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: