Eric + Megan (and Rex) - St. Louis, Missouri Couple's Session

How can I describe the first time I met him? When I first locked eyes with this man, I knew he’d be the kindest, most gentle soul that I’d ever encountered. He’s got the biggest heart, the longest tongue, and the maximum amount of legs that he can have. Four legs, that is. Oh, you thought I was talking about Eric? No, I’m talking about Rex, the King of Dogs™.

But also Eric and Megan are super rad, extremely kind, and a ton of fun to photograph. It was amazing to see them open up throughout the session and really get into the flow of having their photos taken. Eric has been a good friend of mine since college but, thanks to a stubborn little virus, I’ve only been able to chat with Megan virtually. So, when Eric told me he wanted to book a couple’s session for Megan’s birthday, of course I was a billion percent for it!
Thanks for the hangs, Eric and Megan! Thanks for letting me pet you, Rex.

Check out some of my favorites from this Carondelet Park couple’s shoot!

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Akia + Darren - St. Louis, Missouri Engagement Session

This was, by far the coldest engagement session that I’ve ever done, but of some of the warmest souls that I’ve ever photographed!
Darren and Akia’s recent engagement session was 6 months before their wedding in August, which I’m super excited for, of course! While their wedding is at another venue entirely, I have to give a shoutout to the kind folks at Boo Cat Club for giving us an indoor venue in which to take some beautiful photos and keep out of the frigid temps for a little while!
Since their little girl was tagging along with us for the first part of the session, we wanted to make sure she was part of the indoor photos so she wouldn’t freeze her little toes off. After we were done there, we went to Art Hill in Forest Park to snag a few outdoor images! Here's where things got…. numb.
It was a -4° wind chill that evening. For most cold sessions, I like to provide my couples with a set of hand warmers to help the extremities stay at least a little toasty but, seriously, NOTHING was going to keep us comfortable when it’s -4 and windy.
At the end of the day, Darren and Akia absolutely crushed it and we came away with some photos that really capture their joyful souls in some really beautiful settings. Check it out below!

Akia’s Makeup was done by the amazing Damund Omar.
Hair was done by the astounding Sherry Daggs.

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Amanda + Alex - St. Louis, Missouri Engagement Session

St. Louis Forest Park and Delmar Loop Engagement Photography

This St. Louis engagement session was an insane amount of fun! Amanda and Alex are fantastic people. If you’ve been keeping your eye on the St. Louis culinary scene, you may have seen this feature that Sauce Magazine did on Alex’s work and career. So sick!

We took engagement photos in the St. Louis Zoo, the Steinberg Skating Rink, and finished the evening off with a lap around the Loop. If you’re wanting to do engagement photos at the St. Louis Zoo, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

• First, because of COVID guidelines, the zoo is operating at a limited capacity so you need to make reservations in advance of your visit. I went ahead and did this in a few minutes for all 3 of us!

• Second, keep away from busy paths and high-traffic areas. To take the photo, the photographer will likely want you two to take off your masks. Stay off the beaten path and respect your distance from others, and you’ll still make some great images.

• Finally, make sure you call to clear the commercial shoot with management. Make your reservation, stay socially distanced, and call ahead to make sure you’re good to go!

If you’re looking to get some engagement photos done at the St. Louis Zoo, I hope this helped you a little bit. Other than that, keep scrolling and bask in the awesomeness of Amanda and Alex! BONUS if you can guess what their nicknames for each other are…

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Stephanie + Zach - Highland, Illinois Engagement Session

Stephanie and Zach’s late-fall engagement session in Highland, Illinois at Silver Lake Park was gorgeous! We did this session during a week where I had about 6 other shoots and, let me tell you what, every single one had this amazing, warm light. Throw in an awesome couple and a handsome German Shorthaired Pointer, and you’ve got a recipe for beautiful photos!
We spent about an hour and a half taking a lap around the park, hiding behind bushes and trees, and dodging errant frisbees sailing through the air. Some of our talking points were as follows:

• Dogs, obviously.

