Engagement: Kara & George

They were friends that turned into something more. Something so much more. Their love shines through them like no couple I have seen yet. The story of Kara and George might be a tragedy from the outside, but when you look at them you see nothing but love and hope for the future. They have overcome so much in their lives that they are able to conquer the world with their love and they are starting with Owen, The Adorable.

I woke up the morning of Kara and George's shoot to what I thought was a nightmare! There was SNOW everywhere. That was until I really looked around and I realized that the snow was really a blessing. It was the big fluffy stuff that sticks everywhere and makes everything look like it fell out of a Norman Rockwell Painting.

We had only spoken with Kara on the phone before meeting them the morning of the shoot. When we met in the lobby of the Hotel Julien I knew we were going to have a lot of fun!  We did a few indoor shots to start the session off.  I saw so much of Randy and I in Kara and George.  They way the look at each other and make each other laugh, they way they just have that comfortable look, it is kinda weird!

Then we met Owen, The Adorable.  Don't tell Randy, but I think I'm in love!

We braved the chilly wind that morning and headed over to the Mines of Spain.  We got there just in time to have some snow left on the trees, which made a really nice backdrop for these two. 

One thing I love about the Mines of Spain is that its not too far out of town, but you feel like you're in the middle of the country.

These two are just so in love, they can make even a rusty old train track and brown trees look fabulous!

 Looking for a little change we headed to the "red door" and caught this lovely family moment.  Owen was such a ham when I was holding the camera (not so much when Randy was) :)

 We'd better look out!  Owen might be taking pictures at the wedding.

I think this pictures sums up our day.  George made us laugh and we just happened to be holding the camera at the right time. 

Randy and I really enjoyed meeting these two and I can't wait for the wedding on May 1st!  Click Here to see a slideshow!

PS We'll be headed out of town for the holiday weekend, but we'll be back on Monday to blog about more of our engagement adventures!

New Website Launched!

We have been working hard to redesign our website with a new software package for the past couple weeks. We finally got the page launched yesterday before our busy season gets started.  It features flash effects throughout, including page transitions, beautiful slideshows, and link rollover effects.  Also, the site scales nicely to any resolution monitor.  Check it out at our usual web address: http://www.mentzphotography.com/

Daycare Photo Session: Babies!

We did a photo session at a daycare back in October.  Here is the class of Babies.  Aren't they adorable?

Valentines Day

Well here we are, its Valentines Day.  I used to hate this day with a passion.  In fact I think some friends and I made "Happy Singles Awareness Day" in college.  I guess everyone hates this day until they find their own valentine.  I know its a made-up commercial holiday (I told Randy not to get me flowers).  But honestly I don't see much wrong in having a day that focuses on your love.  Too often we get caught up in our lives that we take our loved ones for granted and its nice to be reminded to appreciate them.  Randy and I found each other about 4.5 years ago.  We met online and chatted it up for about a month before we had the nerve to go on a real date.  Our first date is one for the history books, if you know us, you know this story, but since most of you don't (and I love telling it) here it goes:

We met for dinner at Bricktown here in Dubuque.  I had to laugh becuase Randy asked if it was ok to meet at 5pm for dinner.  Up until then the only people I knew that ate that early were my grandparents.  So of course I had to ask about the early-bird special (to be fair we were going to a movie as well and Randy lived about 45 minutes out of town and it was a school night).  I thought he was so cute when I saw him for the first time.  We ordered dinner and we got mozzarella sticks as an appetizer.  When they arrived he picked up his knife and fork and started using them on the sticks.  I told him that I was not that kind of a girl and then nearly peed my pants I was laughing so hard.  It was then that we both were put at ease and we have been laughing ever since.

After dinner it was time for a movie.  I had suggested Chicken Little, but he said that his mom had seen A History of Violence and said it was good.  I thought it sounded a little rough for a first date, but his mom said it was ok so how bad could it be?  After the first 5 bodies were stacking up I looked at him and said "Great choice for a first date".  Now that I know Barb a little better she was not aware that Randy was taking her liking the movie as a suggestion for a first date and we still laugh about it.  So every year on our first date anniversary we watch A History of Violence and just laugh at the gore!

When he took me back to my car we shared that awkward first kiss should we / shouldn't we moment and then we went our separate ways.  I waited until I thought he was home and called to set up date number 2, the Vikings and Packers were playing on Monday Night Football.  I wasn't about to let this one get away from me (even if he is a Packer fan).

Fast forward a few months to our first Valentines Day.  I thought it would be fun to make stuffed animals for each other and then head out on the town.  Here is a picture of our animals we made that night.  Randy picked the white tiger for me and I make him a lion.  I'm pretty sure we were instructed to put a wish into the stuffing of the animal.  I know mine came true because a few months later Randy asked me to marry him and he is the best Valentine I could ask for!

Erin and Wade's Engagement

It was Mother's Day.  She had already given him the world with their daughter Anna, he just wanted to make this love forever.  He asked and it was possibly the best Mother's Day Present she will ever get.

Randy and I met Erin working at Kids, Inc in Cedar Rapids while we were taking school pictures for the kids.  She never mentioned that she was getting married this year.  Wade emailed us a few weeks after we had gotten the photos back to parents and wanted to meet with us.  Erin and Wade had stars in their eyes for each other every moment of that meeting.  They were looking at each other with such love and devotion it was remarkable. 

They will be married in Cedar Rapids at St. Jude's Church with a reception at The Longbranch Hotel on April 24th.  With such an early spring wedding we had to get their engagement session done this winter.  They were troopers!  Randy and I told them they could leave their coats on, but they instisted on taking them off for our outdoor pictures.

We started at the Grand River Center to get warmed up and have a lot of space to work with.  I love the intensity in this picture.  It looks like they are so deep into each other that I doubt they noticed the loud mouth (me in case you were wondering) snapping photos.

