Archive for May, 2010

BRIDEface in action at a wedding I photographed in January

Lately I have noticed something that makes a huge difference in how a girl looks and feels when I take her picture…MAKEUP!  Having the right makeup applied by a professional can add to your pictures more than you ever realize.  So I asked Nancy Dawson from BRIDEface to answer a few questions about what she does:

DO ALL YOUR CLIENTS WEAR A LOT OF MAKEUP?

My clients really run the gamut on how much they wear and/or enjoy makeup. I’ve worked with brides who love dolling up and can’t get enough of the glam.  I’ve also had brides who prefer a natural glow and very subtle enhancement of their features.

WHY SHOULD A GIRL SPEND MONEY ON MAKE-UP WHEN THEY COULD DO IT OR HAVE A FRIEND DO IT?

Many brides are hesitant about pro makeup for their wedding and wonder if they can justify the expense. I tell my brides that having a professional do your makeup is an investment in your photography. Why not ensure that you look like the very best version of yourself?  What if you wake up with funky tan lines, a huge breakout, or puffy dark circles on your wedding day; are you or your friends equipped to address those concerns with shaky hands?

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO “TEST OUT” A PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST?

The best way to see firsthand the difference is to have your makeup done for your engagement session. I find that many people are nervous and feel awkward about having their picture taken.  Why not add the boost of confidence that comes from knowing your best features are highlighted, your less stellar ones are diminished and your eyes are sparkling, popping, and defined?  In photography, features can tend to “flatten out” somewhat and you need to use tips and tricks to bring features forward, such as using lash enhancements and contouring.

As a photographer, I couldn’t agree with Nancy more.  Professional makeup will give your pictures that little extra pop that sets them apart from the rest.

As you if you needed any more reasons to check out a makeup pro Nancy is making it even easier by giving you a 10% discount on your engagement session makeup. Just mention this post when you contact her!

Contact Nancy through the BRIDEface Website or the BRIDEface blog.

Lexington, KY | My friend Kevin and his wife Andrea just had the most precious little baby girl. Her name is Annabelle Rose…I love it!  Weighing in at 5lbs 10oz she didn’t really have any clothes that fit her which made things interesting.  We had to tuck, tuck and re-tuck her clothes but it was worth it.

It was so strange but very cool to see Kevin as a new dad.  He and Andrea are going to be amazing parents!  I really enjoyed having the rare chance to  hang out with them.  As you can see she is quite the little movie star already with her sunglasses:)

Here are some of my favorites from the day:

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Cincinnati Museum Center | Cincinnati, OH  There are few more iconic Cincinnati landmarks than the old Union Terminal train station, now known as the Cincinnati Museum Center.  With it’s vintage art deco style and unique architecture it’s hard to believe that this place is in Cincinnati.  To me it seems to be more of a Chicago/NYC kind of place.  It’s also extremely hard to believe that in the 70s this the Terminal was in jeopardy of being torn down.  That would have been a tragedy!

It was also the perfect backdrop for a very elegant vintage wedding thrown by Michelle and Tom.  What better way to create a vintage wedding than by using the venue as the starting point for the decor?  I loved Michelle’s hair piece and dress…so classy!

Michelle and Tom are a great couple!  I love their love for each other.  They seem genuinely and equally smitten and I know they are destined for a long and happy life together.

Here are some of my favorites from the day:  (My friend and second shooter Nick captured the left and bottom shots in spread #3, the far right shot in spread #5 and the bottom left shot in spread #6 <—-don’t tell him but  it may be my favorite of the wedding!)

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For those of you who didn’t get the reference in the title of the post…it’s a variation on the best baseball quote of all time…Google it:)

We love it when couples take their wedding and make it all about their personalities and things that are meaningful to them. This couple met playing softball and baseball in college, so they took the baseball theme and ran with it. The amazing part is, it’s really fun while still being elegant and even a little girly. Something like this would be perfect for two crazy Reds fans here in Cincy!

