I am very excited to welcome my new clients Carly and Chase.  They will be getting married in May 2011 at Lake DeGray State Park.  I’ve never photographed a wedding there before, but I love outdoor weddings near the lake.  And May is the perfect time to have one in Arkansas.  Welcome to you both.

This Saturday I am photographing Lynsey and her bridal portrait session.  The weather should be perfect.  Her wedding with David is coming up in October.  I love October weddings.  It’s my favorite month for weddings in Arkansas.

All too often, brides tell me they really love my work and they want to hire me as their wedding photographer.  BUT – they have a good friend or a relative who has offered to photograph their wedding as a gift to them or as a way to help the couple save a little money.  I am ALL about saving money.  I cut corners on things with my own wedding.  Flowers were minimal because other things were way more important.

But should you cut your photography budget?  The answer is an overwhelming NO.  In the end, after the guests have gone, the food is eaten and the flowers die, all you have left (aside from a lifetime of joy with your new spouse) are your photos.

Check out a few links to read why is always best to hire a professional.  For all the potential brides-to-be, I certainly hope it’s me.  But should you choose another — choose wisely.

Uncle Bob – we love him, but…..http://www.ispwp.com/uncle-bob-vs-a-professional-wedding-photographer.html

Three mistakes to avoid:  http://www.ispwp.com/3-mistakes-to-avoid-when-hiring-a-wedding-photographer.html

Many thanks to the folks at The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) for posting these links.  And KES Weddings is very proud to be a member of the ISPWP representing Arkansas.

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I have a (hopefully new client) meeting with Carly and Chase on Saturday to talk about their wedding in May 2011.  The calls and e-mails for Arkansas Weddings in 2011 have really picked up over the last few weeks.  Things are looking great!

I had seen photos of the Pratt Place Barn in Fayetteville on other photographers wedding blogs.  I loved it immediately.  I was thrilled when Lizzy and Scooter said it was the location of their July 31 wedding.  Such a perfect spot in Arkansas for a wedding.  Here are my favorites but to see their full gallery, click here.

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography. Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

Tonya and Clint had a lovely yet small and intimate wedding on July 14 at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  I usually cover big weddings with 200+ guests, but I really love small weddings.  You can really get to know the guests and have a great time.  Tonya had always had a love of photography and she and Clint were wonderful clients.  The following are my favorites, but to see their entire wedding day gallery, please click here.

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I am so happy to welcome Andrea and Jeremy as my newest wedding clients.  I’m looking forward to working with and celebrating with them on their wedding day in Batesville in 2011.  And a big shout-out and a huge thank you to Deann Coleman for the referral.  Great word of mouth is the BEST advertising.  Thanks Deann!

KES Weddings:  Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

Fort Smith and a rainy afternoon was the setting for Alisa and Nhan’s wedding a few weeks ago.  The rain really didn’t matter, everything was perfect.  Here are my favorites but to see her full gallery, please click here.

KES Weddings:  Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I’m heading to Hot Springs on Wednesday for Tonya and Clint’s wedding at Garvan Gardens.  Yes, you read that right, a Wednesday wedding.  Tonya and Clint have such bubbly personalities that everything should be a blast, especially when she told me that “Journey” will be played during the wedding.  FUN!

On Sunday, bridals with Cally!

I headed to Kennett, MO a few weeks ago for Kristen and Alex’s big day.  Here are my favorites.  To see their full gallery, please click here. I also shot a few photos with B&W film.  Can you tell the difference?

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

Alisa looked perfect last Saturday for her wedding with Nhan. Here are my selects from her recent bridal session. Check back soon for the wedding day photos.

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I traveled to Kennett, MO at the end of March for Kristen’s bridals.  When I arrived into town, there was a Saucer Magnolia tree in full bloom.  I immediately saw Kristen under that tree with all the gorgeous pink blooms.  She and Alex were married last weekend in Kennett.  Check back in a few weeks for the photos.

She's a big UA fan. The helmet suits her

KES Weddings.  Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I’m heading to Fort Smith this weekend for Alisa and Nhan’s big wedding.  This is my “official” last wedding of my super, crazy-busy spring/early summer wedding season.  I have just a few weddings between July and August so things are certianly winding down.

I want to extend a big CONGRATULATIONS to my clients from 2008, Keli and Abram Wylie, who are soon expecting a baby boy.  Baby Boy Wylie is due in early November.  Big congrats to you both!!!

Baby Boy Wylie

Here are my favorites from Becca and Chris’ wedding from a few weeks ago.  When they broke out a rope and a cowboy hat at their rehearsal, I just had to incorporate that into their portraits.  To see their full gallery, click here. In the mean time…..

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

Amy and Chris have been such wonderful clients.  They are fun, relaxed and very easy-going.  Their wedding was a few weeks ago at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock.  Here’s my highlight reel but to see their full gallery, please click here:

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I’m heading to Kennett, MO for Kristen and Alex’s big day.  It should be a perfect afternoon.  I cannot wait to show off Kristen’s bridals come Monday.  I’ve been holding them since the end of March!

A few weeks ago, I assisted my new friend Uma, who is an amazingly talented photographer, in covering the wedding of her longtime friends, Asha and Nikhil. The wedding was multi-cultural, a mix of Western, Hindu and Jewish ceremonies. I’ve never photographed such a mix and it was simply fascinating.

Here are my favorites but to see their full gallery, please click here:

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

KES Weddings is now proudly offering boudoir portrait sessions.  It’s the perfect gift for your husband, fiancé, boyfriend or any other special someone in your life.

All sessions are photographed at the location of your choice.  KES Weddings values client privacy therefore portfolios are viewed by appointment only.

Boudoir sessions are $350.

Please call 501.607.0090 or e-mail: karen@kesweddings.com for more information.

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.

I’m not a fan of the heat.  Not at all.  Neither is Whitney.  But you’d never know it was 92 miserable degrees on the afternoon of her and Brad’s engagement session.  I needed to be mopped up at the end of the session but both she and Brad looked amazing.  See for yourself.

KES Weddings: Documentary Wedding Photography.  Serving Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond.