Dan and Katie… you were amazing and I could not be more excited for your wedding this fall!  Thank you for being so willing and adventurous with me!   

First Session: Basics Class, Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 10am – 4pm (4-6pm optional happy hour)

Required: Digital SLR Camera

Recommended: Fixed aperture lens (i.e. 50mm f/1.8), camera manual

Experience Level: Beginner

Availability: Limit 6 participants

How to Register: Email us at donnellprobst@gmail.com or call us at (314) 226-1698 and leave a message to reserve your spot today!  Space is limited and is first come, first serve.  To schedule a Private Mentor session or Group class, please email or call us directly.

Things didn’t exactly start out as planned and I know many, many brides who would have lost their marbles trying to deal with the weather and the issues created by the weather – Cherie and Paolo were SO calm (or had enough drinks to keep them calm!) and enjoyed themselves regardless, which made for an awesome trip for everyone!

Also, you definitely don’t want to miss out on their super awesome SLIDESHOW… and make sure you watch all the way to the end!!  The funniest part is that I hadn’t picked the song for the slideshow until last night (thank you, Heather!) – after I created their blog post from their pre-wedding shoot… and their slideshow song and their first blog post have the same title!  Crazy!!!

We rode in (literrally… on a VERY rough ferry ride…) on the tail of Tropical Storm Otto (I think it turned into a hurricane after leaving the Virgin Islands), but based on the damage around the resort, I think it made the transition before leaving!  There was SO much flooding on the resort – the pool was full of mud, the beach had washed away, all but one restaurant was open, and many  of their rooms had to be completely gutted!  I had to share some pictures that showed the extent of the damage, because it makes Cherie and Paolo’s graciousness that much more incredible!  The first picture I’m calling “Where the Sidewalk Ends” for obvious reasons.  I suspect there used to be some sort of transition to the beach, but…  The second picture is (or was) the patio off of the pool.  The day before we left they started demolishing it altogether.  If you look down the beach, there are some boats washed up on shore… right next to where Cherie and Paolo were supposed to be getting married!  The third picture is apparently what happens when raging flood waters run through tennis courts.  Insane!Despite all of the weather-insanity, we did finally get some GORGEOUS weather (albeit HOT) – the sun came out, and all of the guests enjoyed their time around these beautiful islands!
After a few days on the island it was finally time for the big day!  Cherie and the girls gathered in their villa for a very relaxed session of hair and make-up… with two of the nicest hair and make-up ladies I’ve met yet!!  It was so much fun to hear about their life on the island, how they ended up here (I don’t think anyone is actually from here…)… one lives on a boat with her husband and daughter and is expecting a baby… ON A BOAT!!!  She is a better woman than I!Jan was the first to have her hair and make-up done… and despite the fact that she kept claiming she looks like her brother without make-up, she looked absolutely beautiful when they finished!  Cherie also received one of the most thoughtful gifts from her uncle who was walking her down the isle – a bracelet with a locket charm with her grandparents picture inside, a “C” charm, and her birthstone.  The locket was also engraved with her name.  The best part?  He didn’t have any help from anyone in finding this gift for her!!    Cherie was incredibly touched by his gift and shared it with everyone!!I dare you to find a single flaw on Cherie’s face – she has the most AMAZING skin I have ever seen in my life!!  Not a wrinkle, not a blemish… nada!  And the hair lady gave her some crazy hair there for a minute!  :)  She is just absolutely stunning!Talk about crazy hair!  Whoa, Mama!!!  Jenny, the bride’s sister is just the cutest thing ever!  I wanted to put her in my pocket and take her home with me!!  Clearly these girls are going to have a good time!Ohhhh, the details!  I love details!  Is there a job where I can just go photograph details??  Hello beautiful jewelry and super cute shoes!!  I always luck out in the shoe department, don’t I?THIS is why Cherie and Paolo decided to get married in the Virgin Islands!!  Their reception site and ceremony location were right on the Cruz Bay – and it really could not have been more beautiful, especially considering the crazy weather we had earlier in the week!!
Okay, while clearly this location is TO DIE FOR… if you look right above the reception tent in the background – you’ll see a RAINBOW!!!  It was just the coolest thing ever!  Everyone looked gorgeous, was relaxed, the weather was fantastic, and there was a rainbow.  On top of it all, when Paolo started to get a little misty as Cherie walked down the isle… I got a little misty myself.  I don’t know if it was just because I had spent so much time with them to this point or what, or the steal drum and the rainbow, but it was so moving!  It makes it very difficult to take pictures when your eyes are all watery!!!“Boss – De Plane!”  Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!  LOL  Okay, actually, she was pointing out the rainbow!  ;)
You can see in the next few pictures how quickly the sun started to set!  The officiant told me before hand that their “dusk” lasts about 15 minutes… boy she wasn’t kidding!  It was the fastest formals I have EVER done!!!LOVE!  I had to leave this one on it’s own.  I hope Cherie and Paolo love it as much as I do!!!One of the first things Cherie told me about Paolo is that he really likes “action shots”.  She wasn’t kidding!  I LOVE personality in my pictures, so I am more than happy to document Paolo’s superb action skillz!  I did get one “serious” picture in the end, but the others are still my favorites!The reception was gorgeous… and at this point, the fun was just beginning!So, here’s the thing.  I had about 100 HILARIOUS pictures from this night.  I was a little sad that I had to be taking pictures and couldn’t participate in the random polka’s and “hot cat” (sorry, censoring a bit! ) dances that occurred throughout the night!  Here are just a few of my favorites to give you a little taste!  What is it called, Paolo?  Double Dutch Runner???What better way to end the night – the VERY LAST picture I took was a final group shot… with Paolo’s “signature move”!  Well played, sir, well played!  ;)
HUGE thank you to the bride and groom for including me on their wonderful event!  I could not have asked for a better couple, nicer family and friends, or more fun!  Another HUGE thank you to my husband for tagging along, lugging my gear, loading, copying, and re-copying images so I had peace of mind!!  I couldn’t have done it without you!!

The number of stories that came out of this working-vacay is mind boggling… we rode in on the tail of a tropical storm… that devastated the resort and threw huge boats onto the beach where Cherie and Paolo were getting married …. Despite ALL of this, Cherie and Paolo remained cool (figuratively speaking), calm, and ready to party!!

We started our mini-session near the “people ferry” downtown… “people” ferry, you say?  What does that even mean??  While we’re not sure what a “people” ferry is, we are certain Cherie is not allowed to ride it!  We could not do a shoot for Cherie and Paolo without including the numerous local establishments in their session…

There was no way on earth I was leaving out these pics… it looks like Paolo has an uphill battle getting Ms. Cherie to the alter… this second picture… well, can you spot it’s significance (or lack thereof)?I thought it would be hysterical to get a pic of the happy couple hitchhiking their way through the hills… until the local Police stopped us… and oddly offered us a ride.  Who knew!  They also don’t have many liquor laws in the Virgin Islands.  We were told if you get pulled over for talking on your cell or not wearing a seatbelt while driving… the cop will hold your beer for you while you sign your ticket!  Granted, when driving you usually can’t go over 20 mph.  LOL

This is just the beginning… and massive amount of pictures are coming your way within the next day or so!!  Stay tuned!!!