1886th – deployed.

This morning I photographed the departure (to Iraq) of the 1886th medical Army Reserve unit. This started with a simple offer of family photographs to help both the soldiers & their families cope while apart. In the end, everyone involved agreed that they’d really like photos of their final goodbyes. What follows is a small collection from this morning.

Patrick Crader & his son Jackson watched airplanes (above) and shared a snack (below).

The next one is tied for favorite. If I had to say goodbye to Denny for a year, I’d want this photo of us so I could remember his hand on my knee and my head on his shoulder. This is Captain Britton & his girlfriend Kathy (both nurses!).

I admire these families so much. This kind sacrifice & hardship is something I’ve never known and they still step up and do the best they can with it. Incredible.

I love this one too… (BTW, this is Tina & Wayne, my couple).

Keith Sanders had several little ones to say goodbye to.

Then final goodbyes started, here are a couple…

Patrick saying goodbye to his wife Nikki. Nikki’s mom is holding their 4 month-old son (Cooper) in the background. This is my other favorite.

One of the last photos I shoot at a wedding is a hand-held shot of me with the bride & groom. I shot Tina & Wayne’s wedding (last fall) so today before we went into the airport I grabbed one more hand-held. Tina & Wayne; thanks for indulging me on this one, I can’t wait to shoot another when Wayne returns. And to the rest of the 1886th and all your families; thank you for letting me be a part of this – I am truly honored to create these photos for you all. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed making them. Stay safe and I look forward to your return – I’m counting the days. Best, ie

1886th

Today I photographed the deployment ceremony for the 1886th Neurosurgery Medical Team. This Army Reserve team is going to Iraq. I learned about their deployment through one of my bridal clients (he’s in the unit). Every time I hear about soldiers returning home injured (or worse) my first thought is always “I hope they got family photos before he / she left.” So when I heard Wayne was going to be deployed, I offered to photograph the deployment and family photos for all of the soldiers. Here are a few photos from the day. 

I like their Unit’s insignia.

Each solider was given an award. The colonial on the left is Colonel Wisdom – great last name.

And then we did family photos. Here are (really) just a few….

When the Captain of the Unit came in for his family photos, he brought me a certificate of appreciation because they give certificates to anybody who helps / supports the Unit. AYMK? I feel like I should give every soldier I meet a certificate of appreciation! I’ve never served in the military (and believe me, you don’t want me handling a gun) but I’ve always wanted to support soldiers in some way. I’m so happy I’ve found a meaningful way to do just that! And I hope to photograph other deployments from this area in the future. Thanks to 2Lt. Janell Averbeck for allowing me to photograph the event. And HUGE thanks to Diversified Lab (www.divlab.com) for printing this order so quickly AND donating the prints. The soldiers will be deployed for 9 – 18 months, please pray for them and their families. Best, ie

Mitchell & Dean!

Yesterday I got to photograph two of the cutest boys I know (2nd & 3rd to my own son!). Their parents, Justine & Jeff, are great friends of ours. It’s a special honor to photograph a friend’s family. So before I get sappy, let’s get to the boys…

Mitchell is 4 and Dean (below) will be 2 next month. Where has the time gone?

The heat was so bad we knew we wouldn’t have much time outside, so we did some shooting in the studio as well. I’m glad we did, got some nice moments.

 

I love when kids are comfortable enough to show me how they really feel.

And then we went outside…

Justine, thanks for your time! I not only love shooting the boys, but I love seeing you parent – you rock! Best, ie

AFQ wedding

A few weeks ago I photographed a wedding reception catered by my brother (Chef Andrew, from Andrew’s French Quarter). The reception was in Farmington at a banquet facility called Alexander’s which is part of the Farmington Factory. The building use to be a school, it’s huge and has a wide variety of retail space as well as the banquet facility and an art gallery. I only have photos of the banquet center, but you can learn more about the whole building at www.farmingtonfactory.com.

Enjoy these photos.

The term “banquet facility” is really misleading in this case.

Flowers by Connie Schwent, and they were fabulous!

Andy with the bride groom. As always, it’s a pleasure to work with you Andy!

Francis & Tony engaged!

Today I shot engagement portraits of Francis & Tony. They’re getting married at the Cathedral Basilica in October. They live in New York but Tony is from Chicago and Francis is from STL. In fact, Francis’ parents live just up the street from me – small world! So we met today and had some fun at Laumeier Sculpture Park. I’ve shot at Laumeier several times but never at the locations you are about to see. That’s one of my favorite challenges; shooting multiple clients at the same location but still making each client’s images look unique. Does that make sense? It does to me. Anyway, enjoy these images. We shot in several areas of the park, the birdcage graveyard was my favorite.

Of course I couldn’t resist the red.

Fracis & Tony, thanks so much for your time! I know your schedule is crazy when you’re in town so I appreciate you making time for our session. I hope you had a great visit with family. Travel safe & I’ll see you in October! Best, ie

Stephanie & Eric married!

This is going to be super-DUPER fast. Tonight Stephanie & Eric got married at Peace Lutheran in South County. Here’s some ie trivia: Peace Lutheran was the site of the first wedding I shot in STL… 10-ish years ago. Whoa. Enjoy these images, I’ll post more next week.

I love details…

Stunning.

And he adores her.

Stephanie & Eric, thanks so much for sharing your wonderful day with me! It was beautiful and I look forward to sharing more images! Have a great honeymoon, travel safe & I’ll see you when you return! Best, ie

Erin & Matt engaged!

This evening I shot Erin & Matt’s engagement photos. These two are so kind and clearly so in to each other. Matt absolutely adores Erin and Erin obviously loves Matt, seeing them interact was really fun – and I got photos! Enjoy these, I’ll try to keep my comments brief…

Great doors, great couple.

Great moment. Worth the risk, right Erin?

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Matt & Erin thanks for your time this evening. You guys are so great and SUCH great sports! I look forward to your wedding! Best, ie

Father Chrismer’s First Mass

Round two of Ordination coverage was this afternoon. Fr. Chrismer’s first Mass was at St. Robert Ballarmine in St. Charles. Here are just a few images.

I love finding images…

Mark’s brother (Rich) and sister (Sister Peter Marie) presented the gifts.

Chrismers – thanks again for sharing such a wonderful time with me. It is truly an honor. Best, ie

Ordination 2009

What a great day! Today I photographed the Ordination of 4 priests. While I did photograph all the priests, I concentrated on the Mark Chrismer. This was my second year covering the Ordination and I truly love covering this event. Surprisingly, it’s not the big beautiful Cathedral that makes the day for me – it’s really the service. the fact that I’m not only witnessing such an event but also documenting it really enriches the experience for me. I love photographing events for people, for families — sharing in their day is so incredible. I really do have an awesome job. Ok, before I get weepy on you, I’ll move on to photos.

I’m photographing Fr. Chrismer’s first Mass tomorrow. Will post after! Hope you’re all enjoying your Memorial Day Weekend. Chrismer family – thank you so much for letting me share this time with you! Best, ie

Play-date revisited!

Just a few more images of last week’s play-date. 

Olivia & mom.

I love it when kids make faces at me.

Moms are always good for a little nudge along the way.

Lindsey – thanks again! Carson & Olivia are absolutely too cute! Best, ie