Stacy and A.J. are so much fun. Really. I’d usually say that I feel that way because of where we were, but I don’t think that’s true… I think they are just really sweet, fun-loving people.

This engagement shoot was mostly play and no work, because even when you’re ‘working’ you’re having too much fun when you’re at the City Museum. On top of being fun, this shoot was incredibly special, because Stacy and A.J. decided to on the location of their first date AND where A.J. proposed!

We started down in the caves, which was fun and challenging because I didn’t want to use a flash. At all. I ended up using a flash light for a bit of it, but mostly I rolled with what light we could find and we turned out some really adorable shots.

We moved up through the levels, and I found out that A.J. used to work here – so we were granted rooftop access to get some photos in the spot where A.J. first put that gorgeous ring on Stacy’s finger. It was a warm day, but humid and shortly into our rooftop escapade it started raining. So glad Stacy had that umbrella!

These two were so trusting – I can’t tell you how much I LOVE that. But they each had their own ideas, which I also LOVE. We were all over the place, and they were open to acting goofy, sexy, and just being themselves. The best part? The ferris wheel!

Stacy and A.J., thank you SO much for having me as your photographer! You are both so much fun, and I had a great time with you. Can’t wait until your second session!

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Connect With Samantha

To Inquire about Wedding Photography, Book a Boudoir Session or Portrait Session, please Contact Me!

Visit My Website (Portfolio and More Information about Collections and Samantha)

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I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment! Thanks! xo

Last weekend I had the pleasure of accompanying Lauren and Ryan on their second engagement session (remember, these two are my guinea pigs for the new “Two Hearts + One Love” engagement session set that’s now part of my Collections).

We decided a great place to go would be the Saint Louis Zoo, because that’s where they had their first date. It didn’t take us long to get up to our crazy antics, and we even made a stop for Dippin’ Dots (we all love Dippin’ Dots!). This engagement session was all about having fun, and the photos really reflect that. Many of them are of a more documentary fashion than I usually do, but we were having so much fun, and I know how these two hate to pose. So I just let the day unfold and took pictures as we played, without much encouragement to stop and interrupt it for photos. Because of that, I really love a good deal of these, and also the two of them look so natural.

First we went to visit the Apes, but they weren’t out. So we circled around to the penguins.

Then came out by the bears…

then shuffled through that little insectarium/butterfly greenhouse thing.

After that, Ryan and I tried to navigate us out of the Missouri prairie garden or whatever it is… (without doing much good, thankfully Lauren got us going in the right direction):

We got to pet the rays (and Ryan petted the shark that was technically off-limits)

and I think this one looks like a Brody.

Dippin’ Dots and Lauren’s beautiful ring:

And of course you have to go act like a crazy person in the primate house, because, well, you just do. These two had a bout of impromptu sword fighting with their umbrellas. We were also sort of poking fun at cheesy engagement pictures.

I just said to touch their foreheads together!

I had so much fun with these two (as usual!), and send them a major Thank You for such a fun afternoon on a crazy weekend. We were moving into our new house that day so I had a chance to take a breather and hang out with these guys. I am so grateful for it! Ryan and Lauren, you two were fantastic and I am so happy to be working with you both. Thanks a million!

One last picture from Turtle Park:

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Connect With Samantha

To Inquire about Wedding Photography, Book a Boudoir Session or Portrait Session, please Contact Me!

Visit My Website (Portfolio and More Information about Collections and Samantha)

Facebook | Twitter

———————————————————————————————————————————————————–

I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment! Thanks! xo