Film Mini Shoot #1 | Daralyn & Barry

May 2, 2014

I've been having SO much fun playing with film the past couple months. Film photography is something I've loved since I started on this journey, but I've always been terrified to jump in because (shock) it's way different than digital! I take comfort in being able to look at the back of my camera and know that I nailed a photo … or not. And you just can't do that with film! Film is old school (yes, you actually load a film roll into the back of the camera), BUT you just can't emulate the look with digital … at least not 100%. No matter how you try. And I've tried. :) My style has always lent itself to film--I love bright, clean, light-filled photos--so stylistically it makes sense for me.

And so, after coveting film photography for three years, I decided that it's time to give it a whirl. It might be scary, but scary things push you and make you better, right? I recently bought a Mamiya 645 so that I could start to learn and play with different film stocks. I've had fun testing the camera on inanimate subjects, but I knew that I had to learn to use my Mamiya on people sooner or later.

Enter my little brother, Barry, and his girlfriend, Daralyn. These two were gracious enough to be my first subjects in a four-part mini shoot series. Over the next month, I'll be testing different lighting situations and locations and subjects with my Mamiya. Already I can tell this is going to be the BEST way to learn. Thanks ahead of time to everyone who's agreed to help me out!

What makes film so unbelievably great is that these photos are basically SOOC (straight out of camera). I may have done one or two tweakings (plus changed that right photo to black and white), but compared to the editing I usually do with my digital photos, this took me a fraction of the time. And it just looks so pretty!

Growing up, everyone thought Barry was the older sibling because he's a tad on the tall side (ha!), but it's true, he's younger than me.

Love, love love. Daralyn felt silly doing a photo on her own, but I think it's so cute!

And let's add in a couple digital snaps for good measure, shall we? Nathan shot with my 5dmarkiii while I was on film ...

Fuji 400H | Richard Photo Lab

Sara & Jim | Indigo Lake Portraits

April 21, 2014

Sara and Jim are two of my favorite people ever. I did their engagement photos last fall, and when I put out a plea on Facebook for models for a teaching session I was planning for my second shooters, they didn't hesitate. I'm so incredibly happy we got to work together again because these two are so fun. Jim has such a good attitude and a constant smile and Sara giggles at everything he whispers in her ear. Perfect. :)

Fun news: I'm starting to play with film. :) :) Sara and Jim were super patient with me while I switched between my film camera and my digital one. Up there on the left is film, digital is on the right.

Sara and Jim are getting married in Mexico in just a few short months!

Alright, I have to brag on my second shooters a bit … that one up there on the right is from my new assistant Samantha. She has a great eye!

Sara and Jim make me smile. :) As does that photo up there on the left by my assistant Markie!

Love this one. You too look good together … and next to that lifesaver too. ;)

Love the laughter. It makes me so happy to take photos like this!

Jeanna & Brian | Maternity

January 10, 2014

Jeanna and Brian are going to be parents so soon, and I'm honored to document this important time in their lives! I met these two gorgeous people downtown on a snowy December afternoon. It was a perfect backdrop for a sweet maternity session. I, personally, love shooting in the snow. The light reflects so beautifully, and it's just such a soft, serene look … perfect for a soon-to-be mom and dad!

We started inside (because, you know, it was a little cold outside) at the Cleveland Public Library ...

Jeanna and Brian have two wiener dogs and are educating baby on the breed. :)

Gah! Favorite on the right!

Can we talk for a minute about how gorgeous Jeanna is? She is equally as sweet!

Thank you, you two! I can hardly wait to meet Baby W!

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):