Featurette: Stuart and Lauren

It just so happened to be July 6th, one of the hottest days yet of the summer. "H.O.T." was the theme of Lauren's uncle's message during their ceremony. It stood for "honor", "only", and "time, talk, touch" and you can listen to hear what he meant by each one.

I loved the bright colors Lauren used throughout her wedding. I also loved that since Lauren and Stuart have long been friends before saying their "I do's", most of their wedding party were mutual friends of theirs. It reminded me in a small way of the day Steve and I took that first step as husband and wife almost 8 years ago.

We all talked before the wedding about how Stuart and Lauren's Feature Film will look and they really liked the idea of telling their story chronologically. Their Featurette you watched here is a shorter and somewhat liberal version of that type of storytelling. It's added a whole new dimension to their full film. I think there's a beauty in telling a story from "Once upon a time," to "...happily ever after".

This was also another wedding filmed with Todd Seimer Photography as his acting cinema branch. It has been so wonderful working with him and planning out ideas for our couples together.

Nice Package

I love learning how the business world works and can get lost for days in learning about branding and marketing! This type of getting lost is a good thing, unlike the time I found myself in the California mountains at dusk...alone...and geared up like a pack mule, unable to outrun even the oldest and lamest of mountain lions. Getting lost in business learning helped me establish my branding, and once I did, everything else seemed to fall into place. Next up on the list was to tackle packaging. Just how do I relay my hopes for each couple as they watch their film and keep it consistent with my style?

Other people are incredible inspirations when they're willing to share what they've learned along the way. So I went were inspiration and free advice is readily available: the interwebs. I spent time I should have been working (or sleeping) scouring blogs and Pinterest to gather ideas on my "Nice Package" board. But, you know how that goes. Given enough time clicking through links, and I somehow found myself looking at old images of trapeze artists and looking to see if there were still any operational drive-in movie theatres in Ohio. Talk about a rabbit trail. For my color inspiration, I also spent sleeping hours visiting Design Seeds. I think I dreamt in the most vivid colors those nights.

I thought about what I want my clients to experience when they first watch their wedding film. They've waited as I chipped away at hours of footage to create just the story with them in mind. With this anticipation, I want them to open a bottle of champagne, pop some popcorn, cozy up on the sofa together, and sit under the flicker of the big screen. I would love to recreate the feeling of an old school drive-in movie for my couples, but short of building my own here in town (or renting the one remaining drive-in in Columbus - yes, folks, there is ONE left!), here's what I came up with instead:



I would like to share all the information for those interested in where I got all the parts/pieces. The popcorn is very tasty and ordered from Amish Country Popcorn (for those in central Ohio, it's also available at the Anderson's). The tins and mustard colored box are both ordered from Papermart. The ribbon and twine from dear ol' JoAnn's. Business cards were designed at home in Adobe Illustrator and ordered from Overnight Prints. All of the printed material has been designed and printed at home (including the tin labels) using extra paper from when we made our wedding invitations. The paper shavings are my way of recycling. I stain my junk mail with instant coffee, dry it in the summer sun, then shred it to oblivion using our handy paper shredder. Wrap it all up pretty with some twine, and I'm good to go for now.



Now my couples can have their popcorn and eat it too, although the idea of a small drive-in has not escaped my brain waves. I'm pretty pleased with this first round and would love any thoughts on things you've put together for your business. Remember, it's all about being inspired from each other. So please, inspire me!

Columbus Revisited: Baby Lydia

With and excursion to places boasting of "The Finest Nuts Since 1898" and "Splendid Ice Creams", you know you're going to get some good images. I love being a fly on the wall and capturing the things that are bound to happen. We got ready in the morning, played some Mahjong with Lydia, and then took her on the best field trip ever.

The very first photo is what Lydia's mom calls her "cheese face", and you can see why. And it's the most adorable face ever! I look back through these photos and think of all the times we had together while Dave, Katie and Lydia visited from Boston. I can still hear Lydia's laugh and the things Katie said to get such a big smile. I can still hear Dave asking Lydia, "is it windy?" and blows her hair back. Having these photos is almost like having them still in town. That's what having memories like this are for, isn't it?

