C.MARIE'S PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

A Sneak Peek - James Wedding 1.28.12 - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-31T22:37:00.002-05:00

Matt and Stephanie tied the knot this weekend at Pleasant View Chapel outside of Bluffton, Ohio. It is this cute little church with only 6 rows of pews. It was a very nice service and it was really fun to meet all the family members and friends.

A just wanted to post a couple sneak peeks before bed....SO MANY MORE to come.....

To know when more are posted "like" www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto

Another Sneak Peek of Steph & Matt - Bluffton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-27T13:01:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to post a few more of Steph and Matt as tomorrow is their wedding day. I am getting all packed up, organized and ready for their wedding. I am very excited as I am sure they are as well.

See you both tomorrow!

Erin & Dan Love Story Session - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-20T20:26:00.003-05:00

Erin & Dan are a great couple, from just the time I have spent with them on this session I can tell they are head over heals in love. I am sure they will have at least 100 more years. I am really excited for their wedding this May, it is back home in Bluffton, Ohio area.

This session was shot at The Newport on the Levee right on the Ohio River, we met there and even though it was January (I swear it was), it was 50 degrees and sunny.

How crazy is it that Erin is actually the daughter of my 4th grade teacher. Sadly I was not a very good student, some of you might find it surprising to know that I was always in trouble at school for talking and being loud and overly excited about things. And I often time was day dreaming instead of paying attention. :-)

Steph & Matt Love Story Sneak Peek Image - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-17T16:22:00.002-05:00

A quick sneak peek of Steph & Matt's engagement session from this weekend. We were all over Bluffton getting lots of fun photographs, many more to come so keep checking back. These two are so in love it was just so sweet watching them laugh with each other so much!! You only need to spend a few minutes with the two of them before you know they are head over heels for each other!

TheExperience: V.I.P. - Venues, Planners, Invites - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-17T15:40:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was another awesome Experience hosted by the Wedding Connection. If you have not been to an Experience yet you are missing out. Head to The Wedding Connection's Website to learn more about the upcoming Experiences and other events hosted by the Wedding Connections. Every single Experience is a completely different event with each one being focused on the specific things that go into wedding planning.

TheExperience: VIP was a really fun one, we got to hear from an excellent invitations company. Pam, owner of Paper Pod Designs is so great with creating the perfect invitation for your event. She was able to tell us all about the details that go into the invitation options. Unknown to me there really are about a million options but her samples were some of the best I have seen. They are creative and fun but still have a very classy look.

She created a game for everyone to play, when you arrived you went up to her table of invites and guessed the price. It was surprising how affordable custom invites really can be!

After hearing from Pam of Paper Pod Designs, Jean from Weddings from the Heart Wedding Planning.

Jean was able to address so of the most common concerns or myths about a wedding planner. She was able to tell everyone about how hiring a wedding planner would help take stress off the bride and their family members on the day of the wedding as a wedding planner is a great person to have speak with other vendors on your behalf. Also that wedding planners are not always too expensive, you might be surprised they can usually make a package to fit your budget and what you might need.

One of the things that sticks out in my mind about Weddings from the Heart is that she is always looking out for you the bride and she seems to be very patient. She is always very friendly and kind which I find very important on the wedding day when they are around all your family and friends.

(And I love that she offers Butterfly Releases to her clients! How romantic is that!! And they start at $55, which is a great price point!)

Kathy of Your Dream Day was up next, she spoke about the reality of wedding planning, and the myths that sometimes come from the reality TV shows focused on wedding planning.

Such as the TV shows that are featured on TLC and WE are hundreds and hundreds of hours and they edit that down into the best or worst 30 minutes so there is tons of things you never see.

She is a ball of energy and seems to be that way all the time! She has been planning weddings in the Ohio area since 2004. And been voted Best of The Knot, Wedding Wire Bride's Choice, and more. She will be opening a new office in the Cleveland area very soon so she is growing and growing all the time.

Last planners to speak were the very amazing girls of Pink with Envy Event Planning Services. They have a great little hot pink room located inside the Wedding Connection on the 2nd floor, if you ever want to stop by and see them. Brooke, Jenny, & Jennifer were made the cutest little 911 bride kits for the wedding day for all the brides. They are a fun group of girls! They have tons of options in there packages of event planning, even just Day Of Planning which is very affordable at $1200-$1500. They can do anything you need in your wedding planning process just contact them for all their pricing and options.

If you live in the Dayton Area and still have your Reach Magazine around they have a promotion inside the Wedding Section.

After hearing from all these great ladies we all boarded the A Sanannah Nite Limousine Services Bus to go out on a venue tour through Dayton. If I do say so myself, I have been on tons of party buses throughout shooting weddings and that bus was VERY nice! I would highly recommend them to anyone!

Tracy our driver took us to Hilton Garden Inn of Beavercreek first!

They set up a mini reception in one of the small ballrooms to give us some ideas and see what kinds of things can be done to make things just like your dream wedding you have in mind.

Gigi's Cupcakes of Beavercreek provided us all with a cupcake to sample as well as this very nice display cupcake tower wedding cake you see pictured above.

The backdrop seen here was set up in the ballroom as well by Entertainment Unlimited Events, and the sweetheart table is completely furnished from the millions of options offered by Prime Time Party Rentals.

Josie DeDominici was there to greet us and give us a tour of her hotel and talk to us about the different options that the Hilton Garden Inn of Beavercreek offers to their wedding clients.

NEXT STOP: The Hope Hotel where Billie Meeks was there to greet us and give us the grand tour.

The Hope Hotel is a great options if you have a large wedding reception, as it has a ballroom to hold up to 500 guests. It is huge! The options are unlimited when if comes to making the space your own.

Billie had Prime Time Party Rental put together a few table settings for everyone to enjoy and get ideas from.

Next we made a quick stop at Beavercreek Golf Club were they had great little snacks for us! We all loved them. They showed us around and gave us lots of great ideas and options. If you have not had the chance you should really head out there and check it out! They have a great space for you to get ready in, to have the ceremony, cocktail hour and the reception. So many great options, and a great place for pictures too!

NEXT STOP:

The Schindler Banquet Center, where we were greeted by some of the sweetest ladies. They had some champagne punch and snacks. Which was a very nice touch!

As many of you in the area might not know is that they now are able to offer wine and champagne at their wedding receptions! Previously this was not an option but they are glad to be able to provide it now!

And Attention Photographers....do you see all these windows, they are like that around the whole entire room! Just beautiful, a photographers dream! And brides that book in the summer would have a beautiful bright wedding reception without being outside in the heat! :-)

A HUGE thank you to Caleb of Finest View Videography for capturing our day on video!

And lastly if you have not yet entered the $25,000 wedding giveaway you really should. The drawing will take place at the Wedding Showcase on Feb. 4th from 11am-4pm at The Event Connections located at US35 and Woodman Drive behind Bob Evans. 4140 Linden Ave Dayton, OH 45431.

A Boudoir Sneak Peek - Dayton Boudoir Photographer

2012-01-13T20:09:00.000-05:00

Just a sneak peek.....

More to come soon.....

Couple's Contest - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-12T11:47:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, The Couple's Contest has begun.....

Spread the word, any couple can enter! Let's face it I am a hopeless romantic so I love reading everyone's love story and I love this contest every time it comes around! So start sending those pictures and stories!

To be fair, if you entered last time you are welcome to enter again, but if you won last time you will not be selected as the winner this time, everyone needs a fair shot at winning!

Erin & Dan's Sneak Peek Image - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-10T23:51:00.003-05:00

Here is just one of so many really fun images I got to take of Erin and Dan yesterday. We were at Newport on the Levee and it was actually about 50 degrees outside even though it is January. :-) So many more images to come...

To be the first to know when more pictures of Erin and Dan are posted "like" www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto

C.Marie's Photography Sponsor of $25,000 Wedding Giveaway

2012-01-08T20:50:00.001-05:00

Have you heard? About the $25,000 wedding giveaway going on right now, is in honor of The Event Connection's Grand Opening that is being celebrated during the month of January.

If you haven't entered yet, what are you waiting for? It is a complete wedding package with so many amazing prizes. I gave a $2500 Wedding Photography Collection, as well as so many other of my favorite vendors have also given great packages. Party Pleasers DJ's, Prime Time Party Rentals, Esther Price Candies, The Flowerman, Viva la Strings, and 360 Bridal Boot Camp to name just a few. There is everything you need from ceremony locations to spray tans, to chair covers and sooo much more!!

I hope you get a chance to make it out to the Drawing at the Wedding Showcase on Feb. 4th (you do NOT need to be present to win though). When the winner will be selected. It will be held at The Event Connection at US35 and Woodman Drive.

Also on that date there will be a really awesome Experience, called The Reception. If you haven't been to an Experience yet this would be a great one to go to!! It will be featured at the Wedding Showcase!!

Top Boudoir Shoots of 2011 - Dayton Boudoir Photographer

2012-01-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

I have really had fun with these boudoir sessions in the past few months it has become very popular. Whether a gift for the groom, a husband, or boyfriend's birthday they have been a huge hit! I think these are my favorites, its hard to say because I have a lot of favorites honestly in about every category this year! Only one more "favorite of 2011" post to come....

Top Engagement Pictures of 2011 - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-05T05:30:00.000-05:00

I love engagement sessions because it gives me time to get to know each couple before I shoot the wedding. My favorite part is most the time I get to find out the story of how they met and I just love to hear all the stories because I might be a hopeless romantic. :-)

This year I have really been into sun glare. I was always against it before because when you go through photography school you learn all about how to get rid of it, and actually I find it kinda cool and interesting!

I tried to get this shot half a dozen times so I was sooo thrilled when I finally got it just exactly how I wanted it! :-)

I love how you can see their reflection in the car!

