Forever Faithful [Personal-St. Louis Photographer]

My world feels a little bit emptier today as I lost a woman that I’ve admired and loved for 29 years. My grandmother passed away last week. She was a woman of family and faith—a simple balance which was reflected in every breathe she took.

And even though I’m saddened by this great loss, I’m more grateful on this day for all she taught me and the close relationship that myself and my siblings had with her till the day she left for heaven. I’d liked to share a few of those things.

•Pray always…pray.
•Always give back because whatever you give you will be given back tenfold.
•When you make a commitment, you keep it…especially the vows of marriage.
•Make time for the ones you love…whether that’s taking a walk, having a quick lunch with them or promising to say an extra prayer.
•As a woman, speak your mind and never be afraid to shake your finger at your children…you are always their parent no matter how old they are.
•Have a cold beer, BLT with homemade tomatoes and play blitz (card games) whenever you can.

I lost my prayer partner and that I will miss the most. I would always call and ask for special prayers like passing a final exam or help with selling our house...it seems so trivial, but I had and have no doubt that a woman this faithful was closer to God than I could ever be. I knew I could always count on her clacking her beads (how I lovingly referred to her daily devotion to the rosary) and keeping me in mind. When I’d make these requests, she rest-assured me that I was always remembered during her daily prayers and she would make note to add my special needs to the list. This brought a comfort like no-other.

She will be dearly missed--but missed mostly by the love her life of 66.5 years that she leaves behind. I can’t imagine the absence that has been left in his life as she has moved on. And yet I know that he too is forever grateful for his wonderful life and time with her and wanted nothing more than for her to pass in peace…and his prayers were answered.

I have no doubt that she was met with open arms in heaven. She probably shook her finger at St. Peter at the pearly gates which makes me chuckle knowing she’s still the same. She’s rejoicing in peace and tranquility that none of us can even fathom and she completely deserves after a life devoted to faith and family. And that my friends, makes my heart smile a little on this sad day. Happy in heaven, and forever faithful…that is how I will remember her.

Thank you for letting me speak my mind…I just wanted to share a little bit about this great woman so the world could get a glimpse of what I loved.

Bridget, Joey, Maddie + Emma [St. Louis Family Photographer]

Seems like I was there just yesterday but it's been almost a month! More from the beautiful state of Utah and the Great Salt Lake.













Think this has to be my favorite!




Practicing our model face!

Married: Zach + Megan [Personal]

My brother-in-law Zach married the love of his life on July 16th! As a family member, I enjoyed the view from the pew this time but couldn't resist taking a few shots for keepsake.

Welcome back from Jamaica Zach + Megan and hope you enjoy your first preview!

Everyone, including the photographer usually focuses on the bride as she's coming down the aisle. But my very favorite part is watching the groom's reaction in seeing the bride for the very first time. This is Zach and his brother Josh seeing Megan as she starts down the aisle. (Josh is my hubby from Monday's post.)










We were all dressed up and my husband was in a tux! Thanks to my sister-in-law for snapping this quick picture of us!

Sneak Peek: Danielle + Tim [St. Louis Family Photographer]

A quick sneak peek for Danielle and Tim tonight and more on their lovely story later. Let me just say that God + college + love brought them together. And it's not what you're probably thinking...

Enjoy Danielle + Tim and thanks for a wonderful evening and trusting me with capturing your beautiful love!



Yummy light! I love it!

He's a Class Act [Personal]

I thought I’d start Monday off with a pretty good story. So here it goes…

My husband is a class act. And let me tell you why. Last weekend, my brother-in-law got married and my husband played the very important role of best man. Amongst all the chaos and happiness that is a wedding day, I couldn’t have been prouder to be his wife.

Not only did he look dapper in his tux, but the words he spoke to his youngest brother during the toast brought tears to my eyes. Tears of happiness, joy and pride knowing that he was all mine. The thing is, his words were simple…and they were from the heart. Following his toast and the dinner, several of the wedding guests came up to him and said it was one of the best and most heartfelt toasts they have ever heard. Knowing Josh and the person he truly is I’d have to agree. And I have to say he did a great honor to Zach and his new bride.

