Newark Ohio Senior Photographer

Taylor + Cutler | Summer Wedding | Zanesville, Ohio

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Taylor and Cutler.

Such a beautiful couple. Taylor was a beautiful Bride and so calm and kind. I loved getting to photograph their wedding at Scale Haus Banquet Barn in Zanesville, Ohio.

It was a super hot summer day. We sweated a ton but we got some beautiful shots!

Enjoy a peek into their wedding day!

Janessa Dawn

Luke + Ashley | Engagement Session | Coshocton, Ohio

It is almost July and I have only blogged ONE time this year! Guys, I stink at this! I am wanting to make this a weekly habit but for some reason it always slips to the back burner!

I shot Luke and Ashley's Engagement Session downtown Coshocton, Ohio and at The Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton. It was my first time time shooting there! I love shooting in new locations. It allows me to be more creative and enjoy new spots. 

Be looking for their Wedding coming up on the blog soon! 

Until next time,
Janessa Dawn























What Camera Do I Shoot With? | Newark, Ohio Photographer

Happy June, Friends! Honestly, I can't believe the year is half over. Where did the first half go?! I feel like there aren't enough hours in a day, days in a week, and weeks in a year. Maybe because I am constantly busy pushing to grow my businesses, attending the many events I am invited too, and photographing portraits and weddings. All I know is I need more time and time isn't something you can get more of!

One of the top questions I get asked is what camera I use. I firmly believe that people think if they buy a fancy DSLR, their photos will be amazing. While the quality of the professional DSLRs are fantastic and highly needed as a professional, a lot of the quality comes from the person behind the camera. You must know how to use it properly or it won't work any better then a point and shoot camera.  Discouraging, right?! (If you want to take a class on the basics of learning how to use your camera, email me!)

Today, I wanted to share the camera I use for my photography. First off, I shoot only with Canon. I am not bashing or saying Nikons aren't good, I just find Canons have amazing quality and are WAY more user friendly. I had a photography student return her Nikon because it was SO difficult for her to learn! It is up to you to decide which brand works best for you :)



At the beginning of this year, I knew I wanted to upgrade. I had been shooting with the Canon 6D for about four years or so and I needed to make the splurge because I have booked more weddings this year then I ever have. I needed a new camera but also a good second camera for weddings so I most definitely kept my 6D. My dream had always been the Canon 5D Mark 3 but Canon released the Canon 5D Mark 4 and I immediately knew I was going BIG or going HOME!

So I did it. I bought the Canon 5D Mark 4 and let me tell you, it is FANTASTIC (I still love and use my 6D as well)! It is a powerhouse of a camera. The body alone if very pricey {around $3,000.00} but totally worth it. It has a 30 megapixel, full-frame sensor, touch screen, amazing High ISO performance, 4k video, and uses CF and SD cards (first time for me!).

I used it as my primary camera a couple weeks ago and it did not disappoint!




Now, I totally understand if you are a beginner, you probably have no need or desire or funds to buy a camera that big. Would you want me to write another blog post on cameras I recommend as a beginner? Comment and let me know!


Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn


Baby Hudson | Newborn Portraits

Baby Hudson is a bundle of baby. He has grown so much over the last 6 months and I wanted to blog the very beginning. He wasn't the happiness and all he wanted was to lay on his Daddy so we went with it and used his dad as a bean-bag! :) 

I love watching babies grow over there first year. They learn so much their first year and being able to watch them grow and become more alert is amazing!
















Top 5 Memorable Places to Propose in Licking County | Newark, Ohio Wedding Photographer

It's February. The month of love. Honestly, I love Valentine's Day and since I am a Wedding photographer, I wanted to post my top five memorable places to propose in Licking County.



Newark. I love this little town. Honestly, it's probably been one of my favorite places I have ever lived. Since all of the revitalizing they have done downtown Newark, it keeps getting better!

Valentine's Day is coming up soon and we all know there will be lucky ladies all over Central Ohio who's boyfriends will "Put a Ring on It". So in anticipation for Valentine's Day and wedding season, I have put together my top 5 most memorable places to propose in Licking County (yes, this is the romantic side of me is coming out!).



1. Dawes Aboretum in Newark, Ohio
If your girl the outdoorsy type? Go for a romantic stroll through Dawes Arboretum. A romantic proposal around one of the ponds or on the look-out deck would be perfect for her.

2. Canal Market District - Downtown Newark, Ohio
Is she more of a city girl? I love downtown Newark. After a dinner at Park Place Bistro, take a stroll around the square and pop the question at the Canal Market District. It;s unique and beautiful plus you can get a view of the court-house!

3. Ye Olde Mill - Utica, Ohio
What girl doesn't love ice cream! This place would be romantic along the stream and private!

4. Infirmary Mound Park - Granville, Ohio
If your a picnic kind of couple the Infirmary Mound Park in Granville is gorgeous during the spring time!

5. The Granville Inn - Granville, Ohio
Who doesn't love Granville? The Granville Inn has all the feels. Beautiful,  Quaint, unique, romantic. This place would be perfect!



I hope somewhere a girl's dashing Prince Charming finds this useful.

And...you know who to call once your engaged for engagement and wedding photography, right? ;)

Stay Fabulous my friend!

Janessa Dawn

Sydney Walters | Watkins Memorial High School | 2018 High School Senior

I first met Sydney's family FOUR years ago when they came to get their portraits done at an Apple Orchard. I love getting to work with them and the relationship we have is what I cherish most with my clients. 

We met out at Dawes for the first part of her session. It was a gorgeous evening and as you can see the sun was just starting to set so we were able to get some of that "golden hour" lighting. 

Then, we drove to Watkins Memorial High School where Sydney attends school. Now, don't judge me but this was the first time I had been on a football field. I may or may not have had to take my sandals off to feel it. :)

I was able to get some fabulous shots of Sydney!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this special time with you, Sydney!

Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn

















Baby Jaceyon {Newborn Photography} Newark, Ohio | Central Ohio

  Happy Fall, Ya'll! Even though fall is officially here, it has been so HOT here in Ohio. I am so ready for the cold weather to come so I can weather boots and scarves. Today I wanted to share with you a newborn session from earlier this year. This sweet baby boy did a great job at his newborn session! He is in my Grow with Me package and for more info on that click here. 

Enjoy,
Janessa Dawn


















Logan and Kyndal 1 year and 4 year Birthday Sessions {Newark, Ohio Photographer}

  August is quickly coming to a close and some of this cooler weather has me dreaming of Fall. I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. Time passes so quickly and yet I fail every day to enjoy every moment and keep a positive attitude even when things aren't going the greatest. 
   Today I wanted to blog Logan's four year session and Kyndal's one year session. Logan does such a great job at his sessions. This lovely family is one of my loyal clients and I love getting to work with them. Kyndal was scared at her session and wanted nothing but for her mommy to hold her. So I went with whatever I could get and I was able to get a couple of cute shots of her. One year olds have a mind of their own and sometimes they just aren't up to the job of smiling! 

I hope you enjoy seeing Logan and Kyndal's birthday sessions!
Stay fabulous,
Janessa Dawn















Kaylee Woods {Maternity Session} Newark, Ohio Photographer

  Happy Monday, Friends! It was a sunny, spring day with a cool breeze. I wanted to get my Monday blog post in and decided to blog Kaylee's Maternity session out at the Bryn Du Mansion. She bought this beautiful burgundy dress and I loved getting to work with her. I particularly love when my clients put thought in to their attire for their shoot. That makes me a happy photographer!

Until next time,
Janessa Dawn





















Aker Family Pictures & Paislee's 3 Month Session {Newark, Ohio Photographer}

   Time passes so quickly and the older I get the faster it disappears. It's already May and time is marching on. Before I know it, I'll be shooting Fall pictures {not to rush things}. Today I wanted to share the sweet Akers family pictures and Paislee's 3 month pictures. I met Amber when I shot her maternity session last year and I love getting to work with her family. 
   I shot her Mom and siblings a couple years ago and I didn't even know they were related when I first met her. It really is a small world after all! 

Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn 

















Mary Salon - Fashion Shoot {Bryn Du Mansion} Granville, OH

I am so happy that Mary has asked me to shoot the pictures for her fashion Instagram page. We always have fun chatting about different clothing pieces we see, among many other topics. When I shoot a client at an outdoors location they usually have to change in their car. Mary usually brings many different outfits so she ends up changing in a hot car without hardly a complaint. I mean who sticks a Louis Vuitton bag in a tree? I will say that shot turned out pretty cute though. :) I love this shoot with her because we got some ridiculously adorable shots and working with just one subject allowed me to step outside my box and try some new poses and locations around Bryn Du Mansion. Trust me, there have been shoots with other clients where I haven't felt quite up to my A-game. Sometimes I need to take a step back, readjust my focus, and plunge ahead. 

Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn















































Drema Barnes {2016 High School Senior} Columbus, OH


Drema is adorable. I shot her senior session back in March along with Alexis Terry's Senior session. You can see pictures from her session at the link. They both did great and we had a good time. I know I have said before and I'll say it again, I love shooting seniors. It is a lot less complicated shooting one person versus three or four. I love a cute family but it is nice to break from that and focus on one individual and implement the different poses and ideas you can come up with. Drema, follow your dreams. You are a special girl and never forget it. I wish you the best. 

Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn

















Alexis Terry {2016 High School Senior} Newark,OH

Hey Friends! I haven't been able to blog for a while because I have been so busy. Do I say that every time I write a new blog? I think I do but life is definitely crazy. Today I am blogging Alexis' senior pictures that we shot back in March for a simple in-studio portrait session. Alexis goes to my church so our Pastor brought her and Drema, another senior I will be blogging, down on a Tuesday evening and I shot them both. Alexis did such a great job and I enjoyed getting to work with her. She graduated and she is now taking college classes at Devry. I wish you the best, Alexis. Never stop dreaming. You are a special young lady and you can be anything you want to be. 

Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn



















Ivan Edbrooke {2 year portraits} Photographer in Newark, OH

    Sweet Ivan was every photographer's dream two year old to shoot. He listened SO well and he posed and smiled like a champ. This makes my job 1000x better. These types of two year olds are rare and few and far between. Somehow he must have missed the worst of the terrible twos or he was extremely happy that. Whatever the reason is behind this sweet little boy, I enjoyed shooting and spending time with this Boy. 

Enjoy,
Janessa Dawn