Special Offer: Valentine Portraits

Heads up, guys! Valentine's Day is 14 days away! Want to give a gift that is incredibly easy, extremely cheap but still thoughtful and romantic? Schedule a Valentine Shoot with me. Here's the deal- you schedule your shoot for a day in February and you'll get an hour shoot for you and your special someone for only $25! Come on, the weather's been amazing lately and there's only one thing that girls like more than having their picture taken- having their picture taken with YOU. So be the best boyfriend in the world and set aside one hour this upcoming month.

Couples of any age are welcome (this means you, married couples). This is a highly personalized gift with just a little effort. You pick the location and up to 3 outfits and you get a CD with all the images from your session with full printing and sharing rights. Contact me to schedule a shoot or to ask more questions. And don't forget to "like" my Facebook page to stay in the loop for all of my offers!

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Meet Melody: 18 Month Baby Session

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Miss Melody this past Saturday. Her bright blue eyes and gorgeous fair skin were the spitting image of her beautiful mommy, Jamie. Our shoot lasted about an hour and Melody warmed up to me almost immediately. We had a lot of fun dumping a 1000 piece puzzle out of its box, pounding on piano keys, and with the help of mommy, flipping upside down. Over and over again. Miss Melody does have a great older brother, JR, that visited us frequently but was more interested in his new karate moves than sitting still for pictures. After an hour of running around, changing outfits (which Melody helped pick out herself), and a lot of giggles, we were all worn down and I got some great shots of Melody with mommy before I left.

Thanks to mommy and big brother for sharing Melody and their day with me- she's a gorgeous little girl with a lot of love surrounding her.

Keep Smiling!
Kaylina

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Website Woes

Although the blog, Facebook, and photoshop skillz may throw you... I am lost with technology. I am currently undertaking the seemingly impossible task of creating my own website. And as Blake can tell you, the process is not without a few impatient huffs and even occasional tears on my part. So I apologize for the infrequencies of blog posts in the next several weeks while I battle with the internet. I do have a few baby sessions coming up in the next few weekends and will be posting those as they occur. Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered their babies as models. On another note, it's Betty White's 90th birthday today so Happy Birthday Betty!

Seriously, how fabulous is she?! Check out a great slideshow showing Betty through the years here.

Keep Smiling!
Kaylina

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Bridal Show Revelations

I recently attended the Columbus Bridal show and can tell you that Bridal Shows are not for the faint of heart. Very crowded. Very hot. Very overwhelming. But I did get the opportunity to meet and talk with about a thousand wedding photographers (slight over exaggeration). Most of them assumed I was a bride to be and I didn't exactly correct them. I guess that's a little dishonest but it did give me the chance to experience wedding photographers as the customer. So that makes up for it, right? So here's my honest assessment- there were a lot of great photographers there but there were a lot of terrible ones too. So once you've sorted the great from the terrible- how do you decide?

My answer: pick someone you gel with. Most people (including me) are camera shy but they still want great pictures. Most people aren't models and putting them in front of a camera makes them painfully aware of how awkward their hands are. Seriously, where are you supposed to put them!? So find a photographer who is a kindred spirit- someone who can put you at ease and make you comfortable in front of a camera. I say it all the time but photography is such a personal thing. Your pictures are unique and they're a chance to capture you. The essence of you. So find someone who gets you. Find someone who understands the love you and your mate have.

Find a photographer with a similar style to you. I have a very photo journalistic approach to photography. I love candids and the moments between the poses. I don't do studio photography because it's not natural to me. I want to capture my subjects in their natural habitats. In the middle of their lives. In the middle of the happiest moments of their lives. I like to keep my subjects moving because I love variety. A few quick snaps in each pose and we move on. I will sing, dance, and tell cheesy jokes to get that natural smile out of you because there's nothing more attractive than a laugh. I am a one woman show. When you email, call, or text me- I answer. On your wedding day I'm normally there before you and leave after you. And I'm the one who goes through every picture I take and prepare it just for you. I love what I do. I honestly enjoy making people feel comfortable and beautiful. It's my job to make you gorgeous and I love doing it. It's not every day you get a photo shoot- so you might as well enjoy it.

There are a lot of choices out there. And as you plan your wedding you will be overwhelmed from time to time. But just remember to look for those people who are just like you. My style may not fit everyone, and that's fine. These are your photos, your engagement, your wedding- surround yourself with people who can make you comfortable and keep things fun.

Because everything's better with a picture here are some of the pictures I've taken for my resolution to take a picture everyday. 12 days and going strong! Have any questions for me? You can email me at kaylinanorton@gmail.com or leave a comment on my Facebook page. Like my blog, my pictures, or just my name? Share me with your friends!

Kaylina Norton Photography

My awesome brother

Blake's dog, Peanut

Keep Smiling!

Kaylina

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December Wedding: Evan + Sam Kimes

 "We went to school together," Evan said simply when I asked how he and Sam had met. It took a little more prying before I got the whole story out of him. They've known each other since they were literally kids. Went to a local high school together. "But we didn't start dating until after high school," he added quickly, "we were at a party. We just started talking. Things just took off from there". They started to date and somewhere along the way they fell in love and became best friends. Now, years later, those kids are married and starting a family of their own.

The ceremony and reception were both held in the beautiful OSU Faculty Club on The Ohio State University's campus. The large building had the guests moving constantly. Ceremony on the first floor, cocktail hour in the swanky bar downstairs, dinner in the ballroom on the second floor, and the reception back on the first floor for dancing and dessert. Live acoustic music, performed by a high school friend and his dad, drifted through the halls during both the ceremony and reception and gave a unique, personal touch to the whole day.

Sam and Evan had planned a first look, but the hectic schedule of the day, along with everyone rushing to get ready, claimed the time we had set aside for the shoot. But with all the great locations decorated and such a huge space, I was able to get some great pictures after the ceremony of the wedding party and the Bride and Groom alone without everyone watching or waiting. I was so glad we could find that time and space during the day to get some more intimate pictures.

Sam, the bride, was stunningly gorgeous. And although she was beautiful by herself, nothing compared to the way her face lit up when she finally reached Evan at the alter. Holding each other's hands and looking in to each other's eyes- the love in the room was tangible and every guest could feel it. I spent the rest of the night snapping pictures of a fun party and trying to catch that love on camera. My favorite moment of the night was at the end of reception when the party was winding down and guests were starting to leave- Sam and Evan found a quite spot at an abandoned table and just talked. Heads together, holding hands, whispering. It was a beautiful moment that just shows the strength of the friendship between them. They'll spend the rest of their lives like that. Finding refuge in each other at the end of a crazy day. Best friends. Husband and wife.

For even more pictures from the Kimes wedding, check out the slideshow below.

Keep smiling!
Kaylina

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