Callie's Corner

Mallori's Maternity Session

2008-04-13T10:17:00.001-07:00

I did a maternity session with Mallori and Harvey and I wanted to share some of the pictures. Mallori is one of those perfect pregnant women, she looks radiant and seems to be enjoying every moment of her pregnancy. I can't wait to their birth session!

Winter Wonderful

2008-03-07T18:13:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday was a wonderful day! My brother Rick and his kids came over and we had "Super Breakfast" (the way my dad makes it, yumm!! its potatoes, eggs, cheese and anything else you feel like putting in). We don't have it very often but there's nothing better!!

After that we all bundled up and went to the park for some sled riding. It was such a nice day, not to cold, just cold enough. I brought my camera of coarse so I got some great pictures of my brother and Tom (my husband) going down the hill with the kids and also some of the scenery. Tom is very tall and he had a lot of trouble keeping his feet in the sled so he was kicking up tons of snow which all landed right in Nadia's (5) face! When they went back up the hill she made in cover her whole face, eyes and all with her scarf. Now that takes guts! Its bad enough to go down the hill and not have much control, but she did it blindfolded! Silly girl!

I haven't been on a sled in about, well, its been so long I don't even know but I had a great time. My nephew Brent (6) and I went down the hill together and I'm not sure what happened but just after we started down the hill the sled turned completely around and we went backwards the entire way. Rick said we almost knocked out four people, we were laughing to hard to notice.

Afterwards we went to Duffy's for some hot coco and then we went to see The Spiderwick Chronicles. I think it was just a little to old for Brady, he's 4 and some of the little monsters were scary to him, so to take his mind off of it we went back to the park for more sled riding! I wish everyday could be just like this!!

OH Baby!!

2008-02-20T18:35:00.001-08:00

Yesterday at 5:00 a.m. I got the phone call I had waited all weekend for! I was "on call" for a birth and it was time! I hurried and got everything ready and was out the door and at the hospital in no time.

This was such an incredible experience, I did Stephanie's birth pictures when Christian was born, well the labor anyway, not the delivery, and that was wonderful but this was the first time I saw a baby being born. It is so completely different when you are NOT the one in the bed, but it was, well, INCREDIBLE!!! Hey did I say it was incredible LOL!

I really want to thank Molly and Chris for being so sweet and allowing me to document one of the most important and intimate days of there lives. I will never forget a single minute of it!

Just a few of my favorites.

It's been a while!!

2008-02-16T17:00:00.001-08:00

You know how it is when you should do something but your so busy with everything else and you put it off? You tell yourself "I'll do it tomorrow night" and then two weeks go by and you say "oh man, I really should do that" and then two more weeks go by. At this point you start to panic because you've left it way to long and so even the simplest thing is to overwhelming to even think about. Well, that's about where I'm at with my blog. I have had tons of things happen since my last entry so I have more than enough to talk about, I just don't know where to start!

We have moved out of the studio and into an office at Shan and Steph's house and I've been working from home a lot. That is proving to be more of a challenge than I thought it would be, I'm having a hard time separating work and home, I just keep thinking I should be doing the laundry or something. It's an adjustment, for sure! I would be lying if I said I didn't love it though! I've never been able to go to work in my pj's before.

I did a very interesting senior portrait session last week, we went to the IX Center. Ashley wanted someplace with a lot of color, difficult in February in Ohio. She saw an add for the IX Center and thought it would be perfect and it was! Every one was so nice there and the gardens were beautiful, good call Ashley.

Bob and Hilary's Wedding

2007-11-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

I had the great pleasure of taking pictures for Bob and Hilary on October 13, 2007. This was one of the most memorable weddings I've ever had. I haven't laughed so much or cried so much in I don't know how long!

I didn't get to spend much time with Bob, but Hilary and I e-mailed back and forth a lot so I felt like old friends by the wedding day. I knew it was going to be an emotional wedding because a very good friend of Bob and Hilary's very tight nit group of family and friends was killed in Irac just a short time before the wedding. Hilary wore his cross and a bracelet with his name and rank ingraved on it. I know its crazy but I really feel that Danny was there that day, laughing and cring with all of his friends. I can't explain it, there was just something in the air that day.

I have so many beautiful shots from their wedding and it was very hard to narrow it down but here are just a few of my favorites.

This is one of the bridesmaids, it makes me laugh every time I see it! I love the reflection in the mirror and the red shoes.

This is Hilary, I don't know what was going on in this one!

This is my absolute favorite picture from the wedding, I even entered it in a contest! It makes me think of an old time movie actress, very glamorous.

Another cool shot of Hilary.
The wedding was at St. George's in Rocky River, it's a huge, beautiful church, the lighting was great!

Another on of my favorites! Someone came late to the ceremony and opened the door just as Hilary was getting ready to walk down.
After the ceremony and the formals in the church we went to Rocky River park and took some fun pic's of the bridal party.

It was very cold and windy but it was fun!

