Meet James: 2013 Senior Portraits - Reynoldsburg, Ohio

I met James last Friday to take his senior pictures at Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Because James is graduating in a few short months, we braved the 40 degree weather and managed to have a fun time despite the fact that my fingers were bright red and he was wearing a t-shirt for half the shoot. James brought his mom, Patti and his beautiful beagle, Kennedy, to the shoot as well and even patiently sat through his mom and I's explanation of the Six Million Dollar Man and all of our accompanying (and terrible) sound effects. And for those reasons, James is an amazing and very brave soul.

James will be graduating this May from Mid-East CTC in Zanesville and plans on attending Hocking College next year. He's currently in the Natural Resources program at his high school and is also involved in cross country and swimming. So by all definitions, he's an "outdoorsy" guy which makes it even better that he didn't laugh at me when I told him I didn't know a snipe was a real bird.

James and Patti- thanks so much for spending an evening with me and for laughing when I almost made James fall into a creek instead of pushing me in as well!

Keep smiling!
Kaylina

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Meet Persius

It started out as what I consider to be a healthy fear of bathrooms. I'm terrified of scary movies, so I've seen less than a dozen in my entire life, but the few I have- always have bathroom scenes. Which led me to develop the ritual of always checking behind the shower curtain (or any other hiding place) for murderers before I do my business.

In high school I worked at a family owned ice cream shop for four years. The bathroom in the back for workers was barely big enough for one occupant, let alone a hiding place for a crazed serial killer, but I never took any chances. Every time I slipped through the door I would push back the lid on the trash can to make sure no pint size terror was waiting for me. I explained this (completely rational) fear to my co-workers and even named the fictional threat- Persius the creepy gnome. So for the next couple years there was a long standing joke about Persius the gnome waiting patiently in the bathroom trash can for the right moment to strike.

Then one day, he did. One day I pushed back the trash can lid and there he was- crinkled, murderous eyes, a blood red hat, and hands that would certainly be my demise (okay, maybe he looked more sinister in the trash can and in my mind). I screamed, everyone laughed, and Persius, the bathroom gnome, found a new home. I've had him guarding my dvd collection for the past four years. He's a little top heavy and occasionally falls from his post, scaring the bejezus out of me, but I've come to appreciate him and his creepy, watchful eye and trust the he's not waiting to kill me.

This does not, however, stop me from checking behind the shower curtain every time I enter the bathroom. You can never be too careful.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Finding Inspiration in the Routine

Lately I've been working on re-vamping my photography business. I graduate in 52 days and the end of winter is in sight. So I'm prepping for the new wedding season by reading a lot of blogs, watching some great photography courses on line, and, of course, doing my homework. Bidding my time until I can actually take my camera outside.

The biggest thing I've undertaken is re-branding my web presence by updating my website and blog. But before I can do that- I need to know which direction to go. So my first homework assignment was to go on a Photo Safari to find out a little more about myself. I went around my apartment and took pictures of my favorite things.

 

And I did learn a few things. One, I apparently like grey. But more importantly I learned that there are things in my apartment that still inspire me despite the fact I see them everyday. I found myself drawn to these things for different reasons. Textures, colors, patterns, emotions. But regardless of the story behind them or what I liked about them, they were mine and they were a source of inspiration.

It made me start thinking about inspiration and how great it feels to be inspired. That excited high you get when you're looking forward to something, when you feel like you're about to go out and accomplish something. Sadly, I don't think it happens often enough. So many days I get up, get ready, drive to work, go to work, go to class, drive home, clean the apartment, and go to bed. So many days there's nothing in between that's noteworthy. Nothing that gets me excited for the next day, next week, or next big thing.

But if I can get inspired by a scarf I was too lazy to put away and threw over a chair instead- If I can spend twenty minutes roaming my apartment with a camera and get excited about my future- then I know that whenever I'm feeling drained by my routine I can inspire myself in the little things. As long as I have that camera in my hands, I can see beauty in anything and get excited for life again.

So I would challenge you, internet - if you ever find yourself running low on inspiration - look around at what you have and get inspired. Maybe you don't need a camera, maybe you need to put some headphones on and listen to your favorite music, or maybe you need to go run. But find something that makes you happy to be you and just get inspired.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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My Life Motto...

