Really, this time! I have a lot of friends with kids and I sooo enjoy being 'Aunt Stephanie' to all of them. Kids are the best and I've gotten good at playing with them and wearing them out for mom and dad. :) Its awesome. but NOW!! I have a real, honest-to-goodness, actually-related-to-me nephew! My big brother, Jeremy, and his wife welcomed little Brad Michael into the world on Monday, October 26th (which is Jeremy's birthday too! What a gift!). We're so happy to have him here, especially my mom. Brad is her first grandbaby so she is just over the moon to finally meet him. I'm pretty excited too, in case you didn't notice. :)  I got to go over to their house to meet our newest addition this weekend and get some first baby pics. We didn't really have time for a full session but I managed to squeeze in a few, of course. Welcome to the world, Brad, and you better get used to Aunt Stephanie having the big black box clicking in your face for years to come.

I love fall weddings. Its really the best time in St. Louis to get married and I have to say that even with the questionable weather we've had lately, the colors and brightness of the season really make up for it. Candice and Ryan got married at Cedar Lake Farm, which is also fabulous in the fall, and although it got a smidge chilly at the end of the night, the day couldn't have been warmer with love and happyness. Yes. Happy-ness. Candice was just glowing and Ryan was just ready to see his bride! Perfect.

Uh, and be sure to check out Ryan's stellar MJ impression at the reception. Nailed it!



Thanks to my second Kate for 'chillin' with me!

Oh, they were ready for this. Jenny and Greg came to their engagment session full on READY to make the magic happen. And happen it did, my friends, because when my clients are this flippin' fun to be around, you can't help but be mystified. We had an awesome time lurking around the Arch grounds and in the many alleyways of the Landing seeking out great light, a textured element or just somewhere to snuggle. Get it! ♥

Ok I know I promised more on the couple that modeled for us at the Jessica Claire Workshop some time ago so I'm sticking to my promise and ready to deliver! Gena and Jeff were the loveliest models a girl could ask for. Although they've been married for 4 years already (!) they were just as sweet and cuddly as if it were their own wedding day. We got a chance to get some time with the Gena and Jeff to do portraits around the BEAUTIFUL wedding scene you saw earlier, and this is what came out.

I really had the best time, learned so much and got some fantastic new ideas and motivation and inspiration for my own work. Its making me think about the way I do most things in my business and how I can improve and put out nothing but the best for my clients. Because ya'll are my favorite. :)  Enjoy.

I love The Garden. Its one of my favorite places to shoot. Cindy and Kris had a small ceremony in the Boxwood Garden there for their wedding and it was a perfect day. Small ceremonies also allot more time for portraits! Score! I think we covered the whole place while we were there. And then got a few minutes outside the 9th Street Abbey before the reception. Excellent orange wall. Loves it. :)


And thanks to Chad for shooting with me!