Purple Lemon Photography

Zippy Zinnia Sessions

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

PLP exists to be able to give back to compassionate organizations and ministries around the world. A few years ago, I began cutting used denim with friends to help make shoes for kids in Uganda who are suffering from jiggers, which is a parasite that can damage their feet. Sole Hope is doing amazing work to help heal these kiddos and their families. To ship the cut denim to the Ugandan shoemakers, each shoe needs to be sponsored. I've taken a break for a while, but for my birthday, I was given a new kit and I have loads and loads of denim in my basement that I'd love to cut and send.

A friend has graciously allowed the use of her garden to help us sponsor shoes. For the remainder of the growing season this year*, I'm offering 2 Sole Hope Specials.

1. Zippy Zinnia Sessions- $80, 10 min session with a bouquet, 2 digital files and the flowers to keep (Or all the digitals for $120)- $20 goes to Sole Hope

2. Or add a zinnia bouquet to any session for $20+ donation.

Great for anniversaries, engagements, mamas, daughters, sisters, friends!

Also, outside of pictures, you can get a small bouquet for $5 or a larger bouquet for $10. Send me a message to coordinate a pickup/delivery.

*As of August 18, the zinnia season is starting to wind down, but still available.

Workshop Course for Photographers

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

Effective Communication for Comfortable Clients

brought to you by Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Taught by Nikki Dukes, CPP
May 16, 2022
St. Louis MO
9:30am-5:30pm
Registration: https://www.ppa.com/events/photography-workshops/find-a-workshop

I'm teaching a day-long photography workshop next month through Professional Photographers of America. This course is designed to help photographers effectively communicate with your clients before, during, and after the session or wedding day.

Having your photograph taken can be a very vulnerable experience. Kids and adults alike need to know the expectations to help set them at ease and know what to do. This will also explain how to let your clients feel safe and prepared, resulting in more natural, honest expressions and genuine engagement in your photographs.

Although it benefits everyone, it can be especially helpful for children with trauma backgrounds, sensory processing disorder, special needs, and even adults with nervous jitters about being photographed.

This course will help you learn to make complete plans for a wedding day, plans both in advance of a session and on the fly⁠—as well as how to express that plan to your clients.

In addition to classroom style teaching, this class will also include a demonstration outdoor photo session with opportunities to practice.

If you photograph people with hands that don't know where to go, people who are nervous, people who aren't sure where to stand, kids who have no clue what's going on, teens who wish they were elsewhere, groomsmen with a poor attitude. In short—if you photograph people, this class is for you.

Why have an engagement session?

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

Over a glass of lemonade, I tell each couple who sits with me in my sunny office the two reasons why I encourage couples to have an engagement session. Having portraits taken during this special season prior to marriage is both practical and a gift.

First of all, it gives the couple an opportunity to get to know me with a camera and what that experience is like. It can be daunting to have someone following you all day with a camera on your wedding day. This gives us a chance to grow more comfortable together so you can better enjoy your wedding day. And on the flip side, I get to know you better and how you photograph. I learn things like if you blink a lot, or if you giggle with the attention. I can learn that you need a lot of direction or you naturally fall into poses. These things help your wedding day go more smoothly since we’ve had a low-stress chance to practice together.

Secondly, I get to photograph you in a special part of your life, with special details that you’ll want to look back upon with fondness. I help you plan a date or location that holds meaning to you and helps tell your story. Some couples have recreated first dates or favorites. Some check things off their bucket list. And others aim for something more simple.

I’ve accompanied people on boat rides, watched people make brownies and throw popcorn, and taken others for hikes. I love the variety of the couples I photograph!

I love the chance to make sure that during this busy time of planning a big event and planning a future, often with finding a new apartment or house and sometimes a big move, you get at least one awesome date. You can look into each other’s eyes, laugh, and hold hands. You get to connect over something that is uniquely you, and — BONUS! — then you get record of it for keeps.

Recently, just a week before their wedding, when things could have felt busy and overwhelming, Justin and Rachel said “Pause!” and enjoyed breakfast together. Rachel had just moved back to town and the wedding was just about to happen, but I joined them at The London Tea Room where they enjoyed tea and breakfast. They said that cream was so good it was worth the splurge!

