Eleanor's growing up...already one-year old!

Eleanor was a beautiful baby girl I met last July. And as babies do, she grew up. And up.
I've loved watching her go from a baby to a girl...if you know what I mean. She is so darling. And her parents are awesome!! I am really sad that this will be my last shoot with them since I'll most likely be moving far away. (but if plans do change, you can bet I'm going to be begging them to keep using my services!!!)

Anyway, on to the images. I'm not going to do much talking... cuz they are too cute and speak for themselves.

We started at Shelter Gardens, the ever-famous, yet hidden gem of Columbia...




























Someone may or may not have had her ice cream taken away after it fell on the ground.



Favorite! I'd totally get this on a canvas if I were the parents... (wink, wink...)



To celebrate Eleanor turning 1 (on July 1, though we did this shoot a few weeks earlier...) we headed back to their house and put on a special outfit for the occasion.


A special cake was made for the occasion, too....homemade by Eleanor's mommy! Way to go, Kristin!


And then fun was had....as was cake, stickiness and goo.

View full post!

The Nicks get hitched...

After getting to know Nick & Nicole last early fall for their engagement session, I'll tell you one thing.... I was REALLY looking forward to their wedding. Maybe because they are fun. Maybe because they are so darn cute. Maybe because the love each other with smiles all over their faces. Or maybe it's because of the entire Nick & Nicole package.

Their wedding day was cloudy...but the heat was ever present thanks to our unforgiving humidity here in a Missouri rivertown. Ashley Clarke once again helped me out with second shooting; and my good pal Stephanie was our assistant. Thanks to you both!

The entire wedding party (who were all sooo much fun to hang out with!!) got ready at the Ns' house. Guess what their street name is....

I should note here how much I loved Nikki's dress... possibly because it reminded me of my own!!! Bring out the princess!!

Too flippin' cute, no?

But what about her other half, you ask? And just in case there is any doubt as to the roll he plays...

Nikki was so excited to see her flowers...I have no idea why. Check out how beautiful they were! And the photo on the right is her mom and sister helping her with the finishing touches.

Like so many couples are doing these days, the Ns decided to see each other before hand. This allowed us tons of time to take wedding party photos and dedicated moments for just the bride and groom.

Nicole didn't hesitate to show off for her man. And Nick reacted just as a man should... :)

See? DARLING.

Nikki was so nervous, she couldn't eat much. Fear not, her loving husband-to-be (the keeper that he is!!) made her some chocolate milk.

Off we headed to downtown Columbia to have some fun.

One of my favorites of the day...taken by Ashley.

A highlight of the day was stopping off in the air-conditioned Coley's restaurant for some refreshments...and for the donning of some facial hair, a la Sharpie marker.

I'm telling you, these two were soooo much fun...up for anything, despite the fact they were melting with sweat.

Then it was go time....the two Ns were going to be MARRIED!

Ashley's catch...

The Les Bourgeois winery was the next destination...at sunset. Ashley's shot.

I have never heard so many toasts in one reception. And guests didnt' mind listening because each one was so heartfelt, humorous and touching. I teared up several times..This one is of Nikki's dad..sharing some young-Nikki stories.

The entire time, the new husband and wife were holding hands...supporting one another through the humiliation and the endearing moments.

At Nikki's request, we bailed out of the reception early and followed the newlyweds back to their hotel. Before they absconded to their petal-laced room, we said our farewells....Darbi G. style (thanks, STeph for snapping this photo!)

And then it was good night...and please, do not disturb. :)

Nick & Nicole...thank you so much for being patient with my technical difficulties. I am so thankful to have crossed paths with such a pinch-your-cheeks-cute couple.... please keep in touch, and I wish you the best on your new life together in St. Louis and many more mustache-wearing years together. :)

The vendor lineup

Hair:

Makeup:

DJ/Band: Nick Newlin DJ

Church/officiant : Sacred Heart/Father Thomas

Reception venue coordinator: Les Bourgeois Winery/Amanda Swain

Florist: Kent's Floral Gallery

Baker: Pohlman's Cakes

Caterer: Les Bourgeois

Wedding planner: Ellyn Forbes

View full post!

A vet in need of her own shots... headshots that is...

Desola, ( should I say Dr. Odunayo??), contacted me awhile back to take some headshots of her that will be used in an ad for the American Veterinary Medical Association. Desola is from Nigeria, but has lived in the U.S. for a bit more than a decade. She is carrying out her residency here at MU.

The night we met, it was one of the most humid evenings this summer. But she was a trooper...and so was I.

I kept telling her that she reminded me of a Banana Republic model with her gorgeous facial structure and light-up-her-eyes smile. See for yourself.
(and please disregard the difference in my watermark; since I’ve switched to a Mac, I haven’t gotten my Photoshop license transferred yet...)





My favorite...!














Desola—I wish you a WEALTH (wink, wink) of luck and fun and many more smiles in your personal and profession endeavors. Happy summer! View full post!

What ails me....

So...I had planned on have two posts up this week as I'm in the heat of wedding season (literally AND figuratively). BUUUUTTTT, as my luck would have it, my computer went kaput on me last Monday. The ironic part? I had SERIOUSLY just declared I was going to buy a Mac Pro. I went to turn on the PC to order said Mac Pro....and... (crickets chirping). No wait, that was me crying.



I was very frustrated, to say the least...as comical as this was. I mean, how much more obvious could my PC be? What a baby!! it was so jealous, to get revenge it attempted suicide. And I assumed it would be something the shop could fix by Wednesday. Boy have I been wrong.



So here it is, late Saturday night... I have three weddings and two portrait sessions in the hopper, and another family session tomorrow. I've never ever been this behind. I pride myself on a quick turnaround (even if this means sacrificing my sanity...)



I'm trying to convince myself that this was God's way of telling me to slow down...and enjoy some of time with my husband. Because when I work 8 to 5 at my marketing job, and then come home and edit from 6 till 11, I don't make much time for other things..or people whom I love. So I heard you loud and clear, God! Even if your timing stinks.



My Mac is getting here on Monday (I hope)...which is the same day my PC is expected to be fixed. I will have to load all my files and software first before I can get back into the swing of things, but I'm aiming to have Amy & Justin's wedding fully edited by the end of the week...as well as have a blog post up for Nick & Nikki. And then on to Desola, Sarah & Aaron, Cailin, and Eleanor's family... :)

THANK YOU very much to the wonderful clients who have been so understanding while Darbi G. Photography has technical difficulties.

(I hate posting a blog without a pic, but I mean it...I have NO pics to post available on my laptop. :( )

Take care, happy Sunday...and let's toast to a better week...for all of us, including Hollywood. View full post!