Picture LOVE. Picture PEACE.

 "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

- Martin Luther King Jr

Recent events have me thinking about what I can do in my community to promote peace and love and unity. I came up with this idea for a photo shoot food-drive/fundraiser on Monday, January 18 (yep! that's Martin Luther King Day!) from 10:30am to 1pm. The mini photo session is free with a suggested donation to one of two charities (or both!):

Worthington Resource Pantry provides food and personal care items to families in need. Please bring nonperishable food or personal care items. The most needed items at this time are:

• Canned Tomatoes

• Cereal or Instant Oatmeal

• Baby Wipes

• Hand Soap

• Feminine Pads/Tampons

Monetary donations can be made directly to Worthington Resource Pantry through their website (please show me your email receipt at the photo shoot).

Harper's Corner builds awareness and education around diversity and inclusion by providing age-appropriate children's books to community schools and libraries.  Donations can be made through their website (please show me your email receipt at the photo shoot).

Due to covid, the photo studio will be set up in an open garage space. Please wear a mask before and after your photo shoot.  There will be a space heater, but it may be chilly, so please be prepared.  Hand sanitizer will be available.  Surfaces that are touched will be sanitized.

The pictures will be sparkly and fun.  There will be a few love-themed props.  These pictures would make great Valentines Day greetings.

Each participant family will receive three digital images with print release.  

Please sign up here.

I hope at this time we can come together as a country in love and peace.  Thanks for your support!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A44A5AA2DA02-picture

Fall Mini Sessions 2020

 Today is the *official* first day of fall.  The longest summer break ever is over.  Christmas is coming!

Time is so weird this year... long, long days and short months (it is already late September?!).  As much as I have felt like we are in a holding pattern this year, my kids have outgrown clothes and shoes and hairstyles... they are not on hold!  And as strange as this year has been, I want to remember it.  Document us.

How about your family?  Is it time for family pictures.

I am offering several dates and locations for family mini sessions.  Mini sessions are 10 minutes.  Typically I can get family pictures and individual portraits in that time.

You have two payment options:

1- Just the basics... $75 for the mini session and 3 digital picture downloads and a print release.  You will have a gallery of 15-25 pictures to choose from.  You will have the option to purchase more digital pictures and/or photo prints through the online gallery.

2- I want it all... $200 for the mini session and all the digital pictures in the gallery and a print release. You will still have the option to purchase photo prints through the online gallery (but you can print your pictures anywhere).

Click here for my family mini session schedule sign up!

Tips for a great family session... Click here.

Not sure what to wear...  Click here.

Fall 2019 Family Mini Session Bookings

I am excited for this season's lineup of mini sessions!
I have some beautiful locations to choose from in Grandview, Upper Arlington, Dublin, Powell, and Columbus.
Mini sessions are an affordable way to get family and individual pictures... perfect for holiday cards, gifts, etc.  Mini sessions are $50 for the 10 minute session sitting fee and two digital image downloads.  Additional digital pictures and photo prints can be purchased separately.  Mini session galleries typically have 15-20 images to choose from.  If at the time of the session, you know you will want all the digital pictures, I offer a deal of $200 for all the digital images in your gallery (this deal saves you $50).
Because these sessions are outdoors, weather may disrupt the plans.  Should your session be rained out, you will have the option to reschedule or cancel with no penalty.

Powell Sunflower sessions:

These sessions are at a park in Powell where there is a patch of sunflowers.  It is gorgeous and summery.  Dates for this location are August 31 and September 2.  

Powell Sunflowers- Book now 

Hard Road Park sessions:

Hard Road Park has wildflowers and a beautiful meadow/forest backdrop.  It is one of my favorite places to shoot.  Dates for this location are Sept 9 and Oct 8.  Please note, this park only has port-o-potties... plan accordingly.

Hard Rd Park Sessions-Book Now

Wyman Woods Park sessions:

This Grandview park has a beautiful forest at a very fun park.  Dates for this location are September 6 and October 4.

Wyman Woods Sessions-Book Now

Fancyburg Park Sessions:

Located in Upper Arlington, this park has a fun small wooded area.  Dates for this location are September 21 and October 11.

Fancyburg Sessions-Book Now

Modern Old Dublin Sessions:

These sessions will be different for sure.  Old Dublin has a fabulous new library with modern grounds surrounding the building.  Photos here will be more urban style with architecture and brick walls, benches, etc.   Dates for this location are Oct 2.
(picture coming soon!)

DUBLIN LIBRARY- BOOK NOW

For suggestions on what to wear, click here.  And for making the most of your session, click here.

Make the most of your family session

So you've booked a family photo session.
Outfits are picked.  (Need help with that?  Click here.)
Now what?

Well, here are a few tips and tricks to get the best session possible.

Don't come hungry.  No one likes to smile when they are hungry.  If the timing doesn't work with a meal before, get a snack.  Pro tip: don't get your photo outfits stained and messy!  Stick with a snack that won't stain: cheese sticks, crackers, carrots, grapes, apple, etc.

Arrive early.  Allow plenty of time to find the location, park, and do any last minute prep (brushing hair, etc).  Family photo mini sessions are often scheduled back-to-back without much time in between, so arriving late may cut into your photo time.

Come happy!  If possible, schedule  at a time when you won't be rushed.  Listen to upbeat music on the way.  Keep the vibes positive.  I know in real life, it is easy to have something (or everything) go wrong.  Try to keep smiling.  You don't have to be a perfect family to capture a perfect memory. Pro tip: kids can get away with being crazy, but Mom and Dad have to smile through it all!  If Mom doesn't look good, the photo just doesn't work (Am I right?!).

