Wishing you a Warm & Merry Christmas!!

This year has flown by so very quickly. And Christmas is upon us once again. Thank you for your support, your business, your friendship and your comments!! I so appreciate it!!

I'm hoping this Christmas finds you counting your many blessings, feeling the love of family and friends, and remembering that Holy Night so many years ago. Merry Christmas, warm wishes and love to you!! I'll be gone several days, and will see you after Christmas!
Merry Merry Christmas from Joy & Maggie May the Holiday Dog!

Last Call on Textures!

Last call on my texture sets!!! They will be going, going, gone!! In January 2009, my current texture sets will be retiring. So grab any you want now! In mid January 2009, I will be introducing a NEW set of textures! Yay!! I will be incorporating a couple of my favorite and most loved textures into the new set. Stay tuned for the news on the release of the NEW set!!

And don't forget to grab the FREE Holiday Textures in the post below!!

Holiday Textures - FREEBIE!

Holidays & freebies - now it just doesn't get any better than when those two are paired!! So.... here are a couple holiday freebies for YOU!! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!! Click HERE for the download link. The link is only good for two weeks (until December 26) so download and save NOW! This is Molly, the Boston Terrier. The shot was taken by her owner, the multi-talented Char. Have fun & enjoy!


ORIGINAL SHOT.







OK – How did these texture images happen? In the snowflake shot, I pulled the texture over the Molly shot, & used blending mode Hard light set at about 70% opacity. I then used the ELIPTICAL MARQUEE TOOL with pixels set to 120 & worked it around on Molly to erase the texture from on top of her. The pixels set at 120 feathers the erased area.

For the red polka dot shot, I used the POLYGONAL LASSO TOOL to outline Molly. Once she was completely outlines with the lasso tool, I hit erase & poof, the texture was gone from her body.

Then just flatten the image & save as… I am currently using Adobe Photoshop Elements5. CS is on my wishlist!!

A Hindu Wedding / Central Ohio Wedding Photographer

This past August, I had the opportunity to photograph a Hindu wedding. It was such a wonderful experience, and beautiful ceremony rich in symbolism. I wanted to share some moments from that day

"Thank You"

I saw this wonderful shot by Jenna Nelson Photography and just HAD to share it! As a photographer, I "see" so many different shots. But once in a while, I not only "see" the shot, but have a strong "feeling" from the image. This was one of those shots for me. It is so simple, yet so beautifully powerful. An image and words, that I'm sure will have some kind of personal meaning for everyone! Thank you Jenna!!

Thanksgiving

This year, things are a bit different for many of us. We are tightening our belts a bit. We are changing some habits...

Now, it is especailly a time for Thanksgiving. When times get a little tough, is a good time to give thanks... thanks for what we have, for our abundance of love and family and friends. Expressions of gratitude always have a way of making things feel a little better. I am grateful for many things this year... for health and friends, for having a business and clients I love and enjoy, a roof over my head and many other blessings. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday full of many blessings!

Something a Little Different!

I had to add another image from the October wedding reception! While I love photographing the primary moments and getting the family shots, these little moments are my favorite. I love the artistic, the different, the little unnoticed moments...

To view a larger size, click here.

Chasity ~ Chad * Sneak Peek / Columbus Ohio Wedding Photographer

Chasity and Chad had a beautiful evening for their wedding reception back home in Columbus. Wonderful light.... fun setting... perfect evening. Here are a few shots from that evening!

Holiday Portrait Mini-sessions

The holiday season will be here before you know it! I know, Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet! But.... it really is time to get some wonderful portraits done for your Holiday cards! This year, I am offering a special holiday mini session. These sessions are taking place one weekend only in November, and I have only a few openings left! The locations for these sessions are fabulous! Day 1 (November 15- Saturday) is at Blendon Woods Metropark. Day 2 (November 16 - Sunday)will take place at North Bank Park, facing our beautiful downtown Columbus skyline!

HOLIDAY MINI-SESSIONS!

WHAT THEY ARE: A short 20 minute portrait session in a fabulous location! A perfect option for sharing and sending holiday wishes!

WHAT TO EXPECT: A professional 20 minute portrait session with photographer O. Joy St.Claire, and a personal online gallery with 5-8 images.

