Summer is quickly approaching and I’ve been wanting to do a couples picnic session for quite some time now. Blooms and Berries Farm, just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio is currently ready for Strawberry picking season. As soon as I heard of this, I knew it would make an adorable photo session. Kaitlin & Tim were up for the adventure and after a toasty day of picking strawberries, we cooled off in the shade with some champagne and a cute little picnic. As you will see below, we had so much fun during this shoot and I fell in LOVE with this idea and plan on using it for future sessions!
The Pros and Cons of each wedding season
Trying to decide which season to get married? I’m laying out a quick breakdown from a photographers point of view when it comes to each wedding season. Here you will find a few of my pros and cons for each season and by the end you will be able to decide which is best for you.
Winter
Snow flurries, cute fur coats, and pops of red are a few of the things that make winter weddings absolutely gorgeous! One of my favorite weddings I’ve ever shot was in the winter and we lucked out with the first snowfall of the year! Being in the Midwest, weather is always a concern and is the biggest issue when it comes to having a winter wedding. You can prepare for the cold with some cute coats, but we never know if we will just have a plain gray winter backdrop for our photos. I suggest finding a venue with some gorgeous naturally lit indoor areas or a location with some pine trees nearby to add some color. The sun also sets at around 4pm which means all of the portraits will need to be done before the ceremony. A first look is also a must if you want any portraits together in the daylight. Please don’t forget the sun sets way early when scheduling your ceremony time!
Fall
The perfect chilly weather, gorgeous tree colors, and bon fires are a few of my favorite things when it comes to fall weddings. There are so many creative wedding ideas for the fall that I just absolutely love. There is just something about a chilly night and the smell of guest roasting up some s’mores outside that makes me all feel all warm and cozy. Fall is a very popular wedding time and will book up quickly. If this is a time you are wanting to choose, I suggest you get all of your favorite vendors booked asap so you can make sure you have who you want for your wedding day. Keep in mind the trees turn at different times each year and may not last if there is a big storm beforehand. I also suggest to prepare for football season. I’ve seen guests on their phones watching big games during the reception. I suggest brainstorming ideas on how to possibly include this at your wedding day to allow guests to still be there in the moment.
Summer
Summer is defiantly my peak of wedding season. Prepare for heat, sweating, and gorgeous colors for your wedding day. I’m a big fan of greenery in my weddings and love the summer because of it. Outdoor venues are my favorite, (click here for my top Ohio wedding venues) and utilizing this in the summer can be awesome! Who doesn’t love to be at a wedding when the sun is shining?! Indoor backup plans are not a bad idea given the chance of a pop up storm and bug spray should be on and around you at all times.
Spring
Spring can typically be considered off season for some wedding photographers and availability can be more open compared to the summer or fall months. Consider when the trees are still brown and when they are starting to bloom when choosing your spring date. If the trees are in bloom, allergy medicine should be kept on hand. Also keep in mind the midwest loves to throw a lot of rain down in the spring and you should have indoor backup plans for the ceremony and portraits. But don’t fear the rain! Clear umbrellas make for some really fun photos!
My biggest recommendation is to try to visit your venue during the season you plan on getting married. This always helps you get a better idea of what the landscape is like and what you can expect for your big day.
How to prepare for your engagement session
So you’ve never had professional photos done before and you’re kind of freaking out for your engagement session. If you’re worried about being embarrassed in public, how your fiancé will react, or just flat out afraid of being awkward in front of the camera, I’m sharing a few tips on how to prepare for your photoshoot.
Finding a location
Some things I like to suggest when choosing a location for your engagement photos is to brainstorm several places that have a significance in your relationship. Is there a favorite park you guys always go to? A brewery? Where did you first meet? Where was your first date? Do you have a cute home together? Do you both love ice cream, hiking, and your dog? I love the challenge of making strange places look beautiful, so even if you feel it’s odd, I definitely want to hear your ideas so I can help tell your story.
Finding a time
The time of your session will most likely depend on what season you are looking to have your engagement photos. I like to suggest at least booking 3-6 months before your wedding day. If you are planning on using these photos for save the dates then I would encourage these photos to be done even before then. I tend to shoot sunrise or sunset golden hour engagement sessions because the light works really well with my style of photography. Consider when the sun rises and sets for your time of the year. Please also keep in mind that many photographers are busy during the weekends, well, because they are photographing weddings of course!
