Paola Art & Wine Stroll

My friend Lacy, owner of The Dance Studio in Paola & Louisburg invited me to be one of the artists featured in her studio for the Paola Art & Wine Stroll. There were many featured artists including oil painters, landscape photographers, sculptors, and portrait photographers.

Each local business in the downtown square in Paola's Historic District, featured a Kansas winery as well as local artists to display their work. People were able to purchase tickets and stroll around to the different businesses, taste wine, and look at the work of talented featured artists.

This was actually the first time I have been able to go out and feature my work and introduce myself to people in the surrounding area. Here is a photo of my set up!

The winery featured at Lacy's studio was Oz Winery from Wamego, KS. These guys were awesome! I loved the wine that was served. Every bottle is named after The Wizard of Oz. The wine I purchased is called Squished Witch. This is a sweet red wine and SO delicious. Some of the other wines they offer are called Ruby Slippers, Ding Dong The Wine is Red, and Click just to name a few.

Here are a couple of pictures of the crowd at The Dance Studio. It stayed busy the entire night!!

Here is a picture of Lacy and the girls from Oz Winery.

Over all, it was a great night to display some of my work, make connections around the area, and enjoy some great wine! Be sure to check out all of these great local businesses!!

All the best,

Marissa

John and Amy | Engaged

John and Amy met in Raleigh, North Carolina over a year ago. They met playing on the same kickball team. My favorite part of this story is that Amy yelled out to John as he went up to bat, "Big Weave WAVE SPLASH!!" Anyone who has known John for a while knows that he goes by his last name Weaver and some have even called him "big wave splash!" So, as you can imagine, Amy got his attention! ;)

My husband, Nick, and John have known each other since they were kids. I have known John since high school. Knowing how outgoing and fun he is, I knew that his leading lady must be one awesome girl as well and I was right! These two are super fun, outgoing, hilarious, and down for just about anything!

The couple came back to Wichita over the 4th of July weekend for an engagement party with family and friends so we decided to snap a few pictures as well. ;)

For the engagement session, we went out to Eberly Farm which, is where the wedding will be held in October.

 I had to snap some shots of her GORGEOUS ring!

Then, we headed to Old Town which was really fun because there were live bands playing outside which made for some really fun shots!

 John and Amy enjoyed a nice wine flight at Oeno as well...

There's that beautiful BLING again!

 The sunset on the top of the parking garage was stunning! We had to get a few pictures there as well. ;)

These two are such an awesome couple. I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding in October!

July 4th

Every year, I am so thankful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. This year, I feel even more grateful to live in this country as I am starting up my photography business.

Nick and I traveled back to our hometown to see family and friends. This is the first year that we have been able to shoot off fireworks in about 4 years because they are illegal where we live now. Every year back home, firework stands pop up all over town about a month or so before the 4th.

So of course, when we rolled into town we had to buy our share of fireworks!

I had way too much fun capturing people spelling things out and drawing shapes with their sparklers, especially the KSU photos. Those turned out so SWEET!

My little sisters were so cute, too. They were excited to have a photo shoot so I could practice a couple of new photography ideas on them. They are such beautiful girls, I can't believe how old they are getting!

 I hope you all had a fun and safe 4th of July. There's no place like home!

Just Because...

Is it only Tuesday? Super random post...just because.

Kayla and Joey | Engaged

Kayla and Joey were awesome enough to make the trek from Wichita to KC for their engagement pictures. I was so happy when Kayla asked me to be her wedding and engagement photographer because I have known Kayla since our youth group days back at Westlink. So, aside from getting to photograph this awesome couple, it was great to catch up a bit as well!

The sun was setting over the rose garden at Loose Park which made for the most romantic and beautiful setting for an engagement photo shoot. 

Kayla and Joey are so in love. It was so fun to capture their love for one another and excitement for their upcoming wedding.

Here are some of my favorites from the session (although I truly love them all!) :)

 Kayla, you are SO beautiful!

I cannot wait to photograph their wedding this August!

All the best,

Marissa