The Black and White Version of Drake and Tamieka's Wedding: Focus on Emotion

When I think back to Drake and Tamieka’s winter wedding at The Stanley in Lee’s Summit, what stands out the most is the emotion — the deep connections, the importance of friendship and family, and the pure joy of being surrounded by loved ones.

To honor that, I’m sharing a special black and white version of their wedding story — a way to focus even more on what truly mattered: love, connection, and moments you can feel.

Tamieka’s mom, a talented hairdresser, helped style her daughter’s hair that morning. In the middle of a room filled with bridesmaids laughing and getting ready, this moment could have gone unnoticed — but for Tamieka and her mom, it was something deeply special. It felt like a small, suspended moment in time before all the excitement of the day truly began.

Drake and Tamieka built their day around what mattered most to them: celebrating with their closest people. Tamieka, an artist herself, has a deep appreciation for emotional, candid moments, and Drake, who grew up dancing, brought so much energy and heart to the day — especially during the first dance. Their wedding wasn’t about putting on a show; it was about feeling fully present with the people they love.

Downtown Lee’s Summit was glowing with Christmas lights, adding a little extra magic to the portraits. I honestly don’t remember if the air was cold, but looking back at the photos, it just feels warm — full of joy and life.

Inside The Stanley, everything felt just as inviting. The warm lighting, the earth-toned ceilings, and the dance floor right in the center of the room made it clear: this day was all about celebration. Drake’s love for dancing has been with him since he was young, and it lit up their wedding day. His first dance with Tamieka was especially memorable — thoughtful, well-prepared, and full of energy. You could feel how much fun they had, and the crowd loved it!

Drake and Tamieka’s wedding was centered around friendship, family, and the joy of simply being together.

Black and white photography felt like the perfect fit for their day — timeless, honest, and focused on what truly matters. B&W has a way of simplifying an image and pulling your attention straight to the emotion, the story, the connection. It matches everything their wedding stood for.

It was an honor and a joy to be part of their celebration, and to be welcomed so warmly into their circle for such a meaningful day.

If you’re drawn to photographs that are simple, artistic, and full of feeling, I invite you to explore more of my work here or reach out if you’d like to connect!

Curious about their venue? You can learn more about The Stanley .