Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Lucas + Tabatha Take Two | Maumee Bay Portrait Photographer..

Meet my longtime friend Tabatha and her husband Lucas! I seriously went to Kindergarten with this girl. {Yeah it’s been that long!} We came together to celebrate their one year of marriage with a Take Two session, and I couldn’t have been more excited to have this seriously gorgeous couple in front of my camera.

They met through Tabatha’s roommate, Sara, and really hit it off. They both were in the midst of a breakup and she says, We found comfort in each other. He made me laugh again. Not until two years later did they agree to start dating, and it wasn’t long after that Lucas proposed. He took Tabatha back to the basketball courts where they first hung out and amongst family {who was joining them for his birthday dinner} he dropped his knee! Lucky for them they have it all on video! On July 30, 2011 they tied their knot in Bowling Green. {Sadly I couldn’t be there, but I was with another fabulous couple that day!} They said, we wouldn’t change anything about our wedding day! It wasn’t perfect, but it was our day! All we wanted was a big party to celebrate our marriage, and I think we had just that!

When I asked them to sum up their first year of marriage, they had this response, we both agreed that our first year of marriage has gone by so fast! We have learned to grow together through communication. We both feel its the key to a successful marriage. We couldn’t imagine traveling down this road without each other.

While out celebrating their anniversary at Nagoya {a home favorite of mine}, Lucas handed Tabatha an envelope. When she opened it a piece of paper fell out. Written on it was echo by design! Tabatha started to cry as she held the piece of paper in her hand. {That is ultra humbling for me!} She had been telling Lucas that she wanted to do a session with me, and she had even inquired a few weeks before Lucas! As a surprise to her, he contacted me and we set up the time to meet! After our session she said, Our Take Two session was amazing! I personally enjoyed catching up with one of my oldest friends, Echo and giving Lucas the chance to hang out with her too! I was so happy to have shared the intimate moments through photography with Lucas. I would recommend ‘trashing the dress’ just for the experience and fun alone!

These two were so much fun that I had an extremely hard time picking which images to showcase! So without further ado, our sunset session at Maumee Bay!

Lucas + Tabby! Thank you SO SO SO much for allowing me to capture the intimate moments that your love engulfs! It was an honor to photograph your one year anniversary session while adding my creative touch! Congratulations and I wish you many happy years to come! Blessings and love!

..PIECE OF PAPER..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Molly’s One | Maumee Bay Portrait Photographer..

Jess and I had the date picked out for Molly’s session months ago! We had to plan super early since I was only going to be home mostly to photograph Tiffany + Trent’s wedding and celebrate Elijah’s birthday! I seriously couldn’t believe how quickly it caught up with us! For quite some time, Jess and I have been discussing how we weren’t ready for our babies to be one. {I felt like letting Eli turn one was giving him permission to turn 18 and graduate high school. Yeah…because I know it can go that fast!} For Jess, I’ve honestly been dreading her first birthday up until the past few days…it’s hard to say that she is no longer a “baby”. I’m still a little sad about her turning 1, but now I am just excited for her party to see her smash her cake! As much as Molly loves food – I know she’s going to go crazy with it. And I know we have much more fun ahead of us…so it’s time to embrace it!

We met up at Maumee Bay, where I was camped out with the family for an extended weekend getaway! It worked out perfectly for me to schedule a few sessions while my parents could watch my little man. I arrived at the beach early morning and found sweet little Molly waking from her morning nap! I will have to admit, I was a little nervous to see how she would do from just getting up. It seriously took her no time at all to warm up, as she started ooohing at everything around her. {Which Jess says, She also LOVES Bob’s new car – a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500. Every time he fires it up, her eyes get huge and she says “oooooh!” (Which makes her Daddy’s heart swell about 5 sizes!)} It is the sweetest little face!

So ever since Molly + Eli were born, Jess and I have kept in touch via facebook. Relating our experiences together as new parents! Every now and then it was an encouragement, a smile, a laugh, and sometimes just someone to lean on when sanity was needed. I LOVE what they had to say, Being a first time parent – period – is so exciting and also a challenge! We never know what to expect, what is normal, should she be doing this or doing that yet..and it seems like she is always finding new things to make us laugh – whether it is a new sound, a new expression, etc. She gets more fun to hang out with by the day. Bob and I are always saying to each other, ‘I can’t believe she’s ours’ or ‘I can’t believe she’s already 1!’ Everyone tells you how fast it’s going to go, but you truly have no idea until you go through it. {I can definitely relate.} There is no role in life that will top being a parent. Nothing can make your day like walking in the door and seeing your baby jump and squeal with delight just at the sight of you. Priceless! {I second that times a million!}

Bob + Jess, thank you so much for letting me hang out with you! It was so much fun talking about our experiences, and all the fun times that our little ones have already brought us in their first year! I hope this next year of Molly’s life is as much of a blessing to you as the first year was! Molly girl, Happy Birthday and have fun at your party this weekend!

