Holiday Time!

One of the joys for Bobbi is to be able to photograph the kids and families that she has been blessed to watch through the years. Many of the studio kids were in front of her lens when they were born and she always gets so excited when it is time for another portrait! Nick, above, is one of those great kids. He is growing into a fine young man--- but why woudn't he? He has great parents and a great family! His sister will have to be part of a future blog entry! One of the things that amazes us about Nick is his amazing ability to spout sports knowledge, this kid is truly amazing. He and Bobbi bantered back and forth about all manner of sports trivia. Guess who is the bigger kid? Go ahead! Guess!

We're in the thick of our holiday sessions and are having the best time! Kids and families are what it's all about this time of year! We'll be posting some great photos coming up from these wonderful sessions!

Katie & Jordan

It might have been a bit chilly yesterday but believe me, it did not put a bit of a damper on the wedding of Katie & Jordan! Katie was a gorgeous bride in an amazingly beautiful gown from Neiman Marcus, the beading was exquisite. Her veil? Let's just say that we've never seen anything like it, to say it was incredible doesn't begin to describe the miles of flowing tulle with the fabulous beading around the scalloped edge! Jordan was smiling and handsome and their families were there to share their love and happiness. The wedding was held at St. Francis Xavier on the campus of St. Louis University, a beautiful location. Their reception was at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton and was dazzling down to the last detail! I'm sure that they are over the moon happy that today's very cold, gray and madly raining weather did not arrive a day earlier!!

To view the slideshow of some of the images from their wedding day, please CLICK HERE.

Katie & Jordan

Today is the long anticipated wedding of Katie and Jordan---- we've looked forward to it for such a long time! Katie is the sister of one of our wonderful grooms and we already feel like family! Hopefully the weather will hold off the possible ice and probable rain for the very special day. If not, her sweet spirit will carry her through what will undoubtedly be an absolutely glorious and gorgeous day!!!

Happy December 1st!

Welcome Alecia and Jim!

Sorry loyal BBP Blog readers! All of us here at Bobbi Brinkman Photography LOVE the fact that you love us (as much as we love you) and faithfully follow the blog!!! Being away in Phoenix was great fun and we loved DeeDee and Kirk (and the weather) but life these days is busy getting back down to it. Add to that the surely amazingly gorgeous wedding tomorrow of Katie and Jordan and we're just pretty crazy!

I do have to welcome ALECIA & JIM to the wedding family at BBP! We are super excited that they will be with us for the upcoming year as we all anticipate their wedding in Washington Missouri. It promises to be an absolutely beautiful event, how lucky we are to be capturing their wedding with "Images from the Heart...".

I did come back from Arizona with a recipe for killer cheese dip, I'll have to share it so remind me!

Happy last day of November!

Happy Thanksgiving From Sedona

It is GORGEOUS here................ and definitely warmer than St. Louis!!! From our first scouting expedition comes these shots--

Cathedral Rock, wow! Can I move now? Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! May you be blessed with family and friends!

Melissa and Michael

As Thanksgiving approaches BBP has so many things to be thankful for! At the top of the list of course is our wonderful clients---- we have the best of the best of the best! We're totally thankful and very blessed to be able to welcome another bride and groom to the wedding family at Bobbi Brinkman Photography. A very warm welcome to Melissa and Michael! They are a fabulous couple and we're really looking forward to having many years together capturing your life with "Images from the Heart...".

The studio has been crazy busy lately! Not only have we finished the Portrait in the Park sessions, which were so much fun, but we've been busy getting orders placed and packaged for shipping. We have such good looking clients! :) After Thanksgiving is properly tucked away we'll begin shooting holidays, yay! We are looking forward to seeing all of our clients but it is always such a delight to see how the kids have grown and what adorable outfits they are wearing for the family card this year.

New Dates Added

It is so funny-------- every year we, the loyal and pooped BBP staffers, hope for some time off around the holidays. Of course, to even think such a thing will actually happen is pretty silly! And this year is no exception. We are ALL really committed to the notion that our beloved clients will have holiday portraits each year. Nothing is more important to a family, it documents your life for future generations and it makes darn cute holiday cards in the bargain! So, we've added another day to photograph our clients in our really fab new holiday set. I won't give away any secrets when I tell you that I am absolutely lusting after two of the elements of the set and when the shutter has clicked its' last for the sessions and the final client has bundled the family into the car I am taking that bad boy down and whisking it away for my own personal use. SO there! I know that I will have everything in place before St. Nick makes his way down my chimney!

