Alex [St. Louis Family Photographer]

You might recall my last senior, Jackie. Well, Alex is Jackie's younger sister and joined us for some evening fun. They turned out great-thanks for hanging with us for a bit Alex!

Love this collage--thanks to Jill for recommending collages as a great way to display images!


I can see this as a canvas.

Introducing Madeline [St. Louis Newborn Photographer]

Sweet Madeline captured my heart. Just a few beautiful images from her session. She was so tolerant and once we got her relaxed...melted like butter!





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Sneak Peek: Igal, Kasie, Aiden and Bella [St. Louis Family Photographer]

A beautiful morning with a beautiful family! I can't wait to share more from our fun in Forest Park. It was just perfect! Thanks Igal, Kasie, Aiden and Bella for making it so easy!





This one melted my heart!

Sneak Peek-Engaged: Maureen + Ben [St. Louis Wedding Photographer]

It's such a wonderful thing to see nice girl find a really nice boy. It's an even better thing when she's a close friend! I'm so happy that these two found one another and can't wait to shoot their wedding in November.

Maureen + Ben-thanks so much for being such great sports and I'm looking forward to the big day just a few short months away!





I think this is my sneak peek favorite!

Capturing Your Legacy [St. Louis Family Photographer]

It's my 200th blog post! And by my standards...probably my most important post yet.

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”--Aaron Siskind

Yep...that's me crying. That's my sister stealing my binki. Yep.


What I do matters to me just as much as it matters to my paying client.

I heard this thought process spoken at a recent seminar and I was blown away. Never have I truly been able to articulate why I do what I do and most importantly, why I turned my life upside down (and my husbands) to pursue photography full-time.

I take my job seriously. At the end of the day...at the end of your time, the pictures that I take will preserve not only what you looked like, but who you truly were as a person. I'm capturing the essence of you and your family at that very moment. And hopefully, for generations to come, there will be stories of not what you looked like, but who you were as a person. There is nothing more important than that.

I've always been enthralled with photographs. I can remember as a child pouring over my family's photo albums in the basement. Laughing and giggling with my siblings at how different my parents had looked and the changes that had taken place. And I still look at those photo albums...I treasure those images of our day-to-do life of how we were. And I can't wait to do that for my children.

Isn't my mom a hottie here? This is how I used to kiss...arms back and all.


You'll never get this moment in time back. So why are you waiting? Take those pictures. Whether it be hiring a professional or using your point and shoot, you're going to want to remember this.

And yes...what I do truly matters. At the end of the day, I'm capturing someones legacy. And that is a very important job my friends. Long after you have forgotton everything, I want you to remember the little things.

My dad still makes me laugh like this...


--Thanks to Bobbi + Mike for giving me the inspiration to finally articulate my job so clearly!

Lena + Family [St. Louis Family Photographer]

I'm so excited to share these wonderful pictures with you. Call it a photography-high, but I'm ever so blessed to have wonderful clients who trust me with capturing the little moments in their life. They let their families be truly who they are in front of me...reading a book, playing with rocks or just chasing the kids around. And those shots are the ones that leave a lasting impression on what life was truly like. Those are the pictures that they will one day return to and say, "I remember when...".

Jennifer, Scott, Ben + Lena--thanks for letting me capture this moment in time for you. Thanks for sharing with me who you truly are as a family!







Every mom should have a picture like this with their baby! Melted my heart and took my breath away!

Senior:Jackie [St. Louis Senior Photographer]

We had a BEAUTIFUL night to capture the first session of Jackie's senior pictures! That's right...we'll be going out again to capture some great light and fall weather soon and I couldn't be more excited to hang out with Jackie again.

More from her first session!









One of my favorites of the evening on "the wall".


Another favorite.


We had one of her sisters with us so we got some great shots of Jackie + Alex.


LOVE!

Danielle + Tim [St. Louis Family Photographer]

I promised to tell you more about Danielle + Tim and how they met. I mentioned that God + college brought them together, but it's probably not what you think. Danielle + Tim met while both working as campus ministers for a small college on the Illinois side. They were both working for different ministries at the time...and I remember talking to Danielle soon after she started the job and she couldn't help but mention Tim without a twinkle in her eye.

From there...it was heaven-sent. Danielle + Tim married the same year my husband and I did. What a great way to celebrate year two with some updated pictures!

Thanks Danielle + Tim for a wonderful evening of friendship.



Might be...could be...my favorite of the night!

I Mean What I Said... [Personal]

Today marks year two! And I can honestly say I'm happier today than I was two years ago.

I feel somewhat short on words (shocking I know), but don't think words are necessary when you have lyrics to speak your mind. All my love and only 60+ more to go Josh! I have no doubt that each year will only be better...and I meant what I said when I said I do.

Introducing Will [St. Louis Newborn Photographer]

This sweet baby boy made us work just a little harder to make sure we got wonderful shots for his mama. And I'd say mission accomplished! Another great session with Jill and beautiful pictures of Will to show for it!

Lena + Family [St. Louis Family Photographer]

You might remember sweet Lena from my contest this past winter. Lena was the cutest little snow angel and won a free session for herself and family based on Facebook votes! So glad we finally got to meet today and had a wonderful morning for a session!

Here's a quick sneak peek. Thanks to Jennifer, Scott, Ben + Lena for all the fun this morning!

Caroline Turns 1! [St. Louis Family Photographer]

This little cutie turned one and I had the honor or being part of the fun! More pictures of sweet Caroline and her friends at her first birthday party! Special thanks to Gordon, Liz, Ellie + Olivia for the wonderful invitation and always making me feel like family when I'm over! This family holds a very special place in my heart!



Who me? Love this expression!


Lots of fun with friends...this is one of my favorite shots of the evening!




Probably the best big sisters around!






This party had it all...sand, water and a bounce house! Not to mention a bar for the grown-ups!


She totally stole my heart...