Arch Nemesis

Arch Nemesis? Not really------ but photographing around the St. Louis Arch does require a bit of education, information, awareness and paperwork.

If you want to have professional photography taken at the Arch or on the Arch Grounds there are a few simple rules. Know first of all that you are required to have a PERMIT--- a real live permit, no excuses! Failure to have a permit is cause for ejection from the Arch Grounds. Yes, it happens. Permits are free to acquire but must be requested several weeks in advance.

The grounds around the St. Louis Arch are gorgeous and nothing shouts St. Louis quite like having the Arch in your photograph. Some simple things to keep in mind when you arrive on site for your photos are:

• You're not the only ones on this large property---- be respectful of others!
• Here at Tom Paule Photography we are experienced in getting the best shots of you and the Arch ---- so you can relax, and enjoy. Keep your eyes on the lens, follow instructions and be open to things happening 'on the fly'.
• Be respectful of the Park employees, they work hard to make the Arch the best for visitors and STL residents alike.

Did You Know:

• The Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States at 630 feet; it is the city's best known landmark and a popular tourist attraction.
• Construction began February 12, 1963 and the last section of the Arch was put into place on October 28, 1965.
• The Arch is a structure known as a catenary curve, the shape a free-hanging chain takes when held at both ends, and considered the most structurally-sound arch shape. The span of the Arch legs at ground level is 630 feet, the same as its height.
• Each year, approximately a million visitors ride the trams to the top of the Arch. The trams have been in operation for over 30 years, traveling a total of 250,000 miles and carrying over 25 million passengers.
• The Arch weighs 17,246 tons. Nine hundred tons of stainless steel was used to build the Arch, more than any other project in history.
• The Arch was built at a cost of $13 million. The transportation system was built at a cost of $3,500,000.
• In order to ensure that the constructed legs would meet, the margin of error for failure was 1/64th of an inch. All survey work was done at night to eliminate distortion caused by the sun's rays. Since the Arch was constructed before the advent of computer technology, relatively crude instruments were used for these measurements.
• The Arch sways a maximum of 18" (9" each way) in a 150 mph wind. The usual sway is 1/2".

There is almost always something happening at the Arch---- make sure to do as we do, check with them to see if there is something scheduled that might interfere with your plans!

Weekend?

How was your weekend? Did you find yourself with too many plans to squeeze into a narrow window of time off? That's always the way it goes!

How about making some plans for NEXT weekend? We're already thinking about getting through the week that lies ahead!

How about a really interesting exhibit in the Loop? Robert Boetccher at Subterrainian Books has a great collection. He "was homeless, until he was given a digital camera by Inside Dharma, a humanitarian Buddhist organization that provides services to inmates and the homeless; then he became an artist. Boettcher captured images of St. Louis that most of us have never seen, and he worked diligently at his craft so that his photographs were more than just hard documentation. His photos of Hopeville, the tent city north of downtown St. Louis, show the sense of community that we're not normally privy to, and his images of the city's abandoned corners reveal the loneliness that comes with being outside society. Boettcher is unfortunately not homeless now; he's in prison awaiting trial for the murder of another citizen of Hopeville. Boettcher's photographs are a stark reminder that we are more than can be summed up in a few words. Each of us has the capacity to make something beautiful out of our surroundings, and we all have the capacity to destroy -- and just because we've done a lot of the one doesn't mean we can't turn it around and do the other." It's free, head towards Delmar.

Robert Boettcher

View the exhibit and maybe grab a root beer float at Fitz's? Sounds like a great time!

Every Friday night at Sqwires in Lafayette Square (just down the street from the Studio) Tom Hall is playing. A great opportunity to hear some great music, have some excellent food and kick off a weekend in style.

How about touring the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ebsworth Park? By appointment only, schedule a really interesting and visually exciting tour as part of your weekend. The tour costs around $10 and is a don't miss experience. The house draws people from all around the country so plan your trip ahead.

It might be Monday but we're already thinking WEEKEND........... bet you are too!

A Million Flashes

 
We see it every week-------------- and in churches and at events across the country it is usually the same. The flash from a million cameras, camera phones and the like all zeroing in on the subject at hand, wanting to take their own photo. It can be a small annoyance or an enormous problem. The subject of the photo, often a bride and groom has paid a professional photographer a good sum to capture their wedding for generations to come. To artfully and to the best of their experience create a photograph that will be pleasing, memorable and tell the story of the event itself.

