Life really is what you make of it. I'm learning this bit by bit, mostly through Hughes and Jet, they have no boundaries of what is exciting and how to make anything an adventure.
So in these cold winter months, have an adventure. Take a walk outside until your lungs hurt, build a fire, make soup, go ice fishing, kiss someone with a cold nose:)
13 comments so far
Winter weddings are awesome!!
Courtney's beautiful dress.
The flowers!
Courtney and Patrick married in their home, which was a church. Also, they had their engagement session in a church:)
Candles.
The couple went outside to get a few of just them even though it was a freezing 7 degrees.
Even the few formal pictures where awesome, they wore traditional wedding attire from where Courtney's sister, Whitney, is working in the Peace Corps.
Reception was at a venue I've been wanting to shoot at for a really long time, Lumen.
Courtney's other sister and past bride sang the song for the first dance.
You two are awesome! Thank you so much for haveing me photograph your wedding day!!
14 comments so far
Beautiful, simply beautiful. I want to get married again and have you do my pictures. Maybe for our 10 year anniversary :).
(01.28.10 @ 08:47 AM)this wedding is very 'winter' !!!
I love it!
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Wow! Each woman in this family has had such an incredible wedding. Lumen is beautiful, I can't wait to shoot there this spring!
(01.28.10 @ 09:43 AM)Oh Clary, soooo dreamy and beautiful. My favorite was of Courtney looking up at you and Patrick's forehead pressed against her. She just has this look of...utter contentment and pleasure. I love the way you captured everything! Beautiful, beautiful. Congrats to Courtney & Patrick!
(01.28.10 @ 11:20 AM)gorgeous! i love the bride's red lipstick- trés chic!
(01.28.10 @ 04:24 PM)Absolutely stunning! The wedding, and your photos.
(01.29.10 @ 06:07 PM)Clary, this is hand's down my favorite wedding of yours EVER! Great job :)
(02.01.10 @ 12:09 AM)These are beautiful photos reflecting an incredible wedding and celebration. Thank you for capturing the ZEN of it all!
(02.01.10 @ 09:17 PM)
14 comments so far
How beautiful, Clary! I would never have the guts to do this, but I admire you for it.
(01.21.10 @ 09:51 AM)GORGEOUS!!! what an incredible shoot.
(01.21.10 @ 11:08 AM)WOW, these are absolutely FABULOUS!!
(01.21.10 @ 01:42 PM)not enough words to describe how i'm in LOVE with all of these images!!!!!!!!!!
awesome work Clary!
you just inspired me to shoot more with film! :)
thank you so much for the inspiration!
My absolute favorite is the b/w of them sitting on the ice with you looking down at them. Gorgeous!
(01.22.10 @ 11:04 AM)simply beautiful
(01.23.10 @ 03:19 AM)Awesome Clary. ! Digital just doesn't do justice like film.
(01.23.10 @ 08:16 AM)I love it and was so excited when I saw that your pictures were featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs...
http://tinyurl.com/yd86bh9
Looking forward to working with you again very soon!
(01.25.10 @ 06:29 PM)To start this off right...favorite!!
13 comments so far
How PRECIOUS is this family?! I love that little girl. So much personality — and what FUN hair! That's such a great age to be a girl :)
(01.13.10 @ 08:11 AM)LOVE LOVE LOVE that second picture, adorable....great session :)
(01.13.10 @ 09:02 AM)Such an adorable family! #5 is my favorite. I can't wait for our family session with you in June.... ;)
Oh and Happy New Year!
I sure do recognize them!!! DARLINGS! all of them. ;) and I love that wall. No clue why. ;)
(01.13.10 @ 11:51 AM)I have been MIA for awhile and I am back to your blog!!! Lovely happy family & great pics as usual. Where is that awesome teal wall?!?!?
(01.13.10 @ 12:07 PM)I knew I have seen them before!
I LOVE your family sessions, they are so much fun!
Great pics Clary...those kids are too cute! I knew that was in Alton from the first pic! That building with the little square windows is down by Hayner Library :-)
(01.15.10 @ 10:48 PM)Love the perspective of the 2nd pic and what a beautiful family.
