Heather and Lon

Heather and Lon

My first engagement session of 2008!

Heather and Lon were SO much fun! I think Heather laughed almost the entire shoot! And, let me tell you, she has a great laugh! It is infectious. Their wedding is this April - right around the corner!

As always, here are a few of my favorites from their session...

This next one is probably my favorite from the session ...

This next one is using Karen's backlighting technique! I was so excited to get to use it!

(Karen, aren't you proud of me??? I can be taught!)

Love the lighting on this next photo...

Heather, I think this shot turned out GREAT!

Tried a polaroid effect on this next one ... I like it ... kind of old school.

I can't wait for the wedding - with personalities like yours, it is sure to be a super fun!

January PDO - Angie

Angie

Here are a few photos of our first model, Angie. The first photo is the lighting that we were practicing. Tim calls it the 'superhero' lighting - a nice rim light with a soft light on the face. I love the lighting effect although I think I'll have to practice a bit more. The light on the Angie's right cheek is a bit too bright.

And, because I LOVE flare ... I HAD TO ... (this was SO not the lighting we were supposed to be practicing ... I just couldn't help myself)

Here was our basic 2 light w/reflector portrait setup. I think the shot looks great.

Then we played a bit with some natural light shots. And, just a side note, when there is a red wall near you during a shoot ... you SHOOT IT. It was screaming to us.

This was shot while using the up/down lighting setup. In this case (downlighting), this was lit from high above. It has some nice moodiness.

And this was the 'uplighting' shot from the same setup with the light coming from below.

Tim had another 'station' set up for some dramatic spotlighting and 'darkening' of the background. To put this in perspective, it was pretty evenly lit inside the bar and that backwall was as well.

And some more natural lighting shots I took.

I will be posting photos from the other two models in the next couple of days. A BIG thank you to all of them for volunteering for the PDO.

If you are interesting in being a model for one of these PDOs, please email me (from my website) so I can put you on the invitation list. We will be attempting to do one every month. You do not have to be a professional model for these shoots (since we are all there to learn), you just have to be comfortable in front of a camera (and at least 18 years of age) and willing to volunteer your time in exchange for photos. We only take a few models for each PDO so respond early if you're interested.

Another BIG HUGE thank you to The Avenue (in Covington on Madison Ave) for allowing us to invade their amazing venue for an entire day!

Me

Me

Rarely do photographers ever like getting their photo taken. However, while I was shooting Tim's 'funny photo', he snapped this one of me. I looked at it and LOVED it. And, as if that wasn't enough, I asked him to take MORE! Yes, it happened. I actually ASKED someone to take a photo of me :)

First one is me in action ...

this was the second shot he took! Wow.

and, yes, that is a furry ball on top of my head - no comments from the peanut gallery.

Isn't that light amazing?

Thank you, Tim Wilking, for these shots. I really only have a handful of photos of me and these are amazing!

Project Runway

As you all know, I am a huge Project Runway fan. Last year I loved Jeffrey Sebilia - and he won!

This year, my 'fav' is Christian "The Fierce". I just got done watching last week's episode ... and Christian didn't disappoint.

I just love his 'tude. He is SO dramatic and a great designer.

January PDO

Today I spent the better part of the day (9-6) at our first PDO (Photographer's Day Out) of 2008. What a whirlwind!

I learned a bunch of new lighting techniques and had a blast!

I am completely exhausted and will spend the rest of the evening on the couch! Photos to come soon.

Kid Quest Unlimited, LLC

Kid Quest Unlimited, LLC

So you are stuck with the dilemma of having kids at your wedding and reception. You would really like it to be a 'kid-free' zone, but don't want anyone to be excluded because they have kids and can't find a sitter or they are uncomfortable being so far away from their little ones for the entire evening. Well, Kid Quest Unlimited is a company that specializes in bringing child care to you and/or your event! Yay!

What a fab idea ... and what an equally 'fab' gal who started the whole thing here in Cincy!

Meet LeDonna, the lady behind it all!

I have to say that she is one of the sweetest, most likeable people I have ever met. Such a warm disposition and a great smile!

Here is a photo I took of her for CincyChic last month: here is a link to the article.

Click Kid Quest Unlimited to find out more!

Random image

Another recent fav

- just a random photo from a CincyChic shoot I did in Dec.

