Run, don't walk! It's an all new blog!

Hey friends and faithful blog followers.
Great news! Tyler and I have merged our two blogs into one fabulous new blog with BIG pictures!
So, re-mark this link and check often.

www.wirkenblog.com
yehoo!

Emily and Grant Engagement

Emily and Grant go all the way back to high school and went on to college together at the University of Missouri. I was talking to Emily on the phone about the engagement session: I always ask people- what do you guys like to do together? Do you have any special places? What is your personal style- what kinds of settings would go with your home?
Lots of folks have kind of a hard time thinking of something distinct, so I was thrilled when Emily said, giggling, "well, we actually love to bowl together" Perfect!
So, we hit Ward Parkway Lanes, bowled a game together and took some pictures in the meantime. Here are a few favorites...

Which one's your favorite?

I finally had a chance to post some short slideshows in the "watch" section of our website
go to: www.wirkenphoto.com and click on "watch" in the lower menu
Tell me which one is your favorite!!
We've got....
LeeAnne & Iannick

Kim & Matt

Holly & David

Michelle & Jason

Website Update

Weehoo!
I just updated the site with by adding some of 07 favorites to my wedding and portrait galleries. Be sure to check them out if you are trying to kill time at work (wink, wink)
And stay tuned...by the end of the week, I will have a few slideshows posted in the "Watch" section.

Addie Rose Boutique

You know that bubble gum pink bungalow in the heart of Brookside? Well, if you haven't been inside, you NEED to check it out. I did a short shoot on Monday with the owner of Addie Rose Boutique, Megan Meiners. We shot a few new dresses from the spring line, and a handful of crazy kids decked out in couture :).



I just love this coral colored number. kind of chases away the gray sky blues :)


Who doesn't love a Johnny Cash shirt on a kid? You can see rock star written on his face :)

this was my favorite group shot. kids being kids. I thought it really matched Megan's vibe- eclectic, laid back, and totally fun.

The shop also carries these darling hand sewn onesies (a local artist)

Here's Megan with the store's namesake, her 11 month old Addie Rose.


Some of Megan's favorite lines:
Ella Moss, Rebecca Beeson, Sweetees, Diane Samandi, Citizens, Hale Bob


Stop in and pick up something new for spring!
Addie Rose Boutique
6301 Main Street
Kansas City, MO

Shelly Belly

I had a veery fun time shooting Shelly's belly today. She and her husband Andy are expecting a girl in the next month, and they were pure pleasure to shoot. Can't wait to meet the little beauty!

Creative minds gather at the Wirken studio

If your follow the blog, you know that we had a little local artist powwow here at the studio last Thursday. The place was pretty packed and we had a blast!





Here you can see the jewelry table set up through the window

Models were decked out in Janay's beautiful gowns

Our shooting room was converted to a mini Janay boutique for the evening

Bridget of the Ornamental Petal brought some stunningly creative floral creations





Cakes by Joe. Joe also brought these bags of mini cakes and cookies for Valentine's day. They were to die for!

Katie and Garnet: the girls of ScarlettGarnet jewelry. I wear their work every day :)

All the artists: Katie, Bridget, Joe, Garnet, Janay

Thanks again guys for gracing us with your amazing art!

Sleepy little fella

look at sweet little Cody

Multiple Musings

Here are some happy experiments with Multiple exposure.
This one I love. Ben and the seedpod, Kind of like James and the Giant Peach :)



This one is a multiple exposure laid on top of a single exposure. I shot the sign at one car lot, with a lot of negative space in the sky, and then shot a multiple exposure of this great tinsel-like stuff at another car lot.

helga the holga

I got another roll back from that first week when I got my holga.
the black and white is eerie, eh?

