tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67108640768089004372011-07-08T08:38:59.555-05:00Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-24304746707268493742009-10-10T23:59:00.013-05:002009-10-23T15:30:11.822-05:00

It's amazing that in our first full year of operation here in St. Louis we've met so many amazing and fun couples. (And apparently some of them are SO amazing they've put Love and Life Photography over the top at The Knot to win the Best of Weddings 2010 award -- but that's the subject for another post!).Bridget and Mike certainly add to our roster of amazing couples. Who else do you know that

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-86689245692914227742009-09-12T23:59:00.007-05:002009-09-23T01:20:42.442-05:00

I met Justin earlier this year at a business networking event (BNI -- if you haven't heard of it, check it out). Justin owns his own chiropractic practice, Wiethop Chiropractic, in St. Louis. Although I haven't been in for an appointment yet, I think I will be by year-end for help with my "camera-bag" shoulder...St. Louis photographer Katie Brown shot with me again for Justin and Nicole's

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-69041552762616066922009-08-01T00:04:00.008-05:002009-08-10T12:39:57.411-05:00

I think it's the first time I've photographed the wedding of a suspected murderer.OK, not so much a murderer as an actress! Leslie works for a local murder-mystery company and tours as far afield as Chicago to put on shows at which guests have to guess who the real murderer is. I remember being at one of these evenings a long time ago and being totally hopeless at even spotting the clues,

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-4974089977060484902009-07-19T21:53:00.001-05:002009-08-06T00:58:31.621-05:00

You never know quite what you're going to get when you point a camera in Tanya and Olin's direction.Just a week before their wedding, we spent 90 minutes together in St. Charles's main street complete with a cobblestones, a park by the river, and lots of other photo-friendly places. At one point, I asked the pair to walk away from me on the sidewalk, hand-in-hand and looking at each other, with

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-39331437663800207052009-06-27T18:17:00.021-05:002009-07-05T11:35:06.807-05:00

You have to say that young Zeke has style. About a year ago, he took Stephanie up into the Colorado mountains, along with brother Malachi and his fiance, Katie. At dusk, as the setting sun painted the sky with romance, our couple paddled out onto the lake in an inflatable raft so that he could pop the surprise question. Stephanie had no idea what was coming although, in hindsight, she

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-57084528326177415972009-06-25T18:16:00.015-05:002009-07-03T16:42:25.192-05:00

Rachel and Michael are two of America's finest -- just back from serving in Iraq. In fact, that's where they met. Rachel told the story at the reception dinner, generating quite a few giggles in doing so...It seems when Rachel first met Michael, she didn't pay him any mind because he had a mustache -- not something she is attracted to. But then one day he turned up with the mustache shaved off

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-5065411472454707942009-05-24T04:17:00.005-05:002009-06-01T05:59:36.074-05:00

If these two young folks look familiar, it's because you've seen them here before.As you may recall, I first met DJ and Amy last summer at their engagement shoot after DJ booked me sight unseen for the session. At the time, I described them as the young upwardly mobile businessman/speaker and the lady with the captivating Julia Roberts-type smile. We had a great time, starting in a friend's

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-39095030724503871422009-05-08T23:59:00.014-05:002009-05-15T23:50:26.266-05:00

In the midst of St. Louis's large and famous Forest Park is a glass-and-steel structure called the Jewel Box -- essentially a large greenhouse gracefully decorated inside with all sorts of exotic and colorful plants and trees.   It's also one of the most booked venues in St. Louis for weddings.  And small wonder -- the Jewel Box makes a perfect backdrop for wedding photographs as it is nestled

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-84096917135193850062009-04-25T23:48:00.002-05:002009-05-14T01:26:14.384-05:00

I remember the story of little Fiona at my parents' wedding, many years ago.   Fiona was the very young flower girl and fulfilled all her duties admirably during the ceremonies.   But at the end of the day, she kicked up a fuss because she didn't understand why she couldn't go along on the honeymoon!Little Emma, Ashly's young daughter, reminded me of Fiona, albeit some decades later.  Like Fiona,

