I was recently asked to participate as a photographer in the 2008 Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery. The Heart Gallery was founded by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department in 2001 as a unique way to help children in foster care who are waiting for adoptive families step from the shadows into the light. Missouri is now one of 8 states that participate in this endeavor. Stirring portraits, which reveal the children’s amazing spirits and individuality, have helped many find permanent, loving homes.

For more information about the Missouri Adoption Heart Gallery please click here to take you to the website.

Congratulations to Kimaya Black. She is our 2nd Class of 2009 $100 winner for points she has earned sending referrals and being a terrific spokesperson and model. Here she is featuring our newest addition to our studio. “THE GARDENS AT NORDMANN PHOTOGRAPHY”. We are offering a SUMMER SPECIAL in our gardens with a FREE SESSION (10 am and 4pm sessions only) through August 29th.

I am sure a lot of you know that our son Paul for the past 10 months has been attending Hallmark Institute of Photography. This intense program taught all areas from portraiture, commercial, fashion, aerial and architectural photography. We knew he was doing quite well and were hoping he would receive one of the awards presented. I brought a point and shoot camera that I still am not sure how to use. And on top of not really knowing how to use the camera, I left the extra battery at the motel. Really, how often do the batteries run down in those cameras. I was taking quite a few pictures before the awards presentation and a red signal started showing LOW ON BATTERY. Now what. So I turned the camera off and every time an award was presented I turned it on and focused for that perfect photo. All the awards were presented and his name was never called except for receiving an award for being in the top 10% of his class along with 20 other students. We were very proud and I did get a picture of him receiving that award. I put the camera away because I figured the last award, the prestigious Mamiya Award of Excellence would have gone to one of the previous award winners. It was explained that this award is given to the best overall portfolio. The judges were from the MAC Group and several commercial photographers. The award is a $20,000 ad featuring the winner with several images and a bio in American Photo Magazine. They talked a little about the student to be awarded but I can not tell you what they said. With my camera safely packed away in my purse, I intently listened to the name of the winner. It happened in slow motion. They announced a name PAUL - there were other Paul’s in the class and then came NORDMANN. Oh my gosh!!!! I could not believe it. I was so ecstatic and all I could think of was getting my camera to record this moment and praying to the photography gods to please not let my battery die. I was screaming and running towards the stage to get that once in a lifetime photograph. I was able to capture a couple of photos to share.

This photo is Paul and his girlfriend Sarah Christman with the coveted award.

Ceremony: Missouri Botanical Gardens
Florist:Waletr Knoll Florist
Reception:Windows On Washington

We have just put in this amazing garden at our studio this spring. It is complete with annuals, perennials, and trees. A waterfall completes the scene. The garden has provided us with a unique setting to photograph our seniors, children and families. Leigh Kaiser, one of our 2009 Senior models gave us her time to model in the gardens. Thanks Leigh!

Click on this photo to view a slideshow with more images from the garden.

We are having a special kids and family session on this coming Wednesday and Thursday - June 11th and 12th from 4 until 7. For $99 you receive a session in our beautiful new garden with waterfall and an 8×10 portrait. We will donate the $99 back to Cystic Fibrosis. We still have a few appoinments available. Please call us at (314) 783-0300 to make your appointment.

All of our 2009 senior models have an opportunity to win money, get great discounts on their senior photos, and get a limo to their senior prom (compliments of Nordmann Photography.) Leigh Kaiser from MICDS is our 1st $100 winner. Leigh has been a great model and spokesperson for us. Thanks Leigh.

I photographed the Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk last Saturday at Tower Grove Park. It was an amazing event. Hundreds of walkers came out for the event. I am not sure how much money was raised but I know it was thousands of dollars. We are selling the images that we took, either candid or team pictures and are giving back 100% to Cystic Fibrosis. To view the photos for purchase click here.

Check out this slideshow below from the walk.

I have had the privledge to have Mitch Hallbrook from Whitfield High School intern with us for 6 weeks. He has been doing quite a bit in the office - from editing, color correcting and photoshoping our images to creating a My Space page. Today he was pulling up carpet and 2 days ago he helped create new sets at our studio. He goes on our shoots with us and assists with lighting. Next week he will be going with Kevin to shoot some sporting events. He has been a lot of fun to have around. Mitch is extremely talented and is a fantastic photographer. He was nice enough 2 weeks ago to model for us for some creative “wet” images. Mitch is also a talented skateboarder and snowboarder.

Say hello to Nishi - Class of 2009 model - Check out her slideshow below.