Maternity // Megan + Ryan + Baby: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

"Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart" -Winne the Pooh

I was very excited to hear Megan was expecting and wanted me to photograph her baby bump. I photographed her and Ryan's engagement and wedding pictures also. Such a joy to see their little family growing. She is a glowing mother-to-be. I can't wait to meet baby Skylar. I know she's going to be just a doll. 

Motherhood is such a high calling!

Engagement // Taylor + Scott: Hueston Woods Wedding & Portrait Photographer

"My heart is, and always will be, yours." – Sense and Sensibility

Senior // Alyssa: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Alyssa.

I've known Alyssa pretty much my whole life. Her family moved into the "circle" (the neighborhood I grew up in) when she was not even two yet, and I was around the age of 4. We were playmates all through our childhood years. Summer for us kids (there were a lot of kids in our neighborhood) mean't being outside ALL DAY playing in the circle. Riding our bikes, rollerblading, playing cops and robbers, walking down to Sunco (if we had money to buy candy), climbing Alyssa's tree and seeing who climbed the highest, oh, and jelly beans of all kinds. Yes, Barbies of course ;) We would get all the neighborhood girls out and we would drag ALL of our Barbie things outside (including the Barbie houses) and create a neighborhood of Barbies (the good ol'e days ya know). Alyssa was always bundles of fun, sweet + caring. She was a couple years younger than me, but that never effected out friendship. We were the best kind of friends. 

(This is Alyssa in the pig tails, and me, the blondie, David, the little guy and Alex, Alyssa's brother)

We ended up moving out of the circle when I was 13 (we out grew out house with 11 kids and counting). Which was a really big change for all us kids, including all our friends from the "circle". We kept in contact some, but you know how it is when kids move it's hard to stay in touch. We got back in contact a few years ago over Facebook (thank you, Facebook) and she asked me to do her senior pictures. They drove 3+ hours to me so I could be the one to do her pictures (aren't they the coolest?!).  Alyssa and I have so many sweet memories together from the circle. It is such a joy to be able to photograph my friends. 

I love this girl to death. 

Love // Learning // Together: Our Home Via iPhone

 Many of you know Reed and I recently purchased a house--which we call Home. It is a work in progress but it is coming together. We've already made SO many wonderful memories in this house and we love hosting parties and sharing our home with others. It is the PERFECT space for us and we are very thankful for it. We have a cornfield to the right of our house where the sunsets every night and we have a perfect view of it from the loft upstairs, which I've always said I wanted to live in a place where you could see the sunset every night (God cares about the little things). A little preview of our work in progress we call Home.

(All photos taken with iPhone)

Wedding // Nathan + Jennifer: Greenville, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Nathan + Jennifer are married!

We were surrounded by cornfields, big red barns and lots of family for the wedding. The day started out rainy, but turned into a BEAUTIFUL day with a beautiful sunset at the end. I knew a lot of the guest that attended the wedding and had actually photographed a few of them, so it was a special wedding for me. Not just because of familiarity, but because Nathan & Jennifer had both been waiting a long time for each other. They didn't know they would marry each other, but God knew and they waited on God to show them who that perfect one for them would be. Waiting is hard. Waiting is worth it though, as they 2nd ;)

The ceremony was very special and honest. He told them how marriage will not always be fun and a fairytale, but you still have to stick with it because its so worth it in the long run. Marriage is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

 Nathan + Jennifer are a family now and it has been wonderful being able to capture their love together. Oh, and the reception was magical. There was a full moon, with icily lights, combine with fireworks and one in love couple *sigh* so perfect.

Family // Madelynn: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Wedding // Kristin + Kyle: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

My summer has been SO very busy with weddings + sessions and getting them all on the blog is a challenge, but I'm getting there slowly. Thanks for the patience!

Kristin and Kyle had a perfectly lovely wedding on June 1st. June 1st was a VERY popular date this year. I must have had 6 brides ask about that date, but Kristin got to it first. It was a joyful + happy day. It was moderate temperature for June and a little overcast, but the rain stayed away just long enough for the portraits after (makes you thankful you have connections to the weather man aka: God). Kristin and Kyle's ceremony was the cutest - it was short, sweet and very traditional. They even had wedding bells rung right after they were pronounced husband and wife. The kind of ceremony you see in a old fashioned movie. A lot of her details were vintage/old fashioned. Her dress had laced embossed in it, I'm a sucker for lace...it's the best. Kristin was absolutely stunning, as you will see, and Kyle looked pretty good too ;) Gosh, my weddings this year just keep getting better and better. It was my pleasure to photograph your wedding Kristin + Kyle. I wish you an endless amount of happy years together (remember I photograph babies too, your kids will SO cute). 

