Aidan picked out his own little pumpkin this year, and he was SO proud of himself. I can’t believe how big my lil guy is getting. *sigh*
Monthly Archives: October 2009
It’s finally here! I’ve been dying to share this post with my lovely blog readers. Check out Paula + Nick’s Day After Session. We did NO formal pics of them on the day of their wedding. They just wanted to enjoy the day. So we went back to Chandler Hill for an evening of beautiful light and fun. These 2 are SO awesome to photograph. I love that they don’t take themselves too seriously and that the shoot was SO casual. It was perfect.
I have a ton of blog posts coming up including 2 weddings, 2 engagement sessions, a family session and a day after session. Here are a sneak peek of what’s to come!
Yup, still behind on blogging. Preview of what’s to come from Katie + Sean’s wonderful wedding.
Loved this moment. It was RIGHT after the ceremony. I made them hide while everyone got set up for bubbles.
I’m a few days late posting these due to unforeseen circumstances, but here they are! I’m going to let the photos tell the story of this AMAZING day. Congrats again, John + Elaina. It was such an honor to photograph your wedding day.
St. Mary’s in Villa Ridge is just a stunning church with a wealth of light. I hope I get to shoot there again someday!
This breathtaking view is in Elaina’s grandparents’ yard. How cool is that?!
Thanks to the fab Paula Bathon (of Light Source Photography) for this image of the bouquets (and for second shooting with me!). If you notice the ribbon on Elaina’s bouquet, it’s a little different from that of the other bouquets. That’s because it was passed on from her grandmother, to her mother, to her. Amazing.
The reception was held at Caroline Vineyard in Washington, MO. It was my first time shooting there, and let me tell you, it’s gorgeous! The view is beautiful, the grounds are beautiful, and there’s even an amazing field across the street.
Love this moment between Elaina’s sister and a bridesmaid. Aren’t those dresses the perfect fall dresses?
Ok these next 2 images crack me up. I LOVE looking at their faces.
There goes her dad again. Making everyone (me) cry again.
I hope I captured all the love and joy this family has. Their story is very dear to my own heart. Earlier in the year, Elaina’s mom, Sue, was diagnosed with breast cancer. And she is a survivor. It reminds me of my mom, who had very short hair from her rounds of chemo, at my wedding many years ago. Both moms are now doing very well, and I can’t tell you how great it was to see Elaina dancing with both her parents.
Both John and Elaina are musicians, and John sang, “My Girl,” for Elaina during the reception. He has an AMAZING voice.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be out of town for a funeral. I will be returning tomorrow. I’ll be returning phone calls and emails on Friday.
Thanks for your understanding during this time as I’ve had to completely re-organize my schedule this week.
Ok, I guess it really should just say Elaina. And it should just say “Getting Ready.” Cuz that’s all this post is going to be. Why? Because I said so. Ha ha.
But seriously, I was trying to put together a blog post from John and Elaina’s wedding from 2 weeks ago. Operative word is “TRY.” There are way too many images, so I’m dragging it out into 2 posts. I’ve never done that, but I’m the boss, so I make the rules. Right? Right. Enjoy. Ceremony/reception coming tomorrow!!!!
Elaina got ready at her grandma’s house just down the street from the church. There were a TON of people there, and it was kind of crazy, but I think it was the super fun kind of wedding day chaos.
Let’s start with the shoes. Love them!
I can’t even put my finger on what I love about this image. But I do. And that was enough to post it.
Isn’t she a stunning bride?
Elaina’s dad was so emotional the entire day. I thought it was SO sweet. They both cried when they saw each other.
Believe it or not, this was the first cathedral-length veil I’ve ever had a bride wear. And it was STUNNING.
My second shooter (the fabulous Paula Bathon of Lightsource Photography) and I both had some fun with the huge mirror in Elaina’s grandmother’s house. Here’s her shot. She totally rocked this one!!!!
And here’s mine.
More fun with the veil…And I just have to say, I’ve never seen such a helpful flowergirl!
Her dad was back. And so were the tears…Theirs and mine.
Yeah. They pretty much made me cry all day, but having the chance to document the love of this family was so amazing. They were so wonderful and kind. Thanks to all of them.
A prayer before leaving for the church.
Visit tomorrow for ceremony and reception pictures. It’ll be worth it. Promise.
I LOVE day after sessions. They rock my socks off. So do Paula + Nick. Here’s just one from their session.
