A Lush Ladue Family Portrait Session

It was one of those toasty St. Louis summer afternoons ~ the kind where even the most ardent nature lovers find themselves drifting inside, drawn by the promise of cool air and a moment’s pause. We took our time that day for this Ladue Family Portrait Session, popping inside for air-conditioned breaks (and water and treats) between frames, laughing as we went. The Millers, so gracious and fun, just rolled with it all! Being with them always feels like an afternoon well spent with friends who make everything feel effortless and easy.

Melissa has the most extraordinary eye for design ~ the kind that stops you in your tracks and makes you wonder how she sees the world so beautifully. Her attention to detail is something I find myself in awe of every single time I visit. The property looked so lush that afternoon ~ white flowers scattered throughout like delicate brushstrokes. She had the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in mind when redesigning the space after their move from California. The way she’s curated both the interiors and the sprawling gardens is nothing short of breathtaking. She’s endlessly gracious and thoughtful, always humoring me when I arrive and ask her to help me test the light, showing up in all the ways sitting for me and I snapped away. When I arrived that afternoon, she advised I just let myself in as they were getting ready.

Upon entering, she popped out on the balcony above with a happy hello and a warm smile ~ and this time, the sweetest, teeny-tiny white puppy (Rosie) sat at her feet. She quickly (quite literally) hopped down the stairs to greet me. I sat in the foyer taking off my shoes, and she walked right over ~ petite pink bow tied sweetly in her hair ~ and settled into my lap as I fumbled with the laces. Everyone lights up around her, and in that moment, I understood exactly why.

Despite the heat that day, everyone kindly indulged me as we headed outdoors for pictures. There’s just this timeless quality about their gardens and bright back patio that I felt would photograph beautifully ~ the kind of images that would melt seamlessly into their existing collection of family heirlooms adorning their walls. So, we wandered across the rolling backyard and beneath the mature trees, moving between cool, shaded garden pockets and open spaces where the light fell just right.

The kiddos are unreal ~ and I mean that in the truest sense. I’ve had the privilege of photographing Ethan and Everly as they’ve grown, and watching them become the thoughtful, grounded young people they are today has been so special. I know family photos aren’t always at the top of a teenager’s wish list, but they show up with such kindness, humor, and grace every single time. It never goes unnoticed, and I’m so grateful for it.

Ethan, heading into 8th grade, is so incredibly talented, articulate, and thoughtful ~ already dreaming about the possibility of Vanderbilt and balancing baseball, basketball, and tennis with the kind of ease and maturity that makes you certain he’ll do extraordinary things wherever life takes him. Everly, in 6th grade, is pure sparkle and light. She’s got heaps of friends (including a 14-year-old she insists is not available for babysitting, much to Melissa’s amusement), plays basketball and tennis, and has this mischievous twinkle in her eye that absolutely gets me every single time. When I asked them to stand together for a portrait that day, she rested her head on Ethan’s shoulder, glanced up mischievously and gave him the biggest squeeze. He looked back with a slight eye roll and laughed. It was the sweetest thing. Their friendship runs so deep, and I hope with everything in me that they hold onto it forever. Later, when I sat Everly down for a picture with her Dad, she looked at me again with a smile and asked, “Can I hug him?” I laughed and said, “Evvvv, yessss ~ do you!” Her sparkle gets me every time. It’s like there’s so much joy and life bubbling inside her at all times, just waiting to spill over.

At the end of our session, as I wrestled with folding up my reflector (forever baffled by it’s proportions) … Jared laughed and effortlessly scooped it up, saying, “OK, let’s try this.” He folded it in seconds while Melissa and the kids shook their heads, grinning. He brings the calm and the silly ~ explaining all the latest kid lingo to me (as Ethan and Everly groaned in the background), graciously dealing with the heat and my endless requests to move across the yard, always crediting Melissa when I complimented their stunning property. His kindness and humor are such a gift.

Following the session, Melissa had ordered pizza and asked if I’d stay. She has this beautiful way of making everyone around her feel seen and cared for. We sat around the kitchen island, laughing and swapping stories over slices and a bottle of Veuve, and I was reminded once again of how deeply I treasure this family.

When I finally said my goodbyes, they walked me out to the car, thanking me so graciously for the afternoon. I drove away with such a full heart, grateful for the privilege of documenting the beauty of their life together and love they share as a family. ~ Kent Avenue Photography