cherish andrea: Blog

Colbi and Adam: Engaged

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 19:19:20 GMT

These two....made for each other. Just look at the photos and you can tell- the laughter, all the smiles and romance and love, it's all wrapped up in these two. Oh yeah and we have a mutual addiction to yeti's (scroll down) which makes me love them even more! Congrats Colbi and Adam!

Magnus: Newborn

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 16:29:07 GMT

Introducing the sweet and the strong Magnus Steinar. The Smedvig family reminded again me why I love my job. Their family carried such beauty and love and it was a blessing to capture. Sweet little Magnus, we are glad you are here!!

The Helmering Family

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Wed, 24 May 2017 20:10:42 GMT

Nathanael: Newborn

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 19:41:00 GMT

Nathanael Erik Kawase

Blake and Rachel: Married [Kansas City]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:04:30 GMT

Blake from Texas and Rachel from Kansas, you know this wedding was filled with pure joy and sweetness all around. So honored to photograph this beautiful day and watch these two step into covenant with God and each other. Congrats Blake and Rachel!

Bryan and Taylor: Married [Kansas City, Missouri]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 18:16:01 GMT

If you know the Carr Family, you know how much they love people! and not just love but truly care for and open up their home to so many. I knew when Taylor approached us to document their wedding day, that it was going to be a day of rich celebration, not only for her and Bryan's covenant but of the family and friendships that surround them as well. Both Taylor and Bryan carry such a noble integrity about them. Bryan with his love for coffee and cocktails, Taylor's shining excellence in education and music and their combined love for the Lord in every area. They both carry that sparkle in their eyes- full of love for life and people. Their day was filled with so much joy, Isaac even said to me how encouraging it was to see so many people celebrating a couple in such an incredible, deep way. Taylor and Bryan, you two sure are loved and your wedding day displayed that.

Chris and Chelsea: Married [Hermann, Missouri]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 15:59:55 GMT

I love intimate weddings and everything about this wedding was that. Tucked back in the rollings hills of Missouri, is this little quaint town, Hermann. Chris and Chelsea got married at hilltop at sunset surrounded by family and close friends. The day was filled with so much joy and peace- contentment, and I think that shows what Chris and Chelsea are all about! Congrats Mr and Mrs Glissman! Thanks for letting us be a part of your magical day!

Chris and Chelsea: Engaged

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 16:55:42 GMT

I was 19 and fresh out of high school, young, immature and Chelsea was a huge blessing that was put in my life. She drove me to get a cup of tea and let me sit on her couch and watched me cry as I tried to figure out what I want to with my life. Almost 7 years later, and she has a ring on her finger and smiling from ear to ear with this man named Chris in her arms. I don't think I've done a session where the couple laughed so much! Chris and Chelsea are full of so much joy and it's such a blessing to get to be able to celebrate this season of love with them! Congrats Chris and Chelsea and can't wait for your wedding!

Sven and Rachelle: Married [Phoenix, Arizona]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 16:00:00 GMT

A girl from Phoenix moved to Jordan where there she met a boy from Norway. The rest is history. They fell in love and this wedding was filled with nothing but sweetness, love and culture!

Andy and Anna: Kansas City Wedding

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 19:32:52 GMT

Courtney and Keith: Engaged

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 02:07:54 GMT

Meet Courtney and Keith. Two beautiful stories coming together in May to be one. I'm so honored I got to meet these two and photograph the radiant love they have for each other. It's evident they are best friends! Here's just a peak of a few favorites!

Jo and Amos: Engaged

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:33:39 GMT

Jo and Amos, everything about this couple is FUN. You're bound to laugh when being around them. Amos was on our team to Hong Kong so I got to know him pretty well riding crazy taxi's, eating interesting food and exploring some big cities. So excited for him and Jo as they look toward their wedding in June! Love you both!

