Karli Predieri | Granville High School Senior | Bryn Du Mansion
Photographers in Columbus Ohio
Taylor + Cutler | Summer Wedding | Zanesville, Ohio
in Weddings
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
I WON Best of Newark Awards 2020 | Photographer
in Janessa Dawn
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
Julie + Dustin | Granville Ohio Wedding Photographer | Fall 2019
in Weddings
Thompson Maternity Session | Granville, Ohio Bryn Du Mansion
in Maternity
Lilly Snyder | Hilliard Bradley High School | Dawes Arboretum + Studio
Lilly was a dream to photograph. She was so photogenic. She really wanted different poses and so I was able to really step outside my box and try some new things and we got some FABULOUS shots!!!
It is clients like this who inspire me and keep pushing me. I dearly love the opportunities being a photographer has given me!
Need to book your senior portraits, slide into my inbox at jdawnphotography@yahoo.com!
Stay fabulous,
Janessa Dawn
Sara + Nick | Engagement Session | Downtown Newark, Ohio
Chandler | 2018 High School Senior | Columbus, Ohio Photographer
I'v known Chandler for a long time. I'v watched him grow up into an incredible young man. It was my honor to capture his senior portraits! We had a great time exploring downtown Columbus, Ohio around the Hilton. The architecture in this building is outstanding and made for beautiful backdrops!
Chandler also wanted the Columbus skyline in the background for some shots so we walked and explored around Cosi and found some great areas for some city-scape shots!
I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I enjoyed taking them! I love when sessions take me outside of my normal realm of shooting locations to places where I can really let me creative blood flow freely!
Stay fabulous,
Janessa Dawn
My Top Picks for Best Beginner Cameras | Newark, Ohio Photographer
I have people message me and ask me questions about cameras, lens, etc. Whether your a mom wanting to get better snapshots of your babies or an aspiring college student who has always loved photography but has no idea what camera to buy, this blog post is for YOU! It is for anyone who wants to get their toes wet but has no idea how far to stick them in! {I really need to come up with better examples! 😂
Now, on this list, you may notice that I don't have any Nikon recommendations. While I shoot with Canon, I am not a Canon snob. Nikon's are fantastic cameras and if you want to try one, go for it. I have found that students in my classes have a hard time learning on Nikons. They are more complex with finding different settings. I actually had a student who had a higher end Nikon return it and purchase a Canon because the Nikon was so hard to learn on.
I would highly suggest learning on a Canon and then later, when you are ready to upgrade, look into purchasing a Nikon. I know some people will disagree with me but I have found this to be true with people I have taught.
Great Beginner Cameras:
1. Canon Rebel T7i body only $699.99 {Best Buy}
2. Canon Rebel SL2 body only $549.99 {Best Buy}
3. Canon Rebel T6 body only $399.99 with lens {Best Buy}
4. Canon Rebel SL1 body only $439.99 {Amazon} This is an older model.
5. Canon Rebel T5 body only $359.99 with kit {Amazon} This is also an older model but still a good beginner.
Any cameras in the Rebel line are a great starting point. If you don't have the money, don't be afraid to get the older models as a starting point! Just have fun with learning how to use it!
If you want to learn all about your new camera, you can sign up here for my Basic Photography Class!
Stay Fabulous 😘
Janessa Dawn
Now, on this list, you may notice that I don't have any Nikon recommendations. While I shoot with Canon, I am not a Canon snob. Nikon's are fantastic cameras and if you want to try one, go for it. I have found that students in my classes have a hard time learning on Nikons. They are more complex with finding different settings. I actually had a student who had a higher end Nikon return it and purchase a Canon because the Nikon was so hard to learn on.
I would highly suggest learning on a Canon and then later, when you are ready to upgrade, look into purchasing a Nikon. I know some people will disagree with me but I have found this to be true with people I have taught.
Great Beginner Cameras:
1. Canon Rebel T7i body only $699.99 {Best Buy}
2. Canon Rebel SL2 body only $549.99 {Best Buy}
3. Canon Rebel T6 body only $399.99 with lens {Best Buy}
4. Canon Rebel SL1 body only $439.99 {Amazon} This is an older model.
5. Canon Rebel T5 body only $359.99 with kit {Amazon} This is also an older model but still a good beginner.
Any cameras in the Rebel line are a great starting point. If you don't have the money, don't be afraid to get the older models as a starting point! Just have fun with learning how to use it!
If you want to learn all about your new camera, you can sign up here for my Basic Photography Class!
Stay Fabulous 😘
Janessa Dawn
Maddoxx | Baby Mechanic Theme Photo Shoot | 1 Year Portraits
"We don't have failures; we have lessons". This is powerful. There are a lot of times I feel like a failure. These thoughts can bog me down so much that I lose sight of my true value. I love this quote. How can we start looking at our failures as lessons and move on to be even more success for having gone through that? It's hard and it sure takes a positive attitude to look at failures as lessons!
I wanted to share with you this baby mechanic themed photo shoot requested from one of my Mom's. I love when clients bring their own ideas to the table! It gives me a chance to add variety to my portfolio but also get away from my "normal" routine!
Brittany, Joe + Girls | Family Portraits | Newark, Ohio
This beautiful family 😍 Brittany + Joe are so sweet. It is another family that I have been able to capture and establish a sweet relationship with. How precious are their girls? They are clients that drive ONE hour to come to the studio for their shoots!
Honestly, best. job. ever!
Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn
Kenton Thomas | Newborn Photography | Ohio Photographer
I am trying my hardest to blog more this year. I promise. It just that a week goes by so fast and then I realized I haven't blogged for several weeks. Life gets hectic. Work gets hectic. Sometimes it's hard to keep everything straight and get creative.
What do you do to stay inspired? Let me know in the comments!
I wanted to share this beautiful baby boy and his newborn session. He is SO precious! and absolutely adorable!
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
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!
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!
Stay Fabulous,
Janessa Dawn
Paislee's 9 month session | Newark Ohio Photographer | Columbus Ohio Photographer
Paislee's 9 month session turned out SO adorable! She is such a sweet baby girl!
Hartsough Twins | High School Senior | Newark, Ohio | Columbus, Ohio
These sweet twins did a fantastic job at their High School Senior session!
Paislee Akers | 6 month portraits | Newark, Ohio
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
Meldau | End-Of-Summer Portrait Session | Newark, Ohio |
Happy September Friends! I wanted to share this absolutely adorable family with you. We met at Dawes Arboretum for their family portraits. We got some STUNNING shots at their session and I am proud of my work on this shoot.
I had been wanting a couch to take out on shoots with me and when my Mom found this bench, I snagged it. Yes, me and my assistant lug this thing to our outdoor shoots because it makes the shots WORTH. IT!
Enjoy this beautiful family!
Janessa Dawn
