Fun and romantic engagement session

Some of our couples are fun, some of our couples are romantic and then we have those that are BOTH! This fun and romantic engagement session was just what we needed before the heat wave. We knew that the wedding photos would be taken in Forest Park so we decided to explore Tower Grove for the engagement session. The park is usually busy on the weekends so we picked a few spots at are a bit less travelled. These areas really gave us the opportunity to get creative without having to worry about people in the background. From the very first pose we knew it was going to be a fun and romantic session. Natalie and Jalen just fit together perfectly. They look loving at each other, they snuggle up, they act silly and they are up to go wherever we think might look nice. We started off with some simple backgrounds so we could completely focus on them. We could see the emotions, their hands linked together and the loving nuzzles as they got close together. This lead the session into some fun photos as Jalen twirled Natalie around a bit ending with a dip. Since we are at the park so often we enjoy utilizing new things, even if those things are not permanent. Some random cut down trees gave us the perfect high to take some hugging photos. Natalie got a bit of saw dust on her dress but we brushed it off while we walked a bit farther. We found a really nice field of flowers and a water feature. Since we had already done some intimate close ups and some fun photos this was a great opportunity to just let them interact. Like a photographer hiding while getting those moments that matter. The last thing before we ended was a fun trick where they “throw” each other a bit. It always ends in laughter, this was no exception, their wedding day is going to be so much fun. We know there will be a bit of romance in there too, see you next month.
Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer , wedding photography

Unique Engagement Photo Idea

Alexis and Brian are getting married in October so they wanted to do a summer engagement photo. They had a unique engagement photo idea! First of all they wanted to take some more traditional photos in a simple white dress for her and a white polo for him. They have 3 children, which we encourage be included in the session. An engagement session is time to spend together but it can also be a special time for the whole family. Including the children in a few photos and then having a friend or family member take them for the rest of the session is a perfect idea. The kids actually did a great job of posing while we quickly worked through the family photos. The kids were able to have fun on the playground when they completed the photos. The session continued with us taking a walk to get some great angles at the top off the bluffs. It was great idea for Alexis to bring her tennis shoes with her because walking up the hill in heels would have been very difficult. These two have a very romantic chemistry which radiated during the entire session. They had no problem pretending we were not there taking photos. They just enjoyed the moments together. After spending some time on the bluffs getting amazing views and images we got ready for the fun. The unique engagement photo idea was to get in the creek because the family spends so much time together there. They knew the exact spots with lower water, trees and large rocks. They are often at this location so that made it extra special to them. It was a perfect day because it was warm enough for the water to feel great, but not so hot that we couldn’t walk down the creek a bit. It was fun to work with this couple and create these photos that mean something special to them. We look forward to working with them again in October.     #ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #summerengagementphotos #creeksession #engagement
Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer

Engagement photos of Ashley and Ian

  It took us a while to put together a post for Ian and Ashley because we couldn’t decide what to talk about. We could go on forever about this energetic couple and figured that our readers didn’t need a book to read. Ashley and Ian met sophomore year of high school but didn’t start dating until the end of junior year. Ashley is very close to her family – we know because we have known them for years. We have done family photos, weddings, and grandkids photos. Often more than one family member comes to the sessions because they really enjoy spending time together. So on Ashley and Ian’s first date, it made sense they went to a family birthday party and he fit in so perfectly that the whole family knew they would get married. When the time finally came for him to give her the ring he designed for 8 months Ian had his family along with Ashley’s family in on the secret. They were going to take college graduation photos in The Piazza on The Hill but he had also planned on proposing. He knew how special family is so having them there when he asked Ashley was just perfect! After some thinking and changing their minds, they finally settled on an August 2023 wedding. This gave them plenty of time to take engagement photos. We couldn’t wait to finally have our chance to work with them during the session. To say they were fun to work with or easy to photograph is an understatement. We went to a few locations around St. Louis including, of course, The Piazza. How could we be so close to gelato and not get any so we did a few there too! The energy, love, and excitement from the moment they stepped out of the car continued during the entire session. We took way too many photos and we have no idea how they are going to narrow them out. Good luck! The laughter just never stopped because they really don’t take themselves too seriously and that translates great to some amazing candid engagement photos. The wedding next year is going to be amazing and we are counting down the days with them.   #ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagementphotos #forestpark #thehill #gelatostl
Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer

Abbie and Colin

Abbie and Colin decided that they would pick their photographer as one of the first things when planning their wedding. We had done Abbie’s sister’s wedding so she knew exactly where to go. During our initial meeting, we spoke of the engagement session that we include with our wedding packages. They were both really looking forward to taking the engagement photos and wanted them to be very special. They met in the grove during Grove Fest. So it made total sense that we started our session in the grove. Together we walked the streets using the colorful murals, doorways, steps and all of the areas that are special to them. Abbie and Colin spent so much time together in the Grove which brought up the conversation about how they met. As he pointed out his old apartment building, Colin mentioned that if he did not live in the Grove area he would’ve never met Abbie. One of his neighbors in his apartment building was a friend of hers. They had all gotten together at Grove Fest, that is when they met. Abbie actually admitted that she almost canceled on going to that event but boy I bet she is happy that she didn’t cancel. They had mentioned that they wanted lots of interacting photos not everything looking at the camera, great we love those images too. Wow, they are really great at having so much fun and interacting with each other. The photos really show their personality! Abbie and Colin really have so much together. It was so much exciting to capture the laughs they had the entire session. Sadly, the time went so fast that it was quickly the end of the session. Truly, we could have spent so much more time together. We are really excited to work with them on the wedding day!   #ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagementphotos #parkphotos #thegrove
Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer

Samantha and Josh

I feel that I can speak for most people when I say we are ready for some spring weather. It seems like we might go straight from 50 degrees to 100 degrees and skip all the wonder days in the middle. However, an engagement session with no rain, on a sunny day, in the ever blooming botanical gardens, give us hope of warmer days. It was still a bit chilly, but we were all able to manage as we navigated around the garden. Samantha and Josh were up for whatever during the session. I usually try to do a mixture of the traditional posed photos, candid moments, as well as, some romantic or silly images. This helps us to capture a variety of images for the couple. Most couples don’t often take so many photos together, so this gives them all the options to see what they like best. Do they think laughing smiles are their best look or do they prefer a softer smile? Important to know for the wedding photos!

When selecting a location for engagement photos we have suggestions that we are willing to offer to our couple. However, if there is a particular place in mind we are more than happy to accommodate those requests. Josh proposed in the botanical garden so they thought it would be nice to have the engagement photos in the same location. Not only were we able to use lots of areas throughout the garden. We were also able to utilize the exact bench that he proposed. We recreated the moment, complete with a YES from Samantha. We may not have been there for the actual moment he asked her but this was a great recreation that they will cherish forever.

Even though Josh and Samantha don’t take photos together often they are very photogenic and easily pose together. The true emotions come out in each image which gives us confidence that the wedding photos will be magical!

 

#ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagementphotos #mobotanicalgardens

Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer

Ella and Thomas

Ella and Thomas were looking for a photographer for their 2022 wedding. Ella’s friend has selected us for her wedding which is also in 2022. Sometimes planning becomes a bit easier when you have a friend also planning a wedding. Especially because Ella is currently living out of town and her friend is in St. Louis. After hearing about our studio Ella contacted us to talk about the package options available to her and Thomas. We had one that fit perfectly and now we are excited to be a part of their wedding in June. However, we first needed to get some engagement photos taken. With Ella and Thomas living out of town, as well as, a very tight schedule for Thomas to come to St. Louis, we had limited choices on the dates we could do the engagement photos. The first day we picked while they were in town had rain all day so we moved the appointment to the next day, it was supposed to be cold but no rain so it worked out to fit in the photos before they left town again. Honestly, it was colder than we thought it would be, not awful in the sun but the shade with the breeze was pretty chilly. I was able to capture some sweet photos of Thomas warming up Ella or wiping away a hair that blew in her face. We talked about so many things as we walked around taking photos, we did spend a lot of time talking about skiing in Colorado and Columbia, perhaps we should have talked more about warm locations to make us think it was warm outside! Ella and Thomas met in school and have enjoyed traveling together when they are able to fit it into their busy schedule. We really hope they have the time to travel after the wedding, they will deserve a break. Planning a wedding from out of town can be very time consuming. We are happy the selected us to be a part of their memories. I really hope they were able to get some warm coffee or something after the session because by the end Ella had red hands since it was so cold outside. But in the pictures you wouldn’t be able to see the cold, just the love and happiness these two have for each other.   #ravettaphotography #stlouisphotographer #stlphotos #engagementsession
Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer

A little snow never stops us!

Have you searched the internet recently? Of course, who hasn’t! Have you scrolled for what seems like forever and then finally click something that is exactly what you were looking to find. Alexis and Jack were doing just that when they came across our wedding photography information. Not to mention we are located very close to them making it very easy to come visit us. They are getting married in October – we are so happy to be documenting their journey to the altar. Alexis called after the big snow storm wanting to know if we would be willing to take photos in the snow. Heck yeah!!! It is always so much fun to do those unique sessions that not every client is willing to do. We decided to meet at Castlewood park since it would have the potential of paths that were not plowed and still snow covered. The scenery was beautiful, of course it was a bit slippery walking on the melting snow but totally worth it for the photos we created together. A great time of day, easily to pose couple, beautiful scenery and a heart made out of snow were all perfect additions to the photos! Alexis and Jack wanted to include their dogs in the session, these dogs just loved the snow so having them around gave the session even more unique qualities. First. the photos we took were very personal. Second, there was lots of laughter behind the scenes as their friend tried to hold both dogs who desperately wanted to be next to mom and dad. Lastly, after capturing some wonderful photos on top of the bluff Alexis and Jack basically skied back down the hill with the help of their dog team. Yes, we laughed but also had to make sure nobody fell as we descended. It was such an unusually warm day which gave us the opportunity to take our time getting the perfect images. So happy we were able to create the first memories of your journey and looking forward to next chapter – the wedding day.


#ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagementphotos #snowphotosession

Rachel Ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , ravettaphotography , St. Louis Photographer , wedding photography

Allie and John

Allie contacted the studio after she had a wedding date because we photographed her sister’s wedding. She was ready to pick a package and secure us as the photographer for her wedding since she knew the quality she would receive from us. We quickly got a date on the schedule for the engagement photos because she was thinking fall colors and our fall dates book up quickly. We selected Lafayette park because the colors were starting to look very pretty which is exactly what Allie wanted. It was a bit of a gloomy day however it worked out perfectly for lighting at the park. The temperature wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be, and the clothing they selected fit with the season. Allie and John showed up to the park with a few ideas, always great when couples have a bit of an idea what they want. However, for those that don’t we have plenty of ideas ourselves. John didn’t know what to expect during the session but he had a great attitude the whole time. Even rolling with it when Allie said, “hey give me a piggy back ride”. Seriously, these two make our job easy! They brought some special wine glasses that we used for a little picnic in the park…well it was a blanket and wine…that’s good enough for a picnic, right? John was in charge of getting the wine and since it was going to be in photos he thought get something with a nice looking label. Such attention to details, we know the wedding is going to be spectacular! Since, we know a few of Allie’s family members we talked about how everyone was doing. It was nice to get the update on everyone. We also talked about all the wedding plans, just like all couples, they are hoping for a beautiful wedding day. We can’t wait to work with them next year!   #ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagementphotos #fallphotos
Rachel Ravetta   0    

Tim and Marie

Tim emailed our studio looking for a photographer to capture the moment he proposed to his girlfriend. We were very excited to help him with this loving and special moment. We set up all the details to make the day work as smoothly as possible. As I waited in the park for him to arrive I noticed that it really was a beautiful day for an engagement. When I saw them coming over the bridge I looked at him to make sure that he knew I was there and ready to go. He walked to the designated area that has been discussed prior to their arrival. I started capturing photos the moment I could see Tim reach in to his pocket. Marie was shocked to see him on his knee when she turned around and very excited to say yes. You could see the happiness on her face during the special moment. After the engagement we walked around the park for a little while taking photos of the newly engaged couple. We talked about how they met, if Marie had any indication that a proposal was coming, as well as, the special significance of engagement ring. She said she knew at some point he was going to propose because the ring had one diamond from each side of the family plus a third that Tim picked himself. It was a gorgeous setting. Marie kept asking questions about who knew it was happening today, how long it took Tim to plan and if he chose October because he knew it was her favorite month. Tim had really considered all of the details. The original plan for the day was to go to the zoo but after this moment they decided to just spend some time together walking around Forest Park.  They are hoping to plan a wedding for next year and we know it will be amazing when the two of them are surrounded by their friends and family celebrating their love.   #ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagement #forestpark
Rachel Ravetta   0    

Chris and Sarah

Chris contacted us about an engagement session. We worked with him a few years ago for a family session – one we wouldn’t forget because it snowed a few feet that day and we took advantage of some snow photos. Anyway, he was now engaged looking to get photos of him with Sarah. They are both originally from St. Louis but currently live in Boston. They have lived there for a few years now. The plan was to be in town for about a month to enjoy the holidays with family while they started the wedding planning process. They have already accomplished a few things on the long list of wedding stuff. It was also the perfect time to get some engagement photos taken in their hometown. Check that off the list! As we walked around the park I had to know since they were both from St. Louis now living in Boston if they met here or there. They said they have known each other for quite some time, Sarah is friends with Chris’ sister. Then the real question came up, if Chris had to get sisters approval to start dating Sara. Yep! She knew they were great for each other but wanted to be sure they knew it too as they started this wonderful relationship. They really are and it was a pleasure to see how they interacted with each other during the session. They were both very easy going and relaxed during the session. Just like any other couple they needed some guidance on how to stand or pose to get the best photos. Once they got a few hints they were good to go the rest of the session. Just a great couple to talk with, we had conversations about many different topics while capturing these engagement photos, a nice start to a relationship with them. The wedding is planned for October 2021 and we hope to have the opportunity to work with them again on that day to continue our relationship into the future. #ravettaphotography #stlphotographer #engagementsessionphotos
ravetta   0     Engagement Photography , Ravetta Photography , St. Louis Photographer , wedding photography