Holly and David

I usually limit myself to 20 pictures or less for each wedding post, but, since this was my last wedding of 2007, I decided to slack on the self-restraint. So here is an extra long post for some wonderful friends, David and Holly.
Winter, and Christmas time specifically, is really special to these two. When we first met, they said that some of the most influential times in their relationship have been around the holidays. So, when they woke up with a blizzard on their wedding day, they were thrilled :)
Here is a glimpse into their day...




Holly's mom at that first moment Holly had her dress on

the wedding party was so fun! They braved the cold for some beautiful pictures out in the bright white snow


Erin took this one. Isn't it great?


This was by far one of my favorite moments of the day. David really wanted to see Holly for the first time at the end of the aisle, but he asked if they could just be together briefly without seeing eachother. There was so much energy bouncing between them. Great moment.



Here is another powerful one by Erin- Holly and her dad just before the doors opened














...and finally, I love this picture...Holly's dad in the background- I think a beautiful illustration of sending off his daughter to a new stage in life.


Congratulations you two!

Scarlett Garnet and Janay A Handmade

Last Monday I had the pleasure of shooting the latest creations of a few of the most talented upcoming designers here in Kansas City. Scarlett Garnet (http://www.scarlettgarnet.com/), and Janay A Handmade (http://www.myspace.com/abstractpretty) have collaborated to bring custom jewelry, veils, and wedding gown seperates to brides that are looking for something custom and handmade for their wedding. On Thursday February 7th, I will be hosting an event at the Wirken Photography studio to show off these ladies' wonderful creations. Come from 5:30 to 7:30 to talk to Garnet and Katie about creating custom jewelry pieces for you and/or your bridesmaids (or bring your significant other to give them a wishlist for Valentine's Day), and see Janay's cutting edge veils, clothing, and bags. Or come just to sip champagne and meet these talented artists. For more information, email me at becca@wirkenphoto.com.
Here are a few of my favorite images from the shoot.

prepping for the shoot, Garnet making jewelry while Katie works on her hair

Janay getting the model prepped
























From left to right: Katie (jewelry), Garnet (jewelry), and Janay (clothing)- the creative minds behind these designs

Carrie and David

What a busy 2007! I am still catching up. All year, I fell in love with my couples, and came to know them as friends. I immediately felt that way about Carrie and David. They were married in Wichita at Carrie's beautiful church in downtown Wichita, and their reception was at the wonderful Wichita Center for the Arts. David is a talented graphic designer, and so art is central to their lives. Thanks so much guys. We had a great time!









one of my favorite former brides is a good friend of Carrie's- Kristi

More Holga!

I love my Holga!

Michelle and Jason

It will be strange for you to see fall colors in the dead of a snowy winter. Even though I'm behind on blogging, I wanted to share Jason and Michelle's wedding because I just loved shooting it. They are truly comfortable people- you know the kind that you feel like you've known for years even though you just met? The light was beautiful, the love was real, and the party was swingin. Enjoy!









Jason fightin back the tears during the ceremony

isn't this a beautiful image? I was lucky enough to have my friends Brandon and Nicole Parigo (www.parigostudios.com) shooting with me that day, and Brandon captured this wonderful moody moment during the ceremony.













So, I was having fun shooting the reception, and I look to my left and see......Tyler! (my business partner) He was crashing my wedding! I guess his wedding that night had finished early, and mine was on his way home, so he decided to pop in and shoot some- why not? :)
Actually, it was a really cool experiment, because Tyler and I have always talked about how amazing it could be to have both of us at a wedding as well as an assistant (or two) helping with lighting. As the primary photographer of a wedding, you constantly have to make split-second decisions- do I shoot it wide or tight? Do I light it or use ambient light? Do I stick with this composition and wait for the moment or move on to the next? With two of us, we could shoot it both wide and tight, ambient and supplemental light- we really think there's a lot of possibility for outstanding coverage there....
This shot by Tyler is a prime example of this- what an amazing shot! I was covering it up close- you can see me in the bottom right- and Tyler got the whole scene (his shot is better) :)
Anyway- it was fun, and we hope to do it more in the future