Class of 2018

It was a pleasure to meet Madison and take her senior portraits! Something unique about Madison’s session was that we took most of the photos at her house and a few in an old barn yard. You see, Madison is very involved in 4-H and she wanted some pictures with one of her lambs before it went to the county fair. I understand Madison (and the lamb, Charlotte, featured in the pictures below!) did quite well at the fair…congratulations, Madison!

Madison also plays the saxophone for the Jonathan Alder High School marching band, and is on the golf team. I hope your season goes well, Madison!

The evening I joined the Yoder family to take little James’ newborn pictures I recognized the fact that his session was more than just some pictures, it was a true celebration of life! This little guy had everyone there…mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, aunt, and uncles all doting on him! What a great example of how helpful it is in life to have a community surrounding us.  We need others to cheer us on, to encourage and support us in the ups and downs, to point our eyes to Christ, and to love us. This little guy is blessed!

And just to give you a glimpse into the love and support James has, I asked his mom, Christine, if I could share a recent post she beautifully wrote about motherhood and the love God has for us.

In Christine’s words…

“Yesterday I was talking with my friend and she asked how motherhood is going. I told her it’s been amazing and how I’m obsessed with my son (and rightly so, I mean come on 🙂 ), but I also told her that lately Scriptures have been coming alive for me like never before…

I find myself telling James things like, ‘Oh you know your mommy’s voice’ and then think of John 10 and how we know the Father’s voice because we’re from Him, we are His. Another time I was squeezing James saying, ‘Do you know how much mommy loves you? Do you know?’ I wanted him to understand this unconditional, overwhelming feeling of love I have for him that he can never lose, and then I was reminded of Ephesians 1 and Paul’s prayer for them to understand this immeasurable love God has for us. I get filled with joy every time I hear my husband Vincent say to James, “I love you, son, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” and then I’m reminded of Paul’s words in Romans 8 that state “nothing can separate us from the love of God” (including ourselves.) Other times I will simply stare and marvel at this human Vincent and I created with God and be in awe that he formed from us, out of our love. And so it is between God and us–we come from Him and in Him is our origin. We look just like Him, just like James looks like his mommy and daddy. And so at the end of the day I told my friend that while I’m absolutely loving being a mom, I’m also now more than ever loving being a daughter.”

Special congratulations to this sweet couple…the new Mr. and Mrs. Strauss! Evan and Erin tied the knot two weeks ago!Allow me to give you a little glimpse into the story of their day told through pictures…For Erin, the day began in the bridal suite of the Embassy Suites in Dublin. Her beautiful lace dress literally glowed as it hung in the window. Flowers were sent to her room from the first man in her life…her dad! Photographing the wedding details helps to add to the story of a bride and groom’s day, and when one of those items is sentimental it makes capturing the story even more special.  One of Erin’s extra special details was her “something blue”…a blue heart sewn inside her wedding dress.  The heart had been cut from one of her grandma’s dresses.  She was really close with her grandma and in the last days of her life had the privilege of helping to care for her. How special to have a sweet reminder of her grandma close to her heart on her wedding day. The rest of the wedding day celebrations took place at St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church.  Below are moments from their “first look”… …and then we were able to capture a few portraits before the ceremony! Erin is a triplet! Both of her sisters stood beside her during the ceremony as her Maids of Honor. And a few pictures of the party!! 

Second Photographer: Jenell Shrock

Bride’s Dress: LUXEredux Bridal

Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse

Hair: Sarah Powers

Trent and Kelsey’s ceremony and reception took place on the campus of Rosedale Bible College. Who knew there was a forest in the middle of Rosedale, Ohio?!?  Technically, it’s not a large forest, however, when you have some tall pines, put a little work into clearing some low branches, and add a vision of beauty…you get a fairy tale-like wonderland!

First look under the pines! We took a little trip to London for a few pictures at the Courthouse. A few minutes before the ceremony their bridal party gathered around them to pray.A few minutes before Kelsey walked up the aisle, I remember hearing the wind whistle through the pines and the birds signing in the trees. Such a beautiful setting for a wedding! Right after being pronounced as husband and wife, Trent and Kelsey chose to wash each other’s feet. What a great way of showing love and service to each other. Instead of a unity candle they tied a cord of three strands to symbolize their unity with each other and God.

Second Photographer: Jenell Shrock

“Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!”  Psalm 71:6, NLT

This little guy was born at 12:06 a.m. Guess was his grandma’s badge number is?! 1206…pretty cool if you ask me!

Darby House ~ Galloway, Ohio

Ivan and Nikki’s day fell on a beautiful June day.  The sun was shining brightly and it was a bit warm! The girls started their day at a local hotel for all the getting ready pictures, and the guys got ready at Ivan’s house.  Nikki’s details, florals, and colors were so pretty! Nikki’s dog stopped by for a few pictures.  So cute! Nikki even had a wreath made for her! Everyone made their way to the Darby House…a beautiful, white fences, property with acres of pastures and trees!Time for the first look! I love that Nikki’s dad presented her to Ivan for this special moment! I never ask a bride to run in her wedding dress…BUT as I’ve gotten to know Ivan and Nikki a bit, I learned they are athletes.  So, when asked if they wanted to do a running shot down the lane the answer was…sure, if I can run in this dress! 🙂 Such a pretty setting for the ceremony along the Big Darby Creek! DETAILS!!

First dances…

Second Photographer: Andrew E. Weber

Venue: Darby House

Florist: Evergreen Flower Co.

Wedding Dress: Bride and Formal On Main

Tuxedos: Macy’s

Wedding Cake: Giant Eagle

Makeup: Shaynah Blair and  Hillary Haughn

Hair: Jamie Strawser and  Caris Whetstone

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”  Psalm 139:16-17, NLT

Over the last three years, this family has been on a journey that included cancer, healing, trust, unknowns, ups and downs and now…joy! This little miracle is such a precious gift to their family.  Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of Jensen!

Okay, now for some super cute “outtakes!” When you have a three-year-old along, you can’t help but get a little mischief caught on camera! Warning: these next few pics will bring a sweet chuckle!

YES! He’s pinching Jensen’s nose!

Peekaboo! How about we lick mommy’s face?!

My dear friends Jonathan and Caranda have been on a very long journey as they faced the pain of empty arms. Sometimes we don’t understand God’s timing. Sometimes the journey is just plain painful. Sometimes the journey doesn’t go like we would have planned or ever imagined.

In a HUGE praise to the LORD, Jonathan and Caranda’s arms are no longer empty!! Their story is quite honestly a bit mind boggling and all-together AMAZING!

Below are Jonathan’s words sharing about their miracle…

“How do you define a miracle? Ours came after five, sometimes discouraging, years of waiting.

Our miracle came to us through a cousin, just minutes from the end of her shift as a midwife, delivering one more baby. Ours came from a birth-mother who walked into a hospital without an adoption plan, delivered 45 minutes later, and decided that we were the ones. Our miracle came to us in a phone call that woke us up on a Saturday morning, telling us that ours had been born just minutes before. Our miracle is Avery Lynette Miller and we’re excited for you to meet her.

Class of 2017

Jeffrey Mansion, Bexley Ohio

Makayla is so pretty, and let me tell you she’s just as beautiful on the inside!  She has a heart for God and a desire to touch people’s lives for Him.  At the end of this month (literally right after graduation!) she plans to travel to Africa to work at an orphanage.  Then this fall she’s off to college to become a nurse!

Makayla, many blessings to you as you serve the Lord and touch people’s lives with His love!