Photog Blog

Posts about photography.

3 Reasons You Need A Branding Photography Session

Every Post, Photog Blog

Branding photography can be very important if you’re starting a new business or want to refresh your brand for a current business. If you’re not well-versed in the importance of this then you’ve come to the right place. This week I’ll be giving you 3 reasons you need a branding photography session. 

Let’s start by talking about what exactly branding photography is. Branding photography is done to showcase the identity and personality of your brand. This photograph should show a little bit of the behind-the-scenes of your business and who you are as a person. It should also help showcase what your business does. Does your business specialize in baking? Carpentry? Photography? Your branding photos should show that. 

So when do you need to do branding photography sessions? I’m glad you asked. You need branding photography if you’re launching a business or website, you’re rebranding your business or website, you’re refreshing your current brand or website, or you’ve never done any branding for your business to begin with. With all of this new knowledge in mind let’s get to some more reasons why you need branding photography. 

First Impressions Are Everything- When a potential client comes to your website or social media page what will they see? Pictures taken from a phone with low resolution, or high-quality photos taken by a professional photographer. Will they see a basic photo taken in your office space, or carefully crafted posed images with a beautiful background? The choice is yours but think about how the clients will respond. The first option may not look professional to them on first impressions while the second may make them feel more at ease. Remember with clients, first impressions are everything. This is why you’ll want branding photos to showcase who you are on both your website and social media pages. 

Personality Can Connect You With Clients- Depending on your business, you can show some personality with the branding photos that will give your potential customers an idea of your values and personality. If you’re a baker and you think you’re a sweet person, you might want branding photos where you’re smiling with cookies in your hand and a soft backdrop. People who like sweets and are looking for a nice, non-intimidating baker to speak to about their dessert needs will naturally connect with the photos that they see and want to use your business. This is another reason why branding is important. You want people to connect with your personality through the branding photos that they see of you. 

Content Can Be Repurposed- You may think that it sucks you only get to use the photos for your website, but I’m here to tell you that branding photos can be repurposed for a lot of different useful content. You can use them on social media to talk about your brand or yourself, you can use them on your LinkedIn page so that you have a professional headshot or header picture for your business or brand, you can use them on other websites as well that require a headshot or background. if you’re a content creator including Youtube, TikTok, and Instagram you can use those photos on your profiles as well. The number of ways you can use branding photos is infinite and just shows you another reason why they are important. 

I hope this article was helpful and convinced you to have some branding photography done for your business or brand. Trust me, it’s worth the investment. let me know in the comments if you’ve ever done a branding photography session for your brand or business. I’ll see you all next week. 

5 Tips For Taking Great Vacation Photos

Photog Blog

If you’re going on vacation soon then you might want to check out this blog. We’re talking about how to take great photos on vacation to capture those memories forever. So, here are 5 tips for taking great vacation photos. 

1. Lighting is Everything- Make sure whenever you’re taking a photo, you have good lighting. You don’t want the sun on your subject’s faces because then they’ll be all squinty, and you don’t want the sun directly behind them because then they might look too dark and you won’t be able to see the subject’s face. You want to angle them so that the sun isn’t in their face but also isn’t behind them. This will create a great photo. I also suggest shooting during sunset or sunrise. You can get some great shots of the sky behind your subject during this time. Or if you like to take pictures of the landscape you can get some great pictures at sunrise or sunset.

2. Get Some Action Shots– When shooting pictures on vacation you might want to get some action shots. An action shot is when you capture your subject doing something while moving. So instead of it being posed, it’s more of a candid shot. Examples of this are maybe taking a picture of your kids playing with their toys together, or some of your spouse reading on a balcony. If you shoot landscape photos you still can get action shots of a subject. For example, you may be on a beach and see a big wave coming your way, this would be an action shot you may want to get. Or you may see a waterfall, this would be another action shot that you’ll want to capture. 

3. Always Have Your Camera– Be sure to always have your camera on you while you’re on vacation. Even if you don’t want to bring a real camera or a real camera isn’t allowed in your travel location, you always have your phone to help you capture those special moments. 

