rocks the house. i had the opportunity to work with owner, joe switzer, while second shooting with stephen seward last weekend. prior to that, i was at a loss for videographer recommendations. these guys are awesome! check out their portfolio.

also fantabulous was coordinator, sabrina torti, of proposing dreams.

i think oftentimes people don't realize how helpful and stress relieving hiring a wedding coordinator can be. adam and i had ten guests at our destination wedding in taos last year and at times, even planning for that myself was overwhelming. it's something worth building into your budget, for sure.

Labels: STLfavs

we had a fabulous post-wedding breakfast at rooster sunday on locust downtown. it's owned by david bailey who also owns the wonderful chocolate bar in lafayette square.

there aren't so many breakfast haunts around the city. uncle bill's is always a fabulous choice, of course, but rooster is a nice upgrade. they serve a variety of crepes and sandwiches and your typical coffee drinks. check it out!

and stay tuned for a wonderlicious slideshow from kathy and tim's awesome city museum wedding over the weekend.

Labels: GoodIdeas, STLfavs

ok, if you haven't already tried vin de set, you MUST. i think it's my pick for the best restaurant in st. louis. it is phenomenal. everything is. rarely does one eat somewhere where nothing is disappointing. i promise you that nothing is disappointing at vin de set. in fact, it's all fabulous. try the baked brie to start, followed by the mixed greens salad, pork tenderloin and the cheesecake. and i don't have to feel guilty about devouring everything i just mentioned because i hit the gym for seven days in a row. :-)
peace out.

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

most of the time i'm not a super girlie girl. i like to have style, but i rarely wear makeup and never do anything with my hair, aside from washing it and putting it up. but, despite these things, i do looooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeee to get my hair cut. i found denny of the central west end based lemon spalon at modesto. well, he wasn't there, but one of his fabulous haircuts was. it's not often i ask a stranger who cuts their hair. but it was that amazing. so i gave him a try. he rocks AND he does wedding hair. give him a call, ladies!

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

as in, getting back in shape. for those of you city dwellers in search of a pretty bitchin' gym space, check out fitness factory on washington. it's three levels of exposed brick, spankin' new machines and urban loveliness. yoga and pilates classes are even included in membership. and you can pop over next door to washington ave post for a smoothie or across the street to the gelateria when you're done working hard and want to indulge.

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

i LOVE blogging. i have a love/hate relationship with technology. being a photographer in the 21st century, i have to embrace it and mostly that's ok. but sometimes, i get sentimental. i miss my darkroom days. sitting in front of a monitor is just not the same.

i get stoked about things like ipods and iphones, though don't like being tied to my cell phone and feeling the need to be connected all the time.

i'm amazed by the internet in general. and i like to learn new things.

when adam and i bumped into peat wollaeger of kris and peat fame a couple of weeks ago, he whipped out his ipod with a video of his latest art pursuit. he was invited down to miami for art basel.

when youtube conveniently offered to copy the html to my clipboard, i had to hijack the piece for my first video blog post. he is phenomenally talented. what makes it even more entertaining is that peat gets into character when he works. the hair came off to make him look more keith haring-like.

so, this is a bit off topic, but i just had to share.

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

is the pulitzer foundation for the arts right next to the contemporary art museum and within walking distance of another favorite place, the sheldon. i'm always adding locations to the visual r'epertoire of amazing places around the city for engagement shoots, wedding day shoots, day after shoots, etc. pulitzer is now on my list. it's a gorgeously sleek and modern building that just exudes class.

and if you're looking for something to do today, this weekend marks the second annual city-wide open studios. click here for a map. the event culminates at the starving artists' bbq at the contemporary from 4-8 p.m.

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Ladies, for those of you in the South part of town, or willing to travel, I must commend Seasons Salon and Spa in Ronnie's Plaza for being absolutely fabulous! I first discovered Seasons on assignment for the Post-Dispatch and recently went back as a client. Everyone there is extremely friendly (not snooty as some spas can be) and the place is gorgeous. They recently redecorated and the new contemporary, Asian feel is just awesome. Check it out!

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

for those of you who have just joined us, there's still time to win! here's the low down. all mystery locations are located within CITY LIMITS.Next month marks the beginning of our fourth year of living in the city. It has been great to us so far and we look forward to ongoing developments to make the ‘Lou a more viable urban playground. So we’d like to give a little something back. Something slightly, no IMMENSELY crazy.To show appreciation for our clients and good ole’ STL, we are holding a contest, STLove Wedding Hunt. We have chosen ten of our favorite places and establishments around the city. A photo will be made of Mr. Benton Bear wearing our new trucker hat at each of these locations. One photo will be posted each day for ten days, beginning TODAY. Along the way, you, oh treasured brides and grooms, must figure out where we went. You must go there. You must take a picture of yourself and your spouse-to-be and you must send us a complete list of places along with a photo of you at each one. The first couple to correctly identify and include photos of themselves at all ten locations and get them to our inbox, greetings@bentonparkphotoco.com, will earn (Please include the list and all low-resolution photos in a single email at the end)…Drum roll, please.A FREE wedding story. Up to ten hours of wedding day bliss photojournalism by Becca and Adam, an engagement or “Trash the Dress” session, a wedding day slideshow at your reception, an online Flash slideshow afterwards and online ordering of images. Almost $4,000 in goodies all for our love of the ‘Lou.Please email us with STLove in the subject line to inquire about availability of your date. We photograph a limited number of weddings a year in order to provide stellar customer service to each couple, so write soon. No strings attached. No organ donation required. No need to sell your sister or your dog. We are doing this because we LOVE living in the city and you get to share in the love.

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

what do you guys think so far? too easy? too difficult? just right?

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers

here's the scoop again, for your viewing convenience. all mystery locations are located within CITY LIMITS.

Next month marks the beginning of our fourth year of living in the city. It has been great to us so far and we look forward to ongoing developments to make the ‘Lou a more viable urban playground. So we’d like to give a little something back. Something slightly, no IMMENSELY crazy.

To show appreciation for our clients and good ole’ STL, we are holding a contest, STLove Wedding Hunt. We have chosen ten of our favorite places and establishments around the city. A photo will be made of Mr. Benton Bear wearing our new trucker hat at each of these locations. One photo will be posted each day for ten days, beginning TODAY. Along the way, you, oh treasured brides and grooms, must figure out where we went. You must go there. You must take a picture of yourself and your spouse-to-be and you must send us a complete list of places along with a photo of you at each one. The first couple to correctly identify and include photos of themselves at all ten locations and get them to our inbox, greetings@bentonparkphotoco.com, will earn (Please include the list and all low-resolution photos in a single email at the end)…Drum roll, please.

A FREE wedding story. Up to ten hours of wedding day bliss photojournalism by Becca and Adam, an engagement or “Trash the Dress” session, a wedding day slideshow at your reception, an online Flash slideshow afterwards and online ordering of images. Almost $4,000 in goodies all for our love of the ‘Lou.

Please email us with STLove in the subject line to inquire about availability of your date. We photograph a limited number of weddings a year in order to provide stellar customer service to each couple, so write soon. No strings attached. No organ donation required. No need to sell your sister or your dog. We are doing this because we LOVE living in the city and you get to share in the love.

Labels: BentonParkPhotographyCo, STLfavs, StLouisWeddingPhotographers