Tag Archives: Forest Park
Dianna and Dan are an incredibly sweet, fun couple. I had so much fun hanging out with them at Forest Park. They drove in all the way from Decatur, IL for the shoot and are getting married next May in Bermuda. How awesome is that?! We had great weather for our shoot, and some pretty sweet light popping in and out. I hope you enjoy their images as much as I did.
You may remember Katie and Jonathan from their engagement session last fall…
I had been anticipating this wedding FOREVER because Katie made sure I was one of the first people she contacted once she got engaged to make sure the date she wanted was open…AND it was! I was thrilled to be their choice for a wedding photographer. I have known Katie since high school, we were in french class together for several years. We didn’t keep in touch, but you have to love Facebook for bringing people together!
Their October wedding was gorgeous, we had some great weather for most of the day, though it did get a little chilly later in the day during group pictures at Forest Park. Nobody complained though, they were a really great bunch to be around. Paula Bathon of Lightsource Photography second shot for me, and we were both smiling the entire day. I seriously don’t think I’ve ever felt more appreciated or welcomed at a wedding. Everyone was so nice.
And to top it off, Katie was one of the happiest brides I have ever seen. She looked radiant, and if she was nervous, I couldn’t tell. She was too busy smiling.
Katie, if you were wondering where Paula and I took your dress…Now you know. Don’t hate me. Haha.
She was so thrilled when she opened a card from Jonathan…not to mention the beautiful pink pearls he gave her as a wedding gift. Good job, Jonathan!
Yup. The smile never left her face.
Thanks to Paula for grabbing these next 2 shots.
The church was so pretty and had a nice “new” smell to it…Plus some good light. Can’t beat that!
Ok, so there was one minute where Katie wasn’t smiling, but I think she was just crying because she was so happy…And so were the bridesmaids. Thanks to Paula for grabbing one of my favorite shots of the day!
We were so lucky that the grounds of the church were very picturesque.
Great choice for the bridesmaids’ dresses, they really pop in the photos!
Normally the Grand Basin isn’t my favorite place to shoot because usually I’m there at noon, and the sun is always out of control. On this wedding day, I was VERY lucky. We were there right before sunset, and the light was perfect.
I took this ring shot on Katie’s grandmothers’ handbag. I love how it turned out.
Katie’s dad has a band, and they played at the beginning of the reception. Live music at receptions rocks.
Is it love?
Ceremony: First Congregation Church of Webster Groves
Reception: Orlando Gardens
Flowers: Soulard Florist
DJ: Complete Music
I am so, so, so behind on editing + blogging. This post is from a wedding I shot last week. I’m going to leave you with just the images of Nikki and Tim’s beautiful wedding.
Ceremony: World’s Fair Pavillion
Reception: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Dress: David’s Bridal
Cake: McArthur’s Bakery
DJ: Rick Anzelone
Flowers: DIY
Ceremony: Bethesda Evangelical Church in South St. Louis County
Reception: Spazio’s
Florist: Walter Knoll
DJ: TKO DJs
Transportation: Elite Limousine Service
Kadie + Cole chose Forest Park for their engagement session because that’s where Cole proposed to Kadie, and it also just so happens to be where they’re getting married this fall! I’m REALLY looking forward to it. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love outdoor weddings!
Finally! Sorry I’ve been running a little behind, things are starting to get crazy around here! Last week I met up with Dana + Forest who hired me just for an engagement session. These two beautiful people are in St. Louis for med school, and they’re getting married in California, but they wanted their engagement pictures here in the STL. They chose Forest Park and the Arch because they live right there in the Central West End. (Oh how I miss that place! I lived there before having a family, and I absolutely LOVED it…Sorry for the random tangent.)
Anywho, on the pictures. It was so great to work with you, Dana + Forest. Best wishes on your wedding next year!
Dana + Forest found this spot. And I love it.
We had some GREAT light. Yay for spring. I so missed the sunshine during the cold months.
Ok, so this bridge used to be much more wobbly, am I right? I was there last year, and I remember it freaking me out. This year, not so much. Tell me I’m not imagining things!?
After making the rounds at Forest Park, we headed to the Arch for a few quick shots. My fave.