• Law school…… obviously?

• Puppies, which is dogs.

• RuneScape. Yep.

Hope you dig these photos. I’m really lucky to get to know folks like this through my work. I’m a big fan of Stephanie and Zach, and I think you’ll be too!

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Chelsea + Mason - Peoria, Illinois Wedding Photography

It was so much fun shooting Chelsea and Mason’s Peoria, Illinois wedding! Well, we also did some stuff in Pekin, too. Chelsea and Mason are highly special people and, as evidenced by their engagement session, hanging out with them is always an adventure. If you need a refresher, we spent half our time wandering around a trailer park playground at sunrise trying to find the entrance to a trail we saw online, only to realize it was a quarter mile up the road. We also learned the story of a man named “Bad Chad.”
Anyways, regarding their wedding, this was one of those classic COVID-weddings that we’ve all grown so accustomed to and that I have grown to totally adore. The small size, the subdued tension, and the joyous, intimate celebration at the end of the day make for a really special wedding. Chelsea and Mason had all that and more!
We began the day getting ready in separate locations, Mason at his family's home, and Chelsea at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. Fortunately, this is also where the ceremony was to be held, so we were able to get a lot done in a short amount of time. We met up with Mason and the gang at Mineral Springs Park (commonly called the Pekin Lagoon) for their first look and some quick portraits before they had to jet back to the church to GET MARRIED!
After the beautiful ceremony with some super-sweet vows, we skipped on over to the Peoria Riverfront for a few more shots before sunset. Oh, by the way, Nikki Erin Films was with us every step of the way doing video. She’s a rockstar and produces amazing work.
The reception was at Alexander’s Steakhouse in Peoria and, on top of some amazing food, the party was so special and alive! I can’t thank Chelsea and Mason enough for trusting us with their wedding day, and if a full-blown event is soon to come with tons of lovely folks, know that we’ll be there to capture that, too.
Be warned, there are a lot of smiles below… 👇

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Moses and Emily - Greenville, Illinois Engagement Photography

Engagement Session Photography in Southern Illinois

I’m so excited to share a bit of Moses and Emily’s engagement session with you! I think we were met with probably the best light I’ve ever seen in my whole dang life. That, paired with these two awesome humans made for a session for the books! I shot, like, DOUBLE the amount that I normally shoot for a session like this. They were that good.

Emily and Moses are such a sweet couple with a great sense of adventure and joy. They were down for anything! Stare into the sun for a second? You got it. Lay down in the leaves and trust that I won’t drop my camera on their faces? Done. Moses is also a kick-butt blacksmith. I know, cool, right? Check out his work here.

Take a sec and look through all this warm, vibrant goodness. Emily and Moses, you are rockstars!

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Kaitlyn + Trey - Peoria, Illinois Engagement Session

Engagement Session at Laura Bradley Park in Peoria, Illinois

We had a blast running around Bradley Park in Peoria, and I couldn’t be happier for Kaitlyn and Trey! I went to high school with Kaitlyn and we sang in our school’s Madrigal choir together, so we go way back! Currently, Kaitlyn and Trey own and run a totally awesome pizza restaurant called 460 Pizza. If you’re in the Peoria area, check them out!
As if they couldn’t get any cooler, they were troopers throughout this entire session. It was 25°F, after all! This leads us right into the sub-blog, or, the blog within the blog, if you will. How to survive a sub-freezing engagement session!

Tips For Surviving Your Chilly Engagement Session

• Hot Hands! You know, those little bags of mobile hand, saving heat? Use them, love them, keep them on your person. I picked up about 20 packs of them the morning of this session, and they were a WELCOME addition to those moments when we were walking from place to place. To all my future clients, I got you covered!!!

• Donuts! They don’t keep you warm, and they may freeze by the end of the session, but they still taste good and I got a dozen for the three of us as treats after the shoot. We had leftovers, and I ate so many!

