Bridge to Triumph III

This week, The Bridge, had their third annual Bridge to Triumph fundraiser at the unique venue of the Moto Museum/Triumph Grille.  The Bridge works to combat chronic homelessness here in St. Louis. As their volunteer staff photographer (sounds fancier than what I feel I do), I got to photograph this event for the third time.

The whole venue is a grand display of motorcycles of all kinds...

 Mayor Slay always pays a visit...

 Great music, but it was fairly loud so I never caught their name.  Great job, guys!

The Bridge at Ozzie's Restaurant

I am the staff photographer for The Bridge, located in downtown St. Louis.  Last night they had a fundraiser at Ozzie's Restaurant on Washington Ave, and I had the privilege of documenting the event and running the "photos with Ozzie Smith" part of the night.  It was a lively fundraiser, even with the rain- a wii homerun tournament, auction, autographs, and dinner. 

I got a photo with Ozzie, too. (look at his charming smile!).

The Bridge at the Moto Museum

As a the staff photographer for The Bridge, I was able to photograph their 2nd Annual FunRaiser at the MotoMuseum earlier this week.  What a great location!  If you've never been to see this collection of motorcycles, you've got to check it out.  I think it's free. Can't beat that!

High profile folks were there... like senators, the mayor, and other local dignitaries like Fredbird! Isn't he so dignified?

Community Update

This summer my family and I have been working to better understand how to make wiser purchases by educating ourselves about fair/just trade, well-made, sustainable, eco-friendly products and producers.  We are aiming to steer clear of purchasing items from companies that aren't benefiting anyone but themselves, and to, in turn, support those who are doing a great job.  It sometimes means more expensive products (but not always, as I've discovered).  It sometimes means less convenient (also, not always).  This is a really hard thing to do- especially if you know me.  I'm super-frugal. I am frugal to the point that sometimes I question my vocation as a photographer, because the essence of my job is to create something that someone merely enjoys, rather than needs.  I am a "needs" person.  Which, I guess makes our attempts a finding great companies a little easier, as I don't really buy anything very often, other than food. A nice mix of super-healthy and super-sweet. ... and about here my thoughts get muddled and incomplete, so I start over.

Through all those muddled thoughts, if you made it, I was basically trying to say that:
A) we want to be a financially responsible family that supports aiding in the elimination of unfair working conditions that lead to endless poverty and bring awareness to wasteful processes in product creation and elimination.

B) we are also a company.  we desire to be a transparent company that can share what we are doing to aid blessings God's people and the earth he made in a biblical way- balancing transparency with humbleness, sharing what we're doing without allowing pride or arrogance to get in the way.

C) and we're trying our best.

Here's what's gone on this summer that is of note to how we're helping out and being recognized for excellence in photography and our community.

1. I was recognized for my efforts in photographing products for Partners for Just Trade, based here in St. Louis.  They are a great company, that spurred some of our efforts on.  Check them out! (I even got a certificate!)

2. I became a member of Professional Photographers of America, and have agreed to follow their code of ethics in the way I conduct my business affairs. I am excited to join this network of photographers!



3. As I mentioned before, I am a needs person. When we moved in March, I broke my kitchen timer. A bride and groom I photographed in April knew nothing of the sort, but their thank you to me was perfect. It was a "purple" lemon kitchen timer! Now I can think of them, and have an extra lemon in my kitchen. I was blessed by their thoughtfulness.

4. Last year, I photographed an event for the Bridge, where I am volunteer staff photographer. I am pleased to help them spread the word for their 2nd annual FunRaiser at the Triumph Grille Check it out!

 5. We know that the earthquake in Haiti has been devastating and the effects are far reaching.  We are committed to using profits from our business to support international and local mission work, spreading the love and gospel of Jesus.  For this reason, we have used some of the profits of the summer to help support Convoy of Hope with Relevant magazine to rebuild 3 schools in Haiti.  Maybe you could do it, too.

6.  My brother and his family are on a break from their mission work in London, and I got to see them! TWICE!  Thank you for your patience if you tried to contact us in the last few weeks, as I was out of the office a lot spending time loving on and supporting their family.  I am so thankful to have spent time hearing their stories and encouraging them as they begin the next school year in England.  Thank you for being a Purple Lemon Photography client, as you are critical to helping financially support their work with YoungLife International!

7.  We'll close with this one, as this post is getting long.  Today is my anniversary!  I've been married four years.  My day is full of getting home from the above-mentioned trip, doing dishes, potty training the little one, catching up on work, mowing the lawn and trying not pass out from heat stroke, finding food in this empty-pantry house, and eventually getting cleaned up (again) to bless my dear husband and go out on the town for a celebratory cupcake.  That's a need, right?

All that said is to say that our lives are busy. But they  aren't too busy to make a difference.  We made vows on our wedding day that align with the "Honorable Order of the Mustard Seed" from way back in the 16th century.  We promised to "Be true to Christ, kind to people, and to spread the gospel to the nations."  So this weekend, as we celebrate our passionate, one-of-a-kind, delighting, gushy, married love story, we'll also work to serve our community, blessing those in St. Louis who need to have kindness shared to them.  We're still debating exactly where that will be, but wherever it is, it'll be well worth it!

