Kristin and Jerry

Kristin and Jerry are planning their wedding for early January 2009 and decided to have engagement photos taken early. We went back and forth on some locations and Kristin settled on LaFayette Park on the south side of St. Louis. I had shot there a couple of times before and knew of lots of photogenic corners with ponds, gardens, swans, some ruins and buildings, and lots of trees that were just on the cusp of changing to fall colors.

We set the appointment for the late afternoon, which accomplishes two things: first, you don't have to deal with direct overhead light which can be extremely unflattering and full of harsh shadows and, second, you do get that wonderful late afternoon sun with a natural warm glow to it... much better for romantic photographs!

We toured the park and constantly came up with new photo ideas everywhere we went. My personal favorites include the one pond-side with the swans (although one of the swans decided to nibble harmlessly on Jerry's finger) and the wonderfully backlit photo of Kristen and Jerry standing on a fresh carpet of colorful leaves under the bough of the tree that produced it.

Congratulations to a wonderful couple and I can't wait to see you guys again in January!


wedding in June
swans - nibbling Jerry
late afternoon light