Fun times in West County! I’m not going to lie, I don’t get to spend much time in West County or in Illinois for that matter. For some reason I am rarely outside of the 270 loop. However, it is wonderful to branch outside of my comfort zone and work with some new spots from time to time! Christi and Jeremy got ready and saw each other for the first time at the airport Hilton and then we took off for photos. Side not: If you haven’t seen that Hilton recently they did a great job with the renovation! Very modern and artistic. So then it was off to St. Charles for some industrial shots near the river followed by a beautiful garden at Blanchette Park. I always like to get a couple of contrasting looks! Christi has been well “trained” by her talented photographer sister Sarah Crowder which made my job quite easy. Too bad Jeremy is completely untrainable…kidding! Jeremy is quite the photographer himself and played along with my random thoughts and suggestions no questions asked. Well, maybe with a little sarcasm, which I totally appreciate. I also love that one of the guys at this wedding said I was ok with him because I shoot Canon and drive a German car. Such high standards!

After photos we headed out to Wentzville in a torrential downpour (hey – it mostly waited until we were done with photos so I’m not complaining!) for the ceremony and then it was back to the Hilton to dance the night away. Congrats guys!

Love how different Jeremy's ring is.

See? Totally playing along!

I feel like Christi's eyes are shinier than most peoples. They somehow pick up every bit of light in the room.

The shoe shot was a specific request. And is one of my favorites!

For once a bubble exit in which I don't have a bubble in an inopportune location!

Cheers!

L Photographie St. Louis Wedding Photography by Liz Sloan and Kate Hayes

This little sweetie is only 7 days old. She was the most cooperative awake newborn I’ve ever photographed. Usually when new babies are awake, they are squirming so much you can’t get a shot in – but Madeline was so “chill” we just kept moving right along even though she was awake most of the shoot.

Many congratulations to Madeline’s family! I hope she stays this “chill” for you all the way through high school : )

St. Louis Children’s Photography.
St. Louis Newborn Photography.

We are so excited to say that we had the opportunity to shoot the cover and fashion spread for the latest issue of Saint Louis Bride Magazine! It just hit shelves this week so be sure to pick up a copy and peruse. I can’t thank Nancy Slade, Editor of Saint Louis Bride Magazine, enough for this opportunity. It was a really fun experience and everyone is so happy with the end result. We shot this back in May and since Kristie was having a baby and all, Kate stepped in and helped me out. (Speaking of Kate – more to come!) Shayna Laiderman, owner of St. Louis Wedding Consultants, was the shoot coordinator and did an amazing job getting everything together. We had a blast dress shopping together! Lisa and Lois (makeup and hair respectively) from Looks by Lisa made our beautiful model into an even more beautiful bride. My pops lent us his retro red bicycle and Shayna donated her red cardigan for the cover shot (which we shot in about 5 minutes as the sun left us for the day!) Madeline, our model from West Model Management was a trooper. The mosquitos were killer that day and she just continued to look like a happy go lucky bride on a picnic while multiple mosquitos were snacking on her! Oh, and the bouquets by Thetis at Luluthia Floral Design were to die for. Red peonies, feathers and all kinds of fun textures.

I don’t have images of the inside spread yet, but I did want to at least share the cover! It was a pretty amazing group effort. Thanks everyone!

L photographie St. Louis Wedding Photography by Liz Sloan and Kate Hayes

Last night was the launch party for the latest Saint Louis Bride Magazine with the cover by yours truly!  I’ll get that up here in a few.  But first, more important things.  Stacey and Dave had a signature St. Louis wedding.  They were married at St. Ambrose on the Hill followed by the reception at Favazza’s Rose of the Hill.  For any outsiders that don’t know, The Hill is our historic Italian neighborhood known for it’s culture and absolutely delectable food.  And being huge Cards fans, they even talked me into going to Busch Stadium for a few photos…on a game day!  What can I say, I’m a sucker.  The Cardinals were on our side that day though.  So instead of getting there at the exact same time the game was ending and traffic would have made us about half an hour late for the reception, the game went into extra innings!  Just for us!  And the really rad vendor guy outside let us use his stand as our very own photo booth.  How cool is that?! On with the photos!

I realize this is a little bit odd, but the doors at St. Ambrose are very cool. And I LOVE the patina on the handle. Perfectly aged.

Random back staircase inside the church. Lisa at Belli Fiori did a wonderful job on the flowers.

I love this one for some reason. Dave is like "What do you want from me? Am I doing it wrong?!"

I have a giant soft spot for doggies.

Favazza's Rose of The Hill

L photographie wedding photography by Liz Sloan and Kate Hayes

I don’t know why that song is in my head right now.

Anyway… BIG NEWS… The L Photographie SENIOR WEBSITE is here! RIGHT HERE to be exact.
It’s all about SENIORS! No more digging past little babies and families playing for my Seniors to find the info they need : )

So go check it out!
You can also always find the link on our homepage: www.lphotographie.com

It’s a month of multiples. Triplets last weekend, and two sets of twins scheduled this weekend (but this morning got rained out. boo.)
This session is from yesterday when it was nice and sunny, well, hot and sunny. These two are seriously the most “chill” two-year-olds I’ve ever met. They are so sweet and did such a great job cooperating with us in the heat, as did Mom and Dad ; ) You guys are great! Thanks for letting me capture your family for the morning.

(those first two shots feature some new ‘graphic overlay’ art options. If you’re interested in something similar when ordering prints, just let me know!)

OK, seriously, how cool is this hat! So suave. And I love her little flip flop toes sticking out at the bottom of the bench : )

of FUN things to come!

