Christmas Adam* is a tradition in my family.  Since we have all gone off and got married, Christmas Adam is when all eight of us get together.  This year it’s been postponed since Whitney & Damon can’t come until tomorrow, but we’ll all get together at one point!  I won’t be blogging for a few days, so Merry Christmas, too! :)

*Adam comes before Eve…get it? ;)

As you can probably tell, the business is booming, actually it’s booming a lot more than I expected.  The year has been filled with the most amazing weddings, cutest kids, talented seniors and some of the sweetest families I know.  To everyone, thank you so much for supporting & believing in me this year.  Whether you asked me to photograph your wedding, or had me document your family, sent me encouraging emails, or simply read my blog, thank you.  Without you I wouldn’t be able to march into 2010 with the dreamiest life I could imagine.  Thank you for allowing me to live this amazing life.

I’ve been playing a bit of catch up the last month or so, and our Christmas cards did happen to get put on the back burner.  I intended to send out sweet little new year cards…well, we are moving on the 31st, so needless to say, that’s not going to happen.  Please consider this your Christmas card for 2009…I know you can’t hang it on the door, but I hope it still puts a smile on your face.

We love you all, thank you for being our friends.

Love, Cassidy, Justin, Thomas & Sayid

*note: Cassidy Dawn Photography will be on a little break from December 24 to January 14.  I do have a couple days to check in and return emails during that time, however, I will not have internet during most of this time.  We will be moving on the 31st (and won’t have internet hooked up for a few days), then Jan 7-13 I will be in Nashville, Tennessee for a Photography Conference.  I promise to return emails & phone calls whenever possible.  Please be patient :)

*inquring brides, you will have first priority. 2010 is booking fast (we are over halfway booked for the year), so if you are hoping to have us photograph your wedding…please email soon!

I honestly don’t even know where to start.  If I could dream up the perfect shoot…this would be it.  Hands down.  We photographed in my idea of *perfect* locations, we had amazing light…and the subject…wow.  Julianne is stunning and there is no other way to put it.  Not only is she model material, her heart is pure gold.  She’s one of the sweetest, most poised teenagers I know, and I am absolutely honored that she choose me to photograph her senior pictures.  I love when seniors want something a bit different than what everyone else is doing…that’s why Julianne & her mom asked me to come down to Kentucky to do her pictures!  I’ve known the family for a few years now and I love any chance that I get to see them again.  Julianne’s dad is a professor at Asbury and Allison (my roommate/best friend/other sister) would go to their house to watch Project Runway & Alias with Julianne’s mom when we where in college (loved those days!).

Julianne is one of those girls you look at and say, “Good gracious, she’s got it together.”  Not only is she blindly stunning, but she accomplished in running & the violin.  Oh, and don’t even get me started on her artistic talent (she has no idea how good she is).  She is also an amazing big sister to three of the cutest siblings you’ll ever meet.  Julianne, not only am I honored to photograph you, but frankly, I am honored to know you.  I am so excited for your future…you’ve got so many exciting things coming!

We started this shoot in downtown Lexington, then headed back to Wilmore to go to High Bridge for the rest of the shoot.  I promise I narrowed it down as much as I could…you don’t want to know how many she has ;)  This is as good as I could get it, so sit back and enjoy a few (ahem, a lot) of my favorites from her shoot!

love this…

So Julianne:

FAVORITES:

Jcrew model? I think yes.

love everything about these. light, background…julianne!

Julianne, whatever you do, promise me you will look into modeling when you skip off to college…geesh girl.

Emily & Mark live in Lexington, Kentucky but their wedding is in Columbus this May (can’t wait for that!).  We decided that it would be great to do their session in the town that they are starting their lives in…so off I went!  I’ve been wanting to shoot there for a while and had quite a few places in mind.  Justin & I would constantly drive around town on the weekends during college looking for cute places.

We chose to have their shoot at Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate and it was the perfect fall day for it.  The leaves were beautiful, weather was great, and Emily & Mark are the best.  Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot!

The light was so beautiful this day…

Told you…

Emily & Mark – Can’t wait for your wedding! Practice those “olive garden smiles” ;)

Well, it’s time for the BIG news announcement…

Justin & I are buying a house! Yay!

