Gianna – Talent Headshot Session

Gianna was one sassy girl who photographed so easily and so beautifully. She had “ideas” from the get go of our session of how she should pose and where we should shoot. I love a little girl full of spunk, and Gianna was definitely that girl. I loved Mom’s selection of wardrobe (although I have a feeling that Gianna had her say, too.) Below is a collection of my favorites from her session.

T.J. – Talent Headshot Session

I had so many sessions last year for new or existing acting or modeling talent, I'm hoping to get caught up and showcase them here on the blog daily for the next week or two while I get all caught up!

T.J. was a blast — his personality definitely shined through on his photographs. We met in Cincinnati’s Sawyer Point Park and had fun exploring and coming up with different looks for his selection of images. He had the sweetest smile, but can give the perfect serious face, seen below!

Mackenzie’s newborn session

I have been holding on to this one for awhile, but it isn’t because I haven’t wanted to show it to the world. I had done some sneak peaks on my Facebook page, but have never gotten to a full blog post of it. Now’s the time!

Last year I booked a newborn session for a friend of a friend. Sweet Mackenzie was born with a heart problem that was discovered shortly after birth. The typical newborn session never really happened for mom, Holly, and Mackenzie but at five months she called to see if I would do an in-home session. Just after our shoot I realized I knew Mackenzie’s grandmother, and I’ve been happy hearing month to month how she’s growing and getting bigger and healthier! I loved that she gave me so many facial expressions and sweet “faces!” during our shoot!

I’d share myself what it meant to photograph such a little thing with an already incredibly big story, but mom Holly does it best: 

“My entire pregnancy, I’d eagerly anticipated a lot of firsts ... first trip home, feeding, diaper change and of course, her first photography session to capture all of her perfectly tiny features. A few minutes after she arrived, I knew something was wrong. An hour, day, week and eventually a month later—I realized those ever precious first moments most moms get to show off with the standard hospital cap or put on birth announcements, were not going to be put in print. Mackenzie came home with a feeding tube through her nose and I took LOTS of day to day pictures but still longed for the opportunity to pose her and prop her with fun items and toys and outfits. Finally, almost 5 months after being born, we scheduled her first photo shoot! I went through the house picking out items to use and came across one of the decorations from a baby shower—a red foil heart with her name on it. HOW PERFECT! Our little heart patient holding her paper heart! These picture bring as many tears as they do joy—look at how healthy and happy she is! I am so thankful for God, miracles and that Marissa was there to capture this moment.”

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.

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!