Greensburg, Class of 2007

We just returned a short time ago from Greensburg, Ks. As everyone knows now, that is the town about 2 hours west of Wichita that suffered the EF5 tornado a few weeks ago on May 4th.

This was my second trip to Greensburg in two weeks.

The first trip was May 5th when I was called to assist in the search and rescue efforts with my search and rescue dog, Clarice. I felt I was helping in some small way and I hope it helped to set some people's mind at ease that we cleared areas and everyone had been accounted for. My dog was worked by another team member on the 6th as well as I stayed home tending to more business projects.

As I went about completing projects here the last few weeks, the town of Greensburg had a Commencement Ceremony they were planning with little notice and no school left to host the ceremony. Shortly before our wedding of Chase and Ashley yesterday, we received a phone call from the local DJ's Association here in town asking our Videography Association if someone could donate their time to film the graduation today. FCP was one of the few videographers available and we felt we needed to help more. We wanted to give the graduates something to take with them when everything or most everything they had before was lost.

Working off of 4 hours sleep and recharging batteries as fast as possible overnight, restocking camera bags with tape and charging remaining batteries on the way there, we made it in time this morning to clear security checkpoints, set up and film the ceremony for the 8th Grade Graduates and the Senior Class of 2007. Several Dignitaries were present giving what advice and encouragement they could. President Bush sent a letter of Congratulations which was read and a private reception followed for graduates, friends and family only, no press.

Those that set up the ceremony were very gracious to us and allowed us free reign to get shots of the class that national media was not allowed to get. Every student will receive a copy of the graduation when it is completed.

FCP would like to thank Mark Miles of VideoVisions for volunteering and assisting us by operating a third camera- thank you!

If you would like to help in the efforts at Greensburg, follow this link to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and see how you can help financially, by donations, or in other ways.

Congratualtions class of 2007!

The Wedding of Ashley & Chase!

We just finished up a wedding tonight for Ashley & Chase! Even though it was a long day, it was a great day! The day started early afternoon at Westlink Christian Church in northwest Wichita. Ashley arrived with her bridesmaids to get their nails, hair and make up done clad in hot pink flip flops to match the bridesmaids dresses-and get ready for the day. Ashley was very excited but a calm and hospitable bride who accomodated our every request to get great shots of her throughout the day! Her biggest worry of the day was deciding which pair of four sets of earrings to wear! For the record, her final choice was striking, classy and perfect in every way! She wore a stunning strapless fitted gown with an elegant train.

Ashley and Chase chose to see each other before the wedding and had a private moment a few hours before the wedding. They then took a variety of pictures with Tyffany, Jeff, and Netanya of T&J Studios to save time after the wedding. It was obvious they were very much in love and made for each other.

The ceremony itself went off without a hitch and afterwards they left the sanctuary dancing to "This will be an Everlasting love"! Not to miss a beat, the Pastor followed suit to the crowds laughter and applause! They were then sent on their way through a rainfall of rose petals and into a limo. I was able to ride along (and Jeff, too) and we stopped at Reflection Ridge Golf Course and Sedgwick County Park to grab some fun shots of them with the sun going down and then on to Camp Hiawatha for a reception and dance. It was a great time. Ashley and Chase were surrounded by their closest family and friends and we hope it was a great day they will have happy memories of for a long, long time to come. Watch for their prequel to be posted here in the next two weeks! (And T&J Studio's Debut on their website as well!) Photo above is courtesy of T&J Studios, Inc.!

To Ashley and Chase- you were an absolute joy to work with and we wish you all the luck and happiness life can bring you! Thank you for giving us the priviledge of capturing your awesome day!

Southern California Workshop!

This Monday I left for California for a Videography Workshop hosted by Blue Skies Cinema in Corona, California. I returned last night exhausted but full of great ideas and new strategies to impliment into the business here at Fat Cat. Unfortunately, I traveled alone, as the edit que did not allow both Barry and I to go- someone had to stay behind to continue work on several of our projects and weddings.

But it was nice for me to get away from rain and tornadoes and see the sun and the sand of Corona Del Mar Beach in Newport Beach, California! It was a quick trip. Everyone met Monday night to get aquainted and Tuesday/Wednesday were the actual workshop days filled with information on shooting and editing techniques and other topics. Jeff and Andee of Blue Skies were awesome and some of the most gracious, hospitable people I've met.

We were spoiled with munchies whenever we wanted from the concession stand while we had class in Jeff and Andee's private theatre where we held class. They also treated us to all our meals including a steak and lobster dinner on the patio by the pool and a few other hot spots in Newport while we were at the beach shooting. (Great job on the grill, Jeff!)

Although I met some great folks from across the country, it wasn't a socialization-only trip, it was business for sure and we practiced several filming techniques throughout our two 14 hour long days. So much so that my thighs were feeling the burn on the way home yesterday. I still ache. :)

With what I came away with from the workshop, I am sure it will help us in our upcoming weddings and only serve to help Fat Cat grow even more. There's lots more exciting news on the horizon for our business, but we have to wait a while to announce it, so stay tuned to keep informed! Back to the edit bay! All photos are courtesy of Tom Young at Lakepoint Films. THANKS TOM!

The group climbing on rock formations looking for the perfect shot!

Tom Young with Jeff and Andee (all photos courtesy of Tom from Lakepoint Films)

Talking shop with Eric and the gang on the patio waiting for our steak and lobster dinner!

Just hanging out.

A gorgeous view of the Corona Del Mar beach we shot at.

Trash Your Dress!

Fat Cat Productions and T&J Studios were featured today on the hugely popular website www.trashthedress.com! Check it out!

Tyff and Jeff sent in some really fun pictures of our eXtreme session we did last May with Brian and Amber Koch. Fat Cat submitted the video link of the session, which is linked at the very bottom of the post.

Trash The Dress is another photographers website that promotes photography of preserving your wedding gown/dress in an entirely different way- through photos (and our case, videos). After all, you only wear it once!
We were pleased to have someone in the MidWest be featured on the site as there are many photos of beautiful beach trashing sessions, so T&J submitted our own "beach" shots on the banks of the Arkansas River!

Be sure to give Fat Cat a call to schedule your eXtreme session now! Who knows, YOU might just end up on Trash The Dress! Awe, come on, just go for it!