Un Noche Perfecto. Flowers, Food, Friends – ¿Que Mas? (what more?) Last Friday evening I had the privilege of capturing how this seamlessly pulled together. Inspired by Nature created a floral wonderland that would make anyone cry ¡Ole´! The catering genius of Trios provided a Mexican feast that was beyond delicioso! Even the mariachi band commented that the Chicken Enchiladas were the best they had ever had. And don’t even get me started on the desserts. Despite the threatening skies and the periodic torrential rains, nothing could dampen the spirits and the love felt at this party hosted to encourage a young couple as they embark on their new life together. Enjoy this peek at the fiesta!
A 12 hour day surrounded by flowers, fashion, and the most fun, creative people I have ever met – sigh – if only every Monday was as A-MAZING as the one I had this week. Belle Vie Artistry, my little venture with photog partner Heather, shot three styled sessions for Distinctive Designs by Tanarah. We can’t show you all the gorgeousness that ensued just yet as they will be unveiled with Tanarah’s new print and web design…Oh – and for a wee little submission to the super wedding blog Style Me Pretty. Stay tuned to our blogs, because as soon Heather and I have the “ok” to share, we are going to pour on the pretty. You won’t want to miss it.
a huge MERCI BEAU COUP to our vendors and team
Floral and Location Styling: Distinctive Designs by Tanarah.
Fashion, Make-Up, and Hair Styling: Kakki Jones
Wedding Gowns: Proposals
Paper goods: Molly’s Paperie
Womenswear: Scarlet
Menswear: Dillards
Location: William J. Clinton Presidential Center
Models: Curtis Chatham and Keenen Carter ( oh my, these two were completely over-the-top beautiful!)
Again, a merci, merci, merci to all of you.
And a special thank you to my pal Heather who takes my crazy hare-brained schemes and makes us put them into action. Without her – I would have never spent a long intense 12 hour day loving every. single. minute of it. (( hugs))
“laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live”
If those who laugh together – stay together, these two will definitely live happily ever after. Meet Kate & Kyle. From the first email we received from the pair, Heather and I knew we were in for a side splitting time. Kyle has a endearing sense of humor perfectly paired with Kate’s infectious laugh. They met when Kyle spilled a beer on Kate. (They actually sweetly argue as to who really spilled the beer… my money is on Kyle) H & I thought a pub would make a perfect setting for their shoot. Although they call Arkansas home, they are forging a new life together in the big city of St. Louis which inspired the metropolitan scene. As fate would have it, this parking deck served as Kate’s bicycle path as a child. She would ride from the top of the deck to the bottom floor, put the bike on the elevator and start again at the top. How cool is that?! Thank you Kate and Kyle for making it such an amazingly fun afternoon! 
my fave of the day
While I was capturing these fun times, Heather was working her magic. See her gorgeous images from this session
www.heatherowensphotography.com/blog
www.bellevieartistry.com
A few weeks ago, I posted my fave from Matt & Danielle’s engagement session. I lied.
THIS is my favorite shot from that day.
It’s completely out of focus. It is not rocking a sun flare. But something about this image – with the colors meshing together, the softness, the tender emotion…it. just. works. When Heather and I were going through the RAW images, we both gave this one a major sigh. Then I tucked it back in the “do not blog” folder.
I’m so busy trying to get the rules of photography down. I’m wanting to be “perfect”. (ugh – there’s that word again!) I want to be Jose Villa a mere 8 months after taking my first pic (ever) with a DSLR. I wouldn’t want the world to see this. It was a mistake . Then again, I do want you to see this. It’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful mistake.
Isn’t that life? We try so hard to play by the rules. We set our focus. We check every box. We execute with precision. Then - it doesn’t turn out like we expected. We think we failed. We tuck it away from the world’s eyes. What would happen if we chose to embrace our “mistakes” and show them off?
The infamous musician John Mayer said,
“In life, people trip. Most people fall. Some people turn that trip into a beautiful, beautiful dance.”
According to “the rules”, this is not a perfect picture. And my life is not picture perfect. I’m not on the path I had strategically planned for myself. Very few of us are. Life throws some curves. I’m choosing to be thankful for the “mistakes”, because they are exactly what is turning this life into a beautiful beautiful dance.
Redheads have a reputation of having a fiery personality. If by fiery, you mean full of energy, ideas, and spunk – then Chrissy should be their ultimate spokesperson. Chrissy and I met when she came to work with me at a local non profit. I was amazed by her zeal for life which she freely shares with her work, her friends, and her family. Now that we no longer work together, I miss getting my daily dose of that! In October, she had a destination wedding to St. Thomas where she married one of my dearest friend’s brother in laws. (What a small world!)
Recently Chrissy and I had the opportunity to team up on another project. I was enrolled in the talented Marta Locklear‘s workshop. I called Chrissy and asked if she’d be my model — which resulted in a fun day of bridals. You’ve just got to love a friend who will grab her gorgeous wedding dress on a moment’s notice and strike a pose. Thanks Chrissy for being such a beautiful bride and friend. And a special thanks to Marta for sharing her knowledge and encouragement …and for nudging me to get these up on the blog 
