Fall Portraits In The Park-October 24th at Creve Coeur Park

Fall is a perfect time for family portraits. The Scenery is exploding with color and it's a great opportunity to get a jump on your Christmas Shopping. With the season closely coming to an end, Solea Photography is almost completely booked for the fall season! That is why I reserved a date for all day mini sessions. They are 30 minute sessions at more than half the price. You still have time to get your fall family portrait session in. Saturday, October 24 Solea Photography will be at Creve Coeur Park from 12-4. We will have the beautiful fall leaves as a background and pumpkins if you want some Halloween photos of the little ones. Call me at 636-751-1135 to reserve your spot for only $15.

Solea Photography featured in StreetScape By Night Magazine

Solea Photography was featured in the new issue of StreetScape By Night magazine. It was a great honor for them write an article about me. I have always loved StreetScape magazine and now they've come out with a new publication. You can read the article below or pick up a copy at participation locations. To find out were you can get a copy of StreetScape Magazine or StreetScape By Night, visit them at http://www.streetscapemag.com/

[STORY] Robin Seaton Jefferson

[PHOTOS] Nichole Olea - Solea Photography

Nichole Olea wants her photography to generate feeling, not only in her audience but also in those being photographed. With over a decade of photography experience, Olea aims to make every photo session into a work of art. “When looking at your photography, you should feel like it has a soul,” she said. “I would like for my work to get a reaction out ofyou. I want it to convey an emotion.”Her company—Solea Photography—was born from that notion. “Whether it is a senior portrait or a portrait of a newborn, I am capturing a moment in your life that can never be recreated,” Olea said. “This is who they were. This is what their life was at that time.There’s a value to that. It’s not just a snapshot.”Olea started experimenting in photography in middle school. “I was in a performing arts school in a massmedia class and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,”she said. From there, Olea would go on to obtain her fine arts degree and begin work in her first studio in1998.Olea said her work is more than just getting the perfect shot. “I just loved to be involved in the processfrom way back when it was still film. From constructing the photograph to changing the visual effect with the camera, from the darkroom to now in the digital darkroom with the computer, I just loved the whole process.”Solea Photography is a unique studio that Olea said tries to “capture the spirit in all of us.” Blessed with four children of her own, she is dedicated to passing down the special gift of a family heirloom through her work.“Being part of such a big family, you learn quickly to just be yourself and enjoy life as it is handed to you,”she said.Olea specializes in “environment portraiture” which allows her clients to pick the environment that best suits them. “Whether it’s a park or your home, I try to pick a location that’s comfortable for you.”Photographing her clients in their personal spaces teaches Olea more about them as individuals. “I enjoy getting to know them as I’m photographing them and getting their personalities to shine through.”Olea said she enjoys photographing high school seniors the most. “They’re so fun and youthful,” she said. “They’re just up for anything really.”But no matter what the subject,Olea said there is never a dull moment in her profession. Like the time she was photographing a wedding party and all of the groomsmen simultaneously dropped their pants. Or even the time she was photographing NewYork Yankee player Ian Kennedy’s wedding while he worried that the playoffs might put the wedding on hold.For more information on Solea Photography, call 636-751-1135 or visit www.soleaphoto.com.

Please keep her in your prayers

Meet Lydia Cox. She is one of the little girls that I recently had the pleasure of photographing for the Downs Syndrome Association. I Just received word that she has been in Cardinal Glennon hospital for the past month for heart surgery. She has had... major complications and has be in intensive care for the last week. Currently, they are trying ... Read Moreto ween her off the ventilator – she has had a bleed at the base of her brain and they’re trying to figure out how much “damage” this has/is causing (they think that it is impacting her sight and movement from the waist down). Lydia is such a sweet little girl and was so pleasant to photograph. I was blown away by her ability to communicate through sign language during her photo session. This is a trying time for her and her family. Please keep them in your prayers.Read More

Sneak Peek: Ashley and David

Here's a little sneak peek of Ashley and David's wedding. They got married at the Conservatory on Main Street and had their reception at Bear Creek in Wentzville. Despite the 100 degree heat, we had a great day full of wonderful photo opts including a beautiful butterfly release. It was one of the most touching ceremonies I've seen as they both wept with happiness through the whole thing. Congrats guys!

Engagement session with Stacey and Zack

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing Stacey and and Zack. We went to one of my favorite places, McNair Park in St. Charles. An engagement session is a great way for a photographer and a newly engaged couple to get to know each other. I really enjoyed hearing about Stacey and Zack's story of their relationship. I was amazed to learn that they met in kindergarten! WOW, how cool is that! Their wedding is planned for next August. Congratulations to Stacey and Zack. Visit us on Facebook to view a slide show from their engagement session.

And The Winner Is...

The final round of voting for the Millers 2009 Baby & Child Contest ended this week. After 4 long rounds of competition and 11,426 portraits submitted this year, Solea Photography ended up with 4 finalist in the final round. I am so proud to announce that 2 out of the 4 ended up being selected as a Final Round winner in the 2009 Miller’s Baby & Child Contest! Both families are receiving $500 from Millers Professional Imaging. Thank you Millers. I am soooo excited that I was able to produce prize money for a few of my wonderful families! BTW Solea Photography was the only studio to have more than one finalist winner!! Check out these smiling faces.

Congrats to Nicole and Pat

A big congratulation to Nicole and Pat who tied the knot on July 3, 2009. They had an intimate ceremony and reception at the lovely home of Nicole's brother. I love outdoor ceremony and this one was no exception, being on the lake in the backyard. It did start to drizzle a bit but everyone was very laid back and it didn't slow the party down in the slightest bit. Thanks guys! I had a wonderful time. And on a side note, Nicole is one on the teachers for my niece and nephews, Koan, Alethea and Burke. They absolutely LOVE her. (Thanks Nicole for taking care of my babies!) Here are a few of my favs from the wedding. To view a slideshow of highlights from their wedding, visit Solea Photography on Facebook.