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sylvania ohio
Did you know that there is absolutely no requirement for a special occasion to document you and your loved ones? There doesn’t have to be a birthday, a wedding, a graduation or a new addition to make a good excuse. Documenting what you love just because you love it is always a perfect reason. Life changes every single minute and even the normal, everyday moments are worth being remembered.
I enjoy watching how Damon and Emily interact with their daughters. They seem to have a wonderful balance of love and tenderness while being on top of teachable moments and discipline. How cute are the photos of Damon with Harper? She clearly adores her father. Adjusting to a new sibling can be a little bit hard for kids. Damon and Emily have done a great job of walking with Harper through it and making sure she knows she is still just as important to them.
Being a blended family can involve occasional complications. Nathan and Sydney clearly love their kids and each other and they overcome any obstacles put in their way. They work hard toward their goals together. They make family time a priority by attending holiday events with parents and siblings and by exploring Toledo together. We are so happy to have them around!
More dogs? Obviously, you have come to the right place. Being a Toledo photographer specializing in pet portraits means that I share a lot of fluff featuring photos. (Say that ten times fast.) Chris was a last minute sign up for my September session special. I could not be happier that we got the schedule worked out so he and Braxton could get a few special photos together.
When Jaime contacted me to book her family photo session, she immediately let me know that he son, Teddy, has autism. She explained that he does not typically like to make eye contact and she wondered if we could focus on some candid moments as opposed to a more traditional portrait style. I was so pleased with Jaime’s openness about their needs for their session. I am always happy to accommodate my clients needs. It is so helpful to have a plan and to have expectations set in a way that creates the most successful outcome.
Joel is a Maumee Valley Country Day School graduate as of this past May. He just started his first semester at Ithaca College and is studying Cinema Production. Wildwood Metropark in Toledo was the location of choice for Joel’s senior photos. Not only did I get to photograph Joel, I got to photograph Joel with his dog, Indy. Including pets in a senior’s photo session is something I am always happy to accommodate. Joel was comfortable in front of the camera and could switch his smile on and off seamlessly. He let me incorporate some dramatic lighting and he was able to help Indy pose with him.
Lily and Rose were so much fun to work with! These two are a perfect match. Rose is still a young pup and she was full of energy. We definitely worked hard to get her to look at the camera but I am really happy with the cute interactions I got to document between Lily and Rose.
Today marks four years since I filed for my business license with the state. Four whole years!
If you hadn't noticed, I have learned a lot in that time. I work really hard to be very good at what I do. I am not a half-ass kind of person and I am going to make sure I can do a good job. I take every opportunity to learn something and I invest in my education. Skill and practice are integral to doing my job well.
I wanted to share a few images from the large family group I photographed earlier this month. The Fankhouser family had members come to Toledo from all over the country: Texas, Atlanta, Chicago and more. Hundreds of miles were traveled so that they could celebrate the holiday together. They decided that the rarity of the whole group being together merited professional documentation. The Fankhouser family included five children, fourteen grandchildren, and one proud patriarch. What an amazing legacy.
I was contacted by Stacey a couple days later and we set up a networking meeting. As a business owner, it is so beneficial to make connections and grow relationships with other local professionals. I highly value having a list of service providers that I trust to refer my friends and clients to. Stacey explained how passionate she is about changing the face of her industry and calling her peers to a higher service standard. She hopes to see more diversity in the professional world, specifically more women entrepreneurs. Stacey enjoys using her time to network and invest in the community as well.
What is one tip you would give other self-employed professionals who are just starting out? Business can be rocky, especially at the beginning, so it’s important to keep developing ideas—to be innovative, to try new things. Don’t become stagnant. Keep learning—attend conferences, workshops, webinars. If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. Observe and learn what your clients want, and adjust your services accordingly. I’ve learned in life that things often don’t go as planned. This is true in business as well. Don’t fight it; go with it! Being stuck in one certain mindset can be damaging to your business’s success.
Danielle contacted me about having some photos done of her and her dog, King. Danielle struggles with some really tough physical and mental health issues. She told me how King has stepped up to assist her in so many ways. King steps in when she has panic attacks and helps to snap Danielle out of the anxiety. He also helps to remind her to take her medication and he is by her side every moment of her day. King was genetically tested and it turns out he is part pit bull and part bull mastiff. He definitely got the size and looks more from his pit bull genes but some of his personality really did reflect the mastiff side. King is loyal and would give his life to protect his family.
Jessica contacted me in the fall to schedule some branding images for her new proofreading and editing business. I have known Jessica since I was in high school and we worked together for a long time. I know how much she loves her dog and I wasn’t surprised at all when she asked to let Rosie join in some of the photos.
Interviewing a writer about her dog produced a lot of amazing information. Check out Rosie’s story and Jessica’s insights into her dog.
I really enjoy working with guys because they come as they are. They don’t have quite as many concerns about wearing the magazine-worthy outfit that some celebrity said they should. I have worked with several who knew how to dress. They looked put together, and they chose pieces that showed off their own style and made them feel comfortable. I have also worked with several young men who struggled to pick more than one look. I enjoy being able to learn a little bit about each, and coach them in their wardrobe choices when needed.
Watching siblings play and interact at family photo sessions is always interesting. Some siblings tease, some wrestle, some even argue. I never expect kids to be perfectly behaved. Often, the adults struggle to listen to directions themselves. Not everyone feels comfortable and confident in front of a camera. That is ok. I make every effort to create a lighthearted and comfortable experience for all my clients. Sometimes, that means tossing the plan and trying something different.
We have had a special promotion running this month! February has been deemed FLUFF-uary! The whole month has been focusing on pets and animals! I have decided to give away a pet photography session to one lucky winner! All entrants were required to post their pet with a brief bio on our Facebook page. Now how do they win? You get to be involved in choosing the winner! Read through this article and pick your favorite fluffy entry. Fill out the form at the bottom with your choice's number to cast your vote! Entrant with the most votes wins!
You don’t have to be a photographer to enjoy documenting your life through photos. Many of us snap pictures on our cell phones on a daily basis. Kids, food, pets, friends, and activities; do you ever encounter a subject that you wish you could take better photos of? All living creatures are a bit of a challenge. They move, the make weird expressions, they don’t always listen or know how to pose. In this article I specifically want to talk about photographing your wiggly woofers.
Fall was just at its peak at the Toledo Botanical Garden when we met for these portraits in November. The boys were quick to smile and help their sister have a good time too. I love seeing siblings interact with each other. Toward the end of the session we let lose and played in the leaves. Elaina did not seem super impressed, but the boys loved it.
Rachel and Forrest were a dream to work with. They were fun and relaxed. They were cute and VERY into each other. It is so refreshing to see people who are so passionate about their relationship. We started the session by exploring the Toledo Botanical Gardens together. The gardens have so many unique spots, they provided some beautiful variety! Next, we went to the cute main street area of Downtown Sylvania for a slightly more urban look. I am so happy with how this session turned out. Congratulations Rachel and Forrest!
