Josh's Bar Mitzvah
05/28/2021 15:21
Being asked to be a part of a families simcha is an honor I take very seriously, and I am grateful to once again create a slide show for Josh and family. Mazel Tov to Josh and his entire family!
Read More...
Comments
Lillian's Bat Mitzvah
04/14/2021 09:06
Gabe's Bar Mitzah
04/07/2021 18:44
As I was finalizing the slide show, Gabe’s family asked me to include a countdown to the start of the show highlighting his unique date, 04-03-21. I am so glad they did, because it was such a fun addition and creative way to celebrate Gabe. Mazel Tov Gabe!
Read More...
Karen and Daryls' 50th
12/23/2020 11:22
Karen and Daryl’s 50 year marriage is the feel good story we all need as 2020 comes to a close. They met in seventh grade, got married at 18 and have shared a lifetime of family, friends, travel and adventure since then. Unable to host a traditional celebration, their family and friends recorded best wishes, congratulations, and words of love and those greetings were interspersed throughout the slide show. In true 2020 fashion, the party moved to zoom where the video debuted, and Karen and Daryl celebrated virtually with all of those near and dear to their heart.Congratulations Karen and Daryl, your love story is truly inspiring!
Read More...
Risa's Bat Mitzvah
11/03/2020 20:00
Rias's focus for her Bat Mitzvah was spreading kindness. But for Risa, and her entire family, being kind is not just a catchphrase or cute hashtag, but something they live each and every day. Mazel Tov Risa, may your kindness continue shine bright and inspire everyone around you.
Read More...
Olivia's Bat Mitzvah
02/24/2020 19:53
“I wish somebody would have told me, babeThat someday, these would be the good old days”
-Good Old Days by Macklemore
Some days as parents we just can’t wait to get the next stage of our child’s life, but most of the time we look at them in wonder and think “where did the time go?” Mazel Tov to Olivia and her entire family, may all your best days be ahead of you.
The soundtrack to Olivia’s Slide Show included:
In My Life by The Beatles
Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Count On Me by Bruno Mars
Good Old Days by Macklemore
Good As Hell by Lizzo
Read More...
Sadie's Bat Mitzvah
12/11/2019 12:56
“You don't have to be afraid to put your dream in action.
You're never gonna fade you'll be the main attraction.
In my victory
Just remember me
When I make it Shine!"
-Shine by Victoria Justice
Mazel Tov Sadie, on beaming a Bat Mitzvah! May you continue to shine and fill the world with your light and dreams.
The soundtrack to Sadie's Bat Mitzvah slide show included:
Firework by Karie Perry
Count On Me by Bruno Mars
Make It Shine by Victoria Justice
Oath by Cher Lloyd
Read More...
Jacob and Blaine Class of 2019
05/29/2019 12:49
Just the coach and me after we lost state ten to nine
And I cried man next time to get in here I'll have to buy a ticket
Can't you give me five more minutes"
-Five More Minutes by Scotty McCreery
Perfect lyrics to celebrate two high school seniors, football players and friends.
Congratulations Jacob and Blaine on your graduation!
Read More...
Emmy's Bat Mitzvah
02/27/2019 09:09
What a privilege to create a slide show for Emmy, whom I have known she was in preschool. It was a fantastically fun puzzle to combine all the videos and photos into her slide show story, and the opening segment gives a brief glimpse into how much fun the entire slide show was to create. Every parent takes a series of photos hoping one day they may be used for a Bat Mitzvah or Wedding video - and 13 years later, Emmy's family got their wish.
Read More...
Mazel Tov Ava
01/27/2019 17:49
"If you need something to believe in
If you're looking for a light to guide you home
Just look inside
You light a shining brighter than you know
You should know
I'm never gonna let you down"
Lyrics from Never Gonna Let You Down by Colbie Caillat
Mazel Tov Ava, on becoming a Bat Mitzvah. May you continue to be a source of light and joy!
Read More...
Lights, Camera, Alissa
11/07/2018 12:39
After working on Rebecca's Instaglam Bat Mitzvah slide show a few years ago, it was a pleasure to create another photo themed slide show for the Barnholtz family. Mazel Tov Alissa!
The soundtrack to Alissa's slide show included:
Perfect, by Ed Sheeran
Home, by Phillip Phillips
Best Day of My Life, by American Authors
Read More...
Naomi
09/03/2018 14:47
"Slow down
Won't you stay here a minute more
I know you want to walk through the door
But it's all too fast
Let's make it last a little while
I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly
I am your biggest fan
I hope you know I am
But do you think you can somehow
Slow down"
-Slow Down by Nicole Nordeman
Read More...
Adam's Bar Mitzvah
05/03/2018 13:30
A huge Mazel Tov to Adam on becoming a Bar Mitzvah!
His slide show soundtrack included:
Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man
Titanium - David Guetta
Hall of Fame - The Script
Thunder - Imagine Dragons
Read More...
