Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Baby Max | Columbus Newborn Photographer..

Just before Christmas I had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with Mark + Lindsay, they were one of my couple’s! It was great news to hear that they were expecting their own little bundle of joy in December. I was so happy for them and knowing their family well, I knew everyone was ecstatic for them!

After a few complications, this little guy put Lindsay on bedrest and she was more than ready for his arrival. Finally on December 8th, she was given the go ahead to be induced. At 2:14 p.m., Max made his way into the world. He weighed in at 7 lbs 11 ozs. and measured 20 inches long. It was just one short week later that I was able to meet him! Such a precious boy he was, and he was such the perfect little model for us!

When I asked Lindsay what it felt like to be a first time parent, she responded, I honestly can’t put into words what it is like to be a parent. I knew I would love him and I knew I always wanted to be a mom, but I never imagined it would be this amazing! As for Mark, I love watching him with Max. She went on to say, I think for me I am looking forward to watching him grow into a little man and all of his firsts! But most of all I looking forward to just being with him and watching him light up as he starts to learn and move!

Mark + Lindsay! Thank you so much for letting me be such a huge part in documenting Max! Congratulations to you both, and while I know everyone says it goes fast, take in every single moment that you can! You won’t believe how much they can change in a year…and it happens in the blink of an eye! Many blessings over your new family and I pray nothing but good health and happiness for all three of you!

..PERFECT LITTLE MODEL..

love, echo

Comments

echoes of love

..Kevin + Melissa | NorthWest Ohio Wedding Photographer..

The sky was grey overhead as it cast it’s gloomy look on a day that was meant for sunshine. The wind gusts stuck to the side of my face walking from my car to the entrance of the heavy wooden doors laden with cast-iron details. Inside those doors I was greeted with the lady of the day, Miss Melissa. Zooming around like a bee, she stopped for a minute to greet me and thank me for being with her on that special day. Her smile exuberant as she handed over everything I needed for their detail images.

I moved out into the sanctuary, that was equally elaborate and beautiful. In just a few short hours Kevin + Melissa will end their engagement and enter into the life of marriage. I quickly gathered the details shots before the guys arrival. When I swept Melissa’s gown back into her room, the look on her face only got happier. It was becoming more and more real that after all the time she had waited, her moment was soon going to happen.

The next passing hour I spent time with Kevin + Melissa both getting dressed in their separate rooms. Melissa’s anxiety began to calm as she slipped into the gown that graced her so beautifully. Kevin, smiled and laughed as he was helped by his best man and his mother to get into his Ralph Lauren tux. Shortly after, a moment of silence took over the room. A gift from Melissa was being opened in Kevin’s hands. Something that was to be carried with him, even though he knew he was all along. Kevin’s brother had passed, and inside the box lay the dog tags that belonged to his brother. His best friend. His eyes glazed, he held them tight for a minute and then dropped them inside his jacket pocket. Even though he couldn’t be right beside him, Melissa knew that she wanted to remind him that he was there anyways.

Before we knew it. Melissa was standing at the back of the church waiting. Waiting for that shining moment that she would step into the center of the sanctuary doors for her husband to be to see her for the very first time that day. Kevin was led out to the front of the church by the pastor and his best man. They stood there and smiled as each maid and man made their way down the aisle. But even before Melissa came out, he got to watch both his and Melissa’s son and daughter come to the front alter. How precious it was to watch them come and join in their parent’s marriage. And then it was Melissa’s turn. She took her father’s arm. The guests stood. And she began the walk that they had prepared for. It had finally come.

Kevin + Melissa joined as one to be husband and wife on a dreary December day meant for snow. Even though there wasn’t the snow she had envisioned, she definitely received the cool air and wind that comes with it. We made portraits fun, but short and sweet. The rest of their evening was filled with laughter, excitement, and good times surrounded by their family and very best friends.

Melissa + Kevin! Thank you so much for asking me to be a part of your day! I know that it was a long time coming and I am so happy that the ‘hunt’ is over for the both of you! Congratulations and I hope that for years to come you have nothing but blessings and great memories!

..WAITING..

love, echo

Comments

echoes of love

..Kevin + Melissa Sneak Peek | NorthWest Ohio Wedding Photographer..

Last weekend it was April showers met December wind. It was wet and it was cold! But there was warmth between the love that Kevin + Melissa had for one another. It was finally their wedding day. Even though there wasn’t snow on the ground instead of rain, it still turned out to be a beautiful day!

Can’t wait to show you more on this lovely couple! Hopefully they enjoy their warm and sunny vacation in the Dominican Republic, and maybe when they get home they will be greeted with some of the snow they wanted!

