Paige + Noah: Lake Michigan Engagement

I met Paige a few years back just before her and I set off with a group to Zambia, Africa on a relief and documentary trip. Luckily for us a nice long layer over in London, England and what seemed like an unfathomable amount of time on the various plane rides provided us with plenty of time to get to know each other. Instantly I knew that this was a bright, generously kind, and outright hilariously funny girl that would one day meet a man just as equally wonderful to match.

Enter Noah. It wasn't long after we got back to the states that I started hearing Paige talk about him and there wasn't a question in my mind that she was smitten with him. Over the next year or so after that, through some trying and growing adventures shared between the two of them, Noah and Paige started dating and honestly I could not have pegged a better match for her. Noah's carefree lightheartedness was only surpassed by his compassionate demeanor and it was evident in every look and every smile he had around her that his heart was Paige's and her's alone.

Getting to watch these two grow together as a collective unit, ready to set out and change the world, has been incredible and altogether a blessing for all of their friends and family. These photos just begin to scratch the surface of how much fun, love, and joy is shared between these two for the other, and that is the honest to God-truth.

-Matthew

Peep-TSD (Easter Bunny Challenge)

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s almost time for warm nights and campfires! Well, we decided to get a jump start on a campfire game with our Easter-themed version of “chubby bunny” using marshmallow Peeps! The competition is fierce, and choosing a winner comes down to splitting “hares” with how close it gets!

Sure, we get a little choked up, but we thought it would be a colorful way to say “hoppy” Easter! And trust us…it gets awfully colorful with all this sugar. But in all seriousness, we at ShadowShine Pictures hope you have the sweetest holiday this Resurrection Sunday!

Happy Easter friends!

Shivani + Neal: The Bhagat Wedding Trailer

We cannot express how much we love these two, nor how wonderful it has been getting to know them over the last several years. We first met Shivani at her cousin, Amity's, wedding back when we had just begun filming weddings, and a couple years later Shivani introduced us to Neal at yet another wedding. Before we knew it the two of them were engaged and were calling us to ask us to join in their wedding weekend and be their cinematographers. Obviously that was a no brainer for us and we instantly said yes!

Honestly, getting to know their families, and specifically the Modys, over the years has been one of the greatest highlights of our entire wedding cinematography adventures. They always greet us with so much love and joy and they are such fun to be around and celebrate with! In many ways every wedding is a new excuse to go see old friends we've grown so fond of, and the fact that it was Shivani and Neal's turn to get married made the weekend all the more amazing.

You can't really sum up their weekend into just a word because there's really no description that could do it justice. The gorgeousness of all the details washed over us and left us speechless, Shivani's radiant smile and exuberant personality glowed the entire weekend, Neal's sense of humor and chill style kept us laughing, and both the Bhagats and the Mody families came together to celebrate this beautiful moment in these two's story together.

In complete seriousness, if we could relive this weekend over and over again we'd jump at the chance. We'll never forget this weekend or how much we are in love with these two, and we'll always be their biggest fans!

Wedding Planer: Rajul Pillai

Wedding Decorator: Colonial Party & Event Planner & Ankita Modi

Photographer: Ray Anthony Photography & ShadowShine PIctures

Florist: Bellisario Florist

Hair and Makeup: Raimonda Pejez and Tammy Pore 

DJ: Sandeep Hans "DJ Sandman" 

Wedding Cake: Sweet Dreams Bakery

Linens & Chivari Chairs: Modern Art Party Rental

Catering & Bar: Rangoli & Krishna Catering

Henna: Neeta Desai

Wedding Gown: Aishwarya

Grah Shanti Gown: Aishwarya 

Henna Gown: Asopalav

Reception Gown: Paras

Venues: Diamond Center, Canton Hindu Temple, & Mody Residence 

Margaux + Derek: The Lercher Wedding Trailer

They say opposites attract and that could not be more the case for Margaux + Derek. One of the first things they told us when we met them was that they are complete opposites on just about everything, but despite that, they both fell head over heels for each other when they met in St Louis, Missouri. Margaux fell in love with Derek’s humor, laugh, and goofy but albeit adorable personality, and Derek was enraptured by Margaux’s creative, bold, and graceful spirit. While from the outset they may seem like polar opposites, they without question form a perfect pairing, and you can see it in the way they look at each other – so much care, so much joy, so much contentment.

We were well in love with these two well before we ever got to their day, but little did we know that all of us would have quite the extraordinary day and grow closer and more in love with these two. The morning of their wedding at the picturesque Centennial Barn we could all see storm clouds gathering in the distance. For the most part that was a note that didn’t seem all that concerning at the time, but within just a couple hours we all realized the storm was much worse than anticipated. After tornado sirens went off we all were rushed into the storm shelter where we waited out the weather. No one was quite certain how the rest of the day was going to go but all you had to do was look at Margaux and Derek and you would know everything was going to be just fine. They weren’t perturbed, they weren’t worried. They had waited for this day, and no matter the weather, nothing changed the fact that this was a day of celebrating their love.

