Claire

Luke and I went to high school together and graduated the same year... he was actually my date to Gala my senior year. (That is prom for Worthington Christian... aka no dancing). Anyways, I had his wife Bethany on my friends list of facebook and saw that they had a baby... a beautiful baby girl. Since we were in the process of looking for some models for our portrait website, I had to get the little Costello family in front of the camera. So here are some of the photos I took a couple weeks ago. Little Claire was born a tiny bit premature, but weighed just enough so she could go home! This was truly a little miracle! She is just so darn adorable!

FINALLY!!!

Finally, I can tell you our new website is up!! I'm so excited to be finished with it... well for now!! Now I'm onto updating this old blog. This is going to be an amazing year. Thank you to everyone for their patience. I know we've been talking about this website for some time now. The portrait site will be finished by next week!

Hope everyone is enjoying this amazing weather we're having. I love this time of year, everything is so green and beautiful. I always have to post at least one picture, so here is my baby girl Gracie Luu and I in Indiana. Of course she's not looking at the camera, she's just as ADD as I am.

Lauren & Andy

First off, I have to thank Jen & Chris Goff for this one! I met Lauren at their reception back in August and she had just gotten engaged, so she was on the look out for a wedding photographer. Shortly after I got a phone call from Lauren and we booked her right away. I've been looking forward to formally meeting her since I met her on the dance floor of the Hilton at Polaris, it was a bit chaotic at the moment. From the moment I pulled into the parking lot and got a glimpse of their black lab April, matching Birkenstocks and Andy's Northface book bag, I was already excited about this shoot. They seemed like this flower child hippie like couple that liked the grateful dead. I was immediately upset that hippie store downtown Westerville had closed because they would have loved it! She then went on to tell me that when she met Andy, they both were wearing Birkenstocks, and why that made me laugh I don't know, but I told her it was meant to be! Don't worry though, I didn't have them running through a field barefoot, although I think they would have done it if I asked them to, they were up for anything! Here are couple pictures we took of them in Westerville, where they first met while going to Otterbein College!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Has you ever watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? If you have, then I'm sure there was a tissue box nearby right?! A month or two ago I was lounging around on a Sunday evening waiting for Desperate Housewives to come on and started to watch EMHD, and little did I know it would change my life. The episode was on a woman and her family that was involved in a flood, of course everything was taken away from them and they were living in a little apartment. She was a photographer in her town and did mostly portrait sessions, but what set her apart was the kind of portrait sessions she did. A couple years ago when she was pregnant with her son, she went into labor very early so her son had to stay in the nicu for a while. If you haven't been in a nicu before, I have to say, the babies you see in there never leave your memory. What set her apart from the typical portrait photographer was that she did not just shoot in her studio, she would go to hospitals and take pictures for families that had taken an unexpected turn in their pregnancy and capture final moments with their baby. After seeing this I immediately felt the tug at my heart to be a part of what she was doing. I then went on my google search and found Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I applied for a position as a photographer and a month later here I am getting a phone call of a mother in Dublin Methodist.

I cannot imagine what they are going through, and I cannot find the words to say at this moment to make any pain go away. I am humbled that I'll be the one photographing this moment with this family. I knew it was going to be hard when I filled out the application, but what I did know was that I wanted to use this gift God gave me. Anyways, please pray for this family today, and for the families that will come. I really hope I am used to the best of my ability and that I can hold it together! Check out the website if you'd like, they have some amazing stories on there.

I hope everyone enjoys this fabulous weather we're going to have today and tomorrow! We have two engagment sessions tomorrow so I know Coty and I are excited its going to be beautiful. Love you all!

