a contest for my brides | jill heupel photography

Every time I stop and think about my business, the first feeling I come to is “blessed.”  I get to be home with my family.  I get to provide for myself and my family.  I meet the coolest people and get to be with them during their biggest moments.

Last year, I photographed 18 weddings.  Wooo, it was quite a year!  I get lots of questions each year about bridezillas and mother-in-laws and how I handle all of the crazies at these weddings.  I can honestly say that I get to work with the sweetest brides and families!  I might have a story or two about an aunt jumping in to try and pose the bride and groom.  And sometimes I have a bride whisper to me that we need to keep so-and-so busy and away from her.  But really, I count myself blessed.

As my wedding season is about to start, I am reflective over last years weddings.  I looked back through each of my weddings and was filled with joy, remembering how happy those days had been.

Which leads me to…

A CONTEST!!!

This contest is for my 2012 couples and one 2013 couple, who got married in January.  (January is pretty much 2012, right?)

The winner will be the couple in the picture that gets the most attention.  Here is how you do it:

1. Leave a comment with your favorite image number.

2. Pin your favorite picture to pinterest, and leave me a comment that you pinned it.

3.  Like and comment on your favorite picture in the facebook album for this contest.

The prize:

Choice of a 16×20 gallery wrap of their picture, or an 11×14 Organic Bloom Frame with their picture.

Voting ends April 22nd at 8:00 pm

Here they are!  The couples of 2012 (and January 2013)

#1. Kelly and Ben

I met Kelly and Ben when I did their first photography session with their sweet little pups.  Shortly after that, they got engaged and I was photographing them again!  And then, I ended up in Colorado photographing their wedding!  It was amazing!

#2 Erin and Matt

Erin planned a gorgeous wedding.  Her hand was on everything, from the decor to the super cute flower girl outfits, to the Izze sodas for each guest!  It was a warm day, but gorgeous!

#3  Katie and Adam

My January couple!  I still can’t believe this wedding weather was so nice!  Katie and Adam are a gorgeous and sweet couple.  Side Note: Adam tiled our new bathroom, so these guys will always have a special place in my heart!

#4 Julie and Andrew

Julie and Andrew were able to have an outdoor ceremony in November!  They totally trusted me with picture locations and we ended up getting to shoot during the golden hour.  Added bonus, we got to incorporate Julie’s dad’s antique cars and trucks!

#5 Erin and Rob

Almost every year, I have one fall bride who is able to predict the height of the fall color.  Erin was the one!  Their outdoor wedding was amazing!  And check out Erin’s dress!  One of my favorites!

#6  Kerry and Stephanie

Kerry and Stephanie were a huge surprise!  Even though they booked me well in advance, I did not get to meet them until weeks before the wedding.  They ended up being so much fun, and trusted me completely with locations and set-ups.  Their wedding party and families were so fun too!

#7 Cory and Leah

Cory and Leah got married on the hottest day ever.  Seriously, ever.  I have a photo of a thermometer from that day, and it was 108!  During the formal pictures, the group was so hot and exhausted, so we all walked across the street to Dairy Queen and had cold drinks.  Don’t they look gorgeous though?  They make 108 degrees look gooood.

#8 Anna and Chris

This wedding was very special.  When I was high school aged, I babysat quite a bit for Anna and her little brother.  Their family was like a second family to me.  Crazy to change her diapers and then be there to photograph her wedding.  (Anna, should I tell some stories yet?  I was hoping the mic would be passed to me during toasts!)  I was honored to get to fly to Seattle and be a part of their wedding day.  Gorgeous location.  Amazing details.  Fun people.

#9 Chris and Amilia

This was another hot summer wedding. The fun bride and groom let us flag over an ice cream truck during pictures at the park!  So the whole wedding party got to stop for an ice cream break together!  The families made us feel like we were part of things too.  And I will not soon forget Chris’ sisters.  They were a hoot on the dance floor!

#10 John and Ashleigh

This was a neat wedding too.  I have worked with Ashleigh’s family quite a bit, and it is always neat to continue to photograph the same family’s big moments.  The wedding also took place at my church, which is always fun for me.  And the groom?  He had us laughing the whole day!

#11 Heather and Kevin

Heather and Kevin got married in Puerto Rico, and though I couldn’t be there, I did get to be a part of two days of pictures with them!  We did the couple and the groomsmen at Busch Stadium on one evening, and then their relaxed, farm reception the next day.  It was amazing!

#12 John and Tori

John and Tori’s wedding was lively!  They got married on a golf course on a beautiful day.  The whole group kept us laughing!  They have the sweetest little boy.  It was very special to have little Will be a big part of the wedding day.

#13 Jake and Christen

Jake and Christen’s wedding was so intimate.  I loved their style!  We had two days of shooting for them…  A small and private wedding ceremony and a big, fun party at the Wildey.  It was amazing!

#14  Jessica and Matt

This was a beautiful wedding.  Funny story…  When I met with Matt and Jessica just two weeks before the wedding, they were both excited about their clever gifts they had purchased for each other.  Individually, they each told me what they had purchased for the other person, and they were THE SAME GIFT!  I had to sit on that knowledge until after the wedding!  As it turned out, one of them switched gifts and it was a great surprise.  But what a perfect couple, right?

