Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Apple Pie and Answered Questions | Talking Business..

Today is going to be a quick post…this week has been ultra crazy! But I couldn’t be happier about all that is going on! For those of you who have never ‘attended’ an Apple Pie session, it’s a chance for fellow photogs or anyone for that matter to ask photo related questions! Here are the two questions that I just received recently!

Q: SUE WRITES Hi Echo! I am doing engagement pictures this weekend outside, what time would you suggest that I should take them?

A: Honestly, for the most part I think you can photograph at any point during the day! You just have to do it correctly.

Here are my pointers:
1. Always make sure the sun is at the back of your client- that way your client is never blinking or squinting because of the sun!
2. Always find a well shaded area if you can’t avoid sun in the client’s face. A large brick wall casting shade for example. Avoid under trees if they cast sun spots on the client.
3. If the spot you have picked out doesn’t allow for pointers 1 and 2, schedule your session early morning or late afternoon evening. Avoid the time when the sun is the highest in the sky, typically from 11 to 2 or 3.
4. If the day happens to be cloudy and overcast…PERFECT! Shoot wherever you want!

Hope that helps!

Q: TIFFANY WRITES What is your favorite location to shoot and why?

A: This one is a tuffy! I would have to say that I don’t have a ‘favorite’ shooting location. I think the main reason that I don’t have a go-to spot is because I love keeping my creative shooting locations open and different. In the last year and a half I have traveled to so many different places, new exciting ones that I would have never discovered if I had a ‘favorite’ location. I LOVE the challenge of walking into a brand new venue, city, or garden and figuring out how I can creatively come up with something new, magical, and creative without ever being there before. It makes me a stronger photographer and pushes me to always give my clients those ‘unique’ images that all other photogs talk about and promise.

I will have to say that since I did my first destination in Jackson Hole, Wyoming…I’m pretty smitten with mountains 🙂 Just saying! (More to come on that soon!) I know this wasn’t answered directly, but it’s the best answer I have!!

Hope you have a little bit of ‘growth’ going in your own business or hobby! Until next week, enjoy your weekend and as always stay safe!

..SMITTEN..

love, echo

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..Peyton Trinity | Oh Baby..

Just a few weeks ago, as always, I had the privilege to photograph ..Mark & Erica’s Maternity Session.. here in Beavercreek. At the time they were still unsure of what their little bundle was going to be. Like us they chose to be surprised! Here is their story: At 3 a.m. on May 24th, Erica awoke Mark by saying, “I don’t want to freak you out, but I think my contractions are starting.” That comment to Mark only made him totally freak out! Mark stated, “We tried to go back to sleep, which worked for me eventually, but Erica was never able to get some more rest. Which is totally understandable considering ya know.. contractions an all.” (LOL) So they chose to wait around until the contractions got more severe. They finally chose to go to the hospital around 2 p.m. that afternoon, and Erica was admitted right away since she was 2 days overdue.

Long story short for this sweet couple, a rush of emotions began to flow through Erica and Mark as some complications began to take place. In the end of it all the doctor chose that a C-Section was the best option for both Erica and the baby. Mark said the doctor threw a pair of scrubs at him and told him to get changed. As Erica was prepped for surgery Mark stood out in the hallway, “kinda freaking out.” He says, “Probably the longest, most emotion filled time in my life. Sitting there, waiting to go in to surgery with my wife, now knowing that I have a baby that will be here in the next ten minutes.” (At this point I’m practically in tears listening to it all.) They ended up finally calling Mark in as the surgery was already well under way. Mark said, “I started to break down – my emotions were all over the place. Up, down – laughing crying – trying to console my wife and it was just plain crazy.”

The time finally came for Baby M to be born, and the doctor asked if they were ready. At 11:06 p.m. the doctor pulled out a sweet little miracle, weighing only 5 lbs and 5 ozs. I love what Mark had to say next, “I was so excited, crying, so absolutely proud of my wife. They were like…helloooo? Do you want to tell her its a girl? Then I was like “ITS A GIRL!!!”.” Erica and Mark were both elated and admist all of the craziness, they named their daughter Peyton Trinity.

Erica radiates by saying, “Being a Mom has been so rewarding! It’s amazing how you can have so much love so suddenly for someone. No matter how tired I get during the day, she is worth every little moment I spend awake. I just love looking into her eyes knowing that she is MINE!” I CAN NOT wait to feel all of these exact same emotions. It definitely sounds like the most exuberating rollercoaster ride!

Mark and Erica, I have once again been so honored to call you friends. Your daughter is a beautiful little child of God and I can’t wait to see her again soon! We love you all and wish you the absolute best, many congrats!

..EMOTION..

love, echo

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..Sneak Peek to Moab, Utah | We Said I Do..

My oh my do I have a lot of exciting images to share. This last weekend was one in a million as I had an amazing opportunity to fly out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Tim & Kathy gave me a unique backdrop to photograph their wedding ceremony! It was at one of the most beautiful places in the country, Grand Teton National Park. Along with photographing their wedding, Brad and I had the chance to hang out with all of the wedding guests for a couple of days.