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-89023131943435961502009-03-07T23:59:00.001-06:002009-03-15T12:51:49.706-05:00

It doesn't seem that long since my in-laws were kidding me about the length of time it took to make up my mind to marry Jackie (five years!).  And when Monica told me that it had been 16 years since she first met Kris, I thought I might finally have ...  vindication?   But the story is a little more complex than that.Monica and Kris have been best friends forever. Many years ago, when Kris was

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-15414790134636554482009-02-23T06:52:00.007-06:002009-02-23T07:36:15.475-06:00

Who knew doing a bridal show could be so much fun??   We were part of the St. Louis Best Bridal show at Ameristar in St. Charles yesterday, and had just a few moments of quiet to take this picture of our set-up before they opened the doors and let all the people flood in.   After that, it was non-stop till four in the afternoon and Jackie (who was a great help) and I met many brides and friends,

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-57941244836944072672009-01-03T23:25:00.010-06:002009-01-16T10:57:50.243-06:00

De Soto, Missouri, is a small town about an hour south of St. Louis with a main street, a rail line going down the middle, a couple of nice parks, and a lot of small-town pride.  Kristin and Jerry were married at St. Rose of Lima, a beautiful, small cathedral overlooking the town.  Built in the late 1800s, it has all the classic features including stone columns, wooden pews, and colorful

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-87044971654039073062008-12-14T17:08:00.012-06:002009-01-07T17:18:32.673-06:00

As a relative newcomer to Missouri, I've always thought of Branson as the show-town of the midwest -- kind of like an alternative Las Vegas without the gambling. Branson is a show town, yes. But it has much more of a down-home feeling than the perceived glitz of Nevada. Instead of the large well-known hotels, the flashing lights, the big gaudily-decorated main streets, there are rolling hills,

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-74725404044360704352008-10-25T22:59:00.010-05:002008-12-25T14:01:57.232-06:00

The two days before Kim and Johnny's wedding were dull and very wet, including some very intense St. Louis downpours! But the wedding day dawned with clear blue skies and mildly warm temperatures. They were married at a small church called The Church of the Open Word in Creve Cour with beautiful gardens all around in which to take pictures.Johnny is, by reputation, a bit of a kidder and during

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-38464746064503854672008-10-18T22:59:00.013-05:002008-12-25T14:03:46.993-06:00

At Alycia and Mike's rehearsal on Friday night, it became apparent that our young couple had not kissed much in public before and were a little bashful about the first-kiss part of the ceremony. So the pastor, who had been making everyone laugh throughout the proceedings, prescribed practice for the next 24 hours and asked the guests to score the kisses, olympic style, to make sure they were

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-46921725744305413222008-10-11T22:58:00.017-05:002008-12-25T14:05:21.655-06:00

Katie is one of those expressive people that you could photograph all day long and never get the same look twice. In fact, if you just stand there and shoot, you'll easily get three or four different expressions in a row. There is never a dull photo when Kate is in it... She chose an elegant gray gown for her wedding dress and planned the event for the beautiful Wine Country Gardens just

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-60630530378994699142008-10-10T22:59:00.005-05:002008-12-25T13:58:36.320-06:00

Rachel and Ryan's ceremony and reception were both held at the Quail Ridge Park Lodge near Wentzville, just outside of St. Louis. The ceremony was outdoors in a park gazebo under almost-clear blue skies and not-too-hot fall weather. The park itself has lots of great natural backdrops for photos, even though fall colors had not really taken hold yet. But Rachel's fall-colored theme for her

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-63157416625789801192008-09-28T20:07:00.008-05:002008-12-25T13:58:56.681-06:00

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

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-76019470519709720082008-09-27T21:05:00.005-05:002008-12-25T14:07:20.223-06:00

DJ is one of those rare people who books a photographer over the phone, sight unseen. Of course, he'd seen the website and I guess that gave him enough comfort to move ahead -- AND I assume that, as the director of training for Athletes4hire.com, he's probably the kind of young businessman who likes to check things off his list fairly regularly. Still, it's not a common thing and, for the