Favorite Tiny Human Pictures - Dayton Children Photographer

2012-01-04T01:00:00.000-05:00

This was hard because all my clients have very adorable children. So I did pick a few favorite images from the year, not just one.

Favorite Baby Bump Picture of 2011 - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

My all time favorite maternity picture ever. I love the location, the couple, the baby and the interaction. :-)

Favorite Boudoir Series of 2011 - Dayton Boudoir Photographer

2012-01-02T13:42:00.002-05:00

When going through some more my sessions for 2011 and making samples for 2012 and backing things up, just generally getting ready for 2012, I decided to pick some favorites and share with everyone. So my first favorite is this blue shirt series from a boudoir session this fall. I just love the angles and the light that was coming in from the window was changing a lot which made it kinda moody at times and bright and sexy at others. It was hard finding a favorite honestly because I think I have like 20 favorites but at any rate maybe I will post another favorite later. Who says you can only have one favorite anyways......

Becky & James Engagement Session - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2012-01-02T12:49:00.002-05:00

Becky & James came clear to Dayton from Pomeroy, Ohio and if you don't know where that is, its far. :-) I have really enjoyed getting to know Becky and her family and it was great meeting James and I look forward to getting to know him more. We were all over Dayton I even had them at my old apartment building because I love the angle of the stairs there. I was really glad to have the chance to hang out with them for the evening. Below are a few more pictures from the afternoon shoot.....

To keep updated on more of Becky & James Engagement Session & Wedding "like" www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto

Becky & James Love Story Sneak Peek - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-12-15T20:34:00.001-05:00

This weekend I got to meet up with a long time family friend Becky and her soon to be husband James. I have known Becky for some years now but this was the first time I got the chance to meet James. I had a great time and they were so flexible with driving to different locations and doing any crazy thing I asked even if they thought I might be crazy. And who's to say I am not. :-)

I just wanted to post up a sneak peek real quickly. I promise more to come....

TheExperience: The Look - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-12-09T15:14:00.001-05:00

So it has been a few weeks since TheExperience: The Look. But I still wanted to take a minute to blog about it. I didn't mean to take this long to get a chance to blog The Look, the holiday sessions and meetings and family gatherings had me a little behind. But I am very happy to report that I am getting all caught up now! And its exciting to be getting my orders for clients in and mailed out!! :-)

For those of you who have had a chance to attend an Experience at The Wedding Connection. You know it is like nothing else in the bridal planning experience. It is a small unique way to meet and learn about different parts of your wedding planning and wedding vendors. It is relaxed and fun! TheExperience has many different experiences so far I have had the chance to be at TheExperience: DIY Bride, & TheExperience: Taste of Entertainment. And so far they have all been a huge hit! And growing and growing every single month. This coming month they are planning to have a Sweet Ceremony Experience on December 18th. So if you have a chance you should head over to The Wedding Connection to check it out!

The Look was focused on photography, make up, hair, videography, tanning, fitness, etc. All things that have to do with your overall look on the big day. I was able to capture a few shots of the make up and hair stage as well as every bride was assigned a photographer to do a before and after shot. Well I only have posted the after shots on the blog of course but it was great meeting everyone that had a chance to stop by and I hope to see you all again at the next experience.

Boudoir Session Special - Expires Jan. 31, 2012

2011-11-30T01:03:00.001-05:00

Now is the perfect time to book your boudoir session for Valentine's Day Gifts!!

Only 2 sessions left to have images and gifts in time for Christmas!

Email me at courtney@cmaries-photography.com for complete session details and to set up your appointment.

Baby Anderson - Upper Sandusky Family Photographer

2011-11-15T13:01:00.001-05:00

Ok one more post today.....

Sorry to be so short but still on that quick McDonald's lunch. LOL.

I got to shoot some baby bump pictures on Sunday and they just turned out great I am so excited to start a gallery of images on my website with these images. Even though we had 40 mile an hour winds and only about 50 degrees outside I would say we rocked it out!

I am so excited to do newborn pictures of this baby boy this winter when he arrives!! :-)

Here are just a couple sneak peeks.....

(SIDE NOTE: Remember my logo is not really this boring I just forgot to load it on my laptop before leaving town...some say I would lose my body if it wasn't attached to my head sometimes...lol)

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE! I just love it so much, and Josh and Katie were just talking and he just put his hand there, and they looked down and it was just so cute I could hardly stand it! They will have such a nice little family!!!

SNEAK PEEKS of Kim & Chris - Findlay Wedding Photographer

2011-11-15T12:46:00.001-05:00

This post will be short as I am on the road this week in northwest ohio area. I am actually at McDonald's using the free wi-fi, while grabbing a quick lunch. Wanted to upload a few sneak peeks from an amazing engagement session in Findlay, Ohio on Saturday morning.

Looking forward to working with my great friend Liz of Elizabeth Ann Photography in June on Kim & Chris's Wedding!! It will be a blast and I know the day will just be beautiful with such an awesome bride and groom!

Side Note: follow Elizabeth Ann Photography on Facebook to see even more images posted in the coming weeks.

OK TWO SIDE NOTES: I forgot to load the new watermark into my laptop before I left so just typed my website on the prints as the watermark....hehe

Mara & Danato's Love Story Shoot - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-11-09T19:22:00.001-05:00

Mara and Danato have the cutest story, they did enter the couple's contest a few months back so I have the story of how they met as told by Mara.... head to the couple contest blog to find it.

I had a great time with them on their engagement shoot, I had never been to Waynesville before and they were so kind to show me some spots that worked just great! I had so many favorite shots from the shoot as we just kept finding really fun spots as we were going around. I am truly looking forward to the wedding!

To see more images of Mara & Danato at www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto or at their sneak peek blog.

The Bauman Family Sneak Peeks - Cincinnati Family Photographer

2011-11-08T22:48:00.001-05:00

This weekend I got the chance to hang out with the Bauman Family. I have had the chance to shoot these really sweet girls before but never done a family session with them all so this was a blast. This family has so much love, you just feel welcome and included as soon as you walk in the door, and you can just feel and see how much they all love each other! I am not sure if you all remember what it is like to be a three and a half year old but it is very hard and dramatic.... :-) So some of the shoot was a true challenge, but I had a great team to help!! :-) Thanks go out to Grandma & Grandpa!!!

Here are a few sneak peeks....

As most of you know I am a total hopeless romantic, and as I was taking this picture I was sitting on the floor and as I turn around to try to capture the next image, I look up and John has his arms wrapped around Ashley and they are just smiling from ear to ear....SOOO sweet!!

I loved the swing! Best trick ever!! :-)

Jaime Siler {Senior} Sneak Peeks - Dayton Senior Photographer

2011-11-07T20:15:00.001-05:00

Jaime is a senior at West Carrollton High School this year! She was also a senior model for me earlier this year so you may have seen pictures of her in the past few months on some of my promotional pieces and website/blog posts! I have had a great time getting to know her through these different shoots and sorta sad we don't have more pictures to take! :-)

I wanted to post just a few sneak peeks tonight.....SO MANY MORE TO COME!!!

Could hardly believe how lucky we were to have some leaves in those trees in November. :-)

Alysha & Mike Engaged - Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

2011-11-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Alysha and Mike will be getting married next July and I can hardly wait! I think the wedding sounds beautiful and these two are just a perfect couple! I am thrilled to be their photographer.

Yesterday we were at a park in West Chester that I had never been to before, we really found some fun spots and I might have to revisit the spot again in the future. It was great hanging out with you both and getting to know you both a little better!

A few sneak peeks...

Sneak Peek of Jessica & Kyle {Couple's Session}

2011-11-05T21:33:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I got the chance to photograph this darling couple! I was so excited that we still have some beautiful fall colors left here in Ohio. Which I seriously thought we would have lost all the leaves on the trees by now with this crazy weather lately. Here are just a few sneak peeks...

P.S. They have lime green checks....couple after my own heart for sure!! :-)

TheExperience: DIY Bride Blogged

2011-10-30T21:31:00.001-04:00

TheExperience: DIY Bride at The Wedding Connection was a huge hit! I wanted to blog about it quickly because I just had so much fun making all these DIY ideas to share today. I am already looking forward to the next one and even found a new idea in the newspaper today already that I want to try and make for next time.

For those who don't know what TheExperience is, basically it is a fun place to learn about wedding planning and meet some awesome vendors while having snacks and chatting with other brides too. Each Experience is focused on a different topic, so today's was all about do it yourself ideas. Complete with a florist to give a example of making centerpieces and bouquets, and even some brides that did their own wedding to share words of advise. And so much more! I will post the next one on my facebook just as soon as I know when it will be held. The next Experience will be called The Look, which is all about make up, hair, photography and videography and will be held on November 20th, 2011 at 2pm.

Some of my photo ideas were:

FAVORS:

I love these labels as they are just a great touch to any favor. My favorite is wine or lemonade bottles, but you can also add them to items in your welcome baskets, or lunch boxes for your wedding party. One cool thing is if you choose to do wine or lemonade as favors it makes your table look great and you only have to purchase half the number of bottles as guests in most cases, as couples and families can each share the favor.

I made these labels on www.pinholepress.com

{If you enter "photographers code" CMARIES, you will be able to access the professional line of products which are really cool too!}

Honestly everything on their site is easy to make and always comes out nice.

CARDS:

Perfect for Thank You's, Engagement Announcements, Save the Date Cards, Birthday Cards, ETC.

I also made these cards on www.pinholepress.com

{If you enter "photographers code" CMARIES, you will be able to access the professional line of products which are really cool too!}

The prices start at $1.69/each and there is tons of styles whether it be like the ones pictured which are just a flat card, or a tri-fold cards, etc. They are simple and easy to make but look awesome and make a great statement.

SIGNBOARD:

This actually is fast and easy and only cost me $49.