What the armchair non-professional photographers do not consider is that they often interfere in the professional photographers duties. They get in the way. They slow down the paid professional and they often irritate or confuse the subject of the photograph. Flashes and flashes go off and what happens? It interferes with the photo that is the record of the day, the keepsake of the event, the legacy to the story. The resulting photograph might not come out as intended because a flash popped at a "bad" time, and a photo was not its optimal.

Professional photographers understand that people love to take photos! It is fun to have a quick snapshot on a cellphone, or a picture to send to missing family members or friends. Hopefully, those non-professionals will remember that they are not the primary or professional photographer and that their photographs come second to those that have been paid for. Be aware, ask permission, show kindness and concern for the people who have invited you to their event. Simple respect goes a long way in making sure that things happen as they are intended, and that nothing is really messed up. THINK before you take that photo.

Tom Paule Photography Sports

Sports Photography----- all ages, all kinds----- is a passion of Tom's. He's been privileged to photograph teams from all over the St. Louis metro (and beyond) for over 10 years.

A favorite? There aren't any favorites although watching the kids grow and get better at their chosen sports is definitely enjoyable.

The schedule is filling up, as it always does. If your team would like to get on the schedule please call as soon as possible! We'd love to meet you!

Please visit Tom Paule Photography Sports for more information.

The Meaning of Summer

For most of us past the age of 18, summer is (while great) a time we continue our normal workday routine with nicer weather. Sometimes we tend to lose touch of the feeling we had when we were kids, when summer meant time off, lazy days, swimming and fishing and hanging out.

My kids always help me remember a lot of things----

• What is Important
• How to Have Fun
• What Summer is All About!

Playing in the sprinklers is noisy business!

Doesn't it look like FUN?

I miss SUMMER----------- don't you?

Westminster Christian Academy------------ from the helicopter!

 "Westminster Christian Academy is located on a beautiful 30-acre campus in Creve Coeur, Missouri, which is in the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The outdoor athletic facilities include a soccer field, football field, softball field, baseball field, and five tennis courts.
Including the campus expansion that was completed in 2000, our facilities cover more than 150,000 square feet. Our campus features a 25-yard indoor pool, two gymnasiums, a library, a cafeteria, a student commons, four computer labs, and six science labs.
Westminster Christian Academy will move to the school's new campus in Town & Country Summer 2011."

"In the mid 1970s, several St. Louis families from the Reformed Presbyterian Church recognized the need for a distinctly Christian junior/senior high school that integrated faith and learning. Led by Dr. George Knight III, a professor at Covenant Seminary, a school board was constituted in September 1975, armed with the mandate to establish Westminster Christian Academy. Dr. Knight's leadership and passion helped define a vision and philosophy that have endured throughout Westminster's history. The founding Board established the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms as the doctrinal base for the school and used the integrated bylaws provided by the National Union of Christian Schools (NUCS) to guide development of the school's bylaws. The official bylaws were approved by the Westminster Christian Academy Association and incorporated into the State of Missouri in September 1975. Westminster became a member of the National Union of Christian Schools in 1975, which established Westminster as a viable Christian school in the Reformed Christian school tradition. In 1982, Westminster was approved as an accredited member of the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), an association of respected Christian secondary schools in America.

Westminster Christian Academy's first home was in rented classrooms at Missouri Baptist College. This venue not only provided necessary classroom space, but also offered access to well-equipped laboratories, a gymnasium, and other facilities rarely available to a small secondary school. The first-year curriculum included German, band, art and music. In April 1976, Mr. Nolan Vander Ark was hired as Westminster's first principal and Mrs. Evelyn Downs assumed the position of head teacher. The Board tasked the two to secure a teaching staff and open Westminster's doors in the fall of that year. Mrs. Downs later became principal.

 Throughout the following months, the fledgling school prayed faithfully, interviewed families, enrolled students, partitioned rooms, and purchased equipment, books and furniture, all with less than $10,000 in the bank. The school's vision was realized on September 7, 1976, when Dr. George Knight III addressed the students and faculty at an opening day chapel service."

Aberdeen Senior Living

Now under construction in Aberdeen Heights is Aberdeen Senior Living. I'm privileged to photograph this state of the art facility for Paric, it's a project that will make a difference in our community for many people.