Figuring out an outfit
Try not to be too matchy when it comes to your outfit choice. Find outfits that compliment each other rather than look exactly the same. Solid neutral colors tend to photograph the best in my opinion and try to be cautious with choosing something with a lot of patterns. Consider the weather when choosing your outfit and please make sure you are comfortable!
Day of preparation
Show up on time so we can make sure we get as much use of the sunlight as possible. Schedule a lot of getting ready time too so there is no stress as you’re walking out that door. You can even plan a little date night after to make the most of getting all dressed up together!
Sometimes I will suggest for you two to have a drink together beforehand to loosen up. I love capturing those silly candid photos where your TRUE selves come out, and it definitely helps after you have some liquid courage/giggles in you. I have several other techniques to help with this to make sure you both are comfortable so we can get those cute effortless moments. You do not need to be a pro at this so you can relax and let me work my magic!
My Favorite Ohio Wedding Venues
Okay, so quickly after creating this list of my favorite Ohio Wedding Venues, I realized I had a lot. I guess this is awesome because I discovered Ohio has a pretty legit wedding venue selection to choose from. As you may notice here soon, I favor outdoor wedding venues. With my style and love for the outdoors, it’s a no brainer that I like to soak up some sun and get natural light for all of your wedding photos. I know, I know, many of you may be rolling your eyes and are afraid to pick an outdoor venue, because, well, it’s freaking Ohio. The weather is as bipolar as you can possible get but this risk is, (in my opinion) totally worth it! Many of these outdoor focused venues have a solid backup option in case of inclement weather and trust me when I say those clear umbrellas can make for some super cute portrait props! Below you will see some of my all time favorite Ohio wedding venues I’ve shot at, as well as a few that are on my bucket list.
Oak Grove - Columbus, Ohio
Get married in a greenhouse, yes please! This truly unique venue located right outside of Columbus is one of my all time favorites. With ALL of the natural light, the newly built reception building, on site getting ready locations, and a perfect tree-line for sunset photos, you will not be disappointed.
The Monastery Event Center - Cincinnati, Ohio
With only being in Cincinnati for 6 months, I have not experienced many Cincinnati wedding venues yet, but I’ve had my eye on this spot for awhile. I had the chance to second shoot here with Kailey Marie Photography and it really is as beautiful as I thought it would be. This renovated church is a jaw dropper and you will immediately fall in love with it as soon as you walk in. This venue is tucked into the adorable town of Mt. Adams which has perfect side streets that make for a beautiful backdrop.
Warwick Farm - Mt. Vernon, Ohio
What I love about this venue is how big it is. This allows for so many different options when it comes to the ceremony and reception setup. There are two different on-site getting ready locations as well as a beautiful reception space open to the outdoors! There are a million different places to take photos here and you can even take a quick trip in the Gator out to the the open field with the sheep and llamas! (Highly suggest doing this!)
Jorgensen Farms - Columbus, Ohio
Back on this list is the other Jorgensen Farms location which is their Historic Barn. Another gorgeous outdoor venue with fantastic indoor options! There is so much color and life at this Farm and there is a lot of space for all of your guest to have a great time! With outdoor games and the open barn feel, this is definitely a spot for all you summer lovers.
The Grand Barn at the Mohicans -Knox County, Ohio
Didn’t I tell you I love the outdoors? This Treehouse wedding venue will give you all of the outdoorsy feels. Another great spot with on-site getting ready rooms and lots of wooded area for photos!
The Club at Corazon -Dublin, Ohio
Italy vibes in Ohio, say what?! The Club at Corazon is another unique location that will make you and your guests feel like you are celebrating in Italy. The club has beautiful views, vineyards, relaxing water fountains, and those gorgeous pillars out front.
Ohio Statehouse - Columbus, Ohio
Although I have not actually shot a wedding ceremony here, I have done many pre-wedding portraits at the Ohio Statehouse. With many different rooms to select from and covered outdoor areas, (perfect for a first look) the Ohio Statehouse creates a classy and elegant look that I love!