Frame was from goodwill for $3, and some gray paint for $3 at Lowe's. And the mats were on sale at JoAnn's for $7 total so at that point you just need some tape and the 5x7's of your engagement session from your photographer. And a sharpie for friends and family to sign it with.

PICTURE CHAIR SIGNS:

I love these. They are the perfect touch to the newly married couple chairs. Pictured above is a single picture that I cut in two. And framed with a couple brown frames and tied a white ribbon to them and the chairs. It is just the cutest thing at a sweetheart table! And total it costs only $35 to make them both.

TABLE NUMBERS:

Start by taking an afternoon to go out and take images of number you find around you. Go to a one hour photo and print a 4x6 of each. Take a break for lunch while you wait. Then just place the prints in the frames!! I found these white frames with white mats for only $2 at Ikea.

GREAT TIME SAVER: Go check out Life in Letters located at The Greene in Beavercreek, the image framed above was so kindly donated by them and they would love to make this easier on you.

Ok, this is not my idea. This was created by Miss Megan and Miss Rebecca who put this whole show on every month. And it was so perfect and simple. It is a pumpkin with some ice and drinks. I think I am going to do it for trick or treat tomorrow night just because it is so cute.

Mara + Danato {Engaged} - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-10-25T00:24:00.004-04:00

This weekend I had a great time exploring Caesar's Creek & Waynesville, Ohio for the first time. I got a great tour by Mara & Danato who are more in love than even these pictures can show you. I was having a blast getting to know them and shooting these pictures! I can hardly wait for the wedding next Spring!!!!

We got to go all over and I love that this is the first shoot I have ever done in that area, and I love it there! If you have not been around Waynesville before you should head there some day and check it out!

I love so many favorites of this session I will be posting many more for sure but I just wanted to post a few sneak peeks tonight before heading to bed....to keep up to date on when more are posted "like" my facebook page at www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto

Featured on SnapKnot's Blog

2011-10-21T12:11:00.000-04:00

It is crazy but SnapKnot interviewed me and feature it on their blog...

If you have a chance go check it out it can be found at http://snapknot.com/blog/2011/10/18/romantic-wedding-image/

For those of you who do not knot what SnapKnot is, head to www.snapknot.com and check it out! It is a really awesome website that helps brides and grooms to find a photographer that will fit with exactly what they want out of their wedding photography.

SnapKnot can sort photographers based on city, travel, cost, style, etc. It gives you examples of photographer's photographs as well. It even lets you compare and contrast photographers side by side.

I am excited to be apart of this growing network! I hope you find it helpful!!

A few more sneak peeks of {Boudoir} Sessions

2011-10-13T19:05:00.000-04:00

I have been having a great time building an whole new gallery/portfolio of boudoir images I have been creating. I love how the sessions have turned out...And I love the differences in each session! I got a awesome group of ladies that have been so willing to try all sorts of good and bad ideas during their sessions, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Rebekah & Mark Kaser {Wedding} - A few more Sneak Peeks

2011-10-11T21:27:00.003-04:00

I have gotten a few more images edited from Mark and Rebekah's Wedding from October 1st and thought I would go ahead and post them! I just love working on these images! I am so excited to get them all to the newly wed couple!

Boudoir Session Sneak Peek

2011-10-11T16:41:00.002-04:00

I had have had a couple great girls doing boudoir sessions these past few days! They are a ton of fun! I thought I would throw up a couple sneak peeks from last weeks sessions....

Danielle + Kyle {Married} - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-10-10T22:09:00.001-04:00

Recently I have had the chance to caught up with Liz, a great photographer friend from photography school at OIP&T. We have been having a blast shooting wedding's with each other this past couple months. This weekend we were in Springfield, OH. So these are just a few fun shots I got 2nd shooting with Liz of Elizabeth Ann Photography. And I even snapped a few of Liz taking images...

Danielle & Kyle were just great...you can see how much they love each other every time they look at each other. I had a great time being able to be a part of their wedding day and want to wish them all the best in the world.

Jeanette & Terry Sneak Peek - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-10-03T20:04:00.001-04:00

Jeanette & Terry were not only the People's Choice Winner of my Couple's Contest, but I get to shoot the beautiful fall wedding that they are planning for next year! We headed out to the park and got some great engagement portraits even though it was like 40 degrees and I kid you not I seriously was wearing my winter coat. They were great at thinking warm thoughts to get through the shoot.....there are so many images that I love but these are a couple of my favorites. I hope to get the chance to get even more edited and posted just as soon as I can.

I had a great time getting to know them both a little more and I can't wait to meet the rest of their families at the wedding. They are a great couple, I can just see many many happy years to come in their future!! :-)

I am so excited I got this shot, I have tried it like a half dozen times and never nailed it til now!!! :-)

For those of you who do not know Terry and Jeanette, they LOVE this car! I feel like this shot is a shot that tells a ton about them! He popped the question at the National Trans Am Car Show while showing this car at the show.

Rebekah & Mark : Married - Sneak Peek - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-10-03T00:16:00.002-04:00

I wanted to get a few images up before the newly weds head out on their honeymoon in the morning! Yes we did have a garden wedding even in this crazy Ohio fall, and it was beautiful!! We were at Freeport Hall in Wayne Ohio. (If you never heard of this it is because I did have to take a dirt road to get there... hehe) Never the less, I had a wonderful time and I just loved this couple's wedding so much! I also want to thank Liz for being such an awesome 2nd shooter. I just love working with her!

There is SOOOO many more images to come of this beautiful fall wedding - I could not help but over shoot this amazing couple as they were just great!!

Baby Mathieu - Tiny Human Session - Dayton Newborn Photographer

2011-09-28T18:26:00.001-04:00

I had the chance to meet little Mathieu last week when he was only about 10 days old. He is just darling, sure to be a heart breaker. I will be so glad to see him grow and capture some of his life's little moments. You can't help but fall in love with this little guy.

Photographer's Note: That zebra stripe blanket is the best thing ever I have decided. It always makes the babies warm and I love the texture of it. And I am beginning to really enjoy newborn photography more and more as they are just so tiny and cute and just so sweet! It really is crazy how fast baby's grow they are bigger and bigger everyday so I really feel like I am capturing a moment in time.

Congrats to the new mommy and daddy!!

Rebekah & Mark's Love Story Portraits - Findlay Wedding Photographer

2011-09-23T21:50:00.001-04:00

Rebekah and Mark's Wedding is seriously like 8 days away. But we still were able to get in an engagement session! I had a great time with them as they are just so in love and so much fun! I am truly looking forward to the wedding and I know it will be great and they will both look excellent! We were taking pictures in downtown Findlay and in back alley's seems to be some of my favorite spots in that area! I already have found a few more spots on my way out of town that day for the next time I am in the area photographing. :-)

I am pretty sure I am totally in love with this shot!

To be updated on when there Wedding Pictures are posted "like" www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto

To book a session or a consult for your wedding shoot me an email at courtney@cmaries-photography.com

Baby Annabelle - Cutest Tiny Human Contest Winner - Dayton Children's Photographer

2011-09-22T10:42:00.001-04:00

I miss Annabelle already! She is so sweet and happy! When Annabelle came down to visit and do her photo shoot, it rained pretty much the entire day so I had a serious challenge on my hands...

Thats right! Most of this photo shoot was taken in IKEA. :-)

I now know all the fun stuff I want for my studio some day but people shopping that day might of thought we were completely crazy!! :-) And maybe we are! :-)

Annabelle is the full of energy and I can't wait to see what she does this fall with a pile of leaves!

Lorelai & Logan Tiny Human Session - Cincinnati Children's Photographer

2011-09-21T00:36:00.001-04:00

I cannot tell you what a great time I had playing at the playground with Lorelai and Logan at this photo session. They are both just at a really cute age right now! One of my best friends Keisha, is their Nanny and watching them with her is so cute!

Lorelai is at that age when using her words to tell someone what she wants is important and Keisha is always reminding her of this as well as asking Lorelai to listen to others peoples words....So as Keisha often says "Lorelai, listen to my words...." "Lorelai, you need to use your words...." Lorelai said goodbye that evening by saying "Goodbye Keisha, See you Monday, Thanks for listening to my words." How can you not just fall in love with that little girl and her bright red hair! :-) I hope to be able to take Logan and Lorelai's Pictures again as they grow because they are so sweet and so adorable!

Logan is just sweet and always has this smile on her face...its like a smirk its so cute and she does it at all the right moments...just hang out with her for 10 minutes and you will see what I mean.

Side Note! - Only way to get Lorelai to hold still and get a picture is to ask her if she knows her ABC's! She loves to sing ABCDEFG.....

This was a miracle right here!

The Hill Family - Dayton Family Photographer

2011-09-20T11:38:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday I was hanging out with the Hill Family. I just love this whole family. Some of you might recognize Elaine from the Dayton Bridal Expo, she is such an AWESOME client that she was helping at the show! :-) I have awesome clients!!

As I looked through all the images to see what all I got from the shoot I couldn't help but notice that in these top three images I feel like I can tell that Brian and Elaine not only love each other but also just love their little family! I wish I were a better writer, so I could explain that in better words but I guess you can see the 3000 words below....

Who says you can't use a tool shed as a great location! :-)

FALL MINI SESSIONS! - Dayton Portrait Photographer

2011-09-17T23:06:00.006-04:00

I will try my best to keep this post updated with opened and booked times and dates but please contact me at 567-208-8149 or Courtney@CMaries-Photography.com to know the most up to date openings.

This offer will only be good through October 31st, 2011.

And remember if you book Monday through Friday you will receive 10% off any additional prints and products purchased from your mini-session.

