Tara and Brett

[Click above to register for updates on this event.]

Sometimes I forget how many cool little nooks and cranies there are just out side my studio. I try not to shoot there to much because the last thing i want is for everyones photos to all look the same. But every once and a while I like to get out a do a quick once around the square. Thats just what i did with Tara and Bret. They were a sweet couple and they caught on quick. They were very affectionate and you could tell that they cracked each other up. The entire shoot went off smoothly except when we were almost ran over by a police ocar doing about 85mph (he must have had somewhere important to go). We started outside the Jazz Cafe (my favorite lunch spot and swung behind Foxes Pizza, where we have dinner every Monday night (single topping large only $6.99). Last stop was around the back alley next to City Hall. All in all pretty good stuff if I do say so myself. Dont believe me? Check some out for yourself. The rest will be up soon. Just register above and we will let you know.

Jessica and Joel

[Click the title link above to register for updates on this event]
Now I have seen too many bad wedding photos to know that beautiful people + beautiful location + beautiful flowers + beautiful dress does not always equal beautiful wedding photos. Sometimes budget constraints happen or bad photographers happen (not me of course!) or worse yet, friends that are amateur photographers happen. But if you "soon to be brides" want to see how it should really all come together - look no further that Jessica and Joel's wedding. Now as a rule I would normally not suggest that you let your mom coordinate your wedding for you, that being said Jes' mom Angie coordinated everything and she handled the it all like a champ. Everything was beautiful and well planned (and surprisingly laid back). The wedding took place at the Drury Stone Chapel, and the reception was at Wellington place. (Great Venue!) Everything was simple and elegant, and those little cream cheese things were awesome. I also did a Big Smile first. After the formal festivities were over I put together a slide show of some of the best images from the day. It was a hit! I think I definitely earned some brownie points with mom and grandma. It's an awesome twist on the traditional reception picture slide show. Brides to be if your interested in having this at your reception let me know. and if you want some more tips on how to make your wedding work like Jes and Joel's just let me know.

WE"RE # 1

I didnt say it. The WPJA did. I am currently the top listed photogrrapher in missouri on WPJA.com. This means a lot coming from an organization that more than a year ago wouldn't even give me the time of day (its hard to get in). The Wedding Photojounalist Association holds contests for its member a handful of times a year. I was awarded 4 top 10 images in the latest contest, more than any other photographer from Missouri. This includes 5th place for top engagment photo. I am excited enough just to be a part of this organization. Thanks to all of the brides and groom involved in the photos that were awarded. thanks for being yourselves and having a good time and being so easy to photograph.

Jer

Lacy and Dustin (click here to register for updates for this event)

Their wedding is still a few months away but I got chance to hang out with Lacy and Dustin this weekend and shoot some engagement photos. We did the shoot in Old Downtown St. Charles and man was it windy, but their personalities really made the photos. It had been a while since I had been to St. Charles and it was beautiful. The Downtown has a lot of cool little spots, neat shops and great color. I even got a chance to have lunch with the couple at the Trailhead Brewery (a local favorite). They are the coolest people both with great hearts. Definetly a Big Smile couple. Originaly from Marshfield, (one of my old highschool sports rivals) Lacy is still in school finshing up her degree and Dustin works with autistic kids. He had alot of great stories and you can tell he really loves the kids he works with. Here are some of my favorites. They are one of those couples that are made for each other. You can tell they really are in love.