Steve Poltz - 05March09 - Dayton, Ohio

March 15, 2009

Canal Street Tavern... The historic venue in my backyard. Steve's been making the trip to Dayton, Ohio to perform here since his early days with the Rugburns.

Some lesser known local band was supposed to open up for Steve this night, but canceled. Sometime that afternoon, Steve's friend and fellow musician, Tom Flannery, left his Kentucky home to come up in hopes of catching Steve's set from the audience. By the time he got to the venue and met up with Steve, Steve was ready to have Tom open for him. Tom, not having any gear with him was left with playing an opening set with Steve's guitar, but that didn't stop him from putting on a great show.

This was my 2nd chance to see Tom perform, as he and his brother Tim, and son Dylan joined the stage with Steve at a show in Lexington, Kentucky in August of 2007 (Photo Gallery). He has a very musically gifted family, and it is always a pleasure to be in his presence and hearing his music. His song, Orion, must have left an impression on me in Lexington, because even after a year and a half, after only hearing it the one time, I found myself remembering the lyrics as I sat in my seat in Dayton. It is definitely a song worth listening to. If you would like to hear it and some others from Tom, jump over to his MySpace page and listen to some that he has posted there.

After Tom handed over "Ol' Smokey" back to Steve, Steve played another great set, and continued his antics from the previous evening in Indianapolis, keeping us all laughing and tied to his every word as he shared his humorous stories from his past and his travels.

Steve was also joined on stage again by Niki Dakota, the host of Excursions on WYSO, a Dayton public radio station. Niki had Steve on her show earlier in the day for about 45 minutes of songs and stories, so Steve invited her back to the stage to help sing a song with him, just as he did the last time he was at Canal Street Tavern, last summer.

It was again great to see everyone that came out. Beth, her husband, and the twins that are going to be scarred for life, thanks to Steve, made the trip. Matt and Terri Maylen made it down from Michigan for this show. Slack, the host of that Lexington show from 2007, came down, bringing some friends and co-workers from a job-site in Ohio. Of course, Frag, Nessa, Colleen, and the usuals came, keeping the family-like atmosphere in tact... well some weird dysfunctional family-like atmosphere anyways.

OTHER PHOTOS FROM THIS SHOW:

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Aleiha & Vinnie - Columbus, OH - 09Aug08

January 4, 2009

I am sure that everyone has heard stories about "Bridezilla" coming out on a wedding day. Let me be the first to say that the one was the ying to the "bridezilla's" yang. I don't know that I will ever meet a bride or a couple for that matter that was as calm and collected through an entire wedding process as this couple. They were amazing to work with and so much fun to be around. Their families and friends were awesome too. I don't know if it is possible, but I am certainly looking forward to working with more couples like these two in the future.

So the morning of the wedding, I pack up my gear and set off down I-70 for Columbus. I figured I would get their early to make sure that I could have everything ready to get started as soon as they were ready. And other than figuring out quickly that there is a difference in a State Street and a East State Street in Columbus, the morning started off like any other wedding day for me. Then I met the bride.

I get to the Hyatt where the couple was staying and the wedding was going to take place. Beautiful hotel in downtown Columbus, I have to say. I get up to the bride's suite and meet Aleiha. Never have I met a bride on her wedding morning that was as calm and collected as she was. I knew then that this was going to be a fun day.

So we start shooting the "Getting Ready" shots and it was my first chance to start meeting some of the friends and family that were going to take part in the day's festivities. I have to say that Aleiha comes from a wonderful family, and I had so much fun just hanging out with her adorable brother and sister, and all her friends, while snapping shots of her getting ready.

Then is when things started to show through as to what type of day this was going to be. We go through and shoot some of the preparation shots, and started to shoot some of the dress and the other still life shots that most photographers get, when we realized that there was a few items missing. So, someone asks, "Where's your veil?" which then lead to other key items like a garter that were no where to be found. After the search party of about 5 of us start sifting through the boxes and other wedding day items, it was discovered that the veil and a few other things may have been left at home. At this point, I figure most brides would have started to panic. Not this one. Aleiha took it like a champ and acted as if it didn't bother her. It was then that I knew that I was in for an amazing day with this group.

Vinnie and Aleiha are such a fun couple. It shows in the faces of everyone that was attending this wedding. There were soo many people here that just knew how to have a great time. Everyone was having a blast and that made my job so much easier and much more fun. I enjoyed getting to chat with just about everyone there, when they all weren't out on the dance floor. The kids, the parents, the friends, the grandparents, everyone was out on the dance floor throughout the night, which allowed the photo opportunities to come and keep coming.

