Many of you may know that Kristie and I do some work through the year with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis and specifically with some of the member families.  Well, I got a fun treat the other day.  Albert Pujols has a daughter with down syndrome and agreed to be in the commercial shoot promoting the Buddy Walk in Forest Park on June 14th.  Of course he had to squeeze us in between his All Star commercial shoot and I think something for Wheaties, but no biggie.  

Seriously, what a great, laid back, easy going guy.  He sauntered up, gave the kids hugs, took the script, we wired him up and were off and running.  Poor guy – I think we gave him about 45 seconds to look it over before we were like “Ready?”  Ha!  The silence following the first time we started rolling put everyone into stitches. 

My favorite part was when we asked one of the kids (Danny) to scoot over in front of Albert and then asked Albert to put a hand on his shoulder.  Albert jumped at the chance to use his new script hiding place and spread it out on Danny’s back!  A good guy, great player AND a sense of humor.  What more can you ask for?  Here are a few photos from the experience…

I’ve been capturing a lot of smiley little boys lately. And here’s another cutie with big, blue eyes!

Hope you enjoy the sneak preview!

(p.s. I love mom’s hair cut! I’ve been thinking about chopping mine off like that, but not sure if I can go through with it. I haven’t had short hair like that since college)

Finally! A break in the rain & a beautiful day at the park. (And I can’t complain about the weather today too. Awesome. Darn it, I feel like my Grandma always “keeping up with the weather” … but I guess that’s what you do when most of your job is working outside)

Enough about me! Here is a sneak preview for the Kezar family. What an easy going, relaxed family. My favorite kind! And I have another favorite mom & son photo – the first one here with Cash giving a great big smile to daddy standing over my shoulder. So cute!

Hope you enjoy the preview…

P.S. This family runs Shawn Paul Jewelry that creates custom, one-of-a-kind, fine jewelry. Wander over to their site.
Just in time for Mother’s Day! www.shawnpauljewelry.com

This little guy was cracking me up during our whole shoot. He has such a contagious smile… and that row of gums gets me every time!

Our original plan was to head to the Botanical Gardens, but as we were approaching there were hundreds of kids with easter baskets about to scrounge the garden for eggs. (which sounds like so much fun by the way… for the right age kids!… our little guy was too small). So, we decided on a quick change of plans over to Tower Grove Park.

What a beautiful day… and a beautiful family! Take a look…

I love this one! Mom’s hair blowing perfectly in the wind…

And how can this guy not make you smile! …

Liz and I got to team up for this photo shoot. Sarah was a bride and a Trash The Dress model of ours, so we both wanted to hang out with this fun couple for the afternoon! We got a little silly with some lipstick on the belly, and may or may not have been (but may) shirtless in the front window, but nothing too crazy. (Liz really wanted to submerge her in water again… but we kept her dry for this shoot ; )
Well, we are so excited for you two and your new adventure as parents! Can’t wait to meet baby once she gets here!

I’ve been meaning to post this one for a while, but it kept slipping past me! I donated a shoot and coffee table book for a charity auction in Chicago last year for a family friend. The auction winner went to this happy newlywed couple. They were married in Chicago in November and we got together in January for an after ceremony portrait shoot. Yes… that’s right… OUTSIDE in CHICAGO in JANUARY. Luckily, we didn’t totally freeze to death, but the groom was purple at the end of the session. I don’t know how Logan, the bride, stuck it through in her strapless gown, but she wins my “trooper of the year” award so far! I couldn’t feel my fingers, but at least I didn’t have to smile the whole time. Ha.

We did have fun though! Take a look…

Dine out this Wednesday evening in the Central West End.  Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital of St. Louis.

Hope to see you out for a great cause!  See poster for participating restaurants…

I spent a few hours trying to post these fabulous new photos last night, but the new blog and I went a few rounds and I got knocked out.  So let’s try again shall we?!  I have a few photos share as a follow up to Ellie & Pat’s American Gothic photo.  These are from their intimate ceremony on Friday night.  Enjoy!

Congratulations you two!  Check back soon for photos from our photo session out and about in the city followed by the big party on Saturday night…