Refresh! ~ Under Construction

With getting ready to freshen up Star Portraits I thought I would also give everyone some fun Q & A's on myself here & there till all my new info is ready. Here we go! A little interview from me, about me, to you. wink emoticon 
What was your journey to become a photographer? 
Like most everyone I always had a love of it. I received my 1st camera - A Kodak Disc camera for Christmas from a family member when I was 10 years old. Years later I had so much fun taking pictures while my husbands ( then boyfriend ) band performed live; that for our 1st Christmas he got me my 1st pro camera gear. A Nikon N65, with lens, flash & filters. And that was still back in the days of film. Not long after that a friend asked me to take pictures of her baby. A neighbor asked me to be the photographer for her sons wedding. Still...the bell in my brain never went off. Lol! It wasn't till after my 1st child was born that I used a work bonus to buy my 1st pro digi which at the time was a Nikon D50. It's still my fave. I love the weight of it. The way it fits perfectly in my hands. My Lily's last portraits by other photogs was when she was a year old. After that I did them & still never gave a thought about being a photographer till her 18m pics when Walgreens wouldn't let me pick up my prints because they needed a photo release from the photographer...me. I was SO happy. That Summer I also won 1st place in the People category at the Concord Community Days Photography Contest. But it wasn't something I could pursue till baby #2& I was forced to stay home to raise our children. In 2009 my hobby received a name, a slogan & a tax id by the state of Ohio. I'm Dawn Holt. The owner & photographer of Star Portraits. It's your turn to shine! 

Last of the Fabulous Fall Mini's!

Out of all my bookings for this session only 1 family was brave enough to model in the chill.  It snowed only for a minute when we first started, but the sun was shining by the time we were done.  Too bad because I had even more settings designed up besides the one you see here & my awesome husband even started a fire for pictures which also doubled as a nice spot to warm up in between shots.  Another extra fun tidbit is that my husband & I have known this husband & wife since 7th grade.  I always love sessions all the more when their is that extra special element to them.  Thank you M family for braving the cold & warming my lens with your beautiful hearts.

PS:  These are the last of the mini's.  I will no longer be doing mini sessions.  2016 is going to be a leap into the sky for Star Portraits with a new vibe & prices.  I am very excited for this new direction.  Stay tuned to my blog & Facebook page for the details in the next couple months.

Love Vs. Love

Headed to this job early as I had never been to this park before & I wanted to scope out some posing areas.  It was beautiful & I was getting especially excited for the D Family to show up.  Hadn't met them before, but as I saw them get out of the car - half in Browns outfit & the other in Steelers...I knew this was going to be an extra fun session!  Yes, it was fun & such beautiful weather with this beautiful family.  Thank You!!

History Chugging By...

We live in a beautiful Victorian filled with history on a dead end street.  It's a dead end street because our home is three down from train tracks.  It took some quick getting use to & for the most part we don't notice them that often anymore.  But what a treat when a neighbor texted that she heard a vintage steam engine was heading our way & to grab my camera.  It was AmAzInG!!!  I wish the trains still sounded that adorable too.  How special when we can still capture memories of today...& the past!  Here's some historical dibit on this beauty from the Lake County History Center.
"#nickelplate765 just passed through our backyard. What an amazing site!
From the host organization, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society: "Historic steam locomotive no. 765 is a high-stepping, fourteen-wheeled, magnificent machine that stands 15 feet tall, weighs 404 tons, goes over 60 miles an hour and restored to the way it looked and sounded when it was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1944.
Celebrated for pulling passenger excursions throughout the country as a goodwill ambassador, the 765 is the pride of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and one of only a handful of steam locomotives that still operate in the United States."

Miss O In WOnderland

Another enchanted session with Miss O who is turning 3 now.  So many beautiful images from yesterday, but I used this one since her mommy did such a fabulous job finding much of this Alice awesomeness for her birthday party & most of it was used in this set up.  A first session for my outdoor dining room too, I was pretty stoked on many levels.  You really have no idea how honored I am to capture memories for all my Star Portrait lovies; & to watch them grow is "wonder"ful too.  Having that said ~ June 2016 is booked & I've already been asked the week before if I was taking appointments for next year so I did today go out & buy a 2016 calendar.  Such doesn't usually happen until November!  My heartfelt thanks to you all!  Big changes are coming for Star Portraits in 2016 & once I finalize things I can't wait to share the details with all of you.  In the meantime...hope your 3rd birthday party was as fun as your portrait session was for me Miss O!  {{Hugs!}}

Portraits & Play

Yet another very fun session with Miss "C".  Outfit changes, playgrounds, flowers, running around & other such fun.  You would think it to be easy peazy, but pretty lil doll worked the camera so much she fell asleep within minutes of heading home in the car.  It's been so wonderful watching her grow!  {{Hugs}}

A New Sunday Sunshine!

In much thanks to one of my regular stars Miss "E" or aka Miss Sunshine; I was honored to meet her lil friend Miss "F" who is indeed another tiny ray of sunlight herself.  She was insanely cute & adores her mommy. The weather was beautiful which was extra great since later this day was also her 1st birthday party.  I hope this new special doll had a wonderful time & has many big birthday wishes come true!