Claire. Newborn.
A wittle smile for you.
And just look at these little features!
It’s not every newborn session I get to take so many beautiful family photos. Most parents are exhausted and can barely get little one ready, let alone think about outfits, hair and makeup for themselves. These are photos they will cherish forever. She’ll only be this wittle once.
Happy, Happy family! (And doesn’t Emily look AWESOME!)
This is Claire’s beautiful home in German Villiage. I LOVE this photo. The way her Momma’s hair is blowing in the wind. The way they are looking down at their new little bundle of pure bliss. Congrats, Williams Family, she’s an angel.
Ox. 9 Months Big.
He’s baby Einstein.
Curls!
The lips. The attitude. So stinkin’ cute!
Claire. One Year Big.
She’s always the cherry on top of my sundae! (Session fave.)
April showers bring May flowers and Claire Bear brings happiness to our hearts.
Claire Bear…I just can’t believe you are already ONE YEAR BIG! It really does seem like yesterday you were born and we were finding out you are a little girl. And now your not a baby anymore! Seems so fast. You are always such a joy to be around. I look forward to watching you become your own little person. To many many more happy years, Happy 1st Birthday, Claire Bear! Xo!
Meeting Claire Eloise for the first time. Exactly one year ago today…
(Click HERE to see her beautiful birth story.)
Newborn.
3 Months Big.
6 Months Big.
9 Months Big.
One Year Big.
Pixie watching Claire’s photo session. Claire ran over to play. 🙂
Memories and Favorites from Claire’s pretty Momma…
What is your favorite memory during her first year of life?
So many favorite memories in Claire’s first year. For now I’ll say: Taking her to Florida when she was almost 9 weeks old & putting her toes in the ocean for the first time! Can’t wait to take her back this summer!
Do you have a funny story or something that happened in her first year that you’d like to share?
The fact that everything is “Dog” right now, and how that has turned into “Gog.” Mama = Gog, Dada = Gog, and so on. 🙂
What age/month has been your favorite and why?
Around 6/7 months…when she started sleeping through the night!
One word to describe your baby is…
Breathtaking.
Claire’s favorites…
Animal: Carmey Dog Dog (Carmen our dog)
Food: Cheese, carrots
Toy: Anything dirty or dangerous. She likes “unconventional” toys. We bought her a remote & keyboard. Fun!
Project 52.
Week 18 of 52: Celebrate.
We celebrated in Vegas. Vegas style. Tons of fancy restaurants and walking and shows and lights and FUN.
I seriously pulled the camera out the last day we were there. Not sure why I even lugged it all the way to Vegas. Everywhere we went, I took a small clutch and the iPhone photos were good enough to keep my Instagram friends (and myself) satisfied. I had to buy a bigger purse for $70 at one of those cheap touristy corner stands. Oh well. Totally glad I brought it once I saw this photo. I set the self timer next to us on another table and told Jason I’d put my hand on his beer gut. We both know he doesn’t have one, so it was only FUNNY. Real laughs.
Canon 5DMkIII, 35mm, f/1.4
ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/200
To see how Megan celebrated, click HERE.
The Aljancic Family. Gorgeous inside and out.
This beautiful little blossom is named Evie Grace.
Evie Grace loves her mommy’s beautiful hair 🙂
Session fave… her expression is PRICELESS!!!
This family could be in a magazine!!!
Evie Grace, you are undeniably precious and I LOVED working with you and your family. XOXO Crystal Jo
Meg and Dom. Married.
Meg. Prettiest bride known to man. Known to Dom. Stunning!
Meg asked to do something very special that I’ve never heard of and I’d love to do at EVERY wedding. A “First Look” with her Father. And we she walked down the aisle to him. It was so incredibly beautiful. I can only imagine all of the bittersweet thoughts that were going through his mind as his baby girl walked toward him. 
And then there was this. Priceless.
A few minutes later, she walked across a beautiful bridge to greet her soon-to-be husband. And tears and happiness filled the air yet once again.
And then there was this. Priceless.
Their pups even dressed for the special occasion!
Coolest wedding feet. EVER.
Told ya…
Wedding fave. (This was a hard one to pick because I really do love them all. But something about this just makes me stare and stare at it. Perhaps because it is an old underpass. I just love the way she is holding her dress. I love the framing. I love how he is kissing her neck and the intimacy looks timeless and real. Yep, it’s my fave.)
This couple is seriously AWESOME! They really LAID DOWN in the middle of the street BEFORE their ceremony…that’s how cool they are!
Love the colors!
Check out this BEAUTIFUL brooch bouquet! Megan made it herself. She said it took FOREVER and she adorned it with meaningful pieces from her family. Love.
Happiness. Right. Here. Look how Dom is looking at his excited wife. Beaming!
To Meg and Dom. The happiest people I know. I love how you love to laugh. I love how life is all about having a good time. I love your easy going attitudes and your funny personalities. And they really do fit together like a glove. I wish you all of the happiness in the world. Times ten billion. XOXOXOXO, Crystal Jo.
A little behind the scenes with Crystal Jo Foto. Where all of the fun happens. I know I say that all the time….BUT IT’s TRUE…just loookie..
Thank you, Light Girl, for all of your help. You know I can’t do it without you! Xo!
And a special thank you to Raewin (on the left). You were one of my very first brides and you still refer all of your friends to me. XOXOXOXOXO!
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If you would like to see an AH-MAZING slideshow with even more photos, click HERE. If you would like to register your email address to view ALL 600+ wedding photos when they are ready for viewing, click HERE.
their creative team…
Reception and Ceremony Site – The Grand Valley Dale Ballroom
Photography – Crystal Jo Foto
Caterer – Davidson’s Catering
Cake – Cindy Morris
Flowers – Claprood’s
DJ – Scott Martin
Hair and Make up – The AMAZING Sara at Jolie Laide
Wedding Planner – Bride 🙂
Invitations – Michael’s
Jewelry – Kohl’s
Rehearsal dinner – Barley’s Underground
Wedding gown designer – I have no idea! lol It’s from David’s Bridal
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their songs….
processional – Always With Me Always With You by Joe Satriani
recessional – Alive by Adelita’s Way
grand entrance – Alive by Adelita’s Way
first dance – I Won’t Let Go by Rascal Flatts
father/daughter – Walk With You by Edwin McCain
mother/son – The Woman In My Life by Phil Vassar
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their memories…
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
Meg: having my grandpa officiate our wedding! such a special memory 🙂
Dom: All of it! but to narrow it down, seeing all of our family in one space.
What was your favorite detail?
Meg: my bouquet! it took forever to make but so worth it
Dom: Meg’s dress
Any advice for future bride/grooms?
Meg: Don’t sweat the small stuff! There were absolutely things that didn’t go the way I planned, my flowers weren’t even what I asked for! haha but at the end of the day we had a blast and I’m married to my best friend, that’s all that matters! Just enjoy your special day with the people that are most important to you 🙂
Dom: Don’t stress, just enjoy it
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
Meg: I would have slowed down. I was so freakin’ excited I couldn’t stand still! haha I had a blast but someone needed to tell me to slow down and enjoy the moment!
Dom: make it last longer!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
The Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico. Definitely recommend it! we’re already planning a trip back
How was your experience with Crystal Jo Foto? If you have a favorite memory with her, please share it.
Meg: AH-MAZING! The first decision I made when planning our big day (ok, who am I kidding, I knew long before he proposed! haha) was that Crystal Jo HAD to be our photographer! I wouldn’t have had it any other way! (Thank you, Meg! Sweetest compliment in the whole universe! -Crystal Jo)
Dom: Crystal Jo is awesome! Our photo session in the street before the wedding was my favorite!
Project 52
Week 17 of 52: Countdown.
3 days until Vegas. Enough said!
Canon 5DMkII, 35mm, f/1.4
ISO 100, 1/125 sec
To see Rachel’s take on “Countdown”, click HERE.
Deanna and Andy. Engaged.
We randomly stumbled upon this really cool vintage taxi cab. “Cash Cab” was on the license plate. I wanna ride in this Cash Cab!
My session fave!
Cute couple alert. WEEEeeeeeerrrrrroooooo, WEEEEEEEeeeeeerrrrrrooooo. (That’s my siren sound.) Bottom right, all them. Love it!
Dee, you are BEAUTIFUL! (And getting your hair and makeup done…good call, smart girl!)
Some FUN facts about the couple..
When and where is your wedding?
Andrew: Our wedding is July 5, 2013 in Youngstown Ohio the day after my last day of Freedom……..oh I mean the day after our Nations Independence from England.
Deanna: Like Andrew said our wedding day is July 5, 2013 in Youngstown, Ohio..my hometown!
How did you meet?
Andrew: Online, through Match..those online dating sites never work in my opinion.
Deanna: We met through an online site, which is crazy yes I know. But i figured, why not!?!?
Tell us about your proposal!
Andrew: I classed it up with the proposal on a Land Fill called Robert F. Wagner Junior Park next to Battery Park in lower Manhattan NYC. Dee had no clue what happened over looking our nice present from the French that sunny historical day. With my Eldest Brother acting like the paparazzi of NYC. My Sister-in-law and nephew looking on and experiencing this wonderful occasion. Getting on that one knee that every women wants to see and asking “will you marry me”. It was the first time Dee had no words with her bottom lip quivering she had no other words but “YES”! Even though I had no doubt it wouldn’t have gone any other way but it would have been a long ride home from NYC if it went differently.
Deanna: We (or I) had planned a trip to NYC for a long weekend this past fall. During our time in the city we planned to meet up with Andy’s family for a Saturday outing. On that day, as we wanted to check out the statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, however the line for the boat was about two hours. Thus, Andy’s plan A to propose at the Statue of Liberty was shot. We then decided to take a walk around the area. At this time Andy and his brother became very persistent to walk along the water (at this point I should have made me realized something was up). As we were walking, we walked to area overlooking the water and the Statue of Liberty. At this point when I turned around Andy was down on one knee and popped the question. (Yes, the beautiful view was on a landfill (makes for a good story)). I was in shock and truly had no idea of what he had up his sleeve. I said Yes and the rest is history.
What’s your favorite thing about your significant other?
Andrew: Dee is driven also a loving person with great legs.
Deanna: Andy had the biggest heart, he is genuine, driven and keeps me laughing (as you can see).
What makes you guys unique?
Andy and Deanna: We are doing the long distance relationship thing, thus we are always on the road. Over the past 3 years we have come to know I-70 very well.
How did you find Crystal Jo?
Andrew: I hate to name drop on how we found Crystal but a “cough” “cough” “Arnold Schwarzenegger” good friend let us in on who is the best in C-Bus.
Deanna: Or seriously through a coworker of mine. (Thanks, Denica!)
Project 52
Week 16 of 52: Places.
Oh, the places you’ll go. And we’ve been to many together. Jason and I. And life always leads us right back to our comfortable bedroom.
It was another one of my insomnia cases. Up at 3AM staring at the back of my eyelids. Trying desperately to fall asleep. I opened my eyes and wah-lah. This heart shined gracefully across our wedding photo. It made me smile and remember the day. The place. The feeling. The love. My Valentine’s Day Scentsy burner sits on our dresser and illuminates hearts all over our ceiling and just one heart placed just so. It takes me back to that place of love.
Canon 5DMkII, 35mm, f/1.4
ISO 6400, 1/40 sec (wowzer! that’s why it looks so light outside, it was pitch black in our bedroom and I had to manually focus.)
To see Michele’s take on “Places”, click HERE.
Erin. Baby Bump Numero Dos.
She’s glowing.
And so is her excited family.
Ben is going to be such a fun BIG brother!
They took their engagement photos right in this exact spot five years ago. Erin’s idea to come back for her maternity session. How cool?!
One became two. Two became three. About to be four. In five short years.
Session fave…
