Hubbell Family : Saint Louis Photography

[by Ash-a-ley]

I first met this adorable family of four when they were a family of three.    I captured big brother, Lucas' One Year pictures (which you can check out HERE).  A LOT can change in 18 months.....little boys become big brothers and families of three become families of four.   The Hubbell's are no exception.   They contacted me a few months ago and let me know that their youngest would be turning one.   I always love seeing my client's through the years.    Lucas was just as adorable, charming and cute as he was before.  He has definitely taken on the big brother role quite nicely.   I could see how Jacob looked up to his big bro.    Loving this lovely family!    

Steve + Jessii + Haylee

[by Ash-a-ley]

There are certain clients that begin to feel more like family than clients.   I remember the morning that I first met Steve and Jessii.    Seriously...the date and everything (weird, I know, but sometimes certain dates stick out to me).    I knew I was going to love Jessii as soon as she agreed to do a sunrise shoot with me for her Ripe Belly Session yet.   Those kind of shoots take serious dedication and discipline.....not just on the clients part either!   Her enthusiasm about the shoot was contagious.    I could feel it in our phone conversations and email exchanges.    Somewhere along the journey from the Ripe Belly Session to the most recent 18 Month photo session, Haylee, Jessii and Steve all stole my heart and acquired that "feel like family" title.   Jessii's excitement, enthusiasm has never dulled in the slightest.   We work together before each and every shoot to come up with a new, creative, how are we going to beat the last shoot idea.   Her excitement for the shoot only amplifies my excitement, and the results leave my heart happy each and every time.   :)

We made our way to Midtown, because I wanted to shoot around the Fox Theatre.   Little did I know, but the Fabulous Fox is actually where Steve and Jessii had their wedding.  :)  

 We finished up the shoot with a sweet treat at the Fountain on Locust.   This cute little spot had been on my "Must Try" list for a while now.    The milkshake we ordered was seriously INCRED.  

Happy 1st Birthday Easton!!!

{With Love - Ash}

It will be one year in September that we were celebrating with Jan and Mike at Lola's first birthday party.   Jan pulled me aside and told me the news, they were expecting baby #2!!   No one really knew yet, but she had to let me know that they were definitely doing a birthstory.     Fast-forward nine months and one year and VOILA~Here is Easton.   Easton and his entire family (yes there is one more on the way) have become an extension of my own heart.   Watching these guys grow as a family and grow up is one of the best perks of my job.    Easton is having a farm themed birthday party, so I went out to scout locations and find the perfect barn setting.   Mike and Jan even made the super cute cow cake themselves!!   Very crafty, you two!   :)    

 I just love this family.   More and more each time.  

The wind was in full force that day!!!!   We rocked it to our advantage the best we could!   

And time for a little walk down memory lane.....
Here is the last year in a nutshell:

Easton + Lola: Growing Every Day

{Ash-a-ley}

This family has grown.   We have been there all along the journey.    Lola's entire first year was captured by my camera.  While celebrating a big milestone for Lola, her first birthday, we received the news that Jan + Mike were expecting baby #2.   They had not shared the news or made it facebook official, but they knew one thing was certain, they were doing a BirthStory.   Soon enough, we were there to meet Itty Bitty Easton.   My mouth dropped as I saw him for his 6 month photos.   He was as cute as could be with his chubby little cheeks, his big blue eyes, and his heart melting smile.    Lola was so excited to show me her little brother, and even sang me her own version of the wheels on the bus which went a little something like this:

The Ash-ee on the bus goes

click, click, click

click, click, click.

The Ash-ee on the bus goes click, click click....

All thru the town.

Yeah, I guess that is what happens when someone grows up in front of the camera.    :)    Regardless, made me feel very special, and this family will ALWAYS have a special and sweet spot in my heart.  -xo

 Oh-mahhhhhh-----goodnesssssss!!!!!!    I can't take it!  So cute!!!!!

And this might quite possibly be the sweetest thing ever.    If I am ever having a bad day, I think this may be my new go-to thing: 

Happy 1st Birthday Patrick Jr.!!

[by Ash-a-ley]

One whole year.   It seems like such a long time when you stop and think about where you will be one year from today.    In retrospect, it is quite the opposite.   When you are looking back on the year, it always seems as if it flew by.   I always get these sentimental attachments to my BirthStory babies.   It is so hard to believe that these babies that one year ago I saw as bumps, and then saw their parents lay eyes on them for the first time are now turning one, and some are even becoming big brothers and sisters.   I haven't seen Patrick in about 3 or 4 months, and when I showed up to take his 1st birthday pics, I could NOT STOP "ooh-ing" and "awwww-ing".    His big baby blues, chubby little checkers, and buddha belly all still remain, but I could not take how much hair he had now!!!    He was my little cabbage patch doll!!!    SOOOOO CUTE!!!!!     With parents like Sarah & Pat, would you really ever expect anything different!?    I have said it before, and I will say it again, thank you guys for inviting me into your lives.   I feel so blessed to have clients like you and your families in my life.    :)   Happy 1st Birthday Patrick Jr.!!

Sarah and Pat chose to do their photo session at Grandma & Grandpa's.   Of course I had to snap a couple of them with little patrick, a group shot, and spend a few minutes with just the two of them.   I asked them something I usually find myself asking lots of people........When was the last time (aside from your wedding day or pics with your kids) that you two had your photos taken......just the two of you?    Their answer....the same as many married couples.....never.    This is a married couple who has made it through all of these years together, raised a beautiful family, and now has the most precious grandchildren...a couple so in love, you could feel it while in the same room.  I was so happy to get to pull them aside for a few minutes to snap a few for them, without the wedding dress and without the kids.....just the two people that fell in love and started the family that started it all.   Whenever you two lovebirds are ready for your full anniversary session.....let me know! :)

No 1st birthday session is complete with out a little smashing of the cake!!!!

Patrick had to get in on a little cake action.   I was laughing so hard that it is a miracle I even got this shot in focus!    I do not know what I like better, the fact that a grown man is diving head first into his child's birthday cake, or the look on Patrick Jr.'s face as he looks over at his mom/Grandma/Grandpa.   I vote that this needs to be Pat's new cover photo for Facebook.   :)

And a little flashback for you....Here is Patrick's BirthStory.....

Garlich BirthStory from LeLe Photography on Vimeo.

Their Ripe Belly session was one of my most favorites....ever.    HERE is the link to that full blog post.    

Contact LeLe Photography HERE.