st. louis child photographer » specializing in newborn, children, engagement, maternity & high school senior photography

Little ones change SO much and SO fast during that first year of life.  That’s why it is a great idea to, at the very least, try and get photographs taken at birth, 6 mo, and one year.  Or capture them according to some of the major developmental stages - as an infant, crawling, and then walking .  I have never known anyone who has regretted making that investment! 

This little guy was celebrating turning one!  He was SO good.  I mean we moved him all over on location, up and down, in the grass, in & out of the wagon and he NEVER fussed.  Such any easy going little guy.  Oh and did I mention smart!  He figured out that if he took his hat and put it over his eyes that I would stop taking pictures. So cute!  Here’s a little image preview for you, Kim.

 Have you heard of the ladies of Evidence?  These girls are SUPER talented! They are a local singing group committed to spreading the gospel through their music.  They travel all around greater St. Louis singing in Churches and other various venues.  If you have never heard them you are certainly missing out. . . . but not for long.  They are about to release their first CD!  And currently it looks like it is expected to be released at the end of this year or the beginning of next.  Check out the Evidence Website or Facebook Page to get the latest updates.

These are some of my personal favorites that we shot for possible CD cover options.  I bet they’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment and let them know if you have a favorite and keep watching for details on the CD release! 

These brothers were so fun to capture.  Mr. Grant took to me right away and I could have photographed him ALL day!  Such a smart little guy with the most infectious smile.  Mr. Sam wasn’t so sure about my big camera following him but he came around and showed me his personality.  But I’d have to say that the “gold star” goes to the Dad. Not only did he carry my props around (thank you again) but you should have heard the songs & noises he came up with to keep those boys giggling. I loved it!   

I smile whenever I look at this image! He was laughing his head off at my “stinky socks” joke.  Little boys are so cute!

How could you not love this BIG grin!!

EVERY time I photograph her I am left speechless! Her presence in front of the camera is unbelievable and this time she has such long beautiful hair. I hope as she grows up that she will always see in herself what I see behind my camera lens and that is pure, innocent, natural, beauty!

Every year I “hope” that my children will cooperate and let me photograph them for Mother’s Day.  It’s the only thing I want – to preserve memories of these precious little people through photo images.  Here is the Mother’s Day outdoor session of them from last year. It’s so important for me to capture them JUST as they are – that means, giggles, pouts, pushing, hugging, silly faces.  I love it all.  So I set out my blanket and let them go at it!  These images are SO special to me.  It’s the little things, like the band aid on my daughter’s elbow.  It’s been there for two weeks (even though the scratch that we could never quite locate is gone). She insists the pain is terrible and the band aid makes it feel better. And THAT is the difference between raising a boy and a girl . . . drama!  I hope your mother’s day was special too!

I love to hold photography sessions in field locations like this.  There is nothing more beautiful than natural light and the timeless feel of an open field.     Some days there are beautiful wildflowers blooming, sometimes you’ll find tall weeds blowing in the wind.  And you can go to a field all year long and never have the same photos twice  because they are always changing.  Here in the greater St. Louis area we have so many beautiful landscapes to take advantage of.  In addition, children are so much more comfortable “being themselves” in a place where they can play and I can just follow along and capture them just as they are.

This field below is one of my favorites – I wait for these little yellow wildflowers to bloom every year when spring arrives. I never get tired of their beauty.   

These obviously weren’t taken in my favorite field, but next to the field is a little wooded area and these are too cute not to post.

When I’m out on location at a photography session I am OFTEN asked about where I got “my purse.”  I get this question particularly from mom’s of the children that I am photographing because what girl doesn’t love a cute handbag?!  This question about “my purse” always makes me all giddy inside because it’s not a purse, but my camera bag.  That’s right, a camera bag that protects my gear and looks like a Kate Spade bag.  And that is JUST my style. I knew that those black, puffy, suitcase looking camera bags were never going to be for me so I was always actively looking for other alternatives.  But everything I could find that was stylish would not protect my camera.  You can see my problem. Well, then I found The Emera Bag. I can’t remember if I’ve had it for 2 or 3 years, but I’m pretty sure I was one of the first 50 people to buy it when they came out. And I remember once the word was out they went fast.  My camera bag is called the “city tote” and sadly for everyone out there that wants one they don’t make this fabric anymore. (That of course makes me love my bag even more now that the fabric is “retired” and it’s even more unique).  BUT, they have other options if you go on their website and I think that quilted bag is super cute.  So while Christmas may be over, Mother’s Day is just around the corner and wouldn’t one of these bags be a great gift!