ashley*

2009/2010 Booking

I must say, this year is going to be fabulous! We are blessed with tons of amazing couples that have chosen us to be their wedding photographers, and we couldn't be more thankful for the business. We just booked a wedding in November and I think we're only going to book one or two more weddings that month. If you don't know this already, we hold our family at the highest priority. Our marriage, family and friends are so important to us so we try to keep some time open to spending it with those loved ones. Not that we don't LOVE shooting weddings, but our feet and hearts need a breather from time to time. So any Friday in November is still available and the 7th, 14th & 21st! December of last year was an unexpected big month for us. We booked a couple weddings last minute but had a blast shooting them. This year we have 2 weddings already booked but we're still able to book one more! We've kept the 26th open for ourselves to go home to Indiana to be with Coty's family. I've said this before but when you get married you merge the families together, so when you pick which home you'll be at for the holidays you have to try very hard to please the Mothers! Since we had spent 2 years at my house (here in Ohio) because of weddings being days after, we decided to give Coty's mom the choice of when she'd want us at her house. She could choose Christmas eve and we leave Christmas afternoon or we come Christmas afternoon and stay for a couple days. She chose to have us come for dinner on Christmas so we've reserved the 26th just for Indiana! I love what I do, and so does Coty, but our families get a little irritated that we have to plan things SO FAR in advance. But what else am I to do when I get emails for a wedding almost a year in a half in advance? Try planning a baby?! That'll be pretty hilarious to "plan" a baby when the time comes. I say this "you plan and God laughs" because no matter what its His plan not ours!

Anyways, so after we book those couple dates we'll be totally booked for 2009. I still can't believe how fast the year books up. As for 2010 we've been getting tons of emails and we're excited to start booking. So if you're engaged and you think you have time, don't hesitate to call or book a meeting to lock in the prices right now. There is no time like the present to get the big vendors booked and finished so you can focus on the fun little details that make your wedding your own! For fresh and fun ideas check outTheKnot.com. I lived on The Knot when I was engaged. I changed the entire look of my centerpieces a month before my wedding because of something incredible that I saw on the knot. Okay, Okay, I'll stop rambling on. I can't get started on planning because I won't stop! Hope everyone enjoys this amazing day God has given us. Love you all!

Ashley*

Erin & Jack

Erin & Jack were one of my couples that I just loved from the beginning. I met Erin last year when her and her mom came to my house for a client meeting. She informed me that Jack was in the Army and he was going to be overseas for a while. Of course it tugged at my heart a little bit because I couldn't imagine planning a wedding without Coty being around, let out of the country! Their engagement session was such a good preview to their wedding I had to laugh a little. I remember that they couldn't keep their hands off eachother! One of my favorite engagement pictures I have ever taken was Erin and Jack in front of the infamous turquoise blue wall in the Short North, they were kissing and had their arms around each other and Jack tugged on her butt and she lifted her heels up as he did it. The moment captured every bit of passion and love they had for one another! At one point I felt like I needed to give them a moment to themselves! It was too cute! I guess I'd be the same way if Coty was leaving too. Anyways, here is a sneak peek of their wedding on March 28th!

Maylee Jo pt.2

Maylee Jo

Spring!!!

Well its that time of year everyone!!! The tree outside my bedroom window has flowers on it, the grass is green again and weather.com predicts it to be over 60 degrees next week! A lot of my couples who are getting married this year have already shot their engagement session so if you haven't already done so, now is the time to get that booked!

We are also running a special on portrait sessions. If you book a portrait session with us before June 1st, you'll get a 20% discount on the portrait session. So get those appointments set we have limited space open for portrait sessions in May!

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather we're having. Hopefully I can put my ugg boots away finally and pull out my flip flops!

Have a Happy Easter everyone!!!

Ashley*

Columbus Bride

When I was in high school, I always was picking up a copy of Columbus Bride while strolling through the grocery store with my mom. It was one of those magazines that I always wanted to be in when I got married. Coty and I's wedding photographer wasn't advertising with C.B. at the time so it was almost disappointing that my little dream wouldn't come true. After we got back from our honeymoon we had the amazing oppurtunity to get in front of Davis Photography's camera! It was fun to get back in my dress, and the tuxedo place let us borrow the tux for the night for free, and we went all around downtown for some amazing pictures. Little did I know they'd decide to use one of our photos for their beautiful ad in the Columbus Bride magazine. So when it came down to it, I got my picture in Columbus Bride... and it wasn't just any picture... it was a sexy picture! So anyways, we recently decided to start advertising with the magazine and I've been waiting in excitement to see if the wedding I submitted got in.

So when Coty got home last night with the mail, he woke me up saying "Nate and Maria got in the magazine!" I immediately got on my blackberry and I was emailing Maria the news. I think I was just as excited as she was. I have to say its kinda fun being in a magazine. I picked up some copies of it when Coty and I were in it and we put it away somewhere safe, so we can show our kids that mom and dad were hot at one time!!!

