KaBloom Studios - Blog-o-Rama

MegaMatt + the FabTones

2008-07-20T10:35:00.015-05:00

During the dinner toasts at last night's wedding, it was mentioned that Megan & Matt ought to be called "MegaMatt" in true Hollywood power couple fashion. While at first it may seem like this depicts Matt as a super hero, and may not necessarily be fair to Megan, it was later noted that having Megan in Matt's life does turn him into a super hero by making him the best he can be. So, the name is quite fitting after all. Well said.

Megan's dress was a reincarnate of her mother's.... so special! And... get this... her dress had POCKETS! She had the skirt custom made to fit the top of her mother's dress.... so, why not add pockets? Brilliant!

Usually, it's the grooms who give me the cam-tastic expression when they see their bride for the first time... but yesterday, Megan had a monopoly on fun facials. :)

Here she is showing off the dress pockets.... love it!

They had all the flowers for the wedding grown at a flower farm, just for them!

The bridesmaids carried a variety of blooms... here they are making an "M" for Megan & Matt.... (it's a loose interpretation... ha ha!)

Wedding party silliness.... I love this shot!

Ella... the camera-happy flower girl. Isn't she adorable?

Boys will be boys...

I was thrilled to see Kylie, one of the fab Fisher Sisters, among the wedding guests. She is college friends with Meg. So fun to see her again!

Since Megan & Matt live in San Fran, it was only natural that they would bring in these decorative paper lanterns from China Town. They really added to the atmosphere. Great choice you two!

It's great to see young, confident lads entertaining the young ladies on the dance floor. This little guy was workin' it!

Megan had told me they were having a live band... which is always exciting. I was pumped when I got there and saw my friend Jon Hischke rockin' the saxophone. If you've never heard the FabTones before, you are seriously missing out! Looking for a live band for your wedding/event? Call Jim Pipher at: (402) 484-5548.

Here's Jon with some sax grooves....

What a great voice she had.... they were all truly fantastic.

I am honored to have been asked to be part of your special day. Best wishes to you now and forever!

Gettin' On the Bus!

2008-07-19T00:28:00.004-05:00

Quite some time ago I received a phone call about lending my smiling mug to an ad campaign for Russ's Market. It was so long ago infact, that I completely forgot about it until people started telling me they saw me on a bus around town. How funny!

Wednesday (my birthday!) while on our way back to the studio during Molly's senior shoot, we passed a bus depot and look what was parked right in front of us! Ha ha ha!

Congratulations to the new Mrs. Nebraska!

2008-07-18T21:02:00.003-05:00

Andrea Stine was recently crowned the new Mrs. Nebraska... she and her husband came for some celebratory pics. Congratulations Andrea! Best of luck at nationals!

Going 'Big!' (Not just an 8x10)

2008-07-15T17:22:00.009-05:00

Sometimes people call and ask for my guidance (yes.... why are you laughing? Stop laughing!) They tell me they "want something 'big,' you know... like an 8x10 or something."

8x10s make nice desktop photos, but when hung on the wall, they're not necessary going to stop someone dead in their tracks and make them say, "wow!"

For true 'wow' power, when you go big, go really big. Just to give you an idea of how (not) big an 8x10 is in comparison, here is a photo the Kelly family was kind enough to let me shoot at their home, of the 20x30 gallery wrapped canvas they recently ordered. Below, you see the same photo as an 8x10. Huge difference! Now, imagine a wall covered with 'em... that's some serious 'wow-ness!'

You can order a gallery wrapped canvas (they come ready to hang!) in pretty much any size your heart desires (large, really large!), so please be sure to let me know if you have any special requests. Client galleries also feature various "Inspire" wall collections to help give you some design ideas. Now, if you can just find a hammer.... :)

Here's another wall collection featuring a custom sized print. A group of six (6) of them makes a great focal point. (Have a frame with an off-beat size? No problem!)

Thanks Gina for letting me pop over to shoot your print arrangements! :)

Photoshop: Speed Painting

2008-07-15T10:51:00.000-05:00

This is simply incredible. You have to give it time to take shape (like many great things in life....), so be patient! :) I love the incredible shaping created with the shadowing and toning... and the way the artist creates the glittering diamonds is amazing... (All done in Photoshop)

Katie & Nathan: Counting Down!

