A boy and his lolli

When it comes to having a toddler myself, I have learned as a mom that I am NOT above small bribes. For example. Will I promise my son a sticker if he's on his best behavior just to get through the grocery store to find something for dinner? Oh you bet'cha.

I love a photography challenge, especially with kids. They make me push myself that much harder creatively, from running down the street losing my flip flops in hopes to capture that ONE smile they decide to crack. It keeps you on your toes, but it's a rush I wouldn't trade for anything.

Meet Gavin. My most recent cutie photo challenge.

We tried a skateboard, and although a sweet picture, I knew this boy had more to give.

Second attempt...a car for him to ride around on. Is that a small smurk I see little man? We're getting closer!

 

I wasn't giving up on this day, on my way to the session, I made a quick stop for some water, and thought, maybe it would be a good idea for an emergency backup plan.

SUGAR. It might be a sticky mess, but kids love it, and is almost a foil proof plan, you will in fact, get a smile out of a kid, even with a small amount of it. And in this case...a lollipop. A simple lollipop saved the day.

Gavin, you were a trooper on this hot day, and were probably a sticky mess for your mom to clean up. BUT, you are truly as sweet as the lollipop it took to crack a grin.

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Facebook - Ellsworth Designs

Going to the Chapel...and Tuhh-daaaa...their married

It's been over a year of planning, lots of love, and stress that comes with planning anything - even more with weddings. And quickly before you know it, it's over. Or should we say it finally begins.

Marriage.

Not only was I a part of my brother's wedding party this weekend, I had the honor of working on all of Dave & Amanda's wedding stationary for their beautiful event. . Each piece was uniquely given it's own look, yet all tied together in some way, from color to fonts.

I won't lie, weddings are A LOT of work. But I'm such a hopeless romantic, I get all warm inside when someone comes to me to work on their wedding pieces. I get to help the bride and groom come up with an idea, and help grow it into something beautiful.


Save-The-Dates                         

Wedding Shower

Wedding Invite

Wedding Program

Wedding Favors

- Lemonade Packets 

"A Perfect Mix of Love"

Thanks Amanda & Dave for allowing me to be a part of your special day, in more ways then one.

To see some of my other designs, come visit me on FB at

http://www.facebook.com/01EllsworthDesigns

Alexander The Great...and oh so precious!!!

I'll admit it, I have a very special place in my heart for babies. And maybe, just maybe, little baby boys take up a large portion of that place. It may or may not have something to do with having my own little boy, but it's just an assumption. ANY WHO!

Not only did I get to take pictures of mommy's belly before Alexander graced us with his beautiful face, I was asked to shoot his newborn pictures, and also design his announcements for the family. It was the ultimate trifecta of photo/design work. I just love when friends call on me for help, it's what makes this job so worth it...bringing a smile to their face, and create memories that last forever. It doesn't get any better then that.

Here are three designs I came up with, using a few of the photos we did that day of our session. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating them.

Thanks again Rick & Deanna for letting me capture your beautiful family. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your lovely little ones.


Facebook - Alexander 12 Days Old

Rock'n Love Birds

The teacher now becomes the subject in this case. The lovely bride to be Erin has crossed my path a few times in my life. First as my teacher in beauty school, next my coworker at the salon I work at, and now, my most recent photo session.

I always love when I'm able to do photos for couples that I not only know, but can remember when they first met. I can remember a couple years ago one (way too early) Saturday morning, Erin coming into school and telling us about a cute boy she met. What a honor to take pictures of her and her future husband. And I'll have to agree with her...Mark is a cutie.

When Erin approached me to do their photos. Her first words she used was "urban". She didn't want to do "park" pictures like everyone else. She wanted fun, edgy, maybe a bit rock'n roll. The first things that came to my mind where the Metrolink trains, and Downtown St. Louis. She was delightfully on board.

I love when the men in photo session always seem to tell me they're shy, or uncomfortable with pictures, or not being comfortable being the center of attention. It usually those men that are the easiest to snap pictures of. Cause they are way more comfortable in their own skin then they'd like to admit, and it's always fun to play off it.

Thanks Erin & Mark, you were a joy to take pictures of, and I wish you may years of love, joy and happiness as you take the next big step.

Additional pictures from this session can be seen at:

Erin & Mark - Engagement Session

Family with a serving of engagement...

I love this family. The giggles, the playful yelling, the not behaving when they should. Sounds like my family. Oh wait...this is my family, the extended part. And what a great extension it is.

When I got the call to do this session, not a second thought came to my head when I said yes. For good reason...they're just FUN, or funny...ha, or BOTH!

And as my family is ever growing, so is theirs. Just a few weeks after I got asked to do their family shoot, my phone rang again, with news of engagement. And well, my heart is oozing with love, so the more the merrier as we finished our day with these cutie-pa-tooties.

To see more of my work, please feel free to visit www.ellsworthdesigns.net or find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/EllsworthDesigns

Love is in the air...

My brother is getting married. Goodness me, MY LITTLE BROTHER is getting married. Along with being honored to be part of the wedding party when him and his future wife say I do, I was touched when Dave & Amanda asked me to design their wedding stationary as well.

Save The Dates:

Amanda's Wedding Shower Invites:

And FINALLY, the piece I've been anxiously awaiting to post, while I waited for them to be dropped in the mail; Dave & Amanda's Wedding Invites.

Just a couple months before my brother becomes someones husband. Talk about feeling old. I'm so happy he's found someone to complete him, and I wish them true happiness.

I have a thing for rain boots...

They seem to be appearing a lot in my photo sessions lately. I just can't get enough of them. So many colors and patterns. It's like a piece of personality in a rubber boot.

At first mention to Brook the ideas I had ($5.00 sparkle dresses from Goodwill I found and couldn't pass up, and rain boots) for the photo session with her cousin, she seemed a bit nervous, maybe even scared. 

BUT as you can see, within 10 minutes, these girls were right on their way to finding their groove. And what a fun day we had. The lone laundry washer that was at the 'mat this day, thanked us for the great entertainment we gave him, as we all giggled onto our next location.

What an adventure we had. Brook with her eyes peeled as we headed south, spotted this gem. Although the side of the road that we found it on, butted up to a driveway. After a bit of coaxing, and the lady looking disappointed when I asked if we could use as a photo prop, and I didn't actually want to PURCHASE her old truck, she came around, and I'm thankful she did.

The weather ended up being so great for us, considering in the morning it looked like the sky was going to open up (yet again) and eat us alive. My prayers were answered, even if was a bit more hot then expected, a little sweat never hurt anyone.

Due to past couple weeks of lovely rain in St. Louis, kept us from an abandoned house we were bound for. The road was flooded out. I rolled up my pants, the girls put on their boots again, and we were going to attempt to wade across the flooded road for said house, with a change of clothes in hand. Then this little adult started to scream inside my head, as the flash of me floating down the river (with my camera being held above my head...cause well we know what's important in that situation). I don't know where that voice came from, but I decided to listen...this time.

Instead the delightfully old bridge in Kimswick, in front of the flooded road made the next best photo opp, followed by beautiful stone walls. 

We ended our photo adventure in a little know field I've become good friends with (or maybe with the people that live in front of it), to play with some balloons and some large hats, to top off a phenomenal photo session on Saturday afternoon.

To see the rest of the photos from this session adventure,
go to http://www.facebook.com/EllsworthDesigns

Baby Bump...IT'S A BOY!!!

I've been friends with Deanna for as long as I can remember, and it was simply a joy to be able to capture some photos of her, her family, and her adorable bump, before the family is expanded with a new baby boy. The love in this family is overflowing.