Honoring Phil Brusca
08/20/2017 21:22
The Ladue Education Foundation honored 90 year old former Ladue track coach and U.S Track and Field Masters Hall of Famer at their 2017 community breakfast.This year, he has already competed in four Masters events, placing first in several categories and modestly stated: “Being 90 means there is very little competition." A beloved teacher, mentor a friend, this nonagenarian who looks decades younger has a lot to be proud of.
Read More...
Humble and Kind
03/28/2017 18:35
Read More...
Happy New Year
12/29/2016 10:17
"Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory."Many people mistakenly attribute this quote to Dr. Seuss. Understandable, since he has give the world a bounty of inspirational and introspective quotes, but this is not one of them. Read More...
Dear Photograph
12/06/2016 17:31
I have adored Dear Photograph ever since it debuted in 2011. So much, that my very first blog post was about the website. You hold up a photograph from the past in the same place it was originally taken, and take a new photograph mixing the new and the old. Since I am lucky enough to live in the house I grew up in, I am surrounded every day by a mixture of memories, nostalgia and new experiences. I live a Dear Photograph moment almost everyday. 
Read More...
Songs about Babies and Children
10/21/2016 16:03
As the saying goes, it's the longest shortest time. Kids make us laugh, they make us cry, and above all else, they remind us there is always beauty and kindness in the world. The full Spotify playlist is at the bottom of the blog.
Baby Mine - Alsion Krauss
Baby mine / Don't you cry / Baby mine / Dry your eyes / Rest your head close to my heart / Never to part / Baby of mine
Barefoot Children - Jimmy Buffet
Barefoot children in the rain / Got no need to explain / We'd be swingin' on a ball and chain / It's always understood by those who play the game / barefoot children in the rain
Home - Phillip Phillips
Settle down, it'll all be clear / Don't pay no mind to the demons / They fill you with fear / The trouble it might drag you down / If you get lost, you can always be found / Just no you're not alone / Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Read More...
There Are No Bad Pictures
09/30/2016 12:37
Fun fact of the day: This quote is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. I am skeptical, since they were called daguerreotypes, not photographs or pictures during the 1800's. However, the sentiment remains the same. Stop scrolling and saving only the perfect shots, and preserve all the memories of our beautiful but imperfect lives.
Want another famous Lincoln quote? "The problem with internet quotes is that you can't always depend on their accuracy." Read More...
Take Another Picture - Songs about Photographs
09/06/2016 12:58
There are so many songs beyond Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" and Nickelback's "Photograph" about the power of the picture. Here are some songs guaranteed to put you in the mood to reminisce. From celebrations to breakups and everything in between, this is the soundtrack for your life in pictures.The full Spotify playlist is at the bottom of the blog.
Take Another Picture - Bishop Allen
Take another picture with your click, click, click, click, camera / Sure, I've got pictures of my own / Of the people and places that I've known
Butterfly - Corinne Bailey Rae
In my mother's house / There's a photograph / Of a day gone past / Always makes me laugh / There's a little girl / Wary of the world / She got much to learn
Kamera - Wilco
I need a camera to my eye / To my eye, reminding / Which lies I have been hiding / Which echoes belong / I've counted out days / To see how far / I've driven in the dark / With echoes in my heart
Picture to Burn - Taylor Swift
So watch me strike a match / On all my wasted time / As far as I'm concerned / You're just another picture to burn
Read More...
Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan - A Photographic Journey
08/24/2016 10:06
"Have you ever had a perfect day? The kind where everything goes your way and even better than you had imagined it? And everything feels right with the world, and all your problems seem trivial? Well, that's what this day was for me. And its one of the reasons I'm so passionate about traveling. To be in a foreign place and have these incredible experiences makes me feel so fortunate and blessed. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I've had in my life."
Read More...Flashes of Hope STL
05/03/2016 14:56
Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. We turn the hospital into a full service photo studio, bringing lights, backdrops, make-up artists and a much needed change of pace for the families. As volunteer chapter director for Flashes of Hope - St. Louis I am truly honored to have had a small part in photographing over 1,200 children since the chapter was founded in 2010.
Read More...
Read More...Christmas in the Desert
01/05/2016 12:07
It's the most wonderful time of the year. A ShutterflyTM album filled with magical moments, glittering lights and fireside fun for the whole family! You can view the full album here.
Read More...
#OregonTrail Album Design
11/10/2015 20:57
So many photos, so little time! If your phone and hard drive are overflowing with photos that you just don't want to deal with, a Shutterbug Stories Tradition Album is your answer. You pick the photos, I layout your story, and Shutterfly (TM) prints the album.
#OregonTrail is the story of one family's journey across America. Driving from DC to Oregon in 82 days, 10 states, and an enormous amount of potty breaks, Michael and Cathy had the summer road trip of a lifetime.