Kevin + Melissa, I hope you enjoy those rays and sunshine! Have a great trip and thank you for letting me capture your wedding day!

..SNOW?..

love, echo

Comments

echoes of love

..kyle + andrea | columbus engagement photographer..

They knew each other in high school. The same high school I went to. {Although, a few years younger than I.} Both star athletes and destined for great acheivements. Each of them chose to attend The Ohio State University, which is where they became close. He felt like home. He made her happy. They began dating. She states, We’ve been together for almost 6 years and I can’t imagine my life without him. I know that feeling and I could definitely relate!

In August, they were vacationing on ..Middle Bass Island.. at Lake Erie, when their lives together took the turn she had been waiting for. After taking a bike ride around the island, they went to sit on the edge of the pier. It was a fabulous day and it was one of Andrea’s most favorite places to be. They were chatting and enjoying the afternoon when Kyle spoke up. He said, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. {Insert movie reel now.} Andrea replied, Well Kyle, I want to spend the rest of my life with you…{thinking duh!} That’s when he pulled out the beautiful ring and asked her to be his wife.

I can just imagine this beautiful scenic place, with the wind blowing through her gorgeous curly hair. {If it were me, I probably would have dropped the ring in the water in a frenzy…so I’m glad it wasn’t 🙂 } I’m sure Kyle took much precaution to making sure that didn’t happen!

Shortly afterward is when I received word from Andrea that she, 1.) Didn’t have a date + 2.) Didn’t have a location for their wedding. BUT they knew they wanted me to capture their special day…and ONLY me! It is unbelievably hard to describe that feeling and honor. It is what drives me to create the images that I do for my clients. I know that they are asking me to be with them because they cherish me and my work! I get such a creative high that I just can’t wait until I get to be with them through the new journey they are about to take.

With Kyle in Columbus and about to graduate, Andrea in Pittsburgh, + my crazy fall schedule, we found one date to meet up! It seriously couldn’t have been any better weather for fall! On campus, it was the perfect night and our time near Mirror Lake + the Oval’s were not spoiled!

Kyle + Andrea! Thank you so much for being so amazing and for choosing me to spend such an amazing November evening with you! I know that you are already on the countdown, and you are nearing only 10 months to go! Many blessings over these next months of planning. It will go so fast!

..EDGE OF THE PIER..

love, echo

Comments

echoes of love

..Sauber Family | NorthWest Ohio Portrait Photographer..

I adore this family. Plain and simple. A-dore! They are my family, and I couldn’t have been more blessed to spend some time with them. Living 2+ hours South, both the boys still being young, and Nick in med school, it’s not often that we get to hang out. {We used to be right across town, we were so spoiled then!}

Anyways, it’s been awhile since I have caught you up on their happenings. We didn’t even get a chance to do a one year session with Lukas, because as you know, one year old birthday parties can be tough. Stretching out nap time, equals in crankiness which leads into not such a pretty time for pictures. {We didn’t even get many for Eli’s birthday, which I still have yet to share!}

During our time home together, Lukas + Eli had the opportunity to hang out and watch Mickey Mouse, share toys, and start creating mischief. I know that they are going to be teaching each other things for years to come! When I asked Laura how he was doing, she replied, He’s a chatter box. He says so many words. He loves “car,” and said “sock,” this morning and decided that he’d keep saying “book” as he was pulling all his books off the shelf. Everyday after school he runs for the Direct TV remote and says, “bump, bump, bump” and points at the TV. Apparently that means Mickey Mouse! He makes silly faces to make you laugh, and has finally gotten the word “pleeease.” He gives big hugs and wet kisses and says “whooaa!” to all the Christmas lights. {I for one experienced the wet kisses. Something that I definitely didn’t get used to until I had Eli!}

Last year was fun having the boys for Christmas, but they were both so young they really didn’t get to enjoy it. This year Laura + Nick are really excited to start having Christmas traditions with Luke. Namely Christmas morning. Laura shared, I’m excited about spending Christmas morning at our house for the first time since we’ve been in Toledo. {They used to live in Florida while Nick was stationed at Eglin AF Base.} Santa is bringing some really awesome toys for him this year, so I can’t wait to see his face! Nick and I are also really excited to take him to the zoo lights this year. He really enjoys them and his face lights up already when he sees ours outside.

Ahhh, I can’t wait!! So check out our time together. Nothing like having one of the last gorgeous days of the year for a session!

Nick, Laura, + Lukas! I love you all so much, and I am wishing you all a Merry Christmas in the weeks to come. I can’t wait to spend time with you then and watch the boys play, run, and enjoy the piles of presents they are about to get spoiled with! Thanks for asking me to document your sweet family again!

..FAMILY TRADITIONS..

love, echo

Comments

echoes of love