..OOOOOHHHHH..

love, echo

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echoes of love

..Trent + Tiffany Part II | Maumee Bay Wedding Photographer..

After Trent + Tiffany’s ceremony we moved everyone to ..Marblehead Lighthouse..! The Nova was definitely along for the ride, which fit perfectly into the red accent of the lighthouse! We weren’t the only ones out enjoying the scenic view, as the park was filling with guests. {Most of them courteous!} What a blast it was having everyone passing by wishing the happy couple their congratulations!

Once our portrait session was complete at the lighthouse, we were off to ..Maumee Bay.. where the reception was to take place. During our drive, rain started to pour down in spurts. I prayed the whole way there that it would let up before we arrived. Once we pulled in, not a drop was in the sky. {Praise the Lord!} I dropped Nicole off at the lodge to capture all of the amazing details that were in store, and then continued on to the beach. It remained cloudy, but the wind had gained speed off of the lake. The girls huddled close while the guys cooled off! Despite the wind I was able to grab some sweet images.

Inside the lodge, guests were greeted with a plethora of white lanterns, sand + seashells, and tables of destination beaches. It certainly had me wanting for a tropic getaway! After Trent + Tiffany’s grand entrance, we enjoyed the speeches. My favorite came from Megan, the maid of honor {a future EBD bride!} She remembered how her and Tiffany use to put on pounds of makeup and twirly dresses, pretending to be princesses. She went on to say, and today here we are in pounds of makeup and twirly dresses, and yes you look like a princess. Our makeup looks much better now, although I didn’t see anything wrong with our makeup back then! Tiffany nodded her head in agreement as they raised their glasses and toasted to the future!

The rest of the evening was filled with tender moments! As Trent softly kissed his new wife’s forehead, they danced to Are You Going to Kiss me or Not, by Townsend Square. Their friends recorded their version of it since they couldn’t be with them. It was sweet in and of itself! Tiffany and her Dad laughed, cried, and then laughed again. While Trent and his Mom just soaked up the moment talking. Soon following, it didn’t take long to get these two families on the dance floor and send the night off in style! We wrapped up the evening by heading outside to play with a few sparklers. Such a blast!

Trent + Tiffany! I wish you all the congratulations imaginable. Hold tight to the moments that have been and are still yet to come. What an amazing journey you both have been on as a couple already! I only hope that you continue to have a bright future together! Thank you for allowing me to be with you on your ultra special day!

..SAND + SEASHELLS..

love, echo

{Shout out to the professionals that made Trent + Tiffany’s day a hit!}

Assistant: Nicole

Reception: ..Maumee Bay.. Oregon, Ohio

Event Planner + Design: Nikki from ..Elite Events.. Toledo, Ohio

Cinematographer: Aaron + Matt from ..Showcase Video.. Perrysburg, Ohio

Florist: Mary from ..Mary’s Blossom Shop.. Port Clinton, Ohio

Makeup + Hair: Erin from ..Pin-Ups Hair Studio.. Port Clinton, Ohio

Cake Artist: Sara {Friend of the Family}

DJ: Doug from ..Professional Sounds..

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..Trent + Tiffany | Marblehead Wedding Photographer..

Gray clouds loomed in the sky as they passed with the slight breeze of the Lake Erie air. {Perfect light and weather for the afternoon!} One would have thought that the August day closely resembled a day in late September or October. Tiffany + Trent couldn’t have asked for a better break of heat in August! It was amazingly comfortable and for Tiffany’s sake, no watery eyes. {Due to bright sunlight.}

I met Tiffany as she was readying all of her things for the day! Her hair was done in gorgeous curls and makeup wasn’t far off from beginning. We swept her dress and details away before Trent was to arrive, and left her to her bridesmaids! Outside the church stood tall and her dress looked beautiful against the large stones. Not before long after we safely returned her dress, the sound of the Nova was evident outside the front of the church. It was the signal that Trent and his guys had arrived! We met them outside and they were already having a good time. During their portrait session, we joked and laughed, and I tried so hard to master everyone’s name. Which normally I don’t have a problem with! {For some reason they all just looked alike to me that day!}

Inside the church we were at the moment that Tiffany had the opportunity to dive into her dress. As the girls were lacing her up, one of them mentioned that after 6 years she finally was going to walk down the aisle to become Trent’s wife. It didn’t take long for her to laugh and then really soak it in. She teared up. Then tear after tear fell, as the girls were frantically blowing on her face to make her laugh so that she wouldn’t mess up her gorgeous makeup!