• Easy-on, easy-off jackets! Dress warm enough under the jacket that you won’t freeze to death, but choose a jacket with a zipper rather than buttons. Throw some hot hands in the interior pockets, and with a quick zip, you’ll be on a train to warm-town in seconds. We laugh in the face of hypothermia!

• Coffee. Useful for your sanity on any normal day, useful for keeping yourself warm during a sub-freezing engagement session. This one is a no-brainer.

And there you have it! Scroll on down and enjoy a few of my favorites from Kaitlyn and Trey’s session!

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Megan + Matt - St. Peters, Missouri Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography at 370 Lakeside Park

As summer’s last hurrah, it gave us Megan and Matt’s gorgeous October wedding with warm sunshine, clear skies, and juuuust the right amount of heat! Megan and Matt are some of the nicest folks around. They were totally down for anything, smiled through every moment of the day, and were just so much fun to hang out with and take photos of! I couldn’t ask for a better duo to have in front of my lens.

We started the day getting ready in separate hotel rooms, Megan at the Ameristar Hotel, and Matt at Tru by Hilton. After that, we hopped on over to 370 Lakeside Park for the rest of the festivities. Their ceremony and reception setups were so gorgeous! Beautiful, simple floral arrangements lined the aisle and dotted each table, which perfectly complemented the wood tones of the massive pavilion where everything took place.

One of the best parts of the day was realizing that the venerable DJ Thurman was covering the reception. He’s awesome. He was the DJ at a wedding I shot back in July of this year, and I cannot say enough great things about how he runs the party!

As always, I love when couples ask me to do some night portraits, and we did just that to close out the night. All in all, I had so much fun documenting this wedding and I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do! Congrats, Megan and Matt!

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Kyle + Brooke - Hidden Lake Winery Wedding Photography in Aviston, Illinois

I can’t say enough good things about Kyle, Brooke, and their wedding at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, Illinois! Throughout this entire year, at every step of the planning process, they’ve been totally stoked and excited about their wedding. Being a WAC (Wedding in the Age of COVID [I just made that up]), paired with the occasional rain showers on the day of, a less-chill couple would have had a difficult time matching Kyle and Brooke’s energy and smile-content. Needless to say, this one was one for the books (or a blog, in this case).
Hidden Lake Winery really is the perfect solution for a compact, single-location wedding day. The wedding party got ready in the cabins, which offered a private and quiet place that still kept the bride and groom out of sight of each other. The ceremony and reception were held at the Majestic Falls section of the venue, characterized by a tranquil pond, awesome water features, and massive trees lending depth and scale to the ceremony.
This wedding featured:

• Custom sunglasses for each member of the party (totally rad)

• SAND! (you had to be there)

• A plant tube (official scientific name)

Scroll down to see some of my favorites from the wedding day! Congrats Kyle and Brooke!

{Nerd stuff for photographers}: This was my first wedding shooting DUAL Nikon Z5s, the latest (at the time of writing) mirrorless offering from Nikon. These little guys are fast, agile, have GREAT battery life, and really fantastic sensor performance. In almost every way, I believe they’re a welcome upgrade over my previous D750 cameras. The in-body stabilization (IBIS), the electronic viewfinder, and the live-view autofocus are those simple, next-generation features that mirrorless shooters have been enjoying for years now. And since the cameras are mirrorless I can now scoff at DSLR shooters for no other reason, so I have that going for me…

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Stone House of St. Charles Wedding Photography | Alysa + Kyle

Wedding Photography at Stone House of St. Charles

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It feels like just yesterday that Alysa contacted me to shoot her wedding! Well, it wasn’t yesterday, but it WAS just two months ago. Dang, 2020 is weird, right? I’m gonna let you in on a little wedding photographer’s secret. There are lots of ways to attract super cool couples and convince them to shoot your wedding day. Some photographers attend wedding shows. Some photographers beg and plead while crying. I’ve done both. However, for this specific couple, I used good ol’ nepotism because Alysa is my cousin! So, of course, when Alysa and Kyle reached out to me, I was absolutely ecstatic.

