Being married to an editor

Erik is an editor. He edits words. Everyday. On occasion, he's been known to edit school papers for my siblings. :)

Yet he also chooses photos routinely for the paper. Which one best fits/tells the story or goes with the words? Often when we're watching a movie, I'll comment when there's fantastic light. Erik has started to pick up on it, and has occasionally made comments. It makes my heart swell with pride.

At the same time, Erik is also a 'civilian' so to speak. When I'm editing photos, he's a great person to pull in and say 'which one do you like better' when I simply can't decide.


Here's a great example. Mike and I shot a wedding on Saturday and I have two very similar images. I like them both, but couldn't quite decide. So I pulled Erik in.

Honestly, I was a bit more drawn to the left image. Yet immediately, Erik said "OH NO, the right one is SO much better." He explained how much nicer he thought the bride looked when she was smiling. I tend to like somber images, but Erik is a 'civilian' in the photo world, and it's true, many people like pix of themselves smiley. It's good to have him here to remind me of that. :)

Let this serve as a reminder to me: Smiley photos have their place in the world.

Here's the lesson for you: Not ALL photos have to be smiley. Especially if/when you're dealing w/ kids.

Crossover

Well, I was in Wichita last week, shooting an engagement session and have had other sessions hanging around, too.


There's also a senior I photographed a few weeks ago.




Yes, fall is definitely here.

I'm not being neglectful ...

Things are just kinda busy around here. Lots of photographic stuff going on, and then when I'm not up to my ears in photos, I'm trying to spend some time with Erik. So please pardon my sparse posting. OK? :)

From this weekend's wedding:

Crossover — Odds & Ends

Well, it's that time of year again. It starts to get CRAZY around here!

First, let me invite everyone to our Heartland Photography Open House this Sunday in Salina. :)

This is come and go, so if you have small kids who won't want to hang out for more than 20-30 minutes, there are ample other things to do if you come up this way .... you could go to Rolling Hills, go check out Lindsborg, go to the Cozy Inn (but eat OUTSIDE, don't go inside).

Things have been full around here, and we're completely blessed to be booking like crazy for 2012 weddings. I know, next summer feels like eons away, but I'm already putting items on my calendar. And am thankful to be doing so!

As of late, I've been up to:


Alex & Seth's Engagement Session


Molly's Senior Portraits


Cindy & Patrick's Family


Kim & Tim's Engagement

Crossover — Editorial Shoot Published :)

Soooo, this editorial shoot I did mid-summer was recently published on a wedding inspiration blog.


Gosh, I have lots to catch up on ... I've been doing lots of stuff behind the scenes, pulling album photos, proofing albums to couples, toning albums, ordering them. All vital stuff, but not really stuff I'm blogging about much.

We'll see if I can do some pre-blogging and catch up!

Crossover — Almost!

I'm about to bust a gut!!!!


I worked on a styled shoot a little over a month ago, and have been doing some submitting to wedding blogs. I want to hold off showing these on the Heartland Blog, but just must share one or two .... because I'm dying to share!


I don't think I submitted either to the blog, so I don't really feel guilty about sharing these here. :)

Crossover — 2011 Fair King & Queen candidates

If you pay any sort of attention to the Heartland Blog, you'll have noticed a boatload of portraits as of late.

I photographed 14 candidates for the fair king/queen. It was a lot of work, but tons of fun because they had such a variety of ideas/locations.

Here are a few quick faves:

Crossover — all sorts of busy!

Ummm...it's a little crazy around here. More likely, you can find updates on the Heartland Blog.

As of late:


Serena + Luke post 1 , post 2.


Jillian + Drew post 1 , post 2.


Christina + Nick post 1 (although none of the photos in the preview are mine ... you can see me in the background of one of them!) :)

I still have quite a bit of editing and work to do. I have barely touched Fr. Jeremy's ordination/First Mass photos!!! Not to mention getting approved albums toned/uploaded/ordered. Blessedly busy!

Sounds glamorous, right?

Erik and I were talking last night ... and neither of us can remember the last time we did laundry. As evidenced by my undie drawer, it's about time. Maybe it's been 2.5-3 weeks? No one knows.

Some days I think "being a photographer sounds glamorous and all, but when I can't remember the last time I washed my clothes or went to the grocery store .... well, notsomuch."

I grabbed some milk quickly the other day, but as far as a real trip to the store, nope, can't remember the last time. Not in the last 2 weeks for sure. Crike!

I think everyone feels that way, though, to some degree. "If only I had kids." "If only I didn't work nights." "If only I could stay home with the kids." .... the list is long and I think in short, we all want what we don't have. Or we all think everyone else's life sounds more glamorous than ours.


I'll admit, today it's tough. My 'to do' list for work fills almost an entire page. It doesn't even include washing the guest room sheets for my mom who will be staying with us tomorrow night. Or doing the pile of dishes in the sink. Or going grocery shopping ... heck, even making a grocery list! But it's where I am right now, which is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I know that; I don't wish for anything else.

Sometimes, looking at the couples we photograph helps me; reminds me of life before dishes in the sink. When all you had time for was to obsess about the other. And not think "has it REALLY been 3 weeks since we did laundry?"

Crossover — Fr. Jeremy's Ordination

Ok, so I haven't actually posted anything from this on the Heartland Blog yet, but the time will be coming!

This is from right before Fr. Jeremy was ordained a Priest.

Honestly, I'm having a hard time figuring out how to caption/refer to these photos, because in this photo, he's Deacon Jeremy, not Fr. Jeremy. But NOW he is Fr. Jeremy.

I just love these quiet little moments ... that's what life is made of. And while we often see our priests doing public things: Mass, hosting events, etc., there is SO much more that I'm sure goes on behind the scenes. Prayer being one of the main/major aspects of a priest's life we don't see. Which is why I love that I captured this image so much.