If I had to describe Anna in one word I would use DARLING!  The look on her face is awesome! "Ummm, what are you doing that for?"

The love Wade has for Erin is extremely evident in this picture.  He was just so sweet to her all day.

I know people think that I'm strange (understatement, right?), but I think that these type of pictures (couple from behind) are the best!  They are so romantic and intimate without being in your face about it.

We headed out for a few in the bitter cold.  As I said before these two really were good sports about it!

Don't worry folks, Anna was in the safe warm car while we were shooting these.  I'm not sure that they needed their coats for this hot set!

I'm not sure we have ever gotten this great of a smile from one of our groom-to-be's yet.  Either she loves him a lot or shes really funny, but I'm betting on both!

Her cuteness is back for another picture.  We left the river area and headed up to Four Mounds.  This was our first time shooting up there.  It was a little warmer and the views were incredible!

We had great light to work with up there.  It just caught her ring and made it sparkle!

I'm putting this one in the blog because I think its adorable.  Their noses are turning pink from being outside for so long, but they are still smiling.

There were some inn keepers working so we got to go inside and warm up a bit in their beautiful house!  It felt really nice to get indoors and sit down.

It was a great day with Erin, Wade and Anna and we can't wait for the wedding in April.  See more of their pictures here.

Katie and Kaleb's Engagement

It is really difficult to find a happy ending to a blind date story...especially in High School!  It was their junior year and Katie's friends all had dates with Kaleb's friends from another school.  This is how their story begins.  Randy and I met this happy couple a few months ago and I saw right away how much fun these two were going to be.  I'm not sure if we have laughed any more in a client meeting.

We started at the newly renovated Hotel Julien in Downtown Dubuque.  All I can say about the renovations is wow!  Katie and Kaleb were total naturals in front of the camera.  Of course I think its easier when you are with the one you love and can concentrate on them!

It was so cold outside that we were looking for some big indoor spaces to take some pictures.  Of course we landed at the Grand River Center.  Randy loves these pictures.  We told them to totally ham it up getting off the escalator.  

We went outside and braved the cold a bit.  I couldn't help but get a bit cheesey and asked them to do the fish and hook move.  I think they do it quite well!

What a great looking couple!

 

Of course we had to show off the bling.

We headed to the brick wall wich makes an excellent backdrop for these two love birds!

We just couldn't get these two to keep their hands off each other!

These two are going to be very happy for the rest of their lives.

We ended at the field behind the Mt. Plesant Home.  It was fun to play in the snow even if it was a bit packed.

 

This is my favorite picture.  The love they have for each other just shines through.

Katie and Kaleb will be married on May 29.  I can't wait!  See more pictures here.

Jenny and Troy's Wedding

Jenny and Troy Steffen were married on September 26, 2009.  According to the story Jenny and Troy actually met at birth, literally in the hospital.  They were born just days apart at the same hospital.  Theirs is a love of legends.  We had a blast doing their engagment photos so we couldn't wait for the wedding!

They were married in the Marble Chapel at Emmaus Bible College here in Dubuque.  This is the first wedding Randy and I shot here.  It is such a beautiful space!

When Randy and I arrived Jenny was ready to see the love of her life and Troy couldn't wait to see his beautiful bride.  They had decided to do a first look and see each other for the first time in a private moment before the craziness of the day started.  Some say it is bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony, but I don't think these two need luck.  The look on Jenny's face says it all "love".

For the tux they went with the classic black and with the bright flowers it made for a great close up!

 

This was a small, but very fun bridal party.  I think I liked the boys the best!  I mean how can you go wrong with those faces!

There was a beautiful piano at the chapel.  The music teacher in me couldn't help but set up a classic shot like this. I just love the look on Troy's face.

After the ceremony the boys did their job well and made sure that everyone had bubbles to blow as Jenny and Troy left the chapel.  This photo just embodies the day...Happiness.

Jenny had such a beautiful dress and colorful flowers.  I couldn't help but pop those flowers out in this picture.

Troy is totally a man's man and that didn't stop at their getaway vehicle.  He had a friend bring this classic Chevy to the chapel and they took it for a ride around town.

Before they left for the reception we wandered the grounds of Emmaus with the happy couple for some sweet romantic shots.  I have to say that this one is on my all-time top 5 favorite shots list, they just look so steamy. ;)

It was clear that Jenny and Troy spent a lot of time with their nephews and love them very much.  I like to call this one Men in Black!

The details on Jenny's dress just couldn't be ignored.  It was just so intricate and delicate.

After their ride down to the Stone Cliff Winery.  They parked the car on the amplitheater and we did some fun shots.

The thing that really stood out to me throughout the day was how fully and completely in love these two are.  It just poured out in every glance, quiet moment, laugh and every other aspect I can think of.

It wasn't hard to get Jenny to pose for the camera :)  All we had to say was Vouge and she was ready.  I love the timelessness of this shot.

Again, their love shines through.

After a few hours with no break in the action we caught Jenny taking a rest.

Jenny and Troy clearly liked wine (why else would you have your reception at a winery?).  I couldn't resist a BW photo with color for the toast picture.

When Randy and I were going through their pictures after the wedding I literally laughed out lout at this one of the cake cutting!  I like to call it "Don't You Dare!"

The first dance is always one of the most romantic moments in the day.  I think this photo is a visual representation of the love Troy has for Jenny, it surrounds her.

With the moon rising over the river, I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air and I'm glad I did to catch this shot.

Jenny and Troy's day was filled with happiness and love.  Randy and I are so grateful that they chose us to capture their big day.  We had a lot of fun and in the end it felt like we were old friends with Jenny and Troy because they welcomed us into their lives.  Thank you both for the wonderful day!