This one was a fun one, and I think it’s super apparent in the sum total amount of smiles that permeated every part of the day. Also, their babies are beyond beautiful. Also, nobody dances like my family. I’ll write a full review of wedding photography at Stone House of St. Charles in the next few weeks but, as far as my initial thoughts, it’s a gorgeous venue with fantastic potential no matter the weather! It’s important that a venue be able to “work” at any point in the itinerary, during any season, and at any time during the day. During the getting ready time, you’re met with huge, soft window light and simply decorated rooms so as to not distract from the humans in the photos. The courtyard is spacious enough for family photos and totally well-lit, and the reception hall is more than equipped for anything you can throw at it.

Cassidy Eckman killed it on makeup!
Sisters Flowers knocked it out of the park on the florals!

Scroll to see some of my faves from their day…. If you dare.

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See more venues like Stone House on our full St. Louis wedding venue page!

Silver Oaks Chateau: St. Louis, Missouri Wedding Venue Review

A Wedding Photographer’s Review of Silver Oaks Chateau in St. Louis, Missouri

Silver Oaks Chateau is a totally stunning wedding venue just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, specifically located in Pacific, Missouri! In my experience, Silver Oaks Chateau is one of the best wedding venues in St. Louis. Not only is the venue totally unique, but it’s also large enough to host a wedding of just under 300 guests. As a kind of boring but super-useful benefit, it has GREAT parking which, honestly, you don’t see enough of. I had tons of fun shooting at Silver Oaks Chateau and, from getting ready to the reception, I was amazed at how gorgeous and functional this venue can be.

Starting off the day with a bang, the getting-ready spaces at Silver Oaks Chateau are roomy, well-lit, and adequately mirrored so nobody is fighting over a reflection. In the bridal suite, the comfy furniture and huge windows meant that I had plenty to work with as a photographer with beautiful light and a bridal party that was totally at ease all morning. To boot, the double doors opened up and we were able to make some tremendous portraits with that natural light goodness.

The ceremony took place at Silver Oak’s spacious courtyard which had plenty of room for all the guest’s chairs, an arbor for the couple and officiant, and all the decor. Set on top of the property, the landscape rolled gently downhill away from the ceremony and into the lush forest behind it. This is where we ended up taking some portraits afterward. It gave the entire ceremony this feeling of intimacy and vibrancy while still keeping everyone’s shoes and dresses away from the mud (it did rain a bit that day, as you may be able to tell from the photos below). I’m a huge fan of this ceremony format. When I arrived early that day to take a lap around the venue, the manager there was working diligently, making sure every chair was properly placed and that nothing was out of order. The staff at Silver Oaks Chateau definitely cares about the quality and perfection of your wedding, I can attest to that!

The reception area was equally stunning. The high vaulted ceilings, the gorgeous balcony, and the fantastic table settings made for a truly classic place to celebrate a marriage! The DJ’s uplighting really complimented the space superbly, and the balcony gave me a built-in place to put my flashes for lighting up the reception. Silver Oaks Chateau made my life easy that day and, with all the less-than-ideal weather, I welcomed the assistance! See below for some photos of the venue!

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Bride’s dress hanging inside Silver Oaks Chateau

Bridal getting ready suite at Silver Oaks Chateau

The loft offered a great place to read notes from each other

Bride and Bridesmaids in front of Silver Oaks Chateau.

Silver Oaks Chateau in Pacific, Missouri from the parking lot

The amazing light in the front door works well for first looks!

Wedding Ceremony at Silver Oaks Chateau

The balcony offers a gorgeous overlook of the ceremony and surrounding landscape!

The huge trees in the background offer beautiful colors and tones for after-ceremony group photos!

Wedding Portraits at Silver Oaks Chateau

Remember those double doors I mentioned before? Yeah. Awesome.

