National Council of Churches USA, delivers a message to a packed congregation Monday evening at the St. Stephen Baptist Church.

A view of the crowd inside St. Stephen Baptist Church.

A local woman prays for President-elect Barak Obama Monday night during the Mass Celebration at St. Stephen Baptist Church.

Youth between the ages of 5 - 13 participate in class room activities Monday during the Harmony Youth Day Celebration. Signs were made by the students for the mock march around the Rockhurst University campus.

Youth participate Monday in a mock civil rights "march" around Rockhurst University.

Attorney Taylor Fields, VP of SCLC of Greater Kansas City, addresses a small crowd Monday afternoon who gathered at St. Stephen Baptist Church to discuss the topic "This Madness Must Cease".

Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, president of SCLC Greater Kansas City, listens to the panel discussion Monday afternoon.

Guests listen intriguedly to the panel discussion.

A New Day | A Day of First’s

As the transition of President George W. Bush occurs today in Washington, D.C. to President-elect Barak Obama all I can say is that I am getting chills watching ABC-TV live coverage. I have several friends who left Kansas City to be among the millions of Americans who became a part of history and watch the swearing in of the first African-American into our nation’s capital. Since I could not be present due to other commitments, I have asked all of them to document this memorable day in photographs. I asked them not be afraid to take pictures with strangers, all ethnic backgrounds and share the warmness of this momentous occasion.

One cannot doubt that this day is one orchestrated by God. Our country and our world have endured years of joy, happiness, pains, setbacks and tears. One man isn’t greater than the other but we have to keep in mind that God has equipped/empowered certain persons to walk in the shoes of great leaders. President-elect Obama will be taking on a great deal of this country’s share of problems. I’m not saying that President-elect Obama is our savior but there is one inescapable fact…God uses people and equips them with unforeseen strengths to give leadership. President-elect Obama is that man!

Our unforgotten civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had such a dream for our country. Most of his dreams were not accepted by the majority but in this moment in time, God has orchestrated this "first" day in our nation's history.

Becoming President of the United States has to be one of the GREATEST accomplishments that one human being would encounter. Listed below are some of my greatest accomplishments (not necessary in this order):
1. Getting married
2. Giving birth to children
3. Buying your first house
4. Buying your first car

November 4, 2008 was the first day an African-American was elected President of the United States and January 20, 2009 is the first day of the first African-American President sworn in as President of the United States.

President Obama…may God bless you, empower you and give you strength while you lead our country.

Jacque Reid Encourages Students

Renowned news reporter and motivational speaker, Jacque Reid, was the guest speaker for the SCLC Youth Leadership Development Workshop at the Kauffman Foundation, Thursday morning.

Jacque, is currently a news correspondent on the nationally syndicated radio program, the Tom Joyner Morning Show. In addition, she is a guest host on the ABC daytime syndicated talk show, The View. Before her recent accolades, Jacque served as co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, CNN Headline News and BET Nightly News.

Jacque spoke to approximately 300 local high school seniors on how focusing on a profound career, staying focus, making better choices in life and importance of role models. During the workshop, students broke out into six small groups discussing topic such as: Gang Violence, Has Integration Helped or Hurt Us, Money/Credit Management, Peer Pressure, Choosing a College Major, and Educational Alternatives & Career Paths. All discussion groups were led by past SCLC Black Achievers.

Jacque has a wonderful personality and smile. Some might not think she’s a celebrity but in book she is. On TV she looks pretty tall or at least 5’ 10” but in reality she’s no taller than me (5’ 7”).

From left: Arlana Coleman, Jacque Reid, and Luvenia Husky

I Can't Wait | Upcoming Saturday Wedding

This weekend I am preparing for Rachel and Josh’s wedding on Saturday. We took their engagement pictures in early November. Click on their name above to view their engagement session.

I actually can’t wait because this will be the first wedding of 2009 and I’m anxious to get back into the groove. Our wedding season ended last December - the day after Christmas - and I'm itching to photograph a wedding. Although we've been busy in the last month with a special community project, it's nothing like experiencing the thrill of wedding photography. Last year was a blast! The couples I’m working with this year are going to be even better. Most of all, we will be gracing new locations and new opportunities.

This year, our goal is to push the envelope in all of our 2009 weddings. Keep watch out for all the new changes with Royal Photography! We would not be where we are without the grace of God and the beautiful people he allowed us to come in contact with.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU SATURDAY RACHEL AND JOSH!

SCLC | Interfaith Service

Sunday, January 11 the Greater Kansas City Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration committee held their annual “Interfaith Service” at the Beth Shalom church. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and The Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Community sponsored this event.

