Ode to Jeni’s…

On Tuesday, Chad, Kate and I got together for an engagement session.  I haven’t had time to go through their images yet…but let me tell you, I just can’t stop thinking about Jeni’s!    Turns out, Chad and Kate are total ice cream fanatics. When I suggested using ice cream as a prop, they knew exactly where to go:  Jeni’s!

Oh my goodness…. I haven’t had ice cream this good in ages!!!!

Jeni is a local girl and has several locations around the Columbus area (but she does SHIP, if you are out of state).   Her ice creams are not for those with boring taste buds; you have to be slightly adventurous to get the most of her flavors.   My favorite (I had a triple) was goat cheese with roasted red cherries…heavenly!  Her staple flavor is Salty caramel, but I also here that that Queen City Cayenne is delectable!     Definitely a must-taste this summer!

Kate and Chad…I’m going to work on your images over the weekend!

Lauren and David – Detroit Wedding

I’ve never been a second shooter, photographers assistant, or whatever you would like to to call it so I was SO excited when my friend  (and phenomenal photographer)  Chris, called and asked if I could help him out at a wedding.    Not only was I getting to photograph at a fabulous location with fabulous people, but I was also really excited to see how Chris worked, learn a little about his technique…and just observe some.   As some of you may know, I am a completely self-taught photographer.  I never took photography classes (except for one “how to use the camera” class) nor  have  I ever interned with another wedding photographer….so this was a great experience!

The wedding was actually three weekends ago in Detroit at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Island.    Lauren and David made for an incredibly beauitful and sweet couple. As you will see from the pictures,  David is obviously enamored of his bride and isn’t afraid to show his love!  Beautiful.  Here are a few from the day:

Unposed, Lauren took a moment before the ceremony to see her guests arriving and calm some nerves…

Chris in action….

Lauren and David had a traditional Jewish ceremony.   The chuppah was made by Lauren’s parents making the ceremony even more personal.

Reception fun:

A few from the formals:  I didn’t do any posing, but rather I photographed from the side….attempting to capture a different angle than Chris.

This is my favorite from the day:

These next there are all rather similar but I couldn’t decide between them so…..

Kristen and Travis

This is the wedding that almost wasn’t…. Well, not really…the wedding was always on BUT Kristen and Travis were back and forth between wanting a traditional wedding in Mount Vernon and eloping somewhere fun and fast.  They, obviously, decided to stay with a traditional wedding and, after experiencing their day last Saturday, I must say that I think they made the right choice!  These two have such wonderful family and friends and it was very clear that they all have a great time together.  That is exactly what a wedding should be about – sharing your life and love with those who you care most about….  Congratulations and best of luck…. enjoy the sneak peak of your pictures:

The cutest little flower girl….she is helping by “holding up” Kristen’s dress as it is being laced.

This might have been the best cake-eating experience ever.    Typical cake-eating, right???  Wait for it…

That my friends, is Kristen hitting her head on the wall…she actually had a cut on her arm, but of course, she was a great sport about it!  So funny!

A few of my favorite formals….  is this eerie or romantic? I’m not sure.

Love, love, love these two.

Ann Arbor

I recently spent a day in Ann Arbor; just walking around, exploring, and enjoying a wonderful Michigan day.    Ann Arbor is a funky little artistic town that has really managed to keep its personality and reputation very separate from the University of Michigan, which makes its home there.    Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

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I couldn’t decide which one I liked best….so…..

I found an ally that was covered in graffitti:

It also had a wall covered in gum, which I found amusing and extremely fun to photograph.

Regardless of if you like beer or not, this sign was just crazy old-school.  Love it!

June Portrait Special

June just seems like the perfect month for some photography – the weather is GORGEOUS, the trees and flowers are finally in full bloom (really, did you ever think the cold would go away???) and school is ALMOST out for the summer….

That being said,  we are offering a portrait special for the month of June ONLY – $25 PORTRAIT SESSIONS – up to 1 hour of photography,  at the location of your choice, with no additional charge for extra people!   This is good for any occasion (excluding events) – children, families, seniors, even pets!