OCTOBER 1st - BOOKED

OCTOBER 2nd

10am - Booked

11:15am - Booked

12:15pm - Booked

2pm

4pm

5:15pm

OCTOBER 3rd - BOOKED

OCTOBER 4th

2pm

4pm

OCTOBER 6th

11am-Booked

6pm-Booked

OCTOBER 7th

11:45am - Booked

1pm - Booked

2:30pm - Booked

OCTOBER 11th

1:15pm-Booked

3pm-Booked

5pm- Booked

OCTOBER 13th

Noon

1:30pm

4pm

OCTOBER 15th(Findlay Area)

11am

1pm

2pm

5pm

OCTOBER 16th(Findlay Area)

1pm-Booked

3pm

5:15pm

OCTOBER 18th

2pm

4pm

5:15pm

OCTOBER 20th

11am-Booked

1:15pm

4pm-Booked

OCTOBER 21st

11am

2pm

5pm-Booked

OCTOBER 22nd

1pm-Booked

3pm-Booked

OCTOBER 23rd - BOOKED

OCTOBER 25th

2pm

4:15pm

OCTOBER 26th

Noon - Booked

1:15pm - Booked

4pm - Booked

OCTOBER 28th (Cincinnati Only)

2pm

4pm-Booked

OCTOBER 29th (Findlay Area Only)

11am -Booked

12:15pm-Booked

2pm-Booked

4pm - Booked

6pm

OCTOBER 30th (Dayton Only)

11am

12:15pm-Booked

2pm-Booked

4pm-Booked

OCTOBER 31st (Dayton Area Only)

11am

1pm-Booked

2:30pm

4pm-Booked

5:15pm - Booked

Stephanie & Daryll's Wedding - 9.16.11 - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-09-17T14:47:00.000-04:00

Last night I got to capture Stephanie and Daryll Watson's Beautiful Wedding that took place at Benham's Grove in Centerville. For those of you who have not been there and live close, you should really check them out! It is beautiful and gave us so many nice places to photograph. I was thrilled to be able to be a part of Stephanie & Daryll's Wedding Day.

I loved hanging out and meeting all their friends and family. I had a chance to edit these two and I was so glad we had the chance to capture the picture in the walkway, as I didn't notice it until we were all eating dinner. So between cutting the cake and dancing we snuck away for 5 minutes and grabbed a few shots! I am so glad we did too!

So many more to come in the next coming weeks.....

People's Choice Voting - Couple's Contest

2011-09-15T22:17:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to be posting this....I have truly enjoyed reading all of these stories and seeing how different every single couple really is....to the ones I have not yet been able to meet I hope to be able to meet someday and to those of you who I do know...crazy enough I didn't know how most of you ever met.

So I will hold the random drawing after voting closing but this blog mean that PEOPLE'S CHOICE voting is NOW OPEN!! So the couple with the most votes wins!!

How to Vote.....

1. You have to pick your favorite couple (which may be hard cuz these are AWESOME couple's)

2. Head to www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto (my facebook page)**

3. Vote on the picture you want to win, by commenting "vote" on that picture.

(You have to "like" the page in order for facebook to allow you to comment)

Side Note: Feel Free to Spread the Word to help out your favorite couple....Post in your status....
"I just voted for (insert your favorite couple's names here), in C.Marie's Photography Couple's Contest....help them win by going to www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto and commenting VOTE on their picture"

**If you don't have facebook feel free to vote for them on the blog, just leave a comment with the names of the couple you would like to vote for. Please select Name/URL and type your name, please leave your name.

The Couples....

Couple #1

Aubree & Jeff

They met:
Me and jeff had meet several times but never thought anything of it he came to my parents restaurant and I waited on him. One day me and his brother (who was my best friend at the time) were hanging out ...We were driving a friend's car and thought it needed oil, well it didnt need any oil. And we about blew up her car by adding to much oil . Zack (Jeff's brother) worked right around the corner came and got the car and saved our butts! We have been together ever sense! ;D

Pictured with Jeff & Aubree is their little baby girl, Roree.

Couple #2

Ashley & Jeff

Their Love Story:
Where do I begin?! Well, the summer of 2008, my roomate at the time talked me into going to work as a counselor at a sleep-away camp with her in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania with no internet, no phone service, and no communications whatsoever with the outside world for an entire month. I had nothing planned that summer so I did. I ended up having the best summer of my life. Jeff was a counselor as well, and his best friend from back home (NJ) had talked him into going to camp to teach rocketry, frisbee golf and roller hockey. I was an arts and crafts instructor. Every day he would find 5 minutes to sneak over to the arts and crafts pavilion to flirt with me or bring me a note he wrote me. We spent all of our days off together.

The first day off we had together we went with a couple of other counselors from camp. We decided to go camping. We ended up in a small town called Deposit, PA. Got pulled over for having a head light out. Hung out around the campfire that night drinking Molson Canadian beer. There were little questions on the back of the Molson label like, "If you were an animal what would you be?", We went through about 3 cases of beer so we got to know each other really well. Also, we decided that since the beer really helped us bond, if we have a boy, (which I hope to have 3), his middle name is going to be Molson! I know its crazy but we loved the idea as soon as we thought of it. We slept out under the stars that night. The next morning, we got up at sunrise, we playing frisbee golf in the state park, ate lunch at a cute little country diner, got the headlight fixed, then we went tubing on the river, found an awesome waterfall, and ate some really good pizza at a small pizzeria by the camp. The rest of the summer came and went. We said goodbye and went our separate ways. I went back home to Ohio and and he went back home to NJ. During the month of September we kept calling each other and talking on the phone for hours, neither one of us not really knowing where this would go. Jeff asked me if he could come visit in October. He came and we had a great time. We threw a huge Halloween party while he was here and the entire night I kept introducing him as my boyfriend. Then in front of everyone he asked me to be his girlfriend. We would visit each other back and forth between OH and NJ every other month and then in March of 2009, 6 months after we met, he packed up all his stuff and moved here for good. We have been living together quite happily ever since. Our families are extremely supportive of our decisions and Jeff's family comes to visit every couple of months. We have both recently gotten new jobs and we are making a real effort to try and get our shit together so we can get married and start having boys! Okay well Jeff isn't ecstatic about that last part, but its on the list of things to do. To be honest, with Jeff's new job, we have been talking about most likely getting engaged around this December and I can't wait! :)

Picture to the Left is the 1st picture of them taken right after he asked Ashley to be his girlfriend. :-)

Couple #3

Mara & Danato

Their Love Story:

I moved to Dayton, Ohio 3 years ago to begin dancing with a dance company out of college. I got a day job at the bank. One of my customers had the most interesting name...Danato Andriacco. I was always so curious and waited on him at the drive through almost everyday! We always made small talk and he was so nice, and so cute! About a year and a half ago he sent a note through the drive through bank tube asking for my number. I know I turned beat red and regretfully wrote back I was taken. After that I was even more interested but stayed dedicated to the person I was with. Well that past relationship went terribly wrong...for a reason! About two weeks after my break up I was wondering if it was too late to give Danato my number. I knew he had an unusual name so I looked him up on facebook and sure enough there he was and I wrote him a message! I told him who I was, asked more about him, and told him I was single but knew it was probably too late. He responded right away and said he would love to go out! We messaged back and forth a bit and he told me in two and a half weeks he was leaving for Army basic training. I immediately was unsure what to do. He said he wanted to take me out, get to know each other better because who knows what could happen...thank god we did! Those two weeks were amazing, we spent time together, I met his friends and family, we went to church together, and the day he was leaving he told me it was so soon but wanted to tell me he was falling in love with me and wanted to stay in touch and start where we left off when he came back in six months. I was SO happy and in love with him!
I waited for a letter in the mail and recieved one after about two weeks. From then on for three months we got to know each other through letters. It was so romantic and sweet. Every other weekend I would maybe get a phone call for a few minutes. Fortunately his parents lived near me and we kept in touch, hung out, got to know each other, and I really learned so much from them about their son!
Danato had two weeks off for Christmas and New Year's....thank god! We decided he would come home with me for Christmas to meet my family in Michigan. It was amazing and my family loved him and said they could tell he was the one! I took him to the airport to finish three more months of training after New Year's. It was so sad and like a movie moment at the gate.
My mom, his parents, and I went to his graduation in South Carolina from basic training. It was an awesome trip and we were all so proud! He was announced as soldier of the cycle and it was an amazing moment. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen and I have never been so proud and in love. We had a count down to when he was coming home. We wrote letters and talked about so many feelings and plans and what we hoped would happen when he returned!
When he finally came home we started looking for a place to live together! Since then everything has been perfect! He is in the Army reserves and trains one week a month and two weeks a year. We have a home together now and have had so much fun and know we were meant to be together! I am 26 and he is 31 and we knew there was a plan for us, we are ready to have the right person and a life together, and one day a family!
All the things we talked about through letters and during his training have happened and came true for us!
I planned a week camping trip with him up north MI where I go every summer! He loves to camp and we were both so excited for our first vacation together! I told him all about things we could do and places to go. Especially my favorite restaurant at a historic landmark in Cross Village, MI. There is a long scenic drive to get there and the restaurant has great food and a beautiful view from the gardens in the back. It is known for sunsets, and live music, and amazing food. We ate dinner, and perfect timing went to watch the sunset. He told me he had a surprise and to close my eyes. I opened them and he had a beautiful ring and proposed! I was SO surprised...and So happy! The rest of our vacation was amazing and since we came home we have been planning a wedding! I know I am so lucky to have him and that we were meant to be together! There was definitely a plan for us! I know we have a great future ahead....and he looks so handome in a uniform! haha :) I love our story and am so in love! We have been together for almost a year now and we could not be happier!

The picture below was taken where Danato proposed on July 26!

Couple #4

Alysha & Mike

Their Love Story:

My fiancee Mike and I first met when I was 8 years old. He is my best friend's older brother so we grew up together. He was the typical older brother always teasing me from age 8 until college. Both of our families always joked that we were going to get married and we always denied it. It wasn't until we were both in college that we realized there could be something there beyond me just being his sister's best friend. Every year since age 15 I would go on his family vacations and one year we got stuck riding the whole way together. It was then that we both realized that we complimented eachother very well and understood eachother's unique sense of humor. A few months after that we slowly began dating and our families immediately started saying we told you so.