This is a beautiful church and one in which I have always driven by and wondered would I ever get an opportunity to photograph inside or photograph a Jewish wedding. When I walked in the doors, I was greeted by ushers who wanted all the males to wear a Yamaka. Now this was a first for me.

What makes this interfaith service so special is because it’s a time where all religions come together to partake in a word from the gospel. During the service they also give recognition to a prominent community leader and present them with the Evelyn Wasserstrom Award. This year’s honoree was Rev. Eric D. Williams, pastor of Calvary Temple Baptist Church.

Over 300 guests received a double dose of meditative thought from father and son, Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver II and Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III around the topic of “A New Day in the World – A New Day in America”.

Congratulations Dr. Williams on your well deserved honor!


Rev. Eric D. Williams



Students from the Kiddie Kollege - Trinity A.M.E. Church, Kansas City, Kansas

Distinguished clergy: Rev. Eric D. Williams, Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, Alvin Brooks, and Rev. Bobby Love.

Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver II

Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver, III

SCLC Jazzspiration

As we approach the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (Jan. 19), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) held a Sprint Artist – “Jazzspiration a Celebration of Unity” concert on Friday evening at the KC Repertory - Spencer Theater on the UMKC campus. Approximately 200 guests (young and old) came out to hear Kansas City Boys & Kansas City Girls Choirs; James Ward Band; Poets Collective – Teianna Re-al Cooper, Ms. Mai, Purpose; Soul Serenade featuring Mia; and national gospel recording artist, James Fortune & Fiya.

There will be other photo highlights coming throughout the week and posted on our BLOG. Keep watching!

Thank you Arlana!!! Thanks Ed Atkins of KPRS Radio for the shout out on your BLOG.

For a complete list of SCLC – Dr. King holiday activities, visit their website.

National gospel recording artist, James Fortune & Fiya. The Kansas City Boys & Kansas City Girls Choirs. Soul Serenade featuring Mia.

Gospel recording artist, James Fortune.

Teianna Re-al Cooper recites a poem - spoken word - to the crowd.

"Purpose" delivers an emotional poem.

Ms. Mai delivers a heart-dropping poem.

James Fortune on stage.

The James Ward Band perform.

My kids in the holiday spirit

For Christmas I purchased a lot of DVD's and received several as gifts. At the rate I'm going, the only time I can watch them is after midnight. With that being said, I was up late watching The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and downloading some family Christmas photos from my flash card. It's been a while since I've posted some of Andrew and Sydney. Andrew is 3 and half and lil miss Sydney will turn 8-months this month. The picture of Andrew was taken while mommie (Tailese) was putting up the Christmas tree. The picture of Sydney was taken during a traditional family gathering on Christmas Eve.

‘09 SCLC of Greater Kansas City Black Achievers

Over the Christmas holidays I was hard at work on a small project for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) of Greater Kansas City . We are honored to be awarded the contract for a second year to photograph the 2009 Black Achievers of Greater Kansas City on January 15, 5:30 pm at the Marriott Muehlebach hotel.

This year, SCLC will be honoring 11 professional individuals. The honorees are: Brad Boldridge, Cheryl Wright, Damon Lewis, Dwight Comeaux, Johnette Hinson, Karen McCoy, Maurice Coleman, Milton Young, Nicole Clark, Sheila Lister and Steven Strong. The photos below (except for Cheryl Wright) were all taken by us at the honorees workplace.

Along with the photographing the Black Achievers, we will also be photographing all of the SCLC January events here in Kansas City leading up to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration on Jan. 19.

Sharil + Henry Wedding Reception

Some of you may remember that Sharil and Henry committed their lives to each other on Dec. 13. They had a abbreviated reception at the church but the real fun wasn't going to take place until Friday, Dec. 26.

Their wedding reception was informal as they come. Let’s just say E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E got lose and partied!

Their reception was held at the Old Shawnee Town Hall the day after Christmas. There wasn’t anything formal about the entire evening. After dinner and watching a video from their wedding, the guests hit the dance floor. My good friend Myron D, of KC Pro Jocks, provided the entertainment. The crowd danced to all sorts of music. Ricky, one of the chefs from Garozzo’s even provided a little “salsa” steps with the ladies. Sharil and her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters rendered a dance skit to "Proud Mary" from Tina Turner.

What a good way to end 2008! Congratulations Sharil and Henry, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your special day.


Henry, his nephnew and his son, Jackson share a few moves in the Soul Train line.

Ricky, from Garrozo's, teach the bride and groom a few Latin dance moves.

Henry lip sings to Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" song.

Guests have no shame in getting lose during the party.

Ricky, whirls Sharil around with a few Salsa dance moves.

Henry couldn't help but laugh at all the effort from the guests dance moves.

Sharil just knows she is the center of attention.

A glimpse of some of the center pieces.