Vance Doeden Photography

04/03/2024

So I’ll catch ya over there! 👉🏼


Have you followed yet?

03/19/2024

Can we appreciate the s’mores bar for a second?

Ugh these details, are so pretty.

But man, I adore peeking back into these glimpses of Garrett and Kendyl’s day. Such precious memories.

this was such a fun day shooting with you!

03/08/2024

Why do the hardest things always have to be where the most growth happens?

Haha kidding but not really. 🫣

I’ve been on this new kick of choosing to take massive action in my life instead of sitting on my hands and waiting.

I veeeeeery much believe that God is in control of everything.

Nothing happens without Him first knowing and paving a way.

We are completely reliant on Him.

But I don’t believe that allows us to sit around and wait for Him to make things happen.

I believe that it’s better for us to just start taking action toward the goals we want.

And that in our forward motion, God takes us and turns us right or left towards the way we should be going.

I crave adventure, I crave the desire to bring something to humanity. To serve people. To benefit lives.

So, I had a realization.

There’s ZERO reason why I can’t start. Work towards the life I want for my family.

Setting goals is great and all but you can’t expect anything to happen if you don’t take massive action towards them.

It’s uncomfortable, yes.

But what’s more uncomfortable;

stepping out of your comfort zone and disciplining yourself, or knowing that by staying “safe” you’ll stay stuck where you’re at for the rest of your life.

And I’m not saying it’s magic or that you’ll reach all your goals, but imagine what can happen by taking steps forward.

No matter what, you’re closer than you would have been.

And we get to witness how God uses our action to serve His purposes.

We also have to learn to be content with where we are.

But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to seek something better.

Set some goals, allow yourself to dream.

Everyone has something they can be GREAT at.

YOU have something to contribute to the world.

What does it hurt to at least try?

If it works out, the pain will be worth it. And if it doesn’t, you’re at least further along than you would have been had you never started.

If this is you, friend, just take that first step.

Dream a little, then take action towards it.

I’m SO here for you, cheering you on.

03/07/2024

Just can’t really get over this session.

This evening with Madi and Nic was so fun. Showing me the cool parts of the family property and getting to know them, their dreams and their relationship. An evening well spent.

Soo eager for their wedding this Summer!

01/30/2024

It’s time for a GIVEAWAY! ✨

We just moved and I want to bring together a community right from the get-go!

New city, new giveaway. It just makes sense, right?

I’m giving away 2 couples photoshoots! ($600 value each)

These sessions are some of my favorite as we get to see the uniqueness of your relationship expressed.
And I just can’t wait to meet new faces! 😊

These sessions will occur in the next couple months in Lincoln, NE. I’ll work with you to schedule a time that works for everyone and for the best lighting. Golden hour anyone?

Here’s how to enter:
1. Follow me
2. Tag your person who you’re gonna get pictures with and 2 more friends. Bonus tags are bonus entries!
3. Like and save this post
4. Share this post to your story and tag me in it. (very important that you tag me otherwise I might miss it)✌🏼

I will announce the 2 winners on February 10, just before Valentines Day.

I CANNOT wait to see you all enter! Good luck!

Vance
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couples, couples photos, couples photography, wedding photography, wedding, wedding photos, giveaway, instagram giveaway, Local Lincoln, Nebraska photography

01/29/2024

Let’s just say that if you incorporate some east coast swing into your first dance…you’ve got me hooked.

Alexander and Savannah, it was amazing watching you two on your wedding day. So caring, so loving, and having so much fun.
You created such a beautiful day where God was the center and that was amazing to witness. Still haven’t gotten over your first dance btw.

I cannot wait to see thru the ‘gram, all the adventures you go on.

Venue:
Dress: .andlacebridal

01/10/2024

Ok ok sharing these tips here because goodness knows I could use some outfit guidance if I was getting photos taken!

Keywords:
Couples photography, wedding photography, photographer, outfit inspiration, photoshoot outfits

01/07/2024

Can we talk for a sec?

Let’s just get the big news out right at the front…

We are moving!

Wichita will no longer be our home (for now) and Lincoln, Nebraska will be.

