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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Exploring St. Louis

On Friday, Christy and I did a little location scouting. While it ended up being more than just that, I did take my camera. I wanted to shoot anything I found interesting. However, it seems I just shot a few things in Lafayette Square and Soulard. Then, I forgot I had my camera. Well, not really. It was weighing down my shoulder in my purse. OUCH.

Christy moved here from California and really hasn’t explored the city and it was a great opportunity to show her around. We pretty much looped from Kirkwood to Webster to Lafayette Square to Soulard to downtown to The Loop and then over to Maplewood. We found a few antique stores to gawk in (my fav) and had some yummy lunch at Fitz’s and a cupcake at Jillys. It was a great day. But, exhausting.

We found some pretty neat locations and have some ideas for some types of shoots we want to try. If anything, our city really is inspiring. The history and the buildings fascinate me. I’ve always been interested in things that are old. I wonder often about the stories they could tell.

Anyway. Here are some familiar scenes to most of STL city locals.

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I love the Smile Lofts building…well, what was once a syrup/soda company.

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An “M” for the “M” wall we’re working on in the house!

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Posted in Every Day Personal Tags: holly mccaig, lafayette square, missouri, photographer, photography, soulard, st. louis

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Omaha Wedding Fun | After The Fact

Posted in Weddings

My cousin, Jen, humored me and put her wedding dress on. I didn’t take their wedding photos when they got married, my talented cousin, Bill did. But when they were in town last April for my gramp’s 90th birthday, Jen mentioned how fun a trash the dress type session would be…not really trashing a dress, but just having some fun in a downtown setting. So, I said, let’s do it! I love doing fun, off-the-wall stuff that I don’t normally get hired to shoot. It’s fun to do, and it’s fun to put in my portfolio. I love.

So, we met in Omaha…for a wedding mind you…and opted to hit downtown for some non-traditional rockin’ shots. They have been married for some time, but they still look like newly weds in love. P.S. I LOVE Omaha! Jen and Alan, thanks for letting me work my magic with you guys! THIS WAS FUN! Now, can’t wait to do more TTD type shoots. Who is next?

Look how awesome her hubby looks in this shot? LOVE IT!

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I didn’t use off-camera flash, but it looks like it here. I wish I had brought that gear with me! I got lucky in this shot to get the sky exposed this way.

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Dirty, smelly alleys are the best.

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I think we circled a block about five times before we finally came back to these chairs. Score. I wanted to take the teal and green ones home with me. Wonder why.

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Posted in Weddings Tags: downtown, holly mccaig, missouri, omaha, photographer, portraits, st. louis, trash the dress, urban, wedding

Friday, August 27, 2010

St. Louis Senior Portraits | Megan’s Album

Posted in Seniors

So many things come to mind when I think about Megan. Such a strong girl for so much she’s been through this year. When you see someone going through something rough you just ache for them. But, what I see in her is perseverance and a willingness to get through it all and push forward. Megan is Amy’s sister.

Megan graduated from Lafayette High School this year and is making a new life for herself in Oregon with her family. Jane and Louis introduced me to this family and I am so grateful for this. The best business is from those that are referred to us. It’s more than just giving you business. It says that you are respected and appreciated by someone. My heart flows over with the warm fuzzies when this happens to me.

This 7 x 7 album for Megan was bittersweet to put together. When I put the slideshow of her album in my program, the song just resonated. Megan, “It’s a Brand New Day.” Can’t wait to watch you succeed in this world!

As always, watch the video in the blog, and on Vimeo directly for HD and best quality.

Megan’s Senior Portrait Album from Holly McCaig Designs on Vimeo.

Thanks Megan!

