Huge Giveaway

The last couple of weeks have been hard on everyone.  Covid-19 has impacted us all in many ways. I was so disappointed to have to postpone my studio grand re-opening last month.  I had so many great events and giveaways planned.  I’m also disappointed that my clients aren’t able to shoot with the brand new studio sets but the health and safety of my clients is what’s most important.

And just because we can’t meet in person doesn’t mean that I can’t still do the giveaway.  You aren’t going to want to miss out on this! 

The giveaway includes the following:

·        “Just the Sheets” mini session and 3 image folio with Distraction Photo

·        1 hour makeup session and lash application with MyFairMakeup Artistry

·        Blowout and hairstyle with AlissaDoesBeauty

·        2 bath and body sets from Dehjavubeauty

·        Electric High Frequency Facial with Pretty Please Haus of Vanity

·        Full set of acrylic nails with gel polish and body butter from Martinasnails of Drip Beauty Bar

·        One on one chair dance workshop with Studio Soul

·        Victoria Secret grab bag

Sounds pretty incredible right?!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Like the linked Instagram post

2. Tag 3 other women who would love to win

3. Follow all of the businesses in the post

4. Share the post on your Instagram story

Rules for entry: Must be 18 or older and live in the Cleveland area.  Must have an Instagram account.

Contest runs from April 5 – April 19, 2020.  Head over to my Instagram account @distractionphoto for your chance to win. 

Good luck!

Valentine's Day Boudoir

I'm so excited to be collaborating with Tease Hair and Body Parlor located in downtown Lakewood.  I love the location of this salon!  It's right next to The Root Cafe and Lion & Blue.  

I have a Valentine's Day display with samples of my boudoir photography displayed in the salon.  Look at how amazing this place is!  I love the Lakewood charm and the vibe of Tease.  It's literally my dream space for shooting boudoir sessions!  The lighting, the furniture,  the hardwood floors, the gorgeous natural light, the tall ceilings.  I love it all!  

If you're planning to do a Valentine's Day boudoir session, there's not much time left to book!  Contact me today if you're considering gifting some products to your significant other this year.  

Stop by the salon for a service and to check out the display!  You can also find out more information about Tease on their Instagram page.  

Wish of a Lifetime

I had the amazing opportunity to work with an organization called Wish of a Lifetime.  Wish of a Lifetime is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to seniors in the community.  Their mission to is shift the way society views and values our oldest generations.  They envision a world in which society embraces aging and the inherent wisdom that accompanies it, where seniors are celebrated for their accomplishments and sacrifices, and where intergenerational connections are part of our daily lives.  Wish of a Lifetime started in Colorado but the organization fulfills wishes all across the United States, including beautiful OHIO.   

I had the pleasure of documenting a wish for a woman named Jane.  She attended Canton McKinley High School and played in the marching band.  She read in the local paper that the stadium had been fully renovated.  Her wish was to visit the stadium and see the marching band play. 

Wish of Lifetime went above and beyond with her wish!  And the staff at Canton McKinley High School was absolutely phenomenal.  Everyone did such an amazing job in order to make Jane’s day so special. 

I arrived at the Canton Symphony Center and met with Lisa Reicosky, the Canton McKinley Communications Manager.  She did an exceptional job at welcoming me and Jane’s family.  We then waited for Jane to arrive. 

Shortly after she arrived we all took the elevator up to the 7th floor of the stadium to get a better view of the field.  Canton McKinley High School even welcomed Jane with a message on a sign overlooking the stadium.  Jane was thrilled when she saw it! 

A few staff members stopped by to say hello to Jane.  The school principal even stopped by.   While he visited, Jane took at look at the yearbook from her senior year. She showed him her senior picture and read her senior quote to the group.  The high school band director also stopped by to talk to Jane.  We all listened as she reminisced about her days playing in the marching band. 

The next surprise was from the high school marching band.  They performed their halftime show just for Jane.  Watching her during this performance brought tears to my eyes.  It was such a special moment for me and I had never even met Jane before this day.  There was so much joy there at that moment as I looked at the faces of Jane’s children and the people who had coordinated this day for her.  It’s one of those rare moments in life where happiness is all that exists and the whole world feels perfect. 

After the performance, the band director presented Jane with a certificate thanking her for the time she had committed to the band during her high school years.  And since she played the flute in high school, he brought one for Jane to try out.  She told us she hadn’t played in over 40 years but she gave it a try anyway.  Her children were all smiles as they watched her. 

The final part of Jane’s day was a tour of the new stadium.  The renovation is just breathtaking.  It is THE most beautiful high school stadium I’ve ever seen in my life.  Jane got to see a luxury suite before we all went up to the rooftop deck to see an amazing view of the field.  (Note: if you’re afraid of heights I don’t advise looking over the railing.  Boy were we high up!)

We retuned back to the 7th floor to have some Canon McKinley themed cookies that were specially made for Jane’s day.  They were delicious and a giant platter of them was sent home with Jane. 

I love that being a photographer gives me the ability to participate in events like this.  Though I operate out of Cleveland, I'm constantly traveling all over Ohio, and into the surrounding states, to work.  I'll travel nearly anywhere to do photography.  I love the adventure!

Loved hearing about Jane?  Follow this link to read more amazing wish stories:  https://wishofalifetime.org/wish-stories/

Know a remarkable senior who deserves a wish come true?  Follow this link to submit a wish application: https://wishofalifetime.org/what-we-do/submit-a-wish/

Your love life should be your favorite fairy tale

You may have seen the super romantic couple photos on Instagram and other social media and thought to yourself “I wish my husband and I had photos like that” or maybe even “There’s no way my finace and I could ever look that comfortable on camera.”

Well…

a.)     You can!

b.)    Ummm yes you can!

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I believe in these types of sessions.  I think they are important and very meaningful.  It’s so easy to get comfortable in a relationship…to start taking one another for granted.  Classic story: It’s been years.  Every time you wake up they’re there.  And when you come home from work, they’re there.  And when you go to bed at night…you’ve got it…. they’re there.  And there hasn’t been a time yet where that wasn’t the case.  But I am a firm believer in cherishing all the small moments of a relationship.  I believe those mean more than anything.  Appreciating that you get to wake up next to someone you love every day, and come home to them after work, and go to bed with them.  That means so much more than a fancy anniversary dinner or an expensive Christmas gift. 

After my marriage ended I vowed to stop taking the people I love for granted.  Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone and I want those I care about to know what they mean to me. 

I am currently in the most beautiful relationship I ever could have imagined.  And once I realized how special this man is, I promised myself that I would nurture that crazy-in-love feeling that I experienced at the beginning of our relationship.  I knew I never wanted to forget that feeling.  So we say I love you way too much and we write redundant love letters way too often.  We tell one another how much we are appreciated daily.  We constantly compliment each other.  And I take way too many pictures in hopes of making all my favorite moments stand still for me to remember forever.  This greatest love of my life deserves to be cherished and held on to for dear life. 

I'm going to be honest - couple sessions are my favorite.  I love the dynamics and uniqueness of every relationship.  And I really I love to see my clients' reactions to their gallery!   

Book your couple session now!  You can have on lots of clothes, a little bit of clothes, no clothes, it doesn't matter to me.  You don't have to be a super touchy-feely, outwardly romantic couple.  I promise I can find a way to show your connection through your photos.