Caleb | Pickerington High School North Senior | 2016

CALEB

PICKERINGTON HIGH SCHOOL NORTH SENIOR

2016 SENIOR PHOTOS

Caleb's mom was so sweet when I spoke to her on the phone about his session. I love that she had a vision for these images and we even spent time choosing a location that would suite their home well. Print your pictures, y'all! Looking at a print is so much better than on the computer, I'm telling you, but I didn't have to tell Caleb's mom. I love that about senior pictures. The seniors may not fully understand the meaning behind them, but the parents, especially the moms, always do. This is your baby! Print the pictures. Anyway! When Caleb hopped out of the car, he had on his suit jacket and tie and really looked like he would rather be hanging out with anyone other than me for an hour - haha!! Caleb was quite, but I could tell there was more to his personality. We started at Victory Park then made our way over across the street to Sycamore Park for Caleb's more formal portraits. I made some small talk, trying to find out more about Caleb to let his personality shine through in his portraits. He was so polite and respectful, but his mom told me he was a jokester at home! Caleb plays the violin and needed photos with his violin for orchestra. I loved incorporating the violin! And for not liking having his photo taken, this guy is SO HANDSOME! Seriously loving his dark lashes and half grin! When Caleb changed from his suit to his hoodie, I found Caleb!! I can totally relate. I could live in a hoodie and jeans. This was his style and I loved it! Caleb isn't sure exactly what he wants to do after graduation, but he wants to knock out his core college classes as a start, and I think that's so smart! Good luck with the rest of your senior year, Caleb, and enjoy life's adventures! Here are my faves!

Lindsay + Kasey | Ohio State University Proposal | The Shoe

LINDSAY + KASEY

PROPOSAL STORY
MARCH 23, 2016

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
THE HORSE SHOE 

“Ali, Kasey is proposing to Lindsay in a couple of weeks.” Alex whispered with the biggest smile on her face. “Would you be interested in taking photos??” I have been waiting for this question since I started shooting weddings. Seriously, it’s been a dream of mine to hide in the bushes and capture this kind of raw emotion. Well, this was TEN. THOUSAND. TIMES. BETTER. than hiding in the bushes. Kasey rented THE SHOE. Yes, THE Ohio Stadium for his proposal. He wanted to make this unforgettable for Lindsay, and I have got to say that I think he accomplished that! After lunch, Kasey told Lindsay, who had just eaten a giant burger (this is a key component of the story, I promise) that he wanted to go explore North campus because it had been a while since they had last been there- things have changed! These two met at OSU in class and actually worked together for a short time. Lindsay loves everything Ohio State, and Kasey knew she would love this! It had rained all morning long, but when we arrived to the stadium, the sun peaked through the clouds, I kid you not! The clouds parted! As they walked up to The Shoe, Kasey told the man at the gate that they were alumni and asked if they could get in to walk around for a few minutes. Unbeknownst to Lindsay, Mr. Gate Man, who I am certain has a real name, was in on the whole surprise. Alex and I squatted against a wall out of sight, and I placed my second shooter (shout out to Chris Arteno!) out across the field in plain sight. He just looked like some guy taking photos of the stadium, although I did catch Lindsay pointing at him! Our hearts were pounding as we heard Kasey and Lindsay approaching the field. Lindsay stepped onto the turf and began waiving to the imaginary crowds. It was so cute! She and Kasey chatted all the way to the fifty-yard line, smiling and joking around. Then they stood smack dab in the middle of that block O and took it all in. Out of earshot, I was watching for the moment Kasey went down on one knee. I saw Lindsay cover her eyes as Kasey pulled out a beaaaautiful diamond ring (seriously, this ring!). I ran onto the field and heard, “Oh my Gosh, that’s Ali!” Then Alex appeared right behind me. Lindsay was beaming! I was able to grab them for a few photos before they went off to celebrate, and I love that they were totally down for my constant “just one more.” While we were snapping some photos, Kasey told Lindsay that he knew she always said she wanted to go to celebrate at Thurman’s after their engagement, but she had just eaten that burger! It was so funny! Kasey, you seriously did GOOD. And Lindsay, you are going to make one stunning bride. You both radiate happiness. Congratulations on your engagement and best wishes as you begin this new chapter and plan your big day! (ps I hope you got to, or get to, celebrate at Thurman’s anyway)

xoxo

Jerry | Class of 2016 | Sheridan High School Senior

J E R R Y

CLASS OF 2016

SHERIDAN HIGH SCHOOL

Confidence. That’s what I want my seniors to feel when they get in front of my camera. I don’t just want them to be comfortable; I want them to be confident. And I want them to carry that confidence with them throughout their lives. I want them to: Be brave. Be empowering. Be strong. Be adventurous. Be clever. Be loved. Mostly, I want my seniors to be themselves. 

