"Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire" - Robert Frost
Hope is the thing with
feathers that perches in
the soul and sings the
tunes without the words,
and never stops at all.
-Emily Dickinson
O Is For Oscar..... four day old Oscar. What a blessing it was to meet and document this new family.
This day......these moments I share below were filled with so much love. Ben and Kirsten are so special to so many and they made sure that everyone felt loved and appreciated in return. Their love has been built over time and is so calm and true. It was a blessing to share such a beautiful day with them.
I had only lived in the south for a little over a month before returning to my hometown of Wheeling, WV. My return was so special, I had returned with the intention of capturing a sweet love story. That intention overflowed, not only did I capture a sweet love story, I was completely captivated as I was welcomed back home just as if I were family. I will always remember this time, as the Swoger and Bonar families treated me as if I was part of their own tribe.
October of 2014 was the first time I met Sarah and Robbie as we adventured out to their family camp where they had years of fun memories with family and friends. I knew right then that their love was so special, their love had no limits, as it reached far beyond just the two of them.
Robbie and Sarah, thank you for being an amazing example of love in this universe, leading by example, and allowing those you meet to be captivated by your love and joy. Many years of health and happiness to you!
Thomas and Kylie, what can I say....as sweet as honey. All the way from Florida, this couple came to Wheeling, WV to get married at Oglebay Resort and also celebrate their family reunion. They welcomed me with open arms, not once holding back their true selves, trusting me to capture their time here. The groom is a triplet who has a love for playing southern gospel with his brothers and his lovely bride. It was a beautiful day in West Virginia with a beautiful couple, I am more than grateful!
Venue: Oglebay Resort & Conference Center
Flowers: Bellisima... simply beautiful flowers
I was so thrilled to spend my last evening shoot in Wheeling with Erik and Carly. I've been observing them from afar for a while, as I do with all my couples, just to get a sense of how they interact and to begin to appreciate them as individuals. I knew that our evening was going to be filled with a laid-back sense of sweetness, and they definitely did not disappoint. They trusted me to choose all their locations and allowed me to create images just where I had envisioned them. What a sweet evening in the beautiful town of Wheeling, WV. "When you plant a seed of love, it is you that blossoms"
They opened their hearts to me, welcomed me with open arms and BBQ sauce, and kisses from a sweet pup. Molly and Patrick are the perfect mix of sweet and fun with no holding back. Patrick, a Combat Verteran, hero, and the master mind behind the brilliant Mason Dixon BBQ Co. It's no secret that Patrick stole Molly's heart with weak knees and a "love at first sight" spilled dish while serving up deliciousness at his eatery.
I will never forget the connections we made that day while sharing stories and capturing a genuine mason dixon love story.
I had the pleasure of documenting a perfect little mermaid birthday celebration. The day was full of laughter, colorful decorations, and happy little mermaids.
" Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
They are from Oklahoma, we met through a Rhode Islander, and we captured beautiful moments in West Virginia. Lauren and Ryan were celebrating their 1 year wedding anniversary, which is so hard to believe because the love they have for each other is so authentic, so real, a love that is most often grown over many years. They are calm, patient, very comfortable with who they are individually and together.....This shines so brightly through their photos!
" Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
I am so thankful to have spent quality time catching up with an old friend. We sang, we laughed, we enjoyed each others company +1!!!! It feels so good to connect with another woman on so many levels. Kristen, you are just beautiful! I am so blessed to know you!
Lindsay Schooler, a WV native and lover of all good things, has caused a big wave of good vibes in the Ohio Valley. Lindsay is inspiring others at her Yoga Studio, The Happy Goat! I had the honor of documenting the positive vibes she and her fellow yogis are spreading in our great town! Here is a link to her studio wheelingyoga.com for more info.
There are few times in ones life where you feel you have known someone you've just met, forever. Well meeting this beautiful Momma and her Guinevere was one of those times! So thankful!
Bella - Beautiful, Loving, Lovable, Graceful. I believe this little angel's name encompasses her being. I have been so blessed to be introduced to the Kobasko family. I first witnessed an unbreakable bond between a mother and her two daughter, and now the bond between four beautiful women. Bella, you are blessed with an amazing mother, aunt, and grandmother. It will be impossible for you to not live up to the meaning of your name, with the love you will feel from these three women!
Congratulations Robbie and Sarah! Thank you for sharing such a special place with Jimmy and I. We just can't wait until your wedding day.
Our time spent together couldn't have been more perfect. An early sunrise session may have started with a bit of rain, but continued on to a beautiful sunrise and ended with a warm cup-of-jo. These two are an amazing couple, and those who are lucky enough to know them, know that a love as strong as theirs only comes around once in a lifetime.
It has been more than a pleasure to watch this beautiful family grow. Our time together is always filled with laughter while little RJ entertains us. This time, a little more sweetness was added to the equation with the addition of Charlie!
The Honest to Goodness McKinley's, what you see is what you get! There is something to be said about those who choose to live in this world without sacrificing who they are and what they truly believe. I am grateful to have spent this glimpse of time with a family that's so connected, a family that dreams, a family that creates, a family that is just honest to goodness GOOD!
Love, there's something about the way it changes you. Nothing else on this earth changes ones heart more than Love. It moves us. It inspires us. It breaks us down. It lifts us up. Terry and Carol, you have a love that inspires! You have a love that puts a scattered puzzle back together. Your love. People climb mountains for a love like yours.
A few more to share from such a fun crew!
I was so happy to spend some time with my cousins. Every year in June we get to reunite over good conversation, yummy food, and refreshing brews! It's always so cool to see how Lilly has grown!
“I promise you, you will want to remember these moments when you are 90 years old”. These were the words I spoke, as Sami was getting ready for her big day. Every moment becomes a small time capsule. I thought I would share a few of my favorites as I’m editing this beautiful wedding, as many are asking for just a small glimpse. Enjoy - xoxo
I was invited to photograph a milestone for The Crows, 50 Years! I had to keep asking over and over.... are you sure 50 years? Yes! 50 years! There is a lot to learn from a couple that has gone through the twists and turns of life and made it out just fine! I say, Love, Laughter, and Honesty. Mrs. Crow says, a woman with lots of patience!
I am so excited to share these beautiful photos of Sami. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and fun-loving bride than Sami. I will never forget all the moments we have spent together capturing these beautiful photos. Congratulations to you my dear, Andrew is a very lucky guy! xoxo
There is nothing more fulfilling than capturing real love between two people. These two are in their own world, even after 10 years together, their love is still on fire. Each kiss, each look, each embrace was right from the heart. I am so excited for this couple and can't wait to capture their wedding day!
It's not often (meaning NEVER) I get to photograph a group of super handsome dudes that are not only great men, but out of this world talented. I am thrilled to have worked with the band Hit Play and can't wait to share with you a few snippets of our time together.
Last weekend, Glenn Elliott was kind enough to open the doors to Wheeling's historic and beautiful professional building. He gave us a quick tour and then let us free! Free to explore and make GOOD ART! Click here to check out The Professional Building.
If you are a Wheeling local, you have most likely had the opportunity to enjoy the band Hit Play. If you would like to know more about these guys and their talent, click here.
My heart is full of joy! ArK Photography's first fundraiser was a success and it was all because of the amazing mothers who came out to share their love with the world! It is because of YOU that we were able to donate $200 dollars to the Wheeling YWCA. Our gifts are meant to be shared and I am so thankful!
Please join ArK Photography in celebrating Motherhood at Moon River Studio in Wheeling. Your $20 dollar donation (all proceeds going to the YWCA), includes 3 beautifully edited images from digital download with print realease.
Email [email protected] to reserve your spot!
I recently had the pleasure of photographing the growing Zilzelsberger Family. Talk about fun... I have never laughed so much during a photo shoot. Their house is so full of love and joy it is contagious! Here are a few shots from our fun time together.
One of the things that drives me as a photographer, is the moment that I turn my camera around to my subject and show them their beauty. I'm always studying my subject an imagining our photo shoot before we even meet. Once we meet, it helps me feel comfortable and helps the person I am photographing feel more confident.
Through recent collaborations, I was introduced to this beauty Katie. She is just as beautiful in the inside as she is out, and I am in awwwwww of her BEAUTY.
A very inspiring teacher once shared with me her belief in following one's dreams. She said that once you begin dreaming of your passion, you know it is real and true.
I have continued to dream and I have Big Dreams!
So thankful for a recent friend who has brought more inspiration to my life!
I hope that we together, can inspire you, and show you that dreams can be achieved!
I am so excited to announce a new collaboration between myself and the talented Audrey Hamilton. Audrey is a Chicago native who has made Wheeling her current home. The connection was initially made through her, also very talented hubby Ezra, who had helped my husband and I design my engagement ring. Isn't it cool how amazing things bloom through LOVE! We will be working together to bring you beautiful imagery and captured moments. Together we are working on bringing you styled Engagements, Bridal, and Boudoir sessions. We will also be offering packages for our future brides on your special wedding day. Here is a taste of what is to come! If you are interested in prices and/or would like to book a styled session, please email me at [email protected] Enjoy! xoxo
Couldn't help but share some of our very favorites from a Thanksgiving photo session.We had the joy of meeting a beautiful family as they welcomed us into their home on Thanksgiving Day.
There is that one moment, as a photographer, that your heart skips a beat and your eyes focus on something most beautiful. THIS was one of those moments.
Had a blast today with my friend Josh. He has been waiting to show Isabella in all her glory!
As a photographer and a lover of natural light and its gifts, this proverb couldn't speak to me any more truly.
" Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you"
