FireFly Images: April 2007

Mother's Day Contest Reminder

I just wanted to bump up the post for the Mother's Day Contest. I've gotten quite a few stories, but I would love to get even more. So, email them to me at karen@fireflyimagesonline.com before May 9th and you might win a free portrait session. See the detailed post a few posts down from here.

The Real Ones

So, now that I've edited all of Luke & Jenny's engagement pictures, I'll post the real ones instead of just the goofy ones. We had such a good time at this session. Not only were Luke and Jenny gorgeous, but they were comfortable in front of the camera and willing to do anything I suggested. They kept me laughing so hard the entire time. We jumped rocks, rolled down hills, made silly faces, climbed trees, and frolicked (yes, I said frolicked - they didn't even bat an eye when I told them to frolick down the hill. I thought for sure I'd get a "What do you mean by 'frolick'?" But no, they just started frolicking like they were pros at it.) So, here are a few of my favorites. But I really suggest watching the slideshow because there are so many good ones in there.

**HERE'S THE SLIDESHOW**

I Admit - I'm Completely Jealous

I really truly wish that I could have pictures like this of me with my kids. Not only is this family blessed with beauty, inside and out. But they also live in a very cute little area. Combine that with all of the beautiful blue eyes in the family and the result was a great session. Thank you to this entire beautiful family.

**HERE'S THE SLIDESHOW**

Engagement Pictures - in a Casino?

I flew out to Omaha two weeks ago to shoot an engagement session for Andy & Janna. They both love to play poker, so we came up with the idea to incorporate a casino into their session. It was definitely a unique session for all three of us.

Andy hates (and I really mean it) to have his picture taken. I thought the poor guy was reliving some traumatizing portrait session from his youth at first. So, using my well-honed mothering skills, I tried to make him feel comfortable. And when that didn't work, I did what any good mom would do - I bribed him with a big, fat lollipop! There's nothing like positive association to make the little kid come out and play.

Thanks to both of you for a memorable trip. Andy - I hope you were finally able to get your buffet dinner that you were craving:)

**HERE'S THE SLIDESHOW**

Engagement Goofs

So, I just had a great We Will session with Jennifer and Luke. I haven't edited them all yet, but I wanted to share some of the ones that just made me laugh out loud. Jennifer and Luke have a great sense of humor, so I'm sure they won't mind if I post some of the not-so-perfect ones (along with my own quotes:).

Note: This is only meant to be funny - these are not the final images from their session!

"Say yes or I'll drop you!"

"Meet me halfway - my lips won't stretch any further."

"Do you think we could make the cover of the next harlequinn romance novel?"

"Honey, I told you no more wildlife education seminars during our engagement session."
"Okay, but I really think Karen needs to know the difference between the brown-billed duck and the yellow one."

"Okay, you be Dumbo and I'll be a piggy."

"You call that a kiss?"

"Hold on sweetie, I'll dig you a hole."

"I kind of like it when her shirt does that."

"Are we ready for the ice capades yet?"

I'll post the real stuff up tomorrow - but I do think that at least a couple of these will probably end up in their slideshow. Not only are they funny, but they're also very entertaining.

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FireFly Images - Karen Hendrix
St Louis Wedding Photographer

Look into My Big Blue Eyes

Baby Griffin is 9 months old! Well, okay, he's a little older than that (but, as I told his mom, in 20 years you won't remember that it was a little late:).

And here's his older brother Carter - hmmm, do you think blue eyes run in the family?

Win a Free Session!!

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I really wanted to do something special for it. I think Moms are what make this world go round (and of course I'm not biased about this at all:) and I love to hear stories about motherhood. So, in honor of this holiday, I'm asking everybody who reads this blog to email me your best "mom" story. It can be happy, sad, thoughtful, nostalgic - I want to hear them all. Depending on how many responses I get, I might even give away more than one. So forward the link to my website and blog to any family and friends who you think might want a chance at a free session.

The winner(s) will receive a complimentary session along with a $100 credit to use however they wish. It can be given to anyone you want or used for your own family/children/self. Be sure to send your name, email, phone number and physical address along with the story. Winners will be chosen by the wednesday before Mother's Day and notified via email or phone.

And as long as we're talking about moms, I want to post this image of Angela who is about to become a mom for the first time. Thank you, Angela for having such a good attitude during your session. Your are so beautiful in your photos and I wish you and your baby all the best. Can't wait to see you again!

Free Ice Cream!!

Ben & Jerry's is having their annual Free Cone Day - and it just happens to be on Happy Tax Day!! So, go mail your returns and then head on over to B&Js to celebrate. We'll be going to the one in Chesterfield, so maybe we'll see you there:) !! Click on the above image to see where the missouri locations are.

Rainy, Romantic Wedding

I had a great opportunity to shoot with Jenny again. It was very wet and cold yesterday, but we still managed to find some great photos amidst the bad weather. Truth be told, I kind of like it when the weather doesn't "cooperate" because it challenges me to think outside the box and not rely on pretty flowers and sunsets to make the pictures beautiful.

I just couldn't get enough of the kids in the wedding, especially this flower girl.

Stacy and Zia had a very intimate wedding at the Hawken House in Webster Groves. This is a great venue for a <100 guest wedding. Stacy's beautiful dress was made by her sister and matron of honor, Stephanie.

Zia's sister also did something that I hadn't seen yet - she passed out 10 sealed envelopes to each table. During her toast, she gave a humorous and touching summary of Zia's life leading up to meeting Stacy. She asked the tables to open the envelopes one by one during the speech and saw corresponding pictures of Zia. I thought this was a great idea and loved seeing Zia's parents looking at a picture of their son.

Congratulations to Zia and Stephanie!!

Happy Easter

Sorry this is so late, but it's been busy around here. Our kids had a blast last Sunday on Easter. Andrew and I of course put together easter baskets from the Easter Bunny, but then we also hid candy around the house and did an easter egg hunt in our front cul-de-sac that afternoon. The kids were of course completely excited. We put jellybeans from the front door to the dining room table where the baskets were and told the kids that they were Easter Bunny poop!! Emma thought this was especially funny. Clyde didn't miss a beat - he started picking them up and eating them before his eyes were fully awake.

Anyhow, here is the slideshow link if you care to see a day in our crazy lives. Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment - even if you're a lurker:)

**HERE'S THE SLIDESHOW**

~Karen

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FireFly Images - Karen HendrixSt Louis Photographer

Website Update

Pardon our dust.

I am updating my website - so if things look a little wonky, that's why. I'm going to be updating all the galleries and getting everything looking stunning very shortly.

Thanks for your patience.

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FireFly Images - Karen Hendrix
St Louis Photographer

First Wedding of the Season

I shot my first wedding of the season yesterday and it was fabulous. It was raining (hard), so we were in the hotel the entire time and just had to get creative. Luckily, the Renaissance hotel is gorgeous and so was my bride. Sunghei not only looked stunning (the groom wasn't too shabby either) but was also so good-natured and played along with our crazy ideas. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sunghei's gorgeous dress..