What a group! I had so much fun and I want to thank Vinnie and Aleiha for the opportunity to capture these moments for them on their special day. I couldn't have picked a better group to work with if I had to pick each guest out myself. I wish these two nothing but the best as they start the rest of their lives together, as husband and wife!

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Leukemia Benefit for Blake LaForce - Vandalia, OH - 12April08

January 4, 2009

So I learned some valuable things about the community of Vandalia, Ohio on this evening. This community knows how to pull together to support a worthy cause, because on this night, the American Legion Hall in Vandalia was the place to be. To say that Vandalia came out this night to support this family would be selling the event short, because it felt like most of Ohio came out this night. This event was an amazing show of compassion and support for one family's concerns. The event featured a $20 steak dinner with the food donated from area restaraunts, including well over 1000 delicious steaks donated from the local Outback Steakhouse. There were hundreds of items donated and auctioned off in serveral auctions throughout the night as well, some of which auctioned for thousands. This night was amazing to just see the caring and compassion of the people there and the people in the community.

Click on the image to see the full gallery of photos.

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"Baby A's" Baptism - 04.05.08

January 4, 2009

"Baby A"... Yea, lets all go ahead and say it... "Awww..." This precious little girl is something else. Going through a baptism at 5 months old, she didn't even fuss, cry, or have any problems with the whole event. During the actual ceremony, she even stopped looking at Father Frank, turned and looked at her mom, and then rolled over to look right at me and my camera, as if to make sure that I was getting her good side. :) Adorable.

She comes from an adorable family, and I cannot thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to capture these moments for them. It was a great event for me, as my first baptism that I have had the chance to photograph.

Click the image to go to the gallery.

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Steve Poltz - 02.27.08 - Dayton, OH

January 4, 2009

For the first time, I brought a family member to a Poltz show. This may not sound like a big deal, but some of Poltz's shows tend to drift into a direction that sometimes you don't want to bring a parent in on. However, this show, this night, was a perfect oportunity to introduce my father to Mr. Poltz and his antics.

The show this night was nothing short of a great time. The Truckee Brothers (or Truckee Bothers as you can see on the paper sign behind Chris in some of the photos) were awesome. I was able to pick up a couple of the Truckee Brother's CD's at this show, and they have just moved up to the top of my "must have" list for anyone that is looking for a great rock album. "It Came from the Speakers" and "Double Happiness" both are awesome CD's and well worth a purchase. They have a sound that is unique and catchy that I think anyone could appreciate!

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Brewster Wedding - 09.29.07 - Miamisburg, Ohio

January 4, 2009

Words could not do this wedding justice. From the very beginning, I knew that this one was going to be special. The couple seemed from the very beginning to be soo relaxed and laid back about the day, that I just knew that it was going to be a fun day. What ended up being a beautiful Saturday in South Dayton, made for a perfect setting for Frank and Kathie's special day. The Baum Opera House was such a unique and perfect venue to host the families and friends, and made for some amazing photo opportunities.

The families of Kathie and Frank were ever so gracious to me and all the guests and made us all feel like we were a part of the families. The couple definitely have something special here and I am just ever so thankful that they gave me the opportunity to be a part of their special day.

The Opera House is such a cool historical building that I had never heard of before this event. It is such a cool place to visit and an even better place to photograph in. As you will see from some of the pictures just the sheer layout of the building allowed me some artistic freedom with my photography, that many buildings would not have offered. I loved using some of the mirrors and back drops for many of my pictures, as you will see.

Back to Frank and Kathie for a moment, before seeing all the photos... In talking to the Reverend after the rehersal we both agreed that this was going to be a fun day. The entire bridal party was so relaxed and passive, that we knew we weren't going to have any unneeded antimosity throughout the day. The bridal party was a mixture of some of the greatest people that Kathie and Frank have in their lives, and they made my job so much easier just by being themselves. I enjoyed getting to meet and mingle with each and every one of them, and enjoyed every minute of that long day.

Kathie and Frank, may you two have nothing but the best as you spend the rest of your lives together. You have something special, and I just hope that my photos convey that special bond that I got to see on your wedding day! Thanks again for allowing me into your lives for this moment, and I hope that we can work together again in the future!