Aidan’s first time. He LOVED it.

Well, trying to stay warm, for one! We celebrated Aidan’s birthday very late, took Aidan sledding for the first time in his life, went bowling for the first time, and tomorrow we’re saying goodbye to my baby brother as he leaves for Army basic training. More updates to come. Until then, put your parka on people, it’s brutal out there!

And here’s my big 3-year-old guy. He still has that sweet baby face though.

January is an infamously slow time for photographers, especially wedding photographers. But when Ellis’ mommy emailed and asked about a family session, I was thrilled to bust out the dusty camera. Ok, it really wasn’t dusty, but poor Aidan is the only one I’ve been photographing lately. And while it was cold, it wasn’t the 0-degree weather we had several weeks ago. We photographed in their lovely St. Charles home, and they also braved the cold out at Busch Wildlife. It ended up being freezing cold, but hopefully it was worth it for some of the fun shots we got. (I think it was!)

She has SUCH a great smile.

How cute is that coat?!

Ellis, a future pianist!

Here I am! I hadn’t realized it had been so long since I blogged until people started emailing asking where I was. Then I checked the blog and realized it had been nearly a month! Between the crazy holidays and a crazy bug making its way through our house, I haven’t been on my computer much, except to design some albums. So here we are! It’s 2010, and my baby boy just turned 3! Unfortunately for him, we didn’t even get to celebrate because mommy was as sick as a dog. We’re rescheduling his party for this Saturday, so he’ll finally open his presents. Yeah, we’re that horrible, he didn’t open anything. But I don’t think he noticed, he was still too excited about all of his Christmas gifts.

Here he is. The light of my life.

Deanne, Matt and I headed out to Lake St. Louis on a VERY cold Missouri afternoon, but it didn’t stop us from having a great time at their engagement session. One word to describe this couple: ADORABLE. Even my husband says so. Normally he doesn’t really get into the editing part of the business, but he was walking by my iMac when I was editing a few for this blog preview, and he came over and said, “Wow! They’re an adorable couple.” See? Told ya. They’re SO in love, and they love to show it. And that makes for some really great pictures because what photographer doesn’t love a couple that’s so natural in front of the camera? First we headed out to Boulevard Park in Lake St. Louis where they had their first date. (How fun is that?!) And then we headed to the Meadows shopping center for a more urban feel. They chose the locations, and I think they did a fabulous job. It’s always fun to shoot somewhere new, and I strongly suggest couples try to find a location that is meaningful to them for their shoot. It will just make the pictures that much more meaningful down the road. So that’s something to think about for all you couples out there who are doing your engagement pictures next year. What place is special to you? Where do the 2 of you like to go? Where did you have your first date? Just something to think about….

And, are you ready to see this super cute couple? I bet you are!

Love this one. And look at her fab shoes!

FAVE.d

Aaaah. They’re so in love.

Snuggling to stay warm!

They’re cute AND talented. And I really want to know how Deanne’s hair looks amazing. Whether I was making them run, jump, snuggle, dance, it always looked great!

Peek-a-boo!

Sassy!

It was SO hard to cull through their session. I think this gallery is going to have a TON of pictures in it because I just couldn’t chose! These are just some very happy people, and it’s contagious!  Can’t wait for the wedding, you two. We’re going to have a GREAT time.

I had to really great sessions this weekend. One family session and an engagement session. Here are their sneak peeks. More to come!

These are from this morning…Post-hair cut. He was really getting shaggy!

So, yeah. I’m behind on showing pictures of my own child. Actually, if I’m honest with myself, I’m mortified at how few pictures I actually have of him from the past 6 months. I’ve been so busy, too busy, to take pictures of my own child. That makes me really sad, so I’m going to be changing some things for next year. There WILL be a better balance between home and work. There just has to be. So, one Saturday morning in October, Aidan and I had nothing to do. Dan was working, and we were on our own. I had heard about Thomas the Tank Engine making an appearance in Granite City, and I knew it would be something Aidan would enjoy. Trains are one of the ONLY things that occupies him for an extended period of time, and it all started back HERE. (I can’t believe how little he looks there!!!!)

