CandidKama Photography

Monday, October 26, 2009

Wild Wild West Wedding....

I was fortunate enough to shoot two weddings while I was in Vegas recently. A good friend of mine knew of a girl looking for a photographer for her upcoming wedding and ironically it was for the very weekend I was going to be in town for my other friend's wedding. What were the odds I could do it? That's Vegas odds for ya! One of the things that I loved some much about these two destination weddings was the fact that even though they were in the Las Vegas area, it wasn't the bright neon lights and wedding chapels, but a more unique setting. Bradi and Andy were married at The Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, which is a really nice laid out park with the South West feel to it.

Bradi getting some help from some of her bridesmaid's with her gorgeous gown.

Andy looking cool as can be. He is the lead singer for a very awesome Irish band called Darby Gill and The Little People who play some of the local pubs in Las Vegas.

After the ceremony, we headed to one of my favorite places in Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon. It's a beautiful park that showcases the desert in all it's glory. I spent a lot of time there in the years I lived in Vegas and I was beyond thrilled when Bradi expressed wanting to do some portraits there.

Oh yea...a new favorite!

The next best thing Bradi shared with me was that their wedding reception was going to be held at Bonnie Springs which is not far from Red Rock Canyon. It's an old Western town that has the charms and character you would expect, such a great place.

That's it girl, work it!

This was such a fun group to work with, we really had a fun time.

Ahh yes, a saloon....

Thanks so much Bradi and Andy for such a great wedding and a fun group of people to work with. We had such a good time. You such a sweet couple. Congrats to you both!

Labels: Weddings

Written at 3:16 AM by Kama.

0 comments

Friday, October 23, 2009

Always a photographer, never a bridesmaid-until now.....

Hello blog friends.....I'm sitting here in Australia and found a few minutes to sit down and do a little work...just wanted to update one of our two Nevada weddings from two weeks ago. The first wedding was of a close friend of mine, Heather who I came to know in the years I lived in Las Vegas. Heather and Ceasar were married in the lovely town of Boulder City, Nevada which is a very historic town, thanks to the History of the Hoover Dam. They were married at Hemingway Park, which is home of the Big Horned Sheep who you can find grazing in the park, really a sight to see.

Heather getting a little help from her soon to be sister-in-law.

Erin, who is Heather's daughter was sweet enough to polish my toes on the morning of the wedding.

Oh yes, a photo of of me in my pink gown, guess I clean up pretty nicely...I was challenged this wedding being both photographer and a bridesmaid, but it all worked out. Marty picked up where I couldn't during the ceremony, and then it was back on the job afterwards, but it was a nice change to be on the other end of the wedding.

Heather and Ceasar are both Police Officers for The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and their wedding had a bit of a police theme too it.

Hemingway Park overlooks Lake Mead, which is just a few short miles away from The Hoover Dam.

The whole wedding party perched on the steps of a local church in Boulder City.

Heather giving the groom a pat down, and a squeeze.

The fella's working it......

Beautiful Friend........

Loving the cake topper...I actually saw it previewed on tv and called Heather one day and told her about it...it was a must have to their wedding.

For all the weddings I've photographed, I have to say I've never seen the men get more into the garter toss than this wedding....they were fighting each other over it and actually had a knock down, but it was all in good fun.

Thanks so much Heather and Ceasar for having us be a part of your wedding. I'm so happy for you both and glad we could spend a little time together. We had so much fun celebrating with you and wish you all the best-always!

Labels: Weddings

Written at 4:15 AM by Kama.

2 comments

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

FINALLY! After All These Years............

Nearly 25 years ago, I got a long awaited letter in the mail one spring day. I was at my

grandparents house and I remember running upstairs to open it in private. I recall opening

the letter to see a photo fall to the floor face down. I was anxious to turn it over to see the

face of a young girl, who went by the name of Sarah from Australia.

I've always had a interest in Australia and longed to have a pen pal from there. I was at the time obsessed with such groups like Men At Work and Inxs, if it was Australian, I was all about it.

My mom and my grandpa together took it upon themselves to see what they could do. My grandpa was at the time President of the local chapter of Kiwanis. So they sent a letter to the office in Melbourne Australia and eventually that letter fell into the hands of Sarah's father, Ian.

The photo on the left is Sarah's parent's, Ian and Trish and to the right is a photo with my late

grandfather, Robert with Sarah.

Over the years I've kept every letter, every package, little keepsakes that came from her. We have this unique friendship that continues to grow. We've been there for each other in good times and bad. We've shared laughs and tears and made memories I'll never forget.

I've had the pleasure of having Sarah visit me three times in the nearly 25 years, but I've never yet stepped onto Australian ground. I've dreamed about it, watched air fares sky rocket out of my means, I've hoped and wished and dreamed a little more....

A night on the town during our first meeting here in Columbus. You'll have to pardon the old

photograph. We had a wonderful meeting and shared so many laughs.

We got another chance to meet up about two years later as her father was becoming the International President of Kiwanis. It was an exciting time indeed to be a part of that. And then she visited me one more time when I was living out in Vegas.....let's just go with the old saying...'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' and leave it at that.....but we shared two great weeks together.

It's been ten years since we last saw one another and a lot has happened in both our lives. We've both gotten married and started our families. Sarah is married to Craig and they have two beautiful little girls, Grace and Claire. Well the time has finally arrived...thanks to the economy, I found a deal on Qantas Airlines I couldn't refuse and booked a flight. I'm sure Sarah had to pull herself off the floor with that news.......We are taking a extended family vacation this coming week and going to Australia!! I've been so excited and yet, I still can't believe it...it's very surreal to me. But I can't wait to get off that plane and be able to see her again and we are looking so forward to getting to know her family and seeing all these sights that I've seen photos of and heard so much about. So keep checking back....I'll do my best to try and post some photos here and there....I certainly will be blogging more vacation photos after our return. But first....we are off to Las Vegas where we are shooting two weddings this weekend!! I'm super excited about that too.

The cool thing about them is neither of the weddings is what you'd think, neon lights and wedding chapels......been there, done that.....I did my time as a wedding photographer out there..this will be a great change of scenery!

Labels: Personal

Written at 9:16 PM by Kama.

2 comments

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Sessions.....

Hello Blog Friends......

Things have gotten really crazy, but in a good way here. It's been a great busy summer and time to take a break from it all and take a little time for me and my family. More on that coming soon...but in the meantime....I've done a couple of sessions that I don't have time to devote a full blog to, but I wanted to make mention of them.......so check it out...