Couple #5

Danielle & Adam

Their Love Story:

I met my Fiance on a blind date. It all started with my best friend having a dream that Adam "my finace" and I had gotten married. So the next day she set up a double date with her and her boyfriend and Adam and I. Before this date I had never seen Adam before so I had no clue what he looked liked. At first I wasnt too sure if I wanted to go on a date with a guy who I didnt even know what he looked like and I have never even talked to before. The only thing my friend told me was his name, how old he was, and that he was a fireman. So I was very nervous about who will be showing up at my door step. But as soon as he came to the door to pick me up I knew instently that I made the right choice on going the blind date. That night we had alot of fun and we hit it off really well. After the date I told my parents that he was the "one" and I was going to marry him. And since that day we have been together and we will be soon getting married next year.

Couple #6

Andrea & Scott

Their Love Story:

Our story is not normal nonetheless beautiful. Our story is not romantic but Oh! full of romance. Our story is not funny yet we have had so much fun, even though some of you will think it's funny.

El Paso TX. Last days of April 2011. It was either Friday or Saturday. My friends and I were bowling and afterwards we were headed to the club. When we went in to the club it was empty and no fun. We decided to go to the bar scene instead. We spent the night bar hoping. Finally we settled for a bar called Cincinnati Bar and Grill (funny, right?) on Cincinnati Ave. My friend "Bella" starts saying "Butcher's here! Butcher's here!". In my head, I'm like "Shut up about it already! Who's this Butcher guy?"-I thought it was just a really mean nickname-. So, I asked her "Who is that guy?". B: "A friend of mine. From what I've heard, he is a great lover and will get you anything you want. He is really sweet" A: "Oh really?". In my head again: "I want to meet him". Therefore, I met him! He was so drunk it's not even funny yet in actuality it was so funny! He liked me as soon as he saw me, drunk and all. I didn't like him but I was sober and the scene was new to me. Right away he puts his arm around my neck, clinging onto me, and asks "What's your pleasure baby? What are you drinking on?". I laughed so hard at his face but he couldn't possible know how funny this was. We went to the bar and got drinks. He did not leave my side for a minute and made sure my drinks kept coming. Gentleman? I would think so.

As we roamed through the crowd he would not let me go or out of his site. We spoke and asked questions to each other but very limited due to his condition. We later on went to another bar and here comes the good part. At that other bar our friends were in a corner and him and I went to get some drinks. For some reason we were facing each other. Facing each other closely. I was surprised and nervous. I asked: "Are you going to kiss me now?" S: "Do you want me to kiss you?" I do not remember what my answer was but yes we kissed. The rest of what happened right before the night ended will remain untold as it was for the sake of my dear husband. Let's just say the night was cut short and he ended up at the hospital-not funny-.

After the incident I did not wonder or think about him. I was dating someone else at the time. Drama!? Thursdays are officially part of the weekend in many places but for sure in El Paso. It is my friend's favorite day to go out. It is also the day in which my friend "Bella" goes to church. She invited me to go with her. I accepted. After church we were going to a bar. Ironic? I get there and she says "Butcher's coming" (I still did not know that that was his last name). I thought "Great!" "Awkward?" Oh yes very awkward, specially for him. When he gets there he did not look at me or said anything to me. I felt so bad. I thought he was embarrassed but then why go if he knew I was there? Turns out he remembered me and wanted to see me. I laughed inside so hard. He sat beside me again speechless. So was I. Finally he said something and we broke the ice! Before that my dad and I had had a difficult and very sad conversation. He was kicking me out. I was very upset.

We then headed to "Bella's" place to leave her little girl. Finally Scott and I were facing each other completely sober and we talked. I told him my situation and he offered his couch for me to stay in. I accepted. We went to the bar and we had the greatest conversation. We had some drinks. I couldn't drive. So he drove me. Then forward we did not leave each other's side except for a two week vacation I had and now due to he is in Iraq serving our country for the 3rd time.

I stopped dating the other guy and Scott and I spent as much time together as we could since he was leaving soon. The months past by and we started talking marriage. It was sudden. It was so soon. I do not even remember when the subject came up. Anyhow, we did not care about time. We were in love. We were meant to be.

The engagement was not romantic at all! Maybe just for one thing: it was a full moon that night. We went ring shopping and I told him to make it special even though we were buying the ring together. He said he was not able to do anything special due to the timing. So, in the parking lot of the "Biggest Store of All"(you all probably know which one that is) he got on one knee and asked me to be his wife! We announced our parents by phone and everyone else, well let's just say we made it Facebook official.

Couple # 7

Adriene & Blaine

Their Love Story:

On Friday February 13, I was sitting in a McDonalds parking lot with my friend from high school. We were eating double cheeseburgers talking about what we should do that night. I was a sophomore in high school. We decided to travel to the Dayton Mall which was about 30 minutes from where we were at. We knew that our parents would not like us going all the way up there since we had just gotten our license (I did not even have a car yet!) so we did not tell them. We started up 75 north when my friend got the idea to visit where she grew up, Piqua, Ohio. I didnt know it then but I would meet the guy I would marry that night! We decided to still not say anything to our parents and we would just worry about it when they called to see where we were at. We made it to Piqua in about an hour and stopped at her friends house that my friend had grown up with. We did not know what there was to do in Piqua on a Friday night so they decided to call the guy down the street that my friend had a crush on. He said that he didn't know of anything but that he would call a couple friends and get back to us. About fifteen minutes later he called us back and said to meet him and his friend at the bowling ally. To this day, the friend still talks about how Blaine was the last person on his list of friends to call that night, everyone else was busy! We met Brandon and Blaine at the bowling ally and I instantly knew this guy was going to be someone in my life. We played pool, I flirted, he didn't even notice! We spent the rest of the night together. Then our moms call. We told them we were at a basketball game for high school. Brandons uncle just so happen to be the principal of our high school...For years my mom believed that I met Blaine at a Lakota East High School basketball game when Brandon and Blaine came to visit Brandons uncle! The rest is history....

Couple #8

Lo & Aaron

Their Love Story:

Aaron and I (Lo) met through a mutual friend, one night at a University of Dayton party (where i never expected to meet anyone). This party however, was a "What the 'HECK' are you Wearing" party, so you were supposed to dress in something ridiculous. Well I had normal clothes on because i wasn't informed; Aaron was very "keen: on the theme of the party. In fact, he was dressed in ALL ORANGE! Now keep in mind it's September 6th and still very hot outside, my favorite item of his was the ORANGE detachable FLEECE HOOD! Yes, just the hood. Did I mention that I HATE the color orange ironic right!?

Well at the end of the party my friend was walking me to my car and told me that he thought Aaron liked me. I turned to him and said, there is NO WAY in heck! that Aaron likes me. UD boys do not like girls like me! See I'm not a huge "party goer" and UD is known for partying. He insisted Aaron DID. He went on saying that Aaron said I was a "cool, funny & sweet girl" that he wanted to hang out with me again and soon! Apparently, Aaron asked our friend if it would be okay to "facebook friend" me and invite me out tomorrow night, I said sure why not. Still refusing to believe that Aaron could ever possibly like me, I said he probably just wanted to be friends and headed home.

The next morning I woke to a friend request and message from Aaron with his enjoyment of meeting me last night, his number and an invite to his fraternity house that night. I went, met a lot of his brothers and from then on we hung out every single night that next month and 1/2. When Aaron started asking me on dates, however, I made him "group" date me for a month and a half. Against his liking, he was patient with my jaded self, made the best out of every situation, and respected my choice. It became a joke because sometimes I'd even pay for his frat. brothers to come along with us.

After all his waiting I finally let him take me out on a "us only" date and that night he asked me to be his girlfriend. The funny thing was that I said "No" at dinner, and waited for him to ask me later, just to keep with our joke. He asked of course, determined and driven as usual, and I said "YES!! of Course!". He then did the sweetest thing ever and explained that because he knew committing to him was a big deal and risk for me, he wanted to do something that was equally a big deal and risk for HIM as well. So he looked at me with his BIG blue eyes and told me he loved me, and had fallen in love with me since we'd met! I told him I felt the same and couldn't hold it in anymore, I told him I loved him too!

Our 2 year anniversary is this October 17th..and it feels like i've known him my whole life, but that it's still that first week we'd Met. Since then Orange has grown to be my Best Friend, Soul Mate, Confidant & the LOVE of my Life.

Couple # 9

Elizabeth & Sunny

Their Love Story:

Sunny and I met in one of the most romantic places one could think of. We were celebrating our best man's 19th birthday at, of all places, Chuck E. Cheese. Though we had gone to high school together, we had never met. We met over greasy pizza - Sunny thought I talked too much, I thought he was way too quiet. Our best friends were dating each other, so over time we accidently spent a significant amount of time together. I invited him to tag along to my family vacation spot at the end of summer, where we had our first kiss. We may have been friends first, but he grew into the love of my life...my best friend.

Sunny proposed this summer during our yearly trip to my grandfather's cabin in Michigan's UP. After hiking along the beach at Lake Superior, we took a private tour of a light house. At the top, he dropped to one knee and proposed. Who says you can't meet your future husband at Chuck E. Cheese?

Couple #10

Trish & Drew

Their Love Story:

We met on Drew's first day living in Upper the summer of our junior. I offered to give him a ride home from a friend's house and he had no clue where he lived! He also did not know the phone number, so we couldn't call and ask where he lived! We had to drive around town until he saw something that he recognized before we found his house. It was pretty funny and we had plenty of time to get to know each other!