(01.18.10 @ 09:28 PM)Love the perspective of the 2nd pic and what a beautiful family.
(01.18.10 @ 09:29 PM)Love these! The ones of them in front of the blue wall are priceless. I would treasure those photos forever if they were of my brother and I :)
(01.20.10 @ 10:22 PM)
10 comments so far
I LOVE the bride's wedding dress!! Great photos, Clary! How is it that all of the couples you photograph are gorgeous?!
(01.10.10 @ 09:32 PM)I can vouch for beautiful pictures on rainy day weddings! It rained non-stop on our wedding day and you took some gorgeous pictures! You've done it again!
(01.10.10 @ 10:29 PM)wow... stunning. Kara is absolutely beyond gorgeous! As are these breathtaking photographs. I'm just blown away! What a way to start off 2010!!
(01.10.10 @ 11:19 PM)U R amazing....thank you sooooo much...i can't wait to see more!!!
(01.11.10 @ 09:54 PM)Love these shots! And, they so made it look warm - gorgeous!
(01.12.10 @ 11:20 AM)Love the lighting!
you are right, all of your couples are gorgeous!
:)
11 comments so far
Happy New Year, Clary! I'm sure 2010 is going to be amazing.
Booked my ticket to Knoxville today!!!! Can't wait!
(12.31.09 @ 02:51 PM)Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing where 2010 takes you! xoxo!
(12.31.09 @ 03:00 PM)Happy New Year Clary -- can't wait to see all the beautiful pics you take this year -- hopefully one session will be with my family again!!
(12.31.09 @ 03:10 PM)You are a wonderful inspiration, Clary!!!! All the best to you and your sweet family in 2010!!!! Cheers!
(12.31.09 @ 05:07 PM)Cannot wait to see your new posts! Hope you have a wonderful New Year! Wishing you the best in 2010 and in the next 10 years!
(12.31.09 @ 07:21 PM)Happy New Year! Can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for you!
(01.01.10 @ 11:21 AM)Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking forward for your new posts! :)
(01.01.10 @ 06:07 PM)Happy New Year Clary and family! Best wishes for a wonderful 2010. I had fun trying to guess which blog posts you linked above on your reflection. :) Take care!
(01.04.10 @ 03:31 PM)Hi Clary, I happen to 'stumblupon' your photography blog. I just wanted to say that I have worked with many talented photographers over the years but your photography really strikes me. I love how you capture the moment, you can almost sense what the person is thinking at that very moment. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to following your work more. Christopher
(01.10.10 @ 01:33 PM)Yes, these shoes have graced the blog before and my favorite blogger from years ago just started a wedding blog which revealed them in ivory.
24 comments so far
I'm the first???? wowza. Might be one of the my faves of yours ever. They just exude love. :) and you captured some spunk..and romance. Well done!!!
(12.21.09 @ 09:25 AM)Clary, these pictures are beautiful! Mike belongs to St. Nicholas and you photographed it beautifully. My favorite pictures are the flipped reflections in the water. WOW! Hey Zack...congratulations!
(12.21.09 @ 10:49 AM)That bouquet! I don't think I've ever seen a more perfect winter bouquet. Gorgeous!!
(12.21.09 @ 11:35 AM)Gotta love the staches
(12.21.09 @ 12:03 PM)LOVE those shoes (and I own them in red for my wedding day).
Where are the shots by that curvy wall and the fountain? Love the detail.
The shots are great, lady!!
(12.21.09 @ 03:26 PM)First of all I remember this engagement session specifically so why am I surprised that I'm floored by the wedding pics? The shot of the girls + reflection then the shot of the guys reflection = perfection. This wedding is a great example of why I love you. You have a way of seeing things that the rest of us don't. Thanks for being a great inspiration.
(12.21.09 @ 07:13 PM)The wedding ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Betsy and Zack looked stunning. As always, Clary captured the love and timelessness of the day perfectly.
(12.21.09 @ 10:44 PM)Best-est church in St. Louis!! That on top of that guys-with-mustaches shot and her absolutely perfect dress - wow!!
(12.21.09 @ 11:18 PM)I am in love...again...
First of all, I am in love with the shoes.