We actually close today at 4pm :) This process has taken a little longer than we expected, so I hadn’t mentioned anything so I didn’t get my hopes up.  It’s an adorable little cape cod in Bainbridge.  I’ve never lived in town (except for Maysville), so it will be a bit of an adjustment, but we will have the best possible neighbors ever…so we are thrilled! I don’t have any photos of it yet, but I promise to give you a little tour once we are in and settled.  We move on the 31…so if you don’t have anything to do for New Year’s Eve, you’re welcome to lift a box or two ;) Just kidding!

It’s a too cute house, and we have lots and lots (and lots) of plans for what we want to do to make it our own.  I can’t wait to start painting!!  I know what else you are thinking…my word, you all move a lot. It’s true.  In the last 2 years we’ve lived in an apartment in Wilmore, row house in Maysville, we house sat in Bainbridge for a summer, lived in a farmhouse in South Salem, and the cottage we are in now…and now we are moving again.  I think we have packing down to an art.  The truth is, it’s the time to buy and we are excited to be homeowners.  While we will miss many aspects about this place (the views are crazy wonderful), but we can’t wait to have a place that is truly ours.

Anyway, that’s the news.  Not a baby. I know that’s what most were thinking.  A great friend of mine let me know that BIG news = baby, Great news = house…I’ll remember that for next time ;)  I assure you, there will be much more Great news, before we ever have BIG news.  Sorry.

So to break up the recent posting of photos…here’s a couple videos of our two babies.  One of the main reason’s we started this look was so that Sayid could live in the house…and that was the main motivation that kept me going.  I hate that he’s outside in the garage while I am at home working all day.  I can’t wait to have him in the house with us!

Sayid is 6 months old…and 65 pounds ;)

Thomas will be 1 year at our house on Christmas…he’s already a year old, but that’s when we got him.

(sorry for the background noise…it was How I Met Your Mother)

I can’t begin to tell you how much I was looking forward to this shoot.   Whitney and I had been emailing for some time before the shoot and I knew how much it meant to her.  She had the entire thing planned out, more than just outfits and a great location.  She had asked a total of 10 people to be involved because she wanted to record the love of this amazing family.  I was soo excited to meet everyone.

I had gotten to know them a little through their too cute blog, so I knew the boys would be so fun to chase around.  You can imagine my disappointment when our date arrived and it was full of rain & cold weather.  After many attempts to find another date that all 10 people could join in on, we settled for a chilly day that looked to be on the sunny one of the week.  Only the 4 of them could make it.

As soon as those cute boys were out of the car, they headed straight to the playground.  We stayed their for quite a while, letting the boys warm up to my camera.  I chased them around and photographed them playing and making leaf collections…it was the perfect shoot.  I am so happy with what we got, and I can’t wait to meet all the other amazing people at next years shoot.  I’m already praying for a sunny day :)

The classic family shot.  We worked really (really) hard for this one…

Definite favorite:

Whitney wrote me the sweetest letter after our shoot.  It’s a letter that put a smile on my face when I received it…and it’s still there.  I am honored to be their photographer and I can’t wait for all of our future shoots :)

the letter:
Cassidy, we are in awe of your talent. Anyone can photograph poses and even some detail, but you capture emotions, moments and real memories. Thank you!
I couldn’t believe how easy your personality was (and is)! I had a glimpse into your schedule and knew you were insanely busy and overbooked. Yet, on the day of our shoot, you drove to us. You smiled easily and lived completely in the moment of our kids’ insanity around the park. I immediately felt like I’d known you for years–and we’d just met!
Anyone with even a cursory view of your life knows you love what you do. The great thing is that you’re also incredibly gifted, and we, your clients, get to benefit!
A friend (and one of your former clients) warned me that we’d walk away from our family photo shoot, thinking you hadn’t gotten any good images. In the midst of muddy knees and strong-willed toddlers, I was hoping for just one image! The fact that we got dozens of awesome photos blew me away!
As we look back on our experience with you, we have two recurring thoughts: 1. You don’t charge enough for all the time and talent you so selflessly give, and 2. We can’t wait establish a Cassidy Dawn Photography tradition! We tell everyone about our fantastic experience with you! Thank you for sharing your gift!

