Ashley & Grant | Engagement Photos

Whew!  Sit back and enjoy the ride…I couldn’t pick just a ‘few’ photos to share!  Here’s why:  Ashley is my (Karen’s) cousin.  No pressure there, let me tell you!  If we mess these photos up, the entire FAMILY will know about it!  ;) 

Ashley and Grant are getting married this May in Kansas.  Hopefully the weather on their wedding day will be as beautiful as the day we took these photos back in December.  Before you look at the pics, I want to let you know that we were warned that Ashley really wasn’t into photos, and that these were more for the family.  I wasn’t worried…I know my cousin, RIGHT?!?  RIGHT?!?  She’ll have fun, and love having her photo taken, right?  I was *almost* positive that would be the case…you’ll just have to take a look for yourself!

Ashley and Grant chose the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure for their engagement shoot location.  As a photographer, this was a pretty cool gig…not only did we get to work with some pretty awesome people, but, we also got to take our little kiddo with us!  Ok, ok, it’s time for the photos!

Here’s the adorable couple:  I adore this photo of Grant…he looks like he is up to something!

First stop, the lion cages…

Dancing anyone?!

Pause for some romance…aren’t they cute?!

And now time for some FUN.  Ashley’s is “Grant’s Gazelle”!  How cute is that?!

Mackenzie wanted in on the action:

A couple of shots of the ring:

Every once in a while, we would suggest a pose that would give Ashley an instant case of the giggles…she had us a laughing throughout the shoot! 

Time to see some more animals, this is a ZOO after all!

Mackenzie started to get cold (and bored), so my Aunt volunteered to take her back inside.

While “mom” was away, we took a few more “intimate” photos:   More giggles…don’t you just LOVE THAT?! 

On the way back to the main building, we saw these geese.  A few hundred of them.  Just sitting there, minding their own business.  When someone (ASHLEY!) had the brilliant idea to go see how they were ‘doing’ in other words, CHASE THEM…  :)

This wouldn’t be so funny, except the geese all turned around and started flying back to ‘get’ their assailants!  ;) 

Just because we went inside doesn’t mean the fun had to stop…here are a ‘few’ photos inside of the building.

One LAST photo:

I don’t think it looks like Ashley and Grant enjoyed themselves at all!  ;)

Ashley & Grant ~ Thank you for the most wonderful time at the “zoo”!  We had the best time, and are amazed at how willing you were to try anything…you know, LIKE CHASE GEESE!  You are both so much fun to hang around, and we can’t wait to photograph your wedding day!  We love you guys!  Have fun with the last minute preparations! :)

Love,

Karen and Matt

Valerie & James | Engagement Photos

Meet Valerie and James. We met them on a BEAUTIFUL November morning at Forest Park in St. Louis. The weather, setting, and couple were PERFECT! Here's a photo of the soon to be Bride and Groom...Don't they have the most gorgeous eyes?!

Valerie and James have a June wedding planned.  I loved that their engagement photos were taken in the Fall since they will have summer wedding photos.  They get to take advantage of all the colors in both seasons.  I love the texture and romance in the photo below. 

During our journey through the park, we found this amazing tree to take a few photos by…

Take a look at Valerie’s BLING!  Good job James!

And who doesn’t LOVE the St. Louis Art Museum?!  It makes the most wonderful backdrop for photos.  I loved the way Valerie and James interact with each other throughout the morning…just look at the photos below…can’t fake that LOVE!

A peek over the side of the bridge:

A peek on the other side of the bridge:

We visited a few other places in the park as well…

After the park, Valerie and James made a quick outfit change, and we were off to the Central West End.  :)

I couldn’t resist a photo of this juggler…I was drawn to his vibrant colors…

Last, but not least, a couple of photos in front of the Dancing Fountain.  If you are interested, you can see a YouTube video of the fountain by clicking HERE.   I love the urban setting and the lens flare! 

 

If you have never been to the Central West End before, I highly recommend it…there are some amazing shops and restaurants…including the Cup Cakery.  If you have never tried one of their cup cakes, you are missing out! 

Valerie and James~ Thank you both for being such good sports, and for being willing to try ANYTHING!  Thank you also for picking the Central West End as one of the locations for your shoot…the photos are amazing.   We had the best time and can’t wait to see you all ‘dolled up’ on your wedding day!  It will be here before you know it!  See you soon!

~Karen and Matt  :)