Sooo many exciting new possibilities, potentials, and ventures. I truly can’t wait for all that is to come.

But wow this hasn’t been easy. Not sure how it was for you, but 2023 was such a whirlwind of a year.

This decision to move had so much in play. Finances, business, family, relationships, loss, gain, travel…on and on.

Can I be vulnerable for a bit?

God did not give any big eureka moments or significant clarity when working thru these things. Things fell into place at the right time. And afterwards, I can look back and see He was guiding all along. And in my experience with difficult decisions, that’s often how He works; He lets us figure it out while giving us gentle and subtle guidance that we won’t even see until we look back. And honestly it’s good for us. We learn a lot. And learn to trust in Him because things are confusing and don’t seem like it will turn out, but then it always does somehow. And it makes me more in awe of how He lines things up right in front of our blind eyes.

Simple miracles happening every day. Life is better when you choose to see them.

Anyway…

We will be living in Nebraska starting in February.

And while I’m still figuring out what business is going to look like, I’ll let you know, I will still be accepting weddings in the Wichita area and all over the Midwest. Just like normal!

And for now while I’m trying to meet new faces, I’m going to be offering multiple photoshoot giveaways in the coming weeks/months so DEFINITELY stick around to check those out!

But one thing I’ll leave ya with…

Things always work out. Even when they seem so impossible and confusing, God has it figured out and it will all fall into place. Just take it one day at a time and trust.

12/07/2023

I’m not gonna lie…

Did not start this business for the food but,

the delicious catering is always fully appreciated by my stomach and taste buds.

12/04/2023

Gonna be a little honest and personal here…

When Colsie and I were engaged, it felt like wedding planning become our full time job.

Maybe some of you can relate.

Wedding planning can be a freaking HUGE job.

With so much on your plate it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus of your relationship.

And that’s what happened with us.

If we could go back in time, we would have chosen to focus more on our relationship and not stress so much over wedding planning.

We would have taken more time to JUST DREAM with each other.

So take it from us, and from countless other married couples;

soak up your relationship.

Make memories in your engagement season.

Keep dating.

Dream with each other.

Your wedding will be here before you know it.

And then you have all the goodness of marriage to soak in.

11/28/2023

A collection of black and whites from this amazing evening that make me feel.

David and Natalie are just the kind of friends who always have your back, are endlessly selfless and loving, who you can laugh so hard that you cry with, and who are just shining representatives of Christ and His love. We will forever be grateful for them.

Thanks for being our friends David and Nat.

11/27/2023

Okay okay…cool crisp air in the Rockies is basically a recipe for success.

These two eloped and then had a reception a few days later and can I just say, wow.

Yes wow to their colors, wardrobe, flowers, and all that good stuff…

But WOW, to the connections the intimacy of a smaller backyard reception. Wow to the love they have, and the celebration they threw.

This day won’t be leaving me.

Thanks for being so amazing and letting me shoot with you!

11/20/2023

You don’t have to feel rushed on your wedding day.

Here’s how…

✨ Allow for enough time to get ready

✨ Hire a coordinator

✨ Asking for help

✨ Allow enough time for photos

✨ Giving yourself time to breathe

✨ Letting go of the details on your wedding day

✨ Focusing on our spouse

You want to make memories on your day right?

The number one thing you’ll take away from your day is the way you FELT.

So let’s make sure you feel like you can enjoy the day instead of stressing!

Know anymore tips for calming your wedding day?
Share in the comments!

11/16/2023

Black Friday starts NOW ✨

Until the 28th of November I will be taking 30% off all new couples photoshoot inquiries.

AND

I will be taking 10% off all weddings that inquire before the 28th of November.

Did you know that my most popular package ALREADY includes discounts on engagement sessions? Imagine stacking that with an extra 30% off 🤯

Act before the 28th! And if you know someone getting married…you know what to do…

*cough cough* “share” *cough*

11/04/2023

This is such a random comparison, but hear me out.

As the leaves are changing and the weather is taking a drastic turn for the cold I’ve been thinking…

Just like God gave the earth seasons, I think He also gave us seasons.