2008-07-14T15:28:00.002-05:00

We met up for Katie & Nathan's engagement photos the end of June. Their big day is coming soon, so these are arriving just in time!

Check out Katie's super cute dress! Word is, she got it from Victoria's Secret online.... Nice choice Katie! :)

More bus stop glory....

These look gorgeous you two! Can't wait for your big day.... don't think I forgot the bike! That will be a blast! :)

Class of 2009: Kelsey

2008-07-14T12:38:00.005-05:00

Those of you who have ridden around with me while we're shooting know.... you have to be prepared for anything! A few weeks ago, while out and about, I spotted this 'Old School' bus and knew I'd be shooting it sometime. When I met Kelsey, I knew she'd love it. So much fun!

I love this photo....

These are beautiful... her eyes just jump out at you!

Back at the studio...

Way to rock Kelsey! Enjoy and have a fab rest of the summer!

Chaza + Joe: Drop Dead Gorgeous

2008-07-12T22:05:00.006-05:00

Chaza and Joe's wedding touched my heart in a number of ways. Their wedding was a cross-cultural celebration that just made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Chaza was drop dead gorgeous, and photographing the two of them was pure joy. :)

See what I mean!? Are they glam, or what? I {heart} her dress!

Old skool classic!

Seriously, just when you thought it couldn't get any better....

Her jewelry was fit for a queen!

Chaza and her family are from Syria... thus, their wedding programs featured both English and Arabic... (which I think is one of the most beautifully written languages... and hope to someday have the opportunity to study). How gorgeous is this?

This was the moment Chaza arrived at the church. She was breath taking!

She and Joe didn't see each other before the ceremony, and she arrived only moments before it started, so we had to sneak in these portraits of Chaza quickly. Everything went so smoothly... it was a breeze. :)

Their reception was at the Wick Alumni Center... they did an incredible job with decorations.

One of my favorite things about many of the Middle Eastern cultures is the music and dance. When it came time for the father/daughter dance, Chaza and her father put on quite the show! The joy in their faces is captivating....

What a treat! Thanks so much for letting me capture your beautiful day. I wish you both a lifetime filled with love, health, and happiness!

Floral Surprise

2008-07-11T14:29:00.003-05:00

Emir totally surprised me today and sent me flowers. It completely made my day. After a long, hard week.... it was just what I needed for a Friday pick-me-up. Thanks so much love! You are so wonderfully YOU! :)

Merki Mayhem

2008-07-11T11:38:00.002-05:00

Merki came home the other day after a pretty bad accident... not entirely sure what happened, but she's been in the vet hospital since Wednesday. We went to visit her this morning.... poor baby. Multiple skull fractures and a broken jaw (top & bottom).

We love you Merki! Get well soon... we miss our little stinker.

Phone Tag

2008-07-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

If you've been trying to get ahold of me lately... it's admittedly been challenging. Today, I'm actually around, without my camera glued to my face.... so if you call, I'll most likely answer! (Unless I'm in the restroom, or on the other line... in which case, I'll call you back right away!) :)

Wanna Learn Photoshop?

2008-07-09T08:57:00.001-05:00

Those of you who have taken my class(es) will get a kick out of this video.... it's by Deke McClelland, one of my absolute favorite Photoshop authors. Here he is sharing 101 Photoshop tips in 5 minutes. Warning: (Not necessarily G Rated) Enjoy!

Lindsey + Matt: Picture Perfect!

2008-07-06T08:43:00.003-05:00

On my way home from Denver, I hopped over to Kearney to photograph Lindsey & Matt's wedding. Matt's sister was an '08 senior, and over the past year, I've photographed several of their cousins and friends... and truly feel like one of the family! :) It was great to see them all again!

They originally asked me to photograph their wedding quite a long time ago, but I was previously booked for their day. As luck would have it, the bride that had booked me called off her wedding, and I was again available to capture their day. Phew! :)

The neckline on Lindsey's dress was absolutely beautiful... this necklace complimented it perfectly.

After seeing each other, we headed out to create some fab portraits. Since Matt & Lindsey are honeymooning in Mexico, I thought this locale was perfect! (Yes folks, this was shot in KEARNEY!)

