Another Day With Mike Freeland

We had a fantastic time a couple of weeks ago with my favorite “A” team.  I shot second camera for Mike Freeland and Jeff provided video coverage.  As we were driving around the Plaza in our open trolley with Mike and I in back and Jeff up front guiding the driver, it struck me how truly blessed I am.  A gorgeous sunny afternoon, working with Mike who I not only admire as a professional but value as a close friend, and Jeff the man I love who has a talent for keeping everyone laughing.  Emily and Dave were ready to go anywhere and do anything…so we did.

Nita

 

 

Fanastic Weekend at Inter-Continental

Even after fifteen years in the business, I still get my socks blown off occasionally.  Andrea Reed contacted super coordinator Holly Davidson with Simple Eelegance who helped organize a truly jaw-dropping day.  Gale Goodheart joined forces with Santee Floral Designs and together they designed a Spring-Time oasis that enveloped you as soon as you entered the reception room. 

Anchoring the center of the floor was a beautiful gazebo covering the entire dance floor and the magnificent cake.  Along all the walls were handpainted murals, and to top it off…an entire bar carved completely out of ice.

 

See it to believe it.  http://imagevideomedia.com/simple%20elegance.htm

 

Berg Studio

Another one of our favorite reception locations is Berg Studio.  We had a fantastic bride and groom that seemed to fit right in to the  downtown experience.  Here’s a quick look at a very unique and beautiful bride.

Berg Studio

 

 

Purple Rain

Our good friends at Event-Studio contacted us to videotape a wedding that ended up at one of our favorite locations, Pearl Art Gallery.  The day concluded with the groom singing to his bride.  Turns out he’s some kind of rock star out of Boston.  I had no idea!  He did a fantastic job, so I put this together as a special tribute.

Purple Rain Video

Children’s Mercy Hospital

 

Is a child’s smile not the most beautiful thing in the world?

One of the greatest blessings in this life of ours is the ability to give. I absolutely love photographing weddings, for many reasons,  and one being the beautiful children you see.  There is a thrill when capturing the perfect moments between a newly married husband and wife, but there is  a thrill of a different kind, when photographing the cute little ring bearer or  flower girl, see even the mention of the word brings a warm smile to the face, or what about the  precious baby that’s all dressed up for this special occasion called a wedding, this childs never seen you before, and yet she (or he) gives you a smile that almost melts your camera!

All children are beautiful, and really touch my heart  like nothing else can.  That is why I love going to Children’s Mercy Hospital and donating stuffed animals for the children.  One of my favorite stuffed animals was a HUGE teddy bear with the sweetest face and soft as silk to the touch.  All the animals I take there have to “speak to me”.  They all have to have a kind face,  soft touch and a soothing color.

It is the highlight of my month to walk into Children’s Mercy Hospital with teddy bears in hand, oh this Easter a rabbit also made the cut and joined the bears, I could tell by his expression that he was thrilled to be going.

It’s also fun  to see the smiles on the faces of the adults when you walk in there with all these animals in tow, let’s face it, to be able to bring a smile to someones face is the greatest joy.  A simple act of kindness brings happiness to all.

Due to infection control guidelines only new items are accepted (with the exception of gently used books).  Whatever it is that tugs at your heart, that’s what you need to do. Whatever that silent voice is saying to you it is saying for a reason. When you see something and you are moved, start moving yourself towards it, and the reward will be great.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive”……..as the Good Book says.

Nita Chyree’

                                                 

Where did the name Studio “Chyree” come from?

 

Born Nita Chyree’ Watson to Patricia and Charles Watson on a beautiful day in February.  A perfect month to be born in , just before Valentines Day, and to my mother, she had chosen  the  perfect name, Chyree’, taken from and pronounced exactly like the French word Cherie’, meaning: loved one.

My mother, always being creative and unique herself, spelled Cherie’ with a y instead of an e and ending it in ee instead of the traditional ie.  I must admit to loving my name both Nita and Chyree’, in fact when I was in grade school I wanted everyone to call me Chyree’, but after so many people mispronounced it Shyree and Sheri, I decided to go back to Nita.

Speaking of grade school, I started dancing at age five and never really stopped. I went on to be a professional dancer, Ballet to  Broadway in New York City, studying voice as well  and used Nita Chyree’ as my Equity stage name.  The dance world and the theater life were exciting, fun and and endless hours but I loved it.

When I met Jeff, a whole new love entered into my life, and the girl with the name Chyree’ experienced the kind of love her mother had told her would one day come.  Jeff an artist too, but an artist not only after my heart but one with a heart so full of love I knew right away he was the one.

Studio Chyree’ was the name Jeff and I decided upon for my photography company and when we told my parents, they chuckled and were filled with pride and yes of course…… LOVE.

                                                       “Do All Things With Love”

                                                                   by Og Manding

Nita Chyree’

        

WPPI Convention in Las Vegas

 

Nita and I just returned from the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Convention in Las Vegas and had an absolute blast.  We spent four days listening to our favorite photographers and then touring the massive trade show floors. 

We were excited to finally meet the Master Photographers we’ve always admired.  Mike Colon from California gave a great presentation on shooting an entire wedding with no flash.  Wouldn’t try it, but it was fun to see his raw files from a wedding.  Yervant was his usual dazzling self with a slick two hour presentation featuring his images and album layouts.  It’s never any wonder why he’s considered one of the top wedding photographers in the world.

 

But after listening to all the speakers, the one person who just blew us away was Me-Rae Koh.  Sitting in the corner of the Sony booth along with her husband, Me-Rae Koh told her story of building a phenomenal photography business by having the confidence to place a full-page ad in Grace Ormande Magazine only to have the phone fall silent for almost six months.  But finally ring - it did.  Me-Rae Koh has been featured on a variety of networks and is currently involved with VH-1 for a new wedding show.  But what grabbed our hearts was with all her success - all she could talk about was controlling and protecting her schedule so she could spend more time with her little girl instead of Photoshop.  Talking with Me-Rae Koh was one of the highlights of our trip.

Tuesday night, Jeff and I took the elevator up to the Eiffel Tower Restaurant for cocktails , overlooking the Bellagio Fountains , taking in the  magical Strip lite up like a Christmas tree, we talked of what a fantasic and beautiful world we live in.

Not just the wonderful world of photography and the great men and women sharing their works, it really is a community, as Skip Cohen, President of the awesome photography magazine Rangefinder said on opening night.  But we both feel extremely grateful to be able to do what we love to do.

 

 

On our last day, Nita and I finally got a chance to venture out and see a few more sights.  While strolling down the sidewalk we wandered into a great outdoor market.  Nita decided to try on a few hats while I headed on to Jimmy Buffet’s where I found a great place to sit and see how cool I could look.

So in ending we would like to say that we recommend this kind of trip to anyone, it was inspirational and educational, it just does’nt get any better.

 Jeff & Nita