Sara and Tim ~ Shoot-a-Thon Trash the Dress Session

Here are some pictures from the first shoot-a-thon that I hosted on June 14, 2009.

I accomplished what I had hoped to with this session. Inviting beginners to come out and get some good pictures for their portfolio. Something I wish there would have been more of when I was FIRST starting out back in the day (2006). Crista Chitwood, from Springfield, IL, who has been in the business for a while brought some of her equipment with her and was very helpful with tips.

Here are just a few of the pictures that I took at the Shoot-a-Thon.
Sara is a co-worker of mine. June 14, 2009 was actually Sara and Tim’s one year anniversary. Sara also brought one of her Bridesmaids with her, Amanda, who also had a ton of fun!

We started at the Arch grounds.

Then took a few at The Landing.

Then moved over to the graffiti wall, which is South of The Arch.

Then we moved over to this abandoned area over by the graffiti wall, which also had a small “field” like area, which was pretty neat.

And then we took a few in front of Busch Stadium.

And we finished in Kiener Plaza.

Sara has some gorgeous eyes!

Dancing in the streets.

Then it was water time.
She’s looking a little nervous about dropping that dress into the water!

There it goes!!!

Oh my gosh. . .what did I just do?

Look at me!!!!!!!!

Time to get the Hubby in there!

Not it’s time to get the BFF in there!

Doesn’t this look like fun?!?!

Then it was time to go home.
Good thing they brought some towels. They were soaked!

This is a great way to spend your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. anniversary! Or you can do it not even on your anniversary, just to have some fun. Sara’s dress just got wet. . .nothing a little dry cleaning couldn’t take care of!!
Contact me if you would want to do something like this!
(I may even invite some other photographers to come along! )

Tracey and Bryan ~ 6/6/09

I second shot this wedding with Sara – one of my favorite local photographers! I always LOVE second shooting with her, because there is always something new I learn, and this wedding didn’t disappoint!

The awesome thing about second shooting is that it is a little less stressful, because you don’t have to worry about getting all the posed pictures, and all the “must haves”. Just pretty much shoot candids as the main photographer is getting stuff that she needs. (In most cases.) This is why you will see a lot of candid pictures from this wedding.

I am not going to post every picture here. . .but you can click here to check out a slideshow with more pictures.
I must note. . .every single one of the pictures that you see here (with the exception of one, which is noted) was taken by ME!!!

I love, LOVED their color choices!!!

This is the first bride I have photographed that wore a bird cage veil. They are so awesome!

Proud Mama

Taking a breather before walking down the aisle.

It was a GOREGOUS day in St. Louis that day!

This picture makes me laugh! This is Sara, getting an awesome picture of the guys with the Arch in the background. Now that is dedication!

My view.

Sara’s view – moments before she just about got trampled on.
(Photo by Sara of SJMacky)

This wedding party had Sara and I ROLLING!! They were so much fun.
There is one thing I have to say about getting a bus like this (or a trolley like we had). . .it makes for some fun and awesome times and especially some fun and awesome photos!!

Having fun in front of the Brewery.

Again, don’t forget to click here for a slideshow with more photos!

Courtney and Justin ~ 5/23/09

On May 23, 2009 I had the opportunity to photograph my cousin’s wedding. What an honor! Let me tell you! =D

I’m just going to post a few here right now, as I’m still finishing up the last of the photos. . .come back later for more!

My cousin ~ Courtney.
Can you say Super Model?!

Actually, I think they both could be Super Models!

I have never had such a fun and outgoing wedding party. They were all about getting pictures taken for hours between the ceremony and reception! Which always makes it an easier task for the photographer!
The guys.

The bridesmaid/man.
(Courtney had one guy on her side.)

HOT stuff!

Their awesome cake was made by none other than Mom (and flowers made by Sis.)

Close-up of Sis’ flowers.

I don’t know any other local cake creator that could make something quite as awesome as this. This is all edible.

The Groom’s cake. He is going to school to be a Doctor and loves the Cardinals. I think this cake represents him real well.

Top view.

And, my favorite picture of their rings (so far).

And I can’t forget about the SPECIAL appearance by Grandma!!
She spent 5 weeks in the hospital just days prior to Courtney’s wedding, and in her words, “Come hell or high water, I WILL be there.” And. . .she was!

