Holiday Mini Sessions are here! Visit: http://lphotographie.com/blog/?p=3301 1 week ago
My little guy is 7 weeks old… and oh so cute.
Love.
So my maternity leave is ending soon and it’s back to shooting. This is going to get interesting! If only I’ve slept longer than 3 straight hours in 7 weeks … I guess there’s always hope for next week…
It’s been a really tough day for me. My little girl (doggie) Greta is having back surgery as I type. Just yesterday she suddenly wasn’t walking so well and soon after not moving much at all. When Steve came home from work and she tried to run to the front door to say hi, she only made it about a foot before she had to sit down again. On the positive side her tail still worked well! She was so excited to see him but just couldn’t get there. So from clinic to clinic we traveled this morning to find out what could be done for her. Alas, the answer: little doggie back surgery…immediately. She has an 85% chance of walking again, and I’m hopeful that she will make a full recovery.
Just thinking about her and wanted to share an old photo of my cute little girl! This was our holiday card a few years back. She loves Christmas. Really she just loves opening presents – she seriously rocks at tearing off the paper.
I had the pleasure of shooting Kelli and Brian’s wedding in late May. These two are good friends of mine and as I have mentioned before, it is always a pleasure to capture people you know so dearly on one of the biggest days of their lives. I was actually there for a little undercover shoot of their engagement at the zoo last year due to the crazy cool Brian who actually created a secret engagement website for fam and friends without Kelli’s knowledge. Let’s just say that we all had very specific instructions complete with background info and maps showing us where to stand (and stay out of sight) for this big surprise!
So a whole year of planning has gone by and during that time plenty of late evening/early morning drinks have been had over dresses, locations, shoes, colors, etc. Well, I’m not sure what Brian and my husband Steve were discussing on the other side of the bar table, but we were very productive on our side. These two are so in love with each other…I would say passionately in love with each other. I’m sure many couples love each other just as much as they do, but these two seem to ooze love. And it makes me smile.
Although an incredibly happy occasion, I shed more tears behind the camera this time than usual. Kelli lost her mom recently but it was obvious to everyone present that she was there with us all day in spirit and in memory. The room was filled with love and it was beautiful.
I know we talked about me having fun and really getting to kick back and enjoy your wedding, but I am honored that I was able to do this for you instead. Enjoy the preview! Want to pick up proofs over a few beers?!
Ceremony: Sheraton City Center downtown St. Louis
Reception: Lemp Grand Hall
Green Shoes. Love.
This is one of Kelli's wedding gifts. Brain knows her love for pirates. Arrrrrggg!
Glowing.
And maybe a wee bit nervous!
And happy! Talk about a range of emotions.
They wrote their own vows. Some of the most thoughtful, unique and fitting I've ever heard.
Proud papa.
Kelli...serious hottie face. You're always so smiley. I didn't know you had it in you!
Back at the zoo where it all started!
Someone tell them there's a doggie on the cake.
Side funny story: I'm not sure why, but Kelli and Brian's nicknames for one another are Ray and Jerry. It has something to do with Jerry McGuire. That being said, not everyone knows this. I was taking this photo when a guest walked in and said, "Oh, I think we're at the wrong reception." And Brian is a Cubs fan. Yes folks, mixed marriage. We wish them well.
Engravable frame! Guests sign it with a sharp "pen." Love it!
Reception took place in the historical Lemp Grand Hall.
Teary eyed toasts from the father of the bride.
Trying to come up with something I enjoy about summer while my skin melts from my body is kind of tough. The crusty, dried layer of sweat on my epidermis at most of my beautiful clients wedding receptions this time of year is embarrassing but completely unavoidable. Even though I’m working, it still feels wrong to show up at such a fancy party looking like I ran a marathon dressed head to toe in black while carrying a small elephant through the Sahara Desert. Hot and sexy…check.
But seriously, ONE thing I love about summer – tomatoes are in season! My love for tomatoes only dates back a few years. I never really liked raw tomatoes, just things made out of tomatoes like ketchup or marinara sauce. I still don’t think those things actually have tomatoes in them – one certainly tastes nothing like the other. But now I love the real thing and look forward to them every year!
So recently I made this panzanella with from scratch french bread croutons and thought I would share a quick photo. Incredibly easy, refreshing and quick with basil from our own little pots on our deck!
Panzanella a la liz
Since Will is too young to make his own Father’s Day card this year … I thought I could help him out. With some help from Aunt Becky (thanks!) … and the face paint that I usually draw on pregnant bellies with …
This post is for Mike, our new favorite Daddy!
Love, Will and Kristie
Hope all the Dad’s out there have a great day!
The Knot magazine (and online for that matter!) has been so good to me over the years featuring some of our fabulous weddings from creative, detail-oriented brides! The latest one to hit the shelves is Laura and Peter’s perfect fall sioree at Oliva on the Hill by Catering St. Louis. Take a look! Seriously a couple of my favorite bouquets EVER. Props to the designers at Wildflowers for killing it on this one!