4. The Rule Of Thirds– This is an important photography rule even for professionals. The rule of thirds goes like this: if you were to put a tic tac toe board on your image, the subject of your image should be on that far left or far right third. This can help you capture amazing photos and this tactic is used by professionals everywhere. 

5. Overshoot– My last tip to you is to overshoot when you’re on vacation. Take the extra couple of photos to make sure you get that money shot. I’d always rather have too many great photos than not have enough good ones at all. 

I hope this helps! Be sure to comment on what places you want to visit on your next vacation in the comment section below. 

 

5 Reasons You Need Photos Of You Getting Ready On Your Wedding Day

Photog Blog

If you’re planning your wedding day soon you might be overwhelmed with figuring out what all you need for your special day. That’s why I’m here to help you figure out the photography aspect of your day. Wedding photographers can be very helpful to capture your wedding ceremony and your reception, but have you thought about having your photographer capture you and your spouse getting ready for the ceremony as well? In today’s blog, I’ll give you 5 reasons you need photos of you getting ready on your wedding day.

The Photos Will Show A Transformation- If you get photos of yourself and your significant other getting ready you’ll be able to see your transformation of getting make-up put on, getting your hair down, and getting changed into your clothes and accessories. It’ll be fun to be able to see before and after photos well. 

The Photos Will Be More Memories To Look Back On- Capturing these small moments can be beneficial when you want to look back and remember the full day and not just the ceremony and reception. You’ll be able to look through a photo album and remember the feeling of getting changed into your outfit and having fun with your wedding party and family as you got dressed. These photos will also be a good idea when your family members or possible future children want to look back and see photos of the day especially if they couldn’t be there. 

You’ll Get To See What Your Spouse Was Up To- Usually, the two people getting ready for the wedding do so separately. If you capture pictures of both of the parties getting ready you’ll be able to look back and see what your significant other was up to. You’ll see intimate moments of them getting ready and spending time with their friends and family members, moments that you normally wouldn’t get to see. 

You’ll Capture Intimate Moments With Family and Friends- During the wedding ceremony and a lot of the reception, the photographer may be focused more so on the couple getting married and not always on their interaction with other people since the couple is more likely to be together for most of the ceremony and reception. Photos, where you are getting ready with your bridesmaids or groomsmen and your family members, can be your chance to get intimate photos with those people on your special day. Whether you’re sipping wine in the room with your bridesmaid to calm down your nerves or telling funny stories with your groomsmen to remember all that you’ve been through together. These moments are worth being captured. 

Capture First Look With Family- If you don’t know what a first look is, then I’ll explain it here. A first look is when either family members or your partner that you are getting married get their first look at you all dressed up before the wedding ceremony. Some people choose to do first looks with their partners and others opt out of it. Whether or not you decide to do one with your partner is up to you but that doesn’t mean you can’t do one with your family during your getting-ready photos. This will be a good chance for your parents or grandparents to see you before the wedding. you’ll be able to get their authentic reactions as well up close. 

I hope this list is helpful with you planning at least one aspect of your future wedding. Let me know in the comments if you had a photographer capture you and your wedding party getting ready for your wedding ceremony. 

In Studio or At Home Newborn Photoshoot

Every Post, Photog Blog

So you just had a newborn baby and you want to get pictures of them taken. The only problem is you just had a baby, you’re a new parent and you’re exhausted. This also could be your first child or your first time getting newborn pictures and you have no idea how to go about finding the right photo shoot location or theme. So what do you do? That’s where I come in. I’m going to explain if an in-studio or at-home newborn photoshoot is the best option for you. 

I want to start by saying that there is no right or wrong answer when deciding if you want a studio or home session. It’s honestly a matter of preference. For example, if you want to show off that new nursery that you decorated for your baby then you might prefer the at-home option. But, if your house isn’t photoshoot ready because you’re busy adjusting to the new parent lifestyle that’s okay too and you might prefer the in-studio option. Both options will look beautiful no matter what. 

