blimbam

on a more positive note...

2012-01-10T18:00:00.010-06:00

It's been six short years since the Youngs set up shop in St. Louis and in that time, we've watched their kids grow, watched their family grow, and they've even watched our sweet Khloe grow -- taking care of our mischievous little pup when she was much, much (young)er. But now, we say goodbye, as Sam, Jennie and the gang are packing up to move out West this week. Sunday at church was rather emotional as friends hugged and said their farewells and made plans to help the Youngs get ready to roll. No one likes goodbyes -- so on a more positive note, we were happy when we got the chance to hit their home last night and capture these:

We'll miss you, guys. Enjoy the images, and good luck in your next endeavor!

love. synonymous with family.

2012-01-05T20:18:00.007-06:00

All this talk about travel and family, we figured it would be downright dumb not to post at least a few pictures from our western adventures during the month of December. And so, with that:

Ahh, these crazy, sweet kids. Love them and their beautiful smiles. Funny that it was colder in California (the bottom pic) than it was in Utah (top pic). Who woulda' thought?

... and we're back.

2012-01-03T23:03:00.007-06:00

... Making a blustery December 23rd look all sorts of warm and cozy with a little help from the Lewis fam.

Shot at Quail Ridge Park in Wentzville on a mostly cloudy day. Edited in Adobe Lightroom with a little inspiration from Totally Rad Actions. Cheers and looking ahead to a bright 2012!

we're headed west ... out until 2012

2011-12-23T23:58:00.010-06:00

The last shoot of 2011 ... Looking good, Lewis Fam. It's been a pretty good year.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

2011-12-20T20:46:00.006-06:00

Mary and Mack had not had a family picture taken in a very long time (sounds a bit like a lot of us, I'm sure). In the always-on-the-go world we live in, it just wasn't something that had made the list of things to do. But this month, Mary made it a priority to gather the gang from their busy lives about town and come together for some long overdue photos.
That's what makes it extra special for photographers -- we've said it before, but it seems more true in these cases: we're not just snapping pix; we're recording memories.
About the bottom two memories: f/7.1, 50mm, 1/60, ISO 200. No flash. About the top: f/3.5, 1/60, 100mm, ISO 250.

beautiful girl

2011-12-12T01:29:00.004-06:00

Re-presenting...

My, how you've grown!

every blessing comes with a set of curses

2011-12-09T17:53:00.015-06:00

This week has flown by! It's Friday night, and we're just now getting around to posting some show photos from the Switchfoot show at The Pageant earlier this week. Loved it so much (blessing), that Ben's headed to Cali next week (curse) to see 'em perform again.

My Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

2011-11-29T20:16:00.010-06:00

Lindsay, a Francis Howell Senior ... and Batman extraordinare! Lindsay's family have been friends of ours since we moved to Missouri seven years ago. Now Lindsay is nearly 18, applying to colleges and graduating high school. My, my how time flies. Congrats Linds and GOOD LUCK- You're going to do AWESOME things!

clever juxtaposition

2011-11-21T23:59:00.005-06:00

It was a good call on Ryan's part on the location, clothing choice and time of day. All we had to do was show up and shoot. Well, more or less.

About the photo: 50mm. ISO 200. Aperture: f/5.6. Shutter speed: 1/160.

Two kids. Too cute.

2011-11-20T01:52:00.004-06:00

"Ummmm. I'm telling Mom."

175mm. f/4.0. 1/160. ISO 200. Colors edited in Lightroom.

It's not a painting. It's Klondike Park.

2011-11-17T21:35:00.005-06:00

Without a doubt, Klondike Park offers one of the prettiest fall scenes in town. And if it's this pretty and the ground is this white in October, we're wondering what it looks like in December...

Guess we'll have to get Marlie back out there next month and see.

Eric and Ola + One

2011-11-15T01:10:00.006-06:00

Tonight was a good night. We were among the first in the world to meet Baby Max, son of Eric and Ola, born on 11/10/11. And while he was awake and alert for a good portion of the shoot (yeah, he must have been excited to meet Becca), you'd never know it by looking at the images below with Mom and Dad.

Later, on our way home, we found out our awesome sister-in-law had checked into an L.A.-area hospital, ready to give birth to our second nephew and their third child. To our surprise, it wasn't but a few hours later that we received a few texts and video proof that our cross-country addition had arrived! Ahhh... We feel so, so blessed.
Now sleep well, sweet boys. You've got a lot of growing up to do.

all grown up

2011-11-11T08:35:00.008-06:00

When Hannah asked us a few months ago to create senior portraits with her, she made a special request: Any chance you can find a grand piano to use in the shoot? Good question, we thought. But after some brainstorming we pulled it off, thanks to our neighbor and friends, the Meiers. (Thank you, btw, for letting us take over your upstairs music studio for an hour!)
(Sorry if this next part is embarrassing...) So, Hannah and Ben go way back – all the way to when he was in high school and she was in the nursery. Good family friends dating back years, I think it was an especially fun and enjoyable shoot for Ben (even if it made him feel a bit old). It clearly meant a lot to him to get to see Hannah’s sister, Joanna, during the Quail Ridge portion of the shoot.

And now, Hannah’s all grown up. A superb student. A talented musician. A great person. And about the same age as Ben was when the two first met. Crazy.

photography = ...

2011-11-06T21:34:00.009-06:00

Today, we're giving away The Secret. More than the camera. More than the lenses. More than the lighting, location or angles.