Things are SLAMMIN' around here. So if the blog gets a little neglected, please understand.

Crossover — Baby Henry!

Shout out to my girl, Erin, and her sweet baby boy. You can see the post HERE on the Heartland Blog.

Crossover — Kristi + Cody

No witty words today. Just CLICK HERE to see our wedding from last weekend.

Crossover — Jessica + Ryan

KAREN???? Where have you been????

Well, troopers, it happens to be the beginning of our busy wedding season. So you may or may not see regular posts around here. I will, however, try to share some wedding photos. :)


I really love hanging out w/ the brides before the wedding. Nice, relaxed portrait.


Often, it's difficult to tear a couple away from their wedding reception. The Maid of Honor, however, did and photos at sunset are always stunning!

HERE is the preview post on the Heartland Blog.

On a side note, we just returned from Dodge for Erik's last living grandparent's funeral. To say life is busy right now would be ann understatement of large proportions. I have less than 24 hours at home before turning around for this weekend's wedding on the road. Luckily Erik will be here to keep the animals company. Dog went into spaz out mode after being boarded for 2 days!

Crossover — Emily + Joe

Was in KC over the weekend for some engagement photos. Loving the result! A few previews are HERE. This was in front of an Indian restaurant in Westport. I was ready to abandon the shoot and go eat, but alas, duty called.

Crossover — Serena + Luke

Goodness ... I've spoiled you with posts the last week or so. Here's another from today:


Serena and Luke's Engagement teaser.

I was shooting so quickly that once I was back here editing, I thought ... crike, I should have had him kneel and kiss her hand. How nice would that have been? Sheesh. One of these days I'll think of EVERYTHING while I'm shooting. Until then ....

(I included the above comment for my friends out there who think "Karen is perfect and can do no wrong." ... I'm always trying to come up with something new or think of how I could have made something awesome even better. Guess I will remember next time, eh?).

Things are a bit chaotic around here. I had 2 friends pass away in a 7 day span (both in their 30s .... young, young, young). One funeral down, one to go. Also in a wedding very soon .... so I might or might not have any sort of update over the next week.

Crossover

Workin' like a maniac over here.

So much that a few times this week I've said to Erik "let's order in ... I am being so productive I don't want to get out of my productivity groove!"


This new getting ready room at Kingman is top-notch.

Also top-notch is that my buddy Joel was around, so I was able to see him for a few minutes. :)


Things are so busy and a bit crazy, but I really have stepped back and see it as a blessing. I've never been more busy with families. Also is working on wedding and engagement albums .... it's a bit chaotic at times, but it can only be described as a blessing. And I try to remember that every day and be thankful for it every second.

My new literary obsession

I tend to get bored. Easily.

So when I'm editing photos/toning and working on orders, it's really great to have something to keep my mind going. I know a lot of photographers listen to music ... but I tend to flit around too much with music. I can't stay focused and decide on only ONE thing to listen to.

Enter: Audio books!!!!!

I'm a reading junkie, but with my eyes engaged to look at/tone/edit, I can't physically read at the same time. So I listen to books on CD. I lurrrrve it. Especially the 'whodunnit' books.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a coward when trying new authors. I have tried and true authors who I'm loyal to, and don't really venture out. But a week ago, I was at the library, and I'd listened to all of the books on CD that were checked in. Uh-oh. So I took a nervous breath and checked out a new author.


I have to admit, I really thought it sounded lame. Not really interesting. But I figured 'what the heck?' .... and was totally shocked and surprised at how much I enjoyed the book.


Since the first, I've plowed through 2 more and am on my 3rd.

One of the things I like about the books is the sleuth is a baker by trade. And along the way, the puts in these amazing recipes in the book. The downside for me listening to them is that I don't stop to write them down as I hear them. I figured I"d be clever and go to her Web site: Murder she Baked (a clever spinoff/play on words from "Murder she Wrote'", but the actual recipes aren't on the Web site! Boo-hoo!!!!! (well, the names of the recipe is on there along with the corresponding book, but you have to get the book to get the recipe). I guess I'll have to go check out the books and make copies!

Let me just say the "cherry bomb cookies" sound oh-so good!!!!!

Also, much like the Carol Higgins Clark books, these aren't dripping with unnecessary sex, sex, sex. The story is driven by the STORY, which I very much appreciate.

Slammin'

Slammin' busy, y'all.

For retail, the "Christmas Season" is from after Thanksgiving (or a little earlier, say, Oct. 1) thru December. For me, we try to have all orders in by Dec. 1 so I can deliver in time for Christmas. So, this is MY Christmas "retail" season.

I apologize for the blog neglect.

But here's the thing: being crazy out of my mind is SUCH A BLESSING. I'm thankful for the clients and the expansion. So I'm not complaining (the complaining is left to our cat, for those of you who are curious).


One of the stylists from the salon on the main floor of my building. :)


Cutie-pie family session from this morning.


Super-awesome panoramic float wrap (15x30 inches, top, compared to the VERY popular 16x24 inch size, bottom). I've NEVER ordered a pano from one of my images, and I'm glad a client told me this was what they wanted. I actually love it! :)

Sizzle

Slammin' busy!

Excited to proof this session this week:


Had a great time proofing this session last week:


Had a great time shooting this session yesterday:

Crossover

Some, but not all, of these are on the Heartland Photography Blog. Those not yet on the blog will make an appearance over the next few weeks. :)


Mr. M was a better camper this year than last during family portraits!


Bre's a smokin' hot senior who rocked out this awesome location I found. :)


Gotta just love Drew + Jillian. Just gotta.