Well, it looks like we’ve survived the past four weeks with our new little guy. (or should I say he’s survived!) Sleep deprivation doesn’t begin to cover it, and I didn’t think I would be excited to find time to do things like shower and brush my teeth, but every second of the day counts now! I find myself literally running around the house to do chores when he is sleeping, so I can try and get a nap in too before he wakes up. The quicker I run around, the quicker I can hit the pillow! (He eats every hour and a half – what’s that about!?) But even though I’m SO tired and a little stressed, I look at how stinking cute he is and my heart melts. So here is a quick, slapped together collage of what we’ve been up to at the Cromie household. And now I better go sleep, because he is sleeping! That’s all people keep telling me ; )
Some people have that thing…that beautiful thing that makes light bounce around them creating an alternate universe filled with soft, glowing light. Kiley is one of those people. Her classic creamy skin and red hair with a shabby chic flair of style gave this small ceremony all of the personality it needed! This is simply a quaint ceremony at St. Cecilia’s in South City with photos in and around the church. And it was perfect for them. I think for once I will stop talking.
This little kids wooden chair and beautifully colored wall were just sitting in the church begging to be photographed.
Could be one of my favorite invitations ever. And I’m kind of a paper snob!
Kiley had a shawl custom handmade out of antique wedding veils. One of the coolest ideas ever.
Couldn’t get enough of those shoes.
The beautiful St. Cecilia. Loved the black and white checked aisle and mini mosaics.
Sometimes the “almost kiss” shot is even better than the real thing.
Coming in a close second favorite is the “wipe the lipstick off of the groom” shot. So thoughtful!
St. Cecilia’s has a strong hispanic congregation. The Go in Peace written above the door in a seemingly ethnic font is perfectly fitting…and perfect for a photo op.
Perfectly non symmetrical, natural and soft bouquet.
The shot on the left is my absolute personal favorite of the bunch.
Congrats Kiley and Tim!
I’m one of those crazy nuts that looks forward the holiday season all year long. I love it. It was engrained in me by my nutty father who STILL dresses up as santa clause every year on Christmas Eve and makes all of us sit on his lap no matter how old we get (or how many pounds we weigh!) So I had a meeting with another one of my favorite things tonight, which just so happens to be a person named Shelli Alred. Not only is she one of the best wedding planners in St. Louis, but she is a really good person. I always feel lucky when I get to spend some time with her.
Anyway, got me thinking about a wedding I did with her a few years ago in St. Charles and a neat little board I made. Just thought I would share these shimmers of gold and twinkling lights! Christmas is only…counting…six months away! Time to start planning the holiday dinner party. Never can start too early you know.
Finally a new wedding up here! Sorry about the lag, but there were so many incredibly cute little details at this wedding that the idea of choosing photos for a blog was overwhelming me. But, I managed to narrow it down to a somewhat reasonable number to share with you. However, first you must indulge me…I have a story.
When I was a little girl (settle in people) I loved storms. I had absolutely zero fear of death by tornado, hurricane, lightening…you get the drift. I wasn’t worried about hail pulverizing my car or my basement flooding. But with age comes the realization that life is pretty darn fragile. And that big (although I still find them cool) storms might actually be a wee bit dangerous. Which brings me to April 24th…Lilly and Mike’s wedding day.
Lilly was an absolute TROOPER. A lesser bride may have been brought to tears based on the 100% chance of rain in the weather report. But we totally made the best of it! They romped around and even had a pillow fight in the hotel room. But I’ve now digressed from the story. Let’s move onto the ceremony which was at the lovely Jewel Box, but will henceforth be referred to as the Giant Glass Box of Death. On my way to the Giant Glass Box of Death I hear a radio report for tornado warnings. It’s telling me that I should be in an interior room of my house away from…can you guess? Windows made of GLASS. But not this courageous wedding party! We were headed straight for an entire building made of glass!
As the wedding party began the procession, the rain began to slam into the Giant Glass Box of Death from all sides…drowning out the musical stylings of the string quartet to a mere whisper. By the time Lilly made it to the aisle, not only was hail hitting the Giant Glass Box of Death at speeds around 60 mph, but the music was now completely gone and the Box had sprouted a good 50 or so leaks so guests popped umbrellas. As Lilly and her father, smiling and laughing at the unbelievable situation, proceeded down the aisle a giant crack of thunder made everyone gasp and tornado sirens began to blair though the roaring of ice pellets smacking into glass. Although I began to fear for my life, I couldn’t help but crack a smile and chuckle to myself. The timing of that storm’s arrival and Lilly and Mike’s wedding could not have been any more perfect. Not even 10 minutes later, the sun peeked it’s way out from behind the big black clouds.
People often assume that as a wedding photographer I am going to have good stories to tell. And I do have a few. I’m always the entertainment at the bar table. But I have to thank Lilly and Mike for adding one more kick ass story to my wedding repertoire! I will never ever forget you!
Did I mention how beautiful everything was?! Thanks to the fabulous Rachel McCalla at Lucky You Productions, every last detail was perfectly attended to. Lumen looked fantastic and it was obvious with one glance at the dance floor that everyone had a fabulous time. I would be remiss if I didn’t give a big shout out to Ryan Gladstone for filling in as my second shooter for this wedding while Kristie is on maternity leave. He braved the storm and me being a little crazy for an hour or so. Congrats you guys!
St. Louis Wedding Photographer Liz Sloan L Photographie
Heya handsome…
Love this little montage of them seeing each other for the first time. Check out Mike’s face.
Pillow fight. Mike let Lilly win. Didn’t want to mess up her hair. So considerate!
The photo on the right is actually after the ceremony…you know, when the sun came out! Doesn’t it look like a beautiful, peaceful sunny day?
The placecards were made of paper with seeds. Guests were instructed to take them home and plant them!
Gnomes.
Lumen at night.
And this is what happens when that Journey song plays…you know, the one that was played at the end of the Sopranos? I’ve noticed this phenomenon at quite a few weddings as of late. Rock on you two…rock on.