Yes, this season we have discovered the magic formula: Photography = one part stress + one part timing + two parts pure joy. Seriously. Busy? Yes. But we love what we do. Especially when you get to watch a person or a family--like the Streichers in this case--grow so much and change over time. It just helps put it all into perspective, that you're doing more than just snapping photos. We record history.

megan and the morning sun

2011-11-03T21:15:00.006-05:00

Sunrise or sunset... that is the question. Which time is better for a senior shoot? It's one question that may be unanswerable, but Megan's morning session sure helps us form an opinion. Love that morning sun.

it must've been in the Cards

2011-10-30T21:22:00.025-05:00

At the beginning of the 2011 season, I didn't believe the Cardinals could finish any better than 3rd place in their division without Adam Wainwright.
On my birthday on Aug. 29th, I didn't believe there was any hope of coming back and catching the Braves for the wildcard spot.
Now, I simply CAN'T believe what America witnessed in this postseason.
Way to go, Cards. You are the Dark Horses. You are the Wild Cards.
You are World Champions.

Enjoy a few images from Game 2 and today's championship parade! (Unlike other images on this blog, please feel free to download and share these images displayed below for personal, non-commercial purposes, and click the Facebook/Twitter share button at the end of this post to tell others where you found 'em -- blimbam.blogspot.com!)

By the way, if you're wondering where the picture is of NLCS and World Series MVP David Freese is, call the folks at KMOV Ch. 4. Their extended interview with David during the middle of the parade kept him looking off the other side of the float and down at the street while his truck rolled by. Great. Thanks. :(

Maddie

2011-10-28T21:43:00.007-05:00

We love this wall in Tower Grove Park. Of course, it's just another wall without the stunning Maddie Hemming in the shot, too.

love that laugh.

2011-10-16T01:43:00.009-05:00

Remember these guys? Time flies when you're having fun.

true friendships are timeless.

2011-10-15T19:46:00.007-05:00

Good friendships stand the test of time. This month has been a good one for us both, with each of us finding some much-needed opportunities to spend good, quality time with great friends and family.
With the below set of images shot in the Delmar Loop, we wanted to give off a vintage feel to convey the timeless friendship of Emily and Paige. Thanks, Instagram, for the help. (Only downside? No way to get around the square crop!)

Kodachrome.

2011-10-14T08:26:00.006-05:00

Not the film. Not the Paul Simon song. No, the Basin. Kodachrome Basin is off Utah's beaten path near Tropic and Cannonville, it costs all of $6 to get in and see for the day (national parks pass not accepted), and it's worth every penny.

a long time coming

2011-09-30T07:03:00.011-05:00

We've been waiting a long time to meet back up with Ally to take her senior photos. We first met her what seems like forever ago (it was in April) and were excited when we got the call in August to go work with her again. Here's a look at some of her photos from Quail Ridge Park:

black and white and us

2011-09-28T07:36:00.003-05:00

Few words. Just a picture, some technical details and my opinion.

This photo was taken in the town of Washington under cloudy skies and a threat of rain, but even diffused lighting = a portrait photographer's dream, right? My favorite aspect about this photo and the reason I chose to post it are the way the light and shadows play out, especially in the back slats of the metal swing. It was a somewhat serendipitous result of trying to adequately light Brittany's face on the left.
400 ISO. f/7.1. 1/125. 85mm.

ally and our favorite field.

2011-09-28T00:16:00.004-05:00

Took our favorite flowery field and stripped it of color -- a reminder of what will soon become of that little roadside patch of gold as the cold moves in and the trees go from green to red...

Color or no color, isn't Ally beautiful? We absolutely loved working with her -- such a fun, warm person.

someone with whom you can think out loud...

2011-09-26T00:31:00.009-05:00

... That's the definition of a good friend.
Friends Kyle and Meggie of Eureka High were tentatively scheduled to have a few photos taken together last week. Unfortunately, work and weather got in the way -- so it only makes sense that we post their photos together to make up for it!

We couldn't be more grateful to the family friend of Kyle and Meggie who invited us to use their gorgeous property as a backdrop. The tire swing photo was made just outside their beautiful home... Looks like something out of a fairy tale, we think.

All five photos were shot with one off-camera Alien Bees B800 studio light.

eureka, that's a beautiful reflection.

2011-09-23T23:28:00.008-05:00

Photo tip #1: If something catches your eye and you think, "Hmmm. That could make an interesting photograph..." then stop and make it happen. Even a dusty store window like this one in Eureka has potential.

Of course, it helps when you've got a beautiful person like Meggie to photograph.
*Technical specs: 100mm, f/3.5, 1/100, ISO 320.

have your cake.

2011-09-23T20:56:00.010-05:00

Maybe next year you'll eat it, too. Baby P gave it a shot. Maybe this whole birthday celebration thing just isn't for her. Maybe she's got more of Uncle Ben's blood in her than previously thought. :)

Wait! Here are a few more pictures from Peyton's first birthday party:

The sunset shot was not edited in Photoshop, Lightroom or anything else.

Hailey Rae

2011-09-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

This has been a week of firsts. And by firsts, we mean first birthdays. First it was Nora, then Gage, our very own Peyton was next, and now it's Hailey Rae's turn. A year later, it's still hard to believe that four friends, including Ben's sister, had babies in four consecutive days last September. But it happened. Sept 20th-23rd.

happy first, peyton.

2011-09-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

She's growing up! Our youngest niece, who turns 1 today, has gone from this, to this, to this:

Happy birthday, little friend. Happy, happy birthday.

