Does this happen to you?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

Sometimes my brain is so full of wonderful creative ideas I want to do ... like that photo technique in which the lighting is so fantabulous (fantastic+fabulous) or that photo-book I promised to compile of a year in my childs life or that closet I was supposed to declutter.

And then, there's all of my wonderful clients I've had the pleasure of shooting the last few months. I have such very good intentions of sharing all the wonderful things I've had the pleasure of doing for them....and then I get overwhelmed. I mean, I'm only one person. I WANT to do it all. I NEED to do it all. But I can't. I'm only one person.

The whole work-family-life balanceing act is tough, ya know?!?!

So every once in a while, I have to step back and re-examine and re-organize. Well, I've done some of that (I took advantage of the down time during the slow winter months of a wedding/portrait photographer.... plus I attended the WPPI convention and that helped me recharge and reconnect) and now I'm ready to jump forward again.

So you're going to be seeing a bunch of stuff coming up here on the blog soon. They will be in no particular order...because I've gotten behind on my blogging and now I just need to catch up.

You'll be glad to know that I'm making it a priority to blog something on a more regular basis (I say that every few months....but I really mean it this time!!!....really).

I'm making myself put this all out there so that I will be more aware and accountable. Thanks for listening. I'm not a very good writer but I'm just saying and putting it down here they way I normally talk...so again thanks for listening. I wish I had a picture to share with you...but I don't at the moment. So thanks for reading down to the the very end of this post (you must really like me to actually read this whole post....that would be the faithful 2 readers I have). OK now I'm rambling.... till next time. :)

Sneak Peak: Kaetlyn + Francesco

Engaged: Shelly + Mark

Shelly + Mark are adorable and they have a most unique sense of humor.

Here's their super-adorable engagement session.

I am so waaaaay behind on my blogging. They were actually married just a couple days ago (on New Years Eve) and so I figured I should get their e-pics up before I put up the wedding pics. Their engagement was very recent though ... just a couple weeks ago.

Shelly and Mark are VERY playful...they were cracking me up with their silliness. See below.

It started out like this though.....



More silliness. Aren't they cute together?

TIP: Choosing a Photographer - Cost

I've been meeting with a lot of brides lately and something that seems to come up during every conversation is about how you go about choosing your photographer.

I just wanted to share my thoughts on the topic. Previously, I've posted additional thoughts on the topic, here.

COST - IT'S ALL RELATIVE

You should spend more money on the things that are most important to you. If photography is important to you, then the extra money you spend to get someone who you think is out of your league could be worth it to you in the long run. Remember, your pictures are about the only things you keep after the wedding. The dress may or may not be kept. The food and drink gets consumed and is gone. The day is over. What are you going to have left to remember it all? Just your pictures.

I read recently in a bridal magazine that the statistics show, on average, photography is the #2 expense in a wedding ... coming in at 15% of the budget. That's right after the reception/food/drink/catering budget which was around 40% of the total budget. I found it interesting that the photography budget was 2x the expense of the dress. So how much did you spend on your dress? Not saying that this is a hard and fast rule or anything, it was just an average.

Something to consider and ponder.

Sneak Peak: Kristin + Phil

Full post to follow soon. -

Engaged: Cory + Drew, City Garden St. Louis

Cory + Drew are getting married!

It was an incrediably nice day in the middle of November for our session....it was a non-typical November day...it was bright and sunshiney. What a treat!

I love the soft, romantic feel to this image.

Great ring, right?!!!


Cory, I LOVE your smile!


This is one of my favorite images.




ANOTHER favorite.






























Here is the link to your slideshow.*

Engaged: Crystal + Dean

Crystal + Dean are getting married in a few months.


Crystal + Dean LOVE the St. Louis Art Museum.

So the idea was to have a few photos there since it had such personal meaning to them....well, evidently, you can't have your engagement session at the St. Louis Art Museum.

*** UPDATE 11/31/09: photos removed per St. Louis Art Museum Rules ****


This has got to be my favorite shot.


Aren't they cute?!?!










A little sunflare! LOVE IT!!!!


They are so perfect for each other!

Crystal + Dean actually met at a speed dating event.The chemistry between them was strong and they fell in LOVE!!!


This is another favorite.





LOVE this tree.


ANOTHER FAVORITE!!!!


A great vintage feel to this shot....I LOVE IT!


Click here for their slideshow.*

Engaged: Sarah + Patrick

Sarah + Patrick are getting married.

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We met on Main Street St. Charles for their session.

I LOVE this time of year. The light is such a beautiful, golden tone.

I love doing the engagement session with couples. This is when I get a chance to get to know the couple better. And the couples get a glimpse of how I will work with them....and they all say how much fun it was....which relieves me to no end cause I definitely want to make it as painless as possible for them. :)

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Doesn't Sarah have GREAT eyes!

This is a favorite!


Darling! Just Darling!!!!



































So many more cute shots, click here for the slideshow. *