At one point Margaux said that she didn’t care if it was pouring rain, she’d still stand outside and recite her vows to Derek because that was how much he meant to her. Needless to say we swooned, HARD, at the moment. While being in the storm cellar there was plenty to be worried about given that a tornado was touching down just a few miles from us, but there was an unwavering sense of calm. These two people, Margaux and Derek, had a love so strong, not even the worst of mother nature could shake their confidence or love in each other. 

Eventually the worst of the storm passed and though we spent most of the day drenched after getting rained on at least another two times, this was one of the most memorable weddings we have ever had the privilege of sharing in. Margaux and Derek are already a beautiful couple that it doesn’t take long to fall in love with, but on top of that they faced a literal tornado and didn’t back down because they knew everything was going to be okay as long as they had each other by their sides. There’s nothing else that we could say that would stand as a testament to their love and their commitment to each other. 

Here's to Mr+Mrs Derek and Margaux Lercher!

Photographer: Willow Noavi Photography

Florist: En Gedi Bridal Floral Design

Wedding Dress: The Ultimate Bride| St. Louis' Finest Bridal Salon

Hair and Makeup: Olivia Riley Design

Wedding Cake: Holland Cakery & Sweets

Catering & Bar: The Vault, Bars by Butch

Vintage Rentals: Something Borrowed Vintage Staging & Rentals

Venue: The Centennial Barn

DJ: Underbite Entertainment

Bye Felicia... I mean, 2016

2016 has in the most literal sense been one heck of a year. Both with high points and moments of moruning and sorrow. For our team we celebrated 5 years of storytelling and had the opportunity to help tell so many stories of some wonderful and amazing people around our world. While some days were more difficult than others (as that's just life some times) we each enjoyed the many lessons we learned along the way these past twelve months. But if we are being honest, nothing can quite sum up how excited we are for all the promise and hope held within 2017! Here are just a few of the things that our team is looking forward to this coming year...

In 2017, I am looking forward to new creative endeavors... to growth, discovery, and wonder. I look forward to connecting with old friends and making new ones. To learning more about myself and the world around me. And not least of all, trying new local pizzas!

-Alan

The fresh start of a new year is what I am most excited for in 2017. Most people fear the unknown, but I am excited for the opportunity that it brings. The opportunity for growth and change. We can't go backwards, but here's to going forward and all the stories that lie before us!

-Kristin

While I'm without a doubt looking forward to the bigger things 2017 has lined up, like traveling to new places, finishing up projects that I'm eager to show to the world, and creating new ones that are just ideas as of right now. I find myself almost being more excited for the quiet moments- walks through the forest, movie nights, grabbing a cup of coffee, and doing so with the people that have grown very near and dear to my heart.

-Andrea

The things I'm looking forward to the most in 2017 are watching films I've never seen, hearing songs I've never heard, reading books I've never read, and creating more stories about love and hope, all with friends or in solitude. Newness, that's what I'm looking forward to the most. Oh, and the new Chik-fil-A locations within short driving distance.

-Adam

This past year has been quite the adventure, both in good ways and not so amazing ways also. But through it all I am thankful for the blessings that I was able to receive and the lessons that I learned. More than anything I  am looking forward to the many ways that my passions, my art, and my faith will be stretched in 2017. Growth isn't always easy, but it is necessary. While I am uncertain all of what this year will bring with it, I pray that 2017 would continue to teach me ever more what it is to care for my neighbor both here and abroad.

-Matthew

In 2017, I’m most looking forward to exploring new places, meeting new people, learning about other’s passions, deepening the relationships I’ve already been so blessed with, and taking time to ponder more. I’m also equally excited and terrified to be graduating and figuring out how to be a real person too I suppose. Onward and upward!

-Noah

2017 is going to be great, because my eyes will see new places, my heart will bond with new people, my ears will hear new music, my hands will experience new art and new stories and new connections, as well as hold my very first college degree, which means that I will be in the beginning of a new stage of my life. 2017 is going to be great, because it's a fresh opportunity for all things new!

-Chloe

Silver and (Squad) Goals: A ShadowShine Christmas Story

Christmas is such a fun and joyous time of year. From the bright colorful decorations and displays, to the nostalgic feelings of child like wonder that the season stirs within each of us - this is honestly one of the most wonderful times of the year. And while presents and gifts and material things tend to be on our minds for the holidays, the truth is that it isn't what you get that makes the day so festive and bright, it's who you have by your side.

As we begin to look toward the end of this year and think back on all the journeys, adventures, and stories we've been able to share in telling - just this year alone - we are incredibly thankful for this team. These wonderful people and artists that make up our family. The real present is being able to call them friends. 

From our squad to yours this Christmas season, Merry Christmas and may you all have a very blessed holiday season and New Year!

Aparna + Ankit: Engagement Ceremony

We first met Aparna and Ankit at their engagement ceremony this past August, and though we had already talked with them a lot leading up to that day, it was definitely at the ceremony when we realized how much we adored the two of them. Since then we've already gone on some fantastic and magical adventures together including a gorgeous sunset evening taking engagement photos on Lake Michigan. We can't wait for their wedding this coming Memorial weekend, but we'll never forgot this colorful, fun day when we first met this wonderfully sweet couple and their adorable families. 

For all the ups and downs this year has brought with it, 2016 has been an exceedingly special journey for us simply because of relationships like these that we've been able to make.

May cannot come soon enough!