Photography

Upper Falls Proposal

Are you thinking of an Upper Falls proposal? You’ve got a great start! It is one of the prettiest and easiest locations to hike to in Hocking Hills. Christian started planning his proposal to Emily months in advance. He set a date and contacted me to photograph the surprise. Keeping the secret is always a task but he did it well. Emily was so happy as you can see in the photos!!

Before we get to the photos, let’s talk about some suggestions to helping your surprise proposal go smoothly.

Upper Falls Proposal-suggestions for planning

Set a date with your photographer. Hopefully that will be me 😉
Plan to do the event early in the morning. Christian and Emily’s proposal was at 8 a.m. in the month of May.
The time of year matters with the time of day. Hocking Hills gets really crowded as spring approaches… all the way through to the super busy Fall months. Work with your photographer to get the best light for that time of year and beat the crowds.
Good communication is key. I like to know what the couple is wearing before they get there. Christian texted me and let me know what outfits they would be in and when they were heading down to the waterfall from the parking lot. That way I could keep an eye out for them as they approached the waterfall.
Putting the photographers name in your phone in a secretive way. “Amy proposal photographer” might give it away if your partner grabs your phone for some reason haha.
If your fiancé gets their nails done regularly, try to make sure they have just been to the salon in the last week or so. They will have a new ring to show off and nice nails are great for photos!

This is meant to be such a fun time so most of all, enjoy the planning! Think of ways to make it unique to your special someone. And if you are thinking of other areas of Hocking Hills, you can look at this blog post about a proposal at Ash Cave : https://amyrebecca.com/photographing-a-proposal-in-hocking-hills/

Please enjoy a few photos from Christian and Emily’s Upper Falls proposal and mini photo session afterwards:

Hocking Hills Elopement

What a joy to photograph this Hocking Hills elopement at Ash Cave! This was my first time meeting Nichole and Randy and their 2 dogs. Turns out we are all nature lovers and love to take our pups everywhere!

We spent about an hour together from ceremony to photos afterwards. This is typical for a short ceremony. I love being able to wander around a little bit for photos post ceremony. An hour gives time for the “I do’s”, a few group shots, and some photos of the newlyweds (including the dogs).

I am thankful for such a nice Google review from Nichole:

“Amy was AMAZING! She captured our wedding perfectly 🩷💒 from start to finish, she stayed in touch, and is so so kind. The turn around was extremely fast to get our photos back. We can’t thank her enough.”

What you need to know before you go:

A Hocking Hills elopement is perfect for the couple that wants to promise their love to each other and share an unforgettable moment in nature. There are so many location choices but a couple of the most popular ones are Ash Cave and Upper Falls. You will need a permit, an officiant, and of course, a photographer 🙂 I am happy to be that photographer and also share the name of a nice officiant, Liz Teegarden You may want to check out Liz’s info on Wedding Wire: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/weddings-by-liz/dd9feb49b658c499.html You should also be prepared for any type of weather. Look at the forecast a couple days before. If you see rain in the forecast, don’t be worried. Umbrellas and rainboots generally do the trick or a slight time change that day could be a possibility. I have also done quite a few of elopements at the cabins the couple is staying at. So if a rainy wedding day isn’t your scene, then consider your cabin. This is something to have in the back of your mind when booking a cabin. Will it be a nice plan B in case of bad weather? Does it have space to accommodate any family members there to witness the occasion? Or does it have a nice deck that overlooks the hills? Whatever you decide, I try to be as flexible as possible.

If you have any questions about your Hocking Hills elopement, feel free to ask. I look forward to hearing from you and planning your special day in the Hills!!

Newborn Sessions

There’s has been a little baby boom lately and I am here for all the newborn sessions! As an Ohio newborn photographer, this makes me happy!! I thought it would be a good time to talk about what in-home newborn sessions are all about, some tips to help it go smoothly, and a few photo examples.

In-home newborn sessions…why might this be for me?

