Cynthia Marie Photography

Megan & Michael | Hudson Wedding Photographer

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:54:39 +0000

On April 14th, I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Megan and Michael. It was a slightly chilly day with rain here and there, but that was no match for the high spirits of these family members and friends.

I arrived at the Pentecostal Church of God, in Ashtabula, just a little bit before the ceremony started, met everyone and started my day. The pictures were really a breeze, as everyone was so fun and pleasant to be around. The ceremony was short and sweet and we a had just enough time to capture some fun pictures after.

Megan and Michael had rented Jolly Trolley for the day, we got some pictures and made a stop to visit Michael’s grandfather who was unable to attend the wedding. Upon our departure, there was a slight drizzle, but no one minded a few quick pictures outside. I’m very happy we made the stop too. We got some fun pictures with the bridal party and some really stunning photographs of the newly married couple.

The ceremony was at Waters Catering in North Kingsville, and while it was a long trek home for me, the day was well worth it. Not only did I photograph some lasting memories for a great couple, but I spent my day with two great families. The reception was a blast, with a full dance floor most of the night. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with all of them and I really hope to see them again soon!

It’s been awhile! | Hudson Family Photographer

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:59:14 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve written to say “hi”. Life’s been hectic. As always. I mean, whose isn’t. Between the kids and their school and keeping up (or trying to) with the house and cooking, I’m lucky to get my work done it seems. Stopping in say “hi” is always last on my list. I wish it wasn’t because I do like to keep my site and blog as up to date as possible, but sheesh! It’s takes a ton of effort. On top of keeping things current, I also like to use it as a place where you get to know me. I think having a good relationship with you photographer is a major plus and what better way to see how I stack up, then to read a bit of my personal stuff.

So I thought, tonight was a great night for a post. A personal one. It’s my Dad’s 49th birthday. Yep, he’s 49 years young and has the motorcycle, the chic and the leather to prove it, lol. The chic is my Mother. And I guess there really isn’t all that much leather. But I still get a kick out of my Dad’s younger side. He loves taking rides on his motorcycle with my Mom and it’s really a great thing to see. She is without a doubt his one true love. And he makes sure everyone knows it.

So, happy birthday, Dad. You guys have 6 amazing kids and it’s so great to see you and Mom enjoying each other’s company and having so much fun together now that we’re all “grown up”. I hope Michael and I have that much fun together when our kids are all “grown up”! Love you!

Mini-Accodian Albums | Hudson Family Photographer

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:48:47 +0000

WOW! I just really have to thank everyone for the great response to the relaunching of Cynthia Marie Photography! I received a ton of wonderful comments and the nicest emails. It meant so much to me to have so many of my past clients take the time to check out the site and to send me a message.

From the bottom of my heart…THANK YOU!

I wanted to share with you one of my favorite items, it’s included with a number of packages I offer and it’s been loved by many this year. The mini-accordian album is a great way to carry your favorite pictures with you everywhere you go. Mom can drop in her purse or diaper bag, Dad can fit it in his back pocket. Seniors can throw them in their backpack and show them off at school! They make wonderful gifts for grandparents or for your spouse and adding additional albums to your order isn’t very expensive! I’m really happy with the packaging I decided on for them as well. I feel like they are such a gift and I wanted a special way for my clients to receive them. I hope you love opening your gift as much as I enjoyed wrapping it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I’ll be in touch again very soon!

FINALLY!! | Hudson Photographer

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:25:49 +0000

Well, it’s finally done!

I’ve been contemplating a new site for quite awhile. When my original site was upgraded last year, so was my shopping cart. However, the upgrade seemed like more of a downgrade in so many ways. I lost the portfolio system that I liked. My clients had trouble with orders and using coupons. It was really a headache all around. However, the upgrade happened in July, and I was right in the middle of the busy season. Finding the time to research and change my site wasn’t something that I had the chance to do. So, my wonderful clients and I struggled through the year and when the holidays passed and I slowed down a little, I started looking at my options… and blogging. Every. Day.

The research on what site to use went pretty well. I set up with a company I had been considering for awhile, was close to publishing, but couldn’t get it just right. So last week, I looked into a couple other options and ended with a site I think flows well and is easy to navigate… at least I hope! As for the shopping cart… the old one is history! The new one I am using should be so much easier. I’ve used this before when working for another photographer, and never heard any complaints. I hope that it makes everyone’s life simpler. I know that no one has the time to spend hours trying get a site to load and deal with cart issues. I appreciate all the honest feedback I received last year and I hope I’ve made all the right changes.

As for blogging daily, I really loved the idea of posting a picture a day. I have a catalog of thousands upon thousands of pictures, so why would it be an issue? Lol. Because I can never decide what to post and what to write in a decent amount of time. I search and decide and then change my mind. That being said, blogging daily is done. It was stressful to keep up with and my plan to blog ahead just wasn’t happening enough to make it work.