So congratulations on getting in the magazine Nate and Maria. Love you guys!

Ashley*

Little Marlee...

As some of you know, I used to work at the Charles Penzone Grand Salon at Polaris. I did nails there with a group of very fabulous girls, who frequently got pregnant, engaged and married. Kelsy was one of the many who did all of the above just last year. I had the privilege of photographing her little girl Marlee. I met Kelsy when she was dating her husband, and ironically, he was one of my models when I first started. When he walked in I was like "oh my gosh he's not going to fit in the pedicure tub"!!! He's over 6 feet tall and his legs hung WAY past the foot rest, it was quite hilarious. Marley was so fun to photograph. Its hard to get babies to laugh but she was a pleasure to be around. Right at the end they decided to change her diaper and do a couple naked shots, just so they embarrass her later in life, and just as we were finished up, Kelsy sat her on her coat and said "she better not pee on my coat"!! Sure enough... she peed. Kelsy unfortunately learned not to speak so soon about her little wizzer daughter Marlee! Thank you so much for letting me photograph your beautiful daughter Kelsy & J! It was so much fun!

Ashley

Little bit of this... Little bit of that....

So its been a little while since I updated. Time is flying by! I cannot believe its March already. Erin and Jack's wedding is coming up then we have another month off until our big season starts! I've been ordering proof books, parent albums and designing albums like its nobody's business! I actually passed up a trip to H&M with my mom so I could finish up some things. You know its serious when you pass up the oppurtunity to bat your eyes at your mom and have her buy you things you don't need! So I've been promising our new website... although I feel like its been put on hold. I feel like most of the pictures are already in the places they need to be and ready to go but I'm not ready yet! I haven't really had time to just work on it and give my whole heart to it. So until then... it'll just have to wait.

I did have some information about booking with us this year! Once May hits, we're literally going to be off the map for a while. We have at least 1 to 3 weddings every weekend until November! Speaking of November, we loved only having 2 weddings in November in 2008. It gave us the chance to open our studio, catch up on work, and spend time with family during the holiday... not to mention going out on black friday to get our extremely too large t.v.!! So as of right now we do not have any weddings in November and we're only going to book 2 or 3. Since it is the month of thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for, we've decided to give the first 3 couples to book with us a nice discount on all our albums, coffee table books, guest books, and parent albums! So if you're looking for a photographer and your wedding is in November, give us a call and take advantage of our little discount we're offering!!

As for the rest of year, our availability is very little. June we still have a friday or two available. July is more than booked, its over the top! We will be flying to Utah to shoot Jeremy & Kristin's wedding so that adds to how booked the month is! Its like a little vacation right in the middle of the chaos! We have a couple Friday's & Sunday's still available for August but our Saturdays are booked. I'm really looking forward to August because we'll get to go back to Taylor Mansion (one my FAVORITE spots) and we're shooting my good friend and wedding planner Meleka Murphy's wedding! September is another busy month for us, and it seems like the 19th is going to be a HUGE wedding blowout this year in Columbus. I can't tell you how many inquiries I received for this date, so I know Jackie & Tommy are glad they booked us so far in advance! Again with September we still have Friday's & Sunday's free! October is one of my favorite months during the wedding season. I always feel like the colors are gorgeous and here in Ohio during the fall, you can't go wrong! We're available to book one more wedding on the 10th, and only one friday wedding on the 2nd! Coty's cousin is getting married in Indiana on the 17th and we're so excited to be GUESTS at their wedding. When she first told us she wanted us to do their engagement session and not their wedding, I was somewhat excited that I was going to get to do the fun stuff! We shot their e-session here in Ohio at a pumpkin patch and it was so fun! I know Coty and I are so excited to be guests for once, to be able to drink champagne, wear something other than black and dance the night away!! Cannot wait Kayla & Matt!!! We also are shooting a wedding at Miami University! We shot a wedding at O.U. last October and it was amazing! So we're looking forward to Alicia & Sean's wedding, we already know its going to be gorgeous in Oxford that time of year!

As for December... this is where I get torn! We booked 5 weddings in December and it was like Christmas didn't even happen! We've made it a point to figure out what we're doing this year because I think my mother-in-law was going to kill me if we didn't make plans to come again! So we're only available for one or two more weddings in December! We will not be booking a wedding on the 26th because we'll be in Indiana with Coty's family! It'll be the first time that we split the day up between the two families. So we'll spend Christmas Even with my family, along with Christmas morning, then leave around noon to get to Indiana by dinnertime! You'll learn this very quickly how to make both sides happy! I knew Christmas morning was my family's thing and when I asked Coty's mom what she'd rather have and she said dinner so it was perfect. Both our Mom's get their way! You'll also learn that as husband and wife, when the Momma's are happy... you're happy! I can't tell you how many arguments Coty and I have had over things like this. When it comes down to it, we just love our Mom's and want to make them happy!

Anyways, I hope all is going with everyone! I'll be featuring my friend Meleka on here shortly with some new trends for the season! Right about now is when I was going over little details for our June wedding. Trends change every so often and I totally changed my flowers a couple months before, but it was okay, they turned out amazing! Anyways, we love you all! Hope you're enjoying the sunshine we've had the last couple days!

Ashley*

New Trend Alert!

I always love it when I find new trends that are going on in the wedding world. Lately I've been hearing a buzz about asking friends to be bridesmaids. I was boring and just called them up and asked. Most of them new it was coming, so nothing fancy. So I think us girls have caught onto the idea that if a guy can come up with some extravagant plan to ask us to marry them, why not come up with a plan of our own to ask our girls to stand by our side as we say "I Do" to our prince charming?! I was just on facebook and saw a girl from my college get asked to be a bridesmaid in such a fun way. She had all the girls over and they each had a sand pale in front of them full of stuff with a card on top. In the card she asked each girl to be her bridesmaid and not to worry the dress was already taken care of. This is where it got funny, instead of them pulling out some cute dress from victoria secret catalog for a beach wedding, each girl pulled out a dress you only have nightmares of... think thrift store meets the 80's! It was hilarious. Of course every girl decided to put them on, whether it looked like a tent or it was crushed velvet, it was hilarous.

So if you're trying to think of fun ways to ask your girls to join you on the biggest day of your life, make a memorable day for them too! Do something they'll never forget!

Ash*

Boxers & Updates

I know some of you have had the fortunate opportunity to meet our dog Gracie Luu. She is more than a pet, she is our baby... and she's incredibly spoiled. When we shoot a wedding, we drop her off at my parents or my Grandma's house to stay for the day. She loves it because at my parents she torments my old dog Tyson, runs free on their 1.5 acres and chases squirrels up trees. When she goes to my grandma's house she brings each stuffed animal out of the "kite room" down to the living room... it gives my Grandma and her husband Randy a good laugh! When we went to Pennsylvania to shoot a wedding Grandma and Randy were supposed to keep her for 2 days then give her over to my parents. Each day that we called Grandma would say "Oh.. we're going to keep her another day, she's so fun" So there is a reason for me blogging all this, I promise! Tonight our breeder, Cindy Dyer, emailed me about their unfortunate situation that they are in and they are needing someone to take their two boxers. One is Gracie's age, she'll be 2 in June, the other is 7 months old. I'm not sure if she's updated her site yet so I don't know if the prices on there are correct, so check it out here!

We have two weddings to finish up then we're all caught up on the editing... then its onto the album design, dvd slide shows and much more! We are heading off to Indiana on Friday and we'll be there until Tuesday! We've got an engagement shoot, family shoot and a client meeting all while we're there. We are shooting Kristin and Jeremy's engagement shoot on Saturday at Grace College, where we all went to school. Jeremy and Kristin are our destination wedding this year, in Salt Lake City Utah! I couldn't begin to tell you how excited we are to be a part of their big day. Jeremy was one of Coty's groomsmen and good friend on the baseball team. I've heard one too many stories of those two... like sneaking out and putting all the bikes around campus safety's car so then they saw them running away they couldn't catch them. I can't share all the stories because... well lets face it... the things guys do in the dorm should stay in the dorm haha. Anyways, so that's where we'll be for a couple days then its back to work!