So dear clients, if you've been on the fence about scheduling your holiday session---- delay no longer! Give us a call at the studio and we will find a great time to get you in. And, just think--- this year you can go for ice cream at the Soda Fountain, how much of a treat will that be for everyone!

For those sans kiddos who have asked about holiday photos with the pets, of course you can! We always love to do those sessions as well!

Talk soon!

Kristin & Rob

Kristin & Rob have joined the BBP wedding family! We couldn't be happier to welcome them! We met them at a bridal show at the Sheraton and because the booth was (as usual) uber crowded we really didn't get a chance to touch base that day. However, they just had that feeling that Bobbi was the one---- and that fact was confirmed when everyone had that nice 'click'! They are a great couple, cute as pie and wonderfully laid back. Kristin's Mom Debbie was along when they came in for their consultation and we really enjoyed her as well! Personally, I think Rob is the most excited about the studio being almost next door to some of the best microbrewed beer in St. Louis at Square One Brewery! Of course..................... he does have a point there!

Welcome Kristin & Rob, we're all looking forward to your Big Day!

Portraits of Kaylyn

We enjoy each and every session with absolutely all of our clients----- really! But sometimes the bubbly enthusiasm of the individual before the lens affects us all, and that was the case with Kaylyn. She arrived for her Portraits in the Park session with a duffle bag crammed to bursting with clothing, accessories, well just about everything one might possibly need on a photo shoot! And then some! We had such a great time pulling outfits together, perfectly coordinated a la Kaylyn of course! Her Mom and brother Ian were along adding to the fun of the day. Ian had been photographed by Bobbi previously, so he was a great help during the session, it was almost like he was the roadie! One of Kaylyns darling outfits featured soft blue suede boots, high heeled with fuzzy fur and pom poms---- they were so cute! Spoken just like only a brother can, Ian called Kaylyn's boots her "Eskimo hooker boots"! We howled!

Congratulations Tovah & Josh!

How VERY exciting it is when our wonderful wedding couples are expecting babies!!!!!

Yesterday we found out that Tovah and Josh are expecting their first bundle of joy----- and we're overjoyed too! They're a really wonderful couple who just celebrated their first anniversary. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and we know for a fact that they are not only a lot of fun, but really great people! And now to be parents in June! We understand that their friends Sarah and Tim, who are BBP clients marrying next August, have requested a little flower girl or ring bearer! Tovah---- you have your work cut out for you!

Best Brides Ever!

We DO have the best brides (and grooms) in the world! Probably the Universe! Actually, ALL of our clients are incredibly wonderful! We know we are lucky and say it every day!

Chrissy (above) is like many of our great brides, willing to pose with my knitting! The bride is smiling during a photoshoot on her wedding day and holding my almost finished sweater. (I actually have quite a few photos of our fabulous brides with my knitting in various stages!) She just left McDonald's in the limo so she's relaxed and happy!

One of our fabulous clients, Karyn, is getting remarried! YAY! We're so excited and happy for her and her fiance, what a thrill and an honor to be photographing her wedding! Her fiance is a very lucky guy indeed!

A big Semper Fi (if we can be so bold) to our new Marine Corps clients! We had such a great time with the Marines at the Adam's Mark last Saturday night as they celebrated the birthday of the Corps. It was really an honor to spend time with each and every one of you!

Groove Applied

Well, I'm back in town after a whirlwind bit of a getaway. I'd call it a vacation but really, I absolutely refuse to call 5 days away, including 2 travel days, a vacation. Nevermind what you call it, I'd have to say it was near perfection! While everyone at BBP continued to toil away on all things Studio, I was with Daughter One and Daughter Two as well as my three (count 'em three) grandsons. We laughed, ate, went to Starbucks (a lot), ate some more and played every kind of board game imaginable. I have discovered that I am not very good at either monopoly OR video games. This will undoubtedly come as no surprise to those of you that know me! I missed a great engagement session with Christina and Chris (above), it looks like they had a great time without me!

My grandboys were 'very scary' on Halloween! We had a BLAST! From left to right there is the Superhero Amalgam, the Rock Star, and Army Guy. Army Guy has the candy, he's a bright kid. Their Mom was a Pirate (the pretty kind she says) and I was simply Mimi, my favorite role!

Thanks to all of you who took it easy on Bobbi when you needed a question answered, an email taken care of, or something from the etcetera category. Maybe she appreciates me in the office now? :)

Now to get back in the groove of things, there is SO MUCH on my desk! Sigh. Time to apply the groove and get to it!

