Ronica & Karl: The Wedding

Every month has its charm, its ‘perfect weather’, good light, blooming flowers, or falling leaves. But November has a charm like no other. The light is warm, it seems, all day. The crisp air is fresh and invigorating. Colors, in November, just seem to be alive. And its the perfect month for a downtown wedding. Karl and Ronica were married on a sunny November afternoon, in one of downtown Columbus’ large cathedral churches. Style, elegance, sophistication were not lacking, from the preparations all the way to the reception at Confluence Park Restaurant. With a beautiful bride, and a gorgeous setting…it was a photographer’s dream come true. And for some added fun, Ronica wanted something different….something a little out of the ordinary for her wedding portraits. I think her wedding party was a little surprised with some of the locations we chose, but the results were worth it.

A few details:

The Ladies stopped traffic here…literally:

I couldn’t have asked for better light inside of the church:

A quiet moment after the ceremony:

I discovered this alley about a week or so before the wedding while on another photo shoot and immediately I knew Ronica would love it! We had to shoot quickly though, it was breezy and quite cool outside.

Heather 2nd shot with me, and snagged this shot of me in action:

A little alternative processing…

The view from Confluence Park:

First dance:

A kiss during the toasts:

Ronica & Karl: Thank you so much for allowing me share in your day. I loved absolutely every minute of getting to know you both, and photographing you, your friends and family. I wish you both nothing but the best for your new life together!

Ronica & Karl: The Preshoot

Earlier this month I photographed Ronica and Karl’s wedding. You might recognize Ronica from some previous photos, she was a bridesmaid in a wedding I shot in October and posted here recently. They’ve had quite a busy couple of months, moving from one coast to the other, and stopping in Ohio in between to plan and have their wedding. But they managed to pull off one of the most fantastic weddings I have ever been to, let alone had the privilege to photograph. I’m so excited about the pictures, I can’t wait to share them!

Since they were in the process of moving, and flying back and forth from state to state, we did their Engagement shoot just a couple of weeks before the wedding. This is such an amazingly good-looking couple it’s not even funny. These are just a few of my favorites:

A family portrait with Karl’s beautiful little girl:

Stayed tuned for more of Ronica, Karl, and their gorgeous wedding this week!

‘Tis The Season…

The holiday season is officially here, even though it’s probably felt like it’s been here for the past month! I love this time of year, the Holidays, the decorations, the lights, the food, the music! And of course, I love Christmas for honoring the birth of our Saviour. Every time I hear “Oh Holy Night” sung by Celine Dion, I am brought to tears…..so amazing!!

Celine Dion-Oh Holy night

How many of you braved the crowds this past weekend to find that perfect gift at an amazing price? I love to shop, and I love the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, but the crowds of Thanksgiving weekend are a bit too much for me. I spent my weekend AT HOME, with my husband and kids, eating leftovers, watching movies, and battling the beginnings of a cold that I really, really hope doesn’t get the best of me! So far only my voice is losing this war, but the rest of me seems to be in tact 🙂

One thing that I’m really excited about this year is participating in the “‘Tis The Season Photoblog”, started by Justin Gaynor. It’s a collaborative photoblog by photographers from all different backgrounds and cultures, highlighting how we all celebrate the holidays, what this time of year means to us. Be sure to bookmark it and check it out daily, there will be a new entry every day. And make sure to check it on December 9th, that’s when I will be submitting!

Enjoy what’s left of your Sunday and have a great week everyone! I’ll be posting plenty of photos this week, including a great engagement session and AWESOME wedding from earlier this month. I’m so excited about these pictures, I can’t wait to share!!

Giving Thanks Pt. 2

I love that we have a holiday just for giving thanks. One big THANK YOU day…that’s so awesome. I seriously need a week, because not only did I cook enough to last an entire week, but I need that time just to give thanks for all of the amazing blessings in my life.

One of the things that I am so incredibly thankful for is being able to do what I love. I’ve said it so many times, but I really mean it!! It’s just so awesome to be able to share in a couple’s wedding day, to take their photographs and preserve their memories for years and years to come. To think that every time they look at the pictures I took, they will be brought back to one of the most important days of their lives… it’s such an honor for me. I am humbled every time a couple trusts me to take on such a task, and I am so blessed to be able to be part of their lives on such a monumental day. I absolutely love what I do, and I truly love my clients.

And what a surprise it was when I came home from my umpteenth trip to the grocery store yesterday and found a big box waiting for me. It was a package from Niki & Joe, who’s wedding I photographed in September. I was literally moved to tears, that they would think of me!

The card reads:

Chantal,
Thanks for the incredible photos you took at our wedding. You captured the event with style and beauty. It was a joy to work with you!!
Many thanks, and Happy Holidays,
Joe & Niki

Thank you, Joe and Niki!! The wine is wonderful…thank you so much!!

Another thing I’m sooooo thankful for:

My family…Thanksgiving dinner at the Stone house!

It was just us this year…Shamon’s parents are visiting relatives in Delaware, and my mom is spending the week with my brother in Dallas. But that didn’t stop me from making a huge Thanksgiving dinner. And if I’m allowed to blow my own horn for just a moment: I have totally perfected the Thanksgiving turkey! It was juicy, tender, and delicious…like biting into a piece of cake. My secret? Brine, and slow cooking. Email me if you want the recipe 🙂

Giving Thanks

It’s Thanksgiving!! Whether you are in the US or not, I’m sure you can find several things you are thankful for. I know I can. Actually, when I really think about all of the blessings in my life, I become misty-eyed and choked up. I am so blessed! It’s amazing to me, really. Life is so precious and fragile, and we have so much here in the United States to be thankful for. A single holiday isn’t nearly enough. But on this day, along with 350 million of my American friends & neighbors, I will eat turkey and mashed potatoes, spend the day with my family, watch the Macy’s parade, and say a quiet prayer for those less fortunate than I.

For my birthday last week, what I really wanted was a great family portrait. But not just the portrait, I wanted the experience of spending a great day with my family, having fun with the camera. Even though it was only 40 degrees outside, we packed the camera bag and tripod, grabbed the hats and gloves, and a thermos of hot chocolate, and made our way to downtown Columbus in search of the perfect place for our family portrait. The actual pictures weren’t very successful (getting 5 people to smile, keep eyes open, look in the same direction, stop laughing, stop hitting each other, generally just stand still while waiting for the timer simply just doesn’t work. I seriously need to invest in a remote release!!)…but we had fun, and that’s what matters.  And this is what I am truly thankful for: my family!

I loved the red brick on this building, I’ll definitely be back here:

This is in front of the State House in Columbus, with the Great Seal of Ohio.
“With God All Things Are Possible”… the perfect line for us!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Jody & Adam: Parents to be

Because I am so passionate about what I do, it’s only natural that I become so attached to the people I photograph. After a photo session, whether it’s portraits, or a wedding, I always feel a little sad that my time with the people I’m shooting is over, because they all are so incredible! I’m so blessed to have such amazing clients! Lucky for me, I’ll be seeing more of Jody and Adam after the birth of their precious son, for his very first portraits! I had a wonderful afternoon with the two of them for this maternity session. And Adam was so great, even when we pulled him away from the Buckeye game to jump into a few photos.

Their baby is due in February, so be on the look-out for some baby pictures then…in the meantime, here are a few of my favorites from our maternity session:

My favorite:

Their dog, Ginger, is so cute! She kept trying to get into the pictures, so I had to show her some photo love. She returned the favor by licking my lens!