Long Lens + Front Porch Shoots

If someone would have told me even one year ago that I would be doing Social Distancing Family Sessions I would’ve looked at them like they had lost their ever loving mind. But here we are! 😂

A time truly like no other. March is typically the time of year I am promoting and filling my calendar with Spring Family Photo sessions, but instead I am homeschooling my kids, teaching virtual yoga, and trying to creatively think about how I can continue shooting and supporting my family in the midst of wedding cancellations and new hospital visitor policies changing daily.

Let’s document this unprecedented time in our lives, because….why not? What better excuse to shower and get yourself dressed up for some easy family photos! You can get as dressed up….or dressed down as you’d like! Pajamas and yoga pants, stacks of toilet paper, your Easter outfits, sidewalk chalk….whatever you want to include to document this brief chapter, I am all up for it!

Here’s what you can expect from this shoot unlike any other:

📱I will text you as I am pulling up.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦Step out onto your porch, front door, driveway or front yard with your family.

📷 I’m calling this the Long Lens Special. I will be shooting from FAR away. 5-10 minutes tops!

💫 EASY PEASY! That’s It! I will deliver your images via online gallery.

💰How much? This is the best part! I am doing this on a pay what you can or what it is worth to you method. We are all currently facing a unique set of circumstances. Some may not be able to give much, while others are in a place to pass it forward. 💓I am so grateful for so many of my long time clients who have reached out in hopes of helping my small business or just to check in on me and my family. We are all in this together, and this too shall pass.

🚗 To keep all of my driving consolidated to certain areas, I will be breaking it down to different metro areas on different days. These chosen dates are based on the current weather and which days look nicest! If we need to reschedule, we will move to the next day with nice weather. If you aren’t seeing a date that will work for you and your family, simply reach out!

Sunday, March 29th: Illinois Friends (Edwardsville, Collinsville, Troy, Alton)

Monday, March 30th: O’Fallon, St. Charles, Wentzville, Chesterfield & Ladue

Wednesday, April 1st : Ladue and Chesterfield

Thursday, April 2nd: St. Louis City, South County, Kirkwood, Webster, Fenton, Eureka, Wildwood

Burning Man

As my husband packs up his gear for next week’s burning man festivities and chats with our camp mates about the upcoming plans, schedule and logistics, I can not help but to feel a tiny bit of FOMO begin to creep in. I have been to Black Rock Desert two times, and they were mind blowing experiences.

Every one always asks “WHAT is burning man?” or they just assume it is a bunch of psychadelic hippies on drugs….and although yes, you will certainly run into some of those people…..It is a beautiful mixture of everyone. A temporary city. An experiment in community. It is a culture based on 10 guiding principles. You can look all of that stuff up, but basically, it is a place free of judgement, bursting with creativity, empty of commerce and a beautiful break from your phone and the outside world. It is a culture.

It’s crazy how intensely you bond with your camp mates. I have only spent two full weeks collectively with these people, but they feel like family. They were at our wedding, and it just brings me that warm, fuzzy feeling even talking about them right now. I will miss all of them and all of it so much….but having two little ones, my FOMO of missing out on them is stronger this year. They are only little for such a little space in time, and I am not ready to leave them for 7-10 days. So to all of you burners out there, have a great burn for me!!!

one of my favorite images of joe and denise

loved spending the week with these two! Do yourself a favor and follow Katya & Rob on Instagram

One of my favorite parts about burning man was getting on my bike, riding around, meeting people and photographing them.

sunrise at the temple

Hedley & Cherie’s Sunrise wedding

One of my most favorite images, photographed by the one and only Trey Ratcliff

Have fun in the desert, Chris! Love, Coolest & Best Wife Ever.

Madison | St. Louis Senior

Meet Madison. She is my cousin, and basically a supermodel, right!? I hope she always sees her own beauty. It shines from within and glows from her outward beauty. I was so excited to capture her senior photo session. It seriously seems like just yesterday she was a little toddler running around, and now she is about to embark on her final year of high school!! Enjoy it Mads! There is SO much out there in this world for you!!!!