I wish I had more images to show you, but this is a shot my friend at Valerie Ott Photography took for me when we did this portrait session. I don’t have any photos of the inside of the bag to show so I”ll have to take some and do that another time.  But the inside is padded and has these compartments that can be moved around to fit your camera.  And there are fun pocket for an IPhone, business cards and all kids of other things!

Contact Melanie to Set up a Spring or Summer Portrait session

Today is one of those days I am just feeling grateful. Maybe it’s because of the warm weather. The idea of spring being close by certainly lifts every one’s spirits! And I suppose the fact that it’s Friday doesn’t hurt either.  But there are just times when I reflect on life, my photography, my family, children and husband and even though you have some “not so great days” you know you are truly blessed.  Spring makes me think about new birth – and makes me excited to see what the Lord has in store for me this year. Thank you to all my wonderful clients that support my vision and art by allowing me into your homes and lives to capture your love, life, and memories all year long.  I am truly thankful!

So here are some photo images to remind us that spring in Missouri is closer than we think! 

The ever changing weather in ST. LOUIS makes photographing children a challenge sometimes.  No one would ever think you could go from inches of snow to 69 degrees on Sunday!  Yep, that’s why St. Louis is the best!  I personally love having a natural light photography session in ANY weather. I believe there is  beauty that can be captured on a cloudy or sunny day; in snow, in the changing colors of fall or the new blooms of spring and even in a 100 degree, humid, classic St. Louis day!! I guess that’s why I simply can’t be confined to a studio. I love it all and you’d be surprised how adaptable children are, really.  This earth the Lord gave us is full of ever changing beauty if we just take the time to slow down and seek it.  So, on that note . .. . check out this beauty.   She, my camera, & I definetly took advantage of the gorgeous weather on Sunday.  Look VERY close at the bottom of a few images and you will actually see a few green blades of green.  I promise, they are there!!

Visit My St. Louis Children’s Photographer Website

I know some people say Valentine’s Day is just another excuse for Hallmark to sell cards, but I LOVE VALENTINES DAY! My parents always made Valentine’s Day so special at our house.  I enjoy thinking back on our all our family memories/traditions but it’s fun to now pass on those memories to my children.  My son is only 4yr. but he already looks forward to these silly little cupcakes we make in ice cream cones every year AND he also loves eating the heart pizza! 

These are 2 of my favorite things that I’ve been enjoying all day . . . 

purple roses from my husband . . my fav!

 . . and Diet Coke, which I CANNOT live without! (aren’t the Valentine cans SO super cute!)

see more of Melanie’s lifestyle photography at St. Louis Child Photographer

I’m excited to share that my children’s and family photography website is now live! The images are larger, which I love, BUT the biggest change is that you can now see Melanie Acker Photography on your mobile phones!!!  Clients can also even view their proofs there too. You’ll still have to place your order from a non mobile device but having the images right on your phone will enable you to show them off to friends and family.My website is still located at melanieackerphotography.com but here’s a quick link so you can check it out – greater  St. Louis Children’s Photographer

Here’s a couple of images that I don’t think I ever blogged – isn’t she a cutie?!  I LOVE curls on girls OR boys.

So . . . I’m excited because this year I will be rolling out a new photography website for MELANIE ACKER photography!  Why, you ask?  I realize the one I have “works” fine, but it’s REALLY bothered me that you cannot view it on your IPHONE!  I use my phone more now a days than my actual computer and I know many of you do to.  And so I am working hard to complete the site and I will announce when it is finished – I’m hoping in the next month.  And in case you are wondering it will be at the same web address:  www.melanieackerphotography.com 

I know you must be sick of looking at my children . . . but images of my little kids are better than a blog post with no photos, right?  These I took at the end of Fall but never blogged – so here ya go!

While I have never been a huge fan of winter I do believe in trying to make the best of things.  And since NORMALLY we don’t see snow come & stay that long in St. Louis I bundle up and take the kids out to play whenever it snows here.  I usually don’t photograph when we play because I don’t want to spoil our fun and well, it’s wet! This is a snowman I made with my son and mom.  We had the best time and we actually got it so big that mom & I could hardly lift the last snowball.  I HAD to capture a few quick photographs of our finished product and the cute little boy who helped!

And then, speaking of snowmen, . . .  . I made these donut snowmen for breakfast on Christmas morning and they were a big hit at our house.  I got the idea here, from Taste of Home.  If you have kids, I guarantee they’ll love them!