Photo Blog

Melanie and Todd | St. Louis Wedding Photography

Talk about a surreal experience. This was the first time we photographed a wedding at the St. Louis Zoo. Our zoo is definitely the best in the nation and completely free to enter! So when Melanie and Todd asked if I would photograph their wedding I thought why not. (And they did ask me – first time a couple asked, “Heather will you photograph our wedding?” Kind of sweet to formally ask, because I usually just get a “we wanna book you!” 😉 ) So when we were shooting portraits, it was kinda funny and odd to hear a tiger roaring in the background or catching a peacock out of the corner of my eye while shooting. This day just happened to be my birthday, so I thought the zoo would be a fun place to hang with this wild group. Stupid pun, sorry.

Anyway, the weather didn’t quite cooperate so the outdoor ceremony was brought inside a little art gallery space called Peabody Hall. But we didn’t let it keep us from taking some amazing photos on the grounds when the zoo was closed to the public.

I hope you get a chance to make a visit to the zoo this summer – we even have a new baby elephant.

Congratulations to Melanie + Todd!

Enjoy the photos!

xox

HSR

Vendors:

Venue: St. Louis Zoo

Gown: Demetrios

Tuxes: Savvi Formalwear

Flowers: Becky Huffman Floral

Becky + John Engagement | St. Louis Botanical Gardens

Happy Monday!

I love shooting in pretty places. So when Becky asked if we could shoot at the Botanical Gardens, I was all IN! I tend to keep going back to my favorite spots… I just can’t help it! Maybe someday I will venture around the gardens to find another new hidden gem.

Becky + John are crazy cute, crazy in love and crazy adorable. Becky found me via a google search – phew! I’m doing something right here. 😉 I really appreciated the journey they made from Columbia to St. Louis for this pretty engagement session.

Congratulations you two! Thanks so much for making the trip – soooo much fun!

Enjoy the photos!

xox

HSR

The Knot Missouri / Kansas Fall + Winter 2013 Feature

It’s just a weeeee bit exciting to see our work featured in a glossy magazine and I’m even more thrilled to share the pages with you! I’m so happy The Knot reached out and asked to feature some images from our Victorian Botanical shoot! It’s amazing to see all our hard work from the shoot be such an inspiration to others. There are times when Ryan wants to kill me for planning these types of shoots – because I run around like a chicken with my head cut off! 😉 And that is why I specifically try and plan it during the slow wedding season. But one thing that makes me even happier, is knowing I’m not the only one willing to create inspiration shoots like these. I had a great team! I honestly thought I’d have to beg them to be a part. But not only did they accept, they poured their creativity and hearts into it.

Now, go grab the latest issue of The Knot Missouri / Kansas Fall + Winter 2013 issue! The entire magazine is chock-full of inspiration for your upcoming wedding. And look out! I may or may not be planning my next styled shoot. 😉

xox

HSR

St. Louis Family Photography | Forest Park

I think I might have a new rule for family photo sessions. Treat your kids to a big ‘o banana split before the session. It certainly did the trick for this family!

I seriously had a ball with these guys. First of all, it was a nice change to work with kids a little on the older side. I’m so used to babies and 2 and 3 year olds, who don’t like to sit still and constantly move out of my “good light.” 😉 So we did fun things boys like to do – like watching a turtle sunbathe and playing and climbing on rocks. We even took a little dip in the water to cool off. Boys this age are so much fun with that handsome kiddo-look. A little disheveled in a good way. Hot rosy cheeks. Battle wounds from bike rides and the pool. You know the usual stuff.

Have a great weekend everyone!

xox
HSR

Nancy + James | St. Louis Wedding Photography

Let me just tell you how it goes. Map-maker falls in love with web editor. Map-maker proposes 3 years later on a St. Louis rooftop. Eavesdroppers cheered. And she said YES! Nancy is a web editor for St. Louis Magazine, so it’s no wonder why she’s so detailed-oriented, and I love it. When Nancy + James first reached out to me, they sent along a photo of the two of them. (I’ve only had one other couple do that too – Jen + Brian!) I loved that I could put a face to an inquiry. And now here we are photographing their big, beautiful day. But let me describe James. He really is a geographer for the government and our conversation usually stops there. Top secret stuff! But after hearing bits + pieces of the toasts during the reception, I see why Nancy fell in love with him. Aww!

Spring was a little late this year, so it was just starting to make its appearance this late day in April. Every wedding I find something to gush (obsess) about. (Besides the couple!) This wedding I loved the reception room – the flowers! Created by Steven Mueller Florist – amazing. And all that white draping that hung from the ceiling beams (and the cake table) at the Forest Park Visitor Center – gorgeous. The bustle of Nancy’s dress. The red hair on the flower girl. The veil – hand-made by Nancy’s mother using lace from her very own wedding dress, which was also from her mother’s wedding dress. I really could keep going, but I know you just wanna look at the photos.

At the very end of the reception when we were saying our good-byes, James gave me the biggest hug. The appreciation meant so much! 😉

Enjoy the photos + congrats you two!

xox

HSR