They retreated to the balcony just after the ceremony. This photo really showcases the classic, clean design of Silver Oaks Chateau.

Of course, I had to go bug them for some pictures up on the balcony… You can see the totally sweet fireplace down in the courtyard.

Traveling downhill a bit, you can get some awesome views of the tall grass, towering trees, and open sky.

The beautiful wedding reception space at Silver Oaks Chateau.

Even with the tall ceilings, beautiful light in the dancing photos is really simple to achieve!

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If you’re looking for one of the best St. Louis wedding venues to host your mid-to-large sized wedding, I wouldn’t hesitate to give the folks at Silver Oaks Chateau a call! Your photographer will thank you.

Disclaimer: I am in no way partnered or affiliated with Silver Oaks Chateau

Inn at 835: Springfield, Illinois Wedding and Event Venue Review

A Photographer’s Review of The Inn at 835 in Springfield, Illinois

The Inn at 835 is a timeless, elegant, and fully capable venue to host your entire Springfield, Illinois wedding day. As one of the best wedding venues in Springfield, it features handicap-accessible spaces, a beautiful lobby bar, multiple options for preparation and bridal getting-ready areas, and plenty of tables, chairs, china, and more included in your rental fee.

When I was shooting wedding photos at The Inn at 835 in Springfield, the bride used a small house just off the ceremony courtyard to finish up her getting ready process. This getting ready suite had plenty of amenities to keep everyone comfortable and the day moving forward, as well as a small garden area, perfect for first looks. While the room is lit warmly with tungsten-temperature lighting, popping up a flash or opening up a door for natural light is a great way to keep your colors balanced.

The attached courtyard proved to be a perfect place for the bride and groom’s trimmed down wedding ceremony. At the right time of day, the direct light from the sun is hidden by the surrounding buildings and offers nice, warm, even lighting that covers the whole event. Even though The Inn at 835 is in the heart of Springfield, the ceremony still feels decidedly private, peaceful, and devoid of distraction.

When it came time for the reception, The Inn at 835’s beautiful Conservatory space offered everything you could really want. Plenty of space for navigating the room while guests were dining, a dance floor with enough real estate to handle any wild-dad-dance moves your guests can throw at it, and the adjacent lobby bar is a great place to refill your glass or just take a breather!

I know I had a blast photographing this couple (see more of them here) at the Inn at 835 and I’m confident that, if you choose to host your wedding here, you’ll be totally pleased with the memories you and your family will make! Take a look at some images of a wedding shot at the Inn at 835!

The bride’s dress hanging in the getting ready suite at the Inn at 835

The garden behind the getting ready suite offers some beautiful natural light in which to snag some quick, casual portraits.

We also did the father-daughter first look here, which did not disappoint!

The doors at the getting ready suite offer the perfect separation to read some notes to each other before the ceremony.

This is a panorama of the courtyard at the Inn at 835 in Springfield, Illinois. You can see how private and peaceful a wedding ceremony here can be.

Group photos in front of The Inn at 835

More group photos, this time on the side of the building.

Inside the lobby lounge at The Inn at 835. You can see the MEGA classy styling and furnishings here in this room. Very cool.

The greenery surrounding the Inn at 835 provides great light and context for some portraits.

In the Conservatory reception space at the Inn at 835, you can see how the warm lighting and recessed ceilings make for some really awesome party vibes!

The classic styling carries over the the attached bar!

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If you’re looking for a timeless, classic venue to host your Springfield, Illinois wedding or reception, give the folks at the Inn at 835 a call! As a photographer, I know I had a blast documenting this wedding day here.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated or partnered with the Inn at 835 or Conn’s Hospitality Group.

Your Boutique Hotel: Alton, Illinois Wedding Venue Review

A Photographer’s Review of Your Boutique Hotel in Alton, Illinois

Your Boutique Hotel (formerly WOW on Broadway) is a fantastically unique wedding venue in downtown Alton, Illinois, just outside of St. Louis. It’s an alternative to its sister space, the larger WOW Furnishings and Events center, which makes Your Boutique Hotel the perfect solution for small to mid-sized weddings. If you’re looking for an all-in-one venue in downtown Alton, Your Boutique Hotel may just suit your needs!