"Kaylina, you honestly hesitated before you pulled into that bank today because it said 'exit only'".

He had me there. A couple of weeks ago, on our way back up from our mini-vacation to Florida, Blake brought up the saying, "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission". I had boasted immediately that not only was I familiar with the phrase, I lived by it.

He didn't even try to hide his laughter. "Whaattt?" I asked in mock surprise, like I didn't know exactly what he found funny. "Psh, whatever," I muttered after he couldn't stop laughing long enough to answer me, dropping the subject (and yes, internet, I really said "psh").

Somehow that phrase was brought up again the other day. And this time, Blake gave me a list to support his laughter.

I obey all road signs, always pay in perfect change, and have panic attacks if I don't complete the optional readings for a class.

I did my best grumpy cat impression while he was talking but at the end, I had to laugh too. I am not a badass. I follow rules and I am extremely considerate and polite to complete strangers. So yes, I may need to find a more fitting life motto, but I guess I'm okay with that.

On another note, I can't wait for summer

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Reflecting on 2012

My Facebook feed is full of reflections at the moment. People listing the big moments in their lives over the past year and looking forward to even better things in the New Year. For me, 2012 was a great year- I started my senior year of college at The Ohio State University and continued to grow my business, capturing seven gorgeous weddings, four engagements, ten growing families, and nine high school seniors who will be graduating in the new year. Here's just a few of my favorite images from the past year...

I am so thankful to all of my clients, friends, and family for all of their support and I am heartily looking forward to everything 2013 has to offer. All I can say is, "Thank you, thank you, thank you"!

Happy New Year!

Keep smiling,

Kaylina

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Meet Teddy - 1 Year Shoot: Heath, Ohio

There are two things you need to know about Teddy- he has amazing blue eye and LOVES cookies. Okay, those two things are pretty obvious from the pictures, but they're still important. I met Teddy's parents at the Wheeler Wedding a few weeks ago. His mom, Morgan was one of the lovely bridesmaids. As I arrived at Morgan's parents' house in Heath for the shoot, Morgan, Teddy, and his dad, Dave, met me at the door. Teddy was a little unsure of me but I was told they had been practicing their "cheese!"s and were ready for the shoot.

It was true. Teddy warmed up to me almost immediately and the plate of cookies used as an incentive was devoured just as quickly. While I never got him to actually say "cheese!", Teddy was great and gave me a very wide variety of adorable expressions to work with.

Love his expression here- he's so ready to be done!

Morgan and Dave- you have one charming little guy on your hands. Thank you so much for allowing me to capture Teddy during this magical age and time of year. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and will continue sticking him in that huge stocking until he out grows it. So cute!

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Jennifer and Thomas Wheeler: Newark, Ohio Wedding

To steal a line from the best man's speech, "Tommy and Jen with Karoline could be models for a Sears catalog. They're the perfect little family". Okay, I might be paraphrasing it a little bit- I'm sure it didn't sound as girly when he said it. But I couldn't agree with him more. Tommy was looking quite dapper in his suit when I met him in the Sanctuary of the St. Francis de Sales Parish in Newark, Ohio last Saturday. Jen was absolutely gorgeous as she got ready in a room down the hall. And Karoline, Jen's beautiful daughter was wowing everyone she ran across as she was searching all over the church for her Daddy, Tommy.

I love how happy Karoline is in this picture...

The wedding ceremony, and the church it was in, was just as gorgeous as the weather outside. 60 degrees on the first of December? I'll take it, Ohio. It gave us a great chance to take pictures outside with the wedding party I've dubbed the "funnest" wedding party ever (yeah, I said "funnest"- there's no other word to describe them). I don't normally include so many group pictures in my sneak peak but this wedding was about friends and family. And Tommy and Jen have been extremely blessed with theirs.

Can we have a moment of silence for how gorgeous she is!? 

 I'm going to end on this picture because it's the perfect summary of the night: Tommy and Jen among friends- having fun.

Jen and Tommy- thank you so much for including me in your special day. It was the perfect mix of love and fun. I hope you two (and Karoline) will continue to live your lives with just that mix in mind.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

Want even more? Check out the slideshow embedded below or click here. If you were a guest of the Wheeler wedding images will be posted next weekend on the proofing site. Be sure to like Kaylina Norton Photography on Facebook to stay in the loop!

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