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Feb 14 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted in: Uncategorized

I am a hopeless romantic. We all know it. But in the irony of all ironies, I somehow am not that into the most ‘romantic’ day of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take free chocolate and flowers ANY day of the week. I mean, come on! Who wouldn’t?! But for some reason, I just don’t care too much about good ole’ V-day. This year, I decided I would attempt to get in the romantic, Valentine’s spirit. Instead, I just ended up finding some funny V-day sayings and sentiments that made me giggle a little and thought I would share them with all y’all. (umm, did I just become southern for a minute? What just happened?!)

Nothing says true love better than a heart shaved into your overly hairy back. Disclaimer: men, don’t try this at home!

This made me giggle! Joe and I already have an ongoing joke about greeting cards thanks to Jim Gaffigan.  

I think I will have to try to this line of my hubby. What do you think?

Lastly, who can resist this guy? He’s the cutest Valentine I’ve ever seen! Hope you all have a blessed and love-filled day :) xoxo

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Jan 25 2013

Maggie+Travis :: Gilbert Engagement Session

Posted in: Engagement

I am so excited to share Maggie + Travis’s engagement session with you today! These two are absolutely adorable and incredibly in love. They made my job very easy!

The session took place near where Travis grew up in Gilbert and was the perfect setting for this laid-back, down-to-earth couple. Between the rustic buildings, fallen leaves on the ground and Maggie + Travis’s contagious smiles, my camera was quite happy to say the least. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding this summer!!

xo, Stacy Kokes

They started the shoot off with matching Disney shirts to commemorate where Travis proposed.

Later, Maggie glammed it up in this gorgeous dress and bright blue wedges. Work it!! ;)

StunnING!

Nicely done, Travis. Nicely done!

Okay, I may be a lil crazy but I totally think the tree behind them (right photo) makes a heart shape around them. Anyone?!

And because AZ is a little slow in the fallen leaves department, it’s always fun to play with leaves in January :)

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January 25, 2013 - 10:03 pm

Corrin Elizabeth - your work is so fun and just them :) gorgeous.

January 25, 2013 - 10:04 pm

Stacy Kokes - Thank you Corrin!!

January 25, 2013 - 10:27 pm

Ginny Hoppal - These are great pictures. They are such a perfect couple, can’t wait to celebrate with them.

Jan 18 2013

My Baby Shower

Posted in: MY Life

Less than 3 weeks until we get to meet our newborn son Beckham. We are excited to say the least! Last week I had the honor of being surrounded to those closest to me to celebrate the anticipation of his arrival at my baby shower. It was more than I could have asked for.

My sweet friend Brooke hosted and designed the event. She went with a ‘chic owl’ theme to go along with our woodland nursery theme. From the owl paper lanterns, burlap decor and DIY onesie station, this shower was so, completely me. I LOVED how everything turned out. My sister Kris made and decorated the amazing, delicious owl cupcakes. I think I ate 3 of them! Shannon K of Shannon K Photography dazzled me with these amazing photos from the day. Hope you enjoy taking a peak into my baby shower :).

How in the world will Beckham ever choose out of this adorable bunch of ladies ;)?!

Ok, I admit…I love opening presents. But I have to say that opening baby gifts is the BEST!

Couldn’t hold back the tears…and I don’t even have the pregnancy hormones to blame ;)!

My beautiful guests (a couple missed the photo opp)

My friend and hostess, Brooke

My mom and my sister Kris

My friend Karen, her baby Emma and my mother-in-law Kristi

More mom n’ daughters pics (just missing my sweet sis Sarah)

Irena, Nina and Jolie

Writing wishes for Beckham

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Jan 02 2013

What Really Happens: 2012 Behind the Scenes/Bloopers

Posted in: MY Life | Photog's Corner

So you’ve seen the finished product; all my favorite images that grace the blog. But what about what you don’t see? What goes on behind the scenes to get those prized shots? And more importantly, what goes on in between the shooting? I give you the 2012 SKP edition of ‘What Really Happens’: Behind the Scenes/Bloopers.

I like to keep it classy, but I will NOT pass up a bride n’ groom sandwich dance opp :).

“Are you sure it doesn’t look better with me in it?!’ ;)

Sometimes the wedding party is so cool that I pretend to be a part of it…

The  ‘finger point’ of 2011 making it’s way back onto the scene

Warning: I often defy the law of  ’personal space’

Due to my vertical impairment, the use of tippy toes mixed with ‘the client knee bend’ is a very popular move ;)

Since my second shooter is often times my husband, I often find unnecessary ‘butt shots’ such as this during my culling process.

