Faves of Twenty Ten

As the saying goes...better late than never! I fully intended on posting this before the ball dropped on Time Square at midnight of January 1st. However, I was busy playing host to my friends and family! :)

I thought I would embark on the new year by sharing with you some of my favorite photos from 2010. Along the way I will share little tid bits of my journey that has brought me to where I am today as a photographer. Let me warn you...hodgepodge ahead.

I will start with Josiah and Laurie's Rock Your Knot session. This session by far allowed me to be the most creative as an artist with my images to date.






The next couple photos bring me back to where it all started. Kelly Manno. She hosted a workshop where I first took this leap of faith into the photography world. She taught me the importance light, and of doing things right the first time around.



Greg and Shari were married in October in the fantabulous St. Albans. I shot along side Erica Rankin who brought out every bit of joy there is in photographing a wedding.







Finally, a wedding with a dear friend. Donna Harris. She has been a wonderful inspiration and great mentor as I have started in this crazy, stressful, most rewarding industry! Enjoy these photos of Catherine and Joey!




Matt and Suzie's engagement session in St. Charles was such a blast! There is no way I could make a fave's blog without these images of the two of them!





My little sister...is not engaged, but this picture is one of my all time faves!

And of course Erik and Amanda's proposal! This night was so uniqe and so memorable!

Shot Party 2010! Yet another great job by Kelly Manno featuring Jasmine Star. Little did I know that day I would be in a group with Michelle Ross, who would one day also play a huge role in my photography journey.




My sister Malorie and her adroable family.

The Ingrassia family, with cute little baby Bella!



And who could forget this all time favorite pose by Cadence!



The Farmer Family of 9!




And last but not least...in honor of the SIX pairs of boots I recieved for Christmas...and the steps I will take to admitting that I have a problem I give you more BOOTS!

That pretty much wraps up 2010! To say I have been blessed is a HUGE understatement! I am so thankful for all of my clients, all of the families and couples I have been introduced to, all of the wonderful photographers I have made friends with, and for all of the opportunities that have been given to me! I want to thank my family, friends, readers, and clients for the support, love and encouragement you have shown me these last six months! I also want to give a special thanks to my 2011 brides! You all have been nothing short of wonderful to me thus far and I can not WAIT for this wedding season to start! You all rock!

With much Love!
Michelle

The beginnings of a Boot Obsession

Their friendship goes back to their high school days. Back to the days of first learning to drive, boys, vasity sports, Prom, and graduation. Three of them would go to the Mizzou while the other two would start their college journey elsewhere. But their friendship remained the same.

These 5 girls are best friends. I mean best friends. The entire session I felt like I was hanging out with a close group of sisters. They were hilarious....and when it was time to head home, my cheeks were sore from laughing.

Ok so this really didn't start my boot obession, but it definitely fueled the fire! Look at how cute they are!

You girls age gorgeous! Thank you all so much for such a great time! And thank you Katie for having such awesome friends! :) I know you are in Mexico right now...on the beachi....margarita in hand, however, I have a feeling you will somehow manage to take a peek at these before your flight back home! Say hello to the ocean for me!

Bubbly

I really love Colbie Caillat. I would even go as far as to claim I am the one who discovered her. I realize what a bold statement this is...but seriously. Adam can testify to the fact that I blared Bubbly from my Myspace page long before anyone knew who she was. Yes I just dated myself by saying the M word.

As cheesy as it may sound, it is impossible to listen to her songs withouth smiling. I know I'm not alone on the Band Wagon de Colbie. I came home from work today to find Adam budgeting....to Colbie....and then he proceeded to tell me how much he loves her music. I'm totally ok with it.

I'll leave you with a couple pictures from this past weekend of my little sister Danielle and her boyfriend Dominick.

Happy Friday Everyone!!
Love,
Shell

My not so Baby Sister Danielle

There are many perks of being the youngest child: being spoiled, getting away with things older siblings would never dare DREAM of doing, getting by with living at home at an age most would consider unnatural. With that, there comes a downfall: nicknames like sugar bear, public humiliation inflicted by older siblings, and forced servanthood by all those who are near and dear to them. Danielle has been the baby for 20 years, and none of this is news to her. All of that being said....

Say hello to the baby of the family





Danielle works in a pediactric clinic in St. Louis and I couldn't think of a better person for the job. She loves all of that medical yucky stuff, and she loves kids.










We had a lot of fun wandering around Faust Park in what felt to be 1000 degree weather!










I love you Dan! And thank you for spoiling me for all future shoots!!

Up next I'll take you back a few months to Kelly Manno's Photography Workshop with some HOT newly weds!