Cute & Cuddly Charlie Bear!

by Adrienne
Charlie is one of the newborns I have been fortunate enough to watch grow into an adorable little boy. He'll be two in just a few weeks & welcomed a little sister into the world & I'll have photos of her soon enough. But on this special day, I spent a little time inventing games with Charlie. It was an especially rewarding day for me as I got a hug, a kiss AND an 'I love you, Agewren!

And here is our Charlie Storyboard- we will be offering a new line of designer products that will officially be announced with our 'Exciting Studio News' this Spring!!

It's strange to sit here thinking about Spring while the snow falls outside my window...
We've already seen three inches fall since early this morning. It's currently 1:30 in the afternoon... I imagine tomorrow will be a day to play in the snow with my new camera :)

Caroline & Doug | My Week of C's {names that is}

by AdrienneWe had yet another surprisingly warm day with a high of 43! This made for a pleasant shoot with Doug & Caroline who drove in from St. Louis for a little wedding planning & an afternoon with me. Caroline such a cutie, she even got some nice compliments from local park goers ;) It was such a delightful shoot!
I got this cute look when Caroline told me a nickname she has for Doug... It was adorable to see them talk about one another all the while smiling & laughing. If there was a moment they felt uncomfortable in front of my camera, I didn't notice it one bit! I felt like they trusted me from the moment I said, 'GO'.
It feels a little more like Fall out than Winter.. I can't believe how many shoots I've had outside in great weather!! And I thought I would be doing snow portraits all season long- I feel sorry for those just North of us- getting all of the record snow fall.
(Sorry Dad! I know you enjoy shoveling as much as I do ;)
I'm looking forward to the fun we will have & the beautiful portraits we will create on the wedding day! I'm especially excited because we'll have some extra time for a few creative portraits- Yippiee!!

Camille & Akhill | My Week of C's

by Adrienne

I just realized how far behind I am on blogging recent shoots! I am fairly consumed with all of my day to day duties PLUS all of the changes & challenges we are undertaking for 2009. Add to all of that a sick husband & it's amazing that I manage to find time for sleep!Now, we were promised an extreme winter this year with record snowfall. I know this has been in effect for the rest of the country but we'll really had some nice weather the last few weeks. It's quite amazing for February! Camile & Akhill had prepared for an especially cold day but we had a high of 40! I only remembered when the cold winter wind hit my ears...
But we laughed & frolicked through the Plaza talking about their long courtship & the romantic proposal in Paris (yes, ladies- Pah-rie! use your French accent here.)
I really enjoy the afternoons I spend playing with my fun couples & learning about what makes them spark together. I am looking forward to this fantastic wedding taking place in May. We are planning for TWO ceremonies. One that honors Akhill's Hindu heritage & another that celebrates Camille's Christian beliefs. I think it's wonderful to incorporate the celebrations passed down by both families!

Help Wanted | New Assistants!!

YAY! We're HIRING!

As you know from my last post, we are planning many exciting things this year! Of course with all new ventures, this involves a larger workload & we are currently looking for new assistants.
I thought I'd make a post on the blog to encourage our readers to pass the word along.
So who are we looking for??
We need organized & enthusiastic people to help assist with our 2009 calendar. Photography experience isn't necessary to be considered. We are a friendly, easy-going work environment & we want to find the right dedicated personality to add to our team.

We are looking to fill two part-time positions. We will need help in the office as well as help for on-location shoots.

How to Apply:
Send an email to am@amaples.com
Include a cover letter stating your intent along with your current resume detailing your skill sets- Let us know what you feel your strongest attributes are. If you are good with people or if you are a great organizer, don't be shy- let us know!

We WILL NOT read resumes that ARE NOT accompanied with cover letters. Your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to tell us why you want to work for us & why you are the perfect candidate.

Accepting applicants through March 23rd.
Conducting phone interviews as resumes are received.
No phone calls to the studio please! Emails only.

Exciting Studio News Coming Your Way...