I like to do this shot every now and then but this time it was a lot of work! The wind was blowing so hard and I needed to be pretty far away from the group to get them all in the shot, so of course they couldn't hear me. I would count to three and they were supposed to jump. Well I would count and the people on the left would jump, we would do it again and the people on the right would jump. After a about the 10th try I put the camera on drive and just shot a bunch in a row just tring to get as many people in the air as I could. I think this one worked out pretty well!

Yes I do have some nice shots of Bob! I had more of him on the dance floor later that evening.

This is just something fun. My H doesn't show up very well but the idea is there.

After the park we went to The Cleveland Browns Stadium, I've never been there before, cool steps!

A different kind of bridal party pose. I like it!

This was cute, it was supposed to be a picture of Bob and the guys but Hilary popped in for a little kiss!

Very funny bridesmaid!
(and maybe a little drunk!)

This was a very emotional speach, not a dry eye in the house when Heather was done!

Here come the tears!

I love this one of Bob, who say's big boys don't cry? He has such beautiful eyes!

This one speaks for its self!

Can't you just see the love they have for each other!

I love the looks on their faces! Most guys just let it hit the ground, they were out for blood!

This would be the lucky guy! He also plays a mean bagpipe!

I have so many more I would love to share but I would be here all night!

Eric and Dana's Wedding

2007-10-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

Eric and Dana were married on September 29, 2007. They had a perfect day, I think Dana may have been the calmest bride I've ever seen and Eric and the groomsmen were up for anything! I guess I should have known the minute we arrived and were greeted by a 6 foot gorilla and the grooms cake was a perfect replica of the Nintendo 64!

Everyone had a blast, even the security guard who pretended to arrest Eric.

Then Dana had a few idea's of her own!

This was one of those weddings that are so much fun you don't want to leave!

Thanks Dana and Eric, we had a great time!

Trash the Dress with Jennifer

2007-09-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

Click here to see the slideshow

Jared and Jennifer's Wedding

2007-09-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jared and Jennifer!

Jared and Jennifer were married on August 4th in a beautiful rose garden! You couldn't have asked for a prettier day (it could have been a little cooler though). I had a lot of fun and it was really nice to see Jared's family again, I also photographed his sister Andrea's wedding this past spring. The reception was at the family's lake house and I was able to get some really great shots from across the lake, it almost looks like the fair. I am so happy to have been a part of their day!

Click her to view the slideshow

Trash The Dress!!

2007-08-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

Shannon, Stephanie and I did a "trash the dress" session on Tuesday! It was so much fun, I went as a second shooter so I got to hang back and document everything. Stephanie did some video and helped with positioning the dress in the water. This was our first time doing this and we learned a lot for the next time. I can't wait to do this with my brides!

I had a birds eye view for some of the pictures which is a cool angle I don't usually get to have. I used natural light for most of my pictures, I did use a little fill flash when I went down to the ground level of the falls. The sun was starting to set and it was getting a little dark down there.

Important lesson number one for next time - go earlier in the day!

Anyway, Shannon will be putting up a slideshow with a mix of all our pictures on his blog very soon and I think the video too! So watch for that, but for now I hope you enjoy some favorites of mine.

Matt and Brooke's Wedding July 21, 2007

2007-07-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Matt and Brooke!

Something a little different for this bride and groom, they had a very private wedding, immediate family only and then had a huge reception for all their family and friends to enjoy. I really enjoyed getting to know Brooke and Matt, they made me feel like one of the family.

Click here to view the slideshow

Matt and Tina's Wedding July 20, 2007

2007-07-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Congratulation to Matt and Tina!!

Click here to view the slideshow

Jason and Amanda July 14, 2007

2007-07-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Jason and Amanda, I have been looking forward to this wedding ever since we met, I knew they would be a lot of fun and I was not disappointed! I LOVE that they were up for anything! Jason risked life and limb and climbed up the railing of a bridge for us and Amanda not only danced on the railroad tracks but went as far as to let Jason "tie" her to the tracks while a groomsman watched with a sinister grim. Very fun!!

Some of my favorites

Click here to view the slideshow

Eric and Nicole's Wedding 07-07-07

2007-07-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Lucky number 7!!

Congratulations Eric and Nicole and thanks for letting me be a part of your beautiful wedding.
We had a lot of fun on the river front and Tallmadge Circle Church is one of my favorites. Everything was beautiful, right down to the tiniest flower. And Eric, that was the best dance to get the garter I have ever seen!!

Some of my favorites

Click here to view the slideshow

Elly

2007-07-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Elly McDaniel
March 9, 1934 - July 14, 2007

I've been sitting in front of this computer for a while now trying to think of something brilliant to say or think of some meaningful poem, nothing comes to mind. Wasn't it just yesterday you were sitting in your favorite chair, with at least two of your 17 grandchildren crawling on your lap, eating green apples and salt in your p.j.'s? Wasn't it just last week when your house was full of balloons for yet another birthday party? Where does the time go Elly? You would think that when we lost Cindy we would have realized how precios little time we all have and not let a minute of it pass us by without letting those we love know they are loved. You are loved, Elly and you will be missed!