New parents are tired. They don’t want to leave the house any more than they need to within those first couple weeks. Having me come to your home to do the session is easier on you as a new parent.
If this is your first baby, you are just getting settled into a new way of life. If you have other children, they are adapting, as well. People of all ages tend to be more comfortable in their own home.
In-home newborn sessions with me are more cost effective than studio photographers have to charge. This is understandable since they have overhead costs that I don’t have. I used to own a studio so I know this is a factor. I can keep my prices lower even though it involves more leg work on my end. So if budget is a factor, in-home sessions are something to consider.

Tips to help your in-home newborn session to go smoothly.

Communicating with me before the baby is born is a great start. If I know the baby’s due date, then I can have it on my schedule. We can touch base when the baby is born and plan the shoot as soon as possible. Which brings me to my next point…
Plan to do your session within the first week after the baby is born. Baby is sleepy and less wiggly 🙂
Heat up your home a little warmer than normal. I generally have a small space heater on hand if needed but having your home warm to start with will help baby be more comfy. Babies don’t like to be cold! I don’t either.
Please feel free to incorporate your own sentimental items. I bring props, hats, etc. but anything that is personal will add a uniqueness that is completely yours.
Send me some photos of natural light in your home. I bring additional lighting to use if needed but natural light is my favorite!
Don’t expect baby to be perfect. I take it slow and let baby direct the session. Relax and enjoy this special time.

Please check out my blog post with Jadyn & Tyler maternity session and their in-home newborn session. These are the direct blog links: https://amyrebecca.com/maternity-jadyn-tyler/ https://amyrebecca.com/in-home-newborn-sessions-info-jadyntyler/

Below are some examples of recent in-home newborn sessions.

Proposal Mini Session

Did you know that after you pop the question, I love to do proposal mini session? It’s the perfect time to capture a few memories of that special day. The excitement and emotions are at a high level. These photos are meant to be fun! Which brings me to Ben and Meghan 🙂 After Ben proposed at The Ohio State University campus, we made our way around to some of their meaningful spots. Both of them attended OSU and so this was the perfect location to do a proposal mini session and show off that ring.

As you can see from the photos, Ben and Meghan weren’t afraid to be silly, try new poses, and just have some enjoy the time together. From the proposal to the end of the mini session, I generally spend an hour or less with the newly engaged couple. This gives enough time to walk around and be relaxed. It also allows time to see what feels natural to you as a couple. I have suggestions for posing but I love to hear any ideas that the couple has as well.

If you are the one planning a surprise proposal, don’t forget about the photo session afterwards. You can sneak your partners favorite lip balm and hair comb in your pocket since they are not expecting to be photographed. Anything to make them feel more relaxed 🙂

Ben and Meghan-The Ohio State University Campus

Ben’s Google Review: “We hired Amy to do our engagement photos and she did an incredible job! She was extremely flexible and helpful in planning the surprise moment, and she created a fun, relaxed environment during the photo shoot afterward. The finished photos were delivered very quickly and looked amazing. We couldn’t be happier with the experience and would highly recommend her!”

For more ideas about planning a surprise proposal, please check out my previous blog posts. This one in particular will be helpful: https://amyrebecca.com/photographing-a-proposal-in-hocking-hills/

And depending on the location of your proposal, there may be other factors to keep in mind. This next blog post was about a proposal at the Columbus Museum of Art. There were some rules to shooting in the museum and since each space has it own set of rules, it’s good to check beforehand to make sure all is good to go. https://amyrebecca.com/proposal-photo-session-in-columbus/

Proposal in Hocking Hills Upper Falls

Let me tell you how happy I was to see fog for this proposal in Hocking Hills at Upper Falls!!! Very Very Happy 🙂

This day on 3.6.26 I was driving to Hocking Hills in the rain. I was watching the fog nestle into the mountains. My hopes were for it to last till the proposal at 10 a.m. And to my delight, the fog was till there. Along with the fog comes sun beams. My day was made.