I first met Jerry two years ago when I shot his mom’s engagement pictures. He and his sister tagged along and popped in for some family photos. This family is fun and it’s the best compliment for me when my clients return again and again. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to see people grow, and Jerry sure has grown into a handsome young man! 

Jerry wanted snow for his senior portraits. I was totally PSYCHED (is that cool to say??) about snow photos because honestly, they are my favorite. I’m a former figure skater! What do you expect? Well… the mild winter robbed us of snow portraits, but I think we did just fine without it!

Jerry and his family chose the Canal Train Depot for his portrait location, then I suggested we drive to the covered bridge and take a walk through the forest. I love the variety of photos we got from these different locations!

Jerry brought along his Patriots gear, which was really cool. I made some Tom Brady jokes and told Jerry about my grandma’s obsession with the Patriots and Tom Brady- she has newspaper clippings of him hung up in her kitchen. I kid you not. Jerry’s also into gaming, and plays Far Cry Primal, which apparently he is pretty awesome at. I usually just press buttons and see what happens!

Although Jerry hasn’t yet decided what his future plans are, I’m excited to hear which direction he chooses. I know you’ll be successful at whatever path you take! Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to take your photos, Jerry! Here are a few of my favorites. 

Snap and Gather | Winter 2016

Finally! I was able to go to a Snap and Gather! I am hardly ever able to get together with my fellow photographers because of my "real" job, but since Monday was President's Day, I had the day off! Thank you, George Washington. Anyways, we met at Everal Barn in Westerville and all the girls brought amazingly pretty and yummy food. How could they not? It's a room full of creatives! I knew my cheese platter needed to be on point. haha We were able to take photos before we had lunch of the pretty atmosphere and I got to chat with some amazing photographers! I follow these gals on Instagram and Facebook, but putting a face to the work was so incredible. It really was awesome to be able to sit at the same table as these gals. After lunch, we had a lesson in modern calligraphy from Taylor of Inkwell and Company. She is the bomb.com! Seriously, I learned so much and now I am going to be making pretty words a l l t h e t i me. Go check out these amazing creatives if you have the time! I had so much fun on my day off! Never ever stop learning, friends! Time to practice. 

THE DETAILS

LOCATION: Everal Barn | Westerville

CALLIGRAPHY : Inkwell and Company

FLORAL: State and Arrow Design Company

STYLE: Susie Marie Photography, Elizabeth Conley Studios, and Mindy Danelle Photography

Lauren + Will | A Classic Winter Wedding in Grove City, Ohio

LAUREN + WILL | JANUARY 17, 2016

Finally!! It's here!!! My first Story Told Wedding of 2016. I met with Lauren and Will over coffee last year and I couldn't believe the day was finally here! I loved getting to know Lauren over the past year and chatting with her while Will was away at training. She was counting down each day and missing him like crazy! I know he was missing her too. Can you believe these two have known each other since they were kids? And then they found out they lived just a couple of houses away from each other! The rest is history!! I was so excited when we arrived at The Pinnacle in Grove City on their wedding day. The Pinnacle is such a beautiful venue, and they had both their ceremony and reception there! It was a frigid day, but so so so beautiful. A soft snow was falling on and off all day. If you've been to The Pinnacle, you know that there are windows surrounding the hall, and it made the entire day feel so dreamy! Red roses popped against Lauren's beautiful dress! Seriously, loved that dress! These two are so adorable! They did a first look, which was my first time photographing a first look! Will turned around to see Lauren and couldn't stop looking at her! And what a gorgeous ceremony! The family all came up and laid hands on Lauren and Will and prayed for them and their marriage. They played the shoe game at their reception, a total favorite of mine, and ended the night with the chicken dance and a sparkler exit!! So fun! Thank you two for having me as part of your day! I hope this first month of marriage has been incredible!! 

THE DETAILS

Dress: Oleg Cassini | David's Bridal Tuxes: President Tuxedo

Florals: Danete's Floral Boutique Cake: The Goodie Stop Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas  Music | DJ: Encore Entertainment

Lauren danced with both her biological father and her step-father. I was having a hard time keeping it together... and Butterfly Kisses gets me every time!

Lauren and Will | Engaged | Inniswood Park

These two have a special place in my heart. Lauren and Will are getting married in January!! It's coming up so fast. They are my first wedding of 2016! We did engagement photos at Inniswood in Westerville- my first time ever shooting there! So many beautiful places to photograph. I wish we could have stayed all day!! Even though she is six years younger than me, Lauren and I quickly became friends. I think God brought this girl into my life for more than one reason. She is so sweet and she has a huge heart for Christ. Oh... and can we talk about her eyes?! HUGE. Amazing eyes! She and Will are so in love. When Will was gone for his military training, Lauren was counting down the days... hours... minutes... seconds!  I loved hearing her giggle as Will whispered into her ear during their engagement session. These two met in gym class in the 8th grade and then found out they lived on the same street, just a couple of houses away from each other! Talk about a girl next door love story!! They have such big futures together and I'm excited to see where life and love takes them. Congratulations Will and Lauren!! Can't wait for your big day!