Posted in Seniors Tags: chesterfield, faust park, holly mccaig, lafayette high school, missouri, photographer, portrait, senior, st. louis

Thursday, August 26, 2010

St. Louis Senior Portrait Photographer | Amy’s Album

Posted in Seniors

I love when clients book me to do a senior photo shoot that will end result in an album. Knowing ahead of time what you want can assist me in the shooting process. I can then visualize what your album layout would be like and create consistent photos that work well together in a nice layout. I tend to be more of the simple, clean layout designer. Graphic/digitally produced albums aren’t always my thing, but I’ll do them if requested. They take more time and I think tend to look a little more outdated faster in the future years.

This album is a 7 x 7 album with 28 pages. An album is a great way to get all your photos from your session in a beautifully presented way. You aren’t committed to hanging them all on the wall if that’s your fear. But, the best thing about this for seniors is that kids can take it with them when they go to college. There is something special about a senior portrait session. Marking the milestone of the year and changes about to come will be something they never experience again.

I invite all of my inquiring clients to come to the studio for a pre-consult. This way, they can see the things we offer and we can plan their session accordingly to what they want in the end. You won’t find that at your box studios!

Amy and her sister Megan, moved to Oregon this summer. I was fortunate to photograph Megan’s senior portraits before she graduated this year. Their mom wanted to make sure that Amy had the same photos taken in the same location so they would all blend nicely in a collection together, so we got hers done early this summer, even though she will be graduating in Oregon. They are both very sweet girls and her family will be missed so much here! I hope to get to see them again though.

So, here is Amy’s album. Look for Megan’s design soon!

If you are in a mobile device/iPad or in a feed reader, be sure to come to the website as I put this in a Flash show. You can view it on Vimeo in HD of course where the quality is way more amazing than embedding.

Amy’s Senior Portrait Album from Holly McCaig Designs on Vimeo.

Posted in Seniors Tags: album, faust park, holly mccaig, lafayette high school, missouri, photographer, portrait, senior, st. louis

Friday, August 6, 2010

Celeb-U-Stalking in STL

Posted in Every Day Personal

Yesterday, I did something COMPLETELY out of character for me. I went to see a celebrity. I mean, most of my brushes with celebrity have been pretty random. Usually running into someone, or hanging out on the steps of school to have Pauly Shore walk by and say, “what’s up?” – but I’ve never been one to go sit for hours in long crowds.

Until…

St. Louis won the Facebook contest for The Other Guys Other Premiere.

Let’s talk for a minute about my obsession for Will Ferrell. Yes, obsession. I love this man. I love his sense of humor, his cool factor, and just plain CRAZY curly hair. Most women probably would have went to get a brush with Mark Walberg – you know, some “Good Vibrations” and all. But, no, that wasn’t me.

Now that my amazing friend, Christy, has moved to St. Louis, we talked each other into going. At first, I knew I had to miss it because of a client session. Some unfortunate circumstances caused a reschedule and well, I committed to brave the elements and go see my comedic hero. We drug Christy’s kids with us and thought, this isn’t so bad. There weren’t a lot of people there when we arrived at 4. But, it was hot. The sun was hot. That wasn’t even so bad.

Most people that know me, know I can’t do the heat or crowds. So, I was out of my comfort zone. When you’ve suffered heat exhaustion before, laid up for days sick as a dog, you just learn to avoid it. But, I committed. I was doing SO great until about 6:30. I couldn’t do it anymore. I had to get out of the huge crowds that were building. I was all but ready to fall over and pass out.

So, I gave up my spot and told Christy and the kids to stay there and enjoy! TAKE PICTURES! I went to sit on the curb away from the crowd. There was just NO air moving in there. Cops were pulling people aside that had passed out too. Wow. Mark and Will were late to arrive, so by then, I was feeling better. But, I knew I couldn’t get back to my original spot. So, I opted for a farther away area. Seeing the curly hair, and hearing his voice from a distance was still worth it.

I didn’t take my camera with me…just the point and shoot. So, I snapped most of my shots with my hands above my head. Shaky video, but a memory that I’ll get to keep forever. One day, I will hug that man.

This was how close were were! Right at the carpet!