Courtney and Dustin: Ohio Engagement

I can't believe these 2 are getting married in less than 2 weeks!  The Engagement session was a total blast so am soooo excited for the big day!!!!  Can't wait to see you say "I Do", Courtney and Dustin!

 

 

Baby Reese: A Newborn Session

High School goes by in the blink of an eye.  I know this now, but it feels as if it takes FOREVER when you're in the midst of all the drama and "stress" (or so we thought it was stress) of 16,17,18 year old life.  People enter your life and exit your life from year to year.  For my high school, we spent the mornings for 4 years all the same, with the same group of people.  As people came and went, we could rely on this group of people... for 4 years anyways. ;)   We called this our "advisory".  Hillary was one of those whom I shared advisory time with and I hadn't seen her since the last day of our Senior year, 12 years ago (well, perhaps graduation).  You can imagine the thrill and excitement I felt when  she contacted me about photographing her Baby Girl who was on the way.  The months passed and finally the day came when Hillary sent me the message that her little Reese had arrived!!!! 

I need to first off start by saying I almost fell over when the auburn haired beauty opened the door.  She was a far cry from the curly, sandy-blonde haired girl I knew "back when".  Her previously wavy locks were shoulder length and straight and she was all grown up!  She also in NO WAY looked as if she had just given birth.  But the gorgeous proof sleeping in her arms hinted otherwise.  Hillary was more beautiful than I had ever seen her and also she looked more happy and blissful than ever. 

Our session was perfection.  Her little bundle of joy was calm, relaxed and gave us a few chuckles at her random "accidents" (hey, no diaper... bound to happen! ;)) and the adorable little smirks she would sneak out every so often.  I can't tell you how amazing it was to watch the love between this new Mommy, Daddy, and their little one as they snuggled and spoke so sweetly to her.  As I sat there watching the picture-perfect moments unfold, I thought back to High School, and to the kids we were.  Hillary, the intelligent, mature, and organized senior who seemed ready to conquer the world... me the totally disorganized, half-awake-and-eating-chocolate-muffins-with-Dr.Pepper- Senior who was only just beginning to study for the test that was to occur in the next 20 minutes.  Polar Opposites, but we shared that back corner of the advisory room and all of the memories that went along with it.  I'm pretty sure Reese will be much like her Mommy.  Her calmness and the ease at which she went along with her session makes me feel she'll follow right in her footsteps :).

Baby Reese, you are so lucky to have been blessed with such loving parents.  Enjoy Babyhood, Little Girl!  It will pass in the blink of an eye.  :)

Back to School Mini Sessions

I know... again, I claim I'll do better with keeping on on the blog... and again... I failed!  Here are some fun shots from the "Back to School" mini-session day!

The Silvers Family

We moved to the area known as Liberty Township just a little over a year ago and we have honestly been having the time of our lives meeting new friends.  Mary Beth and Jerry and their two boys have become some of our new and fabulous "Circle of Friends".  Photo sessions with friends are always extra special and usually include lots of laughs and adventures!  On this particular session in Downtown Lebanon, Ohio (yes, one of my favorite shooting locations) I learned how to get on those train cars... despite locked doors! 

We started off at those trains then made a little "back stage tour" of a few of the more industrial buildings.  It was behind of those seemingly less than interesting buildings that one of my favorite images from this session happened.  Tell me the irony of this shot doesn't crack you up?!  It gives me quite the chuckle.  Best thing about this?  I didn't even realize that "Trustworthy" sign was on the wall until I was reviewing the shots as we walked to our next destination.  I about fell over laughing.  As a mommy of 2 boys myself... this is a little priceless. 

Thanks so much to Jerry, Mary Beth, Zander and Lincoln for helping to make this one of the best summers for our Family!  I can't wait to see Shenanigans the boys (not the little ones Mary Beth... the big ones!) will get into next!

Had it not been for Jerry's skills in "finding a way" up on this car... I never would have gotten this angle!  Thanks Jerry!  I'm always trying to find ways to use new and different angles around this location! 

WOW! It's been awhile!

So I apologize to anyone who has been viewing this blog and wondering, "what the heck?! No posts since March?!".  I knew I hadn't blogged in awhile but I guess I didn't realize HOW long.  So lets do a quick update on the life of Shannon Barth Photography to date!

- I have an amazing support group and AMAZING clients!  You have all kept me super, duper SLAMMED through the spring and summer!  I have been having an absolute blast and working on honing my skills, and growing as a photographer.

- I finally scoped out some GREAT locations in my new town!  Our family moved from Northern Kentucky last year and while I am originally from the south-Dayton area, the West Chester/Liberty Township zone was totally foreign to me last year.  I was kind of timid as far as trying out new "go to" shooting spots around.  It was silly, but still... the last thing I want to do us use my fabulous clients as guinea pigs!  Sometimes a location may SEEM great, but when it comes down to the final product, I may decide angles were bad, settings were too obvious, or lighting just didn't work for me during the time I did the shoot.  I was very fortunate that I found my favorite new spot in the area... is at the end of my street!  YES!  It is that close.  like, .2 miles from me.  I run past it every day I run.  And it's also become a favorite for my clients as well!  so many people have been requesting to have sessions in "the Field".  This does present another challenge though....

-Keeping things from looking the same!  HUGE challenge as a photographer.  When you find things that work, you want to do them again and again.  I always want to guarantee that I don't fall into a non-creative rut and make everyone's sessions look the same.  Well, when so many people like a location/setting that is as simple as a field... you learn to be a little creative! 

- Updating my site... and now My blog!  Yes, I decided to give the site a facelift and I am SOOO much happier with the look.  I think it is much cleaner and easier to navigate now!  Take a peek for yourself when you get a chance!  www.shannonbarthphotography.com !  Next up.. the blog is getting a new look too!  Stay tuned and if things look a little jumbled one day.... no worries!  they'll get straightened up in a couple of days!

-Senior season is upon us!  I had senior sessions on Friday and Saturday of this weekend and they both went GREAT!  One of those sessions was with my cousin-in-law (aka: my husband's cousin), the beautiful Rachel and the other was with the brother-in-law of one of my cousins, Brock! I have a wonderful time with seniors... then it hits me... WOW.  It has been 12 years since I graduated high school... YIKES hahah!  I feel young when I'm doing senior sessions, but they're probably thinking "Wow, 31... she's old".  and they'd be right haha!

Well more to come on here!  I am going to be keepin the blog going and posting sessions as they get wrapped up.  But for now... I'm off to get editing on the 7 sessions I shot this week!  Enjoy the end of the summer everyone!

Cassidy + 2013 Senior Session

It's Spring!  Or is it??? with all of this crazy cold weather, I am starting to get confused.  ASSUMING spring is around the corner... that means it's time to get recruiting for 2014 Seniors.  I had the most fun Senior session to help kick in the senior market season with Cassidy!  The niece of one of my friends, and an absolute JOY to photograph!  She comes from a small town and she wanted something unique for her photos.  She, her sister and her Mother met up with me in Downtown Lebanon where we did her session simultaneously with her little cousins' sessions!  What an exciting afternoon of hitting the pavement up and down my favorite Lebanon blocks building her senior photo portfolio.  She was up for anything and so excited about her photos.  AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE EYES???!!! I just can't help but stare at some of  these on account of her beautiful eyes!  Thanks for getting me SOOO excited about the Senior session season, Cassidy!  And Congratulations!

Scott and Josh... WILD BOYS!

First off, I love photographing kids.  There is only so much you can "plan" for sessions with the kiddos and I have to be prepared to let them lead the way.  I simply need to do whatever makes them happy and makes photo time enjoyable for them.  This means making weird sounds, crawling around, poking bellies and jumping around like I'm nuts.  In other words... I act like a big kid.  So getting to photograph my friends' kids is always a big treat.  I do my normal "antics" but that sense of insecurity is GONE with these kids from the minute we start because they already know the goofy chick behind the camera!  There is such freedom and enjoyment in children's photography... but there's complete and utter hilarity and excitement with those kids who I'm not a stranger to.  I can't even tell you how many photos resulted from the impromptu "Dance Party" we had on the side of an old gas station when their mom turned on some tunes on the IPod.  LOVE IT. LOVE THESE BOYS.