"i love my mom." we love this spot.

2011-09-19T02:03:00.007-05:00

We're in love with a new spot on the map. It's a seemingly random patch of golden wildflowers along the interstate en route to our favorite park... Just add a splash of end-of-summer evening sun and a kiss of off-camera flash, and here's what you get:

playing catch-up

2011-09-19T01:27:00.006-05:00

... Speaking of busy, this fall has been just that. Becca's got a seemingly never-ending stack of books to read. Ben's got a constant stream of photo collections to edit. That comes off negative. It's anything but. We're busy. And enjoying it.

Remember to love life. We sure do.
* Technical Specs: 1) 1/40, f/4, 85mm, ISO 200. 2) 1/160, f/3.2, 50mm, ISO 200. 3) 1/100, f/7.1, 85mm, ISO 200. 4) 1/125, 85mm, f/6.3, ISO 800

For the Love: the Wilson fam

2011-09-17T22:28:00.012-05:00

When we get caught up in the busyness of our lives and become immersed in the thick of thin things, we run the risk of missing out on the joy in life. Seriously.
In May, we decided to help organize a fundraiser to benefit the young men and women of our church. Our goal was to donate our talents to something bigger and better than us, something that would serve a greater cause. We would encourage others to purchase a mini photo shoot for themselves or for a deserving friend or neighbor. Every dollar donated would go to help pay for the youths' summer camps.
We met our goal. On Sept. 10, with the help of some very good friends, we carried out the major part of our fundraiser event, which we called For the Love. In the days leading up to it and over the course of some days afterward, we have been working to finish the project (because not everyone who was invited to participate could join us on the 10th). We're not done yet but expect to be within the next 15 days.
After fighting off a string of bad weather, we moved one step closer this week when we met up with the Wilson Family on the St. Louis Temple grounds. Here's a look at some of their family's photos:

Several years ago, we started making photos of others because we had newborn nieces joining the family. We did it because others asked us to do it. We did it because we wanted to improve our own skills. And we did it because we realized how much we love to do it.
For the Love 2011 has helped us remember why we do what we do. Why we started. Why we'll continue.

Handsome 'lil L.C.H.

2011-09-14T19:40:00.022-05:00

This sweet guy is celebrating his six-month birthday today. We just couldn't let this happy milestone pass without posting a couple pics from this past weekend! You might remember this beautiful boy from here or here. Happy Birthday Mister H!

happy birthday, maddie!

2011-09-04T09:32:00.007-05:00

It's been a while since we have gone to a surprise party. That streak ended this weekend with Maddie's 17th birthday celebration, where we got the opp to set up shop for Maddie 'n' friends and go to work behind the camera. Here are just a few of our favorites from Friday night (more on Becca's Facebook):

it's not for sale.

2011-08-31T20:44:00.013-05:00

Loved it. When we were out shooting photos with Zack last week, a man approached us asking if we were taking photos to help sell the Mustang. "My granddaughter would love to have it."

Sorry, sir. It's not for sale.

But tell your granddaughter we'd love to shoot her senior photos. Maybe Zack would even lend her his car :)

a month from now...

2011-08-30T21:59:00.006-05:00

A month from today, I'll be on an airplane with this fine chap headed on another photo excursion. This time to the amazing national parks of southern and eastern Utah.

Can't wait.
About this photo: Shot on a Canon 30D, f/2.5, ISO 100 at 50mm (50mm f/1.8 lens)

they are SO sisters.

2011-08-23T15:29:00.011-05:00

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves – a special kind of double." ~Toni Morrison

No doubt about it, these two are so sisters. How else could you ever possibly account for such candid interaction and expression? Aubree and Kalissa, you are one awesome duo!

pictures. lots of them.

2011-08-21T00:16:00.002-05:00

It has been a busy few weeks, shooting lots and spending time in the (Light)room, too... Now that Becca's back in town, we've been able to get caught back up to the present. Check out the next few posts to see what we've been up to.

2.2.4.3.

2011-08-21T00:05:00.009-05:00

Get it? It's a tutu for a 3-year-old!

Yeah, not funny. Just thought the combination of numbers was interesting. Bad puns and all, happy 3rd birthday, Ella... and Amber, great job on the awesome handmade tutu. The colors are awesome!

the martins on main

2011-08-21T00:00:00.005-05:00

Good luck finding a better looking family in all St. Charles County. Seriously, you guys. If there were an award out there (who knows, there probably is...), you'd have our votes!

lakeside beauty

2011-08-20T23:53:00.004-05:00

Kids. Outdoors. And a million-dollar smile. So. Sweet.
Enough said.

the sun @ six: craig + marianne

2011-08-20T23:49:00.004-05:00

Three things we love: sunsets, temples, and love itself.

doug + kim v3.0

2011-08-20T23:41:00.012-05:00

Today would not be complete without sharing some more pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Marsh. Love you guys. Hope it's been an awesome first month of marriage!

It's a guessing game.

2011-08-02T23:00:00.002-05:00

Having fun in the post-production processing and just had to share...

So, here's a quick game. Which settings go with which photo?...
A) 32mm, f/4, 200 ISO; B) 85mm, f/2.2, 200 ISO; C) 85mm, f/2.2, 400 ISO; D) 85mm, f/2, 400 ISO. My favorite image here is the one on the far right. It's Becca's. So stoic and cold yet so vibrant and lively.

flashback

2011-08-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Was looking through some old files for another image and came across this oldie-but-goodie maternity silhouette.

meet marissa, for whom summer is no match.