Secondly, I am in love with the photos of the bridal parties reflected in the water--I love how the men's main image is in the reflection, but the women's main image is themselves...and then you put the two pictures right on top of one another in the blog...just so cool together!
I am in love with the church...I had no idea that there was a church this gorgeous in town!
I love the bouquet and the great things this couple has done with their wedding! Beautiful couple!
And I am in love with what you do with pictures, Clary!
(12.22.09 @ 09:23 AM)I'm getting ready to blog a fun post about how much I am lovin' my hubby's beard, so needless to say, I LOVE THIS GROOM :) (and his raised eyebrow, which funny enough, Nick also did for one of the photos!)
ALWAYS love your work girl!
(12.22.09 @ 10:05 AM)i love everything about this wedding!! her shoes, her dress, the location!! and you captured it all so beautifully!! great job!! oh, and happy holidays ;)
(12.23.09 @ 12:11 PM)Wow, I'm kind of obsessed with everything about this wedding! But most of all...the joy radiating from the couple - they just look like they are oozing with happiness!
(12.28.09 @ 01:45 PM)Wow! Simply gorgeous! Beautiful couple, beautiful pictures.
(12.29.09 @ 10:26 PM)Oh. My. Gosh. I'm pretty sure this is the most gorgeous couple I've ever seen! Everything looks so timeless, but not outdated. That picture of their first dance looks like it's straight out of Great Gatsby! Nice work!
(12.30.09 @ 03:16 PM)I am always so inspired by your work! Hope you had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!! xx
(01.04.10 @ 12:29 PM)Hi Clary,
I LOVE your photography! Your work is just amazing! I saw that you will be attending 'For the Love Workshop' and I will be there as well! I wanted to say hello and see you in the mountains!
(01.05.10 @ 07:25 PM)Bets - you look beautiful!! And the photography is stunning. Congratulations all around.
(01.07.10 @ 02:44 PM)This is beyond amazing!! Beautiful work Clary! Next time you St. Louis gals have a get together, I would love an invite!!
(01.13.10 @ 01:27 PM)You are SO. UNBELIEVABLY. AMAZING!!!!! Love every single image and would still love to Skype sometime! Happy New Year!!!
(01.17.10 @ 10:41 PM)Gorgeous, lovely, glamourous, the first meet pics made me cry, and I don't even know the bride and groom!
(01.30.10 @ 09:49 PM)Meet Ruby:)
Fun fact, Courtney and Patrick are getting married in their home which is actually a beautiful church turned into a living space. So when we found this random church under construction it was perfect!!
But this is my favorite for the session:)
Can't wait to see everyone soon!!
15 comments so far
That church is OFF the chain!!! where is that thing?? These pics are awesome!!!! And that little Ruby girl, she's a star in the making!! I can't wait to see the wedding!
(12.17.09 @ 08:58 AM)so incredible! you find the absolute coolest places :) love all the shots - you are a such an artist... the wedding will be fabulous, no doubt :)
(12.17.09 @ 09:08 AM)Amazing session Clary! Im with Chrissy....where is that church!
(12.17.09 @ 10:25 AM)WOW! I love it when you even outdo yourself. :) AMAZING place, beautiful couple.
(12.17.09 @ 11:02 AM)so funny...i was totally going to leave a comment that said: this is a perfect location...the church them...and the vines that match her hair. And then i read your comment and though: DARN, great minds think alike! haha These are absolutely fabulous. One of my fave locations ever.
(12.17.09 @ 12:25 PM)Oh Clary, this is insanely gorgeous. How do you keep finding such awesome clients??? Perfect styling, perfect moments. Really love this.
(12.17.09 @ 02:59 PM)What a beautiful session. My favorite is little ruby laying on the wall with the couple kissing! But those vines! perfection.
(12.17.09 @ 07:30 PM)This is one of my faves. (I think I say that alot on your blog comments!) The location is so unique! Total coolness!
(12.18.09 @ 10:06 AM)Thank You for so many, beautiful and interesting pictures. I will be showing them off to all my friends and relatives. My favorite also is Ruby, my Grand Dog, laying on the wall with Patrick & Courtney kissing.