I love the arch...

Another great thing about the above locale, as well as this one with the green wall.... is that they coordinated perfectly with Lindsey's wedding colors and bouquet! When opportunity knocks, you've got to jump on it!

See what I mean? Isn't that bouquet gorgeous? It was so lucious!

I love the woodsy graininess of this one...

Nostalgic. I {heart} this shot!

A little main street (Central Ave.) action...

I love this 'over the shoulder' shot of the ceremony...

Emir was with me for this wedding, as I hitched a ride back from Denver with a friend, and was car-less in Kearney. He picked me up and it was great to have him along. Here he is shooting with my ol' Fuji S2. He was rockin' the fish-eye for most the day...

This park was gorgeous!

Love the rings. :)

Time to head to the reception!

Some serious lens flare... I LOVE it! Doesn't it add a heaping helping of drama and glamour? :)

I love the expression on Lindsey's face in this photo... it captures the joy of the moment perfectly.

I'm so happy it all worked out and I got document your big day. Wishing you a lifetime of wedded bliss and happiness!

Happy Feet!

2008-07-03T23:22:00.009-05:00

This past week, I got to relive another one of my heart's passions.... dancing and performing. I've been in Denver helping Up With People (they were just in Lincoln in February.... remember?) showcase the entertainment they offer for corporate conventions, and other special events.

Here's a little video clip with some random moments from the show (featuring yours truly! I'm in the black/white/red floral patterned top... and later... a green one for the finale....)

A few more fun shots....

Yes, we strike our own equipment.... work those muscles!

This was the gypsy dance that I performed 10 years ago while on tour.... It is ridiculously fun!

This is Lamar. When I toured, he was our dance captain. The man is INCREDIBLE. Currently, when he's not in Denver helping with this production, he's dancing on cruise ships around the world. Amazing. It was so great to see him again!

The gypsy dance is wild.... lots of crazy skirt twirling!

Very colorful!

Up With People is truly an amazing organization. If you're between the ages of 17-29, enjoy pouring your heart into everything you do, and want to go out and see the world (and interact with it!) you really should check 'em out. I toured between high school and college, and it was truly one of the most incredible experiences of my life. If you're interested, and have questions, I'm happy to talk with you!

Take It From the Top!

2008-07-02T08:36:00.004-05:00

I haven't told you what I've been up to.... and I will... but for now.... here are a couple photographic clues.... :)

Kjerstin + Joel: A Trip Down the Aisle

2008-06-28T23:09:00.007-05:00

You may remember Kjerstin and Joel's engagement shoot last winter. Their big day finally came... and everything was... perfection. See for yourself!

Kjerstin was a beautiful bride...

and Joel was a stylin' groom... check out the Chucks!

Love this.

Check out the groomsmen....

It's always fun to shoot downtown.... here they are in their brand-new get-away-car!

The reception was at the Wick Alumni Center, which is always a joy to shoot because it's beautiful and the windows let the most gorgeous light pour in....

Plus, there's an awesome balcony which lets me score shots like this...

and this.... :)

Congratulations to you both. Thank you so much for including me in your day. It was so fun to see you again! Safe travels back to Cali.... and best wishes for a forever filled with love and happiness.

In a Pickle!

2008-06-28T22:32:00.000-05:00

About a month ago, I posted about my Jessica Simpson moment where I learned, much to my surprise, that pickles don't grow on a plant somewhere, but instead, are actually.... cucumbers in disguise.

Recently, I came home to find this on my doorstep. Someone (a mystery pickle farmer perhaps?) surprised me with this lovely 'pickle plant.' No note. No explanation. Just this plant, with 'pickles' growing on it. Touché.

Here's Emka performing her inspector duties....

To the mystery pickle farmer.... very clever. You made my day. :) PS: Where in the world did you find pickle ornaments?

Kelsey & Levi: Leaping for Love

2008-06-28T00:16:00.007-05:00

Kelsey & Levi just got married, and I have to say, their ceremony was one-of-a-kind. Levi is a videographer who managed to film the actual proposal to Kelsey.... and used it in a movie that played in the church at the beginning of the ceremony. So cool!

Here they are leaping for love.... would you believe we scored this on the very first attempt? Yes, they are THAT good. :)

I love this series of shots....