2011-07-29T21:56:00.004-05:00

On one of the hottest, if not the hottest, nights of summer 2011, this super-cool head cheerleader and senior-to-be braved the high temperature and humidity in her cheer gear for this fun shot in Tower Grove Park.

Shot at twilight, you should have seen our team of three working to light the scene. Rather comical, but definitely well worth it!

If you don't like smiling, look away.

2011-07-28T20:21:00.002-05:00

We warned you.

hello, my name is...

2011-07-27T22:46:00.004-05:00

... Jamie. Photographed in Tower Grove Park. 100 mm at f/3.2. Gorgeous.

Meet Dominic!

2011-07-25T20:30:00.021-05:00

We were honored to spend the day with Dominic to celebrate the Big-Oh-Three! He is such a sweet and loving little guy and we had such a good time (I even braved the penguin-themed party to hang with the Dominator). Dominic had a stroke in utero and consquently suffered brain damage to the basal ganglia, affecting his ability to suck or swallow. To learn more about Dominic and the mission his parents are on to give him the best life possible, visit: http://www.specialneedsconnections.com/

Matt and Hilary said it best with, "Dominic is our life; he is what makes our life complete... Blessings come in all shapes and sizes and our son is the best blessing that we could ever ask for."

"It was absolutely perfect."

2011-07-25T07:15:00.012-05:00

How would you describe your wedding day? I asked Doug Marsh that very question, and got that simple but profound reply. Here's a quick glimpse from that very hot, but perfect day.

The love of a family is life's greatest blessing.

2011-07-19T21:30:00.011-05:00

From the moment we met little 2-year-old Rhythm last week at Quail Ridge Park he was smiling, his big grin setting the perfect tone for our first "For the Love" photo session of the year. (What exactly does that mean? In summary, later this year we'll carry out the rest of our special "For the Love" photo project -- essentially a fund raiser for our church's girls camp and Scout camp that consisted of families purchasing photo gift certificates to give away to a deserving friend or family member. The big day is set for Sept. 10... More on that later.)

Back to the shoot... Each of Doug's kids had his own awesomely unique personality, which was fun to see play out through the lens. Two minutes into our shoot, we knew one thing for sure: they all were super-comfortable in front of a camera. (Dad, you've taught 'em well!)

No question, we were blessed that day. For starters, it was practically a miracle that we got the shoot in that evening... The day's sun had been nothing short of scorching. Near-record temps put things into question early on. And then the rains came in the late afternoon -- thunder, lightning, the whole nine yards. Turned out, the storms were just what we needed leading up to our 6:45 start time, cooling temps off in the ballpark of 15 degrees.

With the help of a few good friends on set, we breezed through the shoot. It's amazing what a few extra hands can do (Thank you to everyone who pitched in!).

We are so excited to finish editing this round of images, along with the Schmutz Fami ly images, which we made that same night (see the previous post). Now that our hard drive is back up and running (another miracle, indeed), we're ready to get things moving again.

A beautiful sunset -- in black and white.

2011-07-18T07:14:00.002-05:00

Just letting the clouds speak for themselves today.

And you feel like it's a beautiful day

2011-07-17T22:28:00.026-05:00

Last Saturday we had a double location shoot with Lafayette High cross-country runner and class of 2012 senior Hannah, who was fresh off a college visit to Loyola. We started off at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, one of Hannah's favorite places in the 'Lou (especially the Japanese Gardens). After the Botan, we headed 1 mile south to Tower Grove Park, dodging kickball games and farmer's markets, to find some new, unique places that we LOVED. Thanks for a beautiful day, Hannah and mom Chris!

Add two to the crew

2011-07-10T20:09:00.010-05:00

Left: Sam Emerson, born June 30th at 1:01am, weighing 7lbs and 20" in length.
Right: Eli Craig, born June 30th at 1:17am, weighing 6lbs 5oz and 19 3/4" in length.

Identical, but not without their differences. However, both were just sweet, sweet, sweet to photograph. Thanks for having us, Ashlee, Craig and Grant!

U. City. Great for concerts. And senior photos.

2011-07-03T23:03:00.004-05:00

Saturday, July 2. Hottest day of the year. And where were we? In the Delmar Loop.
Paige, a Parkway West senior-to-be, picked the locale (not the weather!) for her passion for music and the eclectic nature of University City. We're big fans of the Loop, although it's been a long time since we have gone there to make photos... Yeah, most of our time there is spent at Fitz's (mmm... root beer...), Blueberry Hill, and The Pageant (one of the best places in the world to see a concert*). We love a good concert, but it was definitely nice to get out and do something different there this time!

Did you know? The Delmar Loop is one of America's 10 Great Streets, according to the American Planning Association (2007). We'd have to agree.
*According to Pollstar 2010.

The last of Utah... until September

2011-07-03T20:09:00.017-05:00

Fun Facts about Becca's "home" state:
1. Utah mountain peaks, on average, are the tallest in the country. The average elevation of the tallest peaks in each of Utah's counties is 11,222 ft.--higher than the same average in any other state.
2. Utah is the only state whose capital's name is made of three words. All three words in Salt Lake City have four letters each.
3. The name Utah comes from the Native American Ute tribe meaning "people of the mountains."
4. Utah has five national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce & Capitol Reef.
5. Utah has seven national monuments: Cedar Breaks, Natural Bridges, Dinosaur, Rainbow Bridge, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Timpanogos Cave & Hovenweep.
6. Utah has six national forests: Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-LaSal, Uinta, & Wasatch-Cache.
7. The federal government owns 65% of the state's land (it is any wonder with all those national parks, forests and monuments?!).