What is Purple Lemon Photography? Part Two

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

This segment is part two in a series exploring what is Purple Lemon Photography.

Wedding + Engagement Photography

When Purple Lemon Photography was begun, it was out of a love for wedding photography that had developed as I worked as an associate for a wedding photography company in college. I discovered that I love wedding photography. It appeals to my love for creating and organizing events, celebrations, and relationships. The varied, long, fast-paced days are thrilling for me, and gives me much creative inspiration. I love working with the families and blessing the couple in every way I can.

Photographing engagements gives me time to build relationships with the couples I’ll be spending the day with on their wedding day, and find ways to visually represent their story.

Portraits

Alongside weddings and engagements, I also photograph many babies, children, and families. I love using the skills I’ve developed as a parent of children with sensory integration issues to engage children in fun and meaningful ways with their own families during their photography session.

Miss the other parts? Check them out:

What is Purple Lemon Photography?
Fine Art Decor | Teaching + Mentoring | Volunteering + Serving

What is Purple Lemon Photography? Part Three

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

This segment is part three in a series exploring what is Purple Lemon Photography.

Fine Art Decor + Etsy

Since I was young, I have always photographed the world around me. After having a couple of gallery shows in a local coffee shop, we added the ability for people to purchase these prints and others through Etsy or in person (during classes or events).

I’m also dabbling in using these photographs in stock photography.

Teaching + Mentoring

Small, light-hearted classes and individual mentorships are the primary ways that I love to teach photography skills. I offer classes periodically. Also, when I have some interest, I’ll pull together a class to suit those students. Keep an eye out or request a class!

Mentorships are also available upon request, and I’ve also worked with the mentorship program at Webster University.

Volunteering + Serving

One of the main reasons PLP exists is to serve, bless, and celebrate those around us. We’ve done that in many ways over the years. Sometimes, it is through our profits that we support people doing good work, solid ministry, and encouraging things in our world. Sometimes, we are able to use our profits for disaster relief efforts or other challenging situations.

When we were adopting internationally, we used various photo-based events to help us earn the money we needed to unite our family under one roof.

I have also volunteered my skills and time for many local organizations that help with homelessness, newborn advocacy, refugees, families with children in the NICU, Safe Families for Children, and others.

Currently, the most consistent way I am volunteering is with Found Families. It’s an organization that helps adoptive families like our own receive photographs of their new family through either portraits or documentation of airport homecoming events or courtroom dates. It’s often been a long, expensive road, and this is a gift to those families. It’s really critical for adopted kids to see themselves in pictures of their families to help them gain a sense of permanency and belonging.

We don’t often have sales, but if we do, they are often fundraising based, letting people know that they are participating in serving others.

Miss parts one and two? Check them out:

What is Purple Lemon Photography?
Wedding + Engagement Photography | Family Portraiture

What is Purple Lemon Photography? Part One

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

About a year ago when we were updating our website and giving our logo a refresher, part of that process was asking a lot of questions about what Purple Lemon Photography really is. Some parts of how I used to operate were no longer things I was pursuing, and other things have been added to the mix over time.

So here’s the scoop- the fresh view of what makes up Purple Lemon Photography. Each part is like a little slice of my creative spirit.

Wedding + Engagement Photography | Family Portraiture
Fine Art Decor | Teaching + Mentoring | Volunteering + Serving

I’ll be exploring these in more detail in the next few posts, so you can learn more about why we do what we do.

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Wedding Day Emergency Kit

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

As I say to every bridal couple I photograph, “Weddings are uncontrollable events.”

Spills happen. Traffic jams occur. Doors are locked. Dresses snag.

Wedding days have a lot of moving cogs, but being prepared can help little inconveniences stay little and not grow into big stressors. Having a bridal emergency kit available is one way that I can help couples stay focused on the joys and celebrations that fill their wedding day.

I’ll give you a peek into what I like to try to keep with me on wedding days. You can use this list to help you be prepared for your own special day:

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

bobby pins
cotton swabs
razor
lotion
manicure set
dress tape
safety pins
ibuprofen
blotting paper
straws
tissues
small snacks
baby powder
shout wipes
mints
band aids
deodorant
baby wipes
hair spray
tooth brush
bottled water
handheld fans
needle and thread

Purple Lemon Photography couples, I’ve got you covered.

