The Pixar to my Tim Burton

As we were driving home from Thanksgiving at my parents' home, I let it slip that I sometimes personify household objects that have crappy jobs, like toilet paper. It only took me thirty seconds to spill my secret habit of giving inanimate objects grumpy personalities, but by the time I was done with my story I was convinced that Blake was going to decide to call off the wedding and never speak to me again because I was that crazy and strange. He was silent for five seconds before he said, "Really? I like to think they high five each other when it's their turn to get to work". What he said next could not have been more perfect. "That's the difference between you and I. You lead a Tim Burton life and I'm Pixar."

That was the moment I was reminded of just how thankful I am to have him. To have a man that not only doesn't judge my tendencies to give toilet paper a personality, but is quick to provide his own, more cheerful, version. To have a partner who is the Pixar to my Tim Burton.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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On the other side of the camera...

Angela has an infectious smile and an extraordinary sense of humor that truly makes her a people person. Which is a very handy thing to be when you're also an amazing wedding photographer. Angela and I have been getting to know each other over the past few months over coffee and pastries while we talk about our triumphs, frustrations, and all things photography. On Sunday we met in German Village to take turns snapping pictures of each other to update our bios and just have some fun. It was nice to be reminded what it feels like to be in front of the camera instead of hiding behind it.

We had so much fun wandering around German Village, commandeering people's doorsteps, and enjoying some sweets from Pistachia Vera. 

Angela is obviously beautiful and extremely talented. I'm so glad that I can call her a friend and an industry peer. You can check out Angela's work here and her pictures of me here. 

Keep smiling!

Kaylina

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Planning Our Wedding: Introduction

A few months ago Blake proposed and we made a decision to have a long engagement. We tell people we want to save money and give Blake time to finish college and find a job, but my main reason is so that I can have plenty of time to plan the perfect wedding. I view weddings as celebrations- a chance for everyone important in the bride and groom's life to come together and celebrate that two people have found each other and are making a promise to always support each other, through the good and the bad. Like any celebration, the key to making it magical and perfect is tailoring the party for the guests of honor.

I've had the opportunity to capture beautiful weddings over the last three years and every single one of them was positively perfect. Because the couple planned their day and every detail said something about who they were and how they loved each other. I am looking forward to flipping through magazines, scrolling through blogs, and pinning on pinterest for the next year and half while Blake and I plan our perfect wedding. My plan is to keep everyone filled in on our progress, decisions, and delights as we approach our wedding day.

Any and all ideas, suggestions, and stress relieving tips are welcome!

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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A Real Professional

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending my very first networking event. Although I've been photographing weddings for three years, I've never felt like I belonged in "the wedding industry". It was always a different excuse. At first it was "I'm in college" or "I'm too young to be taken seriously" and even now it's "I do less than 10 weddings a year, they won't take me seriously". I was always making excuses for myself to remain alone in an industry where networking can make or break you. I didn't want to step into the ring with "real" professionals when I'm still just a girl with a camera who throws herself a 30 second dance party after every wedding I book. Every wedding is a small victory taking me closer to my dream and every bride becomes a friend and an ally in my journey to becoming a "real" professional.

So I took all of the belief and confidence that my wonderful brides have had in me, took a deep breath, and stepped into my first networking event. The food was amazing and everyone I had the opportunity to chat with was equally as great. I've collected a lot of business cards over the last few years from other vendors within the industry, but now I'm excited to start forming friendships with some of the people behind those cards. And maybe one day, consider myself one of those "real" professionals.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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Danny + Amber: Columbus, Ohio Engagement Session

Danny grew up in Clintonville so when he finally popped the question and got a yes from Amber, Clintonville's Park of Roses was a natural choice for their wedding next June. It was also a great choice for their engagement pictures last Sunday. Amber and Danny were naturals in front of the camera- playing, laughing, and loving each other effortlessly. It's obvious to anyone who comes across them that they're meant for each other. They have a chemistry that can't be faked. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the evening with them, catching small glimpses of their love on camera. I can't wait to see their love grow stronger and even more adorable as time goes on.

Keep smiling,

Kaylina

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Do it yourself

A few weekends ago I went home to my parents house to visit and got enlisted to help my mom in her latest Pinterest project. We spent 40 minutes traipsing around their property (and maybe some of the neighbor's property) to find all of the letters in our last name. We learned a few things, like Ns and Rs are not easy to find, people with Ls, Is, and Xs are surprisingly lucky, and I'm glad we only have six letters in our last name. All joking aside, it was great to spend the day with my beautiful mother, doing something new. To everyone who has a Pinterest board out there full of DIY projects waiting to be done- just pick one and complete it this week. You'll feel accomplished when you actually do it yourself.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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The September Issue

I've always been more of a magazine girl. I dreamed of being a high fashion editor with dark sunglasses and a faint British accent that no one could explain. It's the visual element that always drew me in- how the words worked seamlessly with the larger than life scenes and vivid colors. I spent hours just flipping through the pages, reading every issue from front to back, and then front to back all over again. As I've gotten older I've lost the amount of free time required to read each issue religiously, but I always make time every year for the September Issue of Vogue. To this day I still pour over every page- dog earring the ads that take my breath away and the gorgeous models that seem to reach off the page to hold your attention. It's those ads that inspired me to become a photographer. I wanted to capture emotion and hold the audience's attention for more than just a passing glance. While my photos have not graced the pages of any glossy magazine, they still give me daily inspiration to keep reaching, improving, and striving toward my dreams.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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