-Whitney Scully

See what I mean?!  Have a wonderful Monday…I have some BIG news to share with you later this week :)

I just had to sit down on this wintry morning and post some engagement pictures from back in October (I’m catching up…I promise!).  I just love them so much!  I love the couple, the locations…Heidi’s cardigan (if you know me at all, you know I just love my cardigans ;)  We had a great time walking with the dogs around the park near John’s place, and got some great photos…if I do say so!

This is just a little look at their session…

Oh, and not only are they gorgeous…I’m pretty sure Heidi is Jennifer Gardner’s sister…and I’m also positive she hears that 20 times a day.

You know I flipped out a little when I saw these two cuties…

favorite:

We headed down to German village to get a few shots. I am completely in love with the house on the left, how adorable?!

Heidi & John, I absolutely cannot wait until your June wedding.  You both are so wonderful and it’s going to be such an incredible day :)

October is my favorite month of the year.  It’s not just because it’s the month I married my best friend.  It’s also not just because it’s our town’s yearly fall festival, or the month of chilly football games at my local high school.  It’s because I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth in October…we are so blessed in our little valley.  Every year the good Lord reaches down and touches the hills of our valley.  The trees turn the most beautiful colors you’ve ever seen, and we are surrounded by them all month long.  I couldn’t live anywhere that the leaves don’t turn those magnificent colors…really, I just couldn’t.  Matt & Stefanie understand this…and it’s one of the things that helped them choose their wedding date.

October 10th this year was beautiful.  The leaves were just starting to turn, the weather was a nice warm fall day, and Matt & Stefanie finally became man and wife.  This wasn’t my first wedding that I’ve photographed at the Knisley Farm.  In fact, it was my 3rd…and it is so strange that it’s my last (for at least 20 years…right Sophie?!).  I have photographed 2 out of 3 of Matt’s sister, and held countless photo sessions with the kids there (and so many more to come).  So stepping into Jackie’s bathroom and seeing Stefanie getting her hair done was a little more special than usual…it was finally their turn.  They’ve been together for years and that day they would celebrate their marriage.

This couple is absolutely perfect for each other and I am honored that I was asked to document this amazing day in their lives…thank you.  Not only are they gorgeous, and that the wedding was styled just beautifully…but I got more time for photos of them than I could have ever asked for…and it was wonderful!  They choose to see each other before the wedding – score!  But they also asked if after the wedding we could go up to the fields on the property…hmm, heck yes!  So when the wedding was over we headed up to the fields at the perfect time of day, the light was ridiculous.

*side-note: Justin (my husband/second shooter/assistant) is becoming better and better, and I’ve even become quite jealous lately.  He blew me away at this wedding…I’ve noted which below are his.  I am so blessed :)  Brides: he photographs at every wedding…no extra charge ;)

photo on right: justin (we captured these at the exact moment…love having a second shooter!)

photo: Justin (love this!)

Favorite image of the day!

photo on left: Justin

The hills of Bainbridge were just beginning to change.

photos: justin

I love this photo of Matt with his 3 sisters.  If you couldn’t tell, all 3 girls are pregnant here!  Since this, I’ve photographed both Heidi & Hayley’s little girls (Emmalyn & Laynie), and will be photographing Heather’s next spring when she is due!  Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing those pictures soon!

Cake by who else?  Erin of The Cake Kitchen!

Love these simple, beautiful bouquets by Mr. Nathan Cutright…you know how I love his work!

photo: Justin

Matt & Stefanie, thank you for allowing me to be their on your day, and more importantly, thank you for valuing photographs the way you do.  It was an honor.

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Hair: Heidi Sharp & Hayley Ash (email me for info)

Flowers: Nathan Cutright

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

I first met Alexis back in August at Skylar’s senior photo session.  At the end of her shoot two of her best friends came by so we could get some fun shots of them together.  Not long after that shoot, I got a call from Alexis’s mom.  She had been trying to decided where to go for her senior pictures, but hadn’t had much luck.  She had so much fun at Skylar’s shoot, she wanted to have me photograph her too…I was thrilled!  She is so sweet, and soo easy to photograph.

