VanDeusen Photography

Brittany Atwood and Chris Dennis married on August, 8th of this year.  What a beautiful
wedding in Osawatomie, KS at The Grand Loft.  The day was slightly hot, but well worth
it to get the photos at the Park!  The Grand Loft was a lovely setting for the Ceremony
& Reception; I look forward to working there again!  Brittany, Chris, & all of the family
were a joy to spend time with!  - Lori Hahn    

Paul and I recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Club 1000.
We could tell the day was going to be great when we were greeted
with the lovely floral arrangements by Neal and Drew from Blue Bouquet. 
Rebecca and Brian had a beautiful ceremony that was followed by a private
dinner. 

The catering was done by Rm 39.  They did a fantastic job!  After
dinner, the reception went into full swing when Rebecca’s dad joined the band
and added some amazing guitar work.  It was a night to remember.

 

We don’t just photograph dogs!  On Saturday, we did a wonderful session
with a cat named Mouse.  He was alot of fun to work with and very well
behaved, some might even say he was better behaved than some of his canine
comtemporaries.  Beauty (and behaviour)…is all in the eye of the beholder.

 

Today we have a session with a rabbit named Violet.  Photos will follow.
What kind of pet do you have?  I would love to see.  Email me at
stephanie@vandeusenphotography.  With our pet model search going on,
maybe we will see your best friend in our new book.

I had the distinct pleasure of photographing Amanda & Ryan’s wedding last weekend.
As with every wedding there were a couple of hiccups, but overall it was a beautiful
day.  They were married in Lawrence then travelled back to KC for a fabulous
reception at the Argosy.  Amanda and her mom, Lindy, planned everything with
their guests’ comfort and enjoyment in mind.

 

Thank you for allowing me the honor of providing your photographic memories
for this incredible day!           Stephanie

 

 

Earlier this month I had the honor of photographing the wedding of Stacy and Santos. 
Stacy came to our studio because of her groom’s mother, Juanita.  We had photographed
her wedding in the past.  Stacy and Santos got married (on one of the warm days this
month) at St Agnes Catholic Church.  Afterward we went to a local park for
some outdoor photography, then on to the reception.  I could tell that the couple is well
loved by their family and friends.   Here’s to you Stacy and Santos…we wish you as many
years of happiness as your parents before you.

Babies and Children magazine recently had a contest looking for KC’s beautiful children.
Congratulations to the winner Bogan and Colin.  We were lucky to photograph
these two very adorable boys.

 

I just had an art opening on July 11th, in conjunction with Kansas City Parks and Recreation.
The show was entitled “Swope Park, A Photographic Essay”.  It depicts the nature and wildlife
in Swope Park. 

I was also making a photographic statement on the misuse of our park with a
photo collage of prints showing clutter and trash left in the park.  I hope visitors to the parks
will take notice and stop leaving behind trash.  It’s your choice!

 

There was a large cross section of guests including K.C. Parks board member and commissioner
Aggie Stackhouse and Frank McMillan (no relation that we are aware), a publisher of an online
natural resource guide and newsletter.  Visit his website at WindingRiver.com.

 

Also attending were family, friends, neighbors, artists, and other photographers, all friends of the community.  We had great treats provided by Sweet Treats by Shannon.

 

 

To see the images in person, visit Kansas City’s new Southeast Community Center in Swope
Park now through September 11th.  The address is 4201 E 63rd Street, KCMO.  You can
view and purchase images online by going to PaulFMcMillianPhotography.com.

Images provided courtesy of  KC Parks and Recreation.

 

They say a wedding is a wedding…well if you are a bride, bride’s maid, or a photographer you know that’s not so.

I did two weddings in one weekend a week or so ago and they were as different as night and day.  The Saturday wedding was for a sister of bride we had already done (who now has two great kids).  The new bride was tall, blonde, and beautiful!  The wedding was at St Agnes Catholic Church.  Craig Sole did the most beautiful yellow and white flower arrangements to match her bride’s maid’s soft, creamy yellow dresses.

After the wedding, we went to Deer Creek Country Club, where we went to the golf course lake for photos of the bridal party.  We then did photos with the bride and groom alone around the lake and a get away on a golf cart.

The party was wild and crazy.  Mark, with “Private Stock” played into the night.

There was a very special dance for a very special couple, the grandparents of the bride.  The danced to a song they danced to 63 years before on their wedding day.  And they were cancers!  Ballroom style.  What a joy!

My Sunday wedding started Friday with a bridal session at her mother’s home.  The gown was from Laura’s Couture and Ida from Ida’s Custom Veils did a very unique designer veil.  Where my Saturday bride was blonde and fair, Sunday saw a dark haired and dark eyed bride.   Both brides were stunning! 

Jenny with “The Bliss List” helped the bride and her mother put the final touches all together.  The wedding was at a Kansas City landmark… Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church near Crown Center.  I love being in this church with its’ great Kansas City Connection to the Halmark Card Crown!  One of the many unique things in this wedding was the handmade dresses for each bride’s maid and their own unique set of pearls were all different from each other.

The flowers by Dan Meiner Studio were again top notch, over the top.  Thanks Dan!  We all look good because of your work.

The bride had her face covered during the ceremony and on exit with her custom veil.  What a great look!

Their reception was at The Intercontinental Hotel rooftop.  This is such a grand place.  I think it is one of my favorites in K.C.  Again you just can’t lose with this location.  Thanks Lynn!

By the way, the band came from St Louis.  “Atlantic Express”.  Wow!

