the end of summer on film
this time of year is always weird. the sudden change in darkness (I’m being dramatic) seems to happen so quickly. We spend all the summer months feeling free to do photos at weddings as we wish, now it’s like, “y’all eat? let’s … uh… go?” (or not, if you’ve looked around, I’m not one to force anyone to do any photos you’re feeling meh about!
So as these scans came in this week, I’m loving reliving back to warmer and longer days. As this blog usually goes: enjoy a mix of all the photos from all the events in no particular order! If you’re engaged and searching around here thinking we might be a good fit, I encourage you to reach out! Let’s start a convo and see how I can serve you!!
for a couple that prioritizes candids
advice for couples who don’t want to take a lot of time away from wedding day activities to do posed photographs
TLDR / spoiler alert: candids still take thought and time to make a part of your wedding day. Read on to see why we’ll be a good fit if you find yourself saying, “I just don’t want to spend HOURS on my wedding day doing photos".
I totally get it. Maybe you think you’re awkward (you’re probably not as bad as you think, we’re all awkward when a camera is in our faces!), maybe you just want to be unbothered by having to go take photos when you’d rather be with the entire group. I promise, there’s a compromise in the middle that’ll satisfy all of us!
The first step in making this a reality for your wedding day is being sure to communicate it to me. I have the best job. I get to people watch, intently, looking for moments that are meaningful to photograph. What an honor. BUT! When I have a couple who has told me that their priority is to be present, to be surrounded by people they love, it’s EXTRA that I have to look for those moments in which genuine interactions are happening. Additionally, my advice to you will look like:
stay with your partner - the more you’re together, the more photos you’ll have of the two of you experiencing that joy + love on your wedding day
be ready for some light prompting by me - if you are being congratulated by important people directly after a ceremony, it might be me saying, “hey over here!” to get a quick smiling photograph with that person. YES! hugs matter, but also seeing a face of a grandparent on your wedding day will always be a photo you cherish, I promise.
when you’re ready for a break (you will be ready for a break!), let’s take a quick escape with your partner + make some magic hour photographs! This can take as little as 10 minutes, and will give amazing results! Plus, I can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy that little breather together.
a post of favorites - film favorites Part 1 of ?
columbus ohio film photographer shares best images of 2022 shot on film: portra400, portra 800, cinestill.
I shared on my Insta how I had over 300 favorite of film photos, and like, who even would want to look at that many images PLUS most of them are my family (I’m biased, but those are my best work!) PLUS why would I make them into a reel. I’m nobody to just do something because the social media world says I have to! SO here’s part 1 of ??? to share my favorite, but not oversized heavy on images favorites of the year.
each roll (ish) I try to take a nice portrait of most kids, because they’ll still let me!
so that batch was within the January - August…what happened in august. Well. We have had the same photographer shoot our family photos since 2016 - because I’m a big enough believer in practicing what I preach: we go the extra mile + do whatever it takes to get Yan Palmer to our house when she travels. If you don’t know Yan, you should. She is a force. She’s part photographer part family therapist part magic! Once that session happened, I had a new found, re-woken NEED to shoot all the beauty and find all the light. Part 2 will come soon with the photos living on the coattails of Yan’s inspiration!
SLOAN + HAYLEY / SHARE WHAT YOU WANNA SHOOT!
I should know this, I’ve been doing this for long enough that I’ve definitely been through this cycle of learning before. Now giving it a permanent place on the blog will hopefully remind myself not to lose sight of it again!
What’s the lesson? Making art for art’s sake, that’s the goal! My newest reminder came in the form of reconnecting with Hayley over, what else? flowers! and ended with a late summer night spent with their dahlia patch.
I’m endlessly inspired by my couples - and it sounds silly because everyone is just a little bit the same, aren’t we? But getting to come into a space, and read your vibes, energy, love - it’s the thing that changes from shoot to shoot.
so the point, beyond the awesome time I had shooting with them is that mid summer I decided, I’m going to share what makes me happy - not the algorithm, not what I “should” share….and that’s what got Sloane, Hayley + me reconnected.
Statehouse Portraits
I’m super reluctant to bury that super awesome deal that lots of you are taking advantage of, but also when I revisit a gallery + super excited to reshape photos. Plus, I have a few upcoming shoots inside the Statehouse so might as well share + get inspired!
I love shooting portraits in such a classic + clean space. Plus, when you are wandering around, there’s usually plenty of time to get all the things we need. Here’s a glimpse of a beauty of a bride, enjoy!
Favorite Friday!
favorite wedding venues in and around greater Columbus, Ohio
IS THIS A THING!! Can I share some knowledge with ya!? We’ll go through as many favorites of favorites I can think of until it’s either 1. garden season or 2. wedding season! Ready for a bold start!? Favorite…….wedding venue in Columbus! Let’s go with a top 5!
5
STRONGWATER
Strongwater Columbus can start this list off strong. It’s basically a blank slate that a couple can do up as much, or as simple, as their vision allows. It’s easy to access - and the space allows for a variety of set ups on a wedding day. With both indoor and outdoor space, you’re set for any weather… and I’ve seen lots of it! THE rainiest wedding I think I’ve ever experienced…and I promise, while you might worry about rain on your wedding day, it always brings a level of emotion for your guests! AND, LET’S NOT EVEN GET STARTED ON THE SPOTS TO FIND FOR PORTRAITS HERE!!
You know you live in Ohio when….almost all of your favorite venues are because they are “safe for many kinds of weather.” And, while this is true for this venue, too, it’s hardly hard to see why there are a bajillion other reasons to love it!
This venue. Let’s just talk about how wonderful it is that Milo’s Catering went ahead and brought it back to life after what we’ve all been through since 2020. It’s simply stunning. And, a wonderful way to celebrate Columbus.
It’s wonderful in all the seasons…and Lord knows you can’t count on anything anymore when it comes to consistency in wedding weather!
**addendum**
I’m sorry, this list is incomplete without pointing out that….BY FAR AND AWAY, my absolute favorite place to shoot is on anyone’s private property. Anyone I’ve worked with, or even written back to an inquiry about a private property wedding knows this. There is something so so special about taking a space, meaningful to YOU, and transforming it to a place to welcome your most loved family + friends, and start your married life together.