We have now been together for 4 years and engaged for 3. We are getting married next summer and cannot wait! :)

Couple #11

Jerilynn & Paul

Their Love Story:
Paul and I met when we worked at UDF together. We worked together for about a year and both were in relationships. We were always close friends and could talk about anything. Then we both became single and started to hang out with a little push from Cortney Shannon haha. We are both very shy about relationships but we decided to start hanging out and we went on Our first date and we went snow sking and Paul was horrible lol. He fell many times and almost wiped out the entire line for the lift haha. But we had a blast and really enjoyed spending time together and have been together ever since. We've been together almost two years now. We havent had any pictures together which is bad since I am a photographer haha. But hopefully we could win this contest and have some awesome/amazing pictures done by you :)

Couple #12

Courtney & Tim

Their Love Story:
We have a special story on how we met. One of my good friends at school (WSU) was called to deploy to Iraq in 08 and we kept in touch the whole time he was gone, sent packages and everything. He got 2 weeks to come home to see family and friends and we met up while he was home. He was showing me a slide show of pictures of the group he was with and there was this super handsome guy in several of the photos so naturally I asked who he was. The cute guy's name was Tim and he was from Columbus and on this tour with my friend. Back in Iraq our friend passed along the message that a girl from back home thought he was cute. At the time Tim didn't have a facebook but his group of guys created one for him so we could talk. Tim and I quickly became great facebook friends, talked often and as much as we could. Before the boys got back to the US I already knew I was in love with this guy. To avoid being creepy I didn't ask to see him right away when he got home. A month later we finally met up and have been inseperable since! Tim proposed to me and we quickly got married, and a month later he left to be overseas again. He is finally home with me now! We are are finally planning our 'second' wedding to have the celebration we deserve! We truely are soulmates!

Couple #13

Jeanette & Terry

Their Love Story:
Well I actually met my fiance on July 4, 2005 through a mutual friend that I had known in high school. We became very close, he was actually one of my best friends for years. I was in college at UC and him and our 2 other friends would always come watch me cheer at the games or just come down and visit with me. I moved back home in 2009 and our first date was the Trans/ Am Nationals at the end of August. Soon after that car show we decided to become a couple. We both have a great love for Pontiac Trans/ Ams and show/ race cars in general so our first date was perfect for us both. This past August the T/A Nationals happened to fall on the exact date of our 2 year anniversary which was August 27. At the Tipp City Cruise In, in front of around 1000 people, my fiance got on the microphone and bent down to one knee and asked me to marry him over the loudspeaker. The entire car show stopped and cheered when I said yes. He secretly invited my entire family and about 20 of our close friends were there to suprise me after he did this. It was the best night of my life. Of course after this the DJ then made us dance in the middle of main street in Tipp City in front of everyone which was fun as well and our son Kaden got a kick out of running around us while we danced ha ha.

Couple #14

Kelley & Allen

Their Love Story:
Anthony and I met the in 2004 the summer before our senior year in high school. Our high school had like 600 people in our class so even though we went to the same school we'd never met. A mutual friend introduced us and we've been together ever since. Our courtship was only three or four weeks, so pretty much as long as we've known each other we've been a couple! Our first official date Anthony took me to go see The exorcism the prequel. I sooooo dont like scary movies but i wasnt about to say no! So he took me and half the time i was looking at the wall or above the screen bc i was scared! hahaha. But its a funny story now and i wouldnt change it for anything. We've been together for seven years and he still makes me laugh everyday. The two pics are, ovbiously, graduation haha ya know high school sweethearts and all that and the other is a very very cold trip to nyc, i think we are in central park.

Wynter Wise Senior Sneak Peek

2011-09-13T19:50:00.002-04:00

I only have had a chance to edit a few but I thought I would go ahead and post a sneak peek of Wynter's Senior Session from this weekend. Wynter was so easy going and she did anything I asked even if it was crazy. Like the picture below with the broken down firetruck was in the country and we had no idea if we were even allowed in there but what the heck we got some great shots with it and it is SUPER cool. I love when I can take seniors to fun and different places....we also went to a what was once a stone/ brick house and shot there....I had a great time and it was a ton of fun hanging out with Wynter. I am excited to get all the images edited!!

Some of you might remember Wynter from before...well she is one of my very cool senior model reps. You can check out a few pictures and a slideshow by following the links below.....and to keep updated on when the rest of her session is posted just "like" www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto.

http://cmariesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/shout-out-to-my-senior-reps-class-of.html

http://cmariesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/wynter-wise-bluffton-high-school-senior.html

Rebekah & Mark Love Story Sneak Peek

2011-09-13T10:49:00.002-04:00

On Sunday, I was up in Findlay with Rebekah and Mark. We ran around downtown and found some really cute spots to shoot so great engagement images! I hope to be able to get the rest up soon so keep up to date on Rebekah & Mark's Session "like" www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto.

Rebekah and Mark have been together since high school and have dated for about eight years! I am sure they are looking forward to there wedding which is right around the corner!! :-)

I love this shot....

Lorelai & Logan Sneak Peek

2011-09-10T14:03:00.000-04:00

So I was hanging out with these super cute kids yesterday and got a few pictures of them!! They are just darling and I couldn't help but edit a couple to show them off. We hung out at the school playground next to there home, and then got to get pizza and ice cream....it was a blast! So many more to come....

Waldo Peppers - Findlay Restaurant & Hall

2011-09-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Waldo Peppers is not just an excellent restaurant but they put on a great party in their upstairs hall. I have eaten at Waldo Peppers several times and actually until Stacey and Kyle's wedding I had no idea that they even had this area attached to their restaurant. Maybe I live under a rock though. :-)

Waldo Peppers has some really super awesome food. I have NEVER had something I did not like. So even if you are not planning a large event or wedding it is a great place to stop and have dinner.

I know that everyone had a great time at this reception and I just wanted to feature Waldo Peppers as a great vendor in my Vendor Month because not only was it great food, great location, and an awesome Couple (Stacey & Kyle) but I loved the floor tile for the ring picture and I loved the servers as they were very helpful and kind no matter what I asked they were willing to help, for example the first picture below I asked them to slow down and let me capture this image and they were more than happy to do it a few times for me. Which was so awesome!!

All this talk about Waldo Peppers makes me want to go there for lunch!! :-)

Keep up with Waldo Peppers on facebook too!!

These flowers were arranged by Enchanting Flowers of Toledo Ohio. Which are also great at what they do. It was about 110 Degrees outside and all the white flowers not only survived but looked great! And that is not easy! If you have a chance you should totally check them out at http://enchantingflowers.net/. And you can like them on facebook too so you can keep up with all the beautiful flower arrangements they are making.

This is that floor tile I was talking about that I love as a background for this ring picture. And It wouldn't have been possible without the awesome skills of Enchanting Flowers of Toledo.

The Flowerman! - Dayton Florist

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

The Flowerman, is very well known in the Dayton Area for fresh quality at adorable prices with a large selection of flowers. Last May I photographed the most beautiful wedding of Shelley and Drew Gault. The Flowerman was the florist and I believe the flowers were very beautiful!

The Flowerman keeps their cost low partly because they have low overhead. When you drive to The Flowerman, you might think your GPS has told you the wrong thing but if you are in front of a warehouse building, you are at the right place! It is kinda cool actually that it is in a warehouse I like it because it is different than expected.

A cool thing that they do offer is a Do It Yourself Option, which is a great way to have amazing flowers on a budget. It not only saves you money but you have a ton of fun with your friends, families, and bridesmaids. Grab some snacks and get creative!

The Flowerman has received several Best of the Knot and Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Awards!

Keep up to date with the Flowerman on facebook at www.facebook.com/flowermanweddings.

September is Vendor Appreciation Month at C.Marie's Photography so please keep checking back all this month for more reviews on some really awesome companies!

The Story of Eric and Vanessa Padgett's Wedding

2011-09-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

Eric and Vanessa tied the knot of August 20, 2011 in Germantown. It was a beautiful day and they planned a beautiful wedding. I had a wonderful time shooting with Ashley as my assistant that day of Ashley Fionna Photography. You should go check out her work as she is great! I look forward to working with her again soon.

I had a great time getting to hang out with Eric's and Vanessa's family and friends and getting to photograph this great day in their lives.

This is the first time I have ever made the blog post as a storyboard so I would love some feedback as to what everyone thinks about it....I tried my best to put the images in the storyboard as though to tell the story of this romantic wedding.

And there off!

Dayton Wedding Connection - My New Office Space

2011-09-07T18:30:00.000-04:00

This past week I have been able to rent office space at The Dayton Wedding Connection which is located off of US-35 at Woodman Drive behind Bob's Evans!

The Dayton Wedding Connection is an awesome company and they have some awesome office space and I love what they are doing with the building as it has been undergoing many changes. There is space that brides can rent out for small weddings and/or even a shower or large party. Then on the 2nd floor they have a gallery-like set up with all sorts of wedding vendors. It is a great space for anyone to go that is planning a large event of any type.

There are planners, DJ's, photographers, dress makers, bakeries, and so on. It sorta reminds me of a bridal show with no pressure and less people trying to sell you something. It is just like an art gallery with only some of the best wedding vendors information on the gallery walls.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone planning a wedding in the Dayton area or even the Cincinnati area to stop in and see the gallery walls with all the different vendors displays. And if you don't have a chance to stop in check them out on their website where you can take a virtual tour and even links to all their vendors and members websites!

I chose to blog about Dayton Wedding Connection today because something really cool happened there today! :-) I now rent office space there and today was my first meeting that I got to have there! I used the blue living room as I felt like it was more relaxed and I like to keep things low-key and relaxed, I think that is way more fun!! :-)

This is the hallway when you walk in the front door. They are from a collection of photographers in the area!

The office spaces are mostly upstairs and those open doors at the top of the stairs is where Rebecca, Megan, Tim, and/or Kim will be to welcome you. There to help you with anything you might need.