In Studio- these types of photoshoots will allow your photographer to have a more controlled environment for the photoshoot. They will have all the props and equipment they need right in their studio. The photos taken in this type of environment will usually look more staged or posed. If you have a smaller home or apartment you may want to consider this option. If you have a specific theme or multiple styled themes you want to capture then this might be your ideal location as well. That way the photographer can change the backdrops and have all the props they will need handy. 

At Home- these types of photoshoots will allow your family to have a more relaxed photo shoot. It’ll be more candid instead of posed and styled. The photographer will come to your house with the equipment that they need to capture lifestyle newborn photos for you. This is n especially good option if you aren’t comfortable bringing your baby out in public yet, or if it’s the cold winter season. If you have other kids on the younger side who you want to be involved in the photo shoot, you may want to once again take the pictures at home so that they are in a more familiar and comfortable environment. It’s also easier to dismiss them and let them play in their room afterward instead of having to keep them entertained in a studio. 

I hope this article was helpful to you in deciding if you wanted an in-studio or at-home newborn photoshoot! If you’ve done a newborn photoshoot before let me know in the comments which option you decided to go with. I’ll see you all next week! 

Life Events That Require A Photographer

Every Post, Photog Blog

There are a lot of events in life that can be fun or exciting time. During these times you may want to consider inviting a photographer to capture the moment for you. Some events you may not even think of, which is why I made a list of life events that require a photographer. 

Engagements- Getting engaged is an exciting time in one’s life. It’s also one that should be professionally documented with photos. Whether you want to hire a photographer to take pictures of your spouse as you surprise them and propose or you’ve already proposed and just want to stage some photos for invitations and memories, a photographer can help you get the perfect pictures to remember this special occasion. 

Weddings- This is another big event in your life that you’re gonna want to document and look back at over the years. A professional photographer can capture both planned and candid moments of your day. They can make sure they get pictures of not just you and your spouse but your family members and the decorations as well!

Maternity- Having a baby, especially your first one can be an exciting and new experience for both you and your partner. This is another occasion that should be documented not just for you and your spouse but for your future child as well to look back on. A photographer can help you come up with themes and locations for this type of shoot. This will also be a good time to help the pregnant person feel special and pampered. 

Baby Showers- This event is another one that you’re going to want to capture once again not just for you and your partner but for your future child as well. This is a great time to capture family members as well who you maybe don’t get to see as often as you would like. 

Newborn Babies- New additions to families are another great time to get pictures taken. Newborn photos will be the first professional images you get of your bundle of joy and can share with the whole family. These pictures are especially important if you want to start a photo album for your child or family or use some of the images in their baby books. 

Significant Birthdays- These photoshoots are super fun for everyone to look back on over the years to see how you or your child have grown over the years. It’s also a great way to celebrate another year of life. Some birthdays people like to highlight include one year, ten years, sixteen years, eighteen years, twenty-one years, twenty-five years, thirty years, forty years, and fifty years. 

Senior Portraits/Graduation- These are important pictures to highlight yourself or your child when you graduate from high school or college. These pictures are a great way to celebrate graduating and starting the next chapter in your life. These pictures can also be useful for graduation invitations.

Prom- When your child goes to prom they are going to want some photos to remember the day and to show off to their friends and family members. These pictures can be great memories for them to look back on especially since some of their friends who they may take pictures with that day may be moving away for college soon. 

New Holiday Portraits- During the winter holidays, it’s a great time to take some family photos. These can be used for holiday greeting cards or just as a way to update your current family portrait. 

New Family Portraits- Family portraits are important so that you can have photos in your home and photos of everyone together at one time. It only gets harder to get family photos with everyone together s everyone gets older with busier schedules. If you welcome a new addition to the family or it’s been a while since your last family photo that means it’s time for a new family portrait. 

New Business Ventures- If you’re entering the workforce, starting a business, or haven’t updated your headshot in a while that means it’s time to get some new headshots. Headshots are essential when reaching certain work milestones. They can help give your client or job a good first impression of your personality. 

I hope this list was helpful to you and I’ll see you all next week!

5 Tips For Beautiful Photos With Your Dog

Photog Blog

If you’re anything like me, your dog is a part of your family and that means you sometimes will want to take pictures with them or of just them alone. However, dogs can be tricky to get good photos of. They can be squeamish, clingy, or just not interested in looking forward at the camera. That’s why today’s blog will give you 5 Tips For Beautiful Photos With Your Dog.

