clarypfeiffer

There is a place where dreams come true.

For my last photography project in my first photography class I used Infrared film which captures the chlorophyll bouncing off the plants vs the light so what better place than the Missouri Botanical Gardens to take care of business?! My favorite place, the Rose Garden, where I turned to Trav “Can you imagine how dreamy a wedding would be?” snapped a few pictures, one of which hangs in our dinning room.

Every wedding I think, there is no place I’d rather be than this very moment…sometimes it’s when I see a mom wondering when her daughter grew up or the couple whispering and smiling at each other, the world disappearing, or the bride with all her friends dancing and singing to “Like a Prayer”. As I walked through the Rose Garden, Travis waiting for me with his camera, me rushed from the brides make-up getting finished moments before her limo arrived, this was “the moment” in Hilary and Matt’s day where I wouldn’t want to be any other place in the whole world than the Rose Garden doing what I love, surrounded by friends and family’s love for a new couple, and my very own love with all my dreams coming true.

Brooklyn making another appearance:o)

Isn't Hilary's hairpiece amazing?!! She made it herself so I had to show it off.

I like to spend time with the details of a wedding day, knowing how much they mean to a couple and the thought that went into them, what they mean. Because we were short on time I had to get actions shots of the following. They are my favorite detail shots to date.

My 70-200mm f/2.8 is the ONLY zoom lens I use and I have been debating getting my next fixed lens, 135mm f/2, but saw no reason. Sadly I dropped the 70-200mm at last wedding sending it to the Canon shop and my new 135mm making it's depute here:o) I'm in love.

We only had about 10 minutes of light left to get some pictures of the gorgeous couple but we worked it!

Hilary put this all together, the morning of she was plastering the branches into the black boxes...beautiful.

Just because Courtney and Whitney dance so good and are so cute!!

The last dance.

Thank you Matt and Hilary for having your wedding at the place where dreams come true:o)

Love!

Hi! It's me, Jettie Pie!! I know you are here expecting the wedding with the cute puppies below and all you are finding is, well, me...

but don't worry, soon mom will put the sneak peek up. Until then, have a great weekend!!

Now, back to my photo session:o)

2.7.

These are my destiny numbers, my world kind of revolves around them. I was born on the second, Trav and I started dating 2.7, 1997 and 7 years later we got married, 27 was my soccer number in high school, the best weddings always take place on the 27th (next week I'll show you this years 9.27 wedding and next year it's Napa Valley 9.27!!) and then there are the numbers I control…7 memory cards always go with me on a wedding day, my life list of 27 dreams, 2 kids…that is only what I can think of right now. So if the numbers two or seven are involved, magic is sure to follow. I am quite excited for my birthday, 27 today! I’m imagining where 27 will take me with all the amazing people in my life. I would be no one with out you each and every one of you!! 

 

"Look Mommy! Daddy's an airport!"  

This is Sunday aftnernoons around our house, the kids sprawling toys out, dad Hughes' Horse or Jettie's peek-a-booer . Sometime dad makes Hughes an airplane which involves one plane but now that Jettie is older daddy is an airport with multiple planes coming in. Which is a really good metaphor for the business side of things at CPP. Fall is always a crazy time of year, with beautiful weddings every single weekend from now until November 8th and everyone wants those family pictures for cards and gifts. I wanted to update anyone that is looking into scheduling. I have a few openings in October for mornings only and two weekday evening appointments in November which really is not evening with Daylight Savings...more like 3pm appointments. I am also scheduling starting March 2009 with a some weekend sessions available so if you are wanting to set up a date please let me know as soon as you can!! I will be closing my books for 2008 next week.

The new site has arrived!! It matches the light, fresh colors of the blog with bigger pictures, proofing with a cart and new music. In honor of this occasion I will send the first 3 commenters a claryphoto soundtrack with music from the site along with some other favorites. Enjoy!!

bobbi+mike did US good...

Check it and leave some LOVE for the amazing pictures!!!

We are on our way home from the beautiful city of Chicago with full bellies and lots of IKEA. Yes I did have a wonderful time meeting Steph and Derek during their engagement session but more on them later this week and why I can't wait to see Steph's wedding dress. Until then, a little quiz with the fun pictures I took on my spankin new iPhone. The first commenter to answer all 4 correctly receives a treat from the store of the last quiz question picture.

Did Hughes like VONG's Thai Kitchen?

Did we take a trolley or bus to Navy Pier?

How many strollers did we buy while visiting?

What store on Michigan Ave did I drool over the dark chocolate espresso?

There are many, many times I wonder what I was thinking when I agreed to live in the middle of nowhere. Like when my gas is at a forth of a tank or when I forget the milk or when I have a craving for deep fried something from a drive-thru. None of those exist out here but you know what does, what makes it all worth it?

Strawberry fields, among many other things...stars, sweet summer breezes, two trees with a hammock in-between. Back to the strawberry fields, about a mile down the road a lovely couple grow beets, peas, herbs, blackberries, tomatoes and lots of other good things. We were on a mission for strawberries for this visit because we had big plans for making jelly.

That's right folks, Pick-ur-own.

***disclaimer***not all the strawberries pictured were picked by the 3-year-old

The Goods, 3 pints of strawberries and one basal plant for the kitchen windowsill.

Jettie giving great-grandma smiles and Hughes taking off the stems to make the jelly.

All of our hard work paid off.

And my usual morning yogurt specially covered with the ruby bites.

To my much loved couple,
Thank you for always supporting and encouraging me. Leaving words of praise in my inbox. Sending notes in the mail addressed to "Our Favorite Photographer". You trusted and believed in me when I needed it most. Reaffirming that this is what I must do just a year ago with no weddings under my belt and a few engagement sessions. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your love, the most important day of you lives together. There is a notch in my heart with you two in it.
xoxox

I hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day with your special guy!! We made cookies for ours and had a wonderful day.

Apparently I have to keep an eye on both my kids. The above picture, please, Hughes did everything he could to open the chocolate chips while Jettie was playing off that she did care. But wait...what is going on in this picture?

Jettie snagged the chocolate chips while Hughes was being completely adorable to divert me. Is this the start of the conspiring to come?

I have so many sessions to post and I know that if I don't do this now I never will. I must show you how beautiful Santa Rosa was. I shot this before the sunrise so the stars are still out.

We went on a sunset catermran trip which was amazing.

When the sun was setting we saw countless dolphins swimming all around the boat.

The beach is my favorite place in the world and after seeing the pictures taken during our evenings enjoying the sound side of the island I want to move my operation down there.

A little piece of heaven.

Hughes making sand angles with Me-Maw and Paw-Pa.

I don't know who adores eachother more? Me-Maw or Hughes and Jettie?

The most beautiful time is when the sun dips down making these amazing pictures Paw-Pa got.

The only question...16x24 or 20x30?

Because I have been so busy the past two weeks with 5 weddings in 15 days I want to give you a sneak peek at the wedding I shot while in Florida. Tomorrow I will post on the couple featured in my header and why they are so very special.