.:the tucker family:.

I was privileged this summer to photograph the Taylor House. If you follow us on facebook, you may have seen the photos in one of our albums. It's a beautiful old home on Broadway that most of us in Columbia have admired as we have driven by it. What many don't know is that it is a bed & breakfast operated by some of the sweetest people ever to put down their roots in this town.

I met Rob, the innkeeper and owner, as I did the first round of interior photos of the B&B this summer. When we chatted about photos he told me that he moved things around a lot and was constantly adding and changing the decor so new pictures were always helpful because the house was always evolving. When we visited again this last week to take photos of his family I discovered that he was, indeed, correct. Rob does move things around and add new details a lot. The Taylor House is always a stunningly gorgeous work in progress!

The few times I have talked to Rob he has always spoken highly of his wife, Deb, and their two little ones. When he contacted us about doing their family photos needless to say I was stoked. To finally meet these people he has talked about so much? Deb was truly as beautiful and kind as he said that she was and his kids as full of spunk and life and joy! It was about time they finally had a family photo since it had been years since their last one.

We had reign of the beautiful Taylor House for their photos as we hung out with the family for the afternoon the day before Christmas Eve. Brian talked cars with Rob (you'll have to check out Rob's collection, all you car lovers) while their eldest entertained us with her musical prowess and Deb and the littlest cuddled. All six of us chatted and laughed as we meandered through the house finding different spots and attempted to corral the kids for different shots. We ended the afternoon photographing the kids doing what they do best: chilling on the couch.

*Sigh* New people, new friends, new lives to photograph. I love photography. What an honor to capture lives as they unfold. One of my favorite family lifestyle sessions to date.

Fist pound!


Kitties!

Thank you, Rob and Deb for trusting us with your family and your home and your beautiful kiddos! Lifestyle portraiture at its best. Isn't life beautiful?

.:two in one:.

Today we did not one but TWO engagement shoots. (I know, sounds crazy since there is SNOW out!). We discovered cool parts to downtown Columbia I've never seen before and a pair of snowpersons in Rocheport with more personality than I've ever seen in snowpeople before.

Though I doubt I'll get the rest of them culled through and up before our upcoming (and super awesome) wedding we'll be doing on New Year's Eve, I would like you leave you with one of each. They make me happy. = )




Hope your Christmas was merry, my friends!

.:micki & cale christmas:.

Micki was recommended to us by one of our favoritest wedding couples, Julie & Colin. Micki has style to spare and so when she gave me her ideas for the family's Christmas photos, needless to say I was stoked! We started out in a borrowed studio downtown for some high class shots and ended the day privileged enough to go with her family to pick out their Christmas tree! I promised Micki I wouldn't post the photos until after Christmas since the photos were for their cards and gifts but I am so excited to share them with you! You can tell from the very first photo that Brian fit right in with the little ones. = )

Eeeks! So adorable!

It may have been a little chilly that blustery November afternoon...

The littlest one sprinted for the woods and Micki and big sis had to go after her!

Someone looks like a natural model...




Rosy red cheeks. Cale and the littlest watched their new Christmas tree being bundled.

The red trailer that took our merry group out to the field of trees.

Isn't family grand?

.:our wise cat:.

I meant to add this yesterday, on Christmas. I took this photo of our cat, Balthazaar, a few days prior to Christmas. For some reason it reminded me of little baby Jesus in a horse trough. Only, it's our cat who prefers to squeeze herself into tiny boxes rather than use regular beds.

Fittingly, Brian named her Balthazaar (when we thought she was a boy) after one of the wise men. Guess it's better I posted it post Christmas, when the wise men from the East came.

.:christmas for the birds:.

Even birds need Christmas trees. I'd like to say this was our brainchild and baby, but no such luck. Brian, Sheldon and I came upon it in a nearby park when we were shooting his headshots one day.

It reminded me of this passage, which has always been a comfort in times of heavy worry:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:25-34

.:gifts:.

I was born to laugh. I learned to laugh though my tears. I was born to love. I'm gonna learn to love without fear. Pour me a glass of wine talk deep into the night who knows what we'll find. Intuition, deja-vu the Holy Ghost haunting you whatever you got I don't mind. Put your elbows on the table I'll listen long... as I am able. There's nowhere I'd rather be. Secret fears, the supernatural thank God for this new laughter. Thank God the joke's on me. We've seen the landfill rainbow. We've seen the junkyard of love--baby it's no place for you and me. I was born to laugh. I learned to laugh though my tears. I was born to love. I'm gonna learn to love without fear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-UvJ4LBzVg

.:friendship is best over tea:.

A friendship is always better when tea is involved. Often the deepest things of our hearts and imaginations are pondered and cared for over a cup of aromatic leaves...

.:life, laughter, and love:.

In memory of one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for. She loved colors, laughter, life, and love. To those privileged enough to know her, she was a light. And I will miss her dearly.

.:ashley & troy:.

Ashley loves pink. She was recently confirmed Catholic. She is a twin. Laughter is her signature. Troy is never serious. He loves to pick Ashley up and spin her around when she isn't expecting it. He just returned from Afghanistan. He loves Ashley.

The two were married on a wintery Saturday inside beautiful St. Francis Xavier church in Taos. An ornate advent wreath hung from the ceiling (and demanded we get a little creative for family photos beforehand) and gorgeous reliefs donned the rafters up above. Simple brown and pink bows lined the pews and the bridesmaids packed brown Uggs for the reception afterwards. Troy's siblings were outgoing and boisterous and kept everyone entertained while Ashley and her twin decided on the final items for the day. Troy begged for obnoxious red socks for the groomsmen which Ashley continually refused to agree to but finally caved in at the last moment. The men proudly sported their Army engineering red socks under their brown tuxedos while Ashley gently rolled her eyes and giggled. Boys will be boys, right?

We had a full mass with insightful words of marital wisdom from the priest. Blessings of peace were passed around as it began to snow outside. Bridal party was in good spirits as they all loaded the (awesome!) big yellow school bus (yes, that's right, my friends, Jeff City rents out school buses!) to travel comfortably from Taos to Centertown with stops in Jeff City alleys and the capital building along the way.

Lutz's BBQ greeted us with an amazing menu at Braykley's Hall and I would say I had my fair share of the catering that evening. The tables were covered in brown satin tablecloths and adorned with a variety of fitting centerpieces that oh-so-stylishly incorporated Ashley's soft pink. So close to Christmas time she couldn't help but include a gorgeous white Christmas tree complete with pink and brown ornaments.

A fitting evening for a wonderful couple. It's laidback, wonderful couples like Ashley and Troy that make us love our jobs all the more. = )



I have never seen such a gorgeous headpiece! So jealous! Oddly enough, Ashley didn't appreciate the syle of the brides in the 90s era hair books at the salon.





Hanging advent wreath = beautiful for ceremony pictures but not so great on family portraits!

Can you see the snow?

Ashley had to do some fancy alterations to these gorgeous centerpieces to replace the ornaments that were inside already with her gorgeous pink ones.



"Troy, absolutely no way are you going to smash cake into my face on our wedding day."

"But I'll smash it in yours!"



Uggs!!!



And of course you knew I had to use the white Christmas tree somehow with the rings...