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-36928893867457413962008-07-27T17:31:00.005-05:002008-08-10T20:04:12.946-05:00

Getting known in a new market is difficult, even if you have been working hard in a previous one!But it seems we're making headway. Love and Life Photography was just written up in St. Louis Wedding News. StLouisWeddingNews.com was founded in 2008 by Jason and Tammy Cody and they call it a "news network for brides on the web who want to learn about weddings in a way that entertains, educates,

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-21488667834046345952008-06-15T20:00:00.010-05:002008-12-25T14:16:07.398-06:00

When Vicky, Momar, and I met for the final pre-wedding meeting, I understood quickly why they had chosen a convenient fast-food restaurant for our meeting place. They were babysitting; not just one or even two kids -- they had a tiny herd of nieces and nephews as well as Jordan, Vicky’s delightful son, in tow!Off went Vicky and the kids to the playroom and so began a bit of a tag-team match as

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-50640822348595605642008-06-08T12:37:00.012-05:002008-12-25T14:11:05.230-06:00

Although I've been in Michigan before, this was the first time I'd travelled there to photograph a wedding. I've known Christy and Dan for a few years (they were at my wedding to Jackie back in 2006), so I was thrilled when they asked me to be their photographer.It was very much an intimate family affair with about 50 guests at the small church that Christy's attended for years. The reception

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-3429503470152873132008-02-24T13:24:00.004-06:002008-12-25T14:18:18.492-06:00

Erin and Rob's big day isn't till the summer of 2009, but they wanted to get their engagement photos done early -- always a good thing! Fortunately, the end-of-February weather cooperated with sunny skies and bearable temperatures -- much better than the rainy forecast had predicted! We spent a delightful two hours shooting on the grounds of a local mansion-turned-museum, where several dogs

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-65836150137231391062008-02-23T20:31:00.010-06:002008-12-25T14:19:39.626-06:00

Peli and André used to live right across the road from each other in Maryland, and they had only spoken once (I think Peli told me it was about an Avon order) before she moved far away to South Carolina. Once settled in SC, she called him to follow up on the order and she said "something magical happened on the phone line" -- the next thing they knew, they were calling each other all the time.

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-87772426553153332842008-01-01T11:56:00.006-06:002008-09-24T18:59:24.497-05:00

Here are some of the websites that you can find our ads on and are wedding-related sites that can help you plan your special day. St. Louis Wedding Guide

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-42859808035969618262007-12-30T22:19:00.004-06:002008-12-25T14:21:19.151-06:00

I'm proud to say that my beautiful daughter Renee Cadzow married her long-time love Luke Crane on December 29, 2007, in Ashboro, North Carolina. Renee and I shot these bridal portraits way back on Thanksgiving weekend at the Peralynna Manor in Columbia, Maryland, but because, of course, Luke was not allowed see the dress before the ceremony, we couldn't post these images before now. It's the

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-87461477882526581232007-11-24T20:19:00.006-06:002008-12-25T14:22:58.735-06:00

I think some of the things I'll remember the most about Matt and Jenny's wedding are all the groomsmen huddled around the radio football game before the ceremony, the grandeur of the church and of the full Catholic ceremony, and the fun DJ and party afterwards! The DJ had all sorts of props that he and the dancing guests wore: blues brothers hats and glasses, Elvis scarves, and afro and

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-55038163536454088302007-11-02T20:15:00.009-05:002008-12-25T14:24:22.782-06:00

Corey and Craig were married and had their reception at the beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Virginia. The ceremony was outdoors -- and nature contributed a golden late-afternoon sun to the surrounding autumn colors making it a wonderful occasion to see and to photograph.Their relationship developed over a long distance and, at the reception, the family had many stories to tell about

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-46764557175322448902007-10-27T20:11:00.010-05:002008-12-25T14:26:05.239-06:00

Anisha and Hannfried's wedding was a very interesting study in contrasts. While Anisha was from a colorful and energetic Indian family, Hannfried's side of the family was from Germany -- in fact some of the guests flew in from Germany specifically for the event -- and were dressed in traditional dark tuxedos.Their reception was held at the fabulously opulant National Museum of Women in the Arts