(12.18.09 @ 10:11 AM)beautiful!
(12.19.09 @ 01:30 PM)I used to drive by that abandoned church everyday on the way to the VA and think what cool place it would be to take pictures...made me smile to finally see some amazing pictures inside it : )
(12.31.09 @ 12:25 AM)And can we talk about the name?? Jett! You know I love that:)
20 comments so far
These are lovely! It gets me so excited for our next one to arrive.
(12.15.09 @ 11:53 AM)Speaking of our next one...think you could plan your vaca to the Gulf Coast around the middle of August? Perfect timing for a session with our new family of 4!!!
(12.15.09 @ 11:58 AM)SO SO SO CUTE! Love the pure joy a baby brings to mom and dad's face. beautiful!
(12.15.09 @ 12:29 PM)Oh my gosh!!! Clary you are so amazing! Thanks for coming and capturing this special moment in our lives!
(12.15.09 @ 01:06 PM)He is absolutely adorable!! What a true blessing from God!! Congratulations to you both!!
(12.15.09 @ 01:28 PM)Amazing photos! I can already see Daddy Joel in this little cutie's face! So happy for ya'll!
(12.15.09 @ 01:40 PM)Clary, these are fantastic! What a treasure for Joel and Kara. You have captured such a beautiful but fleeting phase in Jett's life. Nothing looks posed or intrusive. You've created an environment that allows us to experience the wonder of a new baby with them!
(12.15.09 @ 01:48 PM)What a beautiful family! Boy Jett has some looks already, Don't he?
(12.15.09 @ 02:19 PM)Joel, Kara & Jett --- all of you have been truly blessed. Pictures are priceless. Jett, you have amazing parents and you, I'm sure, will take after them. Joel/Kara, your son is gorgeous. Cherish every day, every moment, every memory you can. God bless all of you.
(12.15.09 @ 02:59 PM)Photos are awesome, I loved them all. thank you for sharing. Jett is so sweet and his facial expressions are adorable. This black and white all bundled up is so precious. The ones of the 3 of you with each of you giving kisses are so sweet. Kara looking at Jett and then the one of Joel with Jett and Jett looking away is so funny.
(12.15.09 @ 03:03 PM)Those are amazing pictures...what a beautiful baby. I am ready to hold my new grandson. Thanks for the pictures, Joel and Kara.
Dad (Henne)
(12.15.09 @ 04:29 PM)Wow, great photos of a beautiful family. Can't wait to see you guys this summer and meet Jett. Its gonna be a long wait!
(12.15.09 @ 05:30 PM)These are too. precious. for. words. So that is how I'll leave it!!
(12.15.09 @ 06:43 PM)Awesome pictures of an all around wonderful family. I especially love the pictures with Joel and Kara's hands; it really shows how beautiful and delicate the little guy is.
(12.15.09 @ 06:57 PM)Everytime I see one of your newborn sessions, it gives me baby fever!!!
I'm in love with the two pics of baby Jett all swaddled up! Oh, and the b&w one of him and his mommy. Acutally I love them all :o)
(12.15.09 @ 10:54 PM)those are amazing. love them all. (sigh) beautiful beautiful moments.
(12.16.09 @ 08:50 AM)Such beautiful, breathtaking pictures. What a sweet, sweet baby and a gorgeous family! You can see the calm and love radiating all around them. Once again, you have outdone yourself. I LOVE the newborn pics!
(12.16.09 @ 09:30 AM)How beautiful!!! You are blessed, indeed! Love you!
(12.16.09 @ 10:23 PM)Clary, I just keep looking and looking at these pictures -- truly the most wonderful I have every seen! You really captured the kids - what an amazing gift God has given you!! So glad I got to meet you. God Bless and have a joyous celebration of our Saviour's birth!
(12.17.09 @ 03:59 PM)
47 comments so far
how fun! What a gorgeous family. dreamy photos...
(12.14.09 @ 07:08 AM)Love the pictures and love the camera! A wedding would be amazing with this camera! How unique and fun the images would be!
(12.14.09 @ 07:56 AM)What a fun idea! I love the pics you took - your kids are adorable!
