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ALYSSA + DREW // chic downtown St. Louis engagement session

Alyssa + Drew // True Romantics

I like to ask my couples how their friends would describe them when they’re together. A+D said:

Welcoming. And people who show up and go all out.

Having now spent this magic evening with them, I FULLY agree. When they show up for something, they’re all in. The details, the meaning, the ‘mood’ – they embrace and champion each with their whole hearts. Doesn’t matter if it’s a halloween party, a marriage proposal, or a weeknight at home, they’ll find a way to make it the best experience possible. And they’re so freaking friendly and inclusive in welcoming others along for the fun!

I believe this stems from being true romantics through and though. Candlelit dinners with a side of jazz music are an everyday staple in their home. (Though their music tastes are surprisingly vast!) In fact, ‘romantic’ was even their guiding word for how they wanted their engagement photos to feel, and for their upcoming wedding as well.

Chic City Souls

In another life, Alyssa and Drew would probably be living in NYC and always on the move. Or at least that’s their favorite way to travel. Vacation plans revolve around exploring new cities, shopping, and tasting as many different kinds of flavors and cocktails as possible. Italy is a dream destination on their list. And since their next city adventure is always top of mind, capturing that spirit was a given for their engagement session – or at least Part I!

We started at The Last Hotel STL for cocktails in their beautiful lobby bar and instantly fell into a free flow of creative collaboration. Guys, I can not express to you how fun Alyssa and Drew are to be around! And super creative too! They were so open to any idea I threw their way and constantly pitching great ones of their own. In a blink we wiped away all initial fears of being awkward in front of the camera to wandering Wash Ave, effortlessly snapping gems while chatting like it was second nature.

close up of two cocktails and an engagement ring on white drink napkins
chic couple sitting on a hotel lounge bar. a young man leans agains his girlfriend as he laughs bashfully holding a cocktail glass
young woman in short satin dress sits on top of hotel cocktail bar as his boyfriend leans across the bar in a sleek gray suit
black and white artsy shot of couples legs interwined while seating on bar stools
a young man in a gray suit and white dress shirt kisses his girlfriend's hand as she smirks from the side of frame
two hands rest in each other draped along the edge of a bar in front of cocktail glasses
young man in gray suit puts his hand on his girlfriends leg and looks to her as she smiles towards the camera from The Last Hotel STL lounge bar stools
film-like fuzzy portrait of a young woman in a satin long sleeve short dress pulling her boyfriend in for a kiss
wide shot of the bar a young man kissing the hand of girlfriend on bar stools along the lounge bar at the Last Hotel STL
young man in a gray suit leans against the hotel bar his girlfriend sits upon and hugs him from behind
moody shot of young couple taking sips of their cocktails as they look to camera
young dressy man holds a cocktail glass as he laughs towards his girlfriend holding her drink by his side
dramatic direct-flash shot of a young couple nuzzling noses and clinking cocktails glasses in the foreground to feature the girlfriend's engagement ring
young stylish dressy couple relax and cuddle up with cocktails on a long leather couch
young stylish woman leans against the knee of her boyfriend seated on a long leather couch
black and white close up of a young man pulling his fiance in close for a kiss by the ching
young stylish man in a suit sits on the top edge of retro leather couch as woman in a white dress and heels leans by his feet
young stylish dressy couple relax and sip cocktail drinks on a long leather couch
detail shot of legs with high heels draped across a partial knee off frame
far shot of a man romantically kissing his girlfriends hand in the corner of a retro orange couch
couple standing centered in a stylish hotel lobby hallway lined with columns and orb chandeliers
stylish young couple leans against the frame of a hotel elevator
couple dipping into a kiss inside a mirrored elevator as the door begins to close
tall shot of a downtown intersections with tall buildings and a couple crossing away from the camera on the lefthand side
black and white shot of young stylish couple holding hands, and giggling mid-walk on a downtown street
couple dips into a dramatic kiss in front of a tall background of historic downtown buildings
couple laughs at a sudden gust of wind in a shaky downtown intersection scene
stylish couple dressed in suit and heels kid in the middle of a downtown street with a brick building and string light over a patio behind
young couple centered in a cobblestone alleyway looking towards each other and accentuating their outfits surrounded by tall tan buildings
young couple dance along a historic downtown St. Louis cobblestone street
close up portrait of a stylish dressy couple holding hands and wrapped in a hug smiling toward the camers
young man in a suit hugs his girlfriend from behind and girls her a kiss on the temple as she smiles and holds his hand in the city
classic romantic moment of a man sweeping his girlfriend off her feet in the city
young couple seated on downtown iron stoop steps and look off camera
woman seated a few steps above her boyfriend gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek
woman seated a few steps above her boyfriend gives him a hug as they smile towards the camera
candid shot of couple holding hands and walking down a busy downtown street
man surprises his girlfriend with a kiss on the cheek as they walk down a downtown St. Louis sidewalk
waist down shot of couple holding hands to feature their high heels and chic black loafers
a young couple lean against a light pull and kiss in a moody black and white portrait that feels like a scene from New York City
Couple with foreheads together as the sun sets in the city behind
close up of woman holding her fiance's arm to showcase her engagement ring
candid shot of couple holding hands and walking across a downtown intersection
candid shot of couple holding hands and walking across a downtown intersection as the girlfriend turn back to give a cute smirk to camera

