Emily + Mike | St. Louis

EMILY + MIKE

St. Louis, Missouri Session

Autumn foliage is on display among the tree lined streets that fortified the Victorian homes of the Shaw neighborhood in St. Louis the day we meet up with Mike and EMily for this post-modern in-home session. We then hit the pavement for some contemporary cool street vibes. We first met Emily and Mike in St. Louis at a wedding we shot in March of 2019. (Shout out to Alex and Addison! Hey guys! ;) ) They are the two creatives behind Juniper Films and together they create surreal, beautiful works of art. Their style is on full display in this collection as they let us experiment and focus on this couple’s shared creativity.

The home, built in the 1920s, seems to be dripping with a long history of its own. A history that mike and emily contribute to daily. Recent renovations and future projects pepper the house, but the original style and design is only complimented by these changes. Above their bed hangs a map of the U.s. a map that is more than appropriate for a couple that dots across america as filmmakers. mason, their small yorkie, hops on the bed with mike and emily and snags of few photos with his parents and sits for his own portrait.

The late evening light trickles into the bedroom and works some magic at the end of daylight savings. streaking light and reflections create a rich, glowing look and lingering sense warmth. in A dining room stocked with a healthy provision of greenery, emily dances as mike snapped a few quick photos from the adjoining kitchen.

We head out and trot down the sidewalks covered in recently fallen leaves, then head downtown to a parking garage mike has access to. With nothing but natural light, we get a chance to flex our industrial muscle. the converted garage seems to be a gutted former office building, now resembling a set piece from eraserhead. Walls adorn with chipped white tile and torn wallpaper make for a lush variety of backdrops.

As the sun starts to finally disappear, we make our way down alleys and harness the last bit of golden light. We play with overexposure and slow shutters to create a sense of pause. taking in fleeting light and making time stand still in these photo stills.

Elizabeth and Alden's Intimate Back Yard Wedding In Nashville, Tennessee

Alden and Elizabeth

Back Yard Wedding
Nashville Tennessee

Weddings are filled with people who are important to the bride and groom. When you shoot an intimate backyard wedding like E + A had in Alden’s parent’s back yard in Nashville Tennessee, the guest list is short. Every person there was carefully considered and intentionally invited.

We met Elizabeth and Alden at a previous wedding we photographed! (Shout out to Christine and Steven! Hey guys!) With wedding days being hectic, we don’t always get to interact with the bridal party as much as we’d like, so when we got lunch with these two and photographed their engagement session, it was so good to get to know them better. (Spoiler alert, we freakin adore them!) Alden is so funny and kind and Elizabeth lights up the room with her beautiful smile and loving heart.

They were married at Alden’s childhood home. His artwork was displayed on multiple walls. (So talented!) Their house is a midcentury dream with a beautiful view of Nashville. The deck was transformed to hold the ceremony and dance floor. (which allowed guests to really soak in the beauty that Tennessee has to offer while celebrating their friends' love. ) Walls made entirely of glass were also the perfect way for guests to really take in the view from inside through out the day.

Elizabeth texted me when she got her wedding dress fitted. Hearing how she described it and how it made beautiful it made her feel definitely caused me to tear up. We talk about moments a LOT in our work, but how you feel is equally important. We want you to feel like the best version of you on your wedding day. We want you to feel handsome or stunning, and you are all of those things. Elizabeth and Alden are all of those things.

Some of our favorite moments and things from the day:
• Alden and Elizabeth inheriting Alden’s grandparent’s wedding bands (It was beautiful)
• The Wiggly Dance that Alden and his siblings did during the reception
• Chic-Fil-A Dinner + brownie batter cake
• Elizabeth spinning in her gown during their first look
• The bartender magically guessing my age
• Seeing Nashville’s lights at night
• Elizabeths BEAUTIFUL flowers. The colors were so perfect!

It was definitely a wedding where we left with full hearts! (and stomachs!) How fortunate we are to have this incredibly special job.

Thanks for reading,
Rosalie Marion