NEW BLOG!

It's up!  Check out my new blog at jackiecooperblog.com.  I'm so excited about its awesome new layout that allows for a larger display of images.  I think you'll like it; I'd love to hear what you think!

Opening a New Chapter...

I'm now officially a full-time photographer!  Today I officially started my first day working from home, which will be an interesting new adventure.  I'm up for the challenge...

Here's a quick photo of me and Casey on Mt. Bierstadt shot by Cody from our recent family vacay to Colorado:

Decker Family

I just love this family!  What else can I say?  Aren't they so photogenic, too?!  I think Mallory and Eli did especially well.  It's usually a toss-up for me photographing children, but these two did so well.  And, of course, when two pieces of gum are on the line, who wouldn't behave?!  Thanks Jen & Loren for venturing downtown and letting me take photos of your beautiful family.

Okay, this everyone-looking-at-the-camera-and-smiling phenomenon is kind of unheard of with two youngsters.  I was so pleased with this one!

The handsome, smiley Eli:

The beautiful big sister, Mallory:

Robin & Jason are Married!

Robin & Jason were just such a treat to work with!  Both come from such solid and loving families, and Jeni and I were fortunate to photograph this beautiful wedding.  I was happy to work with one of my future brides, Jeni Friend of jenifriendphotography, for the first time.  You'll have to check out some of her breath-taking images at the end of this post!  Save the best for last, right?!  She's an Olathe girl, so if you live in or around KC and need photos, call her up!

I was so pleased, too, that R&J carved out a few hours to go out and get some fun couple and wedding party shots.  It was so nice to have a relaxed wedding party to work with (and not just because of the Boulevard) since we had lots of time to run around town looking for interesting locations.

Here's the incredible view from 28th floor of the Crown Center Hyatt.  Not a bad place to get ready for a big day...

Robin gave her bridesmaids simple pearl necklaces.

The ring bearer!

Here are some shots of the church - Our Lady of Sorrows - in downtown KC. 

Now we'll get into a small sampling of the awesome shots Jeni got!

This next shot was pretty fun.  We couldn't get up quite high enough to get the skyline where we wanted it.  So..."Jeni, hop on my shoulders."  Thanks to the helpful wedding party and Jeni's adventurous spirit, we pulled off this shot!  I love it.

Congrats, R&J!  You pulled off a fabulous day!

Paige & Cody's Wedding Preview

To kick the day off, the electricity went out in Brooke's house (where the girls were getting ready) because of a house fire in the neighborhood.  So, the girls had a few dark spaces and a bit of June heat to cope with, but it didn't get their spirits down.  While there was a small amount of natural light seeping into the hair and makeup bathroom through a window, the lighting of the room was reduced to two lamps brought in for exactly that purpose.  I just loved this green one.  Brooke did a fabulous and highly commendable job on Paige's makeup, especially given the circumstances!  She was so cute; she took very detailed notes as she watched a specialist at a makeup counter do Paige's test-run so that she could recreate the look on the big day.

Uncle Randy and Aunt Reggie brought their awesome catering skills with them from Denver to treat both the girls and the guys to wonderful lunches as they got ready for the ceremony.  I think this fruit salad looks so bright and delicious...

Jicama with a special - homemade, in fact - chile seasoning...and these things weren't even the half of it!

This is Paige approaching Cody from behind the tree for a beautifully-orchestrated first moment together that day!

First dance...

Father-daughter dance...

Mother-son dance...

I love when wedding guests serve as the "red carpet," if you will, for the bride and groom.  For "The Dancing Queen," the guests encircled Paige and Cody and really gave them a center-stage moment, which was so much better with family and friends around.  So symbolic, too...  Paige and Cody both come from fun-loving families and a great circle of support.  If you ask me, I'd say this is going to be a HUGE benefit to their marriage! 

Thanks, guys!  I had a blast.  Hope Hawaii was all you were expecting!

Becky & Jake: At Last

Becky and Jake have been such a fun and encouraging couple to work with.  They also masterminded the pairing of Sarah Shah and me together to shoot their wedding.  Here are five of her awesome shots from the day:

Thank you, Sarah!

Here are some other highlights from the day:

Becky and her posse on a quick pre-wedding run to Party City...  Part of the day...  :)

Jackie made an awesome scrapbook for Becky with tons of photos throughout their time as friends.

The handsome groom...

The oh-so-beautiful bride...

Jake opted NOT to see his bride until she walked down that aisle.  Of course, that doesn't mean they can't be around each other and hold hands!

Dad was very willing to help Jake in his quest to not look at Becky while doing formal shots before the ceremony.

This crowd knows how to party!

The whole collection of wedding images will be posted to jackiecooperphoto.com under Recent Events between June 20 and July 25, 2009.

Autumn & Jesse's Beautiful Outdoor Wedding (Teasers)

Autumn and Jesse's wedding was at the Bartlett Arboretum, and boy, was it beautiful!  It was an awesome day of weather as well (no rain!).  Stay tuned to jackiecooperphoto.com in the next couple of weeks for all of the images.

Autumn was waiting and waiting for a phone call from Jesse because it probably meant that he had opened her gift to him: a dobro!  She was SO excited to get his call.  It was such a cute, thoughtful gift...

Mom and the girls...

Can you believe Autumn's mom made these topiaries?!  And that wasn't even the beginning...

Amazingly, Autumn caught Jesse by surprise and gave him a faceful of cake.  She got off pretty easy...that is until someone recommended Jesse give her a big wet one!  Trace was gracious enough to intervene and help his Uncle Jesse clean up a bit.  Takin' care of the guys!

Congrats, you two!

Sharon

I've been so fortunate to have such beautiful women subjects lately!  Sharon was very comfortable in front of the camera and has a stunning "serious" face (just check out the second photo!).

We had taken a few shots in front of this door, when all of a sudden it opened (here's the photo when it just started to open).  It was an unlabeled storefront, so it took us by surprise to see someone coming out of it!

We had some windy weather, but it really worked with us for some great shots!

Sharon was a good sport and used the Vagabond patio as a runway of sorts...with an audience! 

Kerr family

Thank you, Kerrs, for spending time with me!  It was great meeting you five, and it was so evident - even in your short time together - how much fun to have together!  Enjoy these for now!

Sweet jump, you guys!