Kyle and Stacia: Married [Lawrence, Kansas]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:34:00 GMT

Kyle from Alaska and Stacia from Minnesota. These two truly make the perfect match. :) The two got married at Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence, Kansas. The day was smooth sailing, but mostly because both of them carry such a sweet contentment about them. It was a true joy and blessing getting to photograph their day. Stacia was the one who helped make Isaac and I's wedding happen and come out beautiful, so getting to be by her side on her day made it even sweeter! So blessed by these two and so happy they are one now! Congrats, Kyle and Stacia!

John and Rebekah: Married [Weston Red Barn Farm]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:58:37 GMT

John and Rebekah. The stunning couple you might remember from their proposal I got to photograph here. Rebekah couldn't stop smiling that day and on their wedding day, she did the same. It was a hot day on July 26th, but not even the heat could stop their joy, excitement and love for each other. They married on the countryside at Weston Red Barn Farm right before the sun started to set and celebrated under glowing lights surrounded by planted succulents while enjoying quiche and espresso. There's something so sweet about this couple, and I loved being a part of their day! John and Rebekah, you belong to each other and it's so evident. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Clinton!!!

David and Ali: Wedding {Kansas City, Missouri}

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:59:35 GMT

David and Ali, a boy and a girl that are head over heels for each other and you can tell that whenever you are around them. They exude joy and love and their wedding day was filled with that. Even with the day scattered with rain, they didn't let it ruin their day. David and Ali had filled out their bucket list's and one of the items on David's was to run in the rain wearing expensive clothing, well he got to check that off! Right before their ceremony it started raining, so we got an intimate ceremony under umbrellas and he got to run down the isle carrying his now bride, Mrs. Mason. David and Ali, thank for you letting me document your beautiful day!

Chris and Chesea: Married {Weston Red Barn Farm}

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Tue, 19 May 2015 18:52:29 GMT

The day started with a downpour of rain and the forecast called for it all day until we drove closer to the hills of Weston the sky opened up a beautiful bright blue. Chris and Chelsea had a beautiful day and one of my favorite things about them is that it's hard to find them together and not full smiles and laughing! Congrats Chris and Chelsea Joseph!

David and Jennifer: Married [Lee's Summit, Missouri]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:06:56 GMT

This blog post is dear to my heart for a lot of reasons, but mostly it involves a big part of why I am a photographer. I was in high school when I got an email from a stranger (to me) but a friend of a friend.. She was a photographer looking for an assistant. Who, me? I'm just a teenager who loves taking my camera everywhere I go (but deep down have no idea what I'm doing.) Photographing a wedding was way beyond flowers in the backyard and the sky as I drove to school. She met me at a coffee shop, handed me her camera and a book on photography signed with a note and took me under her wing. For the next few summers we photographed wedding after wedding, too many ring shots to count, conversations comparing reception dinner food, and dreaming about details we would want at our own wedding. Jen became a dear friend and mentor and eventually the one who helped bring Isaac and I together.

My heart was blessed and honored when Jen came asking for ME to photographer her wedding day. Once again I responded to her "Who, ME?!?." A photographer needing a photographer for her wedding is no small thing. Jennifer and David, thanks for letting us document your day. We couldn't be more excited for your marriage! and to Jennifer.... I love you, it's because of you I do what I do now and I'm forever thankful!

John and Rebekah: A Proposal Story

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 18:00:20 GMT

I always love a proposal and was so excited when John asked me to document this beautiful and incredible day. The morning started with breakfast at Blue Bird Bistro when Rebekah thought she was supposed to be at work. Her boss was in on the secret and told her she had the morning off, little did she know that John planned the whole thing. I got a few shots of them inside at breakfast and then headed to meet up with their brother and sister, Ben and Natalie and waited for them to arrive. He asked and she said yes and you can tell by the photos their love for each other. They then hopped in the car and drove to Chicago for the weekend to share the exciting news with family. John and Rebekah, I couldn't be more excited for you and thank you for letting me be a part of your proposal day!

