A Pirate Homecoming

I attended the Graham High School's homecoming that was hosted on the Santa Maria. The dance was a costume party, so everyone enjoyed posing and "getting into character." Themed parties are a great time to have a photographer.

Me as a baby and my baby

It used to be that every two or so months you dressed up the baby and took them for a posed portrait at Olan Mills or another similar studio. I prefer to have important moments documented. I am lucky, as my partner and I are both photographers. These portraits mean so much more to me than a posed shot at Sears. I have a photo of my son an hour after he was born and I have his birth too...but I will spare you on that beauty. I have a photo of the very first time his brother held him, his first hair cut. I know you can't have a photographer for all of these events, but you can for your birth, first day of school, birthdays, graduations, family reunions, a visit with a grandparent, all of the moments that you cherish. When your children are grown, they can reflect back on that moment and it will be preserved forever. Posed portraits have their place, but there is so much more emotion in the day to day events that we all experience. I will always regret not having a photographer for my first two children's births.

Art in the garden

Portrait of Melissa Vogley-Woods with a group of teens and staff at The Weinland Park Community Garden, behind Godman Guild. What a great day and the photo brings it back!

A guest at a wedding

Cheater Slicks

The Weinland Park Community Garden

This is a photo of my teens who I worked with in The Weinland Park Community Garden. I will never forget those days in the garden for as long as I live. I was lucky to experience it and to work with so many wonderful kids. They are posing in the doorway of the shed that we built with The Church of the Master.

Portrait of a woman and kale

Which is more beautiful the kale or the smile on this woman's face? I took this portrait at The University Area Enrichment's Urban Farmers Market.
We will have farmers markets beginning again in May! www.uaea.org

Wedding

I photographed a wedding and this young boy was sitting next to his baby sister. For a moment I thought she was a doll.

Merle Haggard concert

I spotted this cowboy at the Merle Haggard concert and climbed up some stairs to get this shot. I carry a camera with me almost every day.

Babysitting Photographer

I love this shot! This is one of my "babysitting photographer" sessions. I arrived, talked briefly with the family, then her Mother left briefly to do some errands. When she got home one hour later, I had over 100 beautiful shots of her children. Now if only I could find a babysitting photographer for my family!

Father Daughter portrait

This is one of my favorites. I love how they both have the same expression and those yellow flowers in the background are lovely. I met their family at Franklin Park Conservatory. I encourage clients to try and chose a location that is sentimental to their family in some way and at the same time visually appealing. Some popular locations here in Columbus, Ohio are The Park of Roses, Dawes Arboretum and people's homes. We planned this shot around the child's nap time so that she would be rested and ready for fun!

Holding Hands

This is one of a series of portraits I shot of two brothers. This was one of their mother's favorite shots that is now framed and displayed with 3 others. I do some sessions as "the babysitting photographer", where the parent leaves or does things around the house while I get the shots. Children often present themselves differently when their Mom is standing near by! It's a nice option that some parents have really enjoyed.

Found Photos

I love found photos. I have a large collection of my own, but this is my favorite online site that has a wonderful collection. http://www.moderna.org/lookatme/

Shadow of a couple holding hands in the grass

Hudson St. Museum of Art at the #4 Bus stop

Somebody decided to turn the bus stop on Hudson St. into a public art space! That Nagel poster cracked me up, made me think of this beauty parlor I used to go to in the 80's. I was driving by one day and was excited to see that someone took the time to do that. This woman was nice to talk to and gracious to let me take her photo. Little efforts like this make a difference.

The Greener Grocer farmer's market portraits

I was contracted to photograph some of the farmers who supply the Greener Grocer at the North Market and that also have stands at their farmers market. I loved meeting and talking with such great people and photographing all of that delicious produce. Go to the Greener Grocer to get your year round Farmers Market or sign up for their CSA produce box. Check out the rest of the portraits displayed there above their business.
www.greenergrocer.com

Candid portraits

I have attended family events, here I was at a hike. I was able to capture a moment that this mother and daughter will have preserved forever. Our memories are beautiful, but often fade. This photo will bring them both back to this day and time in their lives.

Birthday Party

I enjoy photographing birthdays. It is difficult for parents or party hosts to photograph a party, get nice shots and also be able to enjoy the party. I photograph the event, put all photos on an online slideshow, make photo albums and burn all proofs to a cd, with various packages.

Mural Installation with Helma Groot and Melissa Vogley-Woods

It is important to me to document community events. Many events that I know have a positive change in our everyday lives are often over looked. Community Gardening is a powerful way to change a neighborhood.
Check out my blog at: www.columbuscommunitygardening.blogspot.com and my blog for work at www.local-matters.blogspot.com or www.local-matters.org