Ben has has yet to visit all the sites listed in #4. This September, he and his father will head out to photograph Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. That will make him 100 percent complete. Then it will be on to the national monuments... someday.

A little Utah rain goes a long way

2011-06-30T14:25:00.011-05:00

Here are a few more images created in Utah last week... Some in and around Bryce Canyon (bottom row), some in Panguitch (the balloons), some in Tropic (top middle and middle right), one in Richfield/Glendale (center), and one from a Delta Skybus (take your best guess).

Utah couldn't have been more beautiful last week. Everywhere you turned, you heard comments and news stories about the amount of rain, moisture, runoff, snow pack, snow melt, flooding, etc., in Utah. No doubt, it has had a significant impact on the scenery in parts all across the Beehive State. Yes, it's amazing what a little rain and snowfall can do to a desert.

Organizers of the 50th annual UPAA Symposium and the Munson family reunion couldn't have picked a better week to invite me out west.

*Technical details on the last image, which has absolutely nothing to do with the rain: Canon 7D, Canon 24-70mm lens (Thanks, Kristen Hines Baker!), 800 ISO, 1/160 sec., f/4.0, approx. 7:30 p.m.

Ben in Bryce (Canyon)

2011-06-28T22:48:00.007-05:00

So excited to share some of Ben's recent images crafted in Bryce Canyon, Utah. Thanks to the University Photographer's Association of America for the trip to Dixie and the sunrise photo opportunity.

More images at facebook.com/b.a.munson.

this should be a travel blog.

2011-06-23T03:45:00.012-05:00

Having never really defined the the criteria for what we post here vs. what gets posted in our digital travel diaries, I feel I'm breaking a rule that doesn't exist. And I guess that means it's not really a rule at all.

Still, if a photo was shot while on vacation or, frankly, anytime either of is out of town, I think it should be posted on our other page. But who knows. Maybe someday soon we'll merge the two. It'd sure make life easier. And take some of the guessing out of blogging.

We all need fewer question marks in life anyway.

Now. And Then.

2011-06-18T19:50:00.004-05:00

Couldn't help but go back in time and pull out a picture of J&K from 2009 to include with this sneak peek at their recent Faust Park 2011 shoot... So fun to see how these two adorable siblings changed and grown since then! During this shoot, we also learned that Baby J was photographed here when he was six months old. Pretty special place, no doubt.

Love the b/w of K&J on the rocks. Don't you?

lightning crashes

2011-06-16T21:05:00.004-05:00

It was a dark and stormy night.
Not a creature was stirring, and the dish ran away with the spoon.

I know. It doesn't make sense. But neither have the weather patterns of late.

pillow fight!

2011-06-04T12:06:00.002-05:00

What makes you happy? For our little friend Maddox, it's Saturday mornings, siblings, and, of course, a good pillow fight!

17mm, f/7.1, 1/60 sec, ISO 400.

Faust Park, But Not the Butterfly House

2011-05-28T13:07:00.004-05:00

Some (many?) of you may know of Becca's genuine distaste for butterflies. Perhaps that had something to do with her leaving town and not being able to be a part of the Cannon fam's shoot in Faust Park last weekend. Hmmm...

But we steered clear of the Butterfly House anyway (you can shoot inside, but it takes a lot of paperwork) and, instead, walked around the lake and found spots of shade under trees and used the cool, glass building as a backdrop. The collection of photos, made up of several families, is a gift for Grandma/Great-Grandma's 75th birthday. (Images that will last a lifetime -- an awesome gift idea!)

See more of their family shoot in this 3-min. video/slideshow.

Happy Decoration Day

2011-05-28T11:23:00.004-05:00

It's Memorial Day weekend. The unofficial marker for the start of summer vacation and the weekend we salute our nation's fallen war heroes. This year, because of the wicked storms that have rocked our hometown and home state, it's also a time that we remember all those who have lost their homes, their lives and their loved ones.

It's a somber time in Missouri. May we always remember and be grateful for what we have.
Oh, and about this photo: shot at 1600 ISO, 1/60, f/3.5 from atop the library at St. Charles Community College.

You Know You're My Bestest Friend

2011-05-25T21:32:00.007-05:00

" 'Cause you know you're perfect to me
I hold my breath just to hear you speak...
'Cause you know you're my bestest friend. "

"Thank You" performed by Ryan Huston

Craig + Marianne

2011-05-22T23:14:00.003-05:00

If you know and love Craig and Marianne, click the pencil icon below and leave 'em a note -- after all, today's their anniversary! Happy first (month) anniversary, you two!

e . k . e .

2011-05-17T19:48:00.011-05:00

My sweet little Emersyn,
I am not sure there are words or enough words that could even begin to describe how I feel about you. I know that sounds cliche, but it is true. I knew a long time ago you were going to be a part of our family. I have been waiting for you. I knew you before you were born. When you were finally born, it was like we had been reunited. I knew your soul, your face, your heart. It is a feeling that I will never forget, that I will never take for granted.

Even though you are just a few weeks old you have fit right into our "little" family. It feels as if you have always been here, never missing a beat. Thank you Emersyn for wanting to be apart of our family making us have an even half dozen. Even though we may have six kids, each of them have a special place in our hearts and you little miss, have stolen each one of our hearts.

