Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Andrew | Dayton Senior Photographer..

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hang out with Andrew in downtown Dayton! It was a beautiful night, and many others were also out taking advantage of the evening.

Andrew attends Beavercreek and is a little crazed that he is already in his Senior year. When I asked him how it was going so far, he responded, My senior year has been fantastic so far! It is a bit different than I expected it to be. It’s different knowing that it’ll all be over soon, and that everything you do, could be the last time it happens. Growing up and leaving your school years behind is something you don’t really think about until your there.

I remember that feeling. The feeling like some friendships are going to fade. The feeling of not being able to play competitive sports again. And the feeling that you just want to hold onto every second as if it were your last. That is exactly what Andrew is feeling. The things I look forward to in my last year of high school are just making sure that I have the time of my life, make memories that will last a lifetime, and spend my days with my very best friends.

After high school, Andrew does have aspirations for further education. He wants to continue his life in sports and major in athletic training. He currently is looking at Cincinnati, Miami of Ohio, or Ohio State as his continuing education options.

Andrew {+Heidi}, thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to hang out and capture this time of your life that shouldn’t be forgotten! I wish you the best of luck in the rest of your Senior year, and my hope for you is that the decision of which college to attend comes easy! May you have an awesome year soaking up time with your friends and making the memories you will have for all your life.

..OVER SOON..

love, echo

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..Curtis + Kelly + Sweet Pea | Dayton Maternity Photographer..

Curtis + Kelly have been long time friends of our family, and I am so blessed to share their story with you today. Rewind to almost a year ago, this couple was in their first pregnancy. Kelly had been told that due to some abnormalities, that her pregnancy was going to be a high risk situation. Because of this they were at the doctor more often to keep a close eye on their little one. At 22 weeks, they unfortunately found out that they had lost a daughter. Jessie Alexa, became an angel on November 2nd, and has been closely sewn into their hearts. Kelly had this to say, We have been riding a major roller coaster this past year full of happy and sad moments that will always be with us. Our lives are forever changed as we will grow from a family of three to a family of five (yes, we include Toby ;)) in just over a year. {Yep! You got it, Jessie is going to be a big sister!} With Jessie’s first birthday quickly approaching, we are taking the time to finish getting ready for our sweet pea so that we can honor Jessie on her first birthday, before sweet pea’s arrival. As much as we want our daughter here in our arms, we couldn’t have asked for a better big sister for our children. She will always be our precious Angel, our first born, and the most amazing big sister to her siblings!

With November being a reoccuring theme for their family, Kelly is due on November 30th. Their hope is to also have ‘sweet pea’ join all 3 of them with a November birthday! So far Kelly mentioned, Physically, I am learning how to get through each day with my growing belly. Mentally and emotionally, each day brings on different challenges and moments of joy. We are very anxious to meet our little sweet pea. I couldn’t ask for a better support system from friends and family,and especially my wonderful, amazing hubby. As you can only imagine, they are very ready to meet, hold, kiss, and tell him/her just how much s/he is loved, AND all about Jessie! Not to mention the anticipation of finding out whether it will be a boy or girl! {BEST.FEELING.EVER!!}

Stay tuned in the next few weeks to meet this little bundle!

Jessie is honored by a Winnie the Pooh Bear, the theme of what her nursery would have been. When Kelly was pregnant with Jessie they always told Toby that he was the original! Such a sweet thing to capture!

Curtis, Kelly, Toby, Jessie, + Sweet Pea! Thank you so much for letting me capture your family! I am so blessed to tell your story, and I seriously can’t wait to meet your baby and cuddle him or her to pieces! We love you all and I hope that the next few weeks go by comfortably and quickly!

..BIG SISTER..

love, echo

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..Baby Kurt | Dayton Newborn Photographer..

I made my way into the house, and just as I rounded the corner, Kris was holding sweet Kurt! You may remember Kris + Emily from their gorgeous ..Sunset Maternity Session..! Well, they have now officially joined parenthood, and what an amazing thing that is. I could tell how proud Kris was holding his son and how Emily just couldn’t believe he was finally here. {For me, it’s crazy how quickly 40 weeks can go!} Almost as if you could tell they both were instant naturals, even though they had both never changed a diaper! They explained, We’ve been practicing for 7 years now with our dogs! The original babies of the house!

Kurt Erik was born on September 6th at 10:51 p.m., he weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was measured at 22 inches long. Sometime after he made his arrival and they were all settled in, Kris asked Emily something along the lines of when she was ready to have another one!?! {I’m laughing hysterically at this.} First things first, the feeling of how hard we had to work to make that child AND bring them into the world is still very fresh. So when Emily answered, Our next baby is going to be a puppy! I couldn’t help but lose it! Secondly, and I reiterate point number one, the pain is still very fresh! {Too funny!}

Naturally with being new parents, every little thing is adorable! So I always love hearing what the new babes is doing! Emily says, He does more and more everyday that makes him that much more adorable, but a few things we love: Sometimes when he’s sleeping he moves his lips like he’s eating; When he’s awake and hungry he makes a perfect O with his mouth (which I have yet to be able to capture in a picture!!); And my personal favorite is his cuddliness. He’s better than a warm fire and hot chocolate on a cold winters day!! So cute! I’m sure we definitely have some of those cold winter days ahead, so take all the cuddling you can get! {Once they start moving it doesn’t last long!}

Kurt was actually named after Emily’s Dad who had recently passed, a blanket of all of the old shirts he used to wear was made in his honor. Such a sweet gift and what an amazing thing for Baby Kurt to have and to hold onto forever!

