Tulip Tree Fever

I've been in love with tulip trees for YEARS. This is going to sound cheesy, but literally...they take my breath away. Just ask my poor husband who has to look at every blooming tree I see and point out like a 5-year-old who's just seen Mickey Mouse for the first time. I'm telling you...I absolutely love these trees!

While living in Michigan for 8 years, I knew right where all the good tulip trees would bloom every spring and I have tons of photos of them. But since I just moved back to Ohio last June, I had yet to search and discover the places they bloomed near my new place of residence. Until today.

I was walking down my driveway to get the mail today when I looked up and across the street like I always do. Across from our house is my great-grandparent's old property which includes a massive cornfield, a barn, and a farmhouse that my grandmother was actually born in. Today, when I looked at the house, I stopped in my tracks and started squinting to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. To my surprise and delight, it was the biggest, tallest, fullest tulip tree I've ever laid my eyes on...right across the street from my house! As soon as I got the mail, I hurried back in the house, grabbed my camera, and rushed over to capture this beauty. It made my day!

See it? I was even zooming in when I took this photo, so imagine how hard it was for me to spot it with the poor vision I've got!






A little vintage finish...


I know these petals are going to curl up and die in a day or two, but I had to take some back to my house to put on the windowsill above my kitchen sink. Nothing says "Spring" like fresh flowers!

"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." -Genesis 1:31

Teen Session: Ashley

Meet my beautiful niece, Ashley! She's 16, almost 17, and I can hardly believe it. Since all of my siblings are several years older than me, I was an aunt at the age of 10...all because of Ash! I hate to sound like one of those people who says "I remember when...", but really...I remember when I first saw her, laying in her little newborn crib on the other side of the glass in the hospital nursery. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I just couldn't stop crying! I've always felt like Ashley was more like my little sister than my niece, and it's been so amazing to watch her grow up and turn into such a beautiful, talented, funny, smart, young woman. This was a fun session we had this past week. Next year at this time, we'll be doing another session and it will be for senior pictures! Unbelievable! (Note: She is the older sister of Katie & Stephanie. See any resemblances?)











This is one of Ash's favorites! She says it's "edgy". :)

April Wedding: Ron & Susan

You never know what early-April weather is going to be like in lovely Ohio. Sometimes you get snow and sometimes you get 70+ degree weather...you just can't predict it! I was praying for a beautiful day for Ron and Susan's early-April wedding and thank the Lord, that's just what they got! It was an honor to be able to document their wedding day. All the details were planned out so well, and everything came together perfectly for them. I really don't think it could have been better! Ron & Susan...this is just a preview to hold you over while I finish the rest of your photos. Trust me...there are TONS more! :) Again, congratulations and God bless you both in your new life together!

Senior Session: Chris

My husband, Tim, started shooting with me at the beginning of 2009, so he was with me at Chris' session! It's great to have Tim shooting with me because having two cameras at a shoot means more photos, different angles and perspectives, and double the ideas for poses. I hope Chris had as good of a time as we did!

Chris truly made our job easy. He was so laid back and relaxed about everything, not to mention, extremely photogenic! Being a lover of photography himself, he had ideas of his own, which we welcomed and loved. Chris plans to attend the University of Cincinnati and double major in business and art, with an emphasis on photography. Knowing that he already knows a thing or two about photography, and shares our passion for this art form, we were honored and happy he chose us to do his senior photos. Thanks, Chris! We hope you like these, and don't forget that there are tons more where these came from!

























These last two were shot and edited by my talented husband!

Senior Session: Chris

This is just a mini-preview...I will definitely be doing a longer blog on Chris' senior session later! I think you'll understand why when you see the photos below. I'm actually embarrassed to tell anyone how many shots I took of Chris during this session. I couldn't help it, though...the camera loves him! Chris, you did awesome! I hope you enjoy these while you wait for the rest. :)