I love you Emmy. More than words.
Love,
Your Mom

cuter than cute

2011-05-03T18:40:00.008-05:00

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Just the other day (it was April 27th), we sneak-previewed Baby M. Now, after a little push and pull about what to post next, here are a few more until we can decide...

(Insider news -- there's a good chance we'll share some more pix of HS senior Spencer Finnegan next. I'm working on them right now although I should really be outside mowing the lawn [Shhh. Don't tell Becca.])

time flies.

2011-05-01T16:49:00.004-05:00

When you're watching the clock and marking the calendar, it feels like time just crawls along. Just watch the clock at the end of the school day, and wait for the bell to ring, or count the days until your next work vacation. It can be agonizing.

But step back from it all, and it becomes hard to believe where the time has gone... Just ask the parents of a 16-year-old as they hand her the car keys for the first time. Or look at the calendar right now -- it's already May! Or, in our latest example, just ask Danielle and Alan about Austin returning home after a two-year Mormon mission to Southern California. Strange feeling, isn't it? Heck, it hardly seems like it's been 18 months since Cailan stood in front of the camera for senior photos.

But it has. And, wow. Time flies.

Q: where've you been?

2011-04-27T22:42:00.006-05:00

A: All over town.

It's been a great couple of weeks.

What is happy?

2011-04-25T22:35:00.004-05:00

Happiness is... Our beautiful STL nieces.

Love these two. (And miss our West Coast niece & neph!)
[Specs: 100mm f/4.5 ISO 400]

Do more than exist... LIVE.

2011-04-23T20:46:00.005-05:00

Flowers cut and brought inside
Black cars in a single line
Your family in suits and ties
And you're free

The ache I feel inside
Is where the life has left your eyes
I'm alone for our last goodbye
But you're free

I remember you like yesterday, yesterday
I still can't believe you're gone,
I remember you like yesterday, yesterday
And until I'm with you, I'll carry on
~Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

This week we said goodbye to my sweet Nana of 92 years. She was a gracious, wonderful lady who lived an amazing life, but the time had come for her to leave this journey. While it is never easy to lose a loved one, peace comes from knowing that you WILL see them again and they are in a place now that is much better than life as we know it on Earth. Heavenly Father, take care of Nana for us... and until we are together again, we will all carry on.

diversity = flexibility

2011-04-12T22:09:00.005-05:00

One of the greatest parts of being in high school is having the ability to be and do a thousand different things. What's to hold you back, right? In high school, I was a hockey player and a Thespian. Becca was a photographer and music fanatic (well, some things never change). It's all about options, diversity and creativity -- the perfect ingredients for flexibility in college when it comes time to decide what you'll ultimately do... and become.

Take our friend, JC, for example. Still not quite sure what the future holds in store for him, he's clearly perfectly content spending time on the links and at the skate park. His view is broad. His tastes are varied. He, in a lot of ways, is a snapshot of ourselves 12-13 years ago. And that's cool to see. And to photograph.

And for those interested, the first two shots were made with a 17-40mm lens at f/16 +/-. The b/w image was shot at 100mm and f/6.3. All at ISO 250.

Sweet T(3)

2011-04-05T19:00:00.002-05:00

Not-so-baby-any-more! Teagan turned one! It is just too fun watching babies grow to toddlers and toddlers grow to kids and kids grow to teenagers and teenagers grow to adults. We have such a fun job!

Here are the latest pics of this happy, precious little girl. You will remember her from her newborn pics and also her 6-month pics. Too cute and way too fun. And of course, the random snow storm that dropped 5-6 inches around the St Louis area in March, couldn't go by unnoticed.

Kim and Doug

2011-04-04T21:00:00.016-05:00

Kim and Doug braved the 32 degree weather and even the snow that began to fall toward the end of the shoot- all while managing to not look cold. The colors of the flowers and trees make one believe that it is a warm, spring day... only we know better. But come July when the wedding occurs in hot, humid St Louis, I am certain we all will be longing for this day's weather once again.

Precious Baby J

2011-04-03T16:29:00.033-05:00

Dear Jacob,
We are eternally grateful you joined our family. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives. We are excited to learn all about you as you grow. You will learn much from your sister Ella; including dancing, jumping, spinning, singing, monster hugs & kisses. You will learn to throw a ball & wrestle from your brother Will. We all love you & are happy you are here.
Love, Mom & Dad

P.S. Jacob you were super cool to photograph & oh-so patient. Thanks buddy! B n' B

a piece of heaven. in hermann.

2011-03-24T23:34:00.007-05:00

Drive 52 miles southwest of Lake St. Louis and you'll stumble across the sleepy, romantic, historic town of Hermann. It's considered by many to be Missouri's most beautiful town, and it's an undeniably popular weekend hideaway. And for a lengthy list of couples, it's far more than that. Atop the bluffs, overlooking the Missouri River, you'll find the aptly named Hermann Hill B&B, Cottages and Wedding Chapel. It's a little piece of heaven. In Hermann.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you live in the St. Louis area, you were probably witness to a massive storm that blew through a few weeks ago. It was March 4, and we remember it well. The lightning. The rain. The thunder. The flash-flooding and the hail. Not-so-perfect timing for area wedding planners who scrambled to move everything indoors to safety that evening. We heard from the friendly staff at Hermann Hill that a wedding was actually in progress at the height of the storm (yikes!)... However, by dawn, the storm had blown through (leaving, nevertheless, a remarkable impression on downtown Hermann). An impeccable setting and a breathtaking vista had drastically changed come Saturday morning, giving way to downed tree branches, scattered leaves and misty gray skies. Not exactly storybook, but far from devastating. The chapel doors still opened. Eager guests still shuffled in. The big day still went forward ...

