2013 Bride and Groom of the Year- Dubuque Iowa Wedding Photographer

I'm so super excited to introduce you to my newest blogging couple.  I think Megan and I have been Facebook friends for years, but it wasn't until I met her at Jen and Ryan DeShaw's wedding- and met Jamie, that I knew I had to be their photographer someday.  Who knew how quick that day would have actually come?!  The funniest part to me about this story is I had no idea that they were even a couple until the reception of that wedding- I had hoped, since I sensed some intense chemistry- that they would be but it was a huge surprise to me when I found out that they already were- YAY!  :) And then I saw they were engaged and crossed my fingers I would get a message soon...it came- but I was booked...so they moved their date- seriously- I about pinched myself!   So they earned couple of the year for 2013 (although I have about 18 amazing couples in 2013- they were the ones who moved their wedding for me :)

So enjoy- phase one- Jamie and Megan!

I am Megan Riniker and I am marrying Jamie Kenkel on August 17^th, 2013. Jamie and I met about 4 and a half years ago at the racetrack in Dubuque. I came with my friend who wanted me to meet her new boyfriend. Jamie just happened to be her boyfriend’s friend and they were all there to watch Jamie’s best friend Ryan DeShaw who races. When I first seen Jamie I was instantly drawn to him, and at the same time in denial that he would ever feel the same. But the funny thing is he WAS feeling the same thing! I know this is really cheesy but Jamie says, “When I seen you walking down those stairs I felt like it was an angel coming down from Heaven”. What a romantic he is!! And so it began, through the years we have had our up’s and down’s like every other couple, but we have made it through and have become a stronger pair and our love has grown deeper with each trial. The thing that I love most about us is our ability to laugh with one another about almost anything. We just click and that is the way it has been since day one.

When Jamie asked me to be his wife on October 26^th, 2012 at the 4^th Street Elevator I was so in shock I didn’t know what to say at first. He pulled off the impossible, I am never surprised because I like to creep around and find out what is going on, I hate being surprised or not knowing what is going on. But this surprise was the best one I have ever had. He had both of our families and our best friends there. It was a truly beautiful and emotional moment.

After getting engaged it is really weird to call your boyfriend of 4 and a half years you fiancé, it something that I am still trying to get used to! I can’t imagine calling him my husband in just a short 8 months! Since getting engaged not much has changed, but the process to becoming husband and wife has been very fun and exciting! My favorite part yet is meeting Alissa! For the past few years I have gotten to see her amazing work, all of her pictures turn out beautiful! This past September I actually got to see her in her element, when my best friend Jen DeShaw got married. I absolutely loved her enthusiasm and creative ideas, I just knew from then on that I NEEDED to have her photograph my future wedding! What can I say she is absolutely brilliant! We had our first engagement session and her ideas we truly amazing! My favorite was her idea of using Christmas lights! It is mine and Jamie’s favorite holiday so it fit perfectly!! We of course had a blast and felt so comfortable in front of her, and that was a big thing for us. We have more sessions yet to come and we are so excited about each one!

We can’t wait to share these memories with everyone! Thanks for reading :)

how sad- my poor studio blog hasn't gotten any loving lately!!! I will just have to take some shots of the current state of the studio to update it :) I'm sure I have some lovely things to show. Not much of the studio has changed, but lots of props and extras are there now- soon I will add some pics of those. Especially my Orange chair who deserves a blog all her own, but will just have to be content with adding to this one. Okay-now my chair gets a personality- do ya think I should go to sleep yet?! LOL

The studio now!

I am proud to say we have a grand opening/open house on Tuesday and Wednesday 3-7pm. Downtown Farley right across from Greenwoods Grocery. The ads have been geared to seniors, but everyone is welcome!!! I will be giving away 3 prize packages- one ultimate senior package, one session storybook album, and one year of sessions free if session fees (up to 7). You must enter in person to win. I can't wait to meet many of you and visit with my wonderful repeat clients. If you haven't heard the commercial yet go to www.myseniorstyle.com and it plays there. Here is a sneak peek at the setup for next week- the studio is gorgeous and only has had wonderful reviews from my clients. Children can be children, couples can be couples and families can just be themselves here. The natural light and fun surroundings make every session fabulous :)

All done

The floors are done and are gorgeous!!!! I was just so excited to be getting ready to open and then I did a silly thing. I was placing a picture in my windowsill, went to step down and fell. I broke my foot.. Lovely!!! I am still photographing :) I had a wedding last weekend, and one tomorrow as well as one on the 25th. I am not booking any full appointments for December, but I will be having a couple of studio days with some openings for mini appointments in December. Stay tuned to my blog www.afleetingmoment.blogspot.com for that news!

At long last, my floors!!!!

ALMOST THERE!!

Wow- and the floors aren't even all sealed and coated yet. I am in love!!!

I did a senior session there yesterday and although the floors are still a little dirty, they look amazing! I can't wait until the coats are all on and it is dry enough to start moving stuff in. Don't worry- I'm not going all proppy on anyone :) I love that the floor is actually almost like my backdrop walls- a little different with lots of character. It varies from location to location in the room.

I just have some more seating and some prints to bring in. I know there have been rumor I moved out already since my pictures are all out of the windows :) I guess the landlord did that so nothing would happen to them- don't worry I'm still here and plan on being for a long long time.

I will post again when the floors are done, or if I sneak a shot tonight on my way home from my newborn session since the sealant went on last night and the first coat goes on tonight. I stuck one shot of Kristina from yesterday on here too. She was the first client to see my semi done floors :)

A major hurdle

Looks like we are coming super close!!!! I got a call from the landlord yesterday and he said they are starting my floors tonight, so I called my super hero handy guy, Todd, and he met me at the studio last night to move everything out of the main room. I cannot WAIT to see my new floors!!!! Of course- some images to go along with it. I don't think I posted my bathroom and dressing room yet- love that floor in the backroom!

Some major steps!!

The back room flooring is almost done and I LOVE it!! It was something I decided to invest in because once those main room floors are done the back room floors would have looked awful. I could have gotten away with painting them, but this will be so much better! Todd was finishing the installation last night.

My bathroom and dressing room walls are done too and we painted them last week. Loving the colors with my laminate floor and it really adds to the bathroom too.

The doors should be stained today and hopefully the facilities will be working next week!

I also saw that the main room's floor is starting to be repaired. The landlord is having that done. I almost cried I love it so much :)

Keep your eyes open for postcards and flyers about the opening. I plan on having a little open house sometime soon! Just waiting on my sign to be done, and the main room floors to be finished. Once that is done, I just have some stuff to move in, some images to put up and voila! La Studio will be born :)

Check out the blog for a post with pictures soon :)