I guess this brings me to the next change. My logo. My brand.

Well, all that blogging and adding my logo to my pictures made me realize something. My logo didn’t fit me or my work. The pretty little flower was a a giant nuisance and I was really tired of dealing with it. I realized that changing my site was the perfect time to really sit down and reflect upon these past three years in business. Where I’ve been and how I’ve changed. When I started my business, it was on a whim. I had just finished a continuing education class at the University of Akron. There I met Stephanie. At the time she worked for the Record Courier Newspaper and eventually, I interned under her. She really pushed pushed me in class and didn’t let me get off easy. Her instruction and feedback on my work opened me to the prospect of photography as a career.

I applied for a job with a local photographer, and I got it. But there was some miscommunication and I wasn’t 100% sure they were going to take me on after all. I had just jumped the ship on my Canon equipment and they wanted to be sure that the output from my camera would match theirs. I thought I could make it on my own if I didn’t get it afterall. Well, I got the job, but not until after I started my own business. I was too eager and I jumped. But I am so glad I did. I worked with the other photographer for a year before we parted ways and I learned a lot on my feet. I was also lucky enough to meet a local group of photographers and form a friendship with a number of them. They’re all incredibly supportive and offer great advice. I’ve made great lifelong friendships and learned so much about, not only photography, but business as well.

Ah. The business side of things. That is one thing I did NOT have figured out. Sure I was set to pay taxes and what not, but I had no idea the time it was going to take to actually run a business. Holy smokes! So much more than I thought! And the farther I go, the more time it takes, lol. But, I’ve always learned best on my feet.

So that brings me to my new look. When I started, I didn’t know who I was, where I was going or what I really wanted to do, aside from take pictures. I thought weddings would 100% be my thing. However, that was just not the case. In the fall of 2009, my husband and I were expecting our third baby. I miscarried in the first trimester and didn’t intend to get pregnant again. Suffering that loss was very hard for us. Had I not gotten pregnant again (total surprise) I don’t know how long it would have taken me to work past it. In January of 2010, we got pregnant again, Isabella was a complete surprise. Our bonus baby, as one of my clients would say My third pregnancy left me feeling pretty sick the whole time and very swollen. My OB said no weddings over 4 hours. I laughed. So there went most of my weddings for the summer of 2010. But a funny thing happened, all of these pregnant ladies called me and wanted maternity pictures. I was so excited to embark on maternity and newborn photography. I have to say that if it had not been for Isabella, I might not have found out just how much I love portrait sessions. My summer and fall were full of them and within two weeks of having Isabella, I was back to work. It’s hard to keep someone away from something they love so much!

Last year I photographed 7 weddings. Not exactly where I wanted to be now, but after a pregnancy that kept me out the game almost a whole year, I’ll take it. I also photographed over 70 portrait sessions. That more than tripled my previous two years combined. It was a great year and I was really busy. I met some wonderful clients, who I feel lucky to also call my friends. I also really learned who I was and what I want my pictures to be about. I’ve always wanted them to be about my subject, but now I realized I always want them to be happy. I want my session to be fun. I want my clients to leave thinking of me as a friend. I don’t want to take moody, dark and brooding shots. I don’t want to dive into the ever so popular boudoir world either. I want to capture people’s happiest moments. A couple getting married. Newlyweds glowing from expecting their first child. A new baby. Children playing. Jumping in mud puddles, lol. Yes, I actually photographed that last year! That realization led to me find someone who could mold a logo for me, a new foundation for my business.

That person was Robin Ott. Robin took my project on and I never looked back or second guessed. From the first set of mock ups, I knew she was going to nail it. And she did. My logo consists of my initial and a star. A starfish if you like. My favorite place, my family’s favorite place, is our yearly visits to Topsail Island, NC. And while there might not be any starfish washed up (at least that I have found) it’s a constant reminder of something that makes me happy and gives me that perfect timeout I need from the busy life we lead. The colors are my two favorites. And, funny enough, they are the same colors that my family wore in our session last year on Topsail Island! I was worried that having a logo with a starfish would be too beachy, I mean we don’t live by the ocean, but I think Robin did it in a perfect way and I am so happy that she really found me

There you have it. My new site. My new logo. It’s all been a long work in progress, but I am thrilled that I finally have both perfectly suited to Cynthia Marie Photography. I hope they’re easy on your eyes and that my site is easy enough to navigate. Take a look around, you’ll notice some new pages and I hope you like the additions. I promise to stay up to date on the blog without posting everyday, but far more than the once in a blue moon I was doing before. If you have suggestions or find something you really don’t like, I’m always up for feedback. That’s partially what brought me here.

Thank you for stopping by to visit the new Cynthia Marie Photography. I hope you’ll spread the word! Most of all, I hope I get to see you soon and capture some beautiful memories for you. Let’s have some fun!

