Baby Simms Gender Reveal // St. Charles Lifestyle Photography

Happy Friday everyone!

How about some photos that are sure to make you giggle & grin from ear to ear??

I finally got around to sorting/editing my own family photos from this summer (my sweet fam always tends to take the back-seat when it comes to photos...wah wah).  Well, after we got all of the family photos, which I promise to show you soon, we did a quicky gender reveal for my sister Kelly & her hubby Shane . . . & it.was.perfect.

Enjoy!

utter shock & surprise...it's a GIRL!!!

Clearly they were expecting something else.  haha

& then of course we all laughed & squealed for about 5 minutes, had a cupcake to celebrate, & then headed off to dinner together - all 18 of us - these are memories I will cherish forever.

Congratulations again Kell, Shane, & Ethan!  Can't wait to meet your sweet little princess this winter!!

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. 

Welcome Cecily & Adella // St. Charles Newborn + Lifestyle Photography

Happy Friday everyone!  

If you haven't noticed, I have been doing a lot of maternity & newborn sessions lately...& I'm loving it!  Newborn photography is not my specialty by any means, but being invited into someones home to capture a special season in their lives is right up my ally!  I've been learning a ton about working with new babes & feel more prepared every time I have to work with them...soooo glad I was able to get lots more practice in before I had double duty with these adorable little ladies!  ;)

I had the opportunity to capture Dustin & Amanda's wedding (five years ago this October!) & was thrilled when she told me they were expecting TWINS this summer!  EEEEK!!!  This couple is just so sweet, down to earth, honest, & fun - working with them has always been a pleasure & I have a feeling it's only going to get better as their beautiful girls grow.  

They welcomed their sweet little ladies, Adella Mae & Cecily Claire, into their world about 5 weeks early.  Since they had to spend some time in the hospital growing & getting stronger we waited a little while to do their newborn session...they were actually 1 month old when we did these & still so tiny!

You can tell them apart in these two photos...but I was definitely having a hard time keeping them straight during the session.  haha

Seriously?!

This was a beautiful broach that Amanda actually wore in her hair on their wedding day...she had the idea of putting it on the girls for a few photos.  I love how beautiful & special these images are! 

Amanda was full of great ideas...she wanted Dustin holding both of them...& then she said, "stack them".  haha We weren't sure how it was going to work, but it's one of my favorite images from their session!

I mean, how sweet is this?!

I love love love getting to celebrate more than just weddings for my clients...this was double the sweetness for sure!  Thanks for inviting me to share in so many special moments in your lives Dustin & Amanda - it has been such a pleasure working with you & I'm looking forward to many more fun moments with your growing family in the years to come!

Kyle + Tricia // St. Louis Backyard Wedding Photography

These two have been together for 10 years & after they settled into their beautiful Tower Grove home they decided it was time exchange vows & commit forever to one another in a very intimate & sweet backyard wedding.  There may have been a storm looming before the ceremony...okay, so the thunder was rolling through the whole ceremony & the dark clouds looked a bit threatening...but once that spring storm passed we had a gorgeous few hours for their ceremony, family photos & a little session just for the two of them in Tower Grove Park.

I love Tower Grove Park - I always feel like I'm in another world, in a good way.  & it looked so rich & colorful after the rain.  Kyle & Tricia live close enough to walk, run, or ride their bikes to this beautiful park on a regular basis, so it was a special place for this season of their lives.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into their perfectly sweet wedding day!

Two of the brides close friends got ordained so they could share the special task of officiating their wedding...it was perfect!

Thanks again for inviting me to share in & capture this very special day for you Kyle & Tricia!

Madison // Class of 2014 // St. Charles Senior Portrait Photography

I know I blogged this session from last Fall on my old site, but it's just too wonderful not to post here on my new website/blog.  Plus it's coming up on Senior Portrait Season & I keep thinking of all the fun seniors I've had in the past!  :)

This was one of those sessions that I loved every image from!  
Madison & I had a lot of fun roaming around Old Town St. Charles with her momma finding all kinds of beautiful places for her photos...I hope you enjoy!  

I love that she wanted to do a few in an old book store.  My little nieces love to read & I can just imagine doing something fun & unique like this with them one day.

Madison, you are such a beautiful girl!  Thanks for allowing me to capture this special season in your life & for having so much fun exploring with me!

Jayden's 6 month cuteness // St. Charles Family Photography

Are you ready for this?

This little guy had me grinning from ear to ear the entire time I was with him...&...yep, I'm still grinning now as I post these images!  haha I had the privilege of capturing the beautiful wedding of this little dude's parents a few years ago.  & I was so excited when they wanted to revisit a spot where we did some of their engagement photos for his 6 month session - it was pretty perfect - just like their sweet growing family. 

Sometimes you just can't contain the excitement!

I love getting to share in so many special seasons for my clients - it's such an honor & a joy to watch them grow into strong, happy, beautiful families!

It's easy to see that the love just keeps on growing.  It was so good to see you again Steve & Farren...& of course meeting Jayden was a wonderful treat too!!

Welcome Benjamin // St. Louis Newborn & Lifestyle Photogrpahy

I absolutely LOVE celebrating new little bundles of joy with their families!  It's something that I have done more of this year than in the past & I'm having so much fun! It's such a precious time in their lives & I love getting to capture it for them!

The sweetest sleeping babe you ever did see.

I just love love love this little family snuggle & daddy playing with his feet!  

I try so hard to keep my sessions as relaxed & natural as possible...sure there is some direction involved, but isn't it just that much better when everyone can settle in & feel like themselves in their own images?!  For instance, I helped them get into this pose, but they made it comfortably their own & I love every little detail!

Thanks again for inviting me into your home to capture this precious season in your lives!
What a treasure little Benjamin is!

Robert + Leia Wilhelm // St. Louis Wedding Photography

Early this Spring I had the privilege of spending a few hours with Rob & Leia as they exchanged  vows in one of their favorite St. Louis Beer Gardens (Urban Chestnut Brewing Company) & celebrated afterwards with close friends & family at Plush.  
It was such a relaxed & intimate affair...& it fit their personalities perfectly!  

They may have been on a tight budget, but you would never know!  
Their venues were fantastic & needed very little decorations.  They were also within walking distance of each other, so there was no need for a bus to get everyone around town.  Leia hand-made all of the bouquets, boutonnieres, & centerpieces - which were very creative & fitting for their day.  They didn't hire a DJ - just put a friend in charge of an ipod playlist they created for the reception.  Her gorgeous dress was even purchased on craigslist!  

They did such a great job putting together a wedding day that was fit just for them!

We even made a quick stop off at The Fountain on Locust for some fun photos & a milkshake!

Thanks again for inviting me to share in celebrating this chapter in your story Rob & Leia - I loved every minute of it!