Beautiful friend at a beautiful place

If you have been following Instagram, it's been a swoonfest of gals. I am a little late at the blog. 

And January might have been the month to knock everything out before the official unveiling of the website. 

When I had this concept of "vintage women in pinup style" in mind, it has been really difficult for me to explain it. I am pretty articulate with words, but this was a hard concept to get heads around. One of my earlier posts (see New Orleans) helped with showing my goals of how I wanted to take pictures. Despite all of these sessions, it's still hard to explain and much easier to show the pictures. And when I was needing to get my own headshots done with a silly fun idea (because sometimes you have to be there to experience not just direct it all), I knew there was one person I would want behind the camera just to capture my goals. And of course, that same person was also up for the same kind of fun.

Did I tell you I have beautiful friends? Well, this one. This one captures beauty from behind but also exudes it when she is in front of the camera. She doesn't like to be in front of the camera, but my goodness, she is such a stunner. This gal has been my easy coffee date after she started working with me more than a decade ago. She was an actual partner in crime as my cohort in oncology social work at one of the hospitals. She and I had babies the same. She quit the gig to pursue photography full time and if you don't know her, you should hire her for all your maternity, babies, family, and kids sessions. She's been one of my go-tos for bouncing off life. But she is one to also encourage and when I told her about my silly ideas... talk about building a friend up and helping shape up the business model. She's also my go-to when I say, "let's go location scouting!" and you end up cold calling and emailing random places that you want information on. She's the one that will end up giggling at you while you are dancing in a coffee shop. Or maybe you end up laying on random cement in front of her because it's hilarious and it looks good. You can't ask much more from a gal like her. I am so lucky to have her. Find you a gal like her. Real, effortless, build you up when you aren't sure how to make heads or tails, and will get in front of a camera for you because you asked.

A duplicate, but I love it in color just as much as black and white. 

Just a few other pics of Monarch Prime. It definitely is in one of the most beautiful places in Omaha for sure. I have been dying to eat there and when we went with friends the day after this shoot, it did not disappoint. In fact, this might be an anniversary place or a very nice date night place for beautiful cuts of meat and gorgeous drinks that were on point for us. My husband might be a bit particular about his old fashioneds and let's just say, that it is exactly how he makes them at home, which there are few and far between of places that make them as delicious as he does. The ambience, the decor (down to the restrooms), and the staff doodle books were all beautiful touches... But the FOOD. We ended up with the last piece of a bison ribeye that had been aged in house. There may have been uncouth behavior as the request to leave the dish to allow for our sides to use up the sauce from the ribeye. One side dish in particular stuck out for me, their beet salad was presented so beautifully but also tasted divine. Thank you, Monarch Prime staff. 

 

Stay tuned for the next place with my girl Amanda.

xoxo,

Kerry

Screamers...

While we were in Lincoln last week on a misty snowy day, my friend wanted to hit up a friend's new restaurant. Life, man. It's hard for us to sometimes make it when we have little ones running around to make it out of town. Might have been a perfect seize-the-moment day.

This is how that conversation went.

Friend: "Do you think we can stop by a friend's restaurant? I haven't been able to see it yet."

Me: "Sure! Let's look it up and see if it's close."

Friend: "Downtown. There's a stage and singing staff."

Me: "Is it something we might want to take pictures at? That sounds like fun!"

And then friend texts friend and THIS. THIS IS THE MAGIC THAT COMES FROM RANDOM CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS. (Yes, that was all caps for a reason... Because see below)

Check this amazing restaurant out if you happen to be in Lincoln. The staff are incredibly talented! What a fun, unique place! Love that we had some fun with this session.

(Anyone else watching Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? This totally gave me that vibe... Spotlights, fun clothes, and that early 60s vibe)

XOXO, Kerry

Pink Robes at the Graduate Hotel Lincoln

Part two...

Oh man, PART-FREAKING-TWO.

I mean, in my previous post I talked about the staff at the Graduate hotel in Lincoln. We were walking around taking pictures in amazing vintage clothes brought you by LaDama Vintage (Lauren runs this private boutique) in Omaha. And I bust out two of my new favorite robes. Because what doesn't scream vintage starlet more than PINK ROBES??? One is an ombre pink peach and the other is Barbie pink. And I have these pink heels that I can't even begin to tell you (if you love shoes, you would get it... and one of these days, I will just photograph these shoes, side note for those that care).

Between the WOMEN'S BATHROOM to the BRIDAL SUITE at www.graduatehotels.com ... I hope I can find someone who wants to do a shoot here again. Because this might have been the most fun ever for a creative... And yes, I realize my friend looks like Marilyn Monroe so that brings about a vibe that is hard to duplicate... But really, this was kind of the best in a photographer's mindset... enough talking, more pictures, AM I RIGHT?

(Did you know the suites have an old school arcade machine and a SMEG fridge???) 

 

All the modeling does make one wish for another cup of coffee... 

Cheers to this friend, who gets my silly and was ready to get memed. Those will be coming, but currently, this is an overload of all the things. 

And I am almost certain you have fallen in love with her. I know, she's kind of a starlet. (She doesn't act like this in real life, not even a smidge, so there's that part that makes her even more adorable... because seriously, my tribe of people are the farthest from the glam dram as possible... but goodness, you make them up and put them in clothes that exude a whole different look and the vibe... oh yeaaaaaa).

XOXO, Kerry 

Marilyn Monroe is in the hotel... I repeat Marilyn is in the hotel (part ONE)

I say this as a joke, but seriously, look at my GURLLLLL. I mean, REALLY.

Just a quick background. She's a fellow creative in my tribe. The one I will talk ideas with because she REALLY does GET IT, but also because she is always down for ALLLLLLL of my crazy photo ideas. She questions very little of what I do and it's soul-filling to create with another maker. And the usual- I love her little family, and that she is a fellow fun mama, who tells it like it is and gets the work, the goofy, and the craziness of life. Did I mention, she gets it- before I even ask... So, she was honestly the perfect person to have a session at this AMAZING PLACE...

If you haven't heard about the Graduate Hotel chain, you are DEFINITELY missing out on amazing hotels. I first came across the hotels when I happened to be in Lincoln for a really fun outdoor concert last spring. I wanted to know more just with the sign of the hotel and its location (mainly as an option if I didn't want to drive back to Omaha in the dark). But it has become clear that this particular hotel is more than just a comfy bed for a weary drifter. These hotels are much more than even your modern boutique hotels... I guess I should just show you... (Side note for those of us that are based out of Omaha, you might want to consider an overnight stay at the Graduate Lincoln if you can't make your way back after a night in Lincoln). For those that aren't in Nebraska, check out the chain options across the country, because they are perfect for your next visit near a college https://www.graduatehotels.com/... And I might have a new travel bucket list to try and hit a lot of them since they are so different in each one! I fell in love with the one in Lincoln... Read on and check out these pics...

 

(Those that are unaware of this information, Johnny Carson was from Iowa and went to school at University of Nebraska Lincoln, thus his influence here)

The lobby was kind of my favorite...

The rooms and the details... I mean, there's so much that it was hard to capture

 There's golf simulators in this lounge area... What a fun treat to do this if you happen to be staying in the area!!!

And this motto... 

We were there to work, but tiki bar... Again, let me repeat, TIKI BAR!!!!

 

This would be part one...

Thank you, Graduate staff for showing my amazing friend and this retro photographer a couple of amazing spots that REALLY MADE this shoot. I can't begin to say thank you enough to all of those involved last Sunday- Josie, AJ, Dana, Dave, and there were a couple of others that I didn't catch names. If you are lucky enough to get the staff that I just referenced, they were not just really sweet, but they were very attentive and aware that our outfits needed extra recommendations and accommodations. Their input was spot on- as you will see in the next post...

XOXO, Kerry

My brain doesn't ever stop creating...

It doesn't really stop. I know that I have a legit problem when I get involved in projects. Ask my husband, he knows there's no stopping this train.

A lot of people have asked WHAT do they do with the pictures once they have them. Legitimate question...

Well, the first answer is obviously, WHATEVER YOU WANT. The sky really is the limit. But the obvious is usually to make an album with any pictures.

My pictures, however, don't always warrant that... These type of pictures especially...

This is where, I hope you have chosen me as your artist ... Here's a list of ideas:

-Post-it notes (so that your family and office staff know exactly what you mean when you write things down and maybe how you want them to listen)

-Notebook cover (to giggle at whoever gets to stare at your lovely face saying some very specific quote)

-Bookmark (for when you find yourself reading.... riiiiiiiigggghhhhht)

-Calendars (and if you made a couple of Norman Rockwell pinup style, then this makes it even more fun)

-Playing cards (for your children to always remember you are still involved in their playtime)

-Luggage tags (because someone tries to take your luggage and you can shout at them that your face is on that tag)

-Glassware (EVERYONE should drink out of your beer mugs)

-Stationary and Thank You Cards (the quotes add some humor AND personalization)

-Phone Cases (yes, that's obvious because then you know which phone belongs to you)

-Magnets (your kids will know you are with them at the fridge even when they decide to go off to college)

The list goes on. These kind of things are just silly enough because you might not be recognized right off the bat AND sarcastic enough that it makes it acceptable. I won't lie, I had teatowels made of myself as a tiki girl and I think it is hilarious when my husband wipes his hands on my coconuts. Really, my coconuts. 

But I might also be partial because I love to add a layer of real to these products. This right here...

in a tea towel... (Actual amazing recipe) 

Will post something about my products in the future... Because some of us might have gotten product because it's silly. 

XOXO, 

Kerry