Call Their Name and/or Bribe Them- When taking a photo of your pet they can sometimes look off in a direction that isn’t where your camera is located. Be sure to call their name or have someone hold a treat next to the camera. This can sometimes get your dog’s attention and get them to look toward the camera for a great picture. If you’re trying to take a selfie with your pet, or you have a camera set up with a timer, you may want to have someone else sit behind the camera or you’re phone holding a treat so that once again it looks like your pet is looking at the camera.

Try Some Candid Shots- Sometimes pets just aren’t in the mood for pictures. This is when you may want to get some candid shots of them. Try to take close-up pictures of their paws, some pics of them chewing their bone or playing with their newest toy. These types of pictures can be very cute as well. 

Take Them For A Walk- You may be wondering what taking your dog for a walk has to do with getting a good picture of them. Well, if you take your doggo on a walk you’ll be able to use up all their energy walking them so that when you get home they’ll want to lay down or sit and rest. This is the perfect time to snap a few pictures of them while they aren’t all rowdy. You may even get some cute pictures of them taking a nap. 

Be Patient- Patience is going to be your best friend. Sometimes you have to wait for your pet to settle down or to sit the right way so that you can get the money shot. If you’re not patient then you’ll just frustrate yourself. 

Book A Photographer That’s Good With Pets- Your last option is my favorite and also helpful if you want professional photos taken of you and your pet or just of your pet alone. There are many photographers who are good at getting dogs to settle down and take pictures. Some may even have treats or toys for your dog to help them look at the camera.

Done In The Dark Web Series

Photog Blog, Videography

Recently I released a trailer for my new web series: Done In The Dark. This week I released the second trailer for the web series. We will be releasing the series starting on Friday of this week. In case you missed the first trailer you can watch it here. To see the second trailer you can click here.

The series follows a group of college friends who are dealing with different relationship issues. One of the main characters is cheating on his girlfriend, with his best friend’s girlfriend and quite a few people know about it and aren’t sure if they should tell or stay out of it. Along the way, other romances begin to blossom but will the friend group and romances be torn apart by this devastating secret?

Be sure to find out by watching this series starting Friday, October 7th at 7 pm on Youtube. The first two episodes will air and then one episode will drop each Friday at 7 pm weekly.

Cincy Street Meet Photos

Photog Blog

Each year in Cincinnati there’s an event for photographers, models, stylists, make-up artists, and more called The Cincy Street Meet. Last year was my first Cincy Street Meet and it was amazing. I got a lot of awesome photos and videos and got to meet a lot of great people. I went again this year and it was another great year of networking and snapping photos. I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite Cincy Street Meet photos and outfits!

4 Awesome Wedding Venues in Cincinnati

Photog Blog

Cincinnati has a lot of amazing wedding venues. If you’re new to the area or never looked at wedding venues then this post is for you. For today’s post, I’ll be highlighting 4 awesome wedding venues that I’ve shot at.

Ault Park- This is a beautiful and huge park where a lot of Cincinnatians host their wedding during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. I recommend hosting your wedding here in the Spring if it’s warm enough so you can see all the beautiful flowers blooming and maybe even the cherry blossom trees! In the gallery below you’ll find some pictures I took at the park. 

Abby’s Farm- This is a beautiful venue that gives you both a farm feel and a river view. There’s an indoor venue where you can host the reception or your wedding, a huge outdoor area where you could also have your wedding and reception, and a gazebo which is fantastic for photos. Find pictures of the farm in the gallery below.

Gorman Heritage Farm- If you love nature or farms then this may be the venue for you. This farm has a sunflower field in the summer that is truly a spectacular sight. This venue can be good for engagement photos as well. It’s a stunning sight that will truly wow your guest. You can find pictures of the farm and the sunflowers below. 

Sugar Event Loft- This is an indoor venue that I have shot a couple of weddings at and it is always decorated beautifully. The lighting is well and once you leave the indoor venue you can go outside to the Liberty Center to take some outside pictures with your bridal party. 