I must admit, I am really SUPER excited about some of the changes we are making this year. First of all, I decided I needed to take my life back! This meant I needed to implement some new systems- the hardest part was admitting I can't do EVERYTHING myself!! And although I like to try, my husband doesn't necessarily enjoy watching me work ALL the time ;)

Here is a little teaser of one of the many things we are working on...My, oh My!! But we are just getting started...
We'll have a new blog soon, this is true.
But you'll just have to wait to see what else we have in store for you ;)

New Life & Old Friends

by Adrienne

Yesterday I wrote about the passing of life and the great sadness that follows. We all must deal with sickness, broken bones & the loss of loved ones... death brings upon us a sadness that can be hard to express in words. It reminds me that I must remember to Celebrate Life & all of the bright little moments that happen throughout.

This is why I am a photographer. I want these moments to last...
Photographs can take us back to a day, a moment in life & help us relive the joys.
So today I embrace the beginning of a new life- K.C. & Ryan are expecting their first child in just a few weeks! I first met this lovely couple when the hired me to shoot their wedding in 2007. As with most of my clients, we became instant friends and this friendship only grew when our husbands met. The guys enjoy their lengthy intelligent conversations while K.C. & I just enjoy being girls & talking about weddings & babies- mostly!
Again, this is something that I really treasure about my career, watching families grow & change. It continues to reminds me that there is always a bit of sunshine hiding behind the dark clouds :)

Goodbye, My Friend

I got the call late Saturday night & the moment I heard her voice on the other end of the line, I knew. The battle was over, the cancer had finally won.
My friend was gone. He just turned 65 the week before.

I met my friend Rick the summer I moved here. I was still shooting film & frequently needed a quick camera fix. He was my go to guy & I never had a problem he couldn't solve. When I made the switch to digital, I didn't have the need to call on him for a while. A year and a half had passed before I rang him again.

When Rick met me at the door, he looked like a shadow of who he was before. I noticed instantly the yellowing of his eyes & his loose skin clinging to bone. At this point in our relationship, we'd always discussed business & never held more than a few friendly conversations. We talked about art in all forms & the progression of digital photography. I always made mention of his amazing wood carvings... But this time I couldn't stop worrying about him.

I called the next day, simply out of concern. He confessed that he had colon cancer & that he had been given 6 months to live. He'd just begun chemotherapy & in addition to the cancer, was suffering from some adverse side effects. We spoke for over an hour and when I hung up, I cried for at least that long. I took the time to write him a heartfelt note just so he knew how important he was to my business; after all he had saved my gear on more than one occasion!

Over the last six months, I brought him everything I could find to be fixed. He knew about my husband's admission to the hospital in November & called just to check on us. I called as often as I could just to offer a friendly voice & a listening ear. These calls were difficult for me to make- I felt such sadness after we spoke & could never contain my tears afterward. But I knew it was a relief for him to have someone else to talk with. I believe he took comfort in knowing that someone he had barely known took a little extra time to reach out.

This experience has weighed heavily on my heart. I can only imagine how difficult the last few months were for he & his wife. And although it is difficult to say goodbye to those we love, it is also difficult to watch them suffer knowing there is little that can be done to help.

Today I wish to say goodbye to you Rick. I am greatly saddened by your passing-
I hope you fly away to a better place where you will be at peace.
You are already missed.

Angela & Rod featured in KC Weddings Magazine

Angela and Rod's wedding is currently featured in KC Weddings Magazine!

You may remember Angela and Rod's wedding from last summer. They are the parents of these cute kids.

KC Weddings has also recently updated their website and I think that it is much more streamlined and easier to navigate. They have a section for Real Weddings now and Angela & Rod are featured there as well. Click Here see more images from their vintage wedding.

Baby Jack | Newborn Cuteness

by Adrienne
I love photographing newborns! First of all, I typically know the family from previous sessions- so this always makes the experience very special to me. But secondly, newborns are generally pretty easy going & fun to shoot unless you cannot handle being peed on (new moms, you know all about this!!) These things don't bother me, I simply prepare myself & try to move fast :)
Here is his beautiful nursery. Little Jack only cried when I made him lie naked on the table. The men decided to leave the room when his little lip began to quiver... It was so pitiful but only a matter of moments before he was calmly wrapped in his dad's arms again.It's hard to believe that we all come into the world that small!!
Of course, my husband would argue that I haven't grown very much...