Warm Weather Wedding Tips

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

Summertime is a common time for weddings with easier breaks from work or school and warm weather. Though a favorite wedding time, the hot weather can cause its own challenges. I’ve seen my fair share of sweaty grooms and melting brides. In fact, I was one myself.

I was one of those brides who had an outdoor reception in August. Some people like to remind me of that tragic fact, but I remember it as all sunshine, daisies, and happiness.

Here are my best tips to a pleasant and prepared warm weather wedding.

Hydration. Be sure that all members of the wedding party have enough water to drink. It might be tempting to fill your cooler with beer, soda, or lemonade, but water is best. I’ve seen my fair share of events when the water ran out.

Air. Hand-held paper or electric fans are so valuable. My favorite tip from when I worked for another photographer in college was to lay a fan on the ground under the bride’s skirt when she is standing still for a while (such as during family portraits). If she has a lot of layers to her dress, it can be really hot.

Sweat is real, and so is the midwestern humidity. Menswear on a wedding day has a lot of layers and is often black. The materials of women’s dresses are also delicate and show wetness easily. Packing a stack of washcloths and hankies can be helpful to blot sweat and stay fresh. You can even freeze a few in a baggie and keep it in the cooler to help cool down fast.

Change of clothes. I like to encourage summer brides and grooms to consider packing an extra set of undergarments for a midday change. An extra undershirt, bra, or panties can go a long way to feeling like you can handle your reception with grace. You’ll be hugging a lot of people on your wedding day and doing so in a sweat-soaked undershirt holds a lot less appeal than feeling fresh for the party.

Staying fresh- in your bag for the day along with lipstick and Advil, throw in your deodorant! Reapplying before the receiving line or the reception is probably a good idea.

As I plan the wedding day schedule with my couples, I make sure that weddings during hot weather seasons don’t have long stretches outside. Consider multiple, short stops so there are breaks in the car or party bus to cool off, or stick to your venue and step inside to cool off as needed. Coordinate with your photographer to make sure your schedule is appropriate for the weather.

Check out what I keep in my wedding day emergency kit for my wedding couples.

Values & Responsibility

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

We want to show honor to God by valuing people, our resources, and the natural resources in the earth. Here is how we are doing that practically at PLP.

Using our equipment fully and until they die or show excess wear, rather than adding new gadgets and cameras and creating excess electronic waste and then passing the cost on to you

Reusing our packaging materials when we need to ship our orders

Recycled paper products and minimal new paper or plastics in our packaging choices

Recycled paper in many of our marketing materials

Paperless proofing

Paperless correspondence and billing

Keeping our staff level low so we can pay well

Consideration of our ethics in our purchases

Posting images of our clients and children online only with permission, and keeping children’s names private

Meeting online with our out of town clients, rather than driving

Using real plates, napkins, and cups rather than disposable

Providing handmade, local treats and snacks when possible

‘Tis the Season

2026-11-02T15:26:20Z

‘Tis the season to be merry and bright!

One of the things we love to encourage is to Celebrate Family and also to savor each season of life that you may be in. Some are rather bitter and some are sweet, and as we’re learning quite deeply, many seasons hold both simultaneously.

One of the types of sessions that we offer is a This Season session, when I spend all morning, afternoon, or evening with you photographing the details and candid moments, along with a handful of portraits.

It’s in the common and everyday things that we find the extraordinary moments that fill us with appreciation and deepen our love for our families.

With Christmastime upon us, I photographed those special moments of decorating for Christmas with my family, which though ordinary with bright blue tubs from the basement are also sacred. Our family is reminded of Christ’s birth and we grow in unity through shared experiences as family joined together from a fragmented past.

Though the muted, vintage decorations may contrast with our cheery, bright decor, it reflects us. We hope through the creativity, order, and presentation of our home that we are also reflecting the Savior.

May the everyday moments of your own season, whether sweet as candy or bitter as chalk, find you thankful. May you take time to simply Celebrate Family as you celebrate with your family this holiday season.

Seasons Greetings from Purple Lemon Photography to you!