It’s hard to believe I’ve built a friendship with Kathleen, mostly through instagram. But after a few connections in Kansas City brought us together, it’s been so fun to share seasons of life with each other from afar! A couple of years ago I was able to take some anniversary pictures for she and Josh. Little did they know, the road to follow would be marked with loss and abundant faith for the family they were praying God would build. Meeting little miss Georgia was a testament to so many things! Her tiny size (less than 5lbs in these photos) has nothing on the strength she and her mommy and daddy have already shown! This little girl is LOVED and we are so glad she’s here, safe and sound!
Baby Georgia has join my 2020-2021 Milestone Portrait program, so lucky you (and me), we’ll get getting to see a lot more of this girl throughout her first year! Tummy time, gummy smiles, sitting up, clapping, and cake… it’s going to go fast, and I’m so honored to be along for the ride!
All my congratulations to Josh & Kathleen! She’s amazing!
xo,
Laura
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I was thrilled to return home to Kansas City in July for Kasey + Jeff’s Hobbs Building wedding! From getting ready at Kasey’s parent’s home, to their beautiful catholic mass, performed by Kasey’s childhood friend, it was such a personal day! And I was reunited with my KC dream team: Nellie of Nellie Sparkman Events, Ashlie of Blue Bouquet, and Bailey of Bailey Pianalto Photography, among other vendor friends I’ll link at the end of this post!
Kasey & Jeff call Colorado home, but it was clear that their family and friends bring the community to wherever they are. July 27th was defined with such calm & abundant love and joy! Also, fun fact: I didn’t get to meet these two until their wedding day, yet I immediately felt part of the crew and even knew a few of the bridesmaids from college! It’s such a small world!!
Kasey & Jeff, thank you so much for trusting me with your wedding day! You all are two of the kindest people I have ever met and I am so excited to see where your marriage takes you together! All my love, and so glad I get to hug you again at Linsey’s (Kasey’s sister) wedding in 2020!!
xo,
Laura
Vendors: Nellie Sparkman Events, Blue Bouquet, Bailey Pianalto Photography, Feasts of Fancy/The Hobbs, Gown Gallery
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I’ve been counting down to this fall, Kansas City Intercontinental Wedding since I was introduced to Madison & Jay last year! To say it was a dream to see all of this come together is an understatement. From the vendors, to the couple, there were endless details that made October 13th one that will not soon be forgotten by all who were a part of it!
I connected with Madison & Jay through their incredible wedding planner and my dear friend, Nellie Sparkman. Nellie is doing state of the art work in Kansas City and has become so special to me, even though we met after I moved to Florida. In fact, we first collaborated in 2016 on a Forever Royal styled shoot, celebrating the Royal’s Winning the World Series! Madison saw that shoot and told Nellie “I want this vendor team for my wedding!” And so, as I like to say, my KC dream team (including my other dear friend, Ashlie of Blue Bouquet) came together again!
From the heirloom gown Madison had altered to fit her Essence of Australia custom dress, to the LIVE parade that lead everyone from their Loose Park Ceremony to The Plaza– truly not a detail was left untouched! Can I also say I LOVE that they had guacamole on the tables at their reception? Who says wine service & gorgeous greenery + linens can’t also include guac! Also, their pup Rosie got to be a part of the festivities and that was basically the icing on the cake. Just SO much love for this day! And clearly, all of the images…. it was hard to pick the ones to blog!
I truly am so sad sharing these means this Kansas City Intercontinental Wedding is officially over! But It will not be forgotten anytime soon!
All my congratulations to Madison & Jay! And HUGE thanks to the best vendor team! Thank you for always making coming home great!!
PLANNING + STATIONERY Nellie Sparkman Events & Stationery // CEREMONY Loose Park Rose Garden // BAND Marching Cobras KC // RECEPTION CATERING BAR The Intercontinental Hotel // FLORIST Blue Bouquet // VIDEOGRAPHER Luxe // ENTERTAINMENT Lost Wax // PHOTOBOOTH Elite Sounds Entertainment // DANCE FLOOR + UPLIGHTING Chuck Bergman Audio // CAKE Adorn Cakes // HAIR + MAKEUP Traci Morby // BRIDAL + BRIDESMAID GOWNS Belle Vogue // TRANSPORTATION Showtime // RENTALS Ultra Pom // 2ND SHOOTER Bailey Pianalto
xo,
Laura
Laura
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As you all know, #storieslovewrites is the hashtag I use for my weddings because it encompasses the incredible legacy that happens through marriages. It’s really amazing that two people can come together and literally build generations out of their love, isn’t it?! Needless to say, my old soul heart (that also studied Marriage & Family Therapy in College!) thrives in the details, the stories, the history & the memories that come forward on each wedding day. So, you can imagine my thrill when this year’s October bride, Madison, shared about a very special portrait she wanted me to make when I was home in KC last week.
What you see above is the most gorgeous gown, purchased in 1943 for her grandmother (seen top left) to wear for her wedding. Then, her sister borrowed it. Followed by Madison’s mom. And now Madison, who works in the designer bridal gown industry, will be the first to alter the dress to wear in October.
Obviously this dress carries an incredible legacy and these images of Madison wearing it in its original state as it has been worn over the last 75 years were very important, especially to her mom. Thankfully, her mom also got to be present as we photographed her at The Intercontinental in Downtown Kansas City, where the actual wedding will take place this fall. The antique wood, oversized staircase and looming chandelier only added to the incredible beauty of this gown!
Special thanks to Ashlie of Blue Bouquet for providing a lovely bouquet for a few of the portraits! We also managed to sneak in a prop “prayer book” to mimic what the women were holding in their portraits.
Oh this last one. Madison looks just like her mom’s portrait! Such an incredible legacy.
Happy Royal Wedding watching to those of you who will be up early tomorrow for it!
xo, Laura
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I am so grateful to be able to come back “home” to Kansas City 3-4 times a year for weddings, portraits, Little Apple visits & time with friends and family. Spring & fall are the seasons I miss most living in Florida so it is especially fun when I get to come back and enjoy them here!
I’m currently in town for a slew of spring photo projects & to celebrate McCartney’s first birthday (HOW?!) and had the opportunity to meet Erin for a headshot mini session at Zona Rosa! Erin saw my work through a former client and booked me even though we hadn’t ever met (I love when this happens– what a compliment!). She is an adjunct dance instructor in the KC Metro and needed headshots for when companies share (with excitement I’m sure!) that she’ll be teaching for them.
I hadn’t been to Zona Rosa in years but found the perfect backdrops to compliment her. I love headshot minis because they only take 15 minutes but she’ll have 50 images to select her 5 from- hooray!
Thanks so much for trusting me with your headshots, Erin!
Kansas City– lots of good stuff happening this week! Stay tuned for more!
xo, Laura
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To redefining bravery.Letting go. Often.
Loving well.
Saying no.
Trusting as fully as my feeble heart will allow.
Not measuring life by worldly things.
Lex + Bry (26 of 232)
Farewell, 2014! And thanks to all of you for supporting, pushing, encouraging, dreaming and creating with me in unprecedented ways this year. Creating images that reflect the beauty God originally penned is my greatest privilege!
– Laura