Periods of growth followed by periods of rest followed by periods of learning.

Perhaps in different orders from time to time but these are seasons just like the earth has a time of new growth, a time of flourishing, and a time of resting/ resetting.

I have definitely witnessed each of these seasons in my business already; great flourishing, time for growth, and time for rest.

Instead of wishing our seasons were different (why does the grass ALWAYS seem greener) I want to try to embrace the seasons that God gives us in His timing.

Each season - winter, spring, summer, fall - has its purpose even if some are more fun than others.

God knew exactly what He was doing when He designed the seasons and He knows exactly what He is doing with us.

As Fall comes and goes, so will the season we are in.

If you’re in a season where God has slowed things down, that is a time for reflecting, resting, and learning.

Or, if you’re in an epic flourishing season, remember that while bringing in the fruit of your labor a much needed time of rest will be coming at some point.

It’s a cycle.

Find the purpose in the season you are in now.

And remember, even though things are always changing, God never has.

10/27/2023

We took a trip this summer to Colorado to photograph a few weddings and visit some friends. About halfway on our drive home we stopped at Monument Rocks in western Kansas to meet up with Ethan & Jayla.
As we were driving closer to the park, I could tell this was going to be a beautiful evening and it wow it couldn’t have gotten much more pretty!

Calm winds, warm sun turning into blue hour.

Ethan & Jayla were the sweetest! Just some truly golden human beings. I adored our time together talking getting to meet lovely humans.
Jayla, thanks for trading photos with us!

10/23/2023

Tell me if I’m wrong, but…

…you don’t just make a big investment in documenting your memories just for them to sit on some digital hard drive or gallery somewhere, right?

They were meant to be viewed, enjoyed, held, and loved. ✨

These 5 things will help you get the most out of your photography investment:

1. Making backup/archive
2. Sharing on socials
3. Creating Heirloom Albums
4. Making prints
5. Thank you cards

Number 1 is so so important. Photographers can often only keep a gallery hosted on the cloud for up to 1 year, so make sure to download them all and make a copy!

That gallery also most likely has an exclusive high quality print store access. The best print companies only give access to photographers and photographers give you access vie your gallery!

And if you decide you do want to create an heirloom album, just reach out to your photographer! Most photographers have the ability and capability to design and order one for you, even with your input! So take advantage of all the features in your gallery!

Is there something I missed? Are there other things you could do with your photos?

Comment them below!

10/20/2023

I was blown away with the beautiful day Kendal and Nicole had earlier this summer. There was just so much peace and love intertwined through everything.
They read each other the sweetest vows and I think just about everyone was in tears.
Such a faith-filled, God honoring day.
Definitely a day I won’t be forgetting. ✨

[storytelling editorial wedding photography in Wichita, KS]

10/18/2023

Some sweet sunset moments from this sweet elopement. ✨

10/16/2023

Sometimes I have no idea what I’m doing.

Turns out running a business is complex! Who woulda thought, right? 😉

But I learned something…

Literally no one has it all figured out.

BUT everyone pretends like they do.

Have you noticed that?

It’s almost like everyone is scrambling to keep up a facade of competency.

Tell me if you relate to this:

There’s something you’re wanting to start — a dream of a business, venture, project, hobby, or just something new — but the fear of new and unknown keeps you from ever starting. Maybe you waited until you’re fully ready to take that big first step but after awhile things fizzled or discouragement showed up.

Just me? I promise you’re not alone.

Here’s one thing I learned:

You’ll never be fully ready.
There will never be the “perfect” timing.

Fear seems to have become an expert at holding us back. Keeping us from beautiful things.

What if, we started normalizing NOT knowing what you’re doing.

Friend, in case you haven’t heard anyone tell you this;

👉🏼 It’s OKAY to not know what you’re doing.

If you think about it, the best way to learn is not by waiting, studying, or preparing. It’s by experiencing.

So embrace not being the grand master when you are starting something new.

That just takes time and experience.

My best action-step advice?

Just go out and START getting that experience.

And soon, you’ll become that grand master.

There’s some real valuable truth to the saying, “fake it till you make it.”

