Kelsey + Andrew // Downtown Cincinnati Engagement

Admittedly, we don't know Kelsey and Drew very well yet. But from the short time that we spent with them hanging out, learning about their wedding, and shooting in downtown Cincinnati, I'm pretty sure we're going to get along great. What better way to become friends than getting kicked out of a public parking garage (right?) together? Stay tuned for their wedding coming this summer. Trust me, it's going to be beyond epic.

Cheryl + Nate // Engaged // Dayton, Ohio

These two are clearly perfect for each other. You can tell just just how much Nate cherishes Cheryl, and their love is infectious. On top of that, parking garages are probably one of our favorite locations. The only thing better than geometric lines and shapes is perfect light. We had both on this lovely evening. Can't wait to crush their wedding next summer!

Molly + Nick // New Philadelphia Wedding (Part I)

I'm so excited to about the new changes to our website and to be sharing on the blog with you all! You'll be seeing a lot more of me around here.  I'm also pumped to be sharing Molly + Nick's wedding with you. It turned out to be the perfect day. It's been insanely hot here in Ohio but this weekend it was perfect and rain free! We even had a chance to go out during dinner and take some beautiful sunset photos. Molly + Nick are a couple anyone could fall in love with. They are full of so much love for each other, their family and friends (which they have a ton!), and Jesus. They are the perfect example of why we love building relationships with our clients that will last past their wedding. When we truly connect with a couple it shows, they are more comfortable throughout the day, and the result is the ability to capture beautiful, natural photos. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day, Cameron and I are excited to be calling you guys friends and neighbors!

One of my favorite parts of the day is bonding with the girls while they get all pretty. I love getting to know all the bridesmaids and learning why they are so special to the bride. Ashley is one of those college friends you have for life. Cassie is a beautiful person inside and out. Annie is a sweet childhood friend. Morgan and Ali can bust out some amazing songs spur-of-the-moment. Katie, Molly's sister and maid of honor, was referred to as Pippa all day, and she fulfilled that roll well. Calli had a cute southern accent. There was laughter and tears and more laughter all day long. These girls were such a great group of bridesmaids, and I now know why Molly calls them her closest friends.

Don't you just love couples that naturally fall into place, that don't require direction?! Talk about a couple who is perfectly comfortable with each other, even when there's a paparazzi surrounding them!

Ashley + Nick // Dayton Wedding Photography

We love traveling for weddings, but I have to admit, it’s nice to be close to home. Ashley + Nick got married in Kettering, about a 10 minute drive from where we live. Can’t complain about sleeping in later and being home earlier! What a great couple. I consider them friends.

Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Kettering

Flowers: Hollon Flowers

Dresses: Altar Bound

Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse

Cupcakes: Sneaky Cat Bakery

Salon: 252 West Salon

Sheila + Andy :: Dayton Engagement (& Family) Photography

When we first met with Sheila and Andy, they made it very clear that their families were very important to them, and that they would be a very integral part of the wedding. When we were explaining why we include and engagement shoot with every wedding, we mentioned that we could turn the session into a combo engagement/family shoot. They loved the idea, and we were super excited to shoot it!

As you can see, they have some beautiful kids, and we were so impressed with how positive everyone’s attitudes were! Their family single handedly reminded Mindy and I why we do what we do, and reinvigorated our love for family photography.

We’ll be featuring Sheila and Andy’s wedding in a few weeks!

One thing Mindy and I have been talking about lately is including a little bit more in our blog posts about who we are and how we create the images you see. We’re a team, we actually shoot differently, but complimentary to each other. We have different personalities, and it allows us to approach each client a little bit differently and adapt to the situation. Mindy took the kids while I spent some time with Sheila and Andy, and it allowed us to get some really unique images in a really short amount of time. This whole shoot was finished in less than an hour and a half!

Mindy working the wide angle:

This next shot is pretty funny. As a photographer, I often find myself sitting, standing, or laying in areas I never really thought I would before.

And this is the resulting photo:

Joyce + Tom :: PART I :: St. Louis Wedding Photography

Part One.

We always love being able to experience something different at our weddings. Change is what helps get the creative juices flowing, and always seems to make our jobs more exciting. Every wedding is unique, but Joyce and Tom’s wedding was something completely different for us.

We started the day bright and early (great time for photos by the way!) at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. You see, Joyce is Chinese. Tom is not. We had the huge honor of photographing not only their wedding ceremony, but also the traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony. Our first stop was the Chinese Garden, with beautiful morning light spilling over the trees onto an eastern landscape with Joyce and Tom in traditional Chinese attire. Joyce looked absolutely beautiful in her bright red dress!

The Chinese Tea Ceremony is a way for the family to give their blessing and show their approval of the spouse to be. Joyce and Tom presented a cup of tea to each family member, starting with Grandma and working their way through parents and then aunts and uncles. After accepting the tea from Joyce and then from Tom, the family members then gave the couple a gift. It was either jewelry or “lucky money”. Red is a symbol of luck in the Chinese culture, so the family would put money in red envelopes to wish the couple luck in their marriage. It was intimate and emotional, with only family and their closest friends surrounding the events.

We gotta admit, one of our favorite parts was the homemade Chinese food for lunch right after the ceremony… SO GOOD!

Make sure you stay tuned for part two coming soon!