Amanda & Kaleb ⋆ Best Kansas City Photographer, Adrienne Maples, is like no other.

Wow! What a weekend. Thus far, this wedding season is serving to remind me all of the reasons why I continue to work weddings. Every year I accept fewer weddings, I wonder how long my body can handle what I put myself through on a 12 hour wedding day!? At every wedding, I push myself to the limits- crawling around like my knees don’t hurt- carrying two cameras all day- squeezing myself into a limo with floor room only, taking up the space of a small child. Apparently the ‘gift’ of small stature was given to me so I could achieve such things. I never realized it was a blessing until I began stuffing myself into tight spaces to get ‘THE shot’. I’ve been shooting weddings since I turned 22 & as I approach my mid-30’s I’m finding that my body is starting to betray me after a 12 hour day of ‘wedding sport photography’!!

But after a wedding like this one, I vow I’ll never quit. I still enjoy the magic & capturing the beginning of something amazing. What I provide becomes an important piece of history to the families that trust me… and no one shoots a wedding quite like I do… crawling around like a ninja… memorizing everyone’s names & familiarizing myself with the family… yeah, I’m just a little crazy!!

I’ve never seen a happier groom. He was ready 2 hours ahead of schedule and had all of his groomsmen ready as well. This NEVER happens especially with a group this rambunctious. This was a testament to their loyalty to groom, who they lovingly refer to as ‘Big Drink’. Kaleb was ready to marry his bride and all of his friends & family were ready to support him. He was pacing the floor as we got Amanda into her gown. I head up to meet my bride & her girlfriends when I am surprised by a gift FOR ME?! When I first met my couple, I was wearing a terrible excuse for a pair of boots… a pair made of imitation leather & they hurt my feet. Apparently that’s when Kaleb decided that they were getting me a REAL pair of cowboy boots.. a slick pair of Ariats. The kind of boots you wear for the rest of your life. I was so touched that I may have cried a little bit. I am still beyond words at this kind gesture of generosity. The tears came at the realization that this couple treasure’s me just as much as I treasure them. And I am honored to be a part of their future journey.