.:ah slideshows:.

So here's to my first posted slideshow! I've never been a slideshow watcher (which probably explains why it's taken me so long to do one) so let me know if any of you reading this are.

We're off to shoot Julie & Colin's wedding tomorrow. The two of them are so cool that they actually sat with us tonight at their rehearsal dinner! The four of us and a few of Julie's relatives shared embarrassing stories and tramautic experiences from our elementary school gym classes. We managed to touch on Cage Ball, Dodge Ball, Volleyball, Locker Rooms, Fungi, Smelly Kids, Birthdays, Rock Climbing, & Drill Sergeants all without ever leaving P.E. By the end, we all unanimously concluded that elementary school gym teachers are total creepers. (I apologize if you or someone you know is actually an elementary school gym teacher.) Did anyone else have these experiences?

Happy Homecoming everyone! Go Mizzou!

P.S. If you're reading this on facebook, you can subscribe to the actual blog at aviaphotography.blogspot.com or join our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/aviaphotography. And don't be shy, you can tell your friends. = )

.:kaylyn senior portraits:.

One of the things we love so much about photography is the people! I often find myself a little despondent after handing off the last book or disc of images to people we've photographed. I start getting sad that we no longer have excuses to interact with these phenomenal persons with whom we just bonded on some of the biggest days of their lives! I am stoked to announce that since Misty & Jerome got married on New Year's Eve of 2008 she has contacted me not once, but twice now to do photos. When their little one turned one year old in February we took photos at Jaylin's birthday party and now Misty's little sister, Kaylyn, is graduating from high school. Woo hoo! Ah, to be a senior graduating from high school again...

Kaylyn was totally laid back as her sister and Mom carried all of her clothes and shoes in a laundry basket with us around Mizzou's campus. Brian amused us all with his continual ramblings about the type of pizza he was hoping to con me into getting after we all got done shooting. I think he got started on that after Noreen, Kaylyn, & Heather all decided to hit the famous Shakespeare's Pizza (if you've never been there, you have to go) after they were done.

The building I had in mind for the black and white photo was, apparently, locked to the outside world on the weekends. Luckily, as we were arriving, a stranger walked in right before us and we grabbed the door. We looked totally inconspicuous with a laundry basket full of clothes, a gigantic camera, and a 4 foot tall reflector in the very large and brightly lit science building lobby. Needless to say, after I got a few shots I loved, we all left very quickly...

Kaylyn does every sport known to man (well, maybe not all, but almost all) in addition to joining her two older sisters as an acro star (if you're curious what "acro" means, it's short for acrobatics, Brian had to ask as our towns are much smaller than Owensville where they drove in from). You will notice in her photos that this girl is not only absolutely *gorgeous* but definitely has some strength in her. *Sigh* Maybe someday I'll be super flexible or super fabulous or super gymnasticy. Or maybe I'll just settle with being able to do my first pullup.

Thanks, Kaylyn, for being a rockstar!

Oh, and aren't these shoes a-MAZING? Her entire class (if I understood correctly) got a pair and decorated them. Class of 2010... that makes me feel old!

.:a quick appearance:.

So it finally happened, life caught up with me!

As of late, I am one worn out woman! Seriously, as I go to bed I am haunted by all of the wonderful things and stories I have floating around in my head about each of the couples we shoot and the events we get to attend. I've written and re-written every blog post for each wedding multiple times as I drift off to sleep.

I despise the typical blogs I see with photographers: "The wedding went smoothly, the food was great, the couple was easy to photograph, and everyone had a good time. Now look at the pictures!" If you just knew how amazing each of these people are... it is an injustice to write something so generic. So, until I can begin to breathe again (which may possibly be February) here's a sampling of some of what you have to look forward to:

Lilly & Adam - Columbia, MO

had the best vows EVER

Botanical Gardens - St. Louis, MO

Sarah & Kris - Columbia, MO

i can't even begin to describe their sweetness

Ann & Rakesh - St. Louis, MO

love across all cultures

Lindsey & Guy - Hannibal, MO
quite possibly our best models EVER

Elaine & Justin - Columbia, MO

one of the most loving and loved couples we've ever seen

(Brian's work) Jimmie, Rap/R&B - Columbia, MO

Elaina & Ben - Mexico, MO
they are so fun to watch together!

Josepha Frederika Reinkemeyer Brandt Bock - Linn, MO

(Brian's work) Chaz & Jordan, Blues - Columbia, MO

(Brian's work) Victor, Acoustic - Columbia, MO


Katie & Jeremy - Jefferson City, MO
giddily enamoured with no signs of stopping!

Julie & Colin are getting married in 2 weeks!

The Grass Harp, Mizzou show - Columbia, MO

Kate & Kevin - Mendota, IL
just get one another

Seriously, for each and every one of you, it has been a privilege and an honor to be a part of your lives! We are incredibly blessed to photograph such amazing people. Fo' serious, ya'll.

On another note. We do have good news! I've finally started experimenting with slideshows to use on the blog so you just may see some soon. But don't expect any music! That's my Christmas gift next year.