This vital planned retirement community states, "newest Active Living and wellness retirement community coming soon to the heart of St. Louis. This innovative retirement community will offer spacious and comfortable independent living apartment homes for St. Louis seniors, progressive wellness programs and countless opportunities for social and cultural enrichment – all designed for engaged and healthy retirement living.
The unique Aberdeen Heights Health Care Benefit provides financial security through predictable monthly health care expenses and priority access to the full continuum of on-site care, if ever needed.
Since Aberdeen Heights is being planned specifically to meet the ever-changing needs and desires of today’s seniors, you can rest assured this progressive retirement choice will set the standard for retirement living communities in the St. Louis area."

 They're planning a Fall 2011 opening and are very busy meeting that deadline. I appreciate being involved with such a great project!

Happening at ParkPacific

ParkPacific is coming together, have you packed your bags yet? Paric is creating a gorgeous place to live, an oasis in the downtown St. Louis area!

An impressive exterior--

Such a beautiful landmark in the city--

Elegant interiors--

Very sophisticated--

yet very warm and welcoming--

The ParkPacific---

On the hot days as we've had, doesn't this look refreshing?

360

I always love to see St. Louis from the air! Up in the helicopter, things are quiet yet the view exhilarating!

Images from recent aerial shots-- see more details at 360.

Sneak Peek: Ope & Janelle

A great couple------ it was an honor to photograph their wedding and share their very special day!

A few Sneak Peek photos from their wedding:

Here's to Ope & Janell, may you have a life of joy and all great things!

Park Pacific Project

Another commercial project I'm happy to photograph for Paric is the Park Pacific Apartment Complex:

Touted by the owners as "downtown St. Louis’ premier luxury apartment address.  From the refurbished brick and masonry on the exquisite Art Deco exterior of what was once the headquarters of the Missouri Pacific Railroad to the unabashed luxury of the 230 brand new apartment residences inside, every detail has been thoughtfully planned and carefully executed for the comfort and enjoyment of parkpacific’s residents. Brand new studios, 1 bedrooms,  2 bedrooms, townhomes and penthouses all with panoramic views of downtown St. Louis.  Our building was the latest thing in 1926 and it’s the latest thing now -- offering unparalleled amenities such as the service of a 24 hour doorman, Wii® room, rooftop wading pool and grilling area and a 3,000 square foot fitness center."

It is a beautiful building indeed! The views are spectacular---- see above for the downtown vista from ParkPacific.

Kasey & Kyle

It is HOTHOTHOTHOTHOT H.O.T. in St. Louis today! We should break a record set at 97 degrees. Did I say hot?

Despite the heat and humidity of a suddenly very late summer feeling day, Kasey and Kyle are getting married today! Congratulations to the bride and groom, it's going to be a wonderful day for your wedding!

Renovation: Franklin Country Courthouse

The courthouse building in Union MO is stately, imposing, traditional and beautiful--- it's also undergoing a renovation by the Paric. "Paric has earned the reputation of a premier commercial and residential builder with expertise in historical renovation, development and adaptive reuse. Led by Vice President Keith Wolkoff, Paric’s Historic Renovation group continues to demonstrate a significant presence in downtown St. Louis, renovating more than 1.3 million square feet of commercial/retail space in just 10 years." Very impressive! I am honored to photograph projects for Paric and recently shot the Franklin County Courthouse, a sampling of images follow:

A long way from the current courthouse facility in use today, first there stood a log structure where the daily proceedings and business of the court took place.

 Today the courthouse stands on property previously owned by a trio of farmers who donated 72.5 acres that established the original town of Union. 

The courthouse as seen today was built in 1923 and had a complete renovation in 1970 after being bombed during the diversion of a bank robbery.

Greg & Linda: Wedding Sneak Peek

Greg & Linda------------ happy newlyweds after a great day with family and friends!

The guys were relaxed-------------- cool, calm and collected-

Girls? Oh they were very chill as well! The parasols were a great touch, make your own shade is always a great idea.

The Tale of the Two Kisses: The church kiss? Formal, traditional, slightly buttoned up. The kiss at the Water Tower? A lot more relaxed, yes? A little dip, bent knees, much more relaxed. It's fun to watch body language as the day progresses!

A great closing shot of the guys------------- the coolest of the cool!

Hope your Memorial Day Weekend was excellent and you're able to slide back into the routine without much difficulty-- hang in there we're halfway through the week!