eSession Ideas { Kick-off and Ault Park }

Where should you do your engagement session in Cincinnati? As a Cincinnati wedding photographer, I get asked this question by many of my brides and grooms. Luckily, there are numerous awesome options available to you! I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite places and any costs associated with them and will post them over the next coming weeks - so keep checking back!

Let's start with FREE options.  Free is always good, right? And some of the best locations to do engagement photos in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are free – but also outdoors. That’s great in June or October but may be an issue if you want an engagement session in January. Of course, a little snow can make for a fun eSession!  And some outdoor locations are always gorgeous.

I'm kicking off this series of posts with one of my absolute favorite free places to do an eSession (or any type of photos for that matter!).....

AULT PARK

Cincinnati is known as a city of parks, and Ault is its fourth largest at nearly 224 acres. Top attractions include the pavilion, lookout point and formal gardens. There's an outstanding collection of roses and a grove of trees chosen specifically for their ability to grow in the Cincinnati area.

 

I have shot weddings, eSessions, portraits, stock photography, families, senior sessions - you name it.  And every time, we get fabulous photos!

What's so great about Ault Park?  Besides being free, it's just beautiful almost all year long.  You have the paths, the foliage, the pavilion, lookout point, the fountain and more.  Sunsets on top of the pavilion at Ault Park can be spectacular.  Photos in front of the waterfall fountain when the lights are on are also beautiful.

 

Okay, I know - those are wedding photos.  It's because Ault Park is such a great place to have your wedding or do photos before/after the ceremony.  There's good reason why you'll see multiple limos in the park on any given Saturday during wedding season.

 

The best time of year to do photos at Ault Park is....all year.  Okay, seriously - it's probably in the Spring.  There's a few weeks when the park explodes with flowers, and the new blossoms are on every tree.  It doesn't last long, but it's beyond beautiful - everywhere you go.

Summer and Fall are also great times to do photos - the park offers so much each season.

So, if you're looking for a great, free place to do engagement photos in Cincinnati, then consider Ault Park!  Or if you're looking for a beautiful place for your wedding or wedding photos.  It's a popular spot for photos for good reason!

Next post - more free parks.  And a paid indoor option at Cincinnati Music Hall.  I'll be doing an eSession there on January 21, 2011, so look for photos and my review to follow!

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Looking for the best Cincinnati wedding photographer?  Contact Gardner Photography & Design today to get a custom package quote.  Ask about our "Try Before You Buy" engagement sessions.

Album { Kim & Matt } September 2010, Part Deux

In addition to several mini accordion albums, Kim and Matt got our Flush Mount Panoramic album as part of their package.  This is a GORGEOUS album with thick photographic pages.  It's a true flush mount, so the photos extend across the entire page without any seam to break them up.  Although we offer several album and book options, this is our most premium album.

I haven't made a slide show of the album before, but I thought I'd give it a try.  I didn't do all the fancy transitions - just some nice fades and a little music.  Enjoy!

Video Montage { Beth & Dan } July 2009

Fourth of July wedding in Cincinnati, OH! Everything was held at their church, Northminster Presbyterian on Compton Road. We loved doing photographs with Dan's motorcycle in front of the church - he had to quickly get it home before it rained, though!

We finished up the day with sparklers in front of the church - then headed off to our own Fourth of July celebration. It was a great day - with a super fun couple!

Album { Kim & Matt } September 2010, Part I

Kim and Matt had a beautiful wedding at 20th Century in Oakley (Cincinnati, OH). After the ceremony, we went to Ault Park for some gorgeous sunset shots. It was a fabulous event - and a great couple!

We delivered the album and some mini accordion albums to Kim before the holidays. She used the minis as Christmas gifts - they make excellent stocking stuffers! We did two different designs - one with more images from her family, and the other featured Matt's family.

Kim's Family Album:

Matt's Family Album:

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Happy New Year!

Gardner Photography & Design wishes everyone a safe and Happy New Year! 

Video Montage { Amanda & Chris } May 2009

This video montage is from Amanda and Chris's May 2009 wedding at beautiful Ault Park. We started with photos in the gardens, but a pop-up shower caused us to make a mad dash for the pavilion. The couple originally planned to have the ceremony outside but had to move everything under the cover of the building and tents.

Luckily, the rain didn't last long and gave us the opportunity to take some very cool umbrella photos! Amanda and Chris were such great sports and took it all in stride. And were rewarded with a beautiful sunset.



I LOVE Ault Park - it's one of my favorite places to shoot, and I do photos there all the time. I would love to talk to you if you are planning your wedding at Ault Park - or any park, for that matter! We have several 2011 weddings scheduled at local parks, and my camera loves taking photos outdoors.

Also, all 2011 packages now include the video montage - let us know if you want to discuss your 2011 Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana or destination wedding. We'd love to hear from you!