Anthony and Carrie's Alice In Wonderland Wedding

Friends of our family, Anthony and Carrie, had a local wedding celebration after some other recent wedding adventures, and allowed us a fun way to usher in the first weeks of fall.  For us, this time of celebration was well-needed.

This particular wedding had been in many ways, up-in-the-air for our family for quite some time as we anticipated our newest son, though adoption, to join our family here in St. Louis.  We had no idea if we would be in the country or if I would be on maternity leave, and had back up plans and back up plans for back up plans.  As weeks drew nearer for us to go to see our son, the weeks also drew nearer to their wedding date, and I did not know if we would be able to make it or not. While gone, we expected our trip to be extended and that our back up plan was headed into action. Then we had to unexpectedly leave our son in foster care for a while. After a harsh emotional week without him home with us, we were able to join in with Carrie and Anthony and enjoy a most beautiful September day.  (To read more of our adoption journey, head over to our other blog www.ghana-love.blogspot.com)

I began to wonder if I'd have to be like the white rabbit in saying, "I'm late! I'm late, for a very important date!"

This wedding was no doubt, one of great visual interest, unique inspiration with an Alice in Wonderland theme, and a lot of fun.  I have been to many interesting weddings, several relaxed and fun, but none complete with costumes, yard games, board games, and a food truck! What a unique way to spend the evening with your family and dear friends.  There is much I could say, but I'll let the photos tell the story of their intimate garden wedding and unique Alice and Wonderland party.

 Many congratulations and smiles as wide as the Cheshire Cat.

Maternity Leave

Thank you for your interest in Purple Lemon Photography!


I am currently out of the office on maternity leave. We are celebrating our new son and transitioning him into our family through adoption. We will be fully closed until October 15th.


Beginning October 15th, we will begin transitioning back into being open. Please see the following list to see when I will be available to assist you.


October 15th: We will resume email, scheduling portrait sessions, wedding consultations, planning sessions, processing orders

October/November 2015: Limited availability for portrait sessions (Saturdays only), wedding consultations, planning sessions, preview sessions (select weekday evenings only)

January 2016: Weddings resume

Summer 2016: Resume normal availability


Thank you for your patience during this time. Grab a glass of lemonade, and I will be sure to get back with you as soon as I am able!


In the meantime, you might see a few photos of our new little guy and a few photos from ongoing projects that are happening while we are closed. Stay tuned!

Baby K and Family

Welcome, Baby K! We are so happy you are here! I'll start with a congratulations to our dear friends who have welcomed this sweet little one to their super-awesome family. 

I'll also take this chance to introduce Casey (the super mom pictured here) to any future 2016 brides who have come along to check us out. Casey is a dear friend who is also an excellent photographer, and she is my second shooter for most weddings in and around St. Louis. As you can see, she's got a thing for kids, so rascally ring-bearers and flower girls are charmed by her! 

Also, for the third time, Casey and I have managed to keep our maternity leave for weddings on time with one another as we add our third sons to our families.  We've been quiet around here for a while this year as we have been preparing for our new son to join us through adoption from Ghana. In the coming weeks, I'll have information regarding when we'll be open again and what you can expect from Purple Lemon Photography in the coming weeks and months!

E turns 2!

One of my favorite things about photographing portraits is when the photographs can hold artistic merit on their own, but hold deeper sentiment to the family for whom I photograph.  I have photographed this family many times over the last handful of years, and when Jen asked me to come out to her parent's home to photograph E for his 2nd birthday, I knew I was in for a treat.  Not only does their log cabin home hold visual character, but I was able to watch E engage in his current home which was the same place where his mom spent her childhood.

 How special to imagine Jen and her siblings looking through the same windows, 

swinging on the same swings,

rocking in the same rocker,

tiny fingers learning how to open the same doors.

I hope these photos are as strong of a gift for their family as they were for me to create.

Red Thread Sessions

I know it has been quiet around here for a while, as we've been winding down for my maternity leave with our son Silas.

A few months ago, I learned about the organization called Red Thread Sessions.  It is an organization that brings together adoptive families with volunteer photographers.  Photographers donate their time and imagery to adoptive families at their birth, homecoming, or in a portrait session soon after the family has come together.

As a photographer myself, I was really interested in the organization, and have recently been accepted as a photographer on their list.  I hope that some day I am asked by a family to photograph for them.

We're in the midst of acquiring our own photographer for Silas' homecoming, and look forward to having photos from that special first meeting with Elisha, Levi, and our parents.

Beth + De'Angelo: Wedding Day

A few months ago, I had one of the best experiences on a session (perhaps) ever. I really enjoyed the thrill of catching the sunrise over a foggy, small lake with Beth and De'Angelo to celebrate their new engagement.

And now, a few short months later, they are married and it is my pleasure to continue to share more amazing photographs of these two dear friends of mine.  Unbeknownst to me when I photographed their woodsy-styled engagement session, that their wedding was also of the same style, complete with pinecones, wood of all kinds, and even amazing wedding invitations that looked like and felt like a piece of tree-bark. Can't beat that.

Even though the wedding had a simple, natural aesthetic, these two have their own classy, Hollywood appeal, so I aimed to mix these two concepts in my shooting. Enjoy!

This next photo makes the "blog cut" only because Beth was so cute. I was taking photos of her eyes while she was getting her makeup done, and she said, "Can I smile? When I see Nikki, I just want to look at you and smile!"

 

 Rings made of wood! How unique!

 I think someone might be excited to be married. :)