Christine and Billy :: Married on the first day of spring

I was about to explode with excitement when we drove up to Christine's apartment on her wedding day. Not only was it my first wedding of 2009, but it absolutely gorgeous outside on the first day of spring. And, to top it off, I got to photograph my beautiful friend Christine on the happiest day of her life! What a treat!

After a long night of final wedding prep, the ladies started getting ready early. So reinforcements were brought in :)


Christine's lovely mermaid dress and flowers




Christine and Billy wanted to see each other before the wedding (which is always a fab idea in my book), so they met up at Forest Park in front of the World's Fair Pavillion. I usually shoot this moment with a long lens so I can give the couple as much privacy as possible. But, even though I was quite a bit away from the couple, I could feel the excitement as they were about to meet for the first time.


Jon's view of the first meeting


Because they met a few hours before the ceremony, we had plenty of time to take photos of the lovely couple. We sersiously could not have asked for a better day.


Jon grabbed this shot while I was shooting from another perspective. Definitely a favorite.


Billy and Christine showed off some of their dancing moves under the canopy of the pavillion. With the way Billy's looking at his bride and the drama of Christine's motion blur, I may just have to order a big print or canvas of this one for my office.


She's such a beauty


The ladies at the archgrounds


Every time I go to the arch, I always laugh to myself at how many people are taking photos of the arch right underneath it and expecting to get the entire thing in the shot. I saw a guy fall over once while trying to get low enough to the ground. Most lenses just aren't wide enough to fit the entire arch into the frame unless you're quite a bit away from the structure. That is, unless, you have a supercool fisheye :)










the reception! This was a fun reception because of all the details Christine had planned for the evening. It was especially fun for Jon and I, though, because this was the same place we had our reception almost five years ago :).




the bling


Instead of cake, the couple had bananas foster.


Hey, Macarena




Thanks Billy and Christine for making my first wedding of 2009 such a great day!

Just one....

Just one pic of Amber and Keith I shot at the City Museum. It was a totally gloomy day outside, but inside... well, it rocked.
More to come soon....

Marvelous Monday :: Go Cards

Even though it snowed this morning, we're still excited for the home opener later today. What a marvelous way to start the week.

Spring Family Sessions

Goodness, it got green all of a sudden! Everything is starting to look rather lovely as the trees begin to bloom and the foliage announces the return of spring. I LOVE LOVE LOVE shooting weddings during this time of year, and in years past, I've only had time to shoot weddings, even though I got requests to do family sessions on a pretty regular basis. Well, this year, I'm carved out some time in my schedule to shoot a limited number of family sessions, and I couldn't be more excited about it!

Family sessions are normally $250 and include a one hour session at the location of your choice. I am, however, holding 3 family session marathons in 2009, which includes a 45 minute session at a location I've selected and A DISK OF ALL YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS from the session, all for $150!

My first family session will be held on SATURDAY, APRIL 25 at Lafayette Square Park. As of now, I only have FOUR spots remaining for this date, so if you're interested EMAIL ME soon to schedule your session! My next family session marathon won't be until the fall, so if you're interested in spring family photos, this is the time to do it :).

Megan and Steven ::

Megan and Steve have been together since high school, but when those two locked eyes on their wedding day, I could have sworn they were seeing each other for the first time. It was such an honor to photograph that moment. I was eight months pregnant when I shot this wedding last November, and one of my assistants was five months pregnant at the time as well... needless to say, there were tears all around.

The day started off at Magnolia's Salon for hair and make up




Details of Megan's mermaid gown


shot by Carrie, the other pregnant photographer


Sarah, who came along with us to shot this wedding, grabbed this shot of that first meeting.


And then it was off to the graffiti wall downtown. Megan suggested this location and I'm so glad she did!


It was pretty cold that day - so cold I could barely move my frozen fingers - but Megan and Steven worked it out


the handsome groom




The ladies on Washington Avenue as the wind started to pick up






Just look




classic


shoes!


yep, she was a beautiful bride






You know, pretty much everyone is happy on their wedding day. I mean, who wouldn't be.... it's a day to be together with your closest family and friends as you pledge your devotion to one person forever (while you wear the best clothes ever and finally have an excuse to splurge on a dynamite pair of shoes you'll only wear once). After shooting so many weddings, I often wonder if that joy lasts. You know, after the dinner is done, the honeymoon is over, the last gift has been put away, and the marriage begins.... well, I ran into Megan the other day and when I asked her how married life was treating her, I saw this same excited smile that she just couldn't contain.

Marvelous Mustache March Monday :: Who do you think he looks like?

So who do you think our baby Kaden looks like? I thought he looked more like me at first, but he's looking a bit more like Jon everyday, wouldn't you say?