I’m excited to finally post pictures from Lori + Shawn’s engagement session. They’re wedding isn’t until November, but I was thrilled they picked the spring to shoot their engagement pictures. We had some fabulous weather on Washington Ave, where we began our shoot…And then we headed to Forest Park, and everything was starting to bloom. It was GORGEOUS, despite the crazy storm that crept in on us at the end of the shoot…Enjoy!
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. 
Yeah, I know. I promised this post about 5 years ago. But it’s better late than never. Am I right? So this is the second half of Emily + Lucas’ fabulous wedding! Enjoy.
Their wedding reception at the St. Louis Zoo was gorgeous + elegant. Everything was perfect!
Emily’s parents even hired live animals for the event. How cool is that?!
Taking advantage of some yummy light during the reception.
The glow in this picture is not artificial. It was a combination of the sun and the humidity. I wasn’t expecting it when I started editing my images, but when I saw it, I really liked it!
Smoochy, smoochy!
Just wanted to put a little update on the blog because I’m a little out of the loop. My sister is having a baby, and there have been some complications. Please keep her + the baby in your thoughts/prayers. They could use them. Thanks! I promise I’ll start returning emails as soon as I can. Sorry!
Here she’s killing time reading People Magazine.
Saturday was a weird day. I had an engagement session scheduled with a really fabulous couple. I was bummed when I woke up to another dreary day in St. Louis. During my drive to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the sprinkles became a downpour. So I called up Paula and asked if she still wanted to do the shoot or did they want to reschedule. She said they wanted to go ahead and do what we could – they had umbrellas. That was cool with me, so we get there, and the rain stops! Then we get into the Botanical Gardens, and we get stopped by someone who works there saying that we have to pay a special fee to shoot portraits/weddings there. I had NO idea. I had just shot an e-session there a few weeks ago, and no one said a thing. And you can’t shoot past 3 p.m., so even if we had paid the fee, we weren’t going to shoot there. So we headed down the road to Tower Grove Park. Let me just say that I love the city of St. Louis. Despite all its faults, I really do love the city, and I wish we lived there. I am embarrassed to say I’ve never photographed anything at Tower Grove Park. I’ve barely driven by. Certainly have never gotten out of my car. I’ve seen pictures on the internet. It’s gorgeous!!! Seriously. Why haven’t I been there before?!
So we took some photos there, made a little duck friend, and headed over to Forest Park where it was wedding central! I can’t begin to tell you how many wedding parties we saw out there….Despite all the chaos of the day, this was one of my all-time favorite shoots. Paula and Nick are really wonderful people on the inside and outside. Not only did they chose the PERFECT attire for their day, they’re so much fun to be around. They truly were up for anything. Especially Nick. He even climbed a tree during our shoot! These pictures are all them. There was VERY little direction, they’re just naturals in front of the camera.
And I have to say that I was thrilled we took some shots by the Art Museum in St. Louis because that’s where they had their second date. It’s actually a funny story because Paula told me that Nick is a terrible planner. On that date, they went after Nick got off of work. By the time they arrived, the museum had closed. They ended up sitting in the car for that date. Now Paula does all the planning. That’s probably a good thing….Toward the end of our shoot, Paula hopped on Nick, and he took her for a ride down Art Hill. I just snapped away laughing hysterically the ENTIRE time. (Seriously. I should probably be embarrassed at how loudly I was laughing.) I just thought to myself, “Are you kidding me? This is amazing.” And it was. Thanks Paula + Nick for entertaining me so much. I had a fabulous time, and I can’t wait for your wedding in September. I know it will be fabulous!
Can I just throw in here really quickly how lucky I am? I get to meet wonderful new people all the time, I get to share in the joy of the best day of their lives, I get to do what I love. It in no way feels like a job, it’s just a complete joy, and I love the satisfaction of driving home after a great shoot knowing I’ve made some pictures that these people will (hopefully) treasure forever. I’m so, so, so lucky.
This shot was not set up – totally candid moment. How sweet is he?
They made a little friend who followed them everywhere!
My favorite moment of the day. Hands down.
I’ve gotta give mad props to Paula for pulling this jump off in those shoes! I totally would have fallen flat on my face.
Dancing at Forest Park. Aren’t they an adorable couple?
I told them they should be in a magazine. And I meant it. They’re gorgeous!
