Urban Engagement Session

Larissa & Mike wanted to do something different than most engagement sessions. So, we agreed to meet downtown to explore some of the textures and colors that St Louis has to offer. The session was great - we found lots of unusual backgrounds to use and I really enjoyed getting to know Larissa and Mike better. I am so excited for their wedding next October - thanks to both of you for trusting my judgement and not being afraid to step out of the box!

Much Needed Help for a Little Baby

I wanted to post the below message up for all of the readers of this blog to know about. Kristin, Andrew's mom contacted me a few weeks ago regarding portraits for her baby boy who is suffering from a rare blood disorder. They are having a bone marrow drive to test for potential donors. If you can, please consider be tested. I can't imagine having a little baby who is potentially fighting for his life. I pray that Andrew finds a matching donor as soon as possible.

Now, after you read this, go hug your kids and tell them how much you love them even if they did put a piece of peanut butter toast in your dvd player this morning.

"Sixteen-week-old baby needs Bone marrow Transplant

[St. Louis, MO.] A St. Louis area family is looking for a blessing. Sixteen-week-old Andrew Akin has been diagnosed with a rare disorder of the immune system affecting young infants known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis also known as HLH. HLH affects one out of every million newborn children. The good news is that the cure for the disease is a bone marrow transplant.

A bone marrow drive is being hosted on Saturday September 29, 2007 from 9AM-2Pm by All Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep located at 11503 St. Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton, Mo. Andrew's father Justin is the General Manager at All Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep. Justin is hopeful about finding a match for Andrew or for the many other patients who are currently searching to find a life saving match. No appointment is necessary. Please visit allstarsuperstore.com or call 314-ALL-STAR for directions.

Donors will be given information about the donation process and will be expected to fill out a form. A simple swab of the cheek is all that is needed for testing."

Happy Birthday Nolan!

Wow, has it been a year since this? Nolan is now 1 year old today - I can't believe how this year has gone by. Last night at just past midnight, Nolan woke up screaming because he had gas (unfortunately a very common occurrence). After Andrew and I got done asking for the zillionith time why this happens to him, I looked at the clock and said, "Hey, at this time last year, we were frantically driving to the hospital, calling 911 because my water broke and I didn't think we were going to make it on time and wondering exactly what happens when you have a baby on the side of the road." I'll take the gas-induced fussiness over THAT anyday.

When Emma turned one, the whole week was about her birthday. I planned her small family party a few weeks ahead of time, I baked her cake, I spoiled her all day. Clyde's 1st birthday was a little harder since I had two kids, but I still planned a Chuck E. Cheese event with all the grandparents, baked a cake, bought gifts well ahead of time, etc.

And then hit life with 3 kids and my own business....

After a month of sickness, we started planning his birthday last week (not too bad, but the only reason anything got done was because Andrew stepped up and ordered his cake to get the ball rolling). We got his presents yesterday, I stayed up until 5am this morning working on editing weddings since I've fallen so far behind from being sick, woke up at 7:30, I started singing happy birthday to him this morning but was interrupted by a tantrum by Clyde because he didn't like me singing (I know I'm not Celine Dion, but I didn't think I was that bad), we frantically got the kids in the car so that Andrew could drop me off at the coffee shop so that I could get more work done while he went to buy balloons and decorations, then we're going to pick up Emma, go to a preschool class playdate at the park for her, go pick up the boys, get the cake, and then go home to clean the house, cook Nolan's birthday dinner for 6 kids, and wrap any presents that weren't wrapped at the store. After the party, I get to take care of my kids who will then be so tired that they need to go to bed immediately but can't/won't because they're so sugar-hyped that they're incapable of anything resembling acceptable behavior. Yeah, it's a little different when you have 3 than when you only have 1 child.

So, here's to your first year Nolan - may you have many more happy years that involve more sleeping at night:) And here's to me, who is no longer a mother of any infants, can reclaim what's left of my body after creating three little beings, and will hopefully get more sleep tonight than I did last night. Good thing God made kids cute and sweet - it makes it all worth it.