Tips for planning your Hocking Hills visit:

I usually suggest proposals in Hocking Hills (or any type of shoot for that matter) to be earlier in the day. As the hours go by, the crowds come to see it’s beauty and that makes it a little more difficult to photograph. The earlier the better, especially on the weekends! The weekdays are generally slower and of course, the off-season. Even the winter is exceptionally beautiful with the ice formations at the waterfall areas. Always bring good hiking boots, have your phone charged, and watch your step. Going slow can prevent injuries and also gives you time to take all the sights in. And don’t be afraid of a little mud…it’s going to happen and that’s ok. In fact, it’s a sign that you are living life and not letting a little dirt stop you from enjoying nature. Go take a hike. It’s good for the mind, body, and heart.

I have some more blog posts about proposals and tips for planning. You can check out these: https://amyrebecca.com/hocking-hills-photographer-proposal-at-upper-falls/ https://amyrebecca.com/photographing-a-proposal-in-hocking-hills/

There is so much to see and visit in Hocking Hills. I recommend looking at the official website for more ideas: https://www.hockinghills.com/

This is a little preview of highlights from Blake and Olivia’s morning proposal in Hocking Hills at Upper Falls. As you can see, she was definitely surprised! If this looks like a dream to you, contact me to set up your photo session in beautiful Hocking Hills.

Proposal Photo Session in Columbus

Are you hoping to plan a proposal photo session in Columbus, Ohio? If so, I hope this post gives you some great ideas!

These photos are from Robert and Gabby’s recent surprise proposal photo session at the Columbus Arts Museum. Robert contacted me to plan this special event and we had a great time coming up with ideas. There were a few twists and turns but we communicated well together and everything went wonderfully! Gabby said YES and off we went to do a relaxed little photo session afterwards.

There are some rules you have to follow if you are planning to photograph at the museum. Examples: No flash, no tripod or extra lighting equipment, and no camera backpacks. I made a make-shift tripod to video the proposal with my phone out of a camera lens hood 🙂

You also need to be aware of the fact that there are other people enjoying the art and they may step into the photos unknowingly. This happened to us and I just worked around them, did the best I could, and realized that it was all part of the story. At the end of the day, the important thing is the event itself and I have a goal of making it as fun as possible on my end.

Congrats to Robert and Gabby and may you have a wonderful time planning your big day 🙂 I had a blast photographing this special moment!!

If you are planning a proposal photo session in Columbus, Hocking Hills, or on a mountain top in Colorado;)-you can get more info from my recent blog post: https://amyrebecca.com/photographing-a-proposal-in-hocking-hills/

Hocking Hills Photographer-Proposal at Upper Falls

Keagan’s proposal to Kirsten at Upper Falls went off without a hitch! The surprise was real and it was sooo sweet. Kirsten cried and all the tourists cheered 🙂

I got there early to set up my camera and tripod to video the proposal. Keagan was very communicative about when they were arriving and heading down the hill to the waterfall. I just pretended I was one of the many nature lovers there to get a photo (which was partially true haha). They stood in front of the waterfall for a minute or 2 while Keagan got the ring out of his back pocket. When Kirsten turned around, he was on one knee. The tears started flowing. She said YES!

One of the many things I love about being a Hocking Hills photographer is seeing so many other people treasure this beautiful area that we live in. There are so many different trails and hikes. Tons of cabin and Airbnb rentals. Ever growing small businesses. All supported by people that want to explore the glory of nature.

So go ahead…Plan that vacation to Hocking Hills and reach out to me if you would like to remember the trip with some beautiful photos!

Please read another recent blog post about tips for planning a surprise proposal: https://amyrebecca.com/photographing-a-proposal-in-hocking-hills/

Or this post about planning a family photo session in Hocking Hills: https://amyrebecca.com/hocking-hills-fall-family-photos/

Photographing a proposal in Hocking Hills

What a privilege to be photographing a proposal in Hocking Hills with Kyle and Marissa this month! Kyle did an amazing job communicating with me for this special moment. I asked for a photo of them beforehand so I could easily identify them as they walked into the Ash Cave trail. As I saw them approach, I filed in discreetly behind them. The funny thing is that a group of about 50 people came in right before us which dramatically slowed us down. Kyle couldn’t wait any longer to ask Marissa to be his wife so he stopped right on the trail, reached in his pocket, and got on one knee. The look on her face was priceless! Everyone around cheered and joined in the celebration. After that, we had a little mini photo session in the cave. It was memorable for us all!

