Thank You Kansas City!

“We are proud to announce that Royal Photography LLC has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick. Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 magazine and check out our listing.”

Thank you Kansas City for this huge honor and recognition! Receiving this award two-years in a row warms our heart. You have our promise that we will continue to take pride in the weddings we photograph, deliver quality wedding albums that you will be proud to showcase to family/friends, and cherish the friendships that are generated. You all have welcomed us in your homes and been apart of special family memories i.e., pregnancies, new births, and family portraits. We hope that you will continue to call upon us for all your family photography needs.

Thank you for allowing us to document your wedding day love stories and your fondest memories. We love you all! ◦

Thank You Kansas City!

LaToya + Vincent Wedding | March 28

Saturday’s Spring/Winter storm didn’t deter the spirits of LaToya and Vincent’s dream wedding. Tailese and I arrived at the church at 12:30 pm and on the way there we hoped the expected snow storm was going to pass us. It was only raining en route to the church. Well, we were wrong. The meteorologist predicted the sleet and snow to start at 1 pm and did it come down too. We tentatively had plans to do a lot of the formal photos off site after the ceremony but mother-nature foiled that plan. So we opted to do all the formal pics in the church. Despite the weather, the bride’s mother was hard at work making sure that all the final touches were in place just before her baby girl walked down the aisle. LaToya was calm and seemed to take things in stride. Vincent a.k.a. Michael, wasn’t worried at all. He got excited just being surrounded by his fraternity brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi. They made comical jokes and kept his nerves at ease.

The wedding took place at St. James United Methodist Church . Rev. Emanuel Cleaver II officiated the wedding. Everyone can always count on Rev. Cleaver’s comical candor during a ceremony. He has a niche of getting the audience’s attention.

The most challenging part of the day was how to get LaToya out of the church, down the slippery steps and into the 1954 Bently Saloon courtesy of Pech Limousine. Nevertheless, with Vincent’s help, she gracefully held her new husband’s arm and got into the car. Looking at the pictures, you can tell it was cold and nasty outdoors.

The reception was held at The Rhapsody in Independence, MO. Kudos to The Event Gallery for such a fabulous job on the reception décor and wedding cake.

◦

LaToya + Vincent Wedding | March 28

2009 Jabberwock Ball

The Kansas City, KS Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presented their annual "2009 Jabberwock Pageant" at the Ritz Charles Convention Center in Overland Park, KS Saturday evening. This years theme was "Reaching for the Dreams of Tomorrow". Nine contestants competed in the areas of: Miss Essay, Miss Congeniality, Miss Talent, Miss Scholarship, Miss Jabberwock 2nd Runner-Up, Miss Jabberwock 1st Runner-Up and Miss Jabberwock 2009. The contestants were:

• Jamillah Africa Brantley
• Shauntay Even Coleman: Miss Jabberwock 2nd Runner-Up
• Miriam Monet Gray
• Cearra Abri Jones
• Katerra Denise Shackelford: Miss Scholarship
• Jahlisha Renise Simmons
• Jennai Elizabeth Singleton: Miss Jabberwock 1st Runner-Up, Miss Essay
• Batrice LaShell Upton: Miss Congeniality
• Alexandria Marie Wilson: Miss Jabberwock 2009, Miss Talent, Miss Scholarship

I love photographing this annual event because it allows me to broaden my "special event" photography skill sets. Thank you Courtney and the entire KCK Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumnae Chapter for yet another opportunity.

Khadejah Watson renders a musical selection.

Miss Talent 2009, Alexandria Wilson, gives an moving oration.

LaShea Wright sings "I Believe I Can Fly".

Jabberwock 2009 co-chairperson: Courtney Roberts (left), Miss Jabberwock 2009 - Alexandria Wilson (center) , and Erica Wills (right).

Alexandria Marie Wilson - Miss Jabberwock 2009

Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters.

Jabberwock contestants perform during a pageant production number.

The 2009 Jabberwock's dance with their fathers during the "Grand Dance".

◦

2009 Jabberwock Ball

Megan + Michael Wedding

Saturday, March 14 was not your typical seasonal wedding but everyone could not deny that it was a beautiful day to get married. Michael and Megan have the warmest personalities you will ever want to meet. Megan has a infectious laugh and smile - not to mention her captivating eyes. Michael was a groomsmen in Josh (his cousin) and Rachel's wedding in January of this year. This is where I met Michael.

Their wedding and reception took place at Bliss Plaza and we then headed to Unity Village for additional bridal party photos.

Congratulations to both of you and allowing us document your precious wedding day!

Groomsmen boutonnieres

Megan absolutely loved her wedding dress.

Mom and lil sis get a last minute glimpse of Megan before leaving the dressing room.

Megan wearing Michael's wedding band.

Michael gives thumbs-up and final approval that he is ready to commit.

Megan and her big sister goof off a little before the wedding.

Their first dance.

◦

Megan + Michael Wedding

Tammy + Jairo Pregnancy

Oh, the beauty of life!

Tammy and Jairo will be giving birth to their first child really soon. Jairo is the coolest dude anyone would ever meet. I met him last year when I took his formal photos for the 2008 SCLC Black Achievers award. Both are members of Greek organizations; he's a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and she's a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. I guess "red" is a beautiful color :)

Congratulations Tammy and Jairo; let me know the name of the baby.

◦

Tammy + Jairo Pregnancy

Chris and Hannah Engagement

Strolling The Plaza on a Sunday afternoon was a captivating moment for me. Not only was I there to photograph an engagement session but Hannah and Chris were themselves in the midst of Kansas City's Plaza shoppers. With every e-session I have on The Plaza, I like to find something unique. I found that moment. I wanted Hannah and Chris to stop in front of Tiffany & Co. for a intimate portrait; come to find out, this is where Chris purchased her engagement ring. WOW! I honestly didn't know. What a coincidence.

◦

Chris and Hannah Engagement