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-60196179233723337762007-10-20T20:04:00.012-05:002008-12-25T14:27:59.165-06:00

Terry (called "Bear" by his family) and Marjorie took the unusual step of having no groomsmen or bridesmaids at their wedding.I say unusual because, as the photographer, part of your job is usually trying to pose the wedding party and fit them all into the shot! But, with just Terry and Marjorie, we could do some special one-on-one preparation shots and portraits in the gardens around the hotel

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-60973947092331700982007-10-07T06:43:00.007-05:002008-12-25T14:29:44.174-06:00

Murad waited a number of years before he popped the big question to Teresa, but you could tell they were deeply in love and ready for their big day. The fabulous Sheraton Columbia, in Columbia, Maryland, was a great venue for their wedding and celebration -- the ceremony was held in the late afternoon on the patio outside and candles added a nice warm glow to the fading daylight.The grounds

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-19821902663439551132007-09-29T20:05:00.009-05:002008-12-25T14:31:14.729-06:00

Reigh and Andrew were married at the beautiful gardens of the Shenandoah Museum and Historic House in Winchester, Virginia. The courtyard garden, where the ceremony took place, is lined with high green hedges and the bride and father had a long way to walk to get to the alter! The gardens, the elaborate and colorful courthouses, and winding pathways, small streams, and bridges make wonderful

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-75494112651941571642007-09-23T10:13:00.004-05:002008-12-25T14:32:27.503-06:00

Just look at these cute little faces and tell me you didn't fall in love with them..!!Daryn, Kalen, and Gracen are three lovable young ladies whose parents allowed me to photograph them in their home. I think it was as much fun for me as it was for them, as they played with each other and made faces at the camera.While I was setting up the lights, the youngest watched what I was doing and

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-42173417406554521412007-09-05T13:43:00.003-05:002008-12-25T14:33:49.240-06:00

There are few places as beautiful as the Appalachian mountains to shoot an engagement photograph. Renee and Luke will tie the knot this December and we spent a few hours late in August using the Appalachian Mountains as a wonderful backdrop. Of course it never goes the way you plan it. By the time we were able to get Renee and Luke out of classes or meetings, it started to pour with rain,

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-2352423934899787482006-08-01T11:00:00.006-05:002008-12-25T14:35:12.051-06:00

After a drive of several hours, my photography partner for this wedding, Diane McKinney from Raleigh, North Carolina, and I arrived at a wonderful mountainside home overlooking the expansive valley between Mount Airy and Sparta on the border between Virginia and North Carolina.The home belonged to the family of the groom and provided a wonderful vista to backdrop the wedding. The valley was so

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-5176032638636639902006-06-20T14:47:00.006-05:002008-12-25T14:38:25.118-06:00

I knew that Laura and Terry's wedding would be different. Both are outdoors people: they kayak, canoe, camp, rockclimb, and more! But, it was even more unique than I had imagined.Laura and Terry were married in a simple and fun outdoors event on the banks of the New River in West Virginia. Once all the congratulations were over and the guests were fed, we all piled in four whitewater river

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-11989709208277278052006-06-20T11:45:00.010-05:002008-12-25T14:39:32.279-06:00

Rav and Laura's big day was another amazing wedding! The day dawned bright and sunny and took place in a suburban community near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It was such a honor to be part of the wedding, I met so many wonderful people, and it was great to shoot with Cara Galati (now of F8 studios in Raleigh, NC). As with many weddings, the joyous moment of cutting the cake was followed by

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6710864076808900437.post-58927483569108219602005-09-02T05:45:00.004-05:002008-12-25T14:40:52.203-06:00

Chuck is one of the hard-working public relations consultants at Cherokee Publishing, which produces Cary Magazine in North Carolina. I got to know Chuck while shooting for David Sciabarasi at the magazine and he invited me along to help out at Chuck's wedding. Jody and Chuck made a delightful couple and they and their friends partied hard after the very traditional church wedding in downtown

Derek Cadzow:http://www.blogger.com/profile/03526185126859553552noreply@blogger.com0