Engaged: Arielle + Bob ~ Main Street St. Charles

Simple engagement photos of a seriously cute couple.

Arielle and Bob are having a destination wedding.... here in St. Louis ... this summer.

They were in town briefly and since we had never met before, I thought it would be a great opportunity to take some engagement photos for them so we could get to know each other a bit before the "big day".

An engagement session accomplishes two purposes....one of them being for the couple to get to know me as their photographer and the other is for them to have some really cute pictures.

I think it is really, really important to have an engagement session with their wedding photographer because:
1) They get to see what it's going to be like to have me around them ALL DAY LONG on their wedding day.
2) They will also get a taste of the kinds of things I will ask them to do .... it's like a rehearsal or a trial run of the wedding day photos.
3) I get to see what kind of people they are like in front of the camera. Are they more reserved and shy or outgoing and crazy/fun. Either way is totally fine by me, but if I know this in advance, I think I feel more prepared for the day of their wedding. I'm also better able to help them be more relaxed if I know how they are in front of my camera.

In fact, I feel so strongly about engagment photos that I include a complimentary e-session in EVERY one of my wedding packages.

Love the wind in the hair!!!





I think this might be my favorite shot of the day.






I love giving people something to do. I think it makes them feel less awkward.


I love this shot because it really emphasizes a woman's beautiful eyelashes.


I love pictures of people laughing a smiling....I think it makes you want to smile too.


I think this must be my favorite of Arielle. Beautiful eyes and a very mysterious smile ....reminiscent of Mona Lisa.


I don't know why, but the light that bounces around in an alley is always so beautiful.
I think that most clients first reaction is that an alley is a really odd place to want to take pictures. But really, the light is so flattering so we do it anyway.





Seriously loooooonnnnngggg legs.
I'm so jealous (..uhg, I'm somewhat vertically challenged).






Arielle and Bob, can't wait for your August wedding!!!!

*

Engaged: Jessica + Chris, Main Street St. Charles

Jessica + Chris were so natural in front of the camera. They were sooooo easy to work with.

They chose Main Street St. Charles as the place to do their session. They hang out here a lot, have favorite places to go, and live in the neighborhood. I couldn't think of a better choice for their session.

This shot below is one of my favorites. The light was AHHHHMAZING!!!!! And when it comes to photography, quality of light comes first...background and everything else is secondary. That's why when I'm doing a photoshoot with a couple, we don't have a specific location per se that we will take pictures at. I like to leave it organic....fluid....flexible. Ideally, we just walk around an area until we find some good light and that's the spot we start taking pictures.




LOVE LOVE LOVE this shot.



This set below might be too racy for a few dads with little girls...sorry Jessica's Dad. We did do some of the more traditional pictures too. Just having some fun here.





Jessica + Chris particular like this place....Riverside Sweets.
I hear the ice cream is super delicious!





They're sooo cute, aren't they?




Another favorite.








I love getting some motion and action in the images.
I think its important to include a few like this one below.


A little bit more serious.


And we got to include another important member of their family, Bear. He was very photogenic...very responsive to his name being called. Look how alert he looks.



Click here for their slideshow.


Can't wait for your wedding next year. *

Engaged: Lindsay + Chris, Main Street St. Charles

Lindsay and Chris met me down on Main Street St. Charles for their engagement session.

I can not tell you how much I laughed the whole time. Like, bent-over-holding-my-stomach -cause-it-hurt-so-much-from-laughing kind of laughter. I know we are going to have so much fun at their wedding in a few months. I'm sooo looking forward to it.

Here's a few favorites from the session.

We laughed like this most of the time.















Click here for the slideshow. *

Sneak Peak

Just a sneak peak. As always, more pics to come.