Kelsey ran into a little flower drama the day before the wedding, but it all worked out (of course!) and the flowers were gorgeous....

In fact, I thought her bouquet was so beautiful, I took a few more shots of it... :)

Walking back to the church, the flow of Kelsey's dress caught my eye.... I love how it moves!

One of the bridesmaids had this little Sony dangling from her wrist.... cameras DO make fabulous accessories!

We managed to escape the crazy storms that hit Omaha today.... the weather was fantastic, the air was so still I was able to snag a few bubble shots!

You two are adorable together. Thanks for letting me share your day.... it was absolutely fabulous!

Meet Ralph: The Quick Change Assistant

2008-06-27T10:41:00.005-05:00

A welcomed addition to the KaBloom team this season is Ralph, the blue pop-up changing room that comes with us on our crazy outdoor adventures. Here's Jenna to give ya a quick demo. :)

Before:

After:

Wow Jenna! Thanks! Ralph makes our shoots more efficient.... and that's a good thing. He's pretty well behaved (unless it's super windy out!), and looks forward to getting to know everyone this summer! :)

2009 Seniors: Megan

2008-06-25T14:26:00.002-05:00

Megan was kind enough to indulge my love for shooting at laundromats. What a good sport! Ha! I'm pretty sure she thought I was nuts when I first suggested it.... but how can you deny the uber coolness of these shots!

I LOVE this!

This shot has an interesting story behind it, but I'll let her tell you. :)

In addition to red doors, laundromats, and old bikes, I also love shooting phone booths for some reason. Does anyone even use them anymore? How long do you think they'll stick around for? What does it cost now to make a payphone call anyway?

This reminds me of a photo of Christina Applegate by Michael Grecco on an old issue of Studio Photography Magazine... I think it's just because of the colors.... This shot is so fun. :)

I love your photos Megan! Fabulous job. Have a great summer!

Best Outfit for Baby?

2008-06-25T12:01:00.002-05:00

None! A lot of clients spend time/money worrying about what outfit baby should wear for their photos..... my recommendation: Nothing's better than... well... nothing!

Baby bottoms have to be among the greatest things of all time..... :)

If she was all covered up, we'd never see her rollie-pollie squishiness!

Here's one more, just because I love the flare.... :)

There ya have it. Bring on the b-day suit! :)

Somethin' About the Country

2008-06-25T11:56:00.000-05:00

City girl? Country girl? I can't decide... I love so many things about the city AND the country. On my way back from a shoot out in Eagle I was taking the scenic route home and came across these views.... (I've always had a thing for 'no trespassing' signs). I can't figure out why it seems to be a universal rule that no trespassing signs are written on old tires... why tires? I guess they're easy to 'hang.' Interesting....

A Little Wine, and a Lot of Love....

2008-06-25T10:57:00.000-05:00

Family photos don't have to be boring! This family broke out the wine and gathered for laughs & photos in their gorgeous outdoor living room. The result? Photos as natural and beautiful as they are!

It wouldn't be complete without the pup! Doesn't this photo make you want to reach out and pet her? That fur is so fun!

Have a great summer you guys! Enjoy decorating with your photos! :)

Elizabeth: The Sequel

2008-06-24T20:51:00.004-05:00

This is Elizabeth... you may remember her from a few weeks ago. She was in front of my lens when the sirens went off for the most recent tornado. That was craziness! She came back a couple days later and we finished our shoot. :) These are some of my faves...

I LOVE this shot. We were on our way somewhere else when I saw this opportunity and jumped on it....

Elizabeth is a fellow shutterbug.... here she is rockin' my ol' Pentax K1000.

The whole time we were shooting she kept telling me how much she prefers to be 'behind' the camera.... but I think she does a pretty stellar job in front too!

This photo combines a lot of things I love... the color red, (especially with blue!) and old bikes.

Again... I think you can rock the front end of the lens too Elizabeth!

Elizabeth is a big Chuck Taylor fan. So, this shot was a must....

Are we seeing a theme here? Again... more red doors! Ha ha ha!

Love the lens flare! (The scarf was a great accessory!)

What an adventure! Ha! Thanks Elizabeth.... enjoy your summer!