Happy Birthday Nolan!

Young Love

You know that feeling you had when you and your significant other were first married - the fresh, invigorating, fun feeling that only happens when you first fall in love with someone you are truly meant to be with? Jenny & Luke are all about that feeling. I felt it at their engagement session. I called my husband right after their session and said, "I miss that." And I hardly ever get envious of other people's relationship because I feel so blessed in my own. Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't trade my relationship with Andrew as it is now for anything. Being married a few years and having children bonds two people like few other events will. Marriage, like most other things in life, transforms over time. And I'm sure that decades from now, I'll look back on my time with Andrew now (as parents of small children) and become nostalgic of this feeling as well. It seems so ordinary at times now, but when I step back, I see that while its ordinary, it's my own little piece of something special in life. Each stage in life is special in it's own right and exclusionary - you only go through that stage one time. Isn't it nice that we get to experience them with our loved ones? Wow, don't I sound like an old lady??

Jenny & Luke exuded that same feeling at their wedding. They seriously just light up when they see each other. And they become excited and goofy and starry-eyed just looking at each other. They are just so into each other and so comfortable around each other that it makes you want to grab your own siggy and go frolicking through a field just for the heck of it. I truly enjoyed being at their wedding and getting to know them even more. Here are a few of their images as well as the link to their slideshow. Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Peterson - you are a lovely and entertaining couple.

Jenny's beautiful wedding present from Luke (the bracelet, not the shoes:)

The dress
Beautiful Jennifer

Luke looking very dashing

The kiss of the century
My favorite picture of the two of them
My second favorite

Did I mention that they're shy introverts who hate posing for the camera?

I always think it's funny that on your wedding day, everybody loves seeing couples kiss. And then after that, it's somehow not as entertaining. Why is that? Oh well, at least you get one day.

And ***HERE'S THE SLIDESHOW***

St Louis Closet Company

I was contacted by St Louis Closet Company to cover the grand opening of their new location. The president, Jennifer Williams, is the sister of one of my past brides and loved what I did for her sister's wedding. So, I went to photograph the corporate event, which was really fun with barbeque, clowns, music and even a racecar courtesy of Danny Miller (Jennifer and Sarah's dad). It was a lot of fun. But I was especially impressed with the exterior and interior of their new location - it is FABulous! If you are ever in Maplewood, you should stop in and see it. I almost guarantee you won't want to leave and will wish that your own house was decorated just like it.





Jennifer (and the rest of the family) is also very passionate about wine. So, attached to her new digs for the closet company, she is opening St Louis Cellars - a new line of wines that she will be selling right there. This is the picture of the wine room. When the wine cabinets come in, the walls will be lined with bottles and bottles of wonderful wine with the St Louis Cellars own label. I can't wait to see it with the cabinets in because it's already just beautiful.

Family Comes First

So, I know I haven't been around lately here on my blog. The summer decided to end with a bang by getting my entire family very sick. We are usually very healthy, but this time it hit us hard. I developed severe pneumonia after my daughter had it and then proceeded to give it to my two boys and husband. We have been in and out of doctor's offices, urgent care, and even the ER one time. I've informed most of my clients that have images that still need editing or products that need to be delivered, but just wanted to post up a message so that everyone would know exactly what was going on. I think we're all on the mend now and should be recovered nicely by the beginning of next week. In the meantime, I am backed up with work and will be working as hard as I can to get caught up.

It's easy to say that "family comes first" when things are going well. But there have been times in the past month (yes, that's how long this has been going on) that I've been worried about taking care of my clients and it took a harsh reminder from my husband as well as my doctor to remind me that my health and taking care of my family really do need to come first. Luckily, I have the most wonderful clients in the world who have been very understanding throughout this entire summer. I can't imagine what I would have done without your support - thank you!!