Holiday Card Mini Sessions are coming THIS FALL. And how fun are these holiday cards we’re going to offer!

Stay tuned…

Next up Val and Scott! Valarie and I used to work together in the media industry, and I was so excited when she asked me to shoot her laid back, garden wedding. The entire event took place at St. Albans at the Gardens at Malmaison. It was the first time I had ever been out there, and I was impressed by the quaintness they managed to keep when the built it. The old, no longer used railroad tracks and wood bridge are darling. As are Val’s two kids. It really struck me that day that this is truly a joining of families. Scott loves those kids as if they are his own…his face made that obvious to me over and over all day long.

It was also obvious that Val and Scott wanted this to be a relaxing, fun party surrounded by friends and family. Just so happens there was a wedding thrown in there somewhere! And a few photos…enjoy!

Val's sandals were fitting for the garden wedding.

Scott is perfect with Val's kids.

This may not be the prettiest photo ever, but the fact that the fridge had beer and chocolate milk on the same shelf made me chuckle. It still makes me chuckle. Chuckle is a funny word.

First sight at Malmaison.

I love the look on Scott's best man's face in the background.

Val's kids valiantly walked her down the aisle. The whole family was incorporated into the ceremony.

One of my favorites of the day. Maybe of the month.

It was a wee bit warm so the cake started to melt a little...after it was forever captured in photos!

Scott - are you listening to the toasts at all?!

A beautiful evening. Thank you for letting me be a part of it!

Liz Sloan L Photographie St. Louis Wedding Photography

Yep, that’s right – this Mom and Dad has not one, not two, but THREE one-year-olds to chase around their home! I got to photograph these three back when they were only a few months old, so it was fun to see how much they’ve grown. They are just as cute as ever, and did such a great job while we sped through our shoot today – changing outfits – locations all over the yard – drawing – throwing streamers – blowing bubbles – all before lunchtime. It was a good play date!

Hope you enjoy the preview Otte Family : )

(Liz, since I still had your three vintage suitcases in my trunk, they came in awfully handy today!)

How much fun is this three-part wagon!

And how cute is this… Charlotte kept trying to eat the bubbles like they are snowflakes ; ) so cute!
(and really, at the end of our shoot, we were probably wishing they were snowflakes)

Then we had a little steamer party. It was pretty fun chucking the streamers over the pergola like we were TPing the house.
(I was pretty good at that back in high school. hee hee)

St. Louis Children’s Photography.

St. Louis Children’s Photography.

Today was my first day back shooting from maternity leave… although I’ve been shooting plenty at home, so my trigger finger was still “warmed up” and ready to go. It was a beautiful morning outside for July in St. Louis! We wandered around Tower Grove Park to capture little Brooklyn celebrating being one year old. We had some smiles, a few frowns, but absolutely all cuteness!

just watching the bubbles go by … (I love that curly hair!)

and then a big yawn! … had enough bubbles for the day.

time to fly with Mommy …

and swing with Daddy. (for my first time swinging. yeah!)

Then one quick splash with Mommy before we called it a wrap…

Hope you enjoy your preview!

(And a quick thanks to my Mom for babysitting a little longer so I could get this blog up : )

My little sick doggie put me a wee bit behind on my blogging. I just shipped out Becca and Josh’s photos to Jefferson City, MO today! So in an effort to beat them, I thought I’d get a quick last minute, under the gun blog up for them. Quick, but not short! So many cute photos – so tough to narrow it down! They had a fabulous ceremony and reception at Oliva on the Hill. AND one of my favorite new favors ever. Guests took home individual, ready to plant baby pine trees with little burlap covered root balls. I may have a new favor idea for my annual holiday party! Yes, already planning Christmas in July.

I love how laid back Becca and Josh are with each other, and it is obvious they (and their friends and fam!) like to have a good time. It’s been a couple of years since I saw a conga line break out, and I can’t tell you how many people at this wedding tried to get me to have a drink, relax and enjoy myself. I tried to tell them that the photos turn out much clearer, not to mention right side up when I am alcohol free! So I stayed the course…which took all of my will power with this group! Not to mention the fact that Catering St. Louis makes a killer strawberry basil mojito. Mmmmm…enjoy the photos!

Gotta love that smile.

I call this one "How many bridesmaids does it take to open a stylish little clutch?!" Sorry ladies...I had to.

First sight. Cute.

Always love monochromatic bouquets. A simple mass of color makes the biggest statement.

The decor on the door at Oliva as well as the programs set the tone for the "natural" feel of the wedding.

Snuck away for just a few more portraits. Totally worth it.

See what I mean?!

Cutie little pine trees and marinated olives for guests to munch on. The munching only applies to the olives. I think the trees would be dry and tough.

Tree guest book!

Guests were asked to sign the wine bottle for the couple to enjoy on their 1 year anniversary. I basically like any idea that involves wine.

Even Josh's son had a little something to say to the crowd. Youngest toaster ever!

Just take a minute to count the smiles in this photo. It's a happy room.

And POOF! The patio is perfectly reset and ready for a dance party.

Conga.

Dancing into the night...congrats guys!

Well, I don’t even want to mention how overdue this blog post is… Let’s just say I was SUPER pregnant when I took these photos.
Allie is starting her Senior year pretty soon and is one of my Reps for the Class of 2011. We were looking for something a bit different in her location, so we gave the Lafayette Square area a try – and ended up finding some great little corners – and a garage door that I love!

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek Allie – the rest are coming to you soon!

p.s.
I have a new website in the works JUST for Seniors! It’s been in the works since … cough, cough, February … but it’s almost done! If you’re interested in being a Rep for L Photographie, you’ll find all the info there … coming soon!