The features that the hotel offers come into play even before you begin to get ready for your day, as the venue is also host to a number of boutique hotel-style rooms that can comfortably sleep well over 16 guests. This means that travel the morning of your wedding doesn’t have to be a hassle. You and your family can spend the night at the place where your ceremony and reception are going to be hosted! When hair and makeup does arrive, however, Your Boutique Hotel offers a beautifully-lit and spacious Bridal Getting-Ready suite, replete with large mirrors, ample window light, a separate restroom, and it’s own bedroom. It’s separated enough that, should the groom (or anyone you don’t want peeking in) stroll by, you don’t have to worry about blowing your cover!

When it comes time to take portraits, your photographer should have no shortage of ideas and spots in which to take those photos. Not only are the dark wooden tones inside inspiring, but you have numerous areas outside in the surrounding streets, alleys, and storefronts of Alton, Illinois. I’ll add some examples below, but you can see even more in Haley and Nathan’s blog post!

As far as your ceremony and reception go, the venue is full of lots of opportunities to make it your own but, even before you add your own touch, it starts as simply a gorgeous space! Wood shiplap accents the exposed brick, with hanging greenery at the end of the room opposite of large, sprawling windows. Since the main room is longer than it is wide, I recommend placing gift tables and the food line in one or two of the side rooms so you can maximize your mobility around the room when it’s time to eat, give speeches, or DANCE!

At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a beautiful, competitively priced, and turnkey solution to host your wedding day events in downtown Alton, I highly recommend giving Your Boutique Hotel a shout and sparking up a conversation! Keep scrolling for some images of the actual venue.

Your Boutique Hotel’s Bridal suite

Your Boutique Hotel’s huge spiral staircase and warmly lit library

Your Boutique Hotel’s pool table

Your Boutique Hotel’s Bridal Suite

Descending the staircase!

Your Boutique Hotel’s ceremony space

After the ceremony, we crossed the street for some group photos. You can see Your Boutique Hotel from the road!

Below are just a few examples of the potential for great photos at the venue and the surrounding area! We had a blast in the short time we had for the wedding couple portraits! See more here.

This is inside Your Boutique Hotel, at the top of their spiral staircase. So stunning, so much potential!

From a similar angle as the ceremony, here’s the same room set up for the intimate reception.

The reception space from the other side, facing Your Boutique Hotel’s large windows.

Lit properly, even light and soft skin tones are easy to achieve in WOW’s main room!

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If you’re currently looking for an awesome space to host your wedding or reception in Alton, Illinois, I hope this little review was helpful or at least assisted you in figuring out what you want in a wedding venue.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated or partnered with Your Boutique Hotel.

Haue Valley: St. Louis, Missouri Wedding Venue Review

A Photographer’s Review of Haue Valley Weddings and Events

Haue Valley is a beautiful wedding venue in Pacific, MO, just a quick drive outside of St. Louis. Just a couple months ago, I had the privilege of photographing Derek and Linsey’s wedding at this exact venue! When they first told me that their wedding was going to be here, I was stoked. Not only was I taking photos of a super fun, talented, and joyful couple, but the venue would make my job on the wedding day, admittedly, very easy. In my opinion, Haue Valley is a venue that has everything you could want in an efficient, stress-free day and is one of the best options for wedding venues in the St. Louis area.

On their website, they describe themselves as hosting “Pinterest-Worthy Weddings.” These days, I’m not spending tons of time on Pinterest, but I can’t disagree with that statement. Nestled in Missouri hills, Haue Valley offers beautiful views, intimate nature settings, and comfortable ceremony and reception spaces. The venue supports ample space in terms of getting ready spaces for both the bride and the groom, so you won’t be starved for space and bumping the makeup artist’s elbow as you try to squeeze by.