Woodland Faeries: Bethany Turns One

This one almost feels like cheating. We're good friends with Bethany's parents, so there's that. We also live next door to Bethany, so there's that too. A girl can't ask for much more than an adorable one-year old neighbor who likes getting her picture taken. I think I should take advantage of taking photos of such a happy baby more often. Mom brought balloons with us and we wandered off into the small patch of woods behind the houses. We all have fond memories of summer days spent lounging around the family farm in Fredericktown, so a natural setting was entirely apropos.

P.S. Mom definitely has the outfit coordination down. Just look how Bethany's eyes pop in each shot. Nice work, Mom!

Love Story: Johnny and Kristyn

Johnny's plan all hinged on the timing of the blooming cherry blossom trees at OU. Johnny and Kristyn had been dating for a number of years at that point and marriage was the outcome they looked forward to. You can watch as they share how they first met and when Kristyn knew Johnny was "the one".

They are both such easy-going people and I had a great time learning about their story. Scout, their pup, also came along for our shoot as he's a big part of the family. I'm even more excited to share in Kristyn and Johnny's wedding day in August! Keep a lookout for their Featurette debuting this fall!

Featurette: Jeremy and Allie

For Jeremy and Allie's wedding, we took a trip to the beautiful Hocking Hills area. They held their wedding at Crockett's Run, which is family-owned and operated. The whole location had all the feel to accompany the perfect summer day it was.

I loved the details that Allie and Jeremy put into their day, from the decor to having his uncles perform their first dance song. It's an acoustic version of OAR's "Something Coming Over" and my bride and groom had a splendidly choreographed dance to go with it. There will be moments in the full Feature Film to dwell on other songs that made up the day, like moments captured between Allie and her father. For their Featurette, I wanted especially to use this live recording from Allie and Jeremy's first dance to give you a small feel for how intimate this day was.

It was great working with Buckeye Entertainment, who did a great job bringing equipment down the hill for the outdoor ceremony and provided great MC'ing during the reception. It was great meeting Priscilla of Priscilla Joy Photography too! Stop by and check out her great photos from Allie and Jeremy's wedding day.

Featurette: John and Sarah

What struck me the most when thinking about a Featurette for Sarah and John was how in most every shot, someone was smiling or laughing. It immediately brought me back to our time together, where not only Sarah and John, but the entire wedding party were quick to joke around and had fun ALL day and into the night.

This is what I wanted to capture for their short. How your wedding day is not only about the vows you make, but the people you choose to surround yourself with on that day. How those who are your friends are indistinguishable from those who are your family because on a day like this "We Are Family".

It was also a great pleasure working with January Newbanks, who captured amazing photos from Sarah and John's wedding and also working with Candice Cracraft of Cloud 9 Weddings & Events. Both of these ladies know just how to be in the right place at the right time to make sure your wedding is captured and run smoothly. More props to Sweet Carrot Causal Cuisine, the mobile food truck that came by the reception at Station 67 and treated guests to the most adorable small fair food.

A Family of Superheroes: Baby Marlow

What I've learned from being involved in a family shoot, with a family and photographer that have history together, is the value of patience. For my new mothers out there wanting newborn photos, feel free to take breaks to soothe or feed your little one. For parents of young children, it's okay if we take breaks to play. As videographers and photographers, we're there to capture moments, and we'll take the time needed to let everyone settle in to having us around. What's most important is that your family (and you!) feel most at home and comfortable.

For something new, I was able to travel along with photographer January Newbanks as she took photos of Baby Marlow and her family. Mom and Dad, Brit and Brandon, have four great kids now and so this short film focuses not only on the newest addition, but also shows the value of siblings. Reese, Emerson, and Foster are all so different from each other and it's only a short matter of time before Marlow's own little personality begins to shine as well.

Bottles and Balloons: Evie Turns One

Here's what I love about children: they just can't help but be themselves. These smiles are genuine and these quirky little faces are all their own. What I also love about children is their parents. How, in a fraction of a second, they're there to help you walk over the back of a chair because it looks like fun to you. How mom and dad are there to hold you so you forget all you really wanted to do was jump in the pond and swim with the ducks.

This is what I loved about my time with Evie and her mom and dad, Kristin and Colin. Sure, there were balloons and the most awesome smash cupcake you can imagine, but it's finding these little natural moments within it all that really, really make it for me. Like the "I'm such a movie start" moment, or the "I'm so proud of myself" moment. Photographing children is a neat reminder that even though you're an adult, you can still enjoy the small things in life. Like a child. Next time you put on your oversized sunglasses, you can have your own "I'm such a movie star" moment too!