Pizza With a Side of Lush Views

Had we ended in the city, we’d have already achieved a gallery bursting with new fave photos. But ‘sophisticated city souls’ is just one small facet of Alyssa and Drew’s dynamic personalities. They also really enjoy cozy and slow living; nights cuddled up together on their couch, surrounded by a seasonal candle, string lights and books they keep meaning to read. An intimate evening with their closest friends-turned-family. Spontaneous picnics in the park to fully get lost in the world – and so queues Part II!

In an overlooked valley on the outskirts of Forest Park, we settled in for our own private summer send-off with pizza from their favorite local spot, Pie Guy. And as a rare treat, enjoyed experimenting with a nostalgic direct flash look Alyssa and Drew really love. I think you’ll agree the results were pretty magical!

young man in white tshirt and dark denim jacket and woman in chunky green sweater with jeans lay on their backs in the grass with eyes closed as if daydreaming
gold oval diamond engagement ring sits on textured concrete and wild greenery
aerial shot of couple cuddling close in the grass, noses together
waist down shot of two pairs of legs in long pants, high socks and boots casually laying in lush grass
young man in white tshirt and dark denim jacket and woman in chunky green sweater cuddle in lush grass in Forest Park
aerial shot of couple cuddling close and kissing in the grass in Forest Park St. Louis
man seated with one knee up and extended leans over his girlfriend who leans into his below
aerial shot of couple cuddling close in the grass, foreheads together
couple walking down a grassy hill arms extending toward the other to hold hands
couple embracing in front of a romantic full willow tree on the edge of a large pond
woman in a cozy green sweater and jeans hugs her boyfriend in a white t and black denim jacket outsider
couple romantically pressing foreheads together and smiling as the wind blow the woman's hair
direct flash shot of a women laying on her side over her boyfriend's extended leg as he sits up behind her on a grassy hill
close up of woman leaning back against her fiancé as she sits between his legs and they smile to camer
a gold oval engagement ring sits nestled in a bride red flower on top of a taupe picnic blanket
women laying on her side brushing back her hair as her boyfriend's sits up behind looking off the opposit direction on a grassy hill
woman, daydreaming, leans back against her fiancé as she sits between his legs
woman laying across her boyfriends legs looks up at him as he sits and looks to her on a picnic blanket
the long stem of an orange wildflower sits inside of gold oval diamond engagement ring untop of funny pizza box top illustration
direct flash shot of seated man and woman laying on her stomach with her feet up cheers-ing two slices of pizza on a sunset grassy hill
the same couple playfully take bites of their pizza slices in the same poses
close up of couple holding pizza slices to camera to bring focus to a diamond engagement ring
cute cozy couple share a slice of pizza together lady-and-the-tramp style
cinematic shot of a couple laying interwined on a grassy hill below a tall solitary tree as the man brushes back his girlfriend's hair


Dreaming of photos like this of your own?

I LOVE helping couples level-up their photo adventures and create images that are hyper-personalized. To learn more about the unique couple/engagement session experience I provide, click HERE!


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