Spokes & Sandwiches

May has drawn to a close, as has our set of specials to provide bikes for missionaries in Asia.  We were able to raise money for three bikes!  Thanks for your support!  We'll be making that donation to Gospel for Asia in the near future.  (Got that, honey-who-pays-our-bills?  Don't forget.)

Also, I did some day-to-day shots for The Bridge (often seen here on PLP) and for their Memorial Day lunch and sack-dinner preparations.

It's fun being down there now that people recognize me and know who I am.  There is a general comfortableness that develops, and now me and my camera are commonplace- much less intimidating for people.

It's awesome how many varieties of fresh produce they get.

Get ready... wedding season is coming into full-swing around here.  I'll try to pop in with each wedding, but we'll be busy!  And let me say... we're starting with a lively bunch (of people that I love to munch so much!)

I'm Out Change My World

Several years ago, my mom passed a book down to me that had impacted her when she was my age. It is called, I'm Out to Change my World by Ann Kiemel. Great book. You can borrow it, if you'd like. Just ask, and I'll send it your way.

I was reminded of the title when out shooting for the St. Louis Continuum of Care website yesterday- my little part of helping to end chronic homelessness. This is not the final shot for this particular part of the project, as the weather was "muddy" not as crisp and beautiful as we'd hope for. But I found the location I'd been sent to discover. I count that as a success.

I thought I'd include bits of the process here on my blog until the final pictures are ready to help end homelessness!

Would you like to join me in praying for the end of homelessness in St. Louis?

.prayer.
God, will you do that for St. Louis? Will you end chronic homelessness? I pray that you give wisdom to the 50 not-for-profits in St. Louis working to this end and perseverance to press on to that end. Jesus, bring about compassion in your people to make that happen! Amen.

Scratch and Sniff

I wish these pictures had scratch 'n sniff possibilities! Let me just say this steak smelled amazing...


The Bridge, frequently seen here on my blog, had an event this weekend- a steak dinner for their guests provided by Bonhomme Presbyterian Church! Let me tell you that when the man who was announcing things said to praise God if you got a big FAT steak, cheers erupted! I was told that if I didn't eat this cookie, it'd be a sin. I agree. It was tasty!

Their youth choir sang...

This young lady must be gifted at service, as she never stopped smiling. Even when I put the camera down.

Who doesn't love a good picture of salt and pepper shakers on a rainy day?

This guy called me "Camera Lady"- which I'd say works pretty well. I knew he was talking to me. We had a nice chat about my camera, as he is in the market for one, and the Polaroids pictures he used to take years ago in downtown St. Louis. The pictures I am to take of the guests are to help bring a face of dignity to the people served by The Bridge, and this experience did that for me. It is easy to think that the homeless population doesn't know what's going on in the world or are out of touch. But the group of people I spoke with, including this man, all could tell me more about the news, hooking up my DTV converter box (that hasn't ever been done), and local camera stores than I could share with them. Dignity was found.

Odds & Ends

This past weekend, as I was working with Janele to coordinate the City Lights Church Free Clothing and Food Day, my second shooter did a shoot for me for The Bridge. They were having a VIP luncheon.


Apparently I like pictures of fruit, as seen above from the luncheon and of my pictures for sale at Crave and here.

Speaking of my pictures for sale... there is just one more week left before that gallery will no longer be graced by pictures I took in Europe or of fruit. Be sure to check it out!

One of my cameras is broken! Thank goodness for backups. Anyhow, today I'm off to the post office to let Nikon fix it for me.

(Enough links for you?)

Nostalgia

Today I was back doing some more photo work for Centenary CARES. I had a great time doing staff headshots, building promotional shots, and some pictures of the auditions they held for a new choir they are starting. I was being led around seeing parts of the building that I'd never seen before (like bunks for missions groups, showers, the sanctuary which is GORGEOUS) and lo and behold... they have a basketball court hidden away upstairs in their building. Who would have thought that was there?

It's the perfect kind of court, too... that which you'd think was in a movie or something. It's got exposed brick, old worn wooden floors, huge banks of windows, wooden backboards, loads of balls strewn across the floor and filling the corners. Oh how it made me long to shoot some hoops again.

Centenary CARES Outreach at Triumph Grille

Tonight, I photographed the fundraising event for Centenary CARES at the Triumph Grille. I had the honor of meeting some local celebrities- St. Louis Cardinals players Ryan Franklin & Joe Thurston as well as Mayor Slay and other elected officials. Here are few to give you a taste of this event.








You can also view the entire event's photos in the gallery.

For ordering information, please email nikki@purplelemonphotography.com

Centenary CARES Outreach FunRaiser

An exciting part of my spring is to be the photographer for Centenary CARES, a ministry in St. Louis that aims to help end homelessness. They having an event in April that I can't wait to go to! I thought I'd pass along the invitation to help get the word out.