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 

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

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

3 tips to capture better photos on your iPhone {Newark, Ohio Photographer}

Happy Monday, Friends!
    Today I wanted to share with you something that would help you take better photos on your iPhone. You may not know all the things your iPhone camera is capable of doing. Almost everywhere you visit you can find all kinds of people holding up their iPhone trying to get that perfect shot. Whether its a family shot, a shot of your child, or you'd like to grab a shot of a beautiful flower, you can adjust and position your iPhone to get a pretty amazing shots. I will try to make it easy to understand and not say too many technical terms. :)



1. Using the exposure button to adjust the "brightness" of your image.
Have you ever taken a shot on your iPhone and found it was way to bright? Yep, it happens. If you bring up the camera on your iPhone and tap anywhere on the live preview, it will bring up the focus box which is yellow. If you hold down and adjust the exposure button up and down, it will adjust the brightness of your image {it looks like the Sun}. So in those bright situations or dark situations, this exposure button allows you to control the "brightness" of your image!

2. Leveraging natural lighting.
We all have those Instagram users that make us jealous every time we go and look at their feed. It's like they live in a perfectly lit world and can ALWAYS have their shots perfectly styled and lit. Trust me...I know the feeling! One tip I would give you is to always leverage the natural light around you. Always shoot pictures around windows and doors. This allows you to use beautiful, natural lighting to light your image instead of getting weird color casts that come from lights around your home.

3. Use the Rule of Thirds to get more creative shots.
Now, the term "Rule of Thirds" may sound way too technical but don't quit reading. It is actually VERY simple to understand. Basically, imagine your live preview as being divided into nine equal parts using two vertical lines and two horizontal lives. Don't position your subject in the dead center of these imaginary lines. The Rule of Thirds says that important elements in the shot should be places along these guides or intersection points. You can turn this grid on in settings under the camera app. Be creative and position your subject some "off-center".

Take these tips and try them out next time you are out with your family visiting the zoo or on your family vacation!

Stay Fabulous,

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

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 

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

Arowyn Salon {Lifestyle Newborn Session} Officially a Licensed Realtor in OHIO!!

Happy Monday! Today I wanted to blog Baby Arowyn's lifestyle newborn session back in January. She is a beautiful baby girl. I so enjoyed getting to capture her newborn pictures and now I get to watch her as she grows up. She wasn't too interested in sleeping so we were able to get some adorable shots with her eyes open. I prefer that they sleep but it is nice when I can get open eyed shots and present those to the parents. 

I officially am a Realtor in Ohio with Century 21 Frank Frye Real estate!!! I have been working on getting it since early January and I became licensed on 2/13/17. It is crazy where life leads you. Honestly, I wouldn't have thought I would have been a photographer and real estate agent when I was 13 but I love owning my own businesses and the clients I get to work with. So if you know of anyone who needs to buy or sell a home this year around central Ohio, you know the drill! 

No matter where life leads you, always stay true to yourself and your dreams. 

Stay fabulous, Friends!

Janessa Dawn

Beginning My Real Estate Journey and Valentine's Day Mini Sessions! {Newark, Ohio} Columbus, Ohio.

    Happy Monday! This is my first blog post of 2017. I know...that's sad. This year I am starting another business venture. I decided to go into Real Estate along with my photography so for the past two weeks I have been in classes, Monday-Thursday from 8-5:30. I'v had so many definitions, terms, and laws crammed into my head and after sitting in a classroom for nine hours, there is only so much a person can do. So I end up surfing my social media accounts on multiple occasions while jotting down notes and highlighting important information. It honestly has been a good experience and its going to be a good adventure. 

   As for photography, I am hosting my annual Valentine's Day mini sessions on Saturday, February 4th. Yes, it's that time of year again. Honestly, I love all the hearts, love quotes, reds, pinks, and everything else pertaining to the love month. These mini sessions are only $45for a 30 minute session and 50% off of CDs. If you would like to book a slot, please email me at jdawnphotography@yahoo.com.

Until then, 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

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

Basic Online Digital Photography Class-July 18-23, 2016

    Join me, Monday through Saturday, on July 18-23 for a BASIC online digital photography course. You don't need to know much about photography to take this course because it is geared for beginners. Whether you are a mom or dad who wants to learn to take better pictures of your kiddos or someone who wants to learn more about their camera in hopes of one day becoming a photographer, this class is perfect for you.
     The best part? It is completely online so you can take this class from the comfort of your own home, in your pajamas, in another state somewhere{I guarantee you I will be hanging out in mine some of the time too ;)}. We can sip coffee together {or if you prefer tea} and hopefully I can help you become better acquainted with your DSLR camera. I know some people can be intimidated by their camera and not use it at all...and why waste a perfectly good, expensive camera? This class is only $120 for a SIX day class. I will be hosting it through Facebook.

To join and sign up for my class, please email me at jdawnphotography@yahoo.com or call me at 740-974-2902. I look forward to having you in my class.

P.S. Don't forget to share with your friends and family..no matter where they live!

Fleming Maternity Session {January 2016} Newark, OH

   Hey Friends! I know it has been a long time since I have put up a blogged post. I had intentions of blogging more and catching up but life is crazy, right? So, since I am already into May and I haven't been able to finish up 2015 shoots I am just starting with 2016. I know that will mean photo sessions towards the end of last year won't get posted but maybe I will do a special post once a month to post some of the best. I don't want to promise to blog everyday or even four times a week. Right now I want to start blogging every Monday and Wednesday or twice a week, depending if I can keep the Monday and Wednesday with my schedule. 

    Here is the adorable Fleming family from January when they were expecting the arrival of baby Elliot. He has since then arrived and I have shot his newborn pictures which will go up in a blog post later. Here are some of the best shots from their session. I hope you enjoy.

Thank you, Mary-Ellen and Jerrod, for letting me capture your family once again. I look forward to watching Elliot grow up and maybe even shoot another baby in the future ;)

Until next time,

Janessa Dawn.

Photography Class {March 7th and 7th} Newark, OH

Hey Friends! There isn't much time left to sign up for my basic photography class on Monday, March 7th and Tuesday, March 8th from 6-8.  This is for those with DSLR cameras. If you would like to sign up, please email me at jdawnphotogaphy@yahoo.com or call me at 740-974-2902!

I would love to have you in my class!

Janessa

 

Stewart Maternity Session {Dawes Arboretum, Newark, OH}

   Here is Amber and Scott's maternity session that I shot in the fall. They did a fabulous job and were so kind. I will sometimes tell clients to bring along any props they might want to incorporate into their session and Amber brought a special book with them that went into the baby's nursery with the picture. I also like to shoot maternity sessions. I have yet to specialize myself into one or two types of photography and I'm not so sure I will unless it is down the road somewhere. 

    I hope you enjoy looking at Amber and Scott's maternity photos as much as I enjoyed shooting them!

Stay Fabulous,

Janessa Dawn 

Bowens Family {Fall Family Photography} Dawes Arboretum, Newark Ohio

     I am sure that no one in their right mind would say they hated fall. I mean how could you? I dearly love fall and it makes the PERFECT backdrops for my clients. Kim contacted me about taking their fall pictures and can I say that I love all that dark hair?? Sometimes babies just don't get the memo that it's picture day and they need to be as happy as can be. But you go with it and sometimes ask random strangers to bring their puppies over to take the baby's attention away from sadness. We had a great shoot and the fall colors were on display at Dawes Arboretum. Check out some of their shoot below!

Stay fabulous,

Janessa Dawn

Witter Family {Family Photography} Dawes Arboretum, Newark Ohio

   Fall is one of my favorite time of year to shoot photo sessions. The leaves are beautiful and make a fabulous background. I shot the Witter family in the middle of September and the leaves were just changing. This family is very near and dear to my heart and I enjoy shooting their family! 

Stay fabulous, 

Janessa Dawn

Barlett Grandson {Child Location Session} Newark, OH

Toni contacted me about shooting her grandson at her house as a surprise for her daughter. She also wanted me to get some shots of her daughter. We had a great time walking her property and getting some shots. Thanks for letting me get in on this surprise for your daughter! 

Stay Fabulous,

Janessa Dawn