Photographing a proposal in Hocking Hills…or anywhere…is a wonderful experience. I love these sessions. I thought it might be helpful to have some tips for others as they plan for this event.

How to prepare for a proposal while working along with a photographer

Scheduling and working closely with your photographer is very important. Good communication is key.
Make sure you know what each person looks like so they can easily be identified.
Exchanging phone numbers is vital so if there is a delay you can easily be reached. Since the recipient of the ring does not know this is happening, they may not be in a hurry to get to the proposal destination 🙂
Photographers look for good light. Since they are not necessarily in control of this during a proposal, the person doing the proposal should look for consistent light on both people. Meaning solid shade and not being heavily backlit by the sun.
If your partner usually gets their nails done, then try to work around a fresh manicure haha

After this experience, Kyle sent in a beautiful review on Google. These were his words:

“Amy did a fantastic job with our engagement photos – she captured every smile, a few happy tears, and all the love and joy of the moment. I’d recommend her to anyone.

Her expertise shined, and I appreciated her thoughtful, thorough communication leading up to the day. From the first email to the final gallery (and everything in between), Amy made the entire experience seamless 🙂

Thank you, Amy, for capturing such a beautiful milestone and giving my fiancée and me photos we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives!”

Congrats to Kyle and Marissa! I appreciate you so much for allowing me to photography such genuine love and emotions!

For more info on Hocking Hills, check out this site: https://thehockinghills.org/https://thehockinghills.org/

Columbus, Ohio family photographer. In-home sessions

Working as a Columbus, Ohio family photographer has allowed me the privilege of photographing many in-home sessions. This recent one was very special to me. I have loved being a part of this family’s life since the time we did their engagement session in a pop up blizzard 🙂 Then came the wedding, the kids, a dog, and a beautiful forever home. Taking photos at home feels like we are creating memories for many years to come.

Tips from a Columbus, Ohio family photographer for an in-home session

Decide if you want your photos inside, outside, or a combo of both.
If you want photos inside, look for rooms with preferably natural light . If you don’t have lots of natural light, I do bring additional lighting.
If you want photos outside, choose a time of day when there is a shade option.
Incorporate sentimental items. For example: a quilt made by grandma.
Plan on the dog (or cat) being in the photos. That makes me happy 😉

Benefits from an in-home session

You don’t have to leave the house.
The weather isn’t as much an issue. If it rains, we can either take photos inside or play in the rain!
The kids are more comfortable and you can get a snack in between shots.
Things are more relaxed which leads to more candid photos.
The dog (or cat, or lizard) can be in the photos 😉

This session below is a great example of using a particular color palette for outfits. Their dog even matches the palette!! It’s also a nice way to see how you can get both inside and outside photos within an hour session.

Please look at my past blog posts for tips on lighting and timing, etc. This one in particular is about in-home newborn sessions : https://amyrebecca.com/in-home-newborn-sessions-info-jadyntyler/

Family Photos in Hocking Hills

Family photos in Hocking Hills this 2025 year! The leaves are changing and the golden glow is all around. Families come from all around to stay in the cabins and hike the beautiful trails. This cabin was an airbnb called Juniper Pines in Laurelville. What I loved about this cabin was that there were trails behind the cabin and a big pond at the bottom of the hill.

When I arrive to a session, I try to get some traditional photos first and then hopefully have time to play. Hiking, dogs, and just loving interaction between family members lead to having those extra “candid” shots. Of course, every family dynamic is different and it takes a few minutes to read it. Some people prefer a more traditional session while others like the playful candid shots.

What is your family’s personality?

This family was so much fun! They were down to do a little hike in the woods and brought out the dogs to play. I was also given a gift of a pet rock from their little girl 🙂 Below is a nice example of a session with lots of less posed moments in between the traditional family shots. It brings me such happiness to meet so many new people and be able to help them remember their time spent in the beautiful Hocking Hills area.

You can read about more Fall family photos in Hocking Hills. Please enjoy another post about family sessions here on my blog. You can also check out the main site for the area at https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park