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hello, nice to meet you.

We're illuminare photography + cinematography and this blog/website serves as our initial meeting ground, allowing you to get to know us and our work a little better.  While we have a portfolio section and frequently post blog highlights from our weddings and portrait shoots, we also keep the blog rolling with a bunch of various photos and videos that we do for ourselves when we're out just having a good time.  We feel that it's important to share this side of ourselves and allow you to see who we are, how we work, and what we think is cool. 

So sit back, relax and have fun browsing around!  And if you feel that we'd be a good match for you, we'd love to hear from you!

logan and mommy

As a follow up to their pictures, here’s the video of Katie and her new baby, Logan.

logan and mommy from illuminare on Vimeo.

February 7, 2010 - 11:59 am Janet Jaggi - How Sweet! What a cutie! (Mom's not bad either!) JJ

Kristin + Austin Highlight Video

In addition to shooting the still photography and crazybooth at Kristin and Austin’s wedding, we also shot video throughout the day.  Following their ceremony, the wedding party loaded up into a bright green bus and toured throughout St. Louis, stopping for a few photo locations along the way.  It was way fun and quite nostalgic to be sitting on those old faux leather seats again as we bumped along the road.  Despite being freezing outside, everyone did a great job of toughing it out. Congratulations again Kristin and Austin!

Kristin + Austin from illuminare on Vimeo.

February 1, 2010 - 11:21 pm Kristin Ann Rabbitt - I am so in love with this video, Bret you are so talented!

February 2, 2010 - 11:25 am Bret - Thanks Kristin, I'm so glad you like it!!

Katie & Logan

I’ve known Katie for a few years since she and Cindy went to college together.  She came down for a little visit and I love that she wanted to get some mom&baby shots of her and her little sweetheart, Logan.  I wanted to keep it really simple and clean, using just a white backdrop, and simple clothing.  Bret did a video as well and I’m super excited to see what he’s going to come up with!  I am in love with the simple beauty of these photos and I couldn’t have asked for better subjects!  The gorgeous Dr. Grantham and her beautiful bright eyed little boy.  Have a look!

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January 23, 2010 - 10:58 am Katie - Annie - FYI -One of my students refers to the first pic as Logan's "Blue Steel" look from Zoolander. Katie

January 25, 2010 - 4:33 pm Michelle - I want to know when you are going to take such awesome pics of Clara. She is a gorgeous subject (just like Jillian and Logan)

bmw 328i

My friend Kevin recently went through a series of unfortunate events:  An ice storm + an eighteen wheeler = a totaled car and a missed Christmas with the family.  From all of that chaos and misfortune he was able to turn years of hard work and an end of year close-out into the car of his dreams.  He got his new car with something like 14 miles on it, and wanted to get some pictures of it while still in pristine condition.   Here are some of my favorites…

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the modern

Last week at the office I was able to catch a viewing of a documentary about Tadao Ando’s Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth.  It was simply amazing to learn about, and inspired me to take Ann out there on Friday afternoon.  It was bloody cold, but still an absolutely beautiful day.  I can’t believe that we’d never been to see it!  I got a few weird looks from different people at the museum as I spent as much time looking at corners, joints and lighting as I did looking at the art inside.  The care and perfection that went into the design and construction of The Modern is breathtaking.  I don’t really need to talk it up, it needs no explanation or defense, just check out the photos below.  And be warned, there are a lot even though I trimmed the set down as much as I could.  Enjoy.

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get your crazy on

We had a BLAST with the crazybooth at Austin and Kristin’s wedding! As if we need an excuse to get crazy. ;)

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Bret and I even had a chance to jump in!

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January 31, 2010 - 7:40 pm Kristin + Austin Highlight Video | ILLUMINARE | photography + cinematography - [...] addition to shooting the still photography and crazybooth at Kristin and Austin’s wedding, we also shot video throughout the day.  Following their [...]