Ohhh, be sure to check out the cake photos. It's not your typical cake cutting ;)

Wedding // A.J. + Milissa: Cincinnati, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening,

And live like it's heaven on earth.”

― William W. Purkey

Baby // Eleanor: Middletown, Ohio Portrait Photography

I've photographed this little family for the past couples years and it gets sweet and sweet every time. It started when Amanda was pregnant with Adeline, then newborn pictures of Adeline, which you can view here, and Adeline's one year pictures here. Now I get to photograph the newest member of the O'banion family, baby Eleanor. Thanks for letting me capture your precious steps of life for your sweet little family. 

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!  ~Albert Einstein

About

Hi i'm Lydia

Engagement // Erin + Justin: Carriage Hill Farm Wedding & Portrait Photographer

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give you forever." – The Notebook

Erin + Justin

I really do get to photograph the best couples, for real. I have a blast with every single one of my couples and Justin & Erin were no exception. I think we laughed and made fun more then anything at their engagement session. I try with every couple/person I photograph to capture "them"...(duh right?) let me explain, not just "them"....but really who they are. Who they are together or apart, how they bring out the best in each other. The teasing, stolen kisses, hugs just because they wanted too, winks, random burst of laughter because of an inside joke. That is what I strive for to photograph each couple as "them".

As you will see they are a gorgeous couple and absolutely adorable. I really can't get over how beautiful Erin's hair is....SOOooo pretty. We had beautiful weather for their session and their cute laughs combine with the way they played together (yes, grown-ups can play too) was like something out of a  story book. I'm happy I get to capture the start of your "Happily Ever After". 

"So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day…" The Notebook

I tried some free-lensing techniques on these couple.




















Free-lensing here too!

Wedding // Allison + Wade

"In true love, there is no mountain too high to climb. No river too wide to cross. And most of all in true love there is no ends." -Unknown

Josie // Portraits: Dayton, Ohio Wedding + Portrait Photographer

 Eastlyn, Sarah and I met Josie for the first time last Sunday. Josie has been a  fan of all our photography work and has followed our blogs and Facebook for a few years (and we have been conversing back and forth about photography and such) and she was going to be in Ohio not too far from us and wanted to meet the three of us.  I know I have several photographers that I would LOVE to meet one day, but I never thought I would be that photographer for someone else--so it was super special for me that Josie wanted to meet me. 

She wasn't quite what I expected, she far exceed my expectations actually (you can only learn so much about a person via Facebook lol) ;) Josie is a very deep, genuine, curious, fun individual and just a happy-sweet person to be around. Talkative and just adorable but in a grown up-mature way. She's got the beauty the brains. Creative + thrives on learning new things. Such a blessed + talented girl. Josie, keep up all the hard work--you've got it girl. 

Senior // David : Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

This is David. There is so much to say about this young man. He's my younger brother (if you couldn't tell already). He is number 8 in the Robertson clan and I'm gonna brag on him a little bit, OK?
David is incredible. He's really really good at everything he does. He succeeds at whatever he puts his mind to. He's mature 10x times his age, oh and he's graduating a year early...with working a full time job.
 David is an avid sports fan and is talented at nearly every sport he plays. David has lots of bragging rights, but he never brags on himself...ever. He is one of the humblest teenagers I know. He doesn't think much of himself, he puts others before himself. He has one of the sweetest-kindest hearts I know. He is responsible. He is a true friend. He wakes up early to read his Bible...he wants to be the best christian he can be. He's an amazing testimony to those around him. He will stand up for what he believes-- not in a cocky "I know everything way" but in a concerned-genuine way. He is one of those guys that would take a bullet for anyone. Anyway, I'm going to stop bragging so you can see the pictures. Having his picture taken isn't David's favorite thing, but he at least let me get a hand full. I still am having a hard time taking it in that he is graduating. I feel like life needs to pause and let us all catch out breath.

Mom wanted some with his Cap and Gown ;)

Wedding // Sarah + Aaron: Mansfield, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Sarah + Aaron....they love God with all their heart and they love each other with all their heart. The wedding day was the first time I had actually met Sarah and Aaron, due to travel distance, she welcomed me with a hug and a beautiful smile...she was SO excited because she was about to marry the love of her life, Aaron. All her bridesmaids were silly and giddy with her in sharing her excitement. 

This was truly going to be an unforgettable day!

As people crowd into the church, every seat was filled. So many friends and family came to share in this unforgettable day. Surely these' two individuals were very loved.  As Sarah walked down the aisle tears started to swell in her eyes, and the same with Aaron, those moments are some of my favorite of the entire day...It's hard to explain how much love and joy is behind those tear-filled eyes. The ceremony was genuine and heartfelt. It showed forth the love and faith they have in God--not ashamed to share it with everyone there, in hopes they'd all receive Jesus as they did. 