Today’s blog was meant to be yesterday, but we just arrived back in Dayton late this morning. So without further ado, here is a sneak peek of our Teton adventure in Wyoming. Happy honeymooning in Utah to the happy couple!

I can’t wait to show you more portraits from their exciting day. Stay tuned!

..OPPORTUNITY..

love, echo

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..Abby & Jeff | We Said I Do..

Warning! This is going to be a long one today since I will be out of the office for a few days…see bottom of post for details. And hellooooo from Wyoming 😉

Friday I was able to once again photograph ..Erica and Mark.. and the new step in their life as brand new parents!! They were the whole reason on how Abby ‘knew she had to have me as her photographer.’ Long story short…after Abby saw the engagement pictures I took of Mark and Erica, she more than made sure that I was going to be there with her when her and Jeff took their vows ‘someday.’. Her determination and spunk to have me be there on her wedding day is exactly what I want in my brides! It made me feel so buttery inside!

Once I arrived with Nicole for the afternoon, Abby didn’t even give me a chance to fuss over how pretty she already looked. Instead, she chose to start the fuss over me and the bump I’ve been growing! The girls in the room followed suit. (Not something I’m use too, but I appreciated all of the love!) We carried through the early afternoon pampering the bride-to-be and hanging out with the groom, as each of them grew more and more excited to see each other. I couldn’t wait for the special moment!

Jeff walked down the brick aisle towards the gazebo, the sun was beating down in the mid-afternoon summer day. The smile on his face was all too priceless. As the guests and myself were waiting for the bridesmaids to begin their procession, I glanced back at Jeff. He made a gesture with his hands asking if I had the rings. I smiled, nodded my head, and gave him the thumbs up as he smiled back. See he had entrusted them to me earlier in the afternoon, and as always I promised they would make it down the aisle. As the ladies were escorted towards the gazebo, I saw Amanda, the maid of honor make a mad dash inside. She came back out laughing as she pushed Jeff’s ring on her thumb, then handed the corresponding ring box to Danny, the best man. A couple people chuckled, but for the most part it went unnoticed! The ceremony simply was beautiful, as the glowing bride walked down the aisle towards the man who would forever be called her husband.

Nicole’s…

Who said the bridal party doesn’t have fun?

While I was getting the shot on the left, Nicole photographed at a different angle on the right!

LOVE these two images!

Thank you soo much to Abby and Jeff for picking me and ONLY me to be with you on your wedding day! I couldn’t have called myself blessed enough than to be with a couple who KNEW they had to have me as their photographer. To the Geisel and Bronowski families, congratulations on the union of your families. What an amazing day to remember!

..ENTRUSTED..

love, echo

P.S. The office will be closed starting Thursday, June 16th until Monday June 20th. I will have extremely limited cell and internet service due to being in ..Grand Teton National Park.. and ..Yellowstone National Park.. I will resume normal business and get back to everyone as soon as possibe on Tuesday, June 21st. Thank you so much for your cooperation and patience!

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..Candace & Gabriel | Family Love..

I have been sooo excited to share this session with you! You are about to meet one of the most adorable 2.5 year old’s this blog has ever seen!! Meet Candace and her cutie-pie of a son, Gabriel! Back when I was in college I met Candace at the church we attended in Bowling Green, and I am so thankful I did. Her family has more than welcomed me into their home many times for family portraits. So when Candace wanted to get some family portraits of her family of two, because she has ‘been slacking,‘ I was so happy to oblige. They made the trip all the way from Findlay to come meet me, and boy did we have a lot of fun! We started out at a local orchard, made our way to ..Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm.. (which is a place for kids to be), and then hit up downtown Yellow Springs to close up our afternoon. I think Gabriel and myself were in heaven when we hit the ice cream stand at Young’s!

When I asked Candace how her ride down to Beavercreek was, she responded, “It went well. Gabriel and I talked about all of the funny faces we were going to make and how much fun we were going to have.” Gabriel’s little personality definitely shined through during our time together, and I loved how good he was in front of my camera. Two and a half is a touchy age, but boy did this little one blow me out of the water with his contagious smiles. Candace says, “Gabriel’s personality is very similar to mine. Whether that’s a good thing or not is debatable. However, we both love being off-the-wall silly. Which always makes things interesting and entertaining!”

It’s hard to believe this little man will be three in September. It seems just like yesterday that I was rubbing her little bump and telling her just how adorable she looked pregnant! This time it was her turn to do the same to me. I always LOVE asking about parenthood. When I questioned Candace on her take of it all, she responded, “Being a parent is definitely a full time job…being a single parent is absolutely chaotic at times! I can’t quite put into words how wonderful that chaos is though. I wouldn’t trade it for the world and truly cherish every moment I have with him.” Those last words send me more and more into the reality that I will be parenting my own little one in just a few more weeks. Enjoy the love between a mother and her son…it’s simply undeniable…

Thank you Candace, for driving down to Beavercreek to spend the afternoon in front of my camera. Your son is amazing and should probably be up for the cutest kid award! Enjoy these moments, he is already getting so big!

..UNDENIABLE

love, echo

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echoes of love