Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

You have met my cousins on the blog before but meet the newest addition to the clan – little Abby. Sooooooooooooo precious. Chris, Rachel and Tirzah welcomed Torrin to the family last fall, and Travis, Sarah and Caden had to even the odds. What a fantastic little girl. What more could she want – A dad with a mohawk, a fantastic mother, and a very concerned and attentive older brother to watch out for her. Sarah and I go way back to all sorts of shenanigans up at Gma and Gpa’s. Sarah can always make me laugh hard (especially when brother Josh is around). I have loved so much getting to know each other again and Travis as well. We share a passion for good ‘ole American gas-guzzling, anti-green, off-road fun that hopefully we will get to do yet this summer with the addition of a new toy (post to come later). Caden is also getting on the motorized wheeling bandwagon. See video of him on the electric 4-wheeler. Note the single leg propped up – I think he picked that up from dad or Travis Pastrana, not sure which. He cracks me up every time and is going to absorb Mom’s sarcastic wit – which I think is going to be absolutely fantastic. Abby has a great bunch around her.

Rarely do I photograph for fun or just for me anymore, and if I do I usually sit on the images forever because it just ends up being more work for me to do. Well I have discovered that if I go out with a certain vision in mind and just try to capture the one or two things that are bouncing around in my head, I am more likely to A) enjoy the photography B) actually do something with them.

I was inspired by the movie poster for the original Karate Kid when I took the first image, and then thought a cool family photo as a silhouette would be cool. The two sunsets are 2 nights apart and I am bummed that the clouds were covering the sun the second evening. But it still ended up beautiful as all sunsets on the water are. Earlier that day Dad and I hopped in the GW Invader and scooted in and out of the sailing race they have near the Boyne City end of Lake Charlevoix. It is a neat perspective because we sit so low in the water.

My family will be ecstatic that I am actually posting these – now I’ll wait for them to beg me to put some on FaceBook:)

A lot of couples come to me asking about engagement photos only because they are not getting married in or near Cincinnati, but what they don’t realize is that I TRAVEL for weddings all the time. Many of you know that I strongly believe the good chemistry feeds great photography so along that line – I believe it is way more convenient for couple to bring a wedding photographer with them because they will already be familiar with the person who is going to be following them around with a camera all day. Plus, when the wedding is all said and done and you need to talk to your photographer about prints or album design, you aren’t calling the Bahamas, Italy, south of France, or Chapel Hill, NC.

Morgan and Troy were just such a couple and we clicked immediately upon “Hello!” Before they said goodbye after our engagement session (in the snow BTW) we were making plans to get me to North Carolina to capture their memories! I am so fortunate to make so many good friends doing what I love. Morgan and Troy are two of the most giving people you will ever meet and you feel at home with them the instant you make eye contact. Troy, you are such an incredibly devoted man and you inspire me with the way that you talk with people. Not to them or at them, but always with them. And Morgan, your southern hospitality and smile knows no bounds. I am so happy that you found a fantastic man to share that with and grow together. Your passion for people and the Lord is so transparent yet has a graceful subtleness that balances you both so well. 30 minutes is too far for us to live from each other. You both have something so abundant yet oddly rare. Great things ahead, – FANTASTIC THINGS!!

Thanks to both your parents and families for showing everyone such a wonderful time. Many came from out of town to share your day and you all made us feel warm (not the 90 degree heat and humidity) and welcome. What a magnificent supportive family you both have from which to learn and grow. Thank you many many times!

Morgan + Troy at Chapel Hill Country Club in Chapel Hill, NC

Week in and week out, I am constantly amazed by the connections I make with my couples and their family and friends. Jimmy and Melynda’s wedding was no different and it was a blast. The rain held off all day, but it was a little windy. Which put a little kink in the fire starter’s plans(see the pics below), but what a great time! I went a little crazy with the photos this post because Nick Daggy came and second shot for me. A side note – get familiar with his name and work because he will be joining the team soon I hope! I couldn’t get enough of Melynda and Jimmy laughing, smiling and even cracking up a few times. Jimmy is a man’s man who loves to fish and be outdoors (and loves my home state of Michigan to boot), but he has a huge heart and soft spot that nearly had me rolling a few tears. And Melynda, oh Melynda – I love your vibrance and your unabashed ways. You and Jimmy will have a strong connection and understanding for the rest of your lives. Thank you both for letting me share in your joy, – and for letting me share my love of bourbon with Jimmy!