I hope this has inspired you to take a look at a couple of Cincinnati Wedding venues. Let me know your favorite venue in the comments section.

5 Reasons You Need a Mommy and Me Photoshoot

Every Post, Photog Blog

Imagine this. You’re dressed up in a corresponding outfit with your child taking pictures in a studio or out at the park. What could be a more fun and bonding experience for you and your child? Today, I’ll be giving you 5 reasons you need a mommy and me photoshoot.

Bonding Time- the first reason that a mommy and me photoshoot is a good idea is that this will be a great opportunity for you and your child to bond with each other. Picture this, you could wear matching or corresponding outfits, take some photos and then even go out to eat afterward. It’ll be a great way to spend time with each other especially if your child’s getting older and ready to leave the nest soon. This could also be something fun to do with the little ones as well. 

Memories- I am a big believer in taking photos with your family so that you can have memories for when everyone gets older. Especially for your kids who will have kids of their own one day and want to share pictures of their childhood with their new families. Doing a photoshoot like this one will allow you to create those memories with your child. 

Mother’s Day Gift- The next reason you should do a mommy and me photoshoot is that it could make the perfect mother’s day gift. If you’re the father and want to plan something nice for your wife or the mother of your child, it would be a great gift to have the mother get all dressed up, take them out for brunch, and then to this photoshoot. They would have a great day and get to have some pictures of them with their child as a gift. Another option is if you’re the mother in this situation and want to get your mother (the grandmother of your child) a gift you could plan this photoshoot and get the pictures delivered to them as a Mother’s Day gift. 

Redo Photoshoot-This next reason that you should do a mommy and me photoshoot will probably pull at your heartstrings. in the picture for this post the mother wanted to redo a picture pose she did with her son when he was a baby of them laying down and holding hands. the reason I told you this is to give you another idea of what could happen for your mommy and me photoshoot. You would be able to recreate certain pictures you took when your child was younger or if they are already young or you don’t have any pictures of you together you’ll be able to make one and years later recreate it. 

Birthday Gift- the last reason you should do a mommy and me photoshoot is that just like using the photo shoot as a Mother’s Day present or surprise you could do the same for the mother’s birthday. This would be a great idea for a mother who maybe hasn’t gotten a lot of time to spend with her kids in a little while. You could start the day with the mother getting her hair, make-up, and nails done. Then you would drop off her and the child or children at the photoshoot locations. After taking pictures with the kid(s) the family could go out to dinner together as a family. What could be a better way to spend your birthday with your family? And you would get pictures from the occasion as well to keep for years to come. 

I hope this article has inspired you to do a Mommy and Me Photoshoot session. Tell me the last time you did a photoshoot like this in the comment section. I’ll see you all next week. 

7 Photos All Parents Need of Their Kids

Photog Blog

I’ve always believed that parents should get professional pictures taken of their kids to keep in a photo album so that when they grow up they could have memories to look back on and share with their future family. That’s why I’ve made this list of 7 photos all parents need of their kids. 

Newborn- These photos will be great to look back on once your kids are all grown up. It’ll remind you of the days when they were small enough to carry in your arms. Newborn photos are important not just for the parent’s nostalgia but also so that the kids can see what they looked like as a child and share them with their friends or spouse in the future. These photos can be taken within the first two weeks of the child’s birth or if you need a little more epitome to adjust to parenthood, they can be taken a few months after you welcome them to the world. 

First Birthday- It’s a huge milestone when a baby makes it to the age of one. So huge that it should be celebrated and remembered! What better way to celebrate and remember your kid’s first birthday than with a photoshoot? This will once again be good for you and your child to look back on through the years. I recommend a cake smash as part of your photo shoot for babies at this age. 

Kindergarten Graduation- This is another important milestone for your child. Their first graduation! Grab a small cap and gown for your child and prepare to get them some pictures of this moment. This will also be a good throwback picture for them in the future. 