Wyatt | 6 Month Milestone

Oh sweet Wyatt!!! Those rolls have me melting!!!! We captured a quick mini session at the studio for Wyatt’s 6 month 1/2 year birthday, and these photos are a few of my favorites!

Meet Liam | St. Louis Newborn Photographer

I love this family and I’m just over here melting at these sweet moments from Liam’s little newborn session! I can’t wait to put together his entire BirthStory.

Dombkowski Family | St. Louis Family Photographer

We beat the summer heat and started our shoot early in the morning! It was well worth setting our alarm clock and meeting while the kiddos were in GREAT, playful moods! I have known Alexa since high school. She has lived all around the world; Australia, Alaska, and now Houston. She has always had a creative gift, and has started her own photography company in the past few years. I have loved seeing her share her gift with others (my own family included while she was in town!) It was such a true pleasure finally meeting her beautiful blondie babies and catching up!!! The location we chose is also one of my favorites!

Anderson Family | St. Louis Photographer

These two have their hands and hearts full with these two busy boys! I feel like we really captured their personalities, joy that is childhood, and the true exhaustion, fun and love that comes from raising two (twin) toddlers! Looking forward to capturing many more milestones for the years to come for this special family.

If you are a new mama, be sure to check out the awesome product that Lauren created to help keep new mama’s organized and on top of it! It’s called Tiny Tracker!

Ben + Kara + Brooks | St. Louis Family

Hard to believe this little man is already two! I love getting to capture my BirthStory families year after year!

HERE is Brooks’ BirthStory. He surprised us all when he decide to arrive a few weeks early!

Ollie + Jude + Kate + Devin | St. Louis Family Photographer

I met this sweet little family when they were pregnant with Jude. I have done BOTH of their Birthstories and several family sessions along the way. I always love our time spent together! Kate and I always seem to be expecting at the same time….Jude (their first born) was born 3 weeks before Audrey (My first born), and Aria (my 2nd born) was born 2 months before their 2nd born, Ollie. Side note…..but Kate….can my girls marry your boys one day!!?? They are just the CUTEST!! Here are a few faves from our recent shoot! Happy Birthday Boys!!!

Welcome Millie Brynn | St. Louis Newborn

Have you ever just met someone you felt like you have been friends with forever? That’s how I felt the first time Jessica called me to discuss possibly hiring me to shoot her BirthStory. I absolutely adore this family, and have gotten to know them through the birth and newborn session of their sweet daughter, Amelia. I will be sharing her BirthStory soon, but for now, here is her Birth Announcement and a few of my favorite moments captured at her recent newborn session!

Welcome Christopher Thomas | St. Louis Newborn

Breanna and Chris went on quite the journey (to say the least) to welcome this precious child into their arms. Breanna is a natural and glows when it comes to motherhood. I could not be happier for the three of them!!!

Welcome Ollie | St. Louis Newborn

This family will always hold a near and dear place in my heart! I originally met them when they contacted me to capture their older son, Jude's BirthStory. Kate and I were both pregnant at the same time (when I was pregnant with Audrey). Jude was the last birth that I shot before Audrey was born, and Ollie was the first birth I shot after Aria was born! :) This family is fun, loving, and I could not say enough good things about them! 

Welcome Parker Lee | St. Louis Newborn Photographer

I'm getting in the Holiday spirit over here and more than excited to share our latest Birth Announcement! Welcome Parker Lee! 

Brittany + Erasmo | Marsh Harbour, Bahamas Wedding | Happy Anniversary!

