With new life comes new beginnings

Meet Kayla Elson!  She is the newest family member of the Elson clan, and not to mention my newest niece!  I actually took these photos on Thanksgiving, but have not really thought about them much until now.  Keeping up with the Christmas spirit (considering its only 2 days away!) I was listening to Mercy Me's Christmas CD in the car (my favorite!), and I began to think about the significance of the birth of Christ.  Growing up in church I knew as a young child that we celebrate Christmas because it is the birthday of our Savior Jesus, but until now I never really contemplated the significance of why God chose to send his son as a newborn baby.  It's hard to deny that there is a creator when you look into the eyes of a newborn child.  Everything about them is so perfect and innocent that it is pure insanity to think that this new life "just happened" by chance.  Christ came to this earth like us as a new and perfect creation of God, yet unlike us He remained perfect through out His life.  Christ's birth was the ultimate gift from Heaven's Gracious King, and with His new life came the true beginning of ours.  Christ lived the perfect life that we could not live and became the ultimate love sacrifice for us.  It is my prayer that whenever you hold or see a newborn baby you are reminded of your Father's love.

And now for the photos!!  (I know I am a little biased but she is a beautiful baby!)

Watch how quickly her facial expressions change in the next three photos!
It cracks me up!              

                                              Kayla Elson

                                            July 27, 2009

                                      Welcome to the World!

Stephanie and Brice's Winter Wedding

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of second shooting with an amazing photographer and person, Heather Claypool.  I met her about a year ago when I was desperately searching for guidance and work in the photography world.  Heather was the first person to agree to sit and chat with me about my work and a possible working relationship with her as a second shooter.  Since then, she has been gracious enough to ask me to come with her on several weddings to shoot along her side.  I will always be grateful to her for giving me the opportunity to watch and learn what it means to be a successful person and photographer.  Now back to the bride and groom...even though I had not met Stephanie and Brice before the wedding day, I could instantly tell that they were excited for their wedding day!  They were both very sweet people and I could feel the anticipation just being around them and their families.  It was a beautiful winter wedding and I was honored to be a small part of it.  So here are a few of my favorite shots from Stephanie and Brice's wedding!

Be sure to check out Heather's blog for more photos from Stephanie and Brice's wedding:
Heather Claypool

Nothing more romantic than red roses for a winter wedding!

Heather will probably kill me when she sees this but I love this shot!  It shows the great relationship between

photographer and bride!

 

Tom and Melissa Engaged

Tom and I go way back, all the way back to primary school in fact!  Since then we have followed each other in school all the way through our college years.  I recently met back up with him at a wedding that I was shooting for another one of our friends in Wellsburg, West Virginia, our home town.  There I had the privilege of meeting Melissa for the first time.  Even though Melissa went to a neighboring high school, she and Tom did not meet until fate brought them together in a swing dance club at West Virginia University.  They have a great story, and I was so excited when they asked me to take their engagement photos!  Even though I have only met Melissa a few times, I can clearly see what attracted Tom to her.  She is a very sweet and genuine person who loves to laugh.  The connection that they share is clearly seen through out the photographs.  They are a great couple and I know that they have a wonderful future together as husband and wife!  Thank you Tom and Melissa for allowing me to photograph your love for one another!

Here are a few shots taken from beautiful Wheeling, WV

Kathy, Adam, and a dog named Nick

I met Kathy last winter while working at Ann Taylor for a few months, and we hit it off immediately!  We quickly discovered our common love for not only dogs in general but more importantly OUR dogs.  Both of our beloved pups were rescued from the same shelter here in Columbus, Ohio.  We spent most of the work day ( don't tell Ann lol ) sharing stories of potty training, excessive chewing, and the unconditional love that dogs can bring.  Kathy and Adam are newly weds and had asked me a few weeks ago if I would be willing to take some photos of their new family for Christmas.  I was honored and excited to finally meet the infamous Nick!  We spent a great afternoon together shooting and getting reacquainted.  You can clearly see in these photos that Kathy, Adam, and Nick share a unique bond.

Isn't he just so handsome!

 

 

 

Poor Nick, we were doing everything we could to

distract him from all of the people and animals running

around the park!   

He was a trooper!

 

Thanks again Kathy and Adam!  You guys are going to have some

great years with Nick!  And since this blog is about the companionship

between a dog and his owners, I had to include one of my favorite pics

of my dog Raisin. 

Freeman Family

A couple of weeks ago, my Aunt Sharon came to me and asked if I would be willing to take a few photographs of their family.  Of course I accepted and was excited to have the opportunity to photograph them!  The Freeman's are an awesome family and I am truly blessed to have them in my life!  They are a blast to be around and the close bond that they share with one another is hard to dismiss.  We shared a great day walking around the beautiful Schiller Park in German Village.  Here are just a few of my favorites from the photo shoot:

Ok so I suggested this iconic photograph to my aunt and uncle and they had no idea what I was talking about, so here is the comparison just for them!!

Thanks again guys for allowing me to photograph your beautiful family!