WHEN THEY TAKE PLACE: November 15, 2008 Blendon Woods Metro Park, 2PM-4:30PM
November 16, 2008 North Bank Park, downtown 2PM-4:30PM

SESSION COST:
SESSION A: $75 - This session includes a digital file to print your own holiday cards, post to a blog/web page or email to friends/family!

SESSION B: $100 - This session includes 25 personalized holiday cards (4x8) with envelopes.

Both sessions include 5 people/pets. Please add $20 for each additional family member.

SESSION APPOINTMENTS: Please email: joy@ohjoyphotography.com or call: 614.446.6569 to book your session today!! All appointments are prepaid, and not refundable. Credit cards are now accepted!

FREE on the First ~ Wallpaper

OK, I just wanted to do something a little different! This month I'm doing a wallpaper for your computer screen! Click on the photo to save, or click HERE to bring up the image, then save to you computer. After that, just set as wallpaper!

H & H ~ Sneak Peek / Columbus Ohio Childrens Photographer

I was a glorious October day when I met the "B" family and their two daughters for a portrait session at a local metro park. Once we started to wander through the park for the session, the littlest sibling got comfortable and decided she really liked to pose and have her picture taken!! Meanwhile, the older sister started collecting leaves of all shapes and sizes. She managed to find the biggest leaf I've ever see, as well as the teeniest, tiniest leaf I've ever seen!! I was honored to receive one of the miniatures as a momento of our day at the park. The other day I reached into my pocket and felt something.... I pulled out one of those tiney leaves! And I smiled!

Here is a sneak peek from that session!







This session was in partnership with The Littlest Heroes Project.
Learn how you can praticipate.

50th Anniversary ~ Sneak Peek / Central Ohio Family Photographer

One weekend in October, I was honored to photograph a wonderful couple's 50th wedding anniversary. Their whole family got together to celebrate this special accomplishment and to honor them. Family and commitments are so special, and I always enjoy taking part in celebrating and documenting these special events. This is just a quick little preview from that special day!

~Sneak Peek... Tree Climbing / Central Ohio Family Photographer

It was a beautiful October day when I met the "S" family at a local park for a family portrait session. We had a fabulous morning complete with some tree climbing, shoulder riding, playground time... and even some balloon fun with their Newfie Puppy Nina! All in all a fun morning! Here is a sneak peek from that wonderful session!

Mocha ~ Sneak Peek / Central Ohio Pet Photographer

I had a session a week or so ago, with Mocha and his owner. Mocha is a rescued Brittany Spaniel, and his early days were pretty sad. But he is one lucky and happy dog now!! His owner understands the importance of patience, love and training. Those three things can make all the difference for a dog who was believed to have no chance. Mocha has his second chance and is loving life!! This was a fun session, that took place at Highbanks Metro Park on a beautiful Central Ohio fall day!

I Love Vintage!

I LOVE vintage things! I LOVE photography! And I LOVE blending these two passions into a trip to thrift stores and flea markets to see what kind of fun things, and props I can find to use in my portrait sessions!! Some favorite recent finds are shown here... these wonderful vintage trucks and the fabulous vintage camera! These trucks have such wonderful substance to them, and I find myself wondering about what kind of life they've had... what children played with them. What was life like when they were made.. when they found their way into their little owner's hands...

These are the biggest hits for my sessions! Little boys just love them (and their dads do, too!)! They invite play and imagination... and make for some great shots!! And of course, what photographer and thrift store junkie could walk away from this great vintage camera?! I've heard they take some incredible black and white images. Now just to get it open and find the right film... and then maybe explore my little corner of the world with this baby in my hand! But always my eternal problem........... NOT ENOUGH TIME! I've decided I need about 5 more lifetimes to do all and be all that I want to do and be! So much to do, so much to learn, so much to explore, so much to be!

Oh... Where did I get these little vintage delights?? My little secret!! There is this really great place that I found here in Columbus, Ohio. They get these fantastic trucks in from time to time... & at a killer price!!! Ssshh! Can't tell!

Your Vote Matters!

We are getting down to the wire, and the election is drawing near. There are major events and issues of concern to and affecting all of us. We each make a difference, and our voices are heard through our votes!! Learn about the issues and candidates. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to cast our votes! Make your voice heard!!



Below are 2 widgets/badges - 1 for each candidate. Head to the site and grab one to show support and make your voice heard!!