#15 Becky and Nick

Thinking back to this wedding makes me smile!  I am friends with Nick’s parents, so I was thrilled when they contacted me for their son’s wedding.  Becky was a gorgeous bride.  There were weimaraner pups and cowboy boots and basketballs and tons of lovely details.  Amazing wedding!

#16 Kayla and Shawn

Kayla and Shawn had an amazing wedding.  I recall the wedding party being loads of fun.  And Kayla and Shawn gave me plenty of time to work with just them.  They also had wonderful details and TO DIE FOR flowers.  Loved this wedding!

#17 Jen and Eric

This was a fun wedding!  Jenny was relaxed and calm and a dream to work with.  Eric was hilarious!  Some of the out takes from this wedding…  I just think about them and laugh!  This couple did a first look and pictures of just the two of them right away.  They also totally trusted me with locations.  They got a ton of photos of just the two of them!

#18 Jake and Jessica

This is a neat couple!  Jake and Jessica both did such sweet and thoughtful things for each other through out the entire wedding day.  It was so sweet, and really kept them calm and focused on each other!  They also did an after session, which I LOVE!  We went to Forest Park and did a whole hour of portraits of just the two of them.  It is a great way to supplement wedding photos!

That is all of my weddings from the last year!  I am so excited to work with my 2013 couples. Start voting!

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Kelly Couple #1!!!!! :)

Jenny Daniels #17 is my favorite! But, I might be biased!

Jenny Daniels #17 is my favorite, but I might be a little biased! :)

Melissa Couple #1

Rebecca Arth We love #15….pinned to Pinterest

close to the heart | jill heupel photography

The best part about doing a shoot with fun people?  You end up having just as much fun as they do.  Jill feels so lucky to call this group family, you can tell this was such an enjoyable day.

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k family | jill heupel photography

While the rest of us were digging our cars out of the snow, Jill got to escape to California.  She also got to do a shoot with her brother’s adorable family, these kid’s faces just make me squeal a little inside.

What a sweet moment…

Glad to have you back, Jill!

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boudoir | jill heupel photography

Despite our recent rash of nasty weather, spring is still right around the corner, and with it comes wedding season.  What a perfect time to schedule an anniversary boudoir shoot!

Jill and I came up with a Q & A for those who may be interested but unsure.  It really is an awesome, empowering experience.

1) Where will we shoot?

Ideally, we will shoot in your home.  This is where you will be most comforable. When I arrive for your session, I will spend some time finding the best natural light for the shoot.  If your home is not a good option, i have a private studio where we can shoot.  I also have a private wooded location that is wonderful for outdoor boudoir.

2) What should I wear?

For a boudoir session, I recommend about four outfits. Here are my suggestions:

1. Something black and sexy

2. Something relaxed, like a tank top with boy shorts

3. Something of his

4. Something you really feel good in

Don’t forget to bring heels, jewelry, and loads of mascara.

3) How much will ‘show’?

I like to give the feel of intimacy in my boudoir photos.  The feel of intimacy, and not the whole package.  I use a shallow depth of field which leaves some areas of the subject blurred out.  Most women who I work with have one area that they want to keep hidden… their stomach, thighs, arms.  We work with that!

4) What if I feel self-conscious?

You will, for about 5 minutes. But then I get you moving from pose to pose.  I show you a preview on the camera.  You get excited about your shoot, and start to relax.

5) How many images will I get?

A regular boudoir session warrants 40 to 60 images to choose from.  All of the images you will see are fully edited.  I also do head to toe skin touch-ups.

6) What should I do to prepare?

Relax! Drink a mimosa.  Put on some music that makes you smile.  Hire my go-to hair and make-up guru, Amanda Miller!  Her fun personality is just what you need to get relaxed and have some fun.

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madolyn and emerson | jill heupel photography

This business lets me meet the coolest people.  Seriously creative Moms.  Families that are totally in love with each other.  Parents who LIVE for their children.  Tweens willing to show affection towards parents and younger siblings.  It is very cool to be a part of.

The session I am sharing today was so much fun.  Madolyn and Emerson were on the ball, and because of that, we got a ton of photos and set-ups.  The girls were so, so sweet with each other.  We photographed at the family home, which was amazing.

Here are some of the photos from their session:

One of their Mom’s favorites:

When I talked with Madolyn and Emerson’s Mom about featuring them in the window, she had some great ideas.  She and her sister jumped on board with stylizing the whole set-up.  I was picturing some ornate frames, maybe some curtains, a vintage tea set.  I had no idea how very big this project would get.

Here is Mom and Auntie working so hard on putting the window together…  Sorry about the terrible shot.  That was me dodging traffic.

Here are some of the details from this month’s window:

I decided not to post a picture of the whole window.  It just doesn’t capture all of the amazing details that went into this set-up.  This is a display to see in person.

L and A, thank you so much for sharing your time and talent.  What lucky little girls to have you both loving and adoring them.  It has been so fun to get to know you both.

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Kayla Hartmann Pinned it and my favorite is #16!

Wade Shipley I vote for number 1, what a great photo…….well done!!

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