flash that smile | nick @ eighteen months

Little Kid Photo Tip #819: When you think a shoot has wrapped, give it at least one more minute. Breathe. Breathe again. Maybe start to pack up. But leave the camera on and the lens cap off. Keep that finger on the shutter ... You never know when the best smiles will come.

smile for the camera, baby k

Awwwwwwwww. (Pretty sure no other word can describe it when Baby Kinley sleeps with a smile in Mom's arms.)

britta | class of 2014

Apparently pets are going to be the theme of this year's senior sessions! We tried to capture a group shot of Britta and her three funny, little, furry friends, but, like her dad said, "It's like herding cats." He wasn't kidding. :) But one at a time is just as good in our book!

n.m.s.

Ahhh Baby Nick... We've waited a long time for you to show your cute face. Making your debut this week at a mere 41 (!!) weeks, on 7-23-12, at 8 lbs. 8 oz and 22 inches. You are the sweetest thing, especially rockin' the authentic firefighter duds (a fitting tribute to your Grandpa Turner!)... Nice work Spencer and Susan!

memorial day weekend @ dardenne cemetery

On Saturday, my dad and I stumbled through the weeds and thorns in search of Dardenne Cemetery.
I'm not exactly sure why we went, honestly, except that sometimes it's fun just to get out and explore -- in Utah, South America, or your own backyard... What's most interesting and intriguing about this cemetery is its age and its remote location just west of the lakes in August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area (aka Busch Wildlife). I don't know much about the cemetery, but Kent goes into it a little more on his photo blog.
This is one of my favorites from the adventure... I love how time has aged the ground and grave markers -- how the family headstones lean in toward each other.
I'm posting a few more of my other photos from Saturday on my facebook profile. Y'know. If you're interested.
About the photo: f/2.8, 1/20, 100mm.

on a more positive note...

It's been six short years since the Youngs set up shop in St. Louis and in that time, we've watched their kids grow, watched their family grow, and they've even watched our sweet Khloe grow -- taking care of our mischievous little pup when she was much, much (young)er. But now, we say goodbye, as Sam, Jennie and the gang are packing up to move out West this week. Sunday at church was rather emotional as friends hugged and said their farewells and made plans to help the Youngs get ready to roll. No one likes goodbyes -- so on a more positive note, we were happy when we got the chance to hit their home last night and capture these:


We'll miss you, guys. Enjoy the images, and good luck in your next endeavor!

happy birthday, maddie!

It's been a while since we have gone to a surprise party. That streak ended this weekend with Maddie's 17th birthday celebration, where we got the opp to set up shop for Maddie 'n' friends and go to work behind the camera. Here are just a few of our favorites from Friday night (more on Becca's Facebook):

lakeside beauty

Kids. Outdoors. And a million-dollar smile. So. Sweet.
Enough said.

even the smallest stars shine

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For the third year in a row, we've landed the opportunity to photograph a group of young up-and-coming actors and actresses, directed by our friend and neighbor, Erin Rodabough. This year was particularly cool for us as our niece, Aubrey (top right), hit the stage. We've seen Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Can you guess from these images which play the kids and Erin rocked this spring?...

Los Fish

Unsure whether there is a cuter "School of Fish" in the Northern Hemisphere. (We'll investigate and get back to you.) A quick shout out to our friend and lighting specialist, Marlie Hoyt, for helping make this shoot a success!

it's delivery day

Today is a good day. It's a catch-up day, in that we're finally getting caught up with a lot of open-ended projects that we've got going. Lots of photos. Lots of cleaning. Lots of volunteering. Not that anything is ending, per se. Just a few things done today that weren't done yesterday -- and that's a great feeling. On the photo front, three shoots are wrapped and ready for delivery:

Photo 1: Canon 50mm, window light. Photo 2: Canon 70-200mm, natural outdoors. Photo 3: Canon 70-200, mixed sources (natural in shade and studio).

Relax. It's just life.

"Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about." ~Oscar Wilde

But you don't have to tell that to the Williams kiddos. What a fun-loving fam!
And an extra-special thanks to our good friend, Marlie Hoyt, who shot the beautiful family photo on the right. Love the curve of the hill and the way the sun is just itching to get in the shot!

working for the weekend | family and senior portraits around the STL

Five shoots. One weekend. 15 sneak peeks. (Phew.)




More to come soon Williams, Wilsons, Wilsons, Meiers, and Ashmans!