... It's funny. As dramatic as the storm and its aftermath were, its fury and effect will soon be forgotten (if not already). But March 5 will be a day Rachel, David and their four beautiful children will remember for a long, long time to come.

And so will we.

Oh.

2011-03-22T20:40:00.004-05:00

Baby.

finally. bigger pix.

2011-03-20T21:05:00.007-05:00

We've been wanting to post bigger photos for a while, but our blog layout wasn't exactly accommodating. Well, that and our pathetic ability to manipulate technology :)... But you'll notice some changes to the layout and blog colors today, including ... the occasional big pic. Finally!

even the smallest stars shine

2011-03-20T09:13:00.011-05:00

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For the third year in a row, we've landed the opportunity to photograph a group of young up-and-coming actors and actresses, directed by our friend and neighbor, Erin Rodabough. This year was particularly cool for us as our niece, Aubrey (top right), hit the stage. We've seen Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Can you guess from these images which play the kids and Erin rocked this spring?...

Howdy!

2011-03-19T22:00:00.007-05:00

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It's late, but we just had to post a few images tonight! Welcome to the world, lil' partner.

blimbam, too

2011-02-23T19:42:00.002-06:00

We've spent some time updating our other blog, which really isn't much of a blog at all... No words; more just a gallery of our favorite images from varying shoots. Hope you'll spend some time browsing! We lovingly call it blimbam, too.

sobrinitas queridas

2011-02-18T18:33:00.007-06:00

Say hello to our nieces. Two of them, at least...

Last evening, we posted a few photos on Facebook -- "Dinner Time" was the album title, I believe. Way more raw and unrefined than these. Perhaps, because of it, with more character? Depends on what intrigues you. What fascinates you. What you like. There's something about taking the ultra-ordinary -- like a kid eating cereal -- and making it extraordinary -- based on angles and lighting -- that can cause greater impact than a photo well-scripted and perfectly lit... Both are "art," no doubt. Just comes down to taste as for which ends up in a frame.

For example, in our house you'd never find Manet, Monet or Rembrandt. Beautiful? Sure. Just that we're more the Alexandra Nechita-type. That is, if we could afford it.

For now, we'll just stick to framing the pictures we shoot and hanging them on our poorly painted walls. Oh, and about the shots: 1) 28mm f/5.6, studio light within 1.5' 2) 100mm f/6.3, studio light at approx. 4' 3) 50mm f/3.5, studio light within 2' 4) Exact same as #2.

Ahhh, Florida.

2011-02-13T09:46:00.003-06:00

It's warming up outside. (That's nice and all. But it's still officially winter...) And what do you do in winter time? You suffer a bit from the dryness and the wind but enjoy the cold while it's around because in a few short months, it'll will be hot and muggy, and it will feel like there is no escape.

It's a vicious circle. That's what vacations are for: to escape what's normal in life -- that circle -- for a short while and to focus on what's beautiful and fun and meaningful. We did that this winter, courtesy of Celebrity, and it was worth every penny. So, if it doesn't get cold again for the rest of this official winter season, that's okay. It'll give us something to look forward to the next time St. Louis goes into a deep freeze.

Ahhh. Florida. (Except for the sun-streaming-in-the-window shot, which was taken in a church in Colombia.)

anatomy of a newborn shoot

2011-02-07T18:18:00.005-06:00

What exactly goes into photographing a newborn? Mostly: time.
We essentially tell parents, "Hey. Sit back. Relax. We're moving in for a while and we have lots of luggage."
That's because, truth be told, no two shoots are the same. Some babies are sleepers. Some, well, not so much. Some are big (well, relatively speaking). Some fit in a bowl. Some in a basket. Some fit in the palm of your hand. And, of course, some, well, don't. Some don't mind a bright light. Some require cranking up the ISO camera setting so you can shoot in the dark.
Like the tiny babies themselves, it's all about being flexible. And recognizing that not every idea is going to pan out. And that's okay.
Guess that's sort of like life in general, eh?

groundhog day 2011: postponed

2011-02-01T19:22:00.009-06:00

Earlier this evening, I ran to the store to grab a few "essentials" -- milk and bread. Unfortunately, all I had while I was out was my iPhone. That's okay. Still was able to capture these:

welcome to missouri. and the world.

2011-01-29T22:43:00.003-06:00

Today was a bit unexpected. Warmer weather than it has been. Partly sunny with blue patches of sky. An email out of the blue from an old friend. And ... a baby was born.

Good thing we were already out and about with a camera when we heard the news (even if we didn't have all our lenses on board). Nevetheless, world, meet the newest addition to the Maddox clan!

birds, boats and botany

2011-01-27T18:00:00.003-06:00

Winter is wearing on... Are you happy where you are today? Literally. Or metaphorically.

Just posted some more images from our recent trip on our travelogue.

we swam with stringrays

2011-01-18T21:38:00.001-06:00

... And it was all Becca's idea. See a National Geo video on our travel blog for a very accurate taste of what it was like.

del caribe

2011-01-12T17:53:00.006-06:00

Please excuse the temporary slow-down in posts. Wait... What? There are photos going up daily on Ben & Becca's other blog? Ahhh. Photos from the Caribbean.
Enjoy.
*Update! 5 (okay, really just 4) travel posts are up as of today (1/15/11).

the grand finale

2010-12-21T21:07:00.007-06:00

It's been a wonderful year for us, no question. We've learned a lot. We've shot a lot. We've shared a lot. And so, 2010 comes to a close with one last post from two separate shoots.