Once I started portraits with Aaron & Sarah I saw the teamwork and gentleness and silliness and sincerity and pure joy they have with each other (gosh, I'm so SO lucky to get to know such wonderful-in love people). 

The whole day was simply perfect. For real.

"When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, no one can ever tear them apart." -Unknown

Wedding // Amedee + Doug: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer WPAFB

 Amedee is a professional opera singer for Des Moines Metro Opera, and Doug went to Seminary to become a Pastor. They both attended Wheaton College in Illinois where they met. The first time Doug saw Amedee he said she was the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Amedee in return was very attracted to Doug.  Amedee was part of the opera performance at the school and they had posters posted around the campus. Doug had taken one of the posters and put it in his doom because it had Amedee's picture on it. He constantly reminded himself that he could never get her because she was too beautiful. Little did he know Amedee was dying for him to ask her out. Doug's friends all told him that Amedee liked him, but he refused to believe a women this beautiful would be interested in him. Finally, Amedee decided to ask him out herself, Doug was in shock but agreed whole heartily.....and the rest is history.

Amedee and Doug's wedding was far from ordinary.  Amedee had brides men (her closes friends and brother), and Doug had a grooms women (his sister) along with his grooms men. At the end of the ceremony Amedee had planned a Opera song to sing along with a couple of her Opera friends in the crowd. They broke out into song right after they were pronounced "Husband and Wife" (so cool). Yes, and Doug has dreads...and did I mention Amedee sings Opera?! Like I said a very un-ordinarily wedding in so many awesome ways. (Oh and a cool side note--Amedee's father is a three star general for the Air force and they had the first four star female general (in Military history) at the wedding).

They make the cutest couple! Both are fun and easy going. Doug's madly in love with her and to him he's got the most beautiful women he's ever seen and Amedee adores her Douggie. So privileged to be a part of this wedding and document their love.

{Engagement} Nathan & Jennifer // Hueston Woods

It was a perfect Spring evening with warm country air and the sun slow setting sending beautiful rays of light through the tress. Birds chirping, bees bouncing around in the flowers. New buds on the trees and one very verrrry in love couple. Nathan and Jennifer really did pick the perrrfect location for their engagement session. It was the first time I had shot at Hueston Woods and let me tell you I was in love with it. Even though I may have gotten lost getting there and had no phone reception it was perfect nonetheless.

Nathan and Jennifer brought a Bible to the session. They wanted to make sure they included their Faith in the pictures. I'm so happy when I run into other christian couples. There is just something about a couple that shares the same faith as you.

I try to always observe how my couples play/work together at my sessions. Jennifer and Nathan are, well they are just themselves. They are real and down to earth. Very fun and playful, with a little sarcasm thrown in there. They are not just "in love", they really love each other, but its a mature, true, forever kind of love, if that makes sense. Anyways, it gave me chills as I was going through some of these'. Too darn cute!!

{Wedding} Kelli + Kyle: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

As Reed and I arrived at the church Kyle also arrived about the same time. As we were walking in I asked him if he was nervous about the whole day or anything, he replied with "No, I'm not nervous. I know I've got the right girl!" *with much confidence*.  As you noticed he didn't say the "perfect girl", he simply said the "right girl". I think he had it dead on when he said that because as the saying goes "A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other".  Such a true statement.
Even though I don't know Kelli and Kyle super well, I know them well enough to see the love and care they have for each other. You will see in the portraits below how attached and comfortable they are with each other. It makes me giddy like a school girl photographing people reaalllllyyyyy in love. Kyle even shed a few tears as his girl, Kelli, walked down the aisle (melts me heart).  Enjoy this little sneak peek into the day Kyle and Kelli became Husband and wife.

{Engagement} Jason + Hannah: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Hannah and Jason lived less then half a mile down the road from each other for the majority of their lives, but never met and didn't meet for years and years later. They both had been through a lot when they met and connected on a level post people wouldn't understand. They are sweet and cuddly, yet they tease/poke at each and throw sarcasm into the mix (sarcasm is like my families middle name lol), so I felt right at home photographing them AT their home/farm. Oh and remember straw and hay are not the same thing, and don't ever tell a straw farmer that they are.

Their wedding is going to be awesome!

{Baby} Payton: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

I photographed Lauren + Scott's wedding a year ago last November and was thrilled to hear that they just had a baby GIRL. Ekk! I get so excited when I get to photograph newborns from my past brides. I'm not gonna lie it gives me a little bit of the "Baby Fever", especially when they are as cute as Payton.