Jacob and Erica: Married [Kansas City, Missouri]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 01:10:13 GMT

The father of the bride made a statement about Jacob at the reception commenting on how he is just happy all the time and it couldn't be more true... and Erica.. the same way. Them together just makes them one of those couples where joy and the love of Jesus just oozes out of them, those people you just love. Being a part of their day was a huge blessing. Enjoy their wedding preview!

Also, just want to add that my amazing husband got some of these shots too. :) He's the best work partner around!

Justin and Tamra: Wedding [Kansas City, Kansas]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 22:10:19 GMT

Tamra and Justin's wedding was on a hot day in Kansas City, Kansas, but they never complained of the heat. You might tell by the photos, but Tamra's response to almost everything is a huge smile and laughter. They day was filled with joy surrounded by beautiful people. Bless you, Tamra and Justin!

Corrie and Bill: Engaged

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 03:59:40 GMT

...6th grade going into 7th and I meet a girl named Corrie who became one of my dearest and most beautiful friends. We had sleepovers staying up til 5am talking. Boxes and boxes of letters written during school classes. Tears and prayers through hard seasons. Packing and long distant moves and through the distant and changing seasons she still has remained still to this day one of my dearest and most beautiful friends. All those years talking about our wedding days and the man we would fall in love and now Bill has won her heart! I couldn't be more thrilled and happy for this couple!

Josh and Emma: Wedding [College Station, Texas]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:50:30 GMT

Isaac and I were blessed to photograph the day of this beautiful couple in College Station, Texas. Even though it rained, the day couldn't have been more filled with joy. Emma and Josh, we love you both! Thanks for letting us capture your wedding day!

The Garden of the Heart.

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:15:06 GMT

The garden. The place where things grow and things die. The place where beauty arises. The place where weeds are pulled, where the muscle of labor is worked to produce a glorious fruit. Not just any fruit, but fruit that remains, that lasts forever. This garden is full of many different assets. Beauty, rest, joy, but also pain, hardship and work. A place where love is awakened, but where love manifests itself through discipline as well. It is here in this place. The place of beauty, humility, but also toil and labor. It is here where He meets us.

There is no life outside of Him being here in this place. He is the water that grows the seed. He is the sun that strengthens the root. It is He, not this place that brings satisfaction. In the midst of time, schedules, relational dynamics, work, labor. In the midst of daily being in this place of giving of myself, and being hedged on every side. The pressures come, the clock ticks, the to-do list waves vicariously in the face, the people wait in line for time, the bank account slowly dwindles, the plow in the field cries out for a hand of labor. The hedges close in. Tighter. Closer.

It's uncomfortable here. I don't like it. I can't breathe as well as I used to. Why here? Why this place? Why is it here that you have chosen to come meet me? Remember when I met you in the place of the garden where beauty and joy was awakened? But why did you choose to meet me here in the labor and toil? "It's not about the circumstance, but about our intimacy. It is in this place that I get to be with you. I get to hold you." In the place of beauty and laughter, I get to hold you, but it is through the winter that the roots of intimacy get to go deep. But only through your "yes" will these roots go deep.

These trials, these persecutions and tribulations they can not take over the joy of holding Him close. No shadow, no fear, no accusation can take that place of embrace. He is the tiller of the ground, the worker of the garden. Joy is found in letting Him be the worker of the garden. That through the seasons, He would be the one found giving strength to the roots and letting the beauty blossom. It is the place where we stand and let Him hold us that our joy is found complete. No matter the season of the garden. If the beauty of the garden is being awakened, or the roots are being painfully cut. Faithful are the gardens that let Him enjoy and take great delight. It's His deep pleasure to love us when we let Him come and dwell in this garden. It is in this place where friendship grows and flourishes in love.

Mark and Hannah: Wedding [Grand Blanc, Michigan]

cherishsmith@icloud.com (cherish andrea) — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:14:41 GMT

Mark and Hannah are 2 of the most selfless people I know. They love Jesus so well and out of that they love each other and others so deeply. It was a blessing to be a part of this most beautiful and tender day celebrating two important and beautiful couple. I love you Mark and Hannah!