At the top of the stairs if you head to the right you will come across this living room area...where I had my first meeting! YAY! I was very excited to have a space to just relax and get to know my bride Elizabeth. I look forward to the many more meetings I will be having there!! It was just a blast and I love that there are so many other vendors with displays so that my bride can go around and see some of the different vendors information of vendors I know can do an awesome job for them.

Annabelle - Cutest Tiny Human - Dayton Children's Photographer

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

Annabelle came to visit me this weekend! She was just darling and melted my heart! A little while back I did a "Cutest Tiny Human Contest" and Annabelle was one of the winners! She sure is cute alright! She is very close to walking soon and she crawls all over the place! And I love her smile!

Sadly it rained most of the day so I had to get creative and believe it or not we did some of these pictures at IKEA in West Chester. Sounds like a crazy idea but it turned out great and we had a great time and got to purchase some new fun things for our houses. :-) It also gave me some great ideas for designing a future C.Marie's Photography Studio someday! :-)

We did get a break from the rain as soon as we returned from IKEA and so we got to use the back patio for a few pictures before dark!

This is just a sneak peek of so many more to come....

Decorations Plus - Findlay Party Rentals & Supplies

2011-09-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

I grew up in Northwest Ohio in a small town outside of Findlay, Ohio where Decorations Plus is located. A good family friend first recommended me to Decorations Plus and I have never been disappointed with the outcome whether at my own families functions or at events I have photographed. Basically if you can think of an idea for your party, wedding, or event they can come up with a way to make it happen.

One thing that I really love for parties and showers is their balloons. In the pictures below on the blog post there are some flower shaped balloons but at some of the past events I have photographed, they have made baby themed balloons to look like rattles and pacifiers. They are just awesome at making these balloon arrangements.

And at my Aunt Janelle's Wedding she had them decorate the reception and even with a ton of rules from the reception hall they came up with a way to make it all work and not break any rules. I think the picture is still on there website in the gallery which is pretty cool.

They really are great to work with and wonderful at what they do. If you have any rental or party needs I highly recommend them! Balloons, Linens, Tents, Centerpieces and so much more it truly is a one stop party shop.

Images featured here are from a Garden Theme Party where tent, linens, tables, chairs, chair covers, and balloons were all done by Decorations Plus.

September is Vendor Appreciation Month at C.Marie's Photography so please keep checking back all this month for more reviews on some really awesome companies!

Buggy Whip Bakery - Wayne Bakery

2011-09-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

At Jenn & Jeremy Sheeks Wedding back in May at Simpson Garden Park in Bowling Green, was a Buggy Whip Bakery Wedding Cake. It was very well done. It looked great, and tasted great too! The perfectionistic in me loved that all the lines were straight and equal. :-)

Buggy Whip is located in downtown Wayne, Ohio. It is family owned and operated and began in 1995 by Lois St. Clair. She takes much pride in her products and ingredients by never using any preservatives. Buggy Whip offers cakes, pies, cookies, breads and more and can be ready within just a couple days.

Buggy Whip Bakery has WON 2010 Best of the Knot! Which is a huge honor! Congrats!

September is Vendor Appreciation Month at C.Marie's Photography so please keep checking back all this month for more reviews on some really awesome companies!

Panache Florals & Interiors

2011-09-03T18:55:00.000-04:00

Some of you know that my mom has a nail and body salon known as Polished. Well some of you might not yet know that right beside Polished is now, Panache Florals & Interiors. And if you have not had a chance to stop by Panache yet, you are missing out! It is just an awesome floral shop. It is not your traditional floral shop, I promise.

And guys are welcome too! Actually guys they make it so easy on you. They can help get the perfect gift or floral arrangement all ready for you to give to that perfect lady in your life.

AND BRIDES!! Holy Moly!! You most certainly should get in contact with Panache! They are a full service wedding florist and they just do an amazing job!

I had a chance to photograph some of the displays that were up the last time I had to chance to hang out in Bluffton. They are already moving in holiday displays so it might look different now, and I am excited to head up there again next weekend to snap a few more images and maybe show you all some new fun things!!

These lime green candle sticks are on my Christmas list in case anyone was wondering... hehehe

I love love love this cooler! It is just so cool!

I don't know if I love this clock or the cooler more! :-)

The fabulous Renee & Doug!!

To find out more about Panache "like" them on facebook at www.facebook.com/panacheLLC

Miss Khloe - Tiny Human Session - Dayton Children's Photographer

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Khloe was just so cute! We played in your house and sandbox and she was just a ton of fun! I cannot wait until the leaves fall so we can do a leaf pill and run all around I know she would just love it. I used my 50mm lens for the whole session and it actually worked out just great! I love her laugh and when I look at some of these pictures I can't help but almost hear her giggle. :-)

I love little kids with great imaginations. Khloe was looking in that "window box" to check on the Turkey she was cooking. She said it looked great.

Welcome to Khloe's House. "Uncle Jeff" did an excellent job building it.

This is my favorite shot from the day!

Shout Out to My Senior Reps - Class of 2012

2011-09-01T14:51:00.000-04:00

I know that all my senior reps are back to school by now. I know some probably did not want to go back to school and leave all their summer fun behind but I wanted to send a shout out to them all and wish them the BesT SENIOR YeAR eVer!!!

I have been so lucky to have some great senior models this year! They are all great and shooting them and getting to know them reminded me of being a senior in high school and all the fun I had.

My only advice for all of you is..... HAVE FUN! ENJOY EVERY SECOND! And don't worry no matter what people tell you it is not the best time in your life! Things only get more fun and better from here!!

Jaime's Model Session was shot off Third Street Downtown...One of my favorite spots! To see more of Jaime's Pictures check out the slideshow below & Jaime's and Paige's blog post!

SLIDESHOW: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=744107021796&set=vb.79853989453&type=2&theater

Joe's Model Session was also shot downtown but it was about 30 degrees outside so we ran into the skywalk that connects the Crown Plaza and the Dayton Convention Center where I shot several images. To see more of Joe's Session check out his blog post and the slideshow below.

SLIDESHOW: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=744114925956

Paige's Model Session was shot at the 2nd Street Market. It was a ton of fun! To see more of Paige's Session check out her slideshow below & head to Paige's and Jaime's Blog Post.

SLIDESHOW: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=744112989836

Taylor's Model Session was shot downtown Dayton at the Cannery Loft Walkway. Which is another favorite spot of mine too. To see more images of Taylor check out the slideshow below & her blog post.

SLIDESHOW: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=744099337196&set=vb.79853989453&type=2&permPage=1

Wynter's Model Session was shot all over Bluffton. We were behind some of the downtown buildings, the post office, and even the stairs at Greg's Pharmacy. The beauty of the small town was we could walk to all these places. To see more of Wynter's Shots check out her slideshow below & her blog post.

SLIDESHOW: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=744111298226&set=vb.79853989453&type=2&permPage=1

To find out more about Senior Packages click on the tab at the top of this blog "Senior Investment"
or email me at Courtney@cmaries-photography.com

IF YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH ANY OF THESE AWESOME SENIOR MODELS....ASK THEM FOR A REP CARD AND GET A DEAL ON YOUR SENIOR PICTURES!! - if you aren't their friend they are all very nice and will give you a card if you just ask I am sure! :-)

2nd Shooting with Linzi Beckie Photography - Maggie & Brad Wedding

2011-08-31T19:03:00.002-04:00

I got the chance to second shoot for a change. It was fun and a nice change of pace. I had a great time as I knew I would since Lindsey and I have worked together once before a few months back. Lindsey Junod (owner of Linzi Beckie Photography) is originally from here in Ohio but now lives in Virginia Beach (with her very cool husband Ryan. :-) ) and comes back from time to time for sessions and weddings. I was able to shoot Maggie and Brad's Wedding with her at The Sunroom on the Brick in Frankfort, Ohio. We even ran "uptown" Frankfort to shoot a few formals and fun shots. We had a ton of fun and Maggie and Brad were so in love it just shines through in there images.

To check out Linzi Beckie Photography's Blog of Maggie & Brad's Beautiful Wedding head to: http://linzibeckiephotography.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/maggie-brad-married/.

Everytime I shoot with Lindsey I also enjoy trying to capture images of her taking capturing images. It is something fun and so I included two of those below too...to see more of Lindsey at work check out my previous blog from working with her in the past at: http://cmariesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/06/lindsey-junod-in-action-linzi-beckie.html

Maggie had a beautiful dress and the Sunroom at the Brick had beautiful big windows to create this natural light that really makes for an elegant look.

Lindsey at work...taking a picture of the beautiful bride...

Lindsey at work...

These guys were great...we went downtown and we loved this spot...

I snapped a picture of the bride's shoes, it was in the top picks that Lindsey choose to put on her blog.

A couple more shots I captured that Lindsey featured on her blog.

Maggie and Brad did a whole dance routine at their reception, to a popular Grease song. It was just adorable!!

Thanks Lindsey for having me help you out I hope to do it again soon!

Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Aubry Sneak Peek 8.27.2011 - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-08-29T19:00:00.001-04:00

Saturday I had the honor of photographing Ryan and Katie's beautiful wedding!!! Katie was just simply beautiful and Ryan could not have been more handsome! These two are more in love than I can put into words! I had a wonderful time photographing this wedding and I had a great assistant Liz!!

I know Ryan and Katie are still on the honeymoon, but thanks to smart phones I wanted to post a few sneak peeks so they could see a few images! I have tons of favorites so I have a lot of work ahead of me and so many more images are to come so keep your eye out for posts in the near future!

(I also created a new watermark which I am excited about!)

Keep up to date on Katie & Ryan's Picture Posts like www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto.