Kris + Emily + Baby Kurt! Thank you so much for letting me into such a precious time in your lives. I pray a healthy life over your little man and that you teach him just how special his grandpa was! I hope that he gives the name Kurt enhanced meaning in your life for all of his years to come!

..ANOTHER ONE..

love, echo

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..Max + Laura | Hideaway Country Inn Wedding Photographer..

The long stone driveway wound back behind the cornfield to reveal the sweetest country inn, the perfect spot for Max + Laura to tie the knot. The sun was bright, but tucked behind a few clouds, and the remnants of tropical storm Issac were on it’s way. The finishing touches were being put up, as the chairs were being set out for the outdoor ceremony and the flowers were being placed on the tables under the tented reception. I found Laura in the tree house suite as her preparation for her day was beginning. The ladies were enjoying their mismosa’s and chicken salad as they chatted, some getting their hair done, others placing makeup on their faces.

The sound of car doors shutting was heard in the parking lot below, as the groomsmen began to arrive. Headed down to greet them, Max drove past. They had just come from their morning shooting range excursion. {A handful of his guys couldn’t get together until the wedding weekend, so they had fun the morning of.} Once the guys were dressed, I grabbed them and Gus for their portrait session. The rain began in the distance, as the guys watched a lighting storm behind me as I continued to shoot before it reached us. Shortly after, I joined the ladies where they were just getting ready to let Laura slip into her dress. I caught her Mom peeking through the railing as she watched her only daughter prepare herself for her husband-to-be.

I took the ladies into the inn to avoid the rain that had began to pitter patter on the roof top. Inside the ladies were treated to a drink at the bar, and joked that they had a little more fun than the guys! {It was meant to stay a secret, but Laura couldn’t help but share once she finally saw Max!!} The rain passed and we worked our way outside for a few portraits in the light. Looking across the field it was going to be a last minute decision on whether the wedding was going to be outside as planned. Once the girls were tucked back away and guests had to use umbrellas to make their way in, it was apparent that their outdoor ceremony was going to take place under the tent. A little heartbroken, they succumbed to their only choice. Enlisting some family, they were able to help move tables aside to make an aisle for the ceremony. One of the best touches of the day was that Laura’s father was both walking her down the aisle as well as marrying her to her husband. What a sweet memory that will always be for them!

Once they were pronounced husband and wife, the rain let up to a light mist and the bridal party as well as the newly wed couple braved everything for the portraits. We moved quickly so that Issac didn’t unleash while we were out, yet still making sure that everything that they wanted from their day was captured! Knowing that the rain began to get a tad heavier {with camera a little wet} we made our way towards dinner. It didn’t take long for the craziness of Issac to quickly take over. Buckets and buckets of rain came pouring down, and while water made it’s way on the dance floor, it didn’t stop the party. Even the lights going out didn’t dampen the guys from having a bit of fun, creating a disco light show singing to Sweet Caroline.

Max + Laura, thank you so much for allowing me to be such an amazing part of your day. Nothing may have gone according to plan, but in the end you guys pulled off a great day and became husband and wife anyways! That is the most special and cherished part! I wish you both the best of luck in Illinois, and while you are away from friends and family, that you become each other’s only and lean on each other for the rest of your life! Love you both so much.

..SUCCUMBED..

love, echo

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..Eric + Ashley | Winery Engagement Photographer..

He picked up the phone and called his best friend, expressing to him that he had met this girl ‘tonight’. During the course of their conversation, he told him he thought he could marry her someday. They had met over pizza and beer, set up by friends, and to him it felt so right! Enough so, that he felt that instant attraction from the very beginning. The connection that must have gone miles past what he would have ever expected. Something so deep that he just couldn’t hold it in!

Memorial Day weekend after dinner at Mon Ami {10 months later}, where their first official date took place, they returned to Eric’s new house. It was stripped down to the studs and a bit of a mess. Eric handed Ashley a key to the house. Ashley, feeling like it wasn’t quite her place to take the key, turned it down. Before she knew it he was on one knee asking her with ring in hand, Would this change your mind? Right there in the middle of what was going to become their home, she accepted his proposal! {I’m all giddy just sharing that with you!}

Meet Eric and his bride-to-be, Ashley! They love to dine out, try new places, and spend time at wineries. So we met up at ..Hermes Vineyard.., and took full advantage of their love for wine and the surrounding that it created! When I arrived they were already sharing a bottle in the muggy afternoon atmosphere. It had poured all day the day before and morning of, so the effects of that had set in. {But, we weren’t going to let that get us down!} Through it all they still had a great time being close and they made my job easy along with the background of the vineyard and rustic feel of the barns.

Eric + Ashley! Thank you for being such an awesome couple, and for dealing with the heat so well! {It only prepped you for June!} I am so looking forward to having a blast with the both of you on your wedding day. Don’t blink because it will be here before you know it.

..KEY..

love, echo

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echoes of love