As far as photo potential goes, you really can’t go wrong. If you give your photographer ample time to work, and build in a few minutes of travel time into your portrait sessions, you’re basically guaranteed to get a final product that you’d be proud to put on your wall. The venue’s property stretches for a fair amount of acres, with ponds, woodland, open spaces, and ruined buildings in which to create some really striking images.

Haue Valley’s reception space follows this overwhelming trend of quality, as well. The soft ambient lighting, dedicated bar area, outdoor covered seating, clean bathrooms, and warm rustic styling create such an idyllic mood for your wedding reception.

Okay. That was a lot of words. Some would argue that that was too many words. I’m lucky I’m a photographer! Here are some photos that I believe showcase the beauty of Haue Valley. Hopefully they assist you in your search for the perfect wedding venue.

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Exterior of Bridal Getting Ready Suite at Haue Valley

Groom’s Getting Ready space at Haue Valley

Inside the Bridal Getting Ready space at Haue Valley

Haue Valley’s gorgeous courtyard. The first look and ceremony took place here.

Inside Haue Valley’s reception hall

Wedding ceremony at Haue Valley

Like I said above, Haue Valley is no slouch when it comes to making beautiful wedding photography! Here are some of my favorite portraits that showcase a few of the locations. You can see some more here.

They have these breathtaking walls covered in greenery. In the right light, they are absolutely stunning!

The reception space also has these awesome glass doors. Perfect for snagging some last-minute family photos!

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That’s it! As a wedding photographer, I have the opportunity to shoot at countless beautiful venues. I’d be remiss if I didn’t showcase them and the potential they present to future couples! If you’d like to get in contact with Haue Valley or myself, click below!

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with or partnered with Haue Valley Weddings & Events

Meg + Mark - Greenville, Illinois Wedding Photography

I had the honor of photographing Meg and Mark’s beautiful southern Illinois wedding. The whole event, from ceremony to reception, all took place on their gorgeous property in Greenville, Illinois, which made it extra special!

Some highlights of this wedding include:

• Old friends that made for some hilarious moments

• Massive smiles

• A jaw-dropping watermelon cake made with actual watermelon

• A sparkler send-off where the sparklers were so big we decided to do it twice

• A little bit of good-old-fashioned light painting

Obviously, I’m a big fan of this day and these folks. Check out some of my favorite moments below!

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Kristen + Andrew - St. Louis, Missouri Wedding Photography

I’m so excited to share some of my favorites from Kristen and Andrew’s St. Louis, Missouri wedding day! From their engagement session back in February, I knew they were going to be such fun to photograph on their wedding day (it helps that they were already dear friends of mine). The ceremony was at this really gorgeous private property, and the beautiful reception took place at Andre’s West. They surrounded themselves with such good friends and family throughout the day, and it shows.
This wedding had it all:

• A cool tub

• Ted Drewes (cuz we’re in St. Louis)

• Quick Trip (in case you doubted that we were in St. Louis)

• Radical dance moves

See below for photo proof that this unfathomably awesome day happened!

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Josie + Cole - Alton, Illinois Engagement Session

I’m elated that I get to photograph such an amazing couple like Josie and Cole! They’re a blast to photograph, and take my weird and wonky instructions like TOTAL champs. We spent the evening taking their engagement photos in Alton, IL: both in downtown Alton and at Gordon Moore Park. I took way more photos than I usually do at engagement sessions, but I had to! These two looked so good!
I’m loving the amount of blogging I’m doing lately. Though I often struggle to hit Google’s SEO word count recommendations (and may not even hit it here), I find so much value in showing shorter visual stories for each couple as opposed to the one or two photos they may get featured in my portfolio section. I feel like this is such a more accurate depiction of the couple and how they interact with each other.

