Couple / Engagement Portraits | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer

Fun. Real Beautiful.. always my goal, no matter what.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with a quiet, sweet couple.  The Mr. is a soldier in the Army and the Mrs. has a gorgeous accent from the European country she is from.  They haven't had portraits taken of them for about 5 years other than their yearly military ball photo.  My favorite images from their session are the ones where they were able to forget about the camera for a moment and just enjoy being in the company of one another, physically holding onto one another and playing.

I love it when couples can let loose and have fun.  It works out especially well for couples, such as this one, that are a bit more shy and reserved in front of a a camera, because not only are the traditional photos often a bit uncomfortable for them with the lens staring at their face, but a fun, real, AND beautiful photo is often less common as well.  They may have the photo with the nice smile but a little something is missing in the eyes, or they may have the candid shot that isn't in the greatest location and/or you can't really see their love for one another depicted in the image.  I am happy for the opportunity to provide them with an image they may not have many of (if any) at their home, making it that much more precious in the years to come.

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/ - info@staceyzphotography.com

A Wedding Story | Manhattan, Kansas Photographer

A Hanover Wedding: Small Town , Big Love!

Last weekend I was blessed to be able to photograph an adorable wedding in the small, farm town of Hanover, Kansas.  You wouldn't know it was a small town by the number of attendees, however! Having lived in this town for generations, the family and friends that participated in the event is possibly the largest group I have ever worked with.

The Bride & Groom, previously high school sweethearts, each had 5 attendants, in addition to 4 ushers, 2 candlelighters, ring bearer, flower girl, etc! They were married at the old Catholic church, St. John's in Hanover, with a reception following the event at the American Legion.  However, we made a few stops in between as well.  Following the ceremony we made our way over to Bremen, KS in a local "party bus" owned by one of the friends of the family.  This is where the Bride & Groom made their first climb up the small bell tower to ring the town bell and announce their marriage just as their parents and grandparents did before them.  It was so sweet!! Then we headed towards the families wheat fields to take some pictures with the hay bales.  But wait, there's more!  After dinner we also made an appearance at the local Turn 4 Bar so the bridal party could enjoy some socializing and drinks while the reception hall was transformed from wall-to-wall dining tables (to accommodate the large guest list!) to dance floor.  

The theme of the wedding was country (of course!), complimented with burlap, personalized "coozies" that stated "On this day we agree to disagree", with "John Deere" on one side and "Case" on the other.. apparently the bride & groom support rival farm equipment companies, LOL.  It was adorable!

The day was action-packed and full of love, and most of all, it was a blast!  The weather cooperated nicely as well which is always a huge bonus.  We were getting scattered thunderstorms that day so the clouds were gorgeous but it only sprinkled for a short time prior to the ceremony.  They had just enough rain to wish them a proper "good luck!"

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/ - info@staceyzphotography.com

Army Homecoming | Manhattan , Kansas Photographer

A Homecoming story where True Love Abounds!

As previously written, probably more than once, I love homecomings! This particular one was a young married couple here at Fort Riley.  From the many messages and text messages received coming up to the event, it was obvious that this young lady was counting minutes until her husband returned.  When I arrived at the ceremony site the excitement was radiating from her; you could see it from miles away.  You couldn't help but be as excited as she was!  I have done so many homecomings lately and loved every one of them, but this one stood out from the pack.  I imagine you will see what I mean as you look through a few shots from the event.  As always, I thank this family and every family that continues to make sacrifices for this country; it is always an honor to get to share it with you! God Bless all of you always.

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/ - info@staceyzphotography.com

Cake Smash Time! | Manhattan, Kansas Photographer

Did someone say, CAKE!??

Ok, seriously.. who wouldn't enjoy watching a child experience something as awesome as a messy cake for the first time? It's like watching a food fight except (usually) you don't have to get covered in food as well.  You get to sit back, relax (or take pictures in my case) and enjoy the show!  First you have to convince them that it is okay to stick their hands in it and make a mess, which is probably quite confusing for a lot of one-year-olds that are used to being told NOT to do that at home.  Once you get past that step, you have to get them to actually put it in their mouth because it does, in fact, taste as good as it looks.  After that, the party is on and things get fun! I absolutely love shooting a child's Cake Smash.  The faces they make as they go through the previously mentioned process are so fun, and I love capturing that so parents can paste them all over yearbook announcements in 17 years when they graduate high school ;) .

Miss Lydia was no exception! She actually was not too happy with me that day, but once she got rolling, she realized that maybe things weren't quite as bad as she thought..for now!  (I understand Lydia.. cake has that effect on me too!)  Which is fine with me!  At one point, actually..make that two, she decided to dump the whole cake off the stand and onto the floor.. might as well, right!?  It was quite hilarious actually.  After all was said and done, her photos are colorful and adorable, and will be great memories for Mom & Dad!

P.S. Feel free to bring a cupcake for the photographer to your next cake smash session..it keeps us from having to lick the floor after you leave.  Just kidding!! (or am I?)

Is your child turning one this year? If so, check out my website for more information on my All-inclusive Cake Smash sessions so we can document the occasion beautifully!

Stacey Zoll is a photographer based in Manhattan, Kansas that serves the surrounding areas of the Flint Hills, including Fort Riley, Junction City, Wamego, Saint George, Kansas City, Salina, and other surrounding areas!  Wedding service areas include Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Abilene, and other areas of Northeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri.  SZP  offers services for Glamour / Boudoir, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn, Cake Smash, Seniors & Teens, Family and more!

Images included on blog are a lower quality than what the client actually receives.

©Stacey Zoll Photography - http://staceyzollphotography.zenfolio.com/ - info@staceyzphotography.com