10/31/11

Happy Halloween from Tom Paule Photography

From Tom and the Staff at Tom Paule Photography, 
we wish you a great and fun filled Halloween!

10/28/11


Super easy Halloween treat, make it on the fly (pun intended).

Lay a fudge stripe cookie face down and add a puddle or orange frosting. Top with a Hershey's Kiss.

Kids love em, okay, and so do Grownups! And everybody knows there are no calories in Halloween goodies!

10/26/11

Groundbreaking: Three Springs at Shiloh




Three Springs at Shiloh will offer a classic mix of quality residential options, commercial office space and modern retail, all carefully planned in a sustainable environment.

A carefully planned development, unlike any other in Southwestern Illinois, Three Springs at Shiloh will include something for everyone
  • More than $5 Million every year in new taxes to reduce the burden on home owners by generating new tax dollars to support schools and local government.
  • 10-to-12-Year phase-in to assure the smoothest development and planned growth with minimal disruption for current residents and businesses. Roads and infrasructure provided by the development.
  • 3,500 new jobs in landscaped commercial district.
  • Owner occupied, flexible living options for tomorrow's needs. Aimed at families with estimated prices ranging from affordable to the elegant at more than $400,000.
  • A pedestrian-friendly walking environment with office space, restaurants, neighborhood retail and regional retail services.
  • Carefully landscaped and meticulously maintained grounds, clearly separated and buffered from neighboring subdivisions.
  • One plan, with one proven developer committed to becoming an active member of the Shiloh community and to guaranteeing a quality development and a self-sustaining Shiloh into the next century.

10/24/11

Jefferson Barracks- Bldg. 51

Recently it was my privilege to photograph Building 51 at Jefferson Barracks, the Mental Health Clinic Expansion.




10/21/11

The Cheshire Inn in St. Louis is a beautiful property--- a top notch hotel for visitors and locals alike.



The pool does not look nearly as inviting this cool fall week as it did on the day I photographed it but I know that soon enough that refreshing water will be a great idea!




Staying at The Cheshire is like experiencing the best of Great Britain right in the heart of the Midwest.  Whether staying in one of our Themed Suites or our comfortable and uniquely appointed guest rooms, guests will experience a seamless blend of traditional touches and modern amenities.
In keeping with our theme, each of our rooms pays tribute to a great British author.  Guests will discover a framed biography alongside a hard-cover copy of his or her works.  Request a favorite author or discover a new favorite!

10/19/11

Katie & Tanner


Newlyweds Katie & Tanner were such a beautiful couple on their wedding day!



Their dog just might win the award for cutest pup in a wedding photo!


 Katie was a beautiful bride!


Here's to you Katie and Tanner, may you have a wonderful life....


...happily ever after!

10/17/11

It's always an honor to photograph a school and this one is one of St. Louis's newest.

The $21.4 million transformation of the old Beaux Arts Building and Pythius Hall into a charter school with science labs, classrooms and dance studios is nearly complete, with code inspectors scheduled to walk through the building next week.
And then Grand Center Arts Academy will move into the six-story building that had been largely vacant for more than two decades. Principal Lynne Glickert led members of the media through the building Wednesday, pointing out the visual art studios, theater classrooms, chemistry lab, rows of lockers and views of the city's arts district. (St. Louis Today)



The charter school, which opened last year in the Third Baptist Church across the street, is among several schools in the city dedicated to the arts. Central Visual and Performing Arts High, Carr Lane VPA Middle School, Ames VPA Elementary and Shaw VPA Elementary — all part of St. Louis Public Schools — are the others.


Last year, 200 sixth- and seventh-graders enrolled at Grand Center, Glickert said. This year, she is hoping for 400 seventh- through ninth-graders. The school, part of the Confluence Academy system, plans to add a grade each year through 12th grade.


Many of the original architectural details have been restored in the building at 711 North Grand Boulevard, which once served as headquarters for Carter Carburetor.


The renovation work was financed through loans and historic tax credits and was designed and developed by the Lawrence Group. The school will pay back the loan through its lease payments, with the option of buying the property after seven years, said Steve Smith, chief executive of the Lawrence Group.





10/14/11

Kori & Bill

I had a great time photographing the wedding of Kori and Bill recently. They're an awesome couple --- thanks very much to the newlyweds for allowing me to save those special moments forever!







10/13/11

Let's Go Cards!

It's exciting sports wise in St. Louis! The Blues have begun their season and the St. Louis Cardinals are heating up the post season as they hope to defeat the Brewers and move onto the World Series.

From everyone at Tom Paule Photography------

LET'S GO CARDS!!!


10/10/11

Family Computer Fun

We're so fortunate to be able to photograph great kids whether as a part of a sports team or with their family at a portrait session. We also love fun computer games you can play with your kids or that they can safely entertain themselves with.

Have you seen Draw A Stickman?  You've gotta' give it a try, so much fun! 
(Click the link to play)


Fair warning: Adults at work will be just as enthralled with it as the kids!  
 





10/7/11

Busy and Busier


How busy are we here at Tom Paule Photography? Very. See the adult beverage above? We ALL need one (or three).

Youth soccer and lots of it, everywhere you look thanks to the great kids and families of Clayton Soccer and Central Christian School. We're hard at work getting these photos ready for everyone who placed an order.

Last weekend was the big opening at the Peabody Opera House, we'll be back soon with a look at the festivities.

10/5/11

Wedding Photography

Yes, we are still taking weddings! Documenting brides and grooms and families on this very special day is high on our list of VIP (Very Important Photography).


Our open dates are closing rapidly so if you'd like to discuss having Tom Paule Photography photograph your wedding, please give us a call as soon as possible!


Data suggests that photographers are the second thing to be chosen on the list of wedding day requirements. First? The venue. Third? The DJ. Surprisingly choosing the wedding dress itself came in at 7th place on the list.

We've decided that perhaps the distant showing of the wedding dress's rank on the list was because so many brides plan their wedding out so far in advance. In doing so there are the Big Decisions to be made when the date is chosen and the dresses can all be tried on and decisions made when the date is closer.

10/4/11

Charities We Love: Wish Upon a Wedding



There are so many GREAT charities locally in St. Louis to contribute to, be a part of, or volunteer for. One of the great national charities with a vibrant and compassionate local chapter is Wish Upon a Wedding.

Founder and Executive Director Liz Guthrie says "based on the concept that two people in love should never be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, Wish Upon a Wedding has helped dozens of couples say “I DO” since its launch in January 2010. Our organization provides this opportunity to those who have endured far greater challenges than many of us could possibly imagine. The idea to start a nonprofit wish granting organization came to me while I was producing a large scale wedding giveaway in San Francisco in 2009. Over 350 participants entered to win a contest where there could only be one winner. With so many couples in need, I found myself wishing there was a way to donate a dream wedding to more than just one deserving pair. One amazing bride-to-be who entered, in particular, stood out in my mind. Vanessa Muza Teskey was battling Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while her fiance (an officer in the US Air Force) was deployed overseas. This couple ended up winning the Giveaway (through public voting) and their Love Story inspired the creation of Wish Upon a Wedding. Raised by parents that spent their spare time helping others, I learned early on the importance of community service. As a wedding planner with a background in nonprofit work, Wish Upon a Wedding now allows me to help people celebrate love, while encouraging those in my community to give selflessly to others. It’s a magical organization ~ One I hope you will join as we continue to make these special Wishes come true…"


Recently they issued a plea to help in the final stretch for making wedding dreams come true for selected couples facing a terminal illness. They're hosting a fabulous auction open through October 31 and have some really great things on their website. 





From Wish Upon a Wedding: With less than four weeks to go, you can still help us make Wishes come true, AND score some amazing deals on everything needed to plan your wedding or event, by visiting  Bid Your Wish for Wedded Bliss. This is the  largest online charity wedding auction of its kind, with over 300 wedding-related items, many starting as low as $50!

Wish Upon a Wedding needs your help so we may continue granting these very special weddings for couples facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering circumstances. Stop by and check out what products and services have been donated by the country's top wedding professionals all in the name of charity... Everything from dinner with Randy Fenoli to a one on one session with industry great and celebrity planner Preston Bailey can be yours with the click of a mouse.

The auction closes on October 31st. You'll find what you're looking for here . 
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We add that if you are not looking for a wedding themed auction item you might want to consider a monetary donation to this great organization.