Custom created by Kóstya Curdoglo of Flosites. Thank you Kóstya!

Brian planned a weekend trip under the guise of Jennifer’s Birthday.  Jennifer knew they were going to Rocheport, Missouri for a bike ride on the Katy Trail in the afternoon…. With plans to end the day at Les Bourgeois Winery for a sunset dinner.
A few miles down the trail…Jennifer was more than happy to take a break on a large boulder overlooking the Missouri River.  Brian told her he had an early Birthday present to give her…which would make the weekend even more fun.   He pulled his iPad out of his backpack and played a video with a slide show featuring photos of our journey together.  At the conclusion of the video–Brian was on one knee with the ring box.   Jennifer was very surprised and tearfully accepted.

We met at the annual fundraiser Zootini at the St Louis Zoo. He noticed immediately that she was bubbly and friendly.
“Her smile lights up the world around her,” says Brian.

Brian is helping his son Alex with his tie.

Alex and Kate stand with Jennifer after the ceremony.

The setting sun highlighted the blue sky and Arch behind Jennifer and Brian.

Keeping it toasty at Copia.

Copia’s space was perfect for an intimate reception. The roof retracted so guests could sip wine under the twilight sky.

A passing motorist congratulates Brian and slaps him five.

Chris and Bridget (Under Grace clients from 2008) gave a warm toast. Thank you two so much for sending Jennifer and Brian my way!

  Dress from Simply Elegant Bridal

Shoes from Badgley Mischka

Invitations from Wedding Paper Divas

Cake from McArthur’s Bakery

Flowers from Bloomin’ Buckets

Wishing Stones by Jaclyn’s Wedding

Custom St Louis Skyline sticker for Welcome Bags from Sweet Sanity

Wedding Table Numbers from Blue Pearls tied to wine bottles collected from Jennifer’s Bachelorette Party at Chandler Hill

What’s better than a yummy stick for a two year old? Not much!

This little guy was full of joy and ready to laugh. He loved making animal noises and was very good at them!

Look at the pouty face. I know from experience that two year olds are drama kings, but I let them slide every time because it’s just so dang CUTE.

Sad. Happy!

Prickly, dry summer grass warm from the sun.

Mom said he was a ‘hip baby’, always wanting to cuddle with her.

Becca and Adam have been friends of mine for a long time- and it was a thrilling experience to document Taos, their firstborn. This birth was just as thrilling, and completely different than the last. They employed a fantastic doula Jen Jester (I highly recommend getting a doula, from personal experience!).

‘Zen’ was the word of the day…

And Zen Becca was.

She had a fantastic support team that coached her through very painful contractions.

‘Carl’ the beard was quite supportive as well.

After laboring for almost twelve hours Becca was still three centimeters, and was told she might be sent home if her labor was not progressing soon- which if you have ever been in that position, you know news like that is devastating.

Jen was calm and collected, reassuring Becca that she would be meeting her son soon. Jen then kicked it into gear with some tricks she had up her sleeve.

This was a little like the ‘Hey hey we’re the Monkees’ swagger but with a little more knee. Adam did it too for a measure of solidarity. A few squats and BLAMMO! Three centimeters to eight in less than an hour.

Meet Jasper!

Grandpa was one proud patriarch!

“ Hi! Your work is lovely. I’d love to learn more about your pricing and your philosophy.”

I had to p0nder a bit about the philosophy, and here is what I came up with:

My philosophy is pretty straight-forward in terms of coverage:
1. Photojournalism: Candid coverage of events unfolding unique to you, your family and friends (because there is no one else like you!)

2. Detail: Simple and elegant samples of the personal touches.

3. Portrait: Fashion-inspired wedding party sets and tender, transparent images of the couple together.

4. Generational: I love to give you the gift of solid, straightforward family formal images.

My philosophy behind the name Under Grace:
I feel grace is an integral part of any relationship- emotionally, spiritually, mentally. I myself am the recipient of patient, generous grace, and aspire to extend it to others. I like to think that everyone I capture on camera as part of a family threaded through and bound by grace. Weddings are a perfect storm of emotion, thundering with relationship, and it’s a wild ride and an honor to capture.

p.s. if you’d like to know my pricing, contact me at ugphoto@gmail.com. Thanks!