COCAcabana 2009!!!!

If you missed COCAcabana 2009, you missed a great party!! From the COCA's website "Guests [were] transported back to the ego-driven world of 1960s New York - the sexy, stylized and provocative era of Madison Avenue advertising; a time when the age of Camelot was in full swing, the Rat Pack was having ultimate cocktail parties and everyone 'just met a girl named Maria.' The event [was] themed after the multi-award winning television series Mad Men," and the special guest star from the show, Jon Hamm, made this SOLD OUT event one to remember!

To enjoy and purchase images from the event click on the link below:
It's rare the photographer gets to be in the photo, but couldn't resist this opportunity!

Event Co-Chairs: Patti & Tim Hand, Arlene Maminta Browne & Stanley Browne, David Schmid, Cary Schneithorst Wolfner

COCAcabana is COCA's annual spring fundraiser known for creative themes and festive atmosphere. COCAcabana includes cocktails, auction, dinner and dancing.

Funds raised at COCAcabana support COCA's multidisciplinary programs including the COCA Family Theatre Series, educational classes and workshops in dance, music, drama, and visual arts for all ages, and contemporary art exhibits in the Millstone Gallery. COCA's award-winning outreach program, Urban Arts, provides free arts education to low-income students throughout St. Louis. For more information or to RSVP, contact Peggy Ward: pward@cocastl.org or (314) 725-1834 x105.

COCA | 524 Trinity Ave. | St. Louis, MO 63130 | (314) 725-6555 | Fax (314) 725-6222

Busy Busy Week!

This was a wonderfully (is that a word??) busy week with an engagement shoot of Toni and Richard as the evening set in Forest Park, to their wedding a few days later (we were a bit delayed with the engagement pictures because of the rain, but they were engaged longer than 2 days - lol), to Kelsey's senior photo shoot in Carondelet Park (she is gorgeous!),

and topping it off with the Meuret maternity/family shoot at Studio Altius (and this family was too adorable!!).

I was busy but had a blast with each person!! Enjoy the pictures and more to come!!

Leslie

Cassie & Tom Tied the Knot!

March 28, 2009. Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Tom Lewandowski!! Yeah!!! Well, St. Louis weather is always tricky - and this wedding day was no different. We had sunshine (though a bit chilly) for the rehearsal, so of course we all said our prayers for sun for the next day. But, who are we to control the weather - smile. We began and ended the day in rain and overcast, but we had nothing but sunshine on the inside! The ceremony was held at Washington University Catholic Student Center, and the reception was at Giovanni's on the Hill. Both were great locations. My favorite photo spot was this amazing staircase lined with white christmas lights, and donning a baby grand piano in the center of the ensemble. I fell in love with that spot when I saw it at the rehearsal and could barely be pulled away from it before and after the ceremony. I'm a big fan of using what's around me and making it work - and despite the rain outside, that's just what we did. Here is a fun slideshow of the wedding! Enjoy!


God Bless!

Leslie Wallace Photography

Cassie & Tom: Summer Love braves Winter Cold

Well, I must say that the heavens smiled on us for Cassie and Tom's engagement shoot on Saturday. Having just endured inches of snow earlier in the week, we were blessed with a fabulous 48 degrees (and that is fabulous in January) weather and a bright sun as we sloshed our way around the Landing to take pictures. I've said it once, and I'll say it again - my favorite couples are those that just let my imagination flow, and Cassie and Tom are definitely one of my favorite couples. After trying to find a parking spot, the three of us walked all over the Landing, without coats I might add, and had a really good time.

I look forward to their upcoming wedding on March 28 in St. Louis, MO. Family and friends to whom they've given their password, may view their entire client gallery below. You can also enjoy a fun Slideshow of our day together.

Seasons "in-between"

As we come to the close of another year I reflect on the numerous "moments" I've been privileged to capture. Senior year pictures, engagements, weddings, mommies-to-be and newborn babies, anniversaries and special occasions. And I'm blessed to have been an intimate part of all of this. Yet, i doubt any of us would deny there's more to life than these milestone moments, there's all the "in-between" moments that we don't capture.

"in-between we’ve learned more about ourselves

about God, and His love for us

in-between we’ve learned more about love

that it is not a feeling, but an action

a journey

in-between we’ve grown up

we’ve made friends

lost friends

brought together friends

in-between we’ve tested ourselves

been tested by others

that we may be found worthy of

all and who God’s given

in-between we’ve laughed

we’ve cried, we’ve smiled

we’ve fallen and stood up again

while others may not celebrate

every calendar-day we live, we know

there is life, there is love

there is growth, there is change

that is still worthy to be captured

. . . in-between . . ." (lpw 12/26/08)

I'd be honored to capture your "In-Between" moments. lesliewallacephoto@gmail.com

Tis the Season for Children

Though Christmas day has come and gone, it did not leave without a few smiles of children awaiting Santa Clause and all the joy and laughter that Christmas brings. I love photographing children no matter what time of year, and catching the pure and total innocence in their eyes.

Merry Christmas!!

COCA's - Celebrate Me Home

I had the amazing privilege to recently shoot Celebrate Me Home - COCA's Fall Fundraiser. As detailed from COCA's website (www.cocastl.org), this was an evening of song and dance featuring celebrated St. Louisans Antonio Douthit and Denise Thimes. Douthit, a COCA alum, returned to St. Louis and performed with other members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where he was the principal dancer. You can read more about him here. The proceeds benefited COCA’s Urban Arts and Scholarship Programs.

I was beyond amazed at the incredible talent and strength of these dancers - their bodies were like works of art and their poise and elegance was phenomenal. They kept the crowd in a state of awe for the entire performance. I was also able to see some of the up and coming talent of the students that currently train at COCA. All I can say is I left out of there singing "Celebrate Me Home" and trying to do split leaps all the way down the hall. I was moved! Check out the song here - I warn you it will be in your head a while.


I must say that this was my most challenging photo shoot to date - dark theater, not permitted to use flash and constant movement. I truly enjoyed the experience. I made a fun little preview of some of the images. Enjoy!

Leslie