See more of this wedding here at Style Me Pretty.

My baby girl turns 1.

May 19, 2010

Red Tree Gallery | Oakley It is hard to imagine that a little over a year ago we were in a hospital room waiting on our second child.  This past year has flown by and what was once a 6 pound little baby is now a walking, (sort of) talking bundle of smiles and screams.

My little girl Lily turned 1 on May 13 and we celebrated at Red Tree Gallery this past Sunday.  As you can tell it was quite the extravaganza.  We are blessed with the most incredible family and friends as so many made the trip from Lexington, Indy and Dayton to be a part of her first birthday.

The theme for the party was Polka Dots which our friend Jessica took and ran with.  She is the creative genius behind ALittleGray.com and most of what you see in these pictures.  We are insanely proud of what she helped us pull off for this party (and by helped I mean mostly did everything).  Also a special thanks to Wendy, the owner of Red Tree Gallery, for giving us the opportunity to rent out the perfect space for our group.  If you are ever in Oakley and want to take in great art, drink great coffee and/or need WIFI please stop by Red Tree.  The atmosphere and art are unlike any other in the city…a truly unique place.

Happy Birthday to my precious baby girl Lily!  and congrats to my wife Edie and I for surviving another first year of raising a baby:)

St. Xavier Church & Radisson Cincinnati Riverfront | It’s always an honor to get the chance to play such a huge part in someone’s most important day.  It’s an incredibly giant-er (yes, I made up that word) honor photograph the wedding of a friend.

Jenny and I have known each other for 6 or 7 years now and I love her.  We all have those people in our lives who make the day better when they are around…that’s Jenny.  Her personality and smile are warm and I feel lucky to have had the chance to be with her on her wedding day.  I only met Chad through the engagement session we did back in the fall but when I talk to Jenny she is head over heels for him.  Listening to Chad’s best man give his speech, Chad feels the same way about her.

As you can see, their wedding was gorgeous…an historic downtown church and a beautiful hotel ballroom, a very classic affair.  And doesn’t Jenny look GORGEOUS?!!  I love her throwback hairstyle and the beading on her dress was insane.  Really beautiful.

Thanks to Father Knapp at St. Xavier Church, Jodi and the hardworking crew at the Radisson Cincinnati Riverfront, Greg and Mario at Mills Films for the video production, Tiffany at A New Leaf Florist for beautiful flowers and all the other people who came together to make this wedding amazing!

Here are some of my favorites from the day:

(My friend and second shooter Nick grabbed the shots in spread #4, the bottom right photo in spread #6, the far right photo in spread #7 and the far right photo in spread #10…great stuff!)

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A custom topper on your wedding cake is the perfect way to add a unique touch to your wedding. Plus, everyone at the reception will be talking about what a cool couple you are for putting dressed up elephants on your cake. Plus plus, Fyrefly gets to take pictures of it.

Love Birds by Red Light Studios

Celtic Wedding by LaceRubbish

Include your dog with Dandelion Land

Amazing paper sculptures by Concarta

Giraffe couple by Bunny With a Toolbelt

But maybe you haven’t seen this one, because it’s not so official. I love imagining all the fun involved in making this… and the very patient photography.

Enjoy. (found here.)

Holgamatic.

May 7, 2010

More Holga pics.  Check out the Holga Category for past shoots.

Shot on Ilford HP5 400 ISO B&W film at 6×6 format:

Heritage Park & Eden Park | Cincinnati, OH When couples make each other laugh it makes my job really easy!  That was this session from start to finish.  John and Heather obviously adore each other and could not stop laughing for almost 2 hours straight:)

Also, how much do you LOVE that Chevelle?  Classic cars and setting suns are what photographers dream about and I got to shoot both in this session…how cool is that?  John and Heather: thanks for a fun evening!

Here are some of my favorites from our time together:

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