These are some of my favorite venues I have photographed over the past few years in Ohio and there are many more I have on my bucket list.
My bucket list includes Juniper (Columbus), Franklin Park Conservatory (Columbus), Hotel Covington (Cincinnati area), The Columbus Zoo, Ault Park (Cincinnati) and basically all of the Cincinnati wedding venues so I can get a feel for my new home!
Why You Need Unique Headshots to Standout
Think of all of your favorite business bosses you follow on social media. Are you able to list a few fun facts about them? Do they share their favorite foods? Do you know their favorite shows? These are very effective ways for business owners to connect with their audience and grow their following.
These bosses are crushing the game because they are creating a bond and developing trust with their followers. Aren’t you more likely to take advice from a friend rather than from a total stranger? The beauty of social media is we can make online friends and connect with people we may have never had the opportunity to interact with before the internet. Our followers can see our face every single day, listen to our different passions, and even stay up to date on our everyday lives. Sure, there are going to be some people who will become annoyed with the amount we may post, and guess what, they can just scroll/swipe on by. BUT there are those who are wanting to see our faces everyday and are not only interested in the products and services we offer, but also care about us and want to hear more of our story. Before I made my official move to Cincinnati, I followed a lot of creatives on social media where I was able to interact and become friends with them! This made the transition so much easier for me, because I already had friends welcoming me to my new city.
So the next question is, what do you share, and how do you stand out from the crowd and get your audience to engage with you online? You need to find things that can connect you with your audience. Sharing your uniqueness is so important because it allows your audience to connect with you in ways other than just through your products and services. One way to show off your personality and your uniqueness is by incorporating them in your headshots. My cats, love for IPAs, and addiction to coffee are a few things that shape and build my brand. I want to show my followers that I want to have a fun, candid experience and I want to be friends will all of the other crazy cat ladies out there.
If you are in the greater Columbus or Cincinnati area then you should check out my Authentic Headshot sessions! I am helping local creatives find their true selves and helping them put this into their brand.
Stay true to you and check out my authentic headshot sessions here.
How to blog when you're not a blogger
So, how and why do you need to blog if you are not a blogger? This one hits home for me, because blogging stresses me the heck out, but I understand the importance it has when it comes to running a successful business. I truly believe I’m a terrible writer and I’m usually changing the entire outline of the blog at least ten times before I actually press, “Publish.”
So, you may be thinking… Why is it even necessary for a photographer to have a blog? It’s obviously not a requirement, and many photographers don’t use a blog, but I’ll go over a few reasons why I think it is so important.
First off, it is a great opportunity for you to share more of your work without blowing up your followers’ Instagram feed or stories. We photographers pretty much still do this anyway, but this allows you to show off some of your favorite photos that don’t exactly match the flow of your Instagram feed. I like to do this so I can include photos from receptions or maybe a favorite black and white photo that I can’t seem to fit in well with my Instagram feed. I originally started blogging just the weddings I photographed and then started posting more of my engagement sessions so potential clients can see more of my work. This ends up saving me a lot of time because interested couples can see full galleries on my blog and don’t need to request these from me.
Another big reason for photographers to blog is to, yes you guessed it… bump up those SEO rankings. This is the main reason why I am forcing myself to get out there and create consistent content for my followers. I have quickly seen the results it produces and with recently moving to a new city, I knew I needed to be on my game for this. The more times people are clicking on my website the better it looks for Google.
I also think blogging is a good opportunity for you to express more of your personality to your audience. My biggest struggle when it comes to writing is the tendency to be super formal, when this is not how I actually talk at all! If you struggle with this as well, keep reading because I’m sharing a few tips to help with this!
There is also the fear of putting yourself out there. What if nobody reads what I am sharing? Honestly, so what? If someone is not interested in my blog post, they don’t need to read it. That is okay! This content is for the people who want to go through my posts and want to read what I have to share. All that matters is you are providing content for the people who are looking for it from you.
So now we know the importance of blogging, but how do we make it easier for ourselves. Click here to download my freebie on how to blog when you’re not a blogger!
