Dancing in the Streets

St. Louis has an event called Dancing in the Streets, and it's probably coming up.  And this dancer is often a dancer in that.  But this isn't that. This is real dancing in the streets. And in my makeshift studio. Which, I have to say, worked out pretty well indeed!

Jergens commercial? We think so...

Some other commercial?

Super-hero Janele. Watch out! The bad guys are coming!

What is a Ruana?

Though photographically simple, I did a very exciting shoot a week or two ago.  Partners for Just Trade had me photograph a few products for them again, but this time, it's going big time!  They are expanding their sales to overstock.com's fair trade section called Worldstock. So that means by the end of this week, I'll have pictures on a major website--even if just a few small products.  It makes me a little bit giddy!

I have a big thanks to give to a client and new friend who was willing to model for me. She did a great job! Thanks, A!

Getting back to my title... This, you see, is a ruana.  It's a shaped shawl, great for the upcoming winter and fall seasons.  Just imagine yourself walking through Forest Park with your kids (maybe having a family portrait session), wrapped up to keep out the crisp fall chill in the air.  Or you are out picking apples wearing your ruana.  Or perhaps you are curled up by the fireplace, wrapped up in this super-soft ruana. 

I'm pretty terrible at sales, but looks like I could sell a ruana any day- even in the heat of summer!

Oasis International

If you recall, I just had an anniversary and wanted to celebrate it serving the community.  If you don't recall, I posted about it here.

At the time, we didn't know exactly where we'd serve as a couple, and to be honest, we didn't end up getting to do it the day we planned. But a week later, some connections had been solidified and we were able to serve with Oasis International. This ministry really strikes a chord with a number of the passions God has placed in our family from the moments our family became even a possibility-- way back in high school. They serve refugees that live in St. Louis. We got to help them by taking pictures, setting up for an event, and then spending time with some people who are in a new country, with very little, especially in the way of friends. I have plans to return and do some more work with them, and I very much look forward to it!

We met a large number of Iraqis who have been here only a matter of weeks.  There were some Bosnians, and a handful from other small Asian countries.

For the privacy of the people there, I am choosing to just post one picture from the event.  There was a family from Iraq who had just moved to St. Louis and two of the young women were about to start their senior year of high school.  They all just doted on Eli, styling his overly sweaty thick head of hair.  We giggled and laughed as he just sat there patiently being the key to open up some otherwise difficult conversation.  It's a blessing that children help us to communicate when we have very little means to express ourselves in a common language.

Aubrey

How would I describe Aubrey? Confident. Lively. Beautiful. Compelling.

If what this young lady says is true, and that she's never been photogenic, something changed yesterday.  She was so entirely photogenic, it was way too hard to pick favorites for the blog because I loved way too many!

This one keeps making me feel like she's about to go win Wimbledon. Not sure why exactly, but it does. 

I am so glad I found this little spot!

Aubrey wants to be a lawyer, and let me tell you... I wouldn't want to cross this young lady in a courtroom any day!  She's holding some power right there.

I had fun with that editing style with her- she really rocked it! Here's another couple:

This last location has special meaning for Aubrey- not only did she help design this area of Forest Park with her classmates, but she loves willow trees and Gerber daisies, so we filled this spot with favorites!

Rachel

High school seniors are all so unique.  It's a special time in our lives when we can be involved in a variety of things and our personalities and interests are developing.  One of the things I love about my job is learning about the people I photograph and making their pictures reflect them.

Rachel is a young woman with a variety of interests, and we tried to photograph as much of it as we could.  Some locations with personal meaning for her and her family, some favorite items like her fan collection and umbrellas, and her flag from color guard. 

I hope that not only does she enjoy the personal touches in her photographs, but that she sees how beautiful she is in each one!

Mike & Whitney's Wedding

A few weeks ago, on Friday, July 30th, to be exact, I looked at the weather report, pleased to see that though hot, there would be some big puffy white clouds rolling through the sky right about picture time.  It was Mike and Whitney's wedding day!  But rather than a scattered shower in the morning, a thick gray sky decided to settle in over New Town, St. Charles, bringing a steady rain with it.  Now, I knew that I liked Whitney & Mike all along, but I never heard even a sigh of complaint about the weather and our change in plans.  Their focus stayed clear- they were marrying the person that God had planned for them to marry, and they are passionately in love with each other.  No rain on that parade. Mike could not physically wipe the smile from his face.  I tried. Just for one serious, contemplative picture. It failed.

Thankful for their grace and flexibility, we ended up having a creative wedding session without leaving the building's grounds and their pictures, I must say, are beautiful!

The moment they first saw each other was almost thrilling for me.  Every time I shoot this moment before a ceremony, my heart races and it's a tender moment, witnessing the exact expression a groom has on his face when he sees his loving bride approaching.  Though no different in that matter, it was no drawn out event- Mike saw Whitney and could not contain himself.  Broad smile and all, he raced towards his love, arms outstretched! How wonderful for Whitney to be pursued with such passion!

The kids in the wedding were both dapper and lively, definitely worth a little preview.

This kiss must have lasted longer than I realized, as I had about 10 exposures worth.

The reception was a feast for my Purple Lemon eyes!

(aren't moments like this ones that make you want to tell a story?)

And this last picture is for Whitney's mom. She loves babies.