Zack and Jamie

Told on:

April 9th 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri

Event Summary:

A Sweet & Sentimental St. Louis Engagement Session at Sugarwich + Carondelet Park

A Session Rooted in Story, Meaning, and Home

When I first talked with Jamie and Zack about their engagement session, I instantly knew this was going to be one of those beautifully intentional days — the kind that feel less like a photoshoot and more like stepping into someone’s actual love story.

From the very start, they shared that they wanted their session to feel authentically them — real, meaningful, and rooted in the places that have held their favorite memories together. I loved them immediately. Couples who choose locations that reflect their lives always end up with photos that feel richer, deeper, and more personal.

So when they told me the first location would be Sugarwich, their favorite neighborhood ice cream spot, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Starting at Sugarwich — A Sweet Slice of South City History

Sugarwich is tucked in a charming pocket of South City, full of nostalgia and character. Once the beloved Carondelet Bakery, it has now been transformed into a cozy ice cream shop known for their incredible ice cream sandwiches. There’s something magical about places with history — the brick walls holding stories, the smell of sweetness in the air, the way the light settles inside.

The owners were kind enough to let us come in before opening, giving us the entire space to ourselves. Jamie and Zack ordered their favorite treats, and we photographed them being exactly who they are — playful, joyful, relaxed, and completely in love.

There was laughter over melting ice cream, forehead kisses across the counter, and the kind of candid moments that only unfold when a couple is in a place they genuinely adore. It was the perfect start.

Golden Hour in Carondelet Park — Spring Bloom, Soft Light & So Much Joy

After Sugarwich, we headed just a few minutes away to Carondelet Park — a place full of meaning for them and one they visit often together. Spring was in full bloom, and the entire park felt alive: flowering trees, glowing patches of sunlight, and a soft breeze weaving through the grass.

This part of the session felt cinematic in the best way. Jamie and Zack walked hand in hand along their favorite paths, paused under blooming branches, and ran around laughing like two people who forgot they were being photographed. The way they look at each other — with this silly, sweet, quiet glow — made my job way too easy.

There were moments when Jamie and I had the exact same pose idea at the exact same time, and that’s when I knew:
these are my people.
Easygoing. Fun. Creative. A joy to photograph.

Ending at Home with Chowder — Cozy, Candid, and Completely Them

We ended our time back at their house — the place where their everyday love lives. Their dog, Chowder, greeted us with all the enthusiasm in the world (and stole the show more than once).

Photographing them in their backyard , playing with Chowder, laughing as Chowder begged for treats… these were the kinds of moments that felt less like a photoshoot and more like documenting real life. And those are always the moments that matter most.

At the end of the session, Jamie and Zack surprised me with an ice cream sandwich from Sugarwich — which honestly made me pause and think,

what did I do in a past life to get clients this wonderful?
Clients who always, somehow, turn into friends.

A Session I’ll Always Hold Close

This engagement session was everything I love about being a St. Louis engagement photographer — intentional locations, personal storytelling, and two people whose love feels effortless and warm.

Jamie and Zack reminded me, once again, why I adore this job:
because capturing love in the places where it actually lives — the shops you love, the parks you walk, the home you share — will always be timeless.

I feel incredibly lucky to know them, to photograph them, and to call them friends. I can’t wait for their wedding May 2nd 2026.

Dreaming of an Engagement Session That Feels Like You?
If intimate, personal, and real moments are your love language — laughing over ice cream, running through the park, cuddling your dog — I’d love to document your story in a way that feels natural and joyful.
Let’s plan a session that celebrates the heart of your relationship.