I almost forgot, on February 22nd we'll be participating in our first bridal expo, and we are so thrilled to be doing it! To top it off, our booth will be next to my very good friend and wedding planner Meleka Murphy! I think her site is still under construction but she's amazing! I can finally add commercial work to my portfolio, after next week! The woman who made my wedding cake, Kim Lawson, has hired me to be their little company's photographer. She makes everything from tote bags, baby blankets, towel wraps and much more. I love crafts and scrapbooking, so this is so fun for me. Don't get me wrong, taking pictures of Brides is my passion, and I love it. But you don't have to tell a bag to tilt its head to the left a little and follow it around haha. I love the research that goes with the new shoot too. When their site is up and running (after I take the pictures) I'll post it because she makes some very cute tote bags for bridesmaid gifts!

Okay, well I should be getting back to work! Gracie is whining to go sniff around and I need to finish editing! Love you all!

Ashley*

Matt & Megan

I don't even know where to begin when talking about Matt & Megan! First off, I love both of them! I received my first email from Megan back in June for her September wedding. Month later, she emailed me telling me they had experienced some unfortunate circumstances and they were having to change the date. They were tossing the idea of a December wedding, but either way Matt and Megan were ready to say "I do!" and didn't want to wait until 2009. Its hard to get to know a couple over email, so for a long time I couldn't wait to meet the infamous Megan Gulvas. From her emails and phone calls, I could tell she had a zeal for life and she was madly in love with her fiance! So the first time I met her, I instantly made a best friend! I fell in love with their story, their compassion for others and their love for God. I'll never forget how excited she was to marry Matt, she kept saying things like, "I've slept alone for the last 26 years, and after today I'll never be alone again" it was so cute! Coty and I did not live together before we were married, so to share that belief with Matt and Megan was somewhat of a blessing. I knew what she was feeling like before she got married, before the honeymoon, and to come home to OUR home! Coty and I were so blessed to be a part of their day. When I made the slideshow I picked this song just for you guys! I love Dave Barnes, and this song has always been a wedding favorite of mine. I love the words and the encouragement it still gives me. The way Matt would look at Megan, just made my heart melt. Hearing about the moving of the wedding date and their circumstances, they still saught out to help others instead of themselves. Instead of wedding gifts, the asked guests to purchase a toy that they would later donate to Toys for Tots. It was a constant reminder of how big their hearts were, and it was such an example to others of their compassion.

Anyways, Coty and I just loved working with you and your families! I know Rachel had an amazing time coordinating the wedding, and when she was here this weekend we couldn't stop saying how much fun it was and how beautiful a couple you guys were inside and out. I pray that God blesses your marriage, and you have many years of happiness! Love you guys!

Ashley & Coty

Megan & Justin

The day before Megan and Justin's wedding I remember thinking to myself, it'll be so wonderful if there is a light snow flurry, because it can't be a December wedding without a little snow! Little did I know God would send u s a BLIZZARD! For some stupid reason Coty and I drove seperate, but we both made it to our destinations safe and sound. The girls were all "ohhing and awwing" at the Megan getting her hair done. Megan had this beautiful jeweled comb to put in her hair so we all were debating where she should put it. She ended up putting it on the right side of her up-do and I'll never forget one of her bridesmaid coming over and saying "oh thats perfect its like a little surprise" you might of needed to be there but being with all the girls when they're getting ready is like going to a slumber party. All the reminiscing of the good times they had all had together, funny stories that are told about the bride... I love it all. Anyways, the day might have been delayed a little because of snow, but it was beautiful! The Makoy center was great, and they had wonderful service there. One thing Megan prepped me for were the traditions they had at weddings, and I was so excited because I love family traditions. The accordian player, the apron and the kisses from the guests were so fun to witness! Especially the money dance/shots! Very fun! We are offered a drink at almost ALL our weddings. So Coty and I are looking forward to being guests at his Cousin's wedding for this reason alone!

Anyways... Megan and Justin, we wish you both so much happiness in your marriage! God bless you both!

Ashley & Coty

Bad News...

So this week Coty and I got some very bad news, his cousin on his mom's side passed away. It came at a shock to the whole family, and I know all of us are still shocked at the sudden loss of Timmy. I only want to mention it because I know how saddened Coty's whole family is with the loss and any prayers for them are so greatly appreciated. Its not mystery that Coty and I are Christians, and we serve an amazing God, and I'm thankful to live in a world where I can ask for prayer without judgment or slander. The viewing is tomorrow and the funeral is on Tuesday so we'll be in Indiana Monday, Tuesday and come home Wednesday. I know a lot of you are expecting your wedding photos, and we appreciate all the love and support that you guys have shown us during this time of loss. We've promised to work round the clock when we get back, but in the meantime we appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you need to get a hold of us you can reach us by cell or email, I'll try and find some service and check my email while I'm there for any urgent emails.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers, I know Coty's family would greatly appreciate it!

*Coty & Ashley*

Worthington Calendar

Months ago a friend from Penzone's that I used to work with pitched me the idea of being the photographer for the Worthington Calendar. Of course I accepted and I was so excited to be a part of the project. When I got the email that the calendar was ready to be picked up I had my sister rush over there Saturday to pick up a couple copies and it turned out great. I emailed Jane to tell her they looked awesome and she invited me to be a part of 2010's calendar. I went to high school and elementary school in Worthington so I must say it was fun to go back and educate myself on the little town. My mind is already racing with ideas for the new calendar, and I'm already up to speed on the events happening around town. I'm hoping Delaware will do a calendar soon because, I already have some fun photos for that one! Anyways here are a couple shots from my little achievement!

"Why do you blog?"

My mother in law asked me this question tonight..."why do you blog" so of course I asked myself the same question. I want to start using our blog not just for slideshows, but as a planning tool. Anyone who meets me in a client meeting knows right away I love every part of a wedding. My passion is photography but I love everything about weddings. When a bride comes in exhausted from planning I wish I could plan for her because it was so fun for me. My poor husband knows we'd get married every year if it were up to me! I have so many plans and dreams for this business and wedding planning is one of them. Anyways, so back to the purpose of me blogging. I'm on theknot.com as much as engaged girls are. Not only do I ask the basic questions in a meeting but I get to know what girls are planning, their colors, their ideas, their themes. It was a no brainer that browns and greens were the big colors this fall! We did a lot of weddings with brown bridesmaid dresses and a lot with black bridesmaid dresses. I'm anxious to see what colors come out of 2009! So with us having one more wedding this weekend and then having a little break before our next wedding, we'll be catching up on editing, album design, and I'll be keep the blog up to date on more of the actual planning aspect of the wedding. My good friend is now a wedding planner in Columbus so I'll be getting updates from her and having her appear on the blog for planning tips. The nice thing is that she's engaged and getting married in August herself so everything she's doing for her own wedding is so fresh in her mind, it helps in planning other girls weddings!

Anyways, we'll try and keep the blog up to date more, now that we have the time... sorta. I think after I get caught up it'll be March, and I promised myself I'd finish my scrap book that has been waiting on me since June of 2007!! We have a couple trips to make to Bremen Indiana to visit Coty's family! It was on top of our new years resolutions to visit them as much as we could before the wedding rush! We were already talking about next Christmas, just so we can make it to the big family get together! Its so hard for anyone to understand how far in advance we have to plan things. We already have a couple weddings booked for 2010! I'm one of those girls who gets a little excited and I tend to over extend myself, I'm learning when to back off and let someone else figure it out. You'll quickly realize that in a marriage when you be quiet and let the spouse figure it out... even if you knew what to do all along! I love when the new year begins because it always feels like a fresh start. New goals, new ideas... speaking of new... we're getting a new website! Websites are like a pair of flip flops... when the summer is over they may still feel comfortable but you know you'll need a new pair next year! (I love fashion metaphors)

We'll be launching our new wedding website with lots of galleries and featured weddings. I'm never one to keep the same wedding up there for too long, so you'll always see new pictures every so often! We'll also be launching our portrait site in the spring, which I am SO excited about! We have lots of specials we're going to be running, and tons of portrait sessions booked so keep a look out for our portrait site! Anyways, sorry for the seriously long entry! Leave it to your mother in law to ask you one question and base the entire entry of that thought. Gotta love her!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New years! We're so thankful for all who have contributed to our amazing year we had! We're looking forward to our 2009 couples. So far its been great... Adam and Paige you were both so great to photograph yesterday! We love you all!

Ashley

Stacy & Diego