Oak and Embers Photography Blog

As I sit here writing this sipping on my morning coffee, listening to some Bon Iver, I find myself contemplating what is truly important in life. I can tell you without a doubt it is not your it is not your bank account, 401k or other assorted material things. It is love, specifically unconditional love given to us from our families, friends and lovers. Looking back on the wonderful morning we got to spend with this loving family my thoughts from this morning have been reassured. It was so apparent that they had one purpose regardless of all else attempting to steal attention in this world. They loved their son with a love that is unconditional a love that endures. A love that takes you entire soul and body and puts it into an endless sea of caring for someone so much that all else fades away. Thinking back now I...

There’s something amazing about photographing children. The sweet innocence that you see when you gaze into a child’s eyes is unlike any other. Their faces are full of wonder as they explore the world around them. Children are honest. When they giggle and laugh, it’s because they truly can’t contain their happiness. To me, that’s what photography is about: the ability to document real emotions. To sum up the emotions from this session: uncontainable happiness drenched in golden sunlight.

Mighty Oak Lodge Wedding // Lee & Mariah Conner

It’s always such an honor when a friend asks you to photograph their wedding. I was absolutely thrilled when Lee and Mariah asked me to photograph their beautiful fall wedding at Mighty Oak Lodge! Lee and I met seven years ago while we were going to school at Mizzou. We quickly became friends and enjoyed all sorts of shenanigans together, from learning about duck hunting together to sledding on snow-covered streets during the snowpocalypse of 2011. Although he claims he wasn’t trying to set us up, Lee introduced me to Matt, my now-husband, and the shenanigans continued amongst our little friend group. Years later, when Lee brought Mariah in to our friend group, it was obvious that they were a perfect fit for each other. Any spare time they have together is spent hunting, fishing, looking for arrowheads, and everything else in the great outdoors. It’s rare to see a couple...

I don’t know what’s up with this crazy Missouri “winter” weather, but I was pretty stoked about the warm sunny day we had for Levi and Hannah’s (and Mav’s!) engagement session! These three are just the greatest. Mav is the sweetest, goofiest pup, so he’s awesome just by default. Levi and Hannah are both a joy to be around, and our entire session was filled with laughter! They are perfectly in sync with each other, and fiercely in love. They know how to make each other laugh. But, if you are lucky enough to know them, then you already know all these things :) I had the best time hanging out with them; so stoked to be photographing their beautiful Wyoming wedding this summer!

When I photographed Scott & Alyssa's wedding last year, I had no idea I'd be photographing their maternity session less than a year later! We decided to do a little sunrise session in Rocheport, a quaint little town near Columbia, but the sun did it's best to stay behind the clouds all morning! Regardless, it was a beautiful (although chilly!) morning. After enjoying a little walk around Rocheport, we took a little hike down to a sandbar on the Missouri River. The entire morning was an adventure, and I'm so excited for these two to welcome their next little adventure into the world in just a few short weeks! I can't wait for them to welcome little Chloe into the world!  

Before Elizabeth, Joel and their little family moved back home to Wisconsin, I got to hang out with them for an afternoon. These three blonde-headed babes are the cutest, and I had so much fun with them! Lifestyle sessions like this are one of my FAVORITE things – I can’t explain to you how much I love just being present in the every-day life of families, and seeing all the little moments that happen when no one else is around. These little every day moments are what life is really composed of. 

“If I had a day that I could give you, I’d give to you the day just like today. If I had a song that I could sing for you, I’d sing a song to make you feel this way” -John Denver Dan & Lauren’s wedding was the most perfect day. From the moment Lauren told me their plans to get married on a mountain top, I was absolutely entranced! What could be better than marrying your love on top of a mountain surrounded by your loved ones? The rehearsal was cold and a bit rainy, but the sun rose over the mountain tops on wedding day, and the day was beautiful. The day started at the quaint little cabins at the YMCA of the Rockies, and it only got better as we drove up the mountainside to the Overlook Chapel. The view of Rocky Mountain National Park in the background was amazing! Daniel...