‘Honey, we’ve been over this. As cute as you are, our clients don’t want you in their engagement photos. F’reals.’

This is what an excited ‘test shot’ looks like.

This is what happens when we’re sick of  doing ‘test shots’.

Just when I think my camera and I are best friends, it goes and hits me in the funny bone!

‘Can you see me now?’

Did I mention that I disregard ‘personal space’?!

Whoever said ‘lying down on the job’ is frowned upon never saw me shoot!

Busting out a ‘post-family formals’ happy dance. All you photogs feel me ;)

Little red light, green light action. Works every time!

Warning: I may lie and/or stand on your bed. But I promise it will be worth it!

Nah, I don’t lift weights. Shooting a ceremony with this bad boy has me covered!

Sometimes I put my brides to work ;)

Lastly, I’ve learned that sometimes you just gotta put your camera down and bust a move with the bride :)

Now you know….this is what REALLY happens! Happy New Year everyone :) xoxo

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January 3, 2013 - 4:40 am

Sandy Honzik - Oh how fun to see the other side! Thanks for sharing!

Jan 01 2013

Reflecting on 2012…

Posted in: MY Life | Photog's Corner | Weddings

Happy New Year everyone! Before I can set my sights on what 2013 has in store for us, I like to reflect back on the year we just had. As I thought back on all the wonderful memories, I came up with my top 10 SKP moments of 2012 (not in any particular order).

Top 10 of 2012

1. Two successful adoption mini session marathons: It was such a blessing to be able to use my gift and love for photography to raise money for our upcoming adoption. We busted out 11 mini sessions over the course of 2 days and raised almost 20% of our fundraising goal from those alone!

2. Staying within my range of 15-20 weddings. We ended the year with a total of 16 weddings!

3. Shooting a wedding in Estes Park, CO. Since I first visited Estes in 8th grade, I have had a soft spot in my heart for CO. It has been on my wedding ‘bucket list’ along with Hawaii, Ireland and other fun, exotic places. While I still have the other locations on my list, I am happy to say that I was able to cross Estes Park, CO off the list. Although I’m pretty certain I could shoot there all year long with no complaints!

4. Photographing my niece’s senior photos. My first-born niece Kaylee is a senior this year. I remember when she was baby like it was yesterday! When she asked me to shoot her senior portrait session, I was nothing short of honored :).

5. Collaborating on the Western Glam Styled Shoot. Christina Clark, Ashley Mullins and I collaborated on a styled wedding session with a western glam theme. The two of them put so much time and effort bringing our vision to life and I was thrilled with how it all came together. I love doing sessions like these that push my creativity and gives me the opportunity to work with such talented vendors. As an added bonus, we were featured on The Desert Bride blog!

6. Photographing our best man’s wedding. It doesn’t get much better than photographing some of our best friends’ big day. Chris was the best man in our wedding and getting to document him marrying his wife Carrie was definitely one of the highlights of my year!

7. Launching theWORKSHOP. I love exploring new areas of the business. Among my new ventures this year was the launch of theWORKSHOP.

8. Launching Beauty Boudoir. This has been a long time in the making. For a long time I went back n’ forth about adding boudoir to the SKP repertoire. I knew I had a heart for making women feel beautiful so I decided to take a new spin on the boudoir industry by launching my Beauty Boudoir line. Definitely a major highlight of 2012!

9. Hosting Zach & Jody Gray’s IN CAMERA/LIGHTING Workshop. Among the many reasons why we love the photography industry, one of the biggest would have to be our fellow photographer friends we have met throughout. We have had the blessing of getting to know Zach & Jody Gray and proud to call them friends. In March they set up shop in our house for 2 days and rocked out their InCamera & Lighting Workshops. Having them here was a total blessing and honor :)

10. Attending WPPI/Showit United. This conference is always a highlight of our year. It’s a time to get away, hang with photog friends from across the country and get pumped up for the upcoming year. We are sad to say that we won’t be making it to United/WPPI 2013 but for good reason. We’ll be hanging with our newborn son which I’m guessing will be the highlight of all highlights! ;)

There were so many great moments from 2012. What a great year! I wanted to take this time to thank ALL of my clients for making me love my job every single day. Specifically, I wanted to send love out to my 2012 wedding couples. Thank you for being such amazing clients and for treating Joe and I so well. We truly are so blessed by each and every one of you. Thank you for trusting us with one of the biggest days of your lives. Being there as a witness to your love and commitment continually blesses our own marriage and brings joy to our hearts. We wish you all a happy, health and BLESSED 2013!!!

Lots of love to ALL my 2012 clients. Thanks for making it a great year!! xo, Stacy Kokes

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