Several weeks ago, Taylor called me and asked if she could hire me to shoot her engagement session. Of course, I said yes. She and her fiance, Brad, are getting married in Texas where they’re both from. The two met in Texas at a coffee shop and fell in love, and when Taylor headed to Wash U for grad school, Brad came, too. While I’m disappointed I don’t get to photograph their wedding, I had a blast at their engagement shoot…especially since it came with a little twist. About a week before the shoot, Brad called me and told me he had a special surprise in store for Taylor at the photo shoot. He was going to get down on one knee…with her real engagement ring, and ask her to marry him. Again. You see, they had previously sort of decided they would get married, and she had a silver ring. But Brad had a sneaky plan to do things the right way, and get down on that knee and ask her properly. (Yay Brad!) The plan was to get halfway through the shoot, and then I would do individual portraits. While I was photographing Taylor, Brad would sneak her engagement ring in my camera bag. I was supposed to tell Taylor the ring she had was too small to photograph, couldn’t see it, etc. (I totally felt like a jerk, even though it was all fake.) Then I had to get the real ring out of my bag and tell her to try it on…That it was a “prop” ring. At first she just sort of stared at me like I was nuts, but then she caught on. Probably when she looked at Brad’s face, well, and then of course, he got down on one knee. All the while, I got to capture this beautiful moment. It was a really romantic, sweet scene, and I was so excited to be there to witness and document it all. And even though I backed off a bit and shot with my big zoom lens, I got a little teary eyed. I’m a total sucker for romance.
Not only was Brad’s plan a really fabulous idea, I have to tell you how fun these two are. You can just tell how in love they are, and they both have such energy and a love for life. I had SO much fun on this shoot, plus they’re just really darn photogenic people. I mean seriously people. Look at her hair! It’s so beautiful! And the light at Tower Grove Park was amazing (as usual), so all in all, it was a spectacular shoot. Thanks again, Taylor and Brad. You guys were amazing. I wish you all the best. (And if you change your mind about flying me to Texas, I’m all over it! ) 
And on to the pictures….
This is definitely one of my favorites from the day. I just love how it captures them. The completely natural them. Laughing and in love. *sigh*
Oh yeah, she has beautiful eyes, too!
I love when couples really get into just having fun at engagement shoots.
Hands down my favorite of the shoot!
Ok, so I didn’t make them run, but I did make them skip! And they were really into it. Love it!
On the day we moved, yes THE day (who knows what I was thinking), I had a family session with a really adorable family. The beginning of our session was a little rough, and the session was on one of the very first cold days we had, but I think we all had a blast toward the end. The girls REALLY loved running down the hills at Des Peres Park. So sorry it has taken this long to get this post up!
We had some really rockin’ light…
When it became obvious the girls weren’t having much fun, we decided it was time to PLAY!
Such a sweet smile…
I hope they look at this image when they’re older and love it. They’re just too cute.
Flying!!!
My favorite of the day…
When Elaina first sent me an email saying she wanted to do her bridal shoot in the church where she and John were getting married, I was a little nervous. Traditional portraits aren’t my thing. Not that I don’t appreciate them, they’re just not a strength. I like to shoot outside. Give me a field. Give me a busy city street. But in a church? I even wrote her back saying, “Are you sure you want to do this in a church?” Yes. She did. It was a church her grandparents have attended for many, many years. I believe her grandfather even helped build the church. Well, when I heard that, I knew she was right. We had to shoot there. This was going to be a good test for me and a chance to stretch my abilities, but I was up for the challenge. And oh my, I’m SO glad she didn’t let me talk her out of it. The church is way out in the country – about an hour’s drive for me. (A beautiful drive, though!) There was a ton of natural light in the church, and I have to say, it was a bit ethereal. I really loved shooting there for the bridal session…And I really can’t wait to show you their wedding. But first thing’s first…Here’s Elaina, and she was a true dream to have in front of my camera.
My favorite. Isn’t she stunning?! Her eyes are just incredible!
We had SO much fun with her veil…And the light. It was spectacular
I couldn’t decide if I liked the color or black and white. What do you guys think?!
So I’ve been getting a bunch of emails asking me, “What is a day after session?!” Basically, it’s just a session for couples to dress up in their wedding day clothes and go out for more picture fun without the stresses of the wedding day. Some brides choose to have their hair done differently, some may get their dress a little dirty by going places they normally wouldn’t on their wedding day. And let me tell you, they’re all sorts of fun! And no, it DOES NOT have to be the very next day after your wedding. In fact, I prefer it not to be. But if you’re interested, whether you got married last week or last year, give me a call. Promise we’ll have a blast.
Josh and Diane chose to hit up downtown St. Louis for their day after session. We went everywhere from the Arch grounds, to Keiner Plaza and the City Garden. Too fun!
My fave of the day…
These are for their thank you cards.
First time shooting at the City Garden. Loved it!
Diane is a beautiful girl, but she just looks extra amazing in this picture. I love it!
Sorry, but I never get tired of brides and grooms running. If you hire me, I’ll make you do it. 