I can’t remember why I bought this whistle. He still likes to play it. Loudly.

My little junior engineer!

Meeting Sir Topham Hat.

Aidan’s favorite - Thomas!

After re-scheduling several times, mostly due to the crazy weather in St. Louis, we were FINALLY able to shoot Ileana and Jim’s engagement session. Ileana had contacted me many months ago to shoot their engagement pictures. Unfortunately, I don’t get to shoot the wedding. They’re both in the Air Force out at Scott Air Force Base, but they’re getting married back in their WARM homestate of Georgia. Lucky them.

It was still a little cool and rainy during our session, but these two still were up for anything I suggested! And even though I usually prefer to shoot with some good sunlight, I ended up really liking the moody, urban feel of this shoot. We spent some time down at the Arch grounds, on some railroad tracks out by the graffiti wall, and then we headed out to Washington Ave. (My favorite urban place to shoot engagement pictures in St. Louis!)

I should also add that on this day, as is typical of me, I lost my cell  phone. I’m ALWAYS losing my phone. I’ve purchased all kinds of contraptions, holders, clips, etc, but I’m always losing my beloved Blackberry. And let me tell you, I am LOST without that thing. Somehow, when we were shooting at the Arch grounds, it fell out of my pocket. Probably while I was lying on the wet grass trying to get the entire Arch in the shot with my wide-angle lens. Well, I didn’t notice it until the shoot was over. And it was dark. Brilliant, Nikki. So yeah, I had to head back to the Arch grounds to look in the wet grass for my poor phone. You see, even though it’s only a $50 fee to  place a claim on it (oh yes, I have insurance on that bad boy), I’ve lost/broken SO many BBs during the past year and a half. I’ve lost count. But I’m sure my husband hasn’t. That’s sort of a little thing between us. He hates how I treat it. And lose it. And break it. I just can’t help it. I’m BUSY. There’s SO much going on, and my phones just take a beating every day. (That’s my excuse anyway.) So I went back through the grass by myself and found it. In the dark, and I have no idea how. I just knew there was no way was I going to go home with another phone problem. So that’s my crazy Nikki story of the day. And if you ever call me, and I don’t call you back, rest assured I’ve probably dropped the thing in a glass of water, dropped it down 3 flights of stairs, or it may be in the grass under the Arch. You just never know.

And….on to the pictures!

The end!

The weirdness, that is. I promise. This was taken a few weeks ago, when we first moved into the new house. Grapes and yogurt for breakfast……..Aidan style.

This post is LONG overdue, but I’ve been having internet problems. Big problems. (Anybody know of a good internet provider in St. Charles? I am SO not a fan of AT&T’s DSL.) Anywho, I had SO much fun with Emily and Tyler during their engagement session a couple weeks ago. They knew they wanted an urban environment (which I’m all about!), since their wedding is at a beautiful winery in Illinois. They wanted something different, so we headed out to Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis and just walked up and down the streets and back into the alleys, finding places that looked fun and searching for the light. I think we found some of both!

Thanks again, Emily + Tyler. I can’t wait to shoot your wedding next year!

Here’s a quick look at what’s to come from a semi-recent, urban engagement shoot! (Sorry it took so long you guys!)

This was hands down one of my favorite engagement sessions of the year. It was my first time shooting on a farm, and let me tell ya, I had a blast! We shot at Jennah’s parents farm and at her grandfather’s farm. Not only did we have a super cool location and sweet light, Jennah and Tim are SO sweet and easy going (my kind of people!), and they’re just adorable. Somebody wrote on my Facebook page that they look like Barbie and Ken, and I must agree. I seriously can’t wait for their wedding in August of next year. It seems like too long!!! (And thanks again for the lemon ice cream. It was AMAZING!)