Chrissy & Chip

You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for a wedding on Saturday-- it was just glorious! The fall colors were finally strutting their stuff a little bit, the temperature was just about perfect and the wedding couple was just the greatest! The wedding ceremony was lovely and we had a wonderful time with Chrissy and Chip on location---- their wedding party was really great as well! Their reception was held at the beautiful St. Alban's Country Club and all in attendance enjoyed a wonderful evening! Topping off such a fabulous day were the parent's of this loving couple, we truly could not have asked for more!

To view a slideshow of their beautiful wedding day, CLICK HERE!

Fall is for Pumpkins

Yes, absolutely fall is all about the pumpkins! Earlier in the season when the pumpkin patch's sprung up at area nurseries and church parking lots, they didn't hold a lot of charm for me. Who can think of pumpkins when it is 80 outside? Not me anyway. But this week when the air turned decidedly brisk and had that very fall like edge, it was finally pumpkin time! Driving in to the studio this morning those ribbed orange yet uncarved jack 0'lanterns really called to me, several of them will make their home on my front porch just in time for Halloween.

Bobbi is taking a seminar with one of the world's most acclaimed photographers, David Williams. While she is away I think it is time to fill the studio with the smells (and tastes) of fall, Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar glazed pecans. Yum!

Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar glazed pecans

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 can (15 to 16 ounces) pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

TOPPING

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine the dry ingredients to include sugars and whisk to combine. In separate bowl, combine pumpkin, melted butter, evaporated milk, beaten eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add the wet and dry ingredients and stir gently.

For the topping, chop the pecans and toast them for about 5 minutes in a 375 oven. Stir the warm pecans, melted butter, sugar and cinnamon and return to the oven for another 5 minutes. The pecans should be a little crunchy and caramelized but not overly brown. Break up the nuts if neccessary.

Line 12-cup muffin tin with lightly sprayed paper liners. Fill the about 3/4-full with the pumpkin muffins batter, divide the cinnamon sugar pecan mixture and top the muffins. Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature. YUM!

Fall Is....

One of the ways you know that it is fall around here (even if the weather isn't cooperating all that well) is by the number of engagement sessions and family portraits happening at BBP! We've been blessed with some of the very best brides and grooms in the world at the studio and it's always so nice to connect again over an engagement session. Recently we've had quite a few and I thought I'd share some of the images with you here.


The wedding on Saturday of Christy and Justin was a ZOO............ and we mean that quite literally. Their lovely wedding at the Jewel Box was picture perfect, Bobbi, Aaron and I were on hand for a really touching, and sometimes funny ceremony. We had a great time on location and the reception was held at the St. Louis Zoo, lots of fun for all! It was the first time in a long time I've seen the 'fall theme' played out so fully in terms of decor at the reception, it was very pretty and made the room come to life with it's vibrancy. I'll post photos later.

Fall is finally going to make an appearance so get ready for the crisp days and chilly nights that we've been waiting for!

Blog Love

I know I know........... I probably spend way too much time reading blogs, aren't they great? One I particularly love (because I do love All Things Martha) is The Bride's Guide. It is written by Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings fame and it is really fabulous! Great ideas, great vendors, and wonderful things to order via email, how can you not find something fabulous. Today the link was to Tinsel Trading and I'm already fairly passionate about this NYC store featuring exquisite ribbons and trims and giftie things. Wonderful! With the holidays coming up you might just want to pop over there and check it out just because!

I'll be traveling to NYC in the next couple of months for a nice shopping and oogle fest in the Big Apple, but until then, join me on a virtual shopping extravaganza.

What are YOUR favorite shopping URL's??????

Fall Foliage

Our east coast bride is having fall, the leaves are even changing where she lives. Actually, we just received some lovely Leaf Peeping Photos from their trip into the great northeast and they were gorgeous. Here in St. Louis the weather folk are warning us that it may not be a pretty fall at all due to our heat and excessive dryness.

I can report that our favorite fall Park is looking like there will indeed be pretty color, but as to when it might peak..... I am afraid to guess!

Basically, I'm just happy that our wedding this Saturday should have very nice weather, maybe even a titch above normals for the middle of October. We love Christy and Justin so we're keeping our fingers crossed that their day is absolute perfection!

In the meantime, I have the leaf blower at the ready just hoping that I'll have more to contend with than dried out crunchy old brown leaves. At least if they're pretty it makes the chore somewhat more palateable!

