Seniors that Rock!

Spencer Pierce

Mariah Cadwallader

     I have the greatest opportunity to take photographs and make people happy(sometimes). I think one of the delights for me is meeting complete strangers and feeling like I have known them all my life. It is an incredible feeling and it happens all the time!
     The "other" great moment is photographing high school seniors I have know as babies or small children, and seeing how they have grown and matured. it is always an honor to tease them and see them smile in a whole new dimension some 10 years later.
     The "next other" great moment is getting reacquainted with old friends who need senior portraits made for their student and they don't have time and they heard that "Tod does photography" and we get out and make some absolutely gorgeous images for them.
     I think the best images come about when you are familiar with each other a little bit. I always like to shoot engagement photos for the engaged couples in advance of their weddings because it lets me see them in advance. I get to think about facial structure and the best lighting situations. I get to see them laugh and learn what makes them smile. I get to see where the flaws are in their features and how to hide them. And yes we all have some areas we see as flaws!
     I still love doing this simply to get the opportunity to make something out of nothing. Where people start as a bundle of nerves and you keep working until you release the shutter on a relaxed smile and feel like you have done something for them that will last a couple lifetimes.

4 December weddings! A new record for Photodelux

We didn't anticipate being so stretched in December but we were grateful for the business and the relationships built though these weddings(like Emily and Josh Overton pictured here). We are looking forward to building more relationships through Bridalrama. Please come out and see us there in booth 104!
We advertise in a number of places and try to help every couple that comes to us.  We are still in business for the bride and groom on a budget. We did a family portrait/wedding package for the Overtons because of their young boys and they wanted family portraits bundled with the wedding.
We can do things like that!  We are not set in stone. At the end of the day we want great imagery and the opportunity to create lasting photographs that will endure with time.  I envision a day when people pass on our work and someone 50 years from now admires what we have accomplished together.
This was a New Years Eve wedding that was as much fun for us as the guests that were there. How can we help you this summer, fall or next December?

Sincerely,
Tod & Vicky Eltzroth

Baby Audree

     Standing in front of the washing machine crying tonight. Big baby.  Not because the infant I photographed today was so cute (which she was!) but because she, well she had an accident on one of the background fabrics!  ha.  Which often happens if you work with babies any length of time. No big deal at all.  It goes with the territory.  

     But seriously, my tears flow at the washing machine tonight because special people are attached to my memory. Memories come flooding back and you just realize the unexpected wonder of life.

     Special baby, special people. Yeah I know it's just a client and it's just a photo shoot but every now and then, once in a while, on occasion - people get to me, old acquaintances grab my heart.  Babies look at me funny. Of course it's probably gas, but they look at me funny and then I unravel, sometimes. No one to me is just a client!    

     History: One of the first things that happened to me way back when, at a new church,  a new community,  was the grandmother of Audree (Jeanie a grandmother, wow!) accepted my children when they were little and running around the church basement.  She said, "We don't mind, we love our children around here." And they really meant that.  Special place, special time, special people.

     Then today,  to see the mother Erin, touch and hold and interact with her brand new 10 day old baby girl.  Well, I remember the rough, tough soccer and basketball playing teenage girl and to see this, well I wasn't prepared.  My heart couldn't hold all the promise and hope and sentiment of this new life - in front of the washing machine tonight.  No big deal Audree, we accept your pretty smile and nervous moments all the same. Your mom's mom taught us that.

     Just a photographer feeling lucky and blessed to be able to do what I do. Just a person who really treasures what relationships mean. Special.    Drying my eyes in front of the washing machine tonight. Thanks Jeanie and Erin and Audree!

The Krohn and the Beck boys

     Photographing a family like the Beck family is one of those events that we absolutely love but it has it's challenges. 3 boys full of energy and a venue (at the Krohn) full of interesting challenges, from people to backgrounds can offer lots of pitfalls. To some photographers it can be a nightmare but to us it is simply fun.
     It takes some imagination and we never really capture exactly what we set out to capture.  But I learned a long time ago if you don't appreciate the serendipity of a situation like this then hang up your camera. 
     The parents (Deena & Joe) were wonderful and patient and I only wish we had more time to capture the fascination on the boy's faces.  It doesn't last for long because they grow up so fast.  People ask me, "What's this world coming to?"  I can't help but answer, "If it's boys like this and parents like these, we are in great shape!" I am posting one of my favorites! Enjoy.        -  Tod and Vic

Thomas Peterson Wedding

We had a blast at the most recent knot tying of Megan and Mike! Two very diverse people brought together by a genuine love for each other that you don't see every day.
Some highlights were getting to shoot using the groom's motorcycle and a trip to the steps of Marydale. The wedding party were so patient as we recorded some phenomenal images We absolutely love shooting at Christ Chapel in Erlanger, Ky. The people there are gracious to creative photographers and Pastor Terry is a friend to the creative process in capturing a ceremony. There is a rather large image of Jesus in the sanctuary and it is haunting in it's gaze as if the Good shepherd is right there approving of this blessed union with an approving smile.
What other couples can learn: Don't be afraid to mix it up and try different ideas! Can you have a male as one of the bridesmaids or bridespeople? In this day and age - yes!