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.

H Family

I must really love what I do.  Yesterday, it was HOT!  I had a family session scheduled, and we were all melting in the heat, but I was still having a great time and couldn't wait to get home to edit them.  I was pretty pleased with the results, especially considering that it included sweat, a precious baby, a dog, and my toddler at naptime- it's amazing what one can do in 1/2 hour when you set your mind to it...or when you love your job!

Here are a couple favorites.

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!

Lessons Learned

About a month ago, I was at a conference put on by the network of which our church is a part. (We go to City Lights Church- check us out).  We get together once a year for about 3 days for teaching, worship, and loads of fun.  During the first session, several things stood out to me during the teaching and the prayer I received.  The reason I am blogging about this particular session is that is relates to myself as a photographer.  I wanted to wait until I finished my big wedding push to get all my thoughts down to really solidify it all.

The session's overarching theme is that God knows us completely and still loves us. Isn't that encouraging? He knows when our motives are less than pure, and he loves us. He knows when we mess up and lose patience with our spouses and children and parents and still loves us. He knows us when we lack integrity and still he loves us more than we can ever imagine. His grace extends to us in our darkest moments and even in the not-so-bad-yet-not-perfect moments, too. Psalm 139 describes how not only does he love and know us fully, but he made us, too. And he thinks we're wonderful! Here's a section.



^1-6 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.

I'm an open book to you;

even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.

You know when I leave and when I get back;

I'm never out of your sight.

You know everything I'm going to say

before I start the first sentence.

I look behind me and you're there,

then up ahead and you're there, too—

your reassuring presence, coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful—

I can't take it all in!



^13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

you formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day.

(Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-16, MSG)



I don't know if you ever struggle with insecurity, but I know that I do. My husband does. My friends do. I'm so thankful that the God of the entire universe thinks I'm great and wants to spend time with me. Doesn't that kick some insecurity in the pants?

At that session God worked in me to turn from the attitudes and behaviors that belittle the person that God made me to be in order to honor him, strengthen my marriage, and lift up my friendships. It's a lie for me to believe that I am not beautiful. I used to love being on the other side of the camera when I was little- always posing and hamming it up. I hadn't learned to dislike myself. So for my 25th birthday a few weeks ago, friend and fellow photographer, Casey, took some headshots for me. Her skills + my new attitude = something I'm more than happy to share!

So what does all of this have to do with photography?



Everything. How people look is a critical aspect of my occupation. Couple that with a client's personal insecurity and the result is easily a mess. But somehow- it's not.



I wrote this at the conference in the super-hip moleskine journals they gave us.


"I don't make people photogenic; they already are. God made them wonderful. I simply show it. I give him glory by showing his creation (the things that are already beautiful). He does not make ugly people. I have been challenged in my pattern of thinking to see clients as creations, wonderful reflections of God, created lovingly in his image."

I am not big on retouching. I don't airbrush. I use natural light to highlight and flatter what's best. I do not nit-pick at every loose strand of hair or encourage heavy make-up. I try to show who someone is more than what they simply look like. And more often than not- an image of someone beautiful emerges. There is personality and life. I'll praise God for that.

A few other highlights from the conference:



The young woman in the wheelchair is a friend of mine, and she hasn't had feeling in her lower back and legs for 5 years. As we prayed for her a number of times, she was able to feel tingling and pressure returning to her legs. I have faith that one day I'll get to see her walk again!

We stayed at a cabin, ironically named the Devil's Kitchen, with most of these folks and ate this dinner. I am the one on the couch in black with the seemingly tiny head. I made that rockin' watermelon basket in about 10 minutes while the steak was cooking. :)

Amy & David's Wedding

After photographing Amy & David's engagement session, I was looking forward to photographing this photogenic, sweet couple on their wedding day.  As was the case for many of my weddings this year, I was enjoyed knowing that they are solidly in God's hands and surrounded by good friends and family who lifted them up in a lot of prayer. David reminds me a lot of my brother, and it was encouraging to see his friends, who spent several years studying the Bible together, standing up in support of his marriage to Amy.  I was able to remember that when my brother seems so far away serving high school students in Britain, it's the faithfulness of the friends like David's that help him stay focused on the goal.

Beyond just the personal connection I felt to them, I fully enjoyed the wedding day.  It was so jam-packed full of fun photo highlights, I barely know where to begin.  I am not sure why exactly, but they just look great in black and white! 

I took a photograph inside the entry of the University City City Hall back when I lived there and frequented city hall to pay parking fines (see the picture of the sign about half way down this post), and quickly realized that I HAD to shoot a Friday wedding here. Hot day? Perfect indoor location with perfect natural light.

 

Also, when I updated some of my editing software (Yay, Lightroom 3!), I found a new editing style that rocked my world.  So Amy and David get the pleasure of enjoying this interesting color tone that I just fell in love with.

This is a truly candid moment that my second shooter caught. Great shot, Chase!

I know I've had a lot of people (including my mom- Hi Mom!!) that are anxiously awaiting some from this next set.  Back when we were planning, Amy was explaining that although they wanted some classic yet modern pictures, she wanted to do something exciting with her wedding party.  Having a wedding on Fourth of July weekend allowed for some unique wedding party adventures!  I did a little behind the scenes work and got them access to the Webster Groves 4th of July Carnival before it opened on Friday so they could ride the ferris wheel and kiss by the Sugar Shack! Couldn't have asked for anything better (unless it was about 20 degrees cooler).

Notice the pink 2.  They got married on the 2nd with pink as their color.  Happy accident.

 

Some veil action...

I love to show emotion and special moments during ceremonies.  I love how Amy doubled over laughing during the ring ceremony. Makes me smile.

The reception was at the beautiful Andre's West Banquet Facility in Fenton.  Their cake was so beautiful, I took countless pictures (as did Chase).

Jenna & Nick's Wedding

When I photographed Jenna & Nick's engagement pictures and had their wedding planning session, I was quickly able to see what part of their personality I was going to capture on their wedding day.  Some couples are full of tender, passionate moments, others are passionate about music, and others strive to capture a sense of artistry.  Though Nick is easily wearied by the camera (though I never saw a hint of it, to be honest), Jenna is high engery and loves to pose!  They had a lively bunch of friends in their rainbow-colored wedding party that perfectly echoed their energetic spirit! I had a few quiet moments early on with each of them, but that quickly led to excitement and often sheer silliness!

Gettin' down with grandpa...

And that last picture really shows Jenna!  She was just dancing her way around the dance floor all night long- her energy unmatched by any bride I've ever seen.

Congratulations, Jenna & Nick!