Hayley | PHSN Senior | Cedarville Bound

Hayley!!! 

Here she is! Hayley is my last senior rep for 2016! She is a Pickerington North senior- my high school! We snuck Hayley's session in right before it got toooo chilly outside- and she rocked a gorgeous short mint dress from Nordstrom!! Love love love that dress. And her eyes just POPPED! Hayley's style was so classic, which I ADORED, but we got some sass out of her, too! I was so excited by the locations that Hayley and her mom picked. We shot inside an older library near our town and then outside of it. I have a thing for dead flowers and all things that some may consider "old and ugly." No way. Hello charm! So glad Hayley agreed that these areas were just as beautiful as I thought they were, too! We stumbled across some of my new favorite spots to shoot! Thank you for being adventurous with me, girl! She is involved in yearbook at school, and this girl is really amazing! She has some big dreams and she is already checking off her goals! She's been accepted into Cedarville University and plans on becoming a pharmacist. Keep reaching for those goals and working hard, Hayley! Thank you for letting me show your beauty (inside and out!) in photos. Here are some of my favorites from her senior session! 

Peyton l 2016 Senior l London High School l Homestead Park

Peyton!! I was so happy when I got an email from his mom asking for senior portraits! I met Peyton a little over a year ago and I was dying to have him as one of my 2016 senior reps!! He is SO charming. He made my job incredibly easy! He's soft spoken, not shy... just polite! (; And he's musical! Excuse me? Can I make all of my seniors play me beautiful songs while I take their photos?? Ha! Just kidding! But it was so cool to have some beautiful music during the session. Also. He puts together the best outfits. Check out that Marty McFly vest! I love his style!! He even brought along his brother to hop in some shots with him! I could have taken pictures all day!! BUT it started raining, so we didn't get to do that. We met at Homestead Park in Hilliard and we just stayed there because we had so many options around us! I had been there before but each time I go back, I discover a new favorite spot! Peyton is a London High School senior and I cannot wait to see what he does after he graduates! 

Autumn in the Autumn l CWHS Senior l Fall Senior Portraits

I first met Autumn and her mother in one of Canal's charming little coffee shops. I knew she played basketball, but when Autumn stood up to say hello, I could not believe those legs! Legs for D A Y S! I knew I wouldn't be able to forget my step-stool {Which I have now dubbed as Ja Rule The Stool}. Autumn is so so so so SO gorgeous and I loved the outfits she chose for her fall session. The marsala color looks amazing with her pretty blonde hair and she wore it in a dress and then rocked a scarf in a  deeper shade. I have to call her out though for forgetting her jeans when we arrived at the covered bridge. haha! Luckily, we had plenty of time and she was able to go retrieve them and looked 

i n c r e d i b l e in them! Like I said: legs.for.days. We started out at the Train Depot and Old School House- Autumn wants to be a teacher! Afterwards, we headed into town, out to the covered bridge, and then in her grandmother's backyard- Such meaningful places in her hometown! Her dad had me cracking up as he suggested some poses for Autumn to try- not only suggesting them, but demonstrated them! SO funny! But he also revealed some of the most gorgeous places Canal has to take photos! I had to admit I was a little unsure when he led us through a forest, but the spot he found was AMAZING. I had no idea about the bridge, either! I have a lot of new favorites! And Autumn's mom and dad helped me lug Jar Rule the Stool and some of my other props around town- this is always so helpful! I super appreciate it! I love the closeness of this family and loved seeing them laugh together. Autumn, best of luck on your senior year and in basketball! I cannot wait to see what all the future holds for this beautiful girl.

Mallory PHSC Senior

M A L L O R Y

This girl! So beautiful! I am so glad she chose me to take her senior portraits. Mallory is a senior at Pickerington High School Central and a Story Told Rep! She is also a soccer player for PHSC. I loved photographing her in her soccer jersey. {Go Lady Tigers!} From the day I met Mallory, I could not get over her hair! Look at how long and flowy and gorgeous it is! I asked her if she was going to cut it, and not yet- She's keeping it long. For her session, we split it for summer and fall. During her summer session, we met in German Village at Schiller Park and then for her fall session we went to my favorite place: Chestnut Ridge. Mallory agreed to hike the trail with me to the old house ruins and we snagged some shots before it got too dark! That trail is steeeeeep, and I was totally out of breath by the time we got to the top (haha!), but I am so glad we went up there to get a different, moodier look for her photos. I am so excited to see what her future holds. Have a great year, Mallory!