Lara Kimmerer | photographer

Kate & Sean | married | part one

I've mentioned before that one of my absolute favorite ways of meeting new clients is through word of mouth.  Usually it's a previous bride and groom who pass my name on, but every now and then you meet a wonderful bridesmaid, groomsman, or guest who also thinks of you when a friend is getting married.  This time around one of the best bridesmaids, Jill, passed my name along.  She was in Jen & Jeff's wedding last summer and made sure to tell Kate about me.

Last winter I met up with Kate & Sean for a drink and ended up staying for over three hours just talking and laughing...there was a lot of laughing...and constant chatting.  I left our meeting hoping they would choose me.  Fast forward a few months later and Peter and I found ourselves photographing their wedding.

Yes...this took place way back when there were lovely leaves on trees.  Ahh...I do love leaves.  We begin at the ceremony.

Doesn't he look like a little man?  He's adorable!  And the girls look perfect in their dresses and very intent on performing their duties correctly.  They were ladies the entire day, though they do know how to dance (part two). 

Many people choose to look at the groom instead of the bride at this moment.  I, of course, do both, but always wait with anticipation wondering what kind of reaction the groom will have.  You all don't have the benefit of being able to zoom in on Sean's eyes.  There are tears in them, for sure.

I love this moment!  High-fiving after being pronounced husband and wife is so very them.  And, of course, the kiss.

We're off to take some portraits.  Join us soon!

 

 

notes in the mail

I was just having a conversation with Chelsey of 4th & Folded* last night about how receiving letters and notecards in the mail can brighten your day.  Now, I'll take a thank you or a compliment over email any day...they're wonderful to receive in any form, but seeing a card in my mailbox makes me excited every time.  In fact, if you ask Peter, one of his biggest pet peeves with me is that I open the mail as I'm walking up the stairs to our apartment - too excited to wait until I'm inside.  I'm pretty sure I picked this habit up from my mom who would open the mail as she walked down the stairs from the mailbox into our kitchen.

I do believe card writing is coming back...if it really went anywhere.  I've been greeted by many a lovely thank you note from clients and friends - and clients-turned-friends recently.  Yesterday though, I really needed something to brighten my day....and then...there in the mailbox...was a small envelope.

You see, my day yesterday was a doozy of a day.  I had three appointments with clients spread throughout the day - and spread across this state.  I was set to spend my day in the car.  And then...there in the road...was a huge (HUGE) pothole.  It was hiding in the shadows under a bridge.  I saw it...only way too late to do anything about it.  My car hit hard - extrememly hard.  I crossed my fingers...a habit from childhood that just seems to happen in times like these...and said out loud, "please be okay, please be okay."  Alas...it wasn't okay.

The pothole lead to a flat tire.  The bolts were way too tight and I couldn't get them off.  AAA came to help me out.  I moved on with my day and managed to photograph one of my appointments before I was to bring my car to get 4 new tires (something I needed anyway).  As I got all of my equipment out of the car I somehow managed to lock my keys in the car.  Yep.  Ugh.

Too long, and too boring a story, but the short version is my wonderful friend Alex picked up a spare key from Peter and my day proceeded on without a hitch.

And then...upon my arrival home I was greeted with this wonderful note:

Dear Lara and Peter,

How do we even begin to thank you for everything you have done for us this year?  We coldn't be happier with our pictures and album.  We appreciate how you took the time to get to know us and remembered even the tiny details of our wedding.  From the very beginning, we felt so confident that you would photograph our day so perfectly.  Everyone is in awe of our album - it is just beautiful!  Thank you for documenting our day, and making a keepsake that we will treasure forever!  

Love, Cassandra & Lenny

Thank YOU, Cassandra & Lenny - for everything - and especially brightening my yesterday.

*I'm excited to get to know Chelsey - and learn more about her business.  If you are in the market for invitations...or just paper for lovely notes like the one above...you should definitely check her website out!