A.J. graduated from Findlay High School last spring! A.J. is a super hard worker and he loves playing rugby! He has a classic style but we had to work on some jokes to get a genuine smile out of him. Overall we had a great time exploring Riverbend Park in Findlay and taking his pictures. For the last part of our session, we headed to the sports field where A.J. and his team play rugby. I think it is so great that A.J. chose to play a less common sport, and a tough one at that!
Kerri and her husband, Jordan, are expecting their first child this Christmas! They are very excited about welcoming this little girl into their lives. Kerri and Jordan are some of the most generous and loving people I know and I am positive that they will show their baby all the magical things life has to offer.
Jay and Cassandra were attending the fundraiser and placed the winning bid on my photo session! Jay introduced himself to me and explained they were hoping to have family photos done in the fall as it is such a nice time of year. Jay and Cassandra have three young daughters and were looking forward to updating their family portraits!
Our first stop was Middlegrounds Metropark. Middlegrounds is a fairly new addition to the riverfront in Toledo, combining the urban with the natural. After Middlegrounds, we headed to Adams Street to view some of the amazing murals painted there. We also stopped at the Toledo Lucas County Main Library for a few great shots outside the building. Cameron's session truly displays the diversity that can be found in Downtown Toledo.
It was a pretty piece left over from a gilded age. The young girl's mother had found it in the attic and thought it would look nice in her little bedroom. It hung unobtrusively on the wall waiting for the tot to be tall enough to see into its shiny mercurial depths.
Branding your business might sound like something that just happens. When you start your shop, your service, your product, branding and public image will just fall into place right? Wrong. Branding is something purposeful that every successful business has done. Branding has to do with logos, color schemes, names and aesthetic. But it is even more than that. From the way you speak about your business on your website to the smell your clients associate with your company, everything you do can impact your branding.
Jennifer proposed that we exchange portrait sessions and I just had to say yes! She and her husband, Jeremy, have a spaniel mix named Lucy. Lucy is an important part of their family so had to be included in their photos. My husband and I also brought our dog, Beatrice, who is a mastiff mix. Despite the size difference, Bea and Lucy got along perfectly. They both posed... kind of... and mostly paid attention to our directions. We got many precious shots of both of our little families!
Most of the time I am shooting for my job. I take portraits or I am documenting a commercial business. While all of my paid shoots involve my personal creativity, there are definitely expectations to get certain poses, light styles, a specific look. I am very happy to accommodate all of these things and often I also get to play a little for myself, but there is something truly refreshing about creating something just for yourself. No expectations except your own.
Autumn is nearly upon us. I have seen memes flooding the internet, counting the days to cooler weather, crunchy leaves, trick-or-treat, and, of course, the return of pumpkin spice EVERYTHING. People in the midwest really love the Fall!
I am the day, the sun, the light,
I am the giver of life,
My eyes burn with bright passion,
And my skin glows with great love.
I always ask my clients how they feel in front of the camera before I start a photography shoot. Are you nervous? Are you comfortable? This helps me to know how to lead their session and how to help them enjoy their experience.
I asked Emily how they were preparing Maci for the baby and she said, "We let her sniff the baby things and play with the things we will be using for her and leaving them out for her to get comfortable around". It sounds like they have a good plan to make the transition comfortable for everyone!
We are glad to see Emily and Damon happy, with a healthy baby on the way! Best of luck to you both in this new adventure! Enjoy these photos from their Maternity Session at Providence Park in Grand Rapids, Ohio!
I am the night.
I walk in shadows and I sing in solitude,
My eyes are closed but my ears hear every movement,
I bring rains of starlight and waterfalls of moon beams.
I do not sleep but I shroud the world in a breathing death,
For most, a temporary state of escape.
No Disney princess; I am a warrior queen.
My hair is the color of the tropical sea, hemmed in by a crown of lost life.
My arms wear strength like golden cords, infused with the energy of roaring waves.
My body moves with agility and speed, like the currents of the laughing deep.
My gown shimmers and shifts, as the sun casting a broad arm over a calm horizon.
My tale would push me further and faster, ever moving to explore every ravine of the ocean floor.
Alas, my feet, keep me tethered to the shore.
These photos show our explorations of Waterfront Park where we visited the Fleur de Flea market. We also explored the neighborhood where our accommodations were located, the Old Historic Louisville. We wandered around downtown and ate at Feast BBQ. The last group of photos were from Cave Hill Cemetery, a historic burial ground covering over 300 acres and boasting of such famous occupants as Muhammed Ali and Colonel Sanders.
When I began organizing my first group photo shoot, I planned to invite a variety of models to join us. The main goal for the event was to give each of the photographers an opportunity for practice and an environment in which to be creative. It is so easy, as a business owner, to become caught up in the "work" and forget the "art" that initially drew us to our profession. I decided to facilitate this day to return to the art without the pressure and restrictions that sometimes accompany a paid session.
If you observe Ruth and Priya interact for a few minutes, it is clear that they have a really special bond. Priya is definitely a strong personality, and sometimes she buts heads with her momma when she gets told "no" (what kid doesn't?). But Priya is totally smitten with Ruth and she loves her mom so much! The smiles that these two shared while singing songs together were priceless.
The mighty Great Dane is known as one of the largest breeds of dog. The American Kennel Club attributes the Danes with three main character traits. According to AKC, Great Danes are friendly, patient and dependable. You might think of the famous, dopy comic character, Marmaduke, when you think of a great dane. Or maybe you think of the mighty boar hunters as they were first bred to be.
These two were all smiles as we started their engagement session at Wildwood Metropark in Toledo. We picked a perfect day to show off the interesting Toledo weather. We had some snow on the ground, it was raining and very overcast. Such a contrast to their usual sunny Florida! But Ohio is where Grace was born and raised and it was nice to see the two of them experiencing Toledo together.
These photos were taken on a beautiful property just outside of Toledo in Whitehouse, Ohio. We were hoping for a snowy scene, but all we got were gray skies. I like to think that the pine trees still helped to convey the season. I truly enjoyed working with Tessa and Max again! I hope you enjoy their adorable collection of photos!
