Lauren + Jeff // Palladium St. Louis Wedding Photography

I love getting to celebrate with all of my amazing couples on their wedding day - there are so many beautiful, hilarious, emotional, & intimate moments all wrapped up in that one day & I love being able to bottle them all up in their wedding photos that they will cherish forever!

I've known Lauren for a long time now (she's my best friend's sister-in-law - remember their Engagement Session?) & when she asked me to capture her & Jeff's big day I was giddy!  I knew it would be beautiful - but the amount of detail & thought that went into making their day extra special & fit just for them was more than I imagined, & I loved every minute of it!

Of course she had to get rose gold shoes to go with her rose gold rings.
& what are best friends for if not to share in the joy of one of the most important days of your life by jumping on the bed?!

Jeff, being a good sport & standing where I asked, put his tie on (perfectly, I might add) without a mirror...this was impressive to me!

Since Jeff & Lauren met at the Chase Park Plaza that's where they wanted to get ready & share their first look...just the two of them excitedly starting the first day of the rest of their lives together...it was perfect!

How gorgeous is this massive wedding party?!

I love that we were able to do all of their wedding party photos in a part of town that was special to Jeff & Lauren...& I love how perfect Lafayette Park fit in with the vibe of their wedding too...meant to be.

Look at all of these sweet, personal details!  Lauren put a lot of time into planning all of this out & creating the details she wanted & it all came together perfectly!  & Her dad actually made the birch candle holders!  
This was my first time working at Palladium St. Louis & it was such a cool venue!  It had all kinds of quirks & beautiful features...Everyone was really nice & easy to work with...& the food was amazing too!  Bonus!

Yes, that's a bacon maple cupcake.

Can't you just tell how great these two are together?  Every time I look at their images it makes me so happy they found each other!

Congratulations again Jeff & Lauren!  
Thank you so much for inviting me to share in this perfectly beautiful day - here's to many more equally delightful memories still to come!

Madeline & Tony // Rustic, Rainy, Romantic St. Louis Engagement Photography

I am so in love with this engagement session & I'm so excited to finally be sharing it with you!
 
These two have very different schedules & of course after we found a time that worked for all of us a huge storm came through...but Madeline wasn't concerned about it at all & wanted to proceed with the session anyway & I'm so glad we did!  The rain only lasted about the first hour of the session & then we had these amazing rich colors & an abandoned wet park all to ourselves - it felt kinda magical!  Plus these two love birds are so incredibly sweet together - which you'll notice right away when you look at their images - making my job very easy. 

I hope you enjoy this little look into our adventure together on this rainy spring day!

What girl doesn't love dancing in the rain with the love of her life?

See what I mean?  Kinda magical.

I am so excited about your wedding this November Madeline & Tony...I know it is going to be even more beautiful & magical than I'm imagining it to be.

Fall Mini Portrait Sessions // St. Louis Family Photography

Hey all!

Can you believe that it's almost September?  I can't!  Where did this summer go?  This cool weather has officially swept me out of a summer mindset & into a fall one - I'm ready for warm colors & pumpkin everything - who's with me?!

I'm so excited to announce that I will be doing Mini Portrait Sessions for the first time ever this Fall!  YAY!!  I've never done them before because I truly love the relaxed, lifestyle photography I'm able to achieve with my full sessions & have always been a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to give very many images to my clients in such a short period of time...however, since I have had more & more people ask me each year & since I didn't have one free day last October, I figured this would be a great way to try something new, accomplish a lot of sessions in a short period of time, & get a little bit of my October back.  You understand.  ;)  & I understand that some people really just want a few great images of their family/kids to use for Christmas Cards or gifts...so this is for YOU! 

Feel free to CONTACT  me from my website, or via email at INSPIREDGERT@GMAIL.COM

Here are some of the basic details...

& Here are some more specific details...

All sessions on Saturday, October 3rd will be at Oak Knoll Park
Morning sessions on Sunday, October 18th will be at Quail Ridge Park
Evening sessions on Sunday, October 18th will be at Creve Coeur Lake Park

Morning sessions every 30 minutes from 8 AM - 10:30 AM
Evening sessions every 30 minutes from 3 PM - 5:30 PM

$130 - cash or check (made out to Inspired Photography) will be accepted.  If you would like to pay with Credit/Debit card, that is fine as well, however there will be an additional 2.5% convenience fee added.
20 minute session (I'll have some props & blankets, but feel free to bring anything of your own as well - a book for your children to read, a special family quilt, etc.)
Edited Digital Files in your own online gallery from which you can view, download, & share
You will also receive a Print Release & no minimum print order is required

Again, feel free to email me at INSPIREDGERT@GMAIL.COM to book an available slot, find out specific location instructions, or just to ask me any questions you may have.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I can't wait to capture all of your beautiful families this fall!

Lisa Paden // St. Louis Business Portrait Photography

I'd like to introduce you to Lisa Paden - wife, mother, worship leader, & entrepreneur (she has multiple different businesses/jobs) - She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside & I was thrilled when she told me she was in need of some new business portraits to capture the many facets of her professional life.  I teamed up with the talented Kristi Pinkham once again for this session.  She is so good at bringing creativity to the norm & giving people the confidence to try something new with their style - she & Lisa worked together before the session on her makeup & wardrobe, which I'd say came together brilliantly!