(12.14.09 @ 08:13 AM)film is magical! i love these colors and i love my holga too :) which lab do you send your rolls?
(12.14.09 @ 08:39 AM)how fun! love how different these pictures are. thanks for the opportunity!
(12.14.09 @ 08:41 AM)I love these images! I really struggle with allowing myself to take fun snapshots of my own family. How wonderful to have that delete button taken out of the picture all together.
(12.14.09 @ 08:43 AM)film is the best!
awesome images!!! it's so unique and so film! :)
I want to buy a film camera for months now. I really hope I win!!!
:) (photography@biancavalentim.com)
I want your holga touch..... I think mine must be broken. Must. Get. New. One. Maybe i'll win...? :)
(12.14.09 @ 08:50 AM)Your pictu always make life look so much more fun! I love this camera--Scott has been looking at getting similar cameras but perhaps I should look into this one. I must admit, we have a film camera that has been sitting around collecting dust these days. Back to it!
(12.14.09 @ 09:03 AM)Once again STUNNING photos! You never cease to amaze me. (shannon.price8@gmail.com)
(12.14.09 @ 09:29 AM)I would love the opportunity to ditch all the rules!!!
(12.14.09 @ 09:34 AM)i love these images! i'd love to give this camera a shot -- i love film but my poor old pentax has sighed it's last sigh :(
(12.14.09 @ 10:07 AM)I love letting go of the rules and embracing the random results! Haven't had a chance to take film pics for a few years and would LOVE to get back into it!
(12.14.09 @ 10:11 AM)count me in! ever since your last post on film, i've been shooting with my old film canon rebel GII. i love getting my images back full of surprises!
(12.14.09 @ 10:18 AM)I have always loved your photography and admire your talent. This camera looks like a great opportunity to get into photography!
(12.14.09 @ 10:19 AM)You look beautiful in that pic of you and Jettie!! And of course I can't pass up a Clary contest!!
(12.14.09 @ 10:53 AM)oooh ooh ooh - i love new adventures!!! this would be so fun to get the chance at an awesome camera and a lifetime of surprises :) love the pics, too, clary! oh, and did you see my tweet about how my mom told me you'd be doing my maternity and newborn photos? so excited!!!
(12.14.09 @ 12:30 PM)This is an AWESOME idea! I just held the holga a couple weeks back and thought about what a fun opportunity it would bring. Crossing my fingers for win!
(12.14.09 @ 01:26 PM)Wow! I'm truly inspired by your lovely photographic skills. Some day I woud love to learn the ways of photography and a camera would be a great way too start!
(12.14.09 @ 01:56 PM)While I am, of course, looking for mostly digital you would definitely be welcome to bring some film to our wedding! Perhaps for some gorgeous bride&groom photos pre-wedding or on the golf course during the reception? :)
(12.14.09 @ 02:02 PM)Did you ever announce the winner of your last contest? You asked commenters to list a romantic photo op.
(12.14.09 @ 02:40 PM)These photos are beautiful. I actually have an old film camera that I still use from time to time. I really do love seeing what happens when I develop the photos. Sometimes they are hilarious. Sometimes they are horrible. It's always a guessing game that I love to play.
(12.14.09 @ 04:00 PM)Film is so unbelievably romantic, and yet so rare these days. I have always been drawn to images captured in film, they exude such a beautiful softness. Just the excitement of not knowing what your images are going to look like creates such a fun and exciting dynamic. My interest in photography is a bit new, so I would love to get my hands on this bad boy and try it out! Thanks for such a great contest!
(12.14.09 @ 04:14 PM)I haven't shot film in YEARS! It would be great to play for once... breaking rules is ALWAYS fun! ;)
(12.14.09 @ 05:01 PM)Photography fascinates and me and I don't have enough money to invest in more than a point and shoot camera - tried to win the contest last time and failed, hope this one is a success!!
(12.14.09 @ 06:38 PM)Hey Clary! These are gorgeous! And hey, I'm a zoo keeper- so adventure, randomness and well, dirty hands lets say ;) are ALL part of my day job. Now if only I could rock the film Clary-style!
(12.14.09 @ 07:07 PM)Clary, as usual these photos are AMAZING! I can't believe how big your little ones are getting!