Thanks for being such a class act babe! This is just one of the million reasons that I love you more and more each day and couldn’t be prouder that you are all mine.

With his permission, he has allowed me to post his toast to his youngest brother Zach on his wedding day. I did take out his short introduction since it’s all explained above:

I don’t want bore everyone for too long tonight and will try to abide by a rule for speeches I once heard which is to, “Stand up, speak up and quickly shut up!” But I do have the mic and ya’ll can’t do anything about that…

Although Zach doesn’t like the term, he is the baby brother of the family. And as you all could imagine that comes with many benefits such as all of his siblings looking out for him. But it can also come with many negatives, but we won’t focus on those tonight. All we can say to Zach about those negatives is that we are sorry!

In all seriousness I am honored to be up here tonight as Zach’s best man and am privileged to be able to return the favor that he gave me as my best man just under two years ago, when I married my wonderful wife Brooke.
Zach and I grew up very close. I don’t necessarily recall the event but I am told that not long after Zach was brought home from the hospital, I found a cute little baby with the chubbiest checks lying on the floor. And like any 3-year-old would, I stepped on his head… apparently I was a little jealous…so I guess it was after that event that we became very close and pretty much inseparable.

I remember when we were in grade school—almost every day on the playground my class would be out first and I would be involved in some school yard game, playing with my friends. And almost every day Zach would come running out with his class and abandon all of them just to run over and jump on my back or just say “Hi.” I never got tired of that.

I have been there alongside Zach and we have experienced together almost all of the major events in our lives…the highs the lows, the good the bad. The many fun times and the countless hours of work, through the blood and the tears… Yeah, blood I chopped the tip of his finger off… on accident!
We were the always greatest of playmates. And as we got older he was the perfect traveling companion, an extremely hard working business partner… and he was, and is the best of friends.

As with any relationship, it has had rough patches from small brotherly squabbles to huge brawls that required our mother to separate us. But that’s just part of being brothers as far as I’m concerned. I knew I’d never lose him as a friend, because for those of you don’t know Zach very well he is fiercely loyal, strongly committed and deeply dedicated. Zach has an intense focus that I admire when he puts his mind to something he wants.

And Megan you are Zach’s focus now… over the past few years I got to see Zach and Megan grow in love… something I know Zach wanted for a long time and seeing him find and fall in love with his soul-mate makes me a very happy big brother.

Zach and Megan—congrats to you both, remain loyal, committed and dedicated to one another and you will have all of the happiness you could ever hope for. Everyone raise your glass with me as we toast Zach and Megan to love, laughter and happy ever-after.

More of the Ever-Talented Beth [St. Louis Family Photographer]

Sorry for the hiatus from the blog...I've been off for 5 days and am just starting to catch up from a busy July including my brother-in-laws wedding last weekend. More to come from that fun weekend in just a bit.

But until then...more of Beth on a hot July day! Love the light and so glad we were able to create some great shots for her portfolio!



This shot and edit was a bit out of my comfort zone but am very happy with the outcome to display something different in her portfolio.










Ending with one of my favs of the night!

Sneak Peek: Marie's Maternity Shoot [St. Louis Family Photographer]

More to come of this pretty lady! One of my very best friends from childhood and I couldn't be happier for her and her husband Patrick who are due in September with their first!

Introducing Brady [St. Louis Newborn Photographer]

Brady was about as perfect as they come! Ready to sleep and oh-so-adorable, this little guy rocked his shoot! Thanks again to Jill for letting me tag along!

Happy 1st Birthday Caroline! [St. Louis Children's Photographer]

I had a wonderful night with Caroline + crew at her 1st birthday party! Just a few sneak peeks of this pretty girl!





Doesn't get much better than this!

Introducing Sebastian [St. Louis Newborn Photographer]

More from Sebastian's super-cute newborn session. He was such a trooper and slept almost the entire time which made it way too easy.







Is that a smile?!






I think this one is my favorite!