Maddy | Child Studio Portraits

Maddy | Child Studio Portraits

I WON Best of Newark Awards 2020 | Photographer

Today I am serving up something special!
I WON BEST PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE BEST OF NEWARK AWARDS FOR 2020!!!!
THANK YOU!!! I love and appreciate all my clients plus all you who follow my journey, like my work, and support me!

This is such a difficult time. I’m hanging on tight, never giving up, and going to continue to push towards success. This is not a time to be discouraged. This is a perfect time to do those tasks we don’t have time to complete any other time.

"If we are all going to be destroyed . . . let that bomb [virus] when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep . . ." C.S. Lewis

This is a time God is calling us back to our families. Back to the basics of life. A chance to reprioritize.

Stay strong.

Stay Fabulous!

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

Paislee Akers | 6 month portraits | Newark, Ohio

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

Kelsey Wood | 2018 High School Senior | Newark, Ohio

The beautiful Kelsey Wood and her High School Senior session! 

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

Elliot Fleming {One Year Cake Smash Photo Shoot} Newark, Ohio

 Happy Monday!
   Today I wanted to share Elliot's One year birthday session from February. I loved getting to see him grow over the first year of his life. He is a cutie! Honestly, its forming relationships like the one I have with this family that makes my job SO much better. I love it. Now that I am a Realtor, I am currently selling a photography client's home and let me tell you that is extra special!

I hope your enjoy Elliot's One year portrait session!

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

Owen Kemp {One Year Cake Smash Session} Newark, Ohio Photographer

   Sweet Baby Owen is one of the sweetest baby's I have ever met and that is probably because his parents are also so sweet. I love working with the Kemp family. I had the honor of meeting them this past Fall at my Day at Dawes fall sessions and I so enjoyed getting to work with them. 

    Owen did such a great job at this session. We did a simply cake smash set up and it turned out a classic. Thank you, Josh and Julie, for letting me work with your family. It is my pleasure!

Stay Fabulous,

Janessa Dawn

Sherah Siders {Studio Session} Newark, Ohio Photographer

  Happy Monday! Today I wanted to blog my cousin's birthday studio session from January. When your a photographer, you usually get roped into taking your family's pictures. Tonight I am heading out to shoot my Sister's High School Senior pictures. Time flies when your having fun! 

Stay Fabulous,

Janessa

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

A Little Lesson From Living A Busy Life & Halko's 6 Month Session {Newark, OH}

     I am sure you all have experienced how busy life can get, especially summer. Actually, it seems my life is always busy. You may get tired or irritated because your always SO busy and racing the clock. But it was recently brought to my attention that the busyness of life can show exactly how much we have to be thankful for. You have a job which means you can buy the food you need to eat when some go hungry and you can afford to put a roof over your head when some live under bridges. You have weddings and parties to attend which means you have friends in this world. You have grandparents to visit, a Mom and Dad to hug and kiss, and siblings to fight with which means you have a family. You have deadlines to meet, errands to run, clients to met with which means you can afford a car when some people walk and strength to move when some are bedfast or dying. Every morning you are blessed that God wakes you up for another day to love the ones you love, to laugh and smile. So when you are tired from running and it seems the days aren't long enough, think of how blessed you are for what you have and that you can live in a free Country. Life is too short so instead enjoy every bit of, even the busyness. 

    Here is this pretty little girl's 6 month pictures taken in-studio. I think they turned out pretty adorable and she did a great job. I like to try to come up with different sets and the suitcases turned out pretty cute! 

Enjoy!

Janessa Dawn 

Fleming Newborn Session {Newark, Ohio}

     Here are some shots from sweet baby Elliot's newborn session. I blogged the maternity session I shot of his Momma and he is currently four months old so I am behind. :) The fun thing about offering the Grow With Me package is I get to watch these kiddos grow up. I am planning on showing his first year through a collage when all his sessions are completed. If you know someone who is currently expecting, the Grow With Me package would be a great baby shower gift. ;)

Janessa Dawn

Drumm {High School Senior} Newark, OH

Hi Friends! 

    Here is some shots from Hannah's High School Senior Session at Bryn Du Mansion. Her Dad booked her session in February and let me tell you it was FREEZING cold. It didn't affect her much though. She went along with my ideas even though we had to stop for a warm-up break. Check out her session below. 

Stay Fabulous!

Janessa Dawn

Simon Gitchell {One Year Session} Newark, Ohio

   This precious baby turned one year but when he came for his one year session he was as sober as sober can be. We had to reschedule his session in hopes we would be able to get some better shots. He was just not having the whole smiling thing. Thankfully, when he came back we got some cute shots. And how handsome does he look in that outfit?? I LOVE it when Moms put thought into their child's outfits for photo shoots and if you want to make your photographer happy then put some thought and energy into looking cute and put together for your session. Enjoy some of the shots from Simon's One Year session!

Stay fabulous,

Janessa Dawn

William's 1st Birthday Cake Smash Session {Newark, Ohio}

   Here is William's 1st birthday cake smash session from January. He did such a great job. I have shot so many children, babies, newborns, etc., already in my few years of business. I hope that when parents walk away from their session that they say, "I love the way she worked with our children". I want to create a lasting impression and relationship with each of my clients and I definitely want them to be my "forever" clients and I can watch their children and family grow through out the years. 

Stay fabulous,

Janessa Dawn 

2015 Apple Orchard Sessions {Legend Hills Orchard} Utica, OH

   Happy Wednesday, Friends! I know I said I wasn't going to blog the rest of last years sessions but I think I changed my mind (I'm aloud, right?). :) On October 17th, I had Apple Orchard sessions out at Legend Hills Orchard in Utica, Ohio. I love working with Legend Hills and we got some great shots. I worked with 11 families that day; some new families and some families I have shot in the past. I hope to work with each of them again in the future. Here is a combined post of the families from my apple orchard sessions and I picked just a few of each family. Enjoy. 

Janessa Dawn

The Danison Kids below

The Myers Family. 

The sweet Peirano Family. 

The Meyer family.

Check out the Fordham boy!

The Kipe family.

Check out this Mother and her two kiddos. 

The Stadnicar Family!

The Gitchell family!

The Fisher family below.

The Miller family. Check out all them boys! :)