If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell. ~Lance Armstrong
I think the one thing most forget about are the memories. After you loose a loved one, one tends to look back, pictures from the past. And sometimes wish why didn’t we get those family portraits like we had talked about. It’s never to late to get that family portrait. When I learned Tony was diagnosed with cancer, I offered a complimentary family portrait session. So many times we feel helpless, and wonder to ourselves what can I do. What can I say to help ease the pain, or make things any easier. The road is a long one. Sometimes we can fight cancer. Other times we can’t.
But we can freeze a moment in time. Preserve a memory, that can be passed down from generation to generation. Portraits for a cause…… is an opportunity for photographers to give back. A simple family portrait session, can give a lifetime of memories.
The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart. ~Nikolai Lenin
This morning, yes this morning I met up with 3 of the most energetic little boys at Longview Farms for their yearly pictures. This is the third year I have had the wonderful opportunity take their pictures, and watch them grow. This year they didn’t seem so afraid of me. And boy did they grow. And are they ever cute!. Takes me back to the days when my boys were this age. Cherish these days. They grow to fast. Here’s a peak from this mornings session. There’s a couple “typical” little boy looks. Hope to see you cats next year!
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This past weekend we celebrated Jen & Kevin’s wedding at the historic Lemp Mansion. The first thing people ask me when they hear “Lemp Mansion”. Ah yes that place is haunted. I’m sure you will see lots of unusual things there.
The Lemp Mansion was built in the early 1860′s and was subsequently purchased by William J. Lemp as a residence and auxiliary brewery office. Although it was already an impressive structure, Lemp used his massive brewery fortune to turn the thirty-three room house into a Victorian showplace.
The demise of the Lemp empire is one of the great mercantile mysteries of St. Louis. The first major fissure in the Lemp dynasty occurred when Frederick Lemp, William’s favorite son and the heir apparent to the brewery presidency, died under mysterious circumstances in 1901. Three years later, William J. Lemp shot himself in the head in a bedroom at the family mansion, apparently still grieving the loss of his beloved Frederick. William J. Lemp, Jr. succeeded his father as president.
Tragedy continued to stalk the Lemps with startling ardor. The brewery’s fortunes continued to decline until Prohibition (1919) closed the plant permanently. William Jr.’s sister Elsa, who was considered the wealthiest heiress in St. Louis, committed suicide in 1920. On June 28, 1922, the magnificent Lemp brewery, which had once been valued at $7 million and covered ten city blocks, was sold at auction to International Shoe Co. for $588,500. Although most of the company’s assets were liquidated, the Lemps continued to have an almost morbid attachment for the family mansion. After presiding over the sale of the brewery, William J. Lemp, Jr. shot himself in the same building where his father died eighteen years earlier. His son, William Lemp III, was forty-two when he died of a heart attack in 1943. William Jr.’s brother, Charles, continued to reside at the house after his brother’s suicide. An extremely bitter man, Charles led a reclusive existence until he too died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The body was discovered by his brother, Edwin.
Said to be one of the ten most haunted places in America, the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri, continues to play host to the tragic Lemp family. Over the years, the mansion was transformed from the stately home of millionaires, to office space, decaying into a run-down boarding house, and finally restored to its current state as a fine dinner theatre, restaurant and bed and breakfast.
Now dispite the history of the Lemp Mansion, the hauntings of the past decided to give Jen & Kevin their blessings this past Saturday August 14, 2010 as the two were united in marriage. No ghosts showed themselves before, during or even after the ceremony. No orbs were noted, no gleams of light scene. There were sparks flying as The first kiss was had, and the bubbles danced in the breeze. Happiness lingered as family and friends witnessed what true love is.
The heat was on, and that’s no lie. Temps neared 100 degrees and the sun beat down on us. And occasionally the words, it’s just to hot out were heard. Non the less, frequent breaks in an air conditioned limo bus and cool refreshments enabled us to venture out to some of the most spectacular sights of St. Louis for wedding portraits.
No Gaga about this wedding. The first dance, was indeed a suprise to Kevin. Should we say Kevin was a bit poker faced when their first dance began? Priceless indeed!
The whole day was a blast. We had the “Time of our Life” And the wedding party, now you want to talk about fun. How about that toast by the best man?
And the wink on Jen’s face as I asked her, before they cut the cake. Are you going to be a good girl? Fun loving, crazy wild kind of fun. Are just a few words I would use to describe these guys. Thank you Jen, Kevin and both of your familys for sharing your special day with us. Thanks Doreen for your assistance.
Now here’s a preview from Jen & Kevin’s Lemp Mansion Wedding
Be sure to check out the extended version on our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/TimelessExpressionsPhotography
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This past weekend Caitlin & Kyle were married at St. Johns Nepomuk Catholic Church. The church was decorated beautifully. Bright pinks, dark purples, plum colors. It seems like yesterday we were taking Caitlin & Kyles engagement pictures. And did the time fly by. The ceremony was just beautiful. The emotions were high in anticipation of the soon to be Mr & Mrs Clark. I can remember one point during the ceremony. I actually had a few tears in my eyes. I think as Caitlin was coming up the isle. She saw Kyle. And the tears shed. Now this wasn’t just the only emotional part. During the reception Caitlin’s father gave such a wonderful speech, not only did Caitlin shed a few tears, but I did as well. You could certainly feel the closeness and love this family shared as they welcomed Kyle to the family, and praised Kyle’s parents for doing a wonderful job raising their son. I would like to thank Caitlin & Kyles families for their warm, hospitality. It was a beautiful day, and a memorable one. Caitlin & Kyle, congratulations, many years of love and happiness to you. I would also like to say thanks to Derek with Love and Life Photography for your help. Here’s a preview from Caitlin & Kyles wedding. Be sure to check out the extended version on our facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/TimelessExpressionsPhotography
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Nearly 4 months have passed since 30-year-old police officer Matt Crosby was in the lead to a domestic disturbance call. This call would change officer Matt Crosby’s life forever. Officer Crosby was shot in the shoulder. The bullet lodged in his spine and today, Officer Crosby can not feel or move anything from the chest down. Officer Crosby is married and the father of 3 children under the ages of 12. A trust fund has been set up for Rock Hill Police Officer Matt Crosby at Heartland Bank. To donate, contact the Heartland Bank in Rock Hill, http://www.heartland-bank.com/home/locator or to find the Heartland Bank nearest you. You can also visit www.caringbridge.org to donate. Go to the “Visit a Website” box and type in “mattcrosby”.
This story touched many lives, family, friends, and the community. Fundraisers have been and still are going on to help Officer Matt Crosby. I received an email from one fundraiser event planner asking if I would be willing to donate an item to help raise money for Officer Crosby. I was honored and touched at the same time. Thinking to myself what could I give that would raise any amount of money to help this family. I donated a family portrait package. In hopes tbat money would be raised to help Officer Matt Crosby. 
Last evening I finally got to meet the family who won the raffle of this portrait package. We met at Faust Park for family portraits. Portraits for a cause. That has a nice ring to it. Nothing is as priceless as family.
“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family”. “No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on haven given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?”
Portraits for a cause are priceless! I later found out that our portrait package helped raise almost $750.00. I challenge area photographers to join in with me. Together we can help others and preserve precious memories and support the cause.
A Facebook page has been created for information about upcoming fundraisers: www.facebook.com/home.php
Thank you Officer Crosby for being a hero! I hope to one day get to personally meet you and personally call you a hero!
Here are some portraits from our session last evening.
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