Julie & Angelo

We had a fantastic time with bride Julie and her groom Angelo on Saturday! We'd been looking forward to their special day---- and this event didn't disappoint! From the start of the day when Julie looked so lovely we knew it was going to be great! They had the most fabulous programs as well! Julie made them, they were black 'sleeves' that encased the program, the program itself slid out using the satin ribbon tie at the top. Their family? Top notch all the way, we thoroughly enjoyed every second with them.

The Maid of Honor was the brides sister and I hate to tell tales out of school but she was hammered before the wedding ceremony! And in church of all things!


Y'know............................ I don't carry a hammer in the 'everything bag', but as evidenced by the photo above, I guess I should! :) I mean, there is duct tape in there, why not a hammer?

We have a slideshow of images from Julie and Angelo's wedding day online, don't miss them!
CLICK HERE

Double-Header

You know that it is October when we have the double-play weddings!

Yesterday's wedding at the Basilica and reception at Kemoll's Top of the Met was so much fun and we enjoyed Ken and Christina and their families very much. I've seen the photos and they're (as always) great! We even saw future wedding couple Christy and Justin in Forest Park when we were out on location!

Today we will sharing the once in a lifetime day of Julie and Angelo----- with luck the weather will hold and it will be a lovely fall day! They're a really great couple so I know we will have lots of fun as well as enjoy a very heartfelt and special event.

The Dynamic Path

This morning on my way out the door to finish packing up for the wedding today, The Today Show had on an exceptional interview that I stopped to watch. It was with Meredith and author Jim Citrin, who penned"The Dynamic Path" focusing on the making of a true champion.

Champions in this context were those who had arrived in stages to a status that was noticed, appreciated and honored by others.

• Stage 1: The Champ
• Stage 2: Great Leader
• Stage 3: The Legacy
  

Mr. Citrin used the examples of Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Bono as he described a life lived in such a way that a champion in almost any field can achieve greatness used to benefit humanity.

Wow, inspiring at the very least.

Steps along THE DYNAMIC PATH are:

• Grow or Perish
• Build on experiences and accomplishments
• Focus on the success of others
• Play to your strengths and interests
• Find a worthy and relevant cause

Personally I believe that if we all stopped to think of ourselves as champions of our own lives it would make us more easily step up into the role of leader and on to legacy. No matter what you do from the incredibly important stay at home Mom to the CEO of a company --- being a leader is important to show others how to live lives of meaning and success. To become a legacy seems at first thought nearly impossible to the ordinary person, but everyone wants to leave a legacy behind from a life well lived.

I have to brag on Bobbi for a minute, in her field she IS absolutely on the way to legacy! She is a champion photographer with her 26 years in the business, she is a wonderful leader and mentor to many in the field, she gives back to the community with passion and love as the area coordinator of Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and MANY other organizations. We all agree, her life is one that has shown others how to reach out and make a difference while following her passion of photography.

I'll be visiting Audible.com and buying "The Dynamic Path" very soon! After all, building a legacy requires a bit of effort! I may not be Bono anytime soon but I bet that you would join me in taking steps to encourage others, to be a good example and to care for those around me.


We're off to the wedding of Christina and Kenneth this afternoon, it is going to be a beautiful event and we're really looking forward to it!

Advancing Cool

Yes we do mean advancing cool---- and not a person but a thing! If the weatherfolk are correct (and that is giving a lot of credit, yes?) then fall will be rolling in from tomorrow on. Not like CRISP fall except maybe early mornings but wow---- not in the 90's for a lovely change! I'm ready! I have a new sweater I'm dying to wear but I that will have to wait for a bit!

We've had the best time meeting some new couples as well as favorite brides and grooms from the past. Everyone has absolutely loved the new digs here at Lafayette Square!

So if you are in the neighborhood give us a call, we'd love to say hi!

Two new dates have just been added to our always sold out Portraits in the Park sessions. We'll be sending out details very soon but if you would like to have us save a time-slot for you and your family, PLEASE give us a call. This is one of our most popular events of the year and I would hate it if you missed a spot!

Mona & Drew

WOW it was hot on Saturday, just plain old flat out stinkin' hot! Despite the St. Louis heat and humidity Mona and Drew were married and remained cool and calm! Their ceremony was at the Jewelbox and it was a beautiful ceremony. The photo shoot that followed was a bit warm, but lots of fun! Their reception was on the Starlight Roof at the Chase Park Plaza----a wow factor hotel, an elegant evening, everything was just near perfection. I must comment on the cake, you know that I KNOW CAKE! :) It was the absolute best wedding cake I've ever had (and that is saying a lot)! The cake was white, the filling was a superb creme Anglaise with strawberries, and the frosting was an atypical stiff white confection of absolute yummyness. My only complaint was that the slices were way too small! The cake was baked by the Chase and I just can't say enough nice things about it. From the fabulous parents that we just adored to the willing and warm bridal party, who traveled from all over the world to be there---- it was a fantastic day! Mona and Drew jet off for Jamaica today and we're left with memories of a wonderful wedding and thankfulness to have been included in this once in a lifetime event!

