Operation Smile!

October is National Family Portrait Month! So with that in mind, I'm scheduling a Family Portrait Day on October 13th at Gantz Park here, in Grove City. The big news though, is that I've committed to taking part in something called "Operation Smile", by donating a portion of the proceeds from these family portraits. If you're not familiar with Operation Smile, please click here http://operationsmile.com/. It's a great cause, and a great way to get involved!

Other than that, it's Friday! Isaac and I are getting all geared up for our next wedding which takes place tomorrow at Deer Creek! The rehearsal is this evening, and this will be the first time I've actually met the couple, as they both live in Pittsburgh! So this evening will be so exciting, and the weather tomorrow should be beautiful wedding weather!

The photos for today were shot while I was shooting with/assisting the fabulous Chantal Stone (http://chantalstone.com) last weekend. She's such an incredible photographer, and it was truly an honor to shoot with her! It was a beautiful wedding, and reminded me of a visit to Napa Valley!

Kathy and Tom

So I'm finally getting around to posting some images from Kathy and Tom's wedding which was on July 28th. I've been working on designing a beautiful album for them and can't wait to post some of the final images!

Their wedding was truly unique, and they are such a sweet couple! After helping them put together a DVD slideshow of their growing up years, and their years together, I really felt like I had known them and their families forever by the time their wedding date finally came around! It was a really neat wedding for a couple reasons... first because their ceremony was held the same church where Isaac and I were married (we couldn't help but reminisce a bit) and second because the reception was held at COSI, yes the same COSI we all know and love from our field trip days! How cool is that? Cocktail hour in the "Progress" exhibit (aka. the streets of yesteryear), and photos with the downtown skyline as a backdrop! Here are some of the selected images...

On the steps behind the old Central High School...
Near Genoa Park

After cocktails in the Progress Exhibit (1960's street, which was around the corner from 1860's street)!

This was taken looking through the little VW Beetle that's parked near the service station area of the 1960's street (couldn't open the doors...I tried)!

Positivity!

I'm realizing that so far the only photos I've shown on this lovely blog of mine are showing people from behind. People must wonder, "Does she ever actually shoot people looking at her?" The answer, of course is an emphatic "YES"!

And I'll prove it with some new images on my next post.

Until then, I'm staying positive and keeping heatherclaypool.blogspot.com my happy place! :)

Thought for the day...

Thinking back today, and missing my Florida family. It wasn't too long ago that Dad and Lyssa were here visiting and reliving their Ohio days! So I thought for today's photo, I'd post one of Dad walking Eddie through the hallowed halls of JC Sommer Elementary (where Dad was an alum). Really, how many grandparents can say their grandchildren go to school where they went? Just another of the many, many things I adore about Columbus... and Grove City. Someday the kids will grow up and won't be able to leave their hometown soon enough, but isn't that a parent's job...to give their children both roots and wings?



It was so neat to hear Dad telling Eddie, "I was sitting in this very classroom when..."

Bloggity Blog Blog...Blog.

Welcome to my blog... I hear all the cool photographers are doing it, so I figured I should try it too! I'm here to share photos, stories, and observations as a mother, photographer and human being. In the process, I also hope to grow and learn from other's comments on my images at it's time for me to take my photography to the next level! I might also post some obsure pop culture references on here too ( just for you, Heath!) So welcome, welcome. Let the blogging begin. Now if I can find the time to do this on a regular basis... :)

This first photo is one from an engagement session done back in July. Patricia and John were so much fun to photograph! We went to the Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley (OH) and meant to spend just an hour...we ended up spending two! Anyway, this little storybook cottage on the grounds was just a perfect spot to shoot them. Stay tuned for more pics of their wedding...coming soon!

The second is from a shoot I did over a year ago on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Kids are so much fun to photograph when they are just being themselves!