(12.14.09 @ 08:09 PM)Love these new photos of your family! The look and feel of film pictures are so lovely.
(12.14.09 @ 11:01 PM)Your family pics always make my heart melt and you're right about the waiting for results. I remember our old impromptu phot sessions and having to wait for days to know if we had a good picture or not. Then jumping over each others shoulders trying to see the pictures first. Well maybe I was the one jumping. Darn you and your tallness.. =)
(12.15.09 @ 05:30 AM)Clary your creativity has inspired me to look into the beauty that can be captured with great photos! I would love a chance to win the camera, thanks and love from Beau and Ali
(12.15.09 @ 10:22 AM)Such sweet family photos. I love shooting with film because of the vintage look. Great contest!
(12.15.09 @ 11:19 AM)Mainly I just wanted to say I'm jealous about the christmas tree farm. I had to get my tree from the home depot. We used to go to the mountains to cut trees as a kid. I miss that. Happy holidays!
(12.15.09 @ 04:45 PM)I need some randomness while procrastinating writing my dissertation! This camera sounds like a unique way to capture original works of art! I would love it. {alaux3@hotmail.com}
(12.15.09 @ 09:29 PM)those are just cool. you are quite the amazing photographer :) i love the look of those photos - i'd LOVE to try out that camera :) pick me :) pick me :)
(12.16.09 @ 08:36 AM)I feel the exact same way...I've been wanting to pick one up forever! :)
(12.16.09 @ 11:31 AM)I would love to get my hands dirty with a Holga! I love photographing with film and I'm trying to create my own darkroom one of these days...
(mnbaird@gmail.com)
(12.16.09 @ 01:53 PM)I would love to try a holga with the polaroid back!!!!
(12.16.09 @ 03:44 PM)Clary, you are so stinkin' cool. So I'm curious, which model is yours? I am DYING for one of the new FujiFilm Instax cameras too!!!!
(12.23.09 @ 08:17 AM)
Great images Clary! Even in these blah days there is fun out there for us. I went sledding over the weekend with my kids and even though I nearly fell in a ditch and met my death we had a blast.
(02.02.10 @ 11:48 AM)Aww Clary your kiddos are always so cute and stylish!!! I can only hope one that we have such an adorable little family like yours. These photos are precious.
(02.02.10 @ 11:58 AM)I dunno why your last line made me tear up, with a smile. Or maybe I do know. Maybe it's cuz I'm jealous that you seem to have such a refreshing perspective on life. I'm thankful to have you as a friend, Clareball. xoxo Luv ya!
(02.02.10 @ 02:06 PM)Clary, I saw you Tweet this earlier today and my heart just melted. If you haven't see "Where the Wild Things Are" yet, something tells me that, when you do, you'll think of your little man. You've got your own version of Max! LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!!!!
(02.02.10 @ 02:10 PM)those photos are why i love photography! snapping away with the one you love- what a perfect day.
(02.02.10 @ 02:17 PM)I'm in love with these images!
(02.02.10 @ 05:03 PM)Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!
:)
The kids are seriously adorable! And, so is your Westie!
(02.03.10 @ 12:59 AM)Clary that made my Wednesday!!! Adventure is out there is going to be my motto today especially when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Please give Hughes a hug for me!! Too cute!!!
(02.03.10 @ 05:00 AM)Hughes and Jettie are lucky kiddos! What a fun life you have. PS-Good seeing you yesterday :)
(02.03.10 @ 10:16 AM)oh my... best blog entry in the history of blog entries. I LOOOOOVE YOUR FAMILY!!!!!! And that photo of Hughes on the sled with Jettie holding on... AHHHHH MELT MY HEART!!!!!!! Love and miss you guys...
(02.03.10 @ 04:15 PM)I kinda feel warm and fuzzy inside after this one.
(02.03.10 @ 07:38 PM)What a great day; captured as always by your awesomeness. love.
(02.03.10 @ 10:46 PM)Life is what you make it... oh so true! Thanks for the reminder today and for the beautiful photos of what family looks like to you! Oh so precious!
(02.06.10 @ 12:51 PM)