A Pre-Sneak Peek...Eric & Vanessa

2011-08-26T00:07:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday I had the chance to shoot Vanessa & Eric's beautiful wedding, in Germantown, Ohio. I was looking through the images and I had a chance to edit a couple so I thought I would post them for a "pre" sneak peek blog post. So keep checking back for the official blog post of this amazing couple's wedding! I had such a great time at their wedding, and a wonderful time meeting and getting to know their friends and families!! :-)

Couple's Contest

2011-08-25T12:14:00.002-04:00

Hope that you have a chance to enter the couple's contest!! It's super simple and fun! Two chances to win!!

I have loved the stories so far and hope to hear many more!! -- The deadline for submitting your image and story is NOW SEPT 14TH. So get those entries in!!!!

Click the "Couple's Contest Filer" to see larger!

Through the Lens...Point and Shoot Cameras..

2011-08-19T17:56:00.000-04:00

So lately I have been getting a lot of questions from clients, friends, family and even other photographers - so as teachers always told me going through school..."if you have a question, odds are someone else has the same question..." I thought I would share the answers in hopes to helping others.

So in honor of that I am going to start and Ask the Pro Section called Through the Lens...

So for my first Through the Lens article...

One of the most common questions I get from Mom's out there is "What kind of camera should I buy? I just want a simple point and shoot camera but I would like it to be nice but not cost me thousands of dollars."

I want to start the answer to this question by saying that camera don't take pictures people do so truly if you know your camera inside and out and understand the different settings and functions you will be able to capture a great picture. Now I am not saying you should go out and open a photography business using your iphone camera because you understand how the iphone camera works. But I do think you can get a good picture on a iphone. Their is something to be said for nice camera equipment and the professional lines of camera in the Nikon and Canon companies are extremely high in quality and their is something to be said about the quality of equipment.

I myself have a point and shoot digital camera that I often put in my back pocket for when my friends and I go out and about for the day or for when I am scouting out new locations or riding roller coaster at Cedar Point. All times that I feel it is easier to carry the small compact point and shoot than all my heavy professional camera equipment.

With all that said I would have to say that even though my point and shoot camera is a Fujifilm FINEPIZ J110w.

It is a discounted model but it is pretty nice. It doesn't give me much trouble and it seems pretty durable.

I also have this super fun film point and shoot camera has a fisheye lens in it. A company by the name of lomography, if you have a little extra cash it is totally worth getting on of these if you are into taking pictures for fun or even just like having something different. Now it is not high quality or anything fancy in fact it is made up of plastic mainly. But it does take 35mm film and I find it fun to use black and white film in it.

When it comes to shopping today though some cameras that can be found at most retailers that I would most likely recommend to you are....

Panasonic Lumix FH27 - It is simply to work and understand as well as it has a nice zoom and a nice lens built in with a 3" preview screen on the back which is nice for double checking your images. This camera runs just under $200 which is also nice for a little camera.

I also have always favored Olympus Point and Shoot cameras. My very first digital camera and my first 35mm film camera was an Olympus. And I very much want the new Olympus Pen Camera but so far need to keep saving my money to get one.

In the Olympus camera that I would recommend currently any of the tough series cameras. I am always dropping things so they are very ideal for people that are not so graceful. They are built to withstand water, high and low temperatures and crush proof. As well as they are excellent in quality and VERY easy to learn the functions of this camera. They have large viewing screens and I feel that olympus always keeps high quality at the top of the list when making new and different cameras.

These options are only my opinion. And I hope they helped in some way. All this camera talk makes me want to go out and buy so new equipment. :-)

Dayton Bridal Expo - Dayton Wedding Photographer

2011-08-16T10:28:00.001-04:00

The Bridal Expo in Dayton held at the Dayton Convention Center by Claiborne Productions on Sunday went great. It was my first bridal show that was held in Dayton and I think it was a lot of fun. I met some awesome brides & grooms and heard all sorts of really cool ideas for weddings. I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

While at the Bridal Show I launched my Couple's Contest which runs til August 31st. For more information check out my site or click here.

I snapped a picture of my booth with my phone while at the show, I look forward to the Manor House Show in Mason coming up on the 28th.

I have a few discount tickets left for the Mason show so please feel free to contact me and I will get them to you.

A special thank you goes out to Prime Time Party Rentals in Dayton Ohio for providing all the tables and linens for my booth.

Voting is OPEN....For the Cutest Tiny Human Contest

2011-07-26T19:31:00.004-04:00

Entries are in, and these are all some seriously adorable tiny humans. Below is all the tiny humans in the Cutest Tiny Humans Contest! You may vote for whomever you think is the most adorable!

Everyone may vote twice.

Once by commenting on this post with the Name of the child you are voting for!

And once on facebook by commenting on the picture you think is the cutest!

Annabelle

Annabelle is now 5 1/2 months old!

She's recently started rolling around; her dad and I left her for 30 seconds on a sheet on our living room floor to check on something in our garage. We heard a muffled cry coming from her general vicinity; we ran back to check on her, thinking she'd gotten herself wedged up against the couch and couldn't roll away from it. We found her wrapped up in the sheet like a little baby burrito underneath the coffee table! No more leaving this wild child unattended :). I wish I'd gotten a picture of it, but I was so afraid she'd suffocate in there that I couldn't leave her long enough to snap one.

We've spent hundreds of dollars on baby toys and distractions but as of right now, her favorite toys consist of 1) her dad's glasses, and 2) her sister Dallas' (our English Shepherd) favorite tennis ball (probably because when she finally gets ahold of it it's pre-moistened for her)

Dawson

Dawson is now 5 months old!

He currently loves to blow raspberries!

Naura

Naura is 3 1/2 years old.

Naura has tons of personality, and loves her baby brother and all things purple.

She is going to grow up to be like mommy, she told me that she wants to go to work to make money. I ask her if she would like to make cakes? (Her mom works at a bakery) She replay with "No, I am going to make money."

Kendra

Kendra is 4 years old.

Kendra's favorite thing: Her Blanket

This is how I know that Kendra is my{mom} BEST friend. Every night before bed, we take turns rubbing each other's back :-)

Mackenzie

Mackenzie is 2 years old.

Mackenzie a big sister now!

Kayleigh

Kayleigh is 4 months old.

Kayleigh loves to giggle!

Alyssa

Alyssa is 3 years old.

She loves playing with her baby dolls being their little mommy.

Destiny

Destiny calls herself a tomboy, but this is the pose that she did when she put this dess on. Doesn't seem so tomboy to me {her mom}.

Her favorite thing is to play basketball and swim.

LANDON

Landon is mommy's little man!!

OK - LET THE VOTING BEGIN!

Voting will close on August 6th, 2011

Again you may only vote twice.

1. Commenting "vote" on the picture you wish to win in facebook album.

2. Commenting on the blog post (below) with the name of the cutest tiny human!

Danielle & Tyler Wedding Photography - Findlay Wedding Photographer

2011-07-24T00:58:00.003-04:00

There are SO many beautiful pictures of Danielle & Tyler's Wedding, I could not even get them all on this blog. If you would like to see more check out my facebook page at www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto.

Danielle & Tyler had one amazing wedding. I had a wonderful time and have tons of favorite shots.

I have to thank my fearless 2nd shooter Becky Nels Lewis! And all the great vendors that made this event so great!!

For more pictures of Danielle & Tyler's Wedding Day ... check out www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto

Cutest Tiny Human Contest!!

2011-07-15T20:22:00.002-04:00

Cutest Tiny Humans Contest!

I am very excited to announce that I will be holding a contest for all the tiny humans out there!

Do you have the cutest tiny human? Enter by following the rules/steps listed below!!

STEPS TO ENTER:

1. Find a save a picture of the cutest tiny human you know, as a .jpeg or .jpg

2. Email it to me at courtney@cmaries-photography.com

3. In your email please include the following:

Child's Name

Parent(s) Name

A cute short story about your child

Children's Favorite Thing or Toy

RULES OF CONTEST:

1. You must be parent or grandparent of child you are entering

2. Children must me 12 years old or younger

3. The winner will be the tiny human with the most votes!

Entries accepted: July 15th-July 23rd

Voting Opens: July 24th - July 31st

(I will post the images on facebook fan page, as well as this blog for you to send your friends and family to vote for the cutest tiny human.)

People's Choice Winner receives a FREE portrait session that includes a disc with release!!!

($295 Value)

Any questions feel free to email me at courtney@cmaries-photography.com

Relay for Life of Oakwood -Volunteer Photographer

2011-07-09T01:25:00.003-04:00

I was able to be the volunteer photographer for Relay for Life of Oakwood tonight and I cannot tell you enough how awesome of a time I had out there with everyone. I have a known many people in my life to have battled with cancer, and sadly not everyone has won that war. Which is why every dollar raised at fundraisers like Relay for Life is so very important.

It is very late so I only have a few to post tonight but I promise to get the rest up tomorrow after the closing ceremony.

(As a thank you to all those involved in Oakwood's Relay for Life please email me at

courtney@cmaries-photography.com

and I will be happy to send you a disc of all the images from this years amazing relay at no cost to you.)

Singing of The National Anthem started our opening ceremony. And she did a wonderful job!

Survivors Lab!

This was one of my favorite parts of the night! It really does show that we are getting closer to a cure! It also reminded me that no matter your age, weight, gender, social status, wealth, or knowledge cancer can happen to anyone and it does. It can happen to the ones you love the most or even yourself and those who took the track during this lab are truly some of the strongest people in our community for what they have overcome, and we are all so blessed to have them here today!

Team Holy Angels! - Won my heart over with their Chick-fil-a sandwiches! :-)

This was for my Uncle Don, he past away due to cancer just last month. One of his favorite hobbies was photography, so I couldn't help think of him as I was photographing my first Relay for Life.

There were over 250 paper lanterns lining the track all in honor or memory of those that have battled cancer. It is really something to see them all like that, it reminds you just how many people lives are effected by cancer.

To see more pictures in the next day or two follow my facebook page at www.facebook.com/cmariesphoto