To view their SLIDESHOW, CLICK HERE!

Fall's Gone Missing!

We were so blessed with the opportunity to shoot a birthday session with one of our favorite clients, Jessica. The family (including sister Vivian) have been before Bobbi's camera for many years and we all really enjoy them! Jessica looked so pretty---- and very fall-ish, although the temp was 90 and the turtleneck and long pants were definitely overkill! We join with fellow Missourians who are lamenting the fact that our fall has gone missing.

Hot again today although the sky is blue with no rain to get in the way of todays wedding of Mona and Drew. We're looking forward to spending the day with them very much, the venues are really fabulous so it promises to be a special and elegant day.

Speaking of weddings, did you TiVo the wedding yesterday of Jessica and Cody on the Today Show? It was absolutely lovely! I especially enjoyed the reception theme of "Breakfast at Tiffany's", they spared no expense to transform the corporate dining room at Tiffany's with stretched fabric on the walls, very posh. The food looked amazing, I just loved the little cakes that looked like those famous little blue Tiffany boxes. Lots of great ideas for a wedding, each more wonderful than the last!

The Horse Whisperer

You almost NEVER see a photo of Bobbi without her camera, but in lieu of a camera in the photos in today's entry Bobbi is holding a HORSE! :) Yes, the Horse Whisperer indeed. She actually has quite the way with all animals (in addition to the Wild Bride) and they always listen to her intently and do exactly what she asks............ it's uncanny!

You will notice that there are NO photos of me with the horse. I am a bit skittish (okay, terrified) around them and they respond with zero respect in return. There are photos that exist but they'll cost you a pretty penny! :)

That's Mocha, the horse of one of our senior's, Melodie, who wanted her session taken with her horse. We happily trudged out to the boonies for a lovely afternoon with a girl and her horse, such fun!

The Horse Whisperer? She'll be back in form tomorrow with Danielle and I as we capture the wedding day of Mona and Drew. Although it will be unbelievably hot for October it should be a glorious day and we're all looking forward to it!

We've Arrived!

As many of you knew even before our "formal announcement"------- BBP has moved locations! It was just quite simply time, and we could not be happier with our new space! We've arrived, the boxes are unpacked and we're almost finished sprucing up the new digs!

Lafayette Square! Woo Hoo! Our space is warm and intimate and absolutely perfect for meeting with clients, we love it! As if the neighborhood isn't incredible enough; can you say Square One Brewery? Soda Fountain? Sqwires? Park Avenue Coffee? (I mean really, if Dale can't make you sit up and sing with the Park Avenue Latte, GODIVA and espresso, c'mon---- the daily incredible versions of St. Louis fave Gooey Butter Cake surely will!). We're just over the moon happy about the whole thing!

As always, we're open by appointment only! If you are in the neighborhood and would like to stop by please give us a call, we'd love to show you around----- and there's always time for coffee, or maybe a banana split? :)

The photo below is Tina, Hana and Prince in the window. The dogs can come in with Bobbi to the Studio whenever they aren't too tired to carry their little briefcases to work! It is a great pleasure to have them around and the mid-day walks are pretty nice as well! They like to come in so they can go to Four Muddy Paws and grab a yummy little gourmet treat (that place cracks me up!) Once we get the window treatments in the front both of the dogs are going to be very sad that they can't sit up in the sun and snooze, errrr, watch the comings and goings of this vital dog friendly neighborhood.

You will find the same passion for photography, the same excellent staff and our well-known outstanding client service all in our new Park Avenue locale.

Michelle & Mike

Last Saturday the weather was glorious, sunny and breezy and beautiful! The day was near perfect for the wedding of Mike and Michelle and we were blessed to be part of their very special day. These two were part of the BBP family from the beginning as their extended family and friends are already BBP'ers, and we were just so tickled to be chosen to photograph their wedding. Over the past year as we spent time with Mike and Michelle it was obvious that these two would be among our very favorite brides and grooms. Michelle is beautiful as well as sweet and Mike is---- well everyone loves Mike! He reminds me a lot of my son actually with his joie de vivre and infectious charm and personality.

Please enjoy the slideshow of their once in a lifetime event: