Leah & Matt | Gender Reveal

March 18, 2013

Leah and Matt are expecting their very first baby in just a few short months. Already, the pregnancy has tested them, but I know they feel like they have made it through the biggest hurdle and are just so ready to meet this little one. Leah is a super talented photographer herself, so when she asked me to document this important moment in their little family's life, I was really humbled ... and really nervous. :)

It was snowing like crazy (yes, this is March in Ohio) on my way to their house and I was shaking my fist at Mother Nature all the way. I have to say though, I love the combination of light snow and lovely light in these photos. And I think it's especially awesome because their baby will be born in the most likely sweltering heat of July. Now they have a contrast between the two!

Leah and Matt, THANK YOU for inviting me into your home to capture this moment. I really don't know how to use any other words to express how lucky I feel!

They used to cupcake with colored frosting in the center to find out if they were having a boy or girl. It took quite a few bites to get the news ... :)

Leah said she was pretty sure she was having a boy before the reveal, but I still think the moment was pretty sweet when they found out 100%.

Love those quiet ones up there.

I'm pretty sure there's a sunbeam shining right down on Miles' name ...

Again, I'm envious of my client's hair. Look how pretty and red and curly Leah's hair is!

To see more from Leah and Matt's fun gender reveal, click here to view a SLIDESHOW or watch it here:

The Best of 2012: Portraits

January 3, 2013

If I was being honest ... and I try to be on this humble, little blog ... I would tell you that I was petrified. In the fall of 2011, when I finally decided to go solo with this whole photography thing, I couldn't see farther than right in front of my face. I had just signed up to advertise on Wedding Wire and I really thought no one would contact me. I wouldn't call myself a perfectionist but I have this fear of putting myself out there before I feel 100% ready. And I didn't think I was ready. Slowly I'm learning that no one is really, truly ever ready. I realize now that sometimes you have to dive in with as much courage as you can muster and say, "Hey. This is me. Like it or leave it, but at least I'm gonna try." Lucky for me, this solo photography thing has worked out. And I couldn't be more grateful. Really. Truly.

Valerie and Alex were the first ones to contact me, just a couple days after I created a Wedding Wire account, and they gave me so much more confidence than they will ever know. From there I've been blown away by how many of you have believed in me to document your weddings, your itty-bitty newborns, your families—all the most important parts of your life. I know it's hard to give up control, I know you have pictures in your head of how you want it to look ... and I cannot say it enough: THANK YOU for choosing me.

I've been looking back at some of my favorite photos from the past year, and I want to share them all with you over the next few weeks. First up are my favorite portraits of 2012.

I've watched Baby Lane grow (newborn, 3-month and 6-month):

Amanda and Nathan (of Amanda Weis Photography) welcomed a baby boy into the world, and I got to take their maternity photos:

Travis and Zach graduated:

My second shooter, Emily, came into my life (yay!), and we practiced taking portraits with her sister, Katie, and Katie's boyfriend, Kyle.

Beautiful Baby Brenna was born:

And so was cute little Connor:

I met the Porter family:

Ashley and Justin got a puppy and I did my first-ever pet session:

My best friends Nicole and Kelby had a little boy named Owen:

The B family had portraits done before dad was deployed overseas with the Navy:

And last but not least, I got to hang out with Adrina and her family on a beautiful fall day:

Amanda & Nathan | Maternity

May 2, 2012

Ohhhh baby (no pun intended!) was I nervous for this shoot. Amanda and Nathan are photographers in Northeast Ohio, which means that they would UNDERSTAND what I was or was not doing during the shoot. We met for coffee beforehand and, lucky for me, I realized quickly that these two are totally laid back and sweet as can be. They're expecting their first baby ANY day now, and I know they're going to be awesome parents. I'm so honored to have photographed you, Amanda and Nathan! THANK YOU for trusting me with your maternity photos.

You two are so stinkin' adorable!