It always seems people find Destination Weddings so intriguing. And what is not to love!? A dreamy location, surrounded by amazing couples and their incredibly welcoming and loving families? And did I mention I get to do what I absolutely LOVE while I am there!?! I truly have my dream job. People often ask me, "What is your favorite location you have ever shot at?" There are so many top contenders.....and THIS wedding is one of them. I had never even heard of Marsh Harbour before Brittany contacted me. I have been to several other islands (and several in the Bahamas), but this one takes the cake. The moment your flight lands at the tiny airport, you are greeted by TSA (which somehow feels more like family). Once you arrive at the beach, the sand was pure powdered sugar. The staff at The Abaco Club at Winding Bay treated all of their guests like royalty. It was private and the perfect answer to anyone wanting a romantic getaway or a little R&R. 

I originally met sweet Brittany when my hubby and I shot her sister's wedding in Destin, Florida. I immediately fell in love with the entire family. They have a close bond, and you could feel the love surrounding them. When Brit contacted me about shooting her wedding at her family's home away from home (Marsh Harbour), I was 500% on board! The day was easy going, fun, and full of happiness. TODAY they are celebrating their FIVE YEAR anniversary. I often look back at their day with such fond memories that I had to share a special blog post commemorating their big day. I hope you two are able to take a look back at your day and relive each and every moment. Happy Anniversary BE!  (And I still can't get over how gorgeous that Monique Lhuillier gown was!)

And here is her sis and brother in law & a little flashback to their Destin Wedding! 

Welcome Adelyn | St. Louis Newborn Photographer

Welcome Eloise Elizabeth

What a sweetie little Miss Eloise was at her newborn session!!!  Precious! 

Welcome Avery Cornell | St. Louis Newborn

Meet the newest newborn to join our BirthStory club! Isn't he a handsome little guy!? 

Lauren + Adam | Columbia, Missouri Wedding Photographer

Lauren was a shining example of a classic, timeless, and beautiful bride. From the dress, to her hair, to her smile.....she was pure beauty. It's easy to see how Adam fell head over heels for his bride. Adam is her quirky, funny, handsome, other-half. They make each other laugh, and I truly would see them light up when they are in each other's arms. I loved getting to know them, their families, and  did not want the day to end! 

The Team: 

Location: Columbia, Missouri 

Photography: Ashley Becker Photography

Hotel: The Tiger Hotel

Florist: Kents Floral Gallery 

Reception: Country Club of Missouri

Cake : Edith Hall Cakes 

DJ: Complete Weddings 

Connor + Emily | Saint Louis New Town Chapel Wedding

I still vividly remember meeting Emily at that coffee shop for the very first time. She was in the beginning planning stages. I love seeing how all of the planning comes together, and getting to know the love story of each and every couple. These two got engaged right before Connor was offered the job opportunity of a lifetime. It was only temporary, but it happened to be in Israel. He works for Boeing, so airplanes have always played a special part in their relationship....but once he took this job...they would play an even bigger part. They took trip after trip halfway around the world for the past year. They made long distance look easy. Emily would always light up with excitement when she would tell me she was planning for another upcoming trip to see her fiance! I love seeing the way these two love each other! You can feel their adoration, passion and love by simply being around them for 5 minutes. Thank you both for having us there to capture your once in a lifetime day. We love you!  

Happy First Birthday Grayson | St. Louis Family Photographer

I have seen this family grow from two to party of five. I fell in love with Sarah and Pat the moment I met them. I felt like they had been lifelong friends....and they have turned into just that. I have been there with them each and every time they have met all three of their babies. They have the patience of Saints, and were able to wait until they met their baby to find out if it was a boy or a girl. Their first two beautiful babes were boys.....and I could hear the joy (and slight fear ;) ) in Pat's Voice as he announced to Sarah that "It's a Girl!!!" I will never forget that moment!! Sarah was in shock & disbelief that her dreams had come true. The sweet baby that she held in her arms was going to fill their life with pink, sparkles, and unicorns! I can not believe it has already been a year since that moment, but I guess time has a way of sneaking up on you. Happy First Birthday Grayson!!!!!   (And scroll to the bottom for a flashback of her BirthStory!) 

And how cute is this best dressed babe!!!?!? Mommy picked out all of her outfits from the adorable Little Ladies Boutique! 

Of course we had to finish the shoot with her own cake smash!!!