Ashley & Travis 2008-10-03

Roland,

Just wanted to let you know that we absolutely LOVE the pictures!!!  :) 

Ashley

Melissa & Lester 2008-10-22

It’s always a good feeling when you get a referral from a previous client So I get an email on May 19, 2008 from Melissa…

Name: Melissa Walton
E-mail: XXX@XXX.COM
Comments: Hi Roland- We have crossed paths many times, starting with Danielle Teene’s wedding years ago. Normally, I would be contacting you to refer a bride, but this time it is my turn. God has blessed me with a man who loves Him most and me too. We recently decided to get married this year ( I know it’s short notice) but I didn’t want to ask anyone else before I asked you. Our wedding date is set for Aug 30th. Are you available that day. We would love to have you bless us with your talented lense. Melissa

It’s been an amazing experience working with Melissa & Lester…from shooting their engagement session to the last shot at the reception, they’ve both been gracious and most importantly, they extended me an opportunity to be a part of their day!

Melissa picks up DVD… 2008-11-01

I showcased Melissa & Lester’s images on Pictage.com prior to delivering their DVD. In preparation for the new season, I’ve been trying out some new packaging…here are some of the images of what Melissa & Lester would be picking up in a few hours and the last email I received from them regarding their images:

Roland-Lester and I can’t express in words the gratitude we feel for the amazing work you did for our wedding day!! The pictures are incredible. They look like they belong in a magazine! You truly captured the essense of who we are and what we felt on that day. Because of you we will be able to cherish these memories for a lifetime! Thanks so much for being a blessing!Melissa and Lester

Melissa & Ernie Rieke 2008-11-02

I had the opportunity to shoot Melissa & Ernie’s wedding on September 3, 2003 and since then, we’ve always talked about doing a family portrait. This year, Melissa asked that I photograph her family with Ernie’s family as a christmas present for Ernie’s parents.

It was quite a reunion considering that Melissa & Ernie now have 3 beautiful children

YES, WE CAN! 2008-11-05

Tonight, I was able to witness history being made - Barack Obama was elected as the 44th president of this great country of ours!

An African American was elected into the #1 office of our great country. A capable U.S. citizen was given an opportunity to serve his country!

The choice made tonight, the decisions made tonight only goes to confirm what I’ve lived through and confirmed over the course of my 17 years of sojourn in this great country. What I’ve lived through are situations where the great people of this country regardless of race have embraced me and given me opportunities to make a living despite my skin color.

When I started working as a photographer in Kansas City, there were only about 9 reputable wedding photographers in the market that offered similar services as I had planned to offer. A young black photographer working out of a one bedroom apartment with desires to create an upscale photography business, all I had was the hope and aspirations that people would overlook my skin color and select me based on my work. 10 years later and with more than 427 weddings under my belt, I can truly say that the hope that appears resurrected tonight had been fully alive all along!

Yes, it was not always like this BUT we’ve come a very long way as a people and we are learning to put our differences behind and work towards the common good.

When my children wake up tomorrow, it would be a new day in their lives and I would be able to tell them that they can be anything they want to be if they put God first and work hard with an unshaken hope and determination!