For photographers: I used my Nikon 45mm f/2.8 tilt-shift lens pretty frequently in this shoot. It still was only on maybe 10% of the overall session, but that’s significant for a specialty lens like this one. It’s super sharp when you nail the plane of focus, and the color renditioning is top-notch. It’s definitely one of the pricer lenses in my bag, so I kinda need it to be as sharp as it is. The rest of the session was done with my 58mm 1.4G and my 24mm 1.4G lenses. These are what I shoot 98% of all my photos on. They get me in the action, they’re sharp, they’re reliable, and they render perfectly. Take a look, if you dare.

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Derek and Linsey - St. Louis, Missouri Wedding Photography

‘Twas a sunny, warm day in June when this wedding took place! It’s an honor to have been able to document this wedding at Haue Valley in Pacific, MO. Derek and Linsey are two really wonderful people, and it really shows in their relationship. Around the venue, they had photos of their travels across the world, they brought their dogs (which I’m a huge fan of), and they’re both really talented creators. Needless to say…. these are my people!
Weddings are always special, but their importance in our lives is becoming more and more apparent. Sure, maybe 2020 has forced us to pare down the guest lists and stock a few buckets of hand sanitizer, but the reality is all the more impactful. Two people choosing one another is always something worth capturing.

So hey! Check out a few of my favorites from the day, if you’d like.

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Haley + Nathan - Alton, Illinois Wedding Photography

There’s not much that hasn’t been said about COVID-19. In this blog, I’m not going to focus on the masks, the distancing, or the hand sanitizer. I think to focus on the obstacles that Haley and Nathan had to face to make their dream wedding happen does disservice to the true joy that was on everyone’s faces throughout the entire day.

Haley and Nathan’s beautiful wedding day started and ended at WOW on Broadway in Alton, Illinois. As far as venues go, it was replete with beautiful light, sprawling bookcases, exposed brick, and deep wood tones throughout. These made for a visually wonderful day, from getting ready all the way to the small reception.
Haley and I actually grew up in the same hometown and went to high school together, so it was such a blast so see some old friends there and to have a small part in this special day. It was also a huge honor to meet Nathan and his gorgeous family! Scroll down to see a few of my favorite moments from the day.

Makeup by Ashley Boren Makeup and Hair

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Why Every Couple Should Ask Their Wedding Photographer To Take Night Portraits

When choosing a wedding photographer, there is a long list of boxes that you need to check to ensure that you’ll be happy with the final product. On top of being available for your wedding, easy to work with, and timely with communication, your photographer needs to be able to deliver a product that is unique to you and your spouse. One of my favorite ways to do that? Night portraits. Let’s look at a few reasons why you should ask your photographer to take a few of your photos at night!

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Gauges The Photographer’s Technical Ability

Requesting some night photography is a great way to measure your photographers flexibility, creativity, and technical knowledge of their craft. While making a beautiful photo of a couple at night is not inherently hard, it takes a few extra creative muscles to find the perfect spot, create the right light, get the proper gear, and to set the correct exposure. If your wedding photographer seems as excited as you are (if not more) about taking photos in this unique setting, that’s a great sign!

Gives The Couple A Break

If left unchecked, the schedule of the wedding day can turn into a complete blur in your memory. The ceremony goes immediately into the receiving line, which is followed by family photos, followed by the reception, wherein you’re toasting, cake cutting, eating, dancing, and celebrating. For some couples, that’s a lot! Even if you’re well prepared for that hustle and bustle, taking a quiet moment away from the commotion and into the cool evening breeze may be the perfect minute you need to breathe and, quite frankly, air out!

Provides Unique Photos

Not many couples, even today, are adventurous enough to trust their photographer in taking their portraits at night. That is, in my humble opinion, a real bummer! The world outside of your reception is taking on a whole new look and feel as the sun goes down. It’s a perspective that you may come to really appreciate when it comes time to hang some memories on your wall.

My goal is to give every one of my couples a gallery that is a holistic, singular piece of art, unique to them, their family, and their wedding day. If you’re interested in making something that is really special and…. really cool, then give me a call!