One of the businesses Lisa owns is The Personal Gift Basket Company - she puts together lovely baskets, bags, etc. for personal & professional needs - if you're ever in need of something unique & beautiful to give to someone I'd highly recommend talking to Lisa!

Lisa also has a personal blog, Adventures of an Aspiring Superwoman, which is what these next few images were created for.  We had so much fun bringing Lisa's vision to life with these!  Like many women, Lisa juggles so many roles every day & even though no one is perfect she has the desire to be the best she can be in her every role...thus the Aspiring Superwoman.  :)  So her blog is basically anything & everything that pertains to being a wife, mother, homeowner, & business woman.

Thank you so much for trusting Kristi & I with bringing these images to life for you Lisa - we had so much fun working with you & pray you find joy & blessings in all of your life adventures!

Anna + Johnny // Edmond's Space 15 St. Louis Wedding Photography

Hey y'all!  Do you remember Anna & Johnny's snowy engagement photos?  Well, they were so fun & lovely & I suggest you take a look if you're interested in a little back-story on these two love birds.  I figured that since we're all fighting off the heat, a beautiful winter wedding may be just the refresher we need right now.

This ceremony was such a special thing for me to be a part of, not just because Anna is a dear friend of mine, but because theirs was a unique one.  Shortly after Johnny proposed & we played around in the snow for their engagement photos, Anna was diagnosed with lymphoma.  During this scary & delicate time they decided it was best to focus on Anna's health & put their big May wedding plans on the back burner.  What a way to start off your journey together...but through it all we have continued to see just how perfect God's timing is.  Johnny wanted to be there for Anna in every way possible through this season, so before God in their pastor's home they were married on February 28th, 2014.  After nearly a year of hospital stays, treatments, & just all around challenging circumstances, Anna remained strong & beautifully hopeful (it truly was astounding & encouraging for me to witness).   As that long year came close to an end they started to make plans for an Anniversary Vow Ceremony - one thing they wanted so very badly was to stand together surrounded by their loved ones, proclaiming their love for each other & strong trust in God that He will continue to see them through their life together as Mr. & Mrs. Prosser. . .& It was beautiful!

Sweet/brave Anna...I was so pumped that she wanted to take a few quick photos in the snow!

Since they were already married, they walked together, hand-in-hand to stand before all of their loved ones & vow to continue loving & supporting one another for the rest of their lives.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to  myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."  Lamentations 3:22-24

Also, a fun perk of being the photographer/guest at a friend's wedding is that my husband get's to be there with me...as well as my bestie & her husband too!  It was so fun to celebrate together with Johnny & Anna!

OH & Anna is doing great!  Shortly after their Ceremony her last scan came in clean!  So now she can focus on having a normal life as a newly-wed, spending time enjoying life with her husband & loved ones, & getting her body back into tip-top shape.  
Lots of beautiful life is still ahead for her!

Thank you again for inviting me to be a part of capturing & telling your beautiful story Anna & Johnny - I'm so glad John Paul & I get to continue doing life together with you two - so many more happy memories still to come for you guys!  
Lots of love,
Gertie

Angeles + Denise // St. Louis Business Portrait Photography

I am so excited to share these rockin "head shots" of Angeles & Denise with you!  I put head shots in quotes because they are far from your traditional head shots & I can't quite think of what else to call them though.  haha  I have another amazing session I'm going to share later this week to show you another take on gorgeous, untraditional head shots.  Gosh I love having such a fun variety of people to work with - it seriously puts a skip in my step!

Okay, back to Angeles & Denise...These girls are so edgy & so much fun to work with!  They wanted something a little different for their head shots (an idea I am always totally on board with fyi) so we headed to the Washington University campus to use the beautiful, old, slate stone buildings as the backdrop for their spunky style...it was perfect!

p.s. if you're ever in the need for a little help in buying/selling a home you should get in touch with them - they'll take great care of you! Jonske Rinehart Group

Michelle + Criag // Creve Coeur Lake Park Engagement Photography

Oh these two...I'm so excited about their wedding tomorrow!  
We had so much fun romping around the park together for some sweet, natural, laid-back images of them last fall...& I know their wedding will be just as fun!  

Craig & Michelle like to hike & mountain climb together.  When they reach a certain point they take a photo saying where they are & how high...when they set up for their picture on Mt of the Holy Cross Craig's sign said something a little different than usual & Michelle didn't even realize it right away.  
How fun & creative is that?  & He made those signs!

It's always fun when the boys have a photo idea that turns out adorable (below).

Princess Karoline // St. Louis Child Photography

Recently I had a mom contact me about doing some photos for her daughter's 5th Birthday & I was immediately so excited about them.  I get to photograph children all the time, but never really like this - the amount of fun & freedom I had frolicking through the park with Karoline (with no one else to focus on but her) was so refreshing!  
She got to change outfits a few times, wear her princess shoes, play with one of her favorite dollies & pick wild berries, all while dancing, singing, & laughing...what little girl wouldn't love this?!  I know I did!  I was giddy the whole time!

How gorgeous is this sweet thing?!

Thank you so much for allowing me to do this session for you Erika!  Karoline is a true beauty on the inside & out & it was such a pleasure to capture her in this sweet season of her life!

"a dream is a wish your heart makes, when  you're fast asleep"