Saturday, 5/23

I have a wedding in Alton, IL on 5/23. I don’t have a second shooter, so if you’re available and would like to tag-along, e-mail me. (This would not be a paid job this time.)

The time has come. . .

. . .to announce the “Shoot-a-thon”.
This is open to any photographer who would like to participate (with limited space).

Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009
Place: Not sure yet, we’re still thinking about that one.
It will be somewhere in St. Louis though.
Tentative Plan: Arch, South of the Arch Graffiti Wall and Busch Stadium

What are we shooting?
Trash the Dress Session
Possibly two couples, but definitely one bride and groom who are willing to do ANYTHING we tell them to do (with just a few exceptions).

Space is limited, we don’t want TOO many photographers!

How to sign up?
Just send me an e-mail and I will add you to the list.

Any questions. . .just let me know.

Two Very Different Kinds of Shoots

Saturday I had two different kinds of shoots. It was no ordinary wedding, maternity, child, family, etc. day of photography. It was a day of horseradish and t-shirt photography.

“J. R. Kelly Company is the largest shipper of horseradish roots in the United States and supplies horseradish roots throughout the world.”

I knew the horseradishes were going to be cooperative!

(Please don’t get too bored and leave without seeing the pictures at the bottom, I promise they are cute!)

Then it was time for some t-shirt photography.
These pictures were taken for this website. I think you should visit if you have a little one that you would like a CUTE t-shirt for!
“I Still Live With My Parents”
(Though this one is just about independent enough to live on her own and she is only 5! haha)

“Sweet Hunny Bee”
Look at that smile!!!! It makes my heart melt!

“Lion. . .Rawr”

Such a happy little guy!

“I Make Good Babies”
(Yes, she does. . .I know it for a fact!)

This cracks me up! I <3 it!

We also did a few random shots. I love random!
“Hey guys, where’s MY t-shirt?”

Such a poser!

Drool, drool everywhere!

Adorable!

I had already turned the camera off, and we were all just sitting there chatting. I HAD to turn it back on to get these photos! This little girl was SO dramatic. She wanted to get that darn t-shirt of and put on a DRESS!!!
“I want to go to the park and do pictures in my DRESS!!”

“I want a dress on Mommy!!!”

I LOVE IT!!!!

Next weekend will be a little more ordinary.
I have a wedding to shoot on Saturday. Just so happens to be my cousin’s wedding! I can’t wait!!!!
More to come later!

Jamie and Gib

On April 25th I second shot with Sara from SJMacky. I always LOVE second shooting with her, because she is such a great teacher, and I ALWAYS learn something new when I second shoot with her. This time didn’t disappoint!! I learned a whole lot more about my flash, which makes me happy!

When second shooting, one of the most important things is getting shots of reactions and just everyone having a great time.

Below are just a few of my favorites, but you can see a whole slideshow of photos here.

Also, you will notice two different kinds of logos on these photos. The last one is the one that I will be using permanently now. (The rest were pre-decision.)

This photo makes me giggle.

Putting Grandma and Grandpa close to her heart.
I’m so proud of catching this moment!

Don’t forget to check out the slideshow.

Here it is. . .

The new logo! I LOVE it. Thank you to my awesome friend KELLY who designed it for me!!! She also made it into a watermark for me, which is totally awesome! Kelly – you ROCK!!

Here is the new logo.

And here is the new watermark – which you see it here on a sneak peak photo from my 5/2/09 wedding!

Brandi and Eric Slideshow

Depending on your screen dimensions, there are a few pictures where the tops are cut off, I’m going to have to figure out how fix that! 

Click Here

Chase Turns One!

Last time you “met” Chase, he was still in Mama’s belly!

Chase is one-year-old now!!
I went to his house to photographer his First Birthday party. In a few weeks, we will be going to to the park to have one-year-old pictures taken, so come back later to see those.

Here are a few First Birthday party photos.

Chase’s 1st B-day party theme was rubber duckies. Yellow and light blue. Elizabeth did an amazing job with all the details – which she did all on her own. Such a great job!!! I loved the colors!!!

Chase is a cutie . . .and man is he FAST!!! Always on the go, go, go!

I don’t know why, but there was something about the blue kool-aid and the yellow cups that had me in awe. I guess it was all of Elizabeth’s hard work to make everything match and flow together!

And. . .he’s off!. . .

Clean-up time!

BEAUTIFUL baby blues!