A Quiet Kind of Magic

Unplanned Portraits at Wagnalls Memorial Library, Lithopolis, Ohio

Sometimes, the best photos aren’t planned—they just happen. This impromptu session with Jade started while we were waiting on a client to arrive. With a bit of time on our hands and the sun bearing down, we wandered the grounds of Wagnalls Memorial Library, letting curiosity guide us. The building itself is a marvel—rich in history, with soaring stained glass windows dating back to 1925 and a garden path that feels like something out of a storybook. I had my camera out, tweaking settings in preparation for the light—and before I knew it, we were making photos. Natural, unforced, honest. The kind of session that reminds me why I fell in love with this medium in the first place.

The Setting:

Wagnalls Memorial Library

Tucked away in Lithopolis, this library is one of those places that feels sacred. Its interior is filled with history—massive stained glass windows, carved wood details, and quiet corners begging to be photographed. Outside, the garden paths wind through flowerbeds and lead to unexpected little nooks. That day, it was bright and cloudless—difficult light, but beautiful in its own way. We didn’t have a plan, just a camera, some curiosity, and time to kill. The location did the rest.

tribute to the one that taught me

Jade is more than my wife—she’s my collaborator, my sounding board, and the reason I became a photographer in the first place. Long before I ever touched a camera seriously, she was showing me the ropes. Her degree is in photography, and when I went back to art school in my late 20s, it wasn’t a professor who taught me how to shoot—it was her.
The way I compose, the way I direct, even the way I edit—so much of it is rooted in what I learned from watching her work. She shaped my visual language before I even knew I had one.

Technical Aspects of the Shoot

I kept it simple for this one: Sony A7IV with my Sony GMaster 24-70mm f2.8. No filters, no add-ons—just natural light, architectural framing, and Jade’s quiet presence grounding the images. It was as much a test run for settings as it was a genuine creative session—but the results speak for themselves.

Why Choose Me as Your Portrait Photographer in Columbus, Ohio?

I don’t believe in cookie-cutter portrait sessions. Every shoot is built around who you are and where you’re at—emotionally, creatively, personally. Whether we plan it down to the last detail or make it up as we go, I’m here to help you create images that feel like you. If you’re looking for someone who sees the small moments and the big ones with the same care, I’d love to work with you.

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