Bring stuff.  If you have little kids, bring a favorite toy, blanket, book, bubbles, etc.  Some kids are nervous in front of the camera, and a beloved toy can help put them at ease. Plus, your photographer may be able to use it to get the child's attention, or use it as a prop.

Go with it!  Some of the best pictures are spontaneous and unplanned.  Have fun connecting with your family.  Be flexible and open-minded.

Bribes.  I have been there.  I will not judge.  Please keep your promises.  And please do not bribe with colorful candy that will turn mouths blue, green, red, purple, etc or make a mess otherwise. Small marshmallows, Smarties, fruit snacks, dry cereal for the little ones... these are all good options. 

Family Photos! What should we wear?

Planning family pictures can be tricky.  You got a photographer and a great location, now you have to look like you've got it together.  

Here are a few tips to help you get a picture-perfect family portrait...

First of all, look happy!  Mom and Dad have to smile no matter what.  Little kids can be crazy and it still works.  If Mom is crazy, the picture doesn't work.  (This is a RULE and there are no exceptions to this one.)  Sometimes teens make weird faces... and that's okay.  Even if your kids aren't having it, keep smiling.  This family picture is a moment in time... good, bad, sassy, crazy, whatever.

 Start  with neutrals.  Gray, tan, cream, white, black, denim, khaki, etc and add a pop of color.  Try to mix up the shades of your neutrals (some light and some dark) so your family doesn't blend into an indistinguishable herd.

Choose clothes with a flattering fit. Not too (tight buttons pulling or clothes stretching too much don't look great). Not too loose either (giant pants gathered with a belt aren't flattering in photos). 

What about patterns?  Plaids, stripes, small prints, florals, etc can all work, but they are not recommended if the pattern is very busy or the colors are too eye-catching.  How can you tell?  Look at your outfit from a distance, where does your eye go first?  If you see your face first, the outfit works.  If your eyes go to your outfit first, it is to busy/loud.

Layers add dimension to your outfits..  An open cardigan or jacket is a slimming look. 

 Accessories can help unify the family's look.  Scarves, hats, bow ties, necklaces, etc add a great pop of color.

 Large logos and graphic tees are distracting...
But you can't got wrong with Scarlet and Gray in OH-IO!

These aren't hard and fast rules.  Below is a picture of my family that has become a favorite... and I did put it on the B side of our Christmas card that year.  The preschooler chose her outfit... lace skirt and athletic leggings.  And there was a lot of action going on. But this is very authentic.

This is better.

 Here we go... much better on a totally different day.

Photo credit Walking Heart Photography... thanks for your extreme patience Heather Cesarz!

LDBB Picture Day

I am so excited to be photographing at LDBB this coming fall!
I will be taking school pictures at each of the centers: Grandview Sept 27 and 29, Short North October 3 and 4 (please note these dates have changes from the original posting), and 5th Ave October 11 and 13.
Now when I say "school pictures" I don't mean gray backdrop and stiff poses.  Nope.

I am thinking dynamic lighting and twinkly lights.

I am thinking fun and natural.

Holiday lights will be available (don't worry they are plastic LED and don't get hot) as an option.

This will be fun!

Packages will start at $20, and you will be able to see your pictures in an online gallery before you buy.  Printable digital files as well as high quality photo prints will be offered (prices for photo prints range from $1.50 to $100).

Stay tuned LDBB, I will also be offering an opportunity for outdoor family mini sessions at the Grandview location.  

Best and Favorites of 2015

2016 is well under way, but I did want to get this out there... my best and my favorite pictures from 2015.
(Mental drumroll, please.)

This picture... so what do you do if you don't have a big enough family to spell out OHIO?  Photoshop!  (This family does not have twins.)  We had a blast with this photo shoot!

Sometimes the outtakes are the best!  That face is priceless!

This photo shoot was for an elementary school teacher rock band!  (This is my daughter's teacher!)

 The lighting on this one... just so good!

 And the whole gang...

Hooray for creative educators inspiring our kids to learn and grow and enjoy life!

This family tried a couple of different poses, but this was the winner.  I love the sunny, warm lighting and the colors and the great smiles.

The youngest boy in this family had the best poses.  He moved like a model.  If everyone could be so cool and calm in front of the camera!

I love this picture.  I love this baby's story.  My dear friend found out just after the birth that she would be a mommy to this little angel.  The Christmas tree was set up when they came for pictures, and she truly was the greatest gift for this family... and I had a pink bow.

This family is so awesome.  Even the dog looked at the camera AND smiled!  Seriously, this is not Photoshop!

I got to do a newborn shoot outside!  Her big brother and sister helped pick the flowers used in this picture.  She looks like a little fairy baby.  And that tiny baby smile is so precious!

I love this sister moment.  So sweet!

This family has three ginger boys!  I loved working with them!  We hauled this little couch outside for the photo shoot.

This young man graduated high school and left for two years to be a missionary in South America! Not only good looking, but also just plain good!

It has become a tradition with this little guy to have a portrait taken with his beloved shark... every year.

And this family... my favorite!  

How did I do this?  I am holding the remote to fire the camera in my hand.  I see my kids everyday, but when they are frozen in time in this picture, I can really see how much they have grown!  My 11 year old is almost as tall as me!

Thank you to my fantastic clients for a great year of pictures in 2015!  Here's to a picture perfect 2016!