Photo Blog

Laila + Solomon | Chicago Engagement Photography

Last week Ryan and I had the opportunity to visit Chicago and hang with these two cuties.

I love going to this city and the weather was absolutely ah-mazing for us. We only went up for one night and I told Ryan we haaaaaf to do the Architectural Boat Tour this time. There has been so many trips made to shop 😉 … who has time for a boat tour?! During the boat tour, there was so much pointing and listening that half the time I was asking Ryan “Which building is she talking about?” However, I am happy with what I did walk away with. Did you know that the Sears Towers has its own zipcode? And that the “windy city” is not actually named because of the strong gusty winds, but because of politicians and their ladies rattling on about their city’s awesome virtues. Or something like that.

Anyway, we started out by the waterfront at North Avenue Beach and walked inland to the tip of Lincoln Park where Solomon proposed to his sweet girl. They met through a running group! So what do I make them do, run.inthesand.indressyclothes. Love that my clients will do anything I suggest and still keep on smiling!

Enjoy!

xox

HSR

Lauren + Ben | St. Louis Engagement Photography

It’s okay if you sit here the entire time looking at these photos with a permanent grin, and quite possibly a little drool. I know I did! These two and their sweet personalities and infectious laughter and smiles will have that effect on you. Clearly! These two need to quit their day jobs and start modeling … together! They are aaaaadorable. Lauren + Ben have been living in Australia for work, but are now back in the States counting down the days until their big day.

Hot tamales happen to be this gal’s favorite candy treat (one of my favorites for the movies), and it’s not something easily obtained over in Australia. So! Ben had a co-worker bring a few boxes, along with an engagement ring! (yep, this happened!) Ben wrote on each and every one of the tamales – “Will you marry me?” and then resealed the box. That sweet little box was opened on her birthday… on a beach in Fiji… where she obviously got two things she wanted. 🙂

Who’s ready for a hot tamale?

Enjoy the photos!

xox

HSR

Sarah + Tony | St. Louis Wedding Photography

I can’t believe it’s August 1st – this year is just flying by! Before we know it, the fall wedding season will be underway.

OH these two. Sarah has this china doll face that I could photograph all day long. Put the two of them together and it’s pure joy. I probably went a little overboard with favorites today, but hey, why not. It’s always a great day when we get to work with the talented + fun Kristin, with Kristin Ashley Events. With the collaboration of the couple, Kristin helped design and orchestrate the entire beautiful day. I must admit, with the locations and colors, everything fell together quite nicely. I love cohesion. 🙂

Sarah + Tony met at Mizzou, and it didn’t take long for Tony to figure out that Sarah was quite the catch. And how sweet is it that he proposed at the Boathouse in New York’s Central Park?!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Enjoy the photos!

xox

HSR

Vendors:

Ceremony – St. Peter Catholic Church

Reception – Sheraton Plaza, Clayton MO

Event Planning – Kristin Ashley Events

Floral – Becky Huffman Flowers

Stationery suite – Ten Four Paper

Make up – Nicole Brown, NB Makeup Artistry

Cake – The Cakery

Lighting + Drapery – Exclusive Events

DJ – Millenium Productions

Baby Maya 10 weeks old | St. Louis Baby Photography

I have a baby on the blog today! Woot! Meet sweet baby Maya and all her little iddy biddy parts. Maya was a little too old for my usual newborn approach, but we did our best to get that same look + feel with the little time we had while she was awake and of course, when she slept. (I guess I was a total bore!)

If you are interested in newborn photography, the best time to reach out to me is while you are still pregnant. I put a lot of planning + prepping into the session to make it one amazing experience – like no other! We aim to schedule the session 5 – 10 days after birth. Hope you reach out soon!

Enjoy!

xox

HSR

Erin + Ted | St. Louis Wedding Photography

I mean really, what’s not to love about this couple? Erin + Ted are beyond cute.sweet.cool.goregous.kind.etc.! Their wedding was one of those days where the sky couldn’t figure out what it wanted to do. Let’s be cloudy, no let’s rain, no let’s be sunny. Despite the crazy weather pattern, we had the perfect day.

We started at the bride’s home where I took one of my all time favorite “getting ready images.” It’s the one where her mother and MOH/sister-in-law, (who also happens to be an Erin too), were fastening the last buttons on her dress and there on the wall, is a photo of Erin’s mama on her wedding day so many years past. I can imagine she was probably thinking about her own day, and feeling so overwhelmly blessed to prepare this perfect daughter for her very own special day.

Erin and Ted were married in a beautiful bright 😉 church (St. Raphael). Afterwards, we headed to Bellerive Country Club for portraits and the reception. Breathtaking. I know I say this every time, but the cake and flowers were beyond gorgeous! Encore Bakery is amazeballs – how they create those pretty little iced flowers! Every table had a different flower arrangement – not one alike. A really good call from the bride herself. I’m certain that Thorn Studio was giddy with delight.

Congratulations to Erin + Ted!

Enjoy the photos!

xox

HSR