These seven images were taken recently, all shot indoors (yes! it can be done -- just find enough light and enough space; a wide-aperture lens will help immensely.), and are sort of a flash-forward in time from a year ago when we met this beautiful girl and this charming lad!

For the sake of discussion, in most of these, we were able to create enough light using flashes to close down the lens to f/4 or f/6 -- except in one, where we shot "wide open." Can you tell which one?

grab a stick

2010-12-08T22:51:00.011-06:00

Okay, so it's probably bad luck or something to talk about proud favorites and what-not -- sort of like saying a pitcher is well on his way to a no-hitter or a perfect game after 5 or 6 flawless innings. Just one of those things you just don't do, right?

Meh. No yielding to superstitions today. I mean, how many cracks have you stepped on in your life only to discover, to your relief, that it did not, in fact, break your mother's back? Precisely. So, with that in mind, we proudly present the Rodabough clan. Or, well, some of them.

Now, the heart of this post is about image #4, our dear friend who is secretly a ninja warrior and/or stick-wielding tyke. Either way, we have long thought this little snip of a man to be one of the funniest chaps we know. Full of character and of life. The one who's first to point out which kid has the smelly diaper in a room full of 2 year olds. The one who quickly but politely turns down a carrot stick after asking, "Where's the ranch?" and discovering there is none. The one who's growing up so quickly we can't believe it. Point of it all: it's so rewarding when a person relaxes and his personality transcends an image, as it has here.

And whether it ever makes it onto a wall or a Christmas card is truly beside the point. The point is, we absolutely love the shot. And hope you do, too. Hope it inspires you to go ahead and be yourself. You know, grab a stick or a leaf and just start swinging.

been to tower grove park?

2010-11-28T15:00:00.004-06:00

Fall in St. Louis was a bit short this year as far as color goes. Except in Tower Grove Park, where I guess the buildings nearby and the tall perimeter trees protect some of the smaller, vibrant inner ones. If that's why Craig and Marianne chose to have their engagement photos taken there, it was smart. If it was by pure chance or for convenience based on that evening's plans, then good fortune is simply on their side.

It's been dry in St. Louis this fall, which is why the color was more muted than it has been in other years (again, I assume). Still, the locations they chose didn't necessarily need the vibrancy of a traditional fall shoot -- that park is great because of its unique structures and trees and lake. And, on top of it all, when it comes down to it, it's probably 1/5 location and 4/5 the attitude and the people involved. Congrats, you two. Not on the 4/5 part, but on the engagement... this is a somewhat-stressful-but-oh-so-exciting time!

Sweaters and Hairbows

2010-11-27T09:03:00.003-06:00

One of the last warm days of fall brought us these beautiful family pics at Quail Ridge Park in Lake St Louis. Looking precious J, J and J!
And about the photos? Image 1: 50mm, with about 10 feet of separation between foreground and background and an average f stop of 5.6. Image 2: 120mm and fill flash to compensate for the sun's positioning. Image 3: 70mm and 200 ISO, with the sun at about 11 o'clock overhead.

PS, you're invited ...

2010-11-22T19:20:00.002-06:00

Photos by Ben Munson.

so soon, the snow

2010-11-22T18:49:00.009-06:00

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It's fall. And for the most part, it's felt like it. Occasional warm days, occasional cool ones. Breezy, sometimes gusty. Sunny, with sunsets that glow. But from the looks and sounds of it outside right now, that's all about to change. The cold is coming. Winter's still 30 days away, but somehow I don't think that matters.

So, here's to hot chocolate and happy holidays!* Glad we squeezed in a few more sessions over the past few weeks. Here's a sneak peek at some of the shots ... (Too many to discuss lenses and lighting and cameras, but if you have a question about one of them, don't hesitate to ask!)

* Here's to Becca and Marlie, as well, for standing strong for a string of shoots when I was, well, let's just say, less than healthy. Photo #9 is one of M's shots.

growing and growing and...

2010-11-17T18:24:00.008-06:00

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The Missouri River Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just keeps on growing, this time thanks to our neighbors (well, sort of) Trent and Daniele. Congrats on the new addition!

Los Fish

2010-11-15T22:26:00.004-06:00

Unsure whether there is a cuter "School of Fish" in the Northern Hemisphere. (We'll investigate and get back to you.) A quick shout out to our friend and lighting specialist, Marlie Hoyt, for helping make this shoot a success!

Years and years in the making

2010-11-11T19:39:00.014-06:00

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You'd never know it, but the Finnegans have never had a family photo taken. Well, okay, so that's not entirely true, if you count the "everyone dressed up and in the studio," as they put it. But as far as trudging out into the long, itchy grass, under the bright sun, and battling chilly temps, this was definitely a first.

Most of the shots here were taken with a 70-200mm lens and our Canon 5D, various lighting arrangements. More to come...

The art of interpretation is not to play what is written.

2010-11-09T17:40:00.003-06:00

family's in town

2010-11-04T18:36:00.003-05:00

It's always so nice to have family in town. Hanging out. Going around town finding wacky places to eat. Good conversation. Good to catch up.

But you don't get anything done! Still: we wouldn't change it for the world. In the few, random, spare moments, we've done a little photo work, and here's a sneak peek of one recent outing: