Taylor + Drew | Saint Louis Forest Park Engagement Photo Session at the STL Art Museum and Jewel Box | KB Photos & Design

A little sizzle, and a little spice. It’s engagement season, and I’m here for it! Taylor and Drew had the most dreamy St. Louis engagement shoot in Forest Park. We explored the iconic Saint Louis Art Museum, stately St. Louise statue, and the art deco Jewel Box greenhouse and pools. Romping around beautiful Forest Park with fun loving couples is my jam!

Tell me, what’s your favorite spot in STL? Is there a place that holds a special memory? How do you like to spend time together? These are all things I’ll ask while we plan your engagement session together. Then I’ll capture some of that engagement magic during your classy and romantic engagement session. Let’s get in touch today.

Hear how they met below:

“We had known each other for 5 days when we both got Covid. We still debate on who got Covid and exposed the other. Drew is convinced that I was the culprit since I was a Covid ICU nurse at the time but I still don’t agree. Our relationship got off to a fast start after being in quarantine and not being able to have contact with anyone else. Drew jokes and says that was my way of tricking him into an exclusive relationship. The truth is that he has a heart of gold and is the most laid back guy I know. We both have so much in common and are always on the go. We love golfing, going to the gym, playing basketball, traveling, trying new things and eating good food. I’ve been ready to marry this man since the day after I met him. But after about 2.5 fun years of dating Drew surprised me by popping the question while we were vacationing in Mexico. He did so good planning the perfect proposal. He told me that he “won” a photo shoot. The photographer told me to turn and face the ocean so he could get a shot of me from behind facing the ocean. When I turned around, Drew was on one knee. I startle easily so of course I screamed like I was in a haunted house and quickly after said the easiest yes of my life. We are so excited to be getting married next summer and hope to one day add some little loves to our family.”

Congratulations Taylor + Drew on your engagement and upcoming wedding. Cheers!

Saint Louis Art Museum | The Jewel Box | KB Photos & Design

Senior Izzy | Eureka High School Tennis Athlete | St. Louis Senior Photographer KB Photos & Design

Izzy is amazing! This Eureka High School senior was super fun to get to know and photograph during her senior photoshoot. Among other activities and passions, she is involved in tennis, National Honors Society, student council, and track.

Due to the rainy weather, we ended up splitting her photos onto two different days. I’m featuring her second senior photoshoot day - her tennis pics! We went to her home tennis courts for some epic senior sports photos. Izzy is queen of the courts. This boss babe team captain MEDALED in her last tournament! She is the first at Eureka High to win a doubles medal for her school. How cool is that? We threw tennis balls around, used the golden sun as a highlight, and played with some cool colored lights for more dramatic athletic sports shots.

This milestone senior year is an amazing journey and I’m glad to have photographed a piece of it as her senior photographer. Congratulations to Izzy, Senior Class of 2024!

Kevin + Whitney | Scientists Have Storybook Destination Wedding at Old Kinderhook Castle in Missouri | KB Photos & Design

Whitney and Kevin met in the lab. True story! They were both chemistry majors at the University of Iowa and first noticed each other while working in the research lab. She thought he was cute and asked if he could help her move some furniture for her home. After several more encounters and elevator meet-ups, they started dating that fall. In April 2022, while visiting family in Arizona, Kevin popped the question at Grand Canyon National Park.

Whitney’s mom was the main planner of the wedding day festivities, and searched for a convenient location that Midwest family and friends could drive to. They discovered the unique and other-worldly Old Kinderhook Castle, a 9,000+ sq ft 4-story mansion in central Missouri. The mansion boasts several distinct storybook features, including marble staircase and tall wood doorways, as well as an indoor basketball court where the reception was held and the large outdoor patio where the ceremony was held.

Their ceremony was magical. They opted to see each other for the first time as they walked down the aisle towards one another. Several instrumental songs from the Piano Guys (one of my favorite groups!) flowed beautifully through the ceremony. A moment that stood out was when they had their moms read a poem aloud by Bob Marley.

The bride and groom had a classic look to their wedding attire, with midnight blue tux and delicate floral wedding dress with a gorgeous train. They incorporated pops of silver and pastel blue, signage that nodded to their Doctor & Doctor titles, and even a special chemical compound printing on their wedding cake. Whitney defended her doctoral dissertation the same week as their wedding so they could be announced as DR & DR – that’s commitment! They also chose a lab grown diamond for her engagement ring from Brilliant Earth.

These two scientists had classic style, a unique venue, are two of the nicest people you will ever meet, and they are madly in love. I’m so glad to have been part of their incredible destination wedding day, and to know them as kind and loving human beings. Congratulations Dr. Kevin and Dr. Whitney!

Photographer: @kbphotosanddesign | Venue: @oldkinderhookcastle  | Flowers: @janines_flowers  | Makeup: @ jenhub.makeupartist | Officiant: @gmpeckham | DJ: @djayelite | Catering: @angelaslakecatering | Ring: @brilliantearth

Brad + Alannah | Lodge of Four Seasons destination Wedding at Lake of the Ozarks Missouri | KB Photos & Design

What better way to celebrate your 6 year dating anniversary than to get married?!? Nebraska lovebirds Brad + Alannah traveled with their closest friends and family members to the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri for an incredible destination wedding experience at The Lodge of Four Seasons. The Lodge had everything they were looking for - the woodsy atmosphere, the centralized location for family to drive to, and the view of the Lake.

Bride Lanna began her day getting ready with her bridesmaids, while groom Brad got ready at the Lodge with his groomsmen. Their suites overlooked the lake and gave us beautiful places to take some dynamite photographs. Once they were ready, the two met in the Japanese Garden for a First Look reveal between them. Our couple added an extra special touch by choosing to read aloud their wedding vows to one another. Such a special moment. It was a tear jerker!

We met up with the bridal party for some lively photographs. This group was so FUN! Then our bride and groom got ready for their ceremony on the grassy lake overlook. Even though they had already seen one other, it was a special moment when Lanna walked down the aisle, with mom by her side. Brad may have had a little mist in his eyes. They were married and shared their first kiss as husband and wife!

Next it was time to party with friends at their reception. They had a grand entrance and went straight over to cut their custom cake. Dinner was delicious - chicken marsala, veggies and Mac and cheese - catered by the Lodge of Four Seasons. Wedding food is one of the best parts of being a wedding photographer. Yum!

Then we hoped out of their reception for a quick sunset session. Thank goodness we did - God gifted us with an A-Mazing golden sunset right as we stepped onto the balcony. What a moment. Then we had some fun with a few more Just Married portraits. I think these might be my favorite of the day. Once we were back inside, Lanna’s maid of honor gave a heartfelt toast. Then they had their first dance, followed by some upbeat music, flower girls busting out moves on the dance floor, and a cupcake war.

It’s always a great privilege to be a part of such a memorable day, and I am so honored Brad and Lanna chose me to document their wedding day. Enjoy this small snapshot of their wedding day through the photographs below.

Cheers to love, laughter, and happily ever after!

Photographer: KB Photos & Design @kbphotosanddesign | Dress: Hello Beautiful Bridal Omaha @hellobeautifulbridal | Officiant: Rev. Gregg Peckham @gmpeckham | Venue & Catering: Lodge of Four Seasons Lake of the Ozarks @lodgeof4seasons | 2nd photographer: Ben Nickelson