This post is written by guest blogger Steven Amrhein, Intern at Old Town Cape.
As some of you may know, I recently got engaged! One of the perks of getting engaged is the photographs that you get to take with your significant other to announce the engagement. Instead of going back home to O'Fallon for the photographs, we decided to take advantage of the gorgeous scenery in Cape Girardeau. Now, according to my fiancé, these have to be "lively, fun, loving...they have to be perfect!" It's what everyone sees when you send out the announcements and apparently if they are bad, then no one will show up to the wedding...or so she says. I did some digging around and came across someone that I believe is perfect for capturing and sharing the special moment in our lives.
Stacey Thompson, a fashion and portrait photographer, that lives in downtown Cape has some of the best work that I have ever seen. She strives to create a sense of timelessness in her images by avoiding trends and incorporating vintage and retro themes. We were pleased to find out that she has been in this area for her entire life and enjoys living downtown because she has the opportunity to scout out quiet corners that most people wouldn't consider shooting in - she wouldn't disclose where though! Stacey enjoys the sense of community in downtown Cape and explained that "people are a close-knit bunch; they value their neighborhood and strive to make it the best it can be."
If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing her work, you are truly missing out. She has promised to turn my fiancé and myself into models...after all, she is used to working with them! Models are referred to her through agencies who are in need of current portfolio photos. Occasionally Stacey can even request a model that is a good fit for an upcoming photo concept that she is working on. Several models have came from out of town with the furthest coming from a five hour drive away. Every time someone new comes to the area, they comment to Stacey how picturesque downtown Cape is, especially the Riverfront area. She enjoys working with clients who are expressive and at ease in front of the camera, but also finds joy in working with those who aren't used to having their picture taken.
Several publications, including two international magazines, have featured her work. She even has pictures on PhotoVogue, a portfolio section of the VogueIT website. Solis Magazine also decided to do a print feature on her work after she submitted samples to them. She admitted that she is a little worried though because Solis only allowed her to write 2,000 words to explain her work and she fears that she may have turned it into a rant about Doctor Who, Jim Butcher and Legos. While she is receiving international exposure, some of her favorite pieces still come from downtown scenes, one of which was taken in conjunction with Annie Laurie's Antiques. "I frequently shop at Annie Laurie's Antiques because she has such a great selection of vintage clothing and home decorations. A year or two ago, Laurie began a blog featuring models in clothing from her shop. We got in touch and I've had the opportunity to work with her on some incredible vintage fashion projects," Stacey explained. She also began collaborating with Deb for some work through Pastimes Antiques when she was approached to shoot the 2014 Fashion Faces calendar to benefit the Safe House for Women. They both share a love of vintage themes, and Stacey has since photographed several of her concepts with clothing from the store.
One of the best things about reaching out to Stacey for our engagement photos is that she knows how to work with you. I'm looking forward to our session in late May that we strategically chose in order to have warmer weather and blossomed trees - they'll make for a beautiful background. Before we even had a chance to discuss location, she informed us that she had the perfect place in mind. Check back in early June for a sneak peek at the pictures.