Cecily & Adella's 1st Birthday // St. Charles Family Photography

So, I was just thinking about these two adorable little ladies & realized that I never posted their First Birthday Session!!  Gasp!  haha  So, since they are so stinking adorable & since I've already posted their Newborn & 7 month sessions - I just had to show the conclusion to their wonderful First Year Package.  
It was so much fun getting to watch these two littles grow & change in their first year of life!  I'm sure they'll have their crazy sister moments throughout the years, but I think they will most definitely be best friends through it all - you can already tell what a sweet bond they have with each other.  I hope I'm able to see more of them through the years & capture them throughout their journey of sisterhood.
xo

Are they putting a smile on your face yet?  How could they not?!

I was pretty sad that their first year sessions were over too! haha

Michelle + Craig // Bear Creek Golf Club, Wentzville Wedding Photography

& now it's time to share Michelle & Craig's bright, cheerful, intimate, summer wedding!  YAY!
(just in case you want to take a peek at their sweet autumn engagement session you can see it HERE)  

I just love how simple & beautiful all of their details were - they fit their personalities perfectly!  These two love taking hikes together & being outside - thus the beautiful wild flowers, photos in a big field, outdoor ceremony,  & all around relaxed vibe of their day.  & it also explains why they promptly packed up after their honeymoon & moved to Colorado.  haha  I enjoyed every minute of this sweet wedding - I hope you enjoy the images we were able to capture too!

Craig, in all of his many talents, made this ring box!  SO special!

I love doing first looks with my couples - I mean look at these reactions!  It's so special because it's just the two of them (as well as me & my assistant tucked away from them a bit) in a quiet spot where they can see each other for the first time on their wedding day & spend a few minutes loving on each other & sharing in the excitement of their day.  When my assistant & I were driving Michelle to the park to meet up with Craig  she could hardly contain her excitement - she said their first look is the thing she has been looking forward to the most!  I'm so glad it was so exciting for them & that they were able to get some quiet time together before the craziness of being around people all day & moving from one thing to the next.  

That's one way to get into the field.  ;)

It's always great when I can have lots of time alone with the bride & groom before/after the wedding party photos - it seems to be a little more relaxing without the peanut gallery commenting on everything we're doing...even though that can be pretty entertaining too though.  haha

How about the amazing color of these bridesmaids dresses?! POW!  

A little storm kinda blew in on us just as we were finishing up photos at Quail Ridge Park - so they may have gotten a little wet in the field for this photo & then running to the cars.  But they were all good sports & were totally dry by the time we reached Bear Creek Golf Club for their Ceremony...

...the sky looked so awesome after that storm too!  

They seem like a milk & cookies kinda couple, right?  
& boy were those some good cookies too!

They have a fun family tradition at the Lake of the Ozarks every 4th of July - it's a big parade & each family has a theme they always use - so, since Craig & Michelle always do a patriotic theme everyone put on a surprise patriotic parade at their reception just for them - it was a pretty fun bonus!

Thanks again for inviting me (& Betsy) to be a part of your beautiful celebration Craig & Michelle!  I hope you two are doing wonderful & loving the beautiful fresh air in Colorado!  :)

Andrew + Stephanie // Immaculate Conception Dardenne // St. Charles Wedding Photography

I am so happy to be sharing this beautiful & spunky summer wedding with you today!  Do you remember Stephanie & Andrew's Engagement photos?  These two are so sweet & fun together - when they look at each other, you can tell how much love & affection they share - I knew their wedding would be a perfect representation of their fun-loving spirits!

You know it's going to be a great day when:
A. The Bride & Groom don't seem a bit flustered or freaked out by the fact that it was raining cats & dogs outside
B. The Bride does a little happy, high-kick dance after she puts on her garters
C. It's the Priest's first wedding ever (he did a pretty darn good job too)

I love this one of them alone in the chapel...so sweet & peaceful.

Prayer works people!  That rain stopped just long enough for all of their fun wedding party portraits & came right back during the reception after everyone arrived.  Thank you Jesus!

That rain really did us some good...the colors were all so rich & beautiful for their photos!

Congratulations again Stephanie & Andrew!!

Morgan // Class of 2014 // Wentzville Senior Portrait Photography

Here is yet another gorgeous girl I had the privilege of capturing last fall.  When you see her big, beautiful smile, you can't help but smile back.  She is lit from within & has an incredibly contagious spunk about her.  I had so much fun doing these for you Morgan!  & since you've been on my mind a lot lately & since my new blog wasn't around when we did these, I thought I'd add them today for a nice little pick-me-up. 

Andrew + Stephanie // Wentzville Engagement Photography

Stephanie & Andrew are one of those couples that is up for anything!  They were willing to try any fun/random idea I had...& even brought a few of their own along with them (you'll see what I'm talking about when you reach the last portion of their session).  Their eyes light up when they look at each other & they know how to have fun together - which made it so fun & easy to capture so many great images of them.  

I hope you enjoy this little taste of their woodsy engagement session! 

Yes...those are waders.  Yes...they went fishing in the creek.  & Yes...it was so fun!

Of course, Stephanie caught one right away!  haha

You two are seriously so awesome!
I can't wait for your August wedding - it's sure to be a blast!

Lindi's Loves // Wentzville, MO Family Portrait Photography

Well, I probably don't need to convince you of the fun I had with Lindi & her little darlings.  They are such a spirited bunch & brought all of their very unique personalities to the session with them.  It felt more like sister playtime than a family photo session.  haha