Pablo – Katalyst Modeling Talent

Part of my new plan for building business for the year is to blog more often. 2011 was such a gaining force year for me that I found myself editing more, and blogging less. I want this blog and website to become a place that is visited often, and referred to much. Most of my followers come here to look at photography and design ideas, and that is specifically what I hope to deliver on for 2012.

I photographed Pablo for his up and coming modeling career with Katalyst Talent. I loved the fact that Pablo brought his passions into his photos and wardrobe for his modeling shots; he also does deejaying and is an avid soccer player. Pablo is Peruvian, and I think he may just have grown up loving soccer just a little bit. I heart the last capture shown at  the botto mof this post that caught a glimpse of his love for the game in the setting sun. A classic shot.

Here are some of my favorites from our two sessions together in downtown Lebanon, Ohio and downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Samantha + Justin — *Wedding

Samantha and Justin was the first wedding of the summer for me this year. (Shhhhh, it’s really not almost winter, right? Say it isn’t so!) It was a great start to an incredible summer with two very awesome weddings and with two brides who meant a lot to me, going back to grade school and college.

The unique factor to this wedding for me was that Samantha and I go way back, like really way back. Like first or second grade—way back. I tried to explain the awesomeness of this to my 3rd grade daughter when I booked this wedding in 2010; I told her “just think about one of your very best friends now ... and think about going to and being a part of their wedding 25 years from now.” What an awesome opportunity I had! Sam and I had touched base/emailed each other during our college years, and then thanks to the marvel that is Facebook we reconnected again. When I heard she was engaged, I knew I wanted to be a part of her day in the way I knew best, taking photos!

Samantha +  Justin’s wedding was at Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center in Mount Sterling, Ohio. An early summer outdoor wedding that had beautiful coral colors, gerber daisies in mason jars and a picturesque lakeside setting. Because the ceremony was early in the afternoon, I was also thrilled to have incredible natural light still around for the reception/dancing; this wedding photographer's first!

Below are some of my favorites of Sam + Justin’s storybook day; and some more photos can be seen in this online slideshow here.

Natalee + Andrew — *Engagement

I love getting to know the people I do through my work. It really is the best part of my job. Natalee and Andew are the type of couple that now that I’ve met I know already that I want to continue to build a friendship with for a long long time. They are truly a special couple. How I got to know them is this: Natalee sent in an awesome wedding video to Q102 back in the summer and because it was so awesome; she and Andrew WON Q102’s Military Bride Bridalrama Showcase giveaway that included their engagement and wedding photography with yours truly. I met them the day of the Bridalrama show and knew instantly they were the kind of couple I was going to have a blast documenting/being creative with.

I began thinking about and writing this blog post around 9-11-11. I am so appreciative of and have the greatest respect for the men and women of this country who are patriots, like Andrew. When I asked Natalee about how Andew came to be in the military (he was a young teen when 9-11-01 hit us) she responded, “Andrew was literally born to be a soldier. His love and desire for our country and standing up for it is very clear.” I also have great respect for Natalee, for being a young wife to a soldier isn't the easiest job either.

The art direction I had for their engagement session was pretty clear in my mind; a flag and scene (in rural Warren County, Ohio) that called to the American heritage and patriotism we all should encompass, but that Natalee and Andrew shine with. Doing it at dusk was just a bonus with the fabulous golden light we got at the end of the evening. And — Natalee and Andrew just purchased their first home together and we started at their new house to give them some cute shots of the house as they would remember it, when they were starting this great life together.

Can’t wait for their wedding in November. Thank you Natalee and Andrew!

Alyssa + Brian — *Engagement {No. 1}

I definitely had a college football kind of weekend. I spent Saturday with Brian and Alyssa, whose wedding is fast approaching at the end of this month. One of their ideas for wardrobe for their engagement shoot was in their matching OSU jerseys. I loved how Alyssa had the idea to bring the football along, too; and luckily enough we found some buckeyes on the grounds of her parents amazing acreage in Waynesville, Ohio where we did these shots—and where the wedding will be as well.

The Grubbs Superheroes

I am very fortunate to know this family so well. Our boys became friends, and then I realized mom Wende was into photography as much as me; and the relationship between our family and theirs has grown from more commonalities than one.

A great bond between them—and two boys close in age make for some interesting (and fun!) times around the Grubbs’ house. I was super (no pun intended!) excited to concept out some superhero ideas for their family photo shoot we did together in the early summer. Naturally with Kent aptly named, I couldn't get away from the thought of dressing him up like Clark Kent somehow and have him “peak” out a little Superman. Wende found a a great old phone booth very close to where we were originally going to shoot, so that little piece of the puzzle fell into place very easily. Of course, little brother Cole also wanted to dress as his favorite, Batman. And although Kent liked our Superman idea, he wanted to change into his favorite, Spiderman.

Below are some of my favorite superhero shots of our time together.