~Cynthia

Photo of the Day: 67 of 366 | Hudson Photographer

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:59:15 +0000

One thing I’ve been meaning to address on the blog, as well as on the site, are the many options available to you once your session is complete and your gallery is uploaded for you to view. I think it can be a little overwhelming sometimes to look at all of you pictures and decide exactly what you want. Prints? Digital files? Canvases? A wall gallery even? There are so many option available, even more then is offered right through your shopping cart if you just ask. So one by one, I’m going to present you some of you options here.

For starters…what’s a great way to display newborn pictures? Aside from ordering custom birth announcements, I can also make a custom storyboard canvas for you. These can be framed if you like, but for a slightly more modern look, you can hang them without the frame. A ribbon is a nice addition as well. Here is a custom storyboard done as a sample for a newborn session I just photographed. It’s a fantastic was to show the many details of your newborn baby and maybe even get a family picture or two on there. This specific board is designed to be a 12×12 canvas, my favorite size being 16×16 for these type of newborn images. This could also be ordered as a print to frame if that’s a preference. Your options are really limitless and I’d be more than happy to discuss them!

I hope you love this idea as much as I do, I think it’s such a fun way to display your pictures in your home!

Photo of the Day: 66 of 366 | Rocky River Maternity Photography

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:50:59 +0000

Today, when I arrived at the home of Michelle and Omar, I was greated by a woman in white (ok, ivory) who seemed to just float on air. Michelle was absolutley glowing in her first outfit for her maternity session. Then I saw the the double glass doors. Natural light. Tons of it. I had entered a photographers heaven. A glowing Mommy to be and all the natural light I could ask for…as long as the sun decided to stay out. It did!

Michelle was ready for pictures and a lot of great ideas. Here are just three of my favorites. There are so many more though! Michelle is unbelievably photogenic and so wonderful to work with. I had a great time photographing her and Omar and I can’t wait to meet their son in a month! Keep an eye out this month, as I am sure to post more from her session.

Best to you, Michelle and Omar, as you await the arrival of your son. I am really excited about all the plans we made today for his session. I know those pictures are going to be just as perfect!

Photo of the Day: 65 of 366 | Hudson Photographer

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:11:26 +0000

I’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of photographers in the area. Mostly on weddings. However, I’ve also had the opportunity to photograph a number of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs as well. Having never been to one myself, they were quite an experience. The ceremonies are very special and very little if anything can actually be photographed. I really felt honored to be there. Here is a photo from a Bat Mitzvah I photographed with Terry of Platinum Photography. It was such a beautiful ceremony!

Photo of the Day: 64 of 366 | Hudson Newborn Photographer

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:40:15 +0000

Last time I saw Samantha and Michael, I was photographing Samantha’s maternity pictures. They were a great couple to work with. They asked me, what my favorite thing to photograph was. I didn’t even have to think about it. Babies. Newborn babies. It’s though, don’t get me wrong. It’s the longest session I offer. The poop, they pee, they break to eat, to be changed or to change the blanket they poop and pee on, they fuss, they squirm. They are tiny little miracles though and there is something utterly amazing about freezing that first week or so forever for their parents. I try hard to capture all the details of their baby, get a family picture if Mom and Dad would like and maybe a few precious moments of them interacting with baby.

Here’s one more picture from Alexander’s newborn session from today.

Photo of the Day: 63 of 366 | Hudson Newborn Photographer

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:08:38 +0000

I was disappointed a bit to let yesterday slip by without a post. My New Year’s Resolution fell short on March 3rd. Oh well. Some day’s I’ve posted more than one and today, I’ll just post twice to make up for it.

Speaking of New Years resolutions…did you make any? How are you doing? Leave a comment below, or send me a message, I’d love to hear. My other New Year’s resolution was too cook more and eat out less. So far, I’m getting progressively better this year at it. If I could start working on freezing some meals here and there, I know that would help. Right now, I have chili, soup and spaghetti sauce frozen. Do you have any recipes you like to freeze? I’d love to hear about those too! My attempt to cook more is my first step to trying to be healthier. For myself. For my kids. For my job. We live an incredibly busy life and picking up meals has proved to be easy, but not healthy or cost effective.

Next on my resolution list…exercise. With the warmer weather coming and my itch to get outside, I’m hoping nightly walks (Or every other night) won’t be too hard to get in. I not only need the exercise, but the stress relief. If someone would have told me that working from home and trying to run a business, while raising three kids and trying to maintain a happy marriage was as hard as it is, well, I think I would have believed them and I would have done it anyways, but I definitely think I would have tackled it differently…but that’s a post for another day!

Here’s a picture from my newborn session with Alexander today. I photographed Mom and Dad last month and was eagerly waiting his arrival. He came into the world a few days after his due date, but he’s adorable and so worth the wait. I’m sure his Mom and Dad will agree…they are so in love with their little guy!

Photo of the Day: 62 of 366 | Hudson Child Photographer

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:00:13 +0000

One of my favorite pictures from last year…

Hello handsome!