The new Wedding Essentials magazine comes out today and yours truly photographed the cover and inside bridal fashion spread.

Here’s the cover:

Here’s my favorite image from the shoot:

Keyla was an amazing model!  I don’t think I’ve ever photographed anybody more photogenic and easy to work with.

Model: Keyla Sanchez, Image Modeling Inc.
Makeup: Jen Neely, Urbane Salon & Spa
Hair: Jim Kracl, Urbane Salon & Spa
Photography: Lane Hickenbottom
Assistant: Dave Weaver
Art Direction: Ananda Spadt
Merchandise Styling: Angela Rogers
Location: The Durham Museum, Omaha

Lynn and Rippi made their only visit between booking me and their wedding over Christmas break. So we were thrilled when the weather cooperated, allowing us to have an outdoor engagement session.  We met up in Nebraska City where the Boston couple will tie the knot this spring.  I love Nebraska City!  It was fun shooting in areas where they’ll get married and finally getting to meet the two of them!  It should be a beautiful wedding: outdoor ceremony behind the Lied Lodge then everybody will walk the nature trail to the barns where the reception will be held.

…was dancin’ to the jailhouse rock!

Here’s a quick shot of Courthouse and Jail Rocks in Western Nebraska.  I was reminded today by an old friend that I don’t have many scenic photos on my blog these days (or at least scenic photos that don’t include a couple getting married).  I suppose I don’t shoot nearly as much as I used to of this type of thing.

I came to be in this area while road tripping back from my trip to Wyoming.  Whenever possible, I love taking side roads and getting off the beaten path.  It’s especially neat out in Western Nebraska, where things haven’t changed a whole lot since pioneers used these landmarks during their journeys west along the Oregon and Mormon trails nearly 200 years ago.  It’s kind of magical being the only person around for miles on end, walking on natural prairie grass under a big blue sky in a scene that looks similar to how it’s looked for nearly an eternity.

I’ve been swamped lately and horrible about blogging.  I have lots of good stuff to show in the near future from some recent shoots.  Until then, enjoy our jack-o-lanterns we carved today!

It was really a treat getting to spend a day watching Brianna glide through her wedding day. The smile on that girl’s face was so big, so long lasting that by the end of the day, my face hurt!  Jason is a quality character, himself, but he really married himself a dandy.  First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln hosted the wedding.  LOVE LOVE LOVE shooting in that place! After the ceremony we shot a few pics of the wedding party at a special place to me: Hazel Abel Park (check out Brianna’s BFF channeling her inner cowgirl!), then it was off to another great venue for the reception: Windsor Stables.

In just over a week, this great couple will be tying the knot. For their engagement session, they brought along their adorable new son, Kyle. After the three of us rocked out a great studio session, Kyle went with grandma and grandpa while the Nicole, Tim and I hit the town.

I’m usually not a huge fan of shooting around flowers.  I just don’t think they photograph well as a background most the time.  But the nice, soft light provided by overcast skies gave the full bloom flowers at the Sass Memorial Iris Garden in Mahoney State Park a nice ‘pop’ when Becky, Tom and I went there for their engagement session.  We had a great session and proved that you don’t need no stinkin’ sun to get killer photos from a sunset engagement session.