 

One of our bride & grooms, Paige and Chris, treated us withthe presence of their new son, Hudson. 
And he is all boy…Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Blocks.  I was behind the camera holding
some of his blocks and he would just run and laugh as he came for them.  It truely is a joy to be
a part of one of our wedding couples’ life in this way. 

How do you pick your favorite clients…you can’t.  But this family rates way up there.  We have done two weddings for this family.  First there was Jennifer and Matt, then came Katherine and Shaun.

Jennifer and Matt are the proud parents of Isabelle.  They recently brought her in for images with our bunny Violet.  Violet belongs to my daughter Lori (the new president of VanDeusen Photography and an award winning photographer).  Lori has always brought in their bunny at Easter for our great kids!

As you can see, Isabelle was on Easter Parade with her fancy dress and bonnet to match.  Our little model was a real pro.  She has pets at home which I know are her play buddies so I think she thought our bunny was her new playmate.  Speaking of new playmates…Isabelle is expecting a new cousin.  Jennifer’s sister is due this fall.  Congratulations Katherine and Shaun! and Congratulations to the expecting grandparents,and our friends…Tim and Kathy.

 

The last weekend in March was very busy and very rewarding.  It was the
Professional Photographers Heart of America Convention and Print Competition.
We learned some new things that we are going to be using in the studio very
soon. 

As far as print competition is concerned…VanDeusen Photography
was very well represented.  Lori earned 2 regional awards.  She took Third Place
in “Illustrative” (which is the category with the most enteries).  Lori also won Third Place
in the “Wedding”  category.  For the State of Missouri, she took home Third Place
“Illustrative”and Second Place “Wedding”.  Best of all, Lori earned one of the
Top 10 Photographers for the ENTIRE state.

Stephanie also did pretty well for print competition.  Regionally she took home First Place “Wedding”
and received a Fuji Masterpiece Award.  In the state competition Stephanie received another
First Place “Wedding” as well as a Judge’s Award.  And to top everything off, she earned a
Kodak Gallery Award.

Go Team VanDeusen!

2009 Diplomatic Ball

This is an event we look forward to every year, now our 5th.  Each year a different group of countries host the event.  This year’s event was hosted by the Asian Rim – Indonesia -  Republic of China - Malaysia – Philippines – Vietnam.  The Ethnic Ball is attended by people representing countries all over the world, I think as many as 100 or so.

The host countries provide the evening’s entertainment which I love to photograph. 

We also do portraits for those who want them. To cover the dancing and the excitement of the dance, I interpret it in my own way.  I use slow shutter speeds to show the movement and the flow of the dance and the fabrics. This is technique, not an oops!  Enjoy!!!

If you would like information about the ethnic community, feel free to email us.  Also feel free to send us your comments.  We would love to hear from you.  Just go to our “Contact Us” page.

 

Now this is one Crazy, Fun Lady! full of enengy with one big quest for life.  Elana has alot of interests.  As you can see, she is into cheerleading and we made very creative use of her brother’s megaphone.

It was snowing like crazy…cold…but beautiful.  On my way to the studio but I took off
in another direction.  I headed for Swope Park.  These images were all taken within an
hour or so, in and around the lake area.  Then I headed to the Swope Memorial up by
the golf course.  And while I was there 4 turkey came out of the woods.  I became the
hunter, but with a camera in hand.  I froze in place, getting some great shots.  But this was
 the best…all within 2 to 3 minutes. 

Celeste  -  Missouri Girls Highschool Class 2A State Champ in Golf!  Now that’s a title!

This family has been long time clients and friends of our studio.  We photographed her mother as a professional ballerina, her sister and their family.

But this was Celeste’s day.  As you can see, ideas just kept coming for the portraits including images with her friend (and cousin).

This young lady is really focused on what she wants to do and the way she wants to live her life.  Our hat is off ther her.  This is why we like what we do…watching a young girl become a beautiful young woman (inside and out). We want to congratulate Celeste!  Best wishes on your college years and beyond!

 

Amber Blumer & Shawn Grisamore’s Wedding day at Our Lady of Sorrows started out crazy late and flew by crazy fast…Until after the ceremony when we got to play, one of our many stop was at  Crown Center!  And boy did the guys play… in the fountains… oh yes… silly boys…

 

Paul (Dad) and I photographed this wedding together and we only bickered a few times…   Who would pose… who got the best shot…?  “Get out of my way; you’re in the background!”…  All in good fun… right boys…   We had Fun, Fun and Amber looked Beautiful in her Nolte Gown  (no she did not get in the water). 

 

Anyway, off to the Sawyer Room for the grand reception.   Brancato’s did a gorgeous job with lighting and décor in an already beautiful location.  Caren’s Cakes was great as always.  The first dance was quite emotional for a few of the gals.

 

 

 

And there are not too many locations in KC that can get you a great shot of all your wild and crazy guests!  How fun is that!

 

Thank you, Amber and Shawn, for a fun day! …Lori

 

Thank you, Vicki with Bridal Extraordinaire for inviting me to your place on Saturday.
I met many nice brides, even a groom and a few daughters. I had a great time. I was
privileged to photograph two brides that found THE DRESS.

Julie Johnson is now showing in our V-Gallery located in the lobby of our studio.
(VanDeusen Photography, 221 E Gregory Blvd., KCMO 64114)  Her work
is of flowers, water, and landscape all put into motion through camera and
Photoshop techniques.  The color in the images is amazing.  You must see
for yourself.