Stephanie is the younger sister of Lindsay, whose bridal portraits I took on a volcano in New Mexico last summer.  They both have the same beautiful curly blonde hair and are extremely fun to be around.  Stephanie and I spent our shoot laughing about all the (innocent) mischief we got in together when kids, like throwing ice from the balcony of Aquaport and making collages of awkward-looking kids from band camp.  Stephanie and Lindsay shared the same warped humor of my own sister and I, and they remain some our favorite people to hang out with and just be ourselves.

Stephanie and I walked around Creve Couer Lake in all its desolate glory at sunset for her shoot.  The sun slowly descended from the sky into the train tracks on the horizon, and it made for a really beautiful scene.

Stephie (as my mom would call you!), thanks for hanging with me last night and letting me shoot with you!  You and Lindsay need to come to North Carolina for some beach adventures at one of the many lighthouses we talked about.  And remember:  it’s not polite to throw ice!

Enjoy!

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I had heard a lot about David, but it was fun to be able to meet him and shoot with this unique couple.  Even though they have dated for about a year-and-a-half, for the majority of their relationship they have lived in different countries:  Lauren in Korea and David in China (or America).  Lauren recently returned from her time abroad as an English teacher, and she and David now have had to learn how to be a couple in the same city. I loved seeing their deep appreciation for one another’s presence, since it was still a newfound thing and not taken for granted by either of them.

There’s nothing I love more than photographing close friends.  Not only are those images cherished by them, but they become a part of my own personal history, tokens of my meandering journey throughout this life. Lauren and David, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your story and have a random adventure in St. Louis.  La, it was such a joy to catch up with you after all these years. Your depth, honesty, and humor lifted me out of my February blues.    Love you so much!

Enjoy!

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Alex and Harrison got hitched at Alex’s grandmother’s house—a fascinating home filled with all
sorts of artwork, trinkets and treasures.  (Can I borrow it?)  Their
outdoor ceremony was beautiful, sacred, and intimate.  They gave me
ample time to frolic on the campus of Mizzou and photograph them in
magic light, which I always love.
And their getaway vehicle, a convertible Ford Mustang, was sweeeeet!
(This lucky photog actually got a chance to drive it down country roads
the next day).  Oh, and the funfetti cake had to be my favorite food
item—such a smart idea!

What made this wedding special for me was I was truly surrounded by family.  I was sick as a dog the weeks leading up to it (African parasites!  Yay!), but it didn’t matter because my childhood friends took care of me all day. I couldn’t
drive because of my medication, so one of the groomsmen kindly drove me
from St. Louis to Columbia and became my personal escort for the wedding
day.  Emily and her sisters bought me all sorts of food (that they
deemed “my special diet”) for the wedding and days after; the mother of
groom (who used to be a nurse) expertly counseled me on my steps towards
recovery; and guests jokingly called me “the parasite girl,” which was
absolutely hilarious to me, and somewhat endearing.  It’s because of this love that I shot so well!

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