A couple of notes of interest:

I have updated my portrait pricing for 2008 on my website. Since 95% of my portrait clients order a CD of the images from their session, I have included this in the session fee (except for seniors ... who still order prints for the most part).

Because I am going to be so busy this year with weddings and commercial work I am going to limit the number of portrait sessions I take for 2008. I will be taking 2-3 sessions a month - and that's it folks. So, if you are one of those people who wait until Thanksgiving to schedule your family shoot ... you may want to rethink things for this year.

Lyric Originals

Lyric Originals

I met Lyric at a CincyChic shoot in November. What a fantastic artist! I thought I would give her a 'plug' here on the blog. Remember how I mentioned a while back that I thought everyone should own at least one piece of original art? Well, here is a local artist whose work is so unique, brilliant, and beautiful. If you get a chance, check out her website:

http://www.lyricoriginals.com/

Here is one of the photos I took of Lyric at the CincyChic photo shoot.

Day Off

So today I am taking the day off. I am caught up (for the most part) and am heading out to find a new pair of jeans!

Hope everyone is having a great 'Hump Day'.

6S Management

6S Management

I got the opportunity to do another shoot for Anthony at 6S Management. He is promoting some new artists and wanted to update the photos they have on file for one of their long-standing hip-hop groups, Young Duece.

First up, we have Ashley, a Christian Pop singer. Talk about an amazing voice. I got to hear some of her songs during our photoshoot. I decided to give her a little bit more 'air' time here on the blog since she is new to the 6S Management team ...

Ashley is gorgeous, so there were tons of photos that I loved, these are just some of my favorites ...

This next one is probably my favorite from her whole session ...

Since we have shot the guys before, I tried to do some shots that were a little different. Artists are so multi-dimensional that it is intersting to me to see their different sides ...

My favorite shots of George were the ones with the dramatic lighting. They are very quiet, yet dramatic. He has the best skin tones and they light up beautifully. I always tell him that the camera loves him.

True fact.

PJ has such an infectious, fun, personality. And, did I mention that he is great in front of the camera?

Love the symmetry in this shot...

Anthony, thanks for allowing me to work with your talented young artists again! It was a blast!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy MLK Day everyone! Love this photo. Great lighting ... (I know, I'm such a photographer). Borrowed it from Wikipedia.

Read a bit more about this amazing man here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.

My Holga

My Holga

So I have wanted one of these cameras for about a year and a half now ... and I finally got one for Christmas this year! My husband is the best! I've already used my first roll of film and have sent it in for processing. I can't wait to see what my little gem has in store for me.

My thought is to take this to some weddings this year (along with my 'real' cameras). I want to take a roll of color and a roll of black and white film. I think it will add a little something extra and we'll just see what we get.

For those of you who have never heard of a Holga: http://shop.lomography.com/holga/

Etsy

Today I am posting about one of my favorite new sites ... www.etsy.com

This site is all about people just like you and me, who have something handmade to sell. There are so many cool things out there. Check it out.

For those of you having babies or who already have young children ... check out the Belle&Boo prints. I love them! They are perfect for a child's room. Of course, they have a 'vintage' feel to them. They also make great gifts!

Here are a couple of my current favorites:

Brittany and Jacob

Brittany and Jacob

Although I didn't get to photograph Brittany and Jacob's wedding in Gatlinburg, TN, I did get to photograph their reception back here in the Cin-City! I loved that we got to go out and shoot some portraits of the two of them ... but it was FREEZING outside. Brittany was such a trooper! I can't believe she was out there with NO coat on!

I decided to post more portrait-style photos from this day ... but, first, the cake!

Yes, in the middle of our shoot ... Jacob takes a phone call ... men!

I love this next photo ... it still makes me laugh!

Miss Brittany looking fabulous!

I told the guys when I took this photo that I thought it might be one of my favorite 'guy' shots ever. They thought I was just saying that ... but, as it turns out, I was right! I love it. I even like the darkness of it ... adds to the mood.

Their favors were in these adorable little paper boxes ...

A first dance shot ...

Brittany and Jacob ... I wish you a lifetime of happiness! I know I have already told you this about 20 times ... but I really really really (get the picture?) enjoyed working with you two!

A big thank you goes out to Karen, who I believe had just as much fun as I did!