Read More...
#OregonTrail is the story of one family's journey across America. Driving from DC to Oregon in 82 days, 10 states, and an enormous amount of potty breaks, Michael and Cathy had the summer road trip of a lifetime.
Read More...Introducing A New Website
10/28/2015 12:14
When I designed my website 5 years ago, responsive design (building a website that can be viewed easily on any platform) was talked about, but very new. While laying out my site I deliberately ignored phones and tablets, deciding anyone who wanted to view my website could go to a desktop. Devices were new and fun and shiny, but everyone had a computer at work or home they could go to.
Read More...
Read More...The Brown Sisters by Nicholas Nixon
02/25/2015 16:30
Every year since 1975 photographer Nicholas Nixon has photographed his wife and her three sisters. Always in the same order, always with the same camera, and the sisters together agree on the final image each year. The St. Louis Art Museum is currently hosting a free exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the project, and it is amazing.
Read More..."Being an only child, it was really gratifying and lovely to be embraced by this family. There's still a ground water of affection, and support. I look back at these thirty-some pictures and it's like they're of my sisters. I can feel myself getting old with them. And I'm part of them; they're part of my love." -Nicholas Nixon
Make
03/12/2014 14:24
Make memories, make believe, make your mark, make 2014 your year to shine!
Read More...
Read More...
Let's Celebrate
12/03/2013 10:38
Milestone events are a cause for celebration, and Mimi and Don's family have much to celebrate! This montage was created for Mimi and Don's 65th wedding anniversary, Mimi's 85th, birthday and Don's 90th birthday. Congratulations Mimi and Don on a lifetime of celebrations!
Read More...
Read More...
The Schlapper Family Reunion
10/02/2013 10:49
Coming from a family of 9 sisters and 2 brothers, the Schlapper family had much to celebrate as they gathered for their family reunion. It was a joy to see the family history take shape through old family photographs, beginning with the family farmhouse and continuing through today, with many milestone birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations in between.
Read More...
Read More...
Myra's 104th Birthday
03/10/2013 20:48
Creating a video to honor a woman turning 104 is truly amazing, and when that woman is also your grandmother, it is magical. Last weekend, my family gathered to celebrate my grandmother's 104th birthday. Mother of three boys, grandmother to seven, and great-grandmother of ten (with one more on the way) she still lives on her own, has never used a computer, and fills every room she enters with her enormous personality.
Read More...
Jimmy's 95th Birthday
02/25/2013 20:59
Goody, Pvt. James G. Davis, Uncle Jimmy, Poppy Joe. There is no shortage of nicknames for Jimmy, and his family reminisced about them all as he celebrated his 95th birthday this weekend. A man full of energy and fun, not even a snow storm that shut down the Midwest could stop his family from gathering to toast this family patriarch. Happy 95th birthday Jimmy, and surfs up!
Read More...
Read More...
The Mom Stays in the Picture
01/14/2013 13:30
Take a moment to flip through your photos from 2012. You have birthday photos, vacation photos, a great shot of the family pet. But where are you? How many photos did it take until you found one of you? I am especially guilty of this. I take pictures of my kids all the time, but it is a rare moment when I hand the camera off to someone else and take a photo with them. Read More...
The Zeldin Family
12/05/2012 11:09
The Zeldin family gave the gift of memories this holiday season. Instead of framed photos for all the grandparents, this year the Zeldin's gave a dvd slide show of the grandchildren growing up, a gift guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter to every grandparent.
Read More...
Shop Local this Holiday Season
11/20/2012 13:12
This holiday season, take a moment to think about where you are shopping and spending your money. Choose three independently owned businesses you would miss most if they were gone, stop in, get to know them, and make a purchase. The 3/50 Project encourages supporting local brick and mortar stores by spending $50 each month in an independently owned business.
Read More...
Read More...L'Dor V'Dor - From Generation to Generation
11/08/2012 10:09
Congregation Temple Israel celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. As a 6th generation congregant, and member of one of the founding families, I created Temple's retrospective with both pride and reverence for our history. Read More...
My two passions, photographs and public radio
10/16/2012 12:14
I love photographs. I love taking them, I love reminiscing with them, and I love using photographs to tell a story. I have another love, and that is public radio. The Young Friends of St. Louis Public Radio recently hosted MetroQuest: Only In St. Louis, a combined scavenger hunt, pub crawl and trivia contest, and I had the chance to combine my passions, and create this video. Read More...
Songs for the Graduation Season
06/21/2012 13:54
Graduation season is upon us. Here are some songs to get you in the mood for new beginnings and old friends.
Read More...
Read More...
Photographing the Past - Welcome to my Blog
06/14/2012 22:13
Take a picture of a picture from the past in the present might sound complicated, but it is the simple idea behind Dear Photograph. Who knew such a simple concept could produce such emotional and elegant imagery? Read More...