The best of 2023
What a year 2023 was! This was my second full year back in Cincinnati and finally feeling more settled in! It takes a lot to relocate a business and I have so much to THANK YALL for in helping me get this little love project of mine off the ground! I love looking back over the year at all the beautiful sessions I was able to capture and putting together these fun awards! I got to see a lot of repeat clients, grow my business, take a fun trip to Austin and shoot 15 sessions and just capture a lot of special moments for yall. I truly am so grateful for this business and your support- it means so much for you to trust me to create something beautiful for you to cherish for all the years to come. So a big THANK YOU and I cannot wait to see what 2024 brings! <3 And without further ado, your
loren gail photography 2023 photography awards
Favorite Couple
Couples are my favorite to shoot, so I have a lot of favorites....BUT these two high school sweethearts have been my favorite couple since I met them nearly 15 years ago! I met Whitney and Todd in college and they are truly the sweetest people I know. But more than that the way they love and support one another is the best example of a relationship I've ever seen! We hadn't seen each other in almost 10 years and this past winter we got to meet up in Florida and take some photos! Taking my favorite couple's [and college besties] photos was truly an honor- and I can't wait to see them more when we visit my parents in Florida! <3 Aren't they just the most adorable?!
Fastest session
I was at the airport headed to Austin for one of my favorite weekends of the year- and my flight gets delayed. I had sessions planned for that evening and whew my math was cutting it close. We land in Austin and of course we're at the south terminal and my rental car is at the main terminal. I'm running like a crazy person everywhere. I was headed to McKinney Falls- just a few minutes from the airport. I get there 10 minutes before the sun sets and have TWO FAMILIES waiting for me. Also, it's well over 100 degrees in Austin. First up, the Shelby fam- the absolute fastest session of my life. Probably four minutes in total. They are the absolute best though and we got some AMAZING shots <3 And I've learned my lesson for next year- don't book sessions on flight day! LOL
Sweetest siblings
There is something SO SWEET about watching big siblings with their BRAND NEW baby! This little family was adorable and big brother was absolutely giddy over holding his new baby sister! It was so precious and so pure - one of the greatest gifts of this jobs - getting to witness these moments <3
Best smilers
Sometimes I get kids who are pros at smiling for the camera- and sometimes -RARELY- do I get a family of four kids who can nail that smile at the camera shot in one take! These little cuties rocked their smiles and I'm obsessed with how cute this is!
Most Tears
I don't get many tears at my sessions, but occasionally it happens. It was a senior session for the sweetest girl and her mama was there with her. At the end of the session- like I do with all my seniors- I offered to grab a photo of the two of them together. As they hugged, little tears were shed. I watched on with tears in my own eyes as you could just feel the love and the strength and the bond that these two had. It was so special.
most special
My very first session was with our best friends out when we lived in Los Angeles- many years ago. It had been on my bucket list to get them in front of my camera again but for years we just couldn't make it happen- until THIS YEAR. And the timing was perfect because they were PREGNANT! These are the kinds of friends who are family so of course I'm so excited for my new baby nephew. Aren't they the cutest? Welcome to parenthood, Abel and Vee! <3
most Laughs
A lot of times you can tell the men don't want to be at the session- my hubs included LOL But sometimes a man comes along who just embraces it and has us all laughing and having a great time! This couple was special because they hadn't had photos done since they were married!!! And they were just so fun and full of joy and love and LAUGHS! <3
Favorite location
I was worried Ohio would be lacking in beautiful locations. But thanks to my brother in laws fishing adventures- check out this GORGEOUS location. A 20 minute drive from my house! This family is also GORGEOUS and I'm so blessed our homeschooling paths have crossed and we get to call yall friends <3
Best hair
One day I was at the salon [I feel like a grandma saying that lol] and I was chatting with my hair girl about getting my daughter locs. She mentions her cousin who does her own and her boy's locs and shows me a picture of a very blonde family. I happened to recognize this very blonde family who lived around the corner from us! So I sent the mom a message and its been bliss ever since! <3 They also tie for most kids, and man do I adore these kids!! <3
Most sessions to date
One of the best parts of photography is growing with yall and seeing you year after year. There is a family in Austin who have been coming to me since the beginning- often twice a year! I love love love love love [I can't say it enough] getting to see them every year! I've watched their boys grow up and man are they turning into some handsome and kind young men! Thank you Rowald's for all the love and coming back to see me <3
most unique
I was so excited when this mama reached out about her daughters senior photos and told me she was a BALLERINA! Was definitely my most unique senior session and it was so much fun!
Most snacks
I laugh because I did this one last year and here it is again! It's funny because you think you can plan and prepare and feed the kids but OF COURSE they are hungry. This is how my kids are any time they go to grandmas- without fail in the first five minutes they are hungry LOL My favorite little snacker this year loved his mini Oreos and he was ALL ABOUT them!
most fun as a third wheel & Favorite dress
I really want your sessions to be fun- and for those couple sessions- I want them to feel like a date! I think I make a great third wheel LOL and love hanging out with yall! This couple is another long time client who I just ADORE! So many of my clients become my friends and Kiah is absolutely one of my favs!! Her and John are so sweet together-the sweetest kind of love and photographing them is always a highlight for me!!! And Im OBSESSED with her dress!!! I love a good floral annnnd its flowy! Love.
sweetest session
Moving back to my hometown means I get the joy of working with people I knew long ago. And sometimes that means it's your high school friend's baby brother who was like 7 the last time I saw him and now he's all grown up, married and has a baby! And yall, this was just the sweetest session. From the cutest bub you've ever seen to the patience and the love and the authenticity- it was just SWEET. And such an honor to capture these <3
Favorite Gallery
Some galleries are just chock full of images I love and this one takes the cake! This location provided for so much diversity in the gallery and these two were up for anything!
Best Trade
Do you know that sometimes I'll trade sessions for services? And by far my best trade this year was with my ATX hair girl! When I was in Austin we worked it out to where she dyed my hair dark brown right before I hopped on my plane and headed home! I mean I would totally pay for her work because she is the BEST but working out a trade with her adorable family was definitely a win! <3
Best dressed
The Cecils. I have been BLESSED to document this family grow and most recently when their precious baby girl joined the family!!!! They always dress to impress and I LOVE how Lindsay styled this session! When you are planning your session outfits- THIS should be your inspo ;) I am so so so happy I was able to meet baby girl and take these for them- I can't wait for our family water session when I'm out in Austin next year! :)
best then & now
I can't say it enough but watching your families grow is such a gift. I love sharing in the joy of growing families! I love this then and now shot of one of my beautiful Austin families! <3 And I shared a few more of my favorites from their session too!
most meaningful
There is something so powerful about a love that has lasted more than 50 years. I dream of such a love- two hearts, two lives, two existences becoming one- and building a family. The legacy and the relationships are worth capturing. For a quick moment in this session I could feel the abundance of love and found myself choking back tears. This session reminded me to cherish my people and be intentional with the time we've got <3 And also- take the photos with the grandparents, they are beyond precious and will only grow in their value with time.
Favorite image of 2023
I just love this shot. The character of the bridge, the golden leaves, the ADORABLE couple- love it!
So long, 2023!
And helloooooo 2024!!!! I've got big plans for 2024 and I can't wait to see you all. Thank you again for all your love and support! May 2024 be filled with much peace, joy and love for you and yours! <3