The moment she had envisioned was nearing ever so close. She made her way upstairs as he father planted a kiss on her cheek. This time she couldn’t stop beaming from ear to ear, and that smile followed her all the way down the aisle. The doors swung open and Trent saw his beautiful bride for the first time. He returned her smile and watched her process towards him. Then finally they met. Even after the ceremony began they whispered back and forth as they were seated next to each other. It was one of those rejoice moments in my heart, to see that two people whom were ever so happy, were finally getting their moment! I knew exactly what they were feeling. Exactly how that moment felt like. So beautiful and so cherishable.

Trent + Tiffany! Congratulations on finally tying your knot. What a sweet ceremony it was and I am so happy for you guys! The best is yet to come in Part II, so stay tuned.

..FINALLY..

love, echo

{Shout out to the professionals that made Trent + Tiffany’s day a hit!}

Assistant: Nicole

Ceremony: ..St. Joseph Catholic Church.. Marblehead, Ohio

Event Planner: Nikki from ..Elite Events.. Toledo, Ohio

Cinematographer: Aaron + Matt from ..Showcase Video.. Perrysburg, Ohio

Florist: Mary from ..Mary’s Blossom Shop.. Port Clinton, Ohio

Makeup + Hair: Erin from ..Pin-Ups Hair Studio.. Port Clinton, Ohio

Jewelers: ..GSE Jewelers.. Port Clinton, Ohio and Zales

Dress: ..Catan’s Bridal Salon.. Strongsville, Ohio

Tuxes: ..Brides/Tux World.. Sandusky, Ohio

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..Baby Smo | Riverscape Maternity Session..

I met Emily + Kris via ..Liz Dwenger Photography..! She had moved to Michigan shortly after I had just moved to Dayton. Kinda ironic that we were switching markets, and at the same time sad that we didn’t have more time to hang out before she left! Liz had actually photographed Emily + Kris’ wedding, and when they had contacted her for maternity portraits, she just couldn’t make the trip! {I was ever so grateful that she referred them to me.}

I had the opportunity to meet up with them at Starbucks a few months back. We chatted over Kris’ coffee as I had my Izze in hand and Emily with her good ol’ pregnancy water. We talked about all of the things she was experiencing, the things to come, and well…photography! It was such a nice time, and I could barely wait to see her dotting belly at 8 months during their maternity session. Before we left we agreed that a sunset session was in order!

So a few weeks back we met just as the sun was making it’s descent in the sky. It was a gorgeous evening at Riverscape! People were out riding bikes, playing in the nearby splash fountain, and you could even hear the call of the megaphone of the trainers taking full advantage of the towering steps. {Which only made us feel slightly lazy!} Emily arrived with that beautiful pregnancy glow, as Kris had his watchful eye on her the whole time! He had to make sure that she was well hydrated, like any good husband should!

In talking with Kris + Emily, you could tell that they were getting more anxious to meet their little guy! Emily will be 38 weeks on Monday and she says, I am very ready to give birth! Not everything is ready for him, but he seems to be pretty easy going so far and very kind to his momma. So hopefully he’ll accept a 75% finished nursery if he comes a few weeks early! During the session I asked Kris what he did when he felt his baby boy move for the first time, and I laughed when he answered. He said, I reacted like I had seen a spider. I jumped and maybe let out a screech. {Hilarious!} As a first time Mommy + Daddy to be, I asked them what they were most looking forward to. {I laughed even harder than the spider reaction.} Emily stated, Other than getting him out? Kris and I have never changed a diaper in our lives. We’re looking forward to our severe learning curve and all of the “adventures” it will bring us! {Mommy’s + Daddy’s please pause for laughter now! I know some of the experiences that filled my household those first couple of weeks…} She went on to say, Sometimes it is better to know nothing at all and just dive in. Personally, I can’t wait to see my wonderful husband with his son. For some reason, I think they will be quite a pair! {I can attest to this being one of the best moments in the world!}

Kris + Emily! Thank you so much for letting me watch the beautiful sunset with you! That only means that you are one day closer to meeting your little man! Congratulations again and I can’t wait to meet him soon!

..LEARNING CURVE..

love, echo

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echoes of love