Thursday, July 31, 2008

caroline

The really cool thing about photographing Caroline, was just how much fun she had, it really energized the session.

cade

Sometimes it's the details that tell the story, in this portrait the detail is the shark's tooth necklace from his families recent vacation to Mexico.
I know he will always remember the good times he had there, but with this portrait, he will remember to tell all who look at this portrait those stories.

laura

Many of our clients remember Cindy who was our assistant for the studio and weddings in the mid 80's. This is her daughter, Laura, who just graduated from high school. Her and her mother drove from west of Wichita for this portrait. I am honored!

blake

Great eyes, great smile, great natural pose...all done by him...not by me! But it sure makes me look good:-).

leilani

To Bob and Leilani,
Happy anniversary! I am so glad Bob was pleased with this special gift you surprised him with Leilani. Thanks for making us a part of this time!
Wess and Jolene

heidi


My basic thoughts are minimalistic. Simplify. Less is more. Don't complicate things.
But how to tell a story with this instinct. Concentrate on the people, not the background or props. And when it comes together as it does in this "Artist's Composite" of Heidi, I think it is just wonderful!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

kendra & jason

Kendra and Jason, both Jolene and I wish you the very best with your marriage. You both look so happy here, I hope you remember this feeling for all of your lives!

Friday, July 25, 2008

steve and sonya

Is this not the "cutest couple"? Easy to pose and light, plus Steve likes a lot of the same music I do, what more could I ask for?
Also, Steve is the President of the "Oklahoma Press Association". Congratulations! If you would like to see his "official" portrait, stop by the studio, it's on display.

the kangs

It has certainly been our pleasure watching these boys grow into fine young men through the years.
Thank you for continually choosing us as your photographer.

4 generations of gragerts






Whenever I photograph a family that has this many differences in ages, I always wonder, what would the oldest generation have thought if they could have seen 60 years into the future on their wedding day. With this family, I would guess they would have plowed forward and not have changed much. Jolene and I both know what a great influence they have been on their families and friends. We hope and pray to do the same.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

the ericksons

This has got to be one of the nicest families I have ever worked for. After making them wait an extra week for their portraits because I forgot to order their frame in the middle of the move, they tell me that they really loved our professionalism, and then they called me after hanging the portrait to tell me how perfect it looked. All I can humbly say is, "thank you so much, you made my day"!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

noah

Noah, what a great photograph, I know your parents really love you and are raising you up to be a nice person....good job!

alexys

Every little girl wants to be a ballerina or a princess.
Alexys, I think you are both!

troy

One of the traditional rites of Lutheranism is "confirmation". It usually occurs after two years of classes and study at the end of the ninth grade around Palm Sunday.
That was the occasion for this portrait of Troy, all dressed up and standing tall in his church, "Trinity Lutheran". The portrait includes his confirmation verse done in an "Old German" style of lettering.
His mother reports, "everybody loves it"!

the heims

This family was a blast to work with, a lot of energy with laughs and fun built in.
Jolene has come up with this "Collage" using a different family portrait as a background and inserting all the different things we did on top of it.
We have this on display at our new studio, so don't hesitate to drop in and check it out. I think it's a great option when you want to check "all of the above"

olivia

As with most of my portraits, simplicity is the key.
In this portrait we really only have two colors (or shades of these two colors), white and brown. The goal is always to see the subject first and foremost. Everything else is secondary.
Olivia, thanks for letting me photograph you again. I know this will make a great companion to the portrait we did three years ago!

trevor

When I was a senior in high school, a portrait like this wasn't even on the radar. I would have loved a portrait with my hollow bodied bass guitar and my first car, a 62 Chevy Impala.
But now it is possible.
I know that when Trevor is 54, he will look back at this portrait and think, "wow, I was really cool".
As always, thanks to his mom and dad for helping us tie this all together.

k j & s

What a great evening this was! It is a wonderful location with a nice heirloom as a prop, and the three of you were so fun to work with. Also, thanks for the referral of J's cousin's engagement portrait.

23 july, 2008

Today is the day I am going to make some headway on my blog posts.
The goal is nine more entries.
Keep checking back through the day.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

sydney

What a honest and cute pose. The greatest thing about being a children's photographer is when the children are themselves, and when their parents allow and accept that.
To all of her family, thanks!

Monday, July 21, 2008

our new grandaughter, AMITA NICOLE CROWLEY

Congratulations to our oldest daughter Nicci, her husband Chris, and our grandson Gabriel. They have a new addition to their family, "Amita Nicole Crowley", born this morning at 1:34 MDT, in Cortez, Colorado. She is 8 pounds, 1 ounce and 20.5 inches long. Mother and daughter are all doing well.

Friday, July 18, 2008

regan

The oldest portraits hanging in our home are the one year portraits of our girls. All three of them hang above our bed, I can't ever imagine them coming down.
And I think the same about Regan and her brother and sister. This is just a special time...and in a beautiful portrait it will last forever!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

steffanie

Steffanie,
Your portrait turned out great. I always enjoy working for you and your family. Thanks for the confidence!
Wess

in the new studio

Have you thought I quit blogging?
The past 2 weeks have just been crazy.
Yesterday, we finally turned over the keys to Roy on the W. Maple studio after a total of 2 weeks of moving out.
We actually opened the doors of the Sunset Plaza location last Tuesday, and have been working very hard to get everything organized and put away.
The electricians are putting in the track lighting today, so I hope to have a new exterior photograph posted soon.
Don't give up on a new "look see".