Sweet Sixteen- While Birthday pictures at any age are highly encouraged, sweet sixteen pictures are one of the most popular. Go ahead and celebrate them with a photoshoot that they can share with their friends and family or even use on their birthday invitations for a birthday party. This type of photoshoot can be very fun for the teen because they can pick the type of theme they want and express their style. 

Prom- Every high school student who wants to go to prom should have prom pictures whether they’re taken by a professional or on your cell phone. This is a moment your child will probably want to remember and it might be one of the few times you’ll get to see them all dressed up. If you do go with a professional photographer, which I obviously recommend, be sure to have them capture your child and their friend group or date at a nice park. Some photographers offer this as part of their senior pictures package deal so be sure to ask if that’s an option for your child. 

Senior Photos- Senior pictures are another big part of your child’s senior year besides prom. They should definitely get senior pictures done to celebrate their achievement of graduating high school, to use as invitations for their high school graduation cards, and or just for memories of what their high school days were like. 

College Graduation- Just like when you’re child graduated high school, if they’ve decided to further their education at college, you should definitely have senior pictures of them taken celebrating their success at completing college. These photos once again can be used as pictures for graduation invitations, and to help them remember their college days. 

That’s my list of 7 photos all parents need of their kids. Can you think of any I’ve left out? Comment below and let me know. I’ll see everyone next week!

6 Birthday Photoshoot Themes For Guys

Photog Blog

Name a better way to celebrate your birthday besides a photoshoot. I’ll wait. You can’t can you? Last week, I gave you all 6 birthday photoshoot themes for the ladies. So, this week, it’s only right that I give you 6 photoshoot themes for guys. 

The King/Prince- This theme would be for the guys who want to look like a prince or king. Picture this, you’re dressed up in your finest clothes, maybe even a fancy robe and a crown. You’re sitting on a throne, inside the photo studio, posing for pictures, and you might even have a bottle of champagne in one hand if you’re of age. This theme can be perfect to show off any cool outfits that you have but haven’t found the right occasion to wear it out. 

All Business- This next theme is for the guy who likes to dress up in business professional or business casual attire. This would be good for both indoor and outdoor shoots. With an outdoor shoot, you probably want to take some pictures downtown. City shots in suits always go nice together. If you’re indoors you will probably want nice char to sit in and pose with. There could be a chance in the studio to do some cool lighting effects with your favorite color as well. 

TV/Movie- Just like I said with the girls, this is a fun theme, especially for a movie or TV fan. With this theme, you will dress up like your favorite character from any television show or movie. This could also be a great time to cosplay if you’re a fellow anime lover. This theme allows you to be creative and show off some of your personality. A good example of this is would be to dress up like Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air if that was your favorite show or you could dress up like Asta from Black Clover if you wanted to dress up as a fictional character that you love. 

Sports- This is a theme for sports fans. If you play a sport or have a favorite sports team then this is the photoshoot theme for you. Imagine wearing your favorite football jersey, and holding the Heisman pose while throwing a football out on a green football field or in an indoor studio. What could be better? Maybe a pose of you dunking like Jordan in a jersey and shorts with a basketball in your hand? The poses and opportunities are endless. The good thing about this theme is that you could do multiple sports, wear a jersey for a team that you are currently playing on or wear a jersey for one of your favorite professional teams. 

The Fashion Mogul- If you’re usually the best looking or best dressed in your friend group then this is probably the theme for you. In this theme, you would dress up in your coolest outfits and show them off either in the studio with different set decorations and lighting tricks or outdoors out in the town or a park. The point of this look is to show off your outfit and your fashion sense. You might even want some number balloons to show off how old you’re turning in the background. 

Decades- Our final theme was also on the list for the ladies and is another great option. If you like dressing up in clothing from different decades then this one is for you. For this theme you would dress up in clothing from the decade you were born. You would also need a set design that looked like it was from that decade as well. For example, if you were born in the ’90s you’ll probably want some baggy jeans and a loose colorful shirt. You might even want to invest in some number balloons that show what year you were born.

Thanks for reading my list of 6 birthday photoshoot themes and I hope it’s helped you come up with an idea for your next birthday photoshoot. If you’d like to book one with me be sure to go to the contact page and reach out! See you all next week.