Jared and Jennifer's Engagement Session

2007-07-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

I got to go to a beautiful garden in Youngstown and hang out with Jared and Jennifer. We must have walked 6 miles! Jared was a little shy at first, typical guy, but it didn't take long and he was posing like a pro. I just followed them around and shot everything, they were fun and the scenery was beautiful so It wasn't hard to get some great shots!

It was really hard to choose but here are some of my favorites.

I will be doing their wedding on August 4th in the same rose garden and I can't wait to see Jennifer in her wedding gown, she says the skirt is huge!

Click here to see the slide show.

Kevin and Jill June 9th

2007-07-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Kevin and Jill!

June 9th was an extra special day, not only did I celebrate my 6th wedding anniversary with my husband Tom, I was able to share the day with Kevin and Jill Quinn. The day was perfect, in fact, I don't think it could have been any better!

Some of my favorites

Click here to see the slideshow

The Battle of the Bands!

2007-07-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I was able to shoot a live concert at the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame!!!

Amy Jo Scott and her band gave an awesome performance during The Fest's Battle of the Bands. My Brother Rick went with me so we could cover every angle (except from above, we wanted to but they don't allow cameras upstairs) Rick isn't technically a photographer but he is a musician and I knew he would know what to look for so I gave him a quick lesson about the camera and it was on! I think we did a great job and it was a lot of fun!

Some of Ricks shots.

Some of my shots.

We were able to go back stage and take some shots of the band while they were waiting to go on, I would have been freaking out, but they were just as cool as could be and I don't think Amy ever stopped smiling. She has a beautiful voice and the band really rocked the house! They have great stage presence and tons of energy. I just can't say enough about how munch fun it was!

If you would like to check out the slideshow, here is a link.

Amy Jo Scott

Thanks to Amy and the band for letting me be a part of that awesome day and thanks to Rick for getting some great shots, you did great!! I Love You!!

Mazen and Nicole's Wedding

2007-07-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my favorite pictures from Mazen and Nicole's wedding.

This was their first kiss in private (well, almost) after they said their "I DO's".

Nicole, looking very angelic, as she says hello to her guests.

Glam meets Grung

The Rings!

This picture has that "singin' in the rain" kind of feel.

This was a lucky shot, one of the wedding guests took a picture the same time that I did and their flash cast Mazen's shadow on the wall behind Nicole. Pretty cool!!

I had a great time with Mazen, Nicole and their families, they had a lot of fun and you can really see it in the pictures! It was a wonderful day!!!

click here if you would like to see the slideshow

2007-07-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Princess Party

My sister-in-law and I had a princess party for my four year old niece at Stan Hywet last month, we had little finger sandwiches in the shape of butterflies and hearts, lemon aid and chocolate covered strawberries. Every one was a princess and we all had the tiara's to to prove it. We had a little photo shoot while we were there, you just can't go wrong in a beautiful place with pretty people. I think I had more fun with this then they did. It really was a magical day!

This is my daughter Mallori looking very sweet.
Not a look I see very often anymore, teenagers you know.

This is my baby, Jessie, she is a lot like her mom, she doesn't like to be on that side of the camera. I love this picture of her, it shows off her eyes.

This is our littlest princess, Nadia, she liked the princess party but she really liked the new play house they have now.

Vegas Baby!

2007-03-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

O.K. this is something new for me so bear with me. I have had the best week! I just got back from a photography convention in Las Vegas. It was unbelievable! I learned so much and saw so many incredible things! I have never been on a plane before and aside from the ear popping it was great. Take off was the best.

I was very homesick for my husband and kids and called home about ten times a day. Of course I took a lot of pictures and I got myself a new toy. It's called a lens baby and what it does (or is supposed to do) is focus in on an area and blur everything else. I haven't quite figured it out yet but I'm getting there. It's a tricky little thing.

My favorite place was the Bellagio Hotel. The ceiling in the main hall was covered in a blanket of vibrantly colored glass flowers. Just off of the main hall they have a flower garden and a butterfly house. But this was no ordinary flower garden, there were giant butterflies and enormous glass flowers, there were giant snails made from real roses and well you get the picture, it was like being in a dream (with a hundred other people).

My room was pretty cool too! It over looked the pool, not just any pool, this one has a shark tank in the middle and a water slide going right through the middle. Scary!

I came home Thursday and my husband Tom and I always watch CSI so of course I kept making him rewind the dvr so I could show him all the places I saw and tell him all about everything. He was very sweet about it but I just don't think he cared as much as I did.

After going to the convention, and seeing and hearing from the best of the best in the wonderful world of photography, I could not wait to shoot a wedding and tonight I got my chance. I photographed Andrea and Dan's wedding and it was great. They have a wonderful family and a great sense of humor. We had a great time even with the formals (let's face it -nobody likes doing the formals). I think I had more silly shots than anything. We even got some shots of Andrea standing against a metal building complete with graffiti. Everything turned out beautifully and I could not stop smiling.

Some of my favorites:

Oceans of love!

Callie