We met up at the Park of Roses and just walked around looking for spots…I’d never photographed their before, but I definitly plan to again…so beautiful!  Alexis goes to Grove City High School in Columbus, and I hope she has the best year…she’s got so much going for her!

A few favorites…

I LOVE these black & whites.

Have a great weekend! We are gearing up for our last wedding of 2009 on Saturday, it’s been such a great year!

Sweet, sweet Megan.  As you can tell from the photos…this wasn’t taken last week.  I told you I am a bit behind ;)

Megan wasn’t thrilled with the idea of having her photos taken.  Actually, she wasn’t looking forward to it at all…it was for mom.  I think it’s so sweet that even though she didn’t want to have them done, she did it for her mom.  (megan, I know you’re mom is grateful).

The great thing about these situations with me is that I can completely identify.  I avoid getting my picture taken whenever I can, ironic, I know.  I keep this in mind and try to make it as easy as possible on them, so we did this session really fast, but still got some great images.  Here are a few of my favorites:

I love sister pictures.

Oh, and did I mention that when we where done, Megan said she had a good time ;)  That made my day.

Of all the Saturdays in a year, you might be surprised how many have perfect wedding day weather.  Wedding photographers know.  Being prepared is a must…but it’s really not that often that the day isn’t perfect in all aspects (when you are around that many people gathered together in the name of love…it’s hard to not have a wonderful day).  While this particular day in September wasn’t the most dry, it was definitely a perfect wedding day.  To be completely honest, it really was the perfect rainy day wedding…and it didn’t even matter that the ceremony was outdoors.

Kelsey came to my house early this year and we talked all about her perfect September wedding.  I was excited from the moment she said ‘sunflowers’.  I love sunflowers.  She planned the day down to the very smallest detail.  From the sunflowers planted in various photo locations, to perfectly color-coordinated Chinese lanterns hanging above the dance floor, to a candy bar with popcorn (that was a highlight for me…I *love* popcorn).  The only thing that may not have been picture perfect may have been the rain.  When I say rain, I mean downpour.  However, it couldn’t have come at a better time because of the love it brought out of the day.

We had nice dry weather for the private moment (love those) and all of their photos together…which I am still very thankful for.  Just when we were ready for photos with the bridal party & family…the rain came.  It let up for a bit, enough time to get photos outside & on porches, but when it was time for the ceremony to start, the rain just fell, and it fell hard. Kelsey had planned this day for so long; she wanted to get married outside…and by golly she was going to.  I admire her for that.  I think her guests did too.  Everyone climbed the hill in the rain and circled around the chairs (which had puddles at this point) to watch this beautiful couple get married. It was amazing to see everyone gathering together despite the weather to witness one of the most important moments in their lives.  The rain kept falling, that is until Kelsey arrived in her horse drawn carriage…then suddenly it stopped.  It was stunning, emotional & beautiful.  I’ll let the pictures tell the rest.

The ever talented Nathan Cutright does it again!

Loved the private moment spot! The umbrella wasn’t planned until it was raining, but I think it is perfect!

Kelsey, you’re so beautiful!

This was a surprise for Mike…how fun!

Notice all the umbrellas are gone.  I told you, unreal!

Erin of The Cake Kitchen did it again with another amazing cake.  It just so happens that she is Kelsey’s sister!

Mike surprised Kelsey with a song…isn’t she stunning in this photo?! It was such a sweet moment.

Did I mention this wedding was full of surprises?  Well, when your best friends in college are dance majors…you know something is gonna happen ;)

After many of the guests left, the party turned into a cake throwing contests.  It was pretty entertaining.

These lanterns are amazing! I’ve seen them in photos, but never in person.  They are completely environmentally friendly because they just burn up in the air.  They are so beautiful as they float away..I want to get some so badly!

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Hair: Hayley Ash (email me for info)

Flowers: Nathan Cutright

Cater: Shoelaces Catering

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

Band: The Marty Ford Experience

Reminder: All Christmas orders must be placed by today, Tuesday December 1st 2009.  No exceptions (sorry!)