Sessions are limited.  Call now to make sure we save a spot for you!

740-625-5375

http://www.meganellisphotography.com

Ohio Heroes Induction Ceremony

Once again, I was given the GREAT honor of photographing the Ohio Heroes Induction Ceremony last Friday.  I always get choked up at these things… Please visit http://www.ohioheroes.org to learn more about this organization.   Congratulations and THANK YOU to all of this year’s recipients.

Gameness Fight Championship

My blogging lately has been awful… I am not even going to try to catch up on all of the shoots and events that I missed… but I will show some stuff from this weekend. I spent Saturday in Nashville at the Gameness Fight Championship.    I actually managed to get out of being the primary photographer for this event and had an opportunity to actually ENJOY myself and not work myself to death… I can’t remember the last time I have gone to an event and just been able to have fun!    Of course, I still took some pictures…

Spring Portrait Session GIVE-A-WAY

The first THREE (3) people that email me will get a FREE portrait session (up to a $100 value)!  Make sure you include your name, phone number, and what type of portrait session (engagement, kids, family, etc).  My only requirements are that the session is held outside at a location of my choosing and that you promise to tell all of your friends how wonderful I am and peer-pressure them into calling me!

You can’t win if you won any of my previous give-a-ways (sorry!) but you CAN pass this contest on to anyone you would like! If you refer someone to me AND they use me (whether they win or not), I’ll give you a $30 credit towards a session!

ALSO – this contest is open to people in Nashville AND in Knoxville as I will be frequenting both of those locations in the next few weeks!

Spring is just around the corner….

Can’t you just feel life getting a little happier?

Holly & Jim

Holly and Jim got married about 2 weeks ago at the Bent Tree Golf Course.  Their wedding was just wonderful – everything about it was really just perfect!   Holly and Jim have such a special relationship; they are so obviously meant to be together!    Here are just a few of my favorites:

Holly before the wedding…

I love how Jim is trying to see over the guests to catch a glimpse of his bride.

There was a ton of backlight for the ceremony.  That can be really difficult to photograph, but I think these turned out really romantic!

There is something very simple and pure about this first-dance picture that really struck me.

This was the second to last shot I took.

Shoes in a bathroom…. who would have thunk it could be such a fun picture!

Champaign anyone?

I thought  I was going to lose my first bride, or bridesmaid for these pictures, but Lori did good (cough) keeping everyone safe….

Not to be undone- the guys had their turn at the wheel…They actually just pretended to drive… the shots turned out really fun and we didn’t almost lose anyone!

I try not to use a lot of post-processing for my work.  You won’t see many crazy photoshop changes;  just minor ones – ones that add too rather than change a photograph.  I do have one cross-processing action that I love though….and it absolutely helped give this picture the finishing touch it needed…just a little bit more attitude….

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This one was Jim’s idea… I love it when a groom gets involved and cares about the pictures.  It really makes for some wonderful results!

I’m so happy for you-all!

Elbie, Dave & little Vera….

One of my favorite people, Elbie, is going to have a baby any day now!!!!  I was so excited when Elbie emailed me and asked me to take some pictures of her and her husband, Dave,  before little Vera makes her debut…which could be ANY minute now!

Elbie was the leader of the first small group I attended when I started going to the Vineyard Church many years ago.  A  mutual friend of ours, Kelli, came with me and was my second shooter.

Kelli and I drove to Cincinnati for the photo shoot and were blessed with an abnormally warm, beautiful day.               Can you believe this girl is almost 9 months along?

Playing with my new lensbaby lens…. this is going to be my new favorite toy!

The next two were taken by Kelli.  She had a lot of images that just rocked…but these are two of my favorites!

Not only was it great to see Elbie but I also had the pleasure of getting to know her husband, Dave.   These two are going to make amazing parents.

Elbie is so beautiful and happy.  She literally has that pregnancy glow!

We wore poor Elbie out… she was quite the trooper though!

I hope you-all enjoy the pictures. Can’t wait to meet Vera Grace! Thank you Kelli for helping me out!