Anva is a very cute place. The decor is fun but relaxing and comfortable. I am a lover of textures and Anva is full of lovely ones to look at and feel. I felt like the whole place spoke to me saying, "just breathe and be". Val is one of the most positive people I have ever met. Every other word out of her mouth was a compliment. I am drawn to people like that because I highly value words of affirmation. What better place to get a self esteem boost than your stylist's chair? Val was very knowledgable about her business and her services. She has her client's well being in mind.
Marquita says, "I think the most remarkable thing about my pack is the fact that everyone of them loves home. I never have to worry about them running away (and that is EXTREMELY uncommon for huskies as a breed). They may get bored and find a way to escape, but the only reason I know they’ve gotten out is because they’re at the door smiling at their accomplishment."
The ceremony took place outside, with the couple exchanging their vows beneath a beautiful tree. It was short and sweet and the couple even shared a mimosa toast. Every aspect of their special day reflected who Jodi and Josh are. A caricature artist was set up at the reception, for guests to enjoy, and also a photo booth, to document their attendance. The evening was filled with laughter and dancing. I admire couples who want to make their day enjoyable, not only for themselves, but for their guests.
"Family is family, whether it's the one you start out with, the one you end up with, or the family you gain along the way." One of my favorite things about working with families is that I get to see the diversity of what family looks like for each one of my clients. For some, family is just two. For others, family is furry. Some have big families, small families, blended families, single parent families. Some are family by blood, some family by choice. I enjoy celebrating all types of family!
We have had a special promotion running this month! February has been deemed FLUFF-uary! The whole month has been focusing on pets! 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.
The night ended with sunset portraits, lots of dancing and a sparkler send off. It was a beautiful wedding day and the perfect party for Nick and Lexie. I hope you enjoy seeing their special day from my perspective. Be sure to pin and share your favorites.
Little did Josh and Alyssa know that their February wedding would not be cold and snow covered. It turned out that on their day, last year, the temperature reached over 60 degrees. I would be tempted to say it was one of the most beautiful days of the year. The sun was shining and everyone looked fabulous!
As a firm believer in Murphy's Law, I'll be the first to admit things can, and will, go wrong. Equipment malfunctions are not rare and miscommunication can cause mix ups. Special moments can happen without warning while a photographer is changing a lens. Having a second shooter means that even if a mishap occurs, there is an extra person working to document your day and keep your images safe.
In the same article, Alexandra Horowitz proposes that there might not be a scientific explanation, "More than anything, I suspect that the very sensation of snow on the body is engaging for dogs. Have you ever run through the shallow waves of the sea? Why does kicking up sand and seawater make us happy? I can't say. But it is clear that it does."
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.