Don’t wait till you know it all.
Just learn as you go.

10/09/2023

I have been so eager to share these. I love the way this evening went. Getting to know Jayde and Chase was just a gift. The sweetest couple with the sweetest story.

The Nelson Atkins Museum is always a beautiful setting but the beautifully green trees brought that pop that we needed. ✨

10/02/2023

My wife sent me a reel the other day.

It was about how when images are black and white, all you can see is light.

Think about it.

No color, just light and shadow. Nothing else.

And somehow it seems; the simpler an image the more clear the story.

Sounds like a silly cliché but it’s kinda true. 🤷🏼‍♂️

And that got me thinking.

It seems counterintuitive. You’d think more color brings more detail and more detail brings more of the story.

I realized: “maybe there really is something to the statement, ‘less is more.’”

Removing color doesn’t hide something, it reveals more.

Color is just noise. Albeit usually it’s beautiful noise.

But still a distraction.

From a moment captured in beautiful silence.

Removing the color removes the noise and focuses in on the moment. The shadows and the light.

Honestly it’s just really fascinating for me to think about. But why not make it a little philosophical…

I think there are many other areas of life where we could lose a bit of the fluff and zoom out in order to see more clearly.

It’s natural to get hyper fixated on the details.

And there’s a place for that.

But when we allow ourselves to step back, we are often greeted with clarity.

09/29/2023

You can just start to see the leaf colors changing in the tops of the trees. Madison and Nicholas asked to take their engagement photos on Madi’s family property and it added the perfect final touch to this evening. The perfect setting in a field in her own backyard.
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09/26/2023

Limited Fall mini sessions are now available!

Message me to get your spot before it fills! 😊

09/22/2023

“You’re not your mistakes. It’s just something you do sometimes.”

Lyrics from a song I heard recently.

Have you been in a situation where you realized you were beating yourself down about something that no one else even cared about?

I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it is for us to wrap up our identity in our shortcomings.

We will always be our own worst critics. It’s just human nature.

Sure I don’t want anyone to have perfectionistic standards of themselves. We will make mistakes. But we can make it right, move on, and learn from them.

Imagine if we all started viewing ourselves and each other by our wins instead of our failures? Wouldn’t that be so much better?

Just remember next time you start kicking yourself for a mistake; you’re not alone.

Literally everyone makes mistakes. Get up, make it right, and keep going.

You’re not your mistakes.
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09/21/2023

Let’s bring in a little green before Fall hits us full force. 🌿
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09/20/2023

Slow season doesn’t have to be slow.

The months with less photoshoots, I fill up with more back-end highly-valuable work.

Resetting, prepping, getting organized.

One of the most important things to do is make sure you have a marketing plan for the upcoming year.

As a small business owner you have to be a marketer as well.

I mean what’s the point of having a bombshell product if the right eyes aren’t seeing it?

Ya feel me?

Learn your audience and plan how you will reach them.

I also like to take a new large education course over the slower season.

This just ensures you’re still growing, learning, and improving.

I have found these courses to be so motivating and encouraging which just instills you with a healthy mindset going into the next year.

👉🏼 Organize
👉🏼 Upgrade
👉🏼 Update
👉🏼 Prepare
👉🏼 Learn
👉🏼 Rest

What else would you add to the list? Let me know and we can help each other grow!

08/28/2023

Pretty incredible getting to be hand-picked to be number one on the Wedding Rules list of best wedding photographers in Kansas! 🥹

EDITOR'S CHOICE: We've handpicked the best of the best wedding photographers in Kansas, KS to help you pick the right one for your big day.

08/28/2023

Don’t sleep on your flat lay photos.

Your flat lay is how your small details that you spent so much time meticulously putting together will be documented!

One of the biggest time savers is if you can have all the items in n one place ready to hand off to your photographer.

Let’s give a little attention to the details that sometimes get forgotten!

08/17/2023

Introducing the Ownbeys! 🍾

What a freaking joy this day was to document. Colsie and I got to work together which also always makes it a little more special.

But these two have such a love for one another that is so evident thru the emotions of the day.

They are perfect for each other. It’s so beautiful to see.