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HI! I'M CATHY BLACKSTONE.

I am a Columbus based photographer and welcome to my blog.

I love to photograph babies in the tummy, babies out of the tummy, kids being good, kids being bad, kids with special needs, kids with fur, couples in love, families being themselves and seniors in between text messages :)

I have a fun and carefree style that I think you will be very comfortable with. Of course I love to take the classic picture where everyone is looking at the camera with a perfect smile but what I really love to catch is the real "in between" moments. The candid moments that you will cherish forever.

This is my photo blog where I will share favorite images from recent sessions and blab about my interests and family.

Thanks for visiting my site and taking a look. I really appreciate it. 

CELEBRATING PHEB AND SUS | columbus, ohio family photographer

April 10, 2009 Posted in Families

There is a quote that I’ve heard – “An old friend will help you move. A true friend will help you move a dead body”, and as morbid and wrong as that is – these two are my dead body friends. They both celebrated birthdays this week and I thought I’d share some shots that I’ve taken of them and brag about them a little bit.

First Phebe (aka Beef, Beefy, Pheb, Phebelee, BbeforePhebeBPhebeBB, Fece and many more…)

This is who I ate tuna fish sandwiches with after Kindergarten under a pine tree up the street. This is who I kept a collection of toads with. This is who I shared my first kiss with in her basement with the same boy (he leaned over and kissed me, then leaned over and kissed her). This is who I cheated off of on every math paper in high school. This is who I ran from an angry hotel owner with in Europe because we felt we shouldn’t have to pay the bill for his crappy hotel with cold water (we got caught and paid). We have so many memories. Countless memories. Wonderful memories.

img_4621-lowHere she is with her husband Brian who I totally dig. He is one of those quick guys that says super funny things that I don’t get for about 2 seconds, then I laugh, then I have to point out that I got it, then I have to point out that I’m a dumb blonde, then I laugh more about his joke.  They do things like crosswords and play Scrabble together. Much more intelligent people than Brad and I.

 

img_4659-lowShe had 3 beautiful boys within 18 monthsish of each other. Something crazy that I always forget. Pierce and Gage (the twins) were born on the same day as my Brynn. If that isn’t weird I don’t know what is. She wasn’t brave enough to have four (just kidding).

 

img_4665-low This was a very impromptu shoot one day. I can’t wait to actually get them out and really get down and dirty with them. 

 

Next Susan. My instant friend. Seriously. The day I met her I loved her. She is so alive and funny and interesting and interetsed in you. When I look back on it I can’t believe she didn’t try and wiggle away from me. I really have nothing to offer her, lol. I am THE MOST BORING PERSON on the face of the earth next to her. 

This is who handed me my first beer and then wine cooler and then long island and then a shot – trying to help me figure out what I liked to drink. She is still working on this. This is who I was with when Brad came and met us out (enter fireworks shooting off in the sky). This is who I called and was at my house in an instant when I almost had my 3rd baby on the floor. This is who calls me to chitchat on the way to the gym. She provides me with the most valuable adult conversation every.single.day. 

img_1138-lowWe had our boys two weeks apart and then our girls three weeks apart. She was also not brave enough to have four. Chicken. Her husband Phil is also hilarious. He is a movie line and song lyric encyclopedia. It’s crazy. And you should see him dance.

 

img_1237_2-lowThis family laughs hard, plays hard, works hard, fights hard and loves hard. There is no other way to say it. It is really exciting for Brad and I, lol. 

 

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So Happy Birthday to my fabulous, gorgeous and hilarious best friends. You are my yin and yang. You are both amazing warrior mothers. I can’t wait to spend quality time with you in about 5 years – it’s going to be great:)

by Cathy

1 comment

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April 30, 2009 - 2:23 pm Susan - OK...I am crying right now...I LOVE that you made this little tribute to me (and Phebe). And you better stop with that, "i am so boring why are you my friend shit" YOU are the CALM in my crazy wind storm of a life! I do not know what I would do w/o you, your family and our daily chats while I am on the way to the gym. I LOVE that our children are growing up together...and I also LOVE that you "get me" you "get Phil" and you understand and embrace every little thing about OLIVIA. You are constant and unconditional friend to me and a kick ass MOM to your kids...you dont give your self enough credit EVER...I LOVE YOU!!!!! :)

WORRIED | a state of uncertainty over potential problems

April 8, 2009 Posted in Personal

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She’s not worried. I am. She is going to Florida today with my parents for 10ish days and I am worried, stressed, anxious and happy for her. These are the moments that I realize that I am a real official mom. I remember my mom always worried about this and that and it was so annoying. I thought she was ridiculous. Now I am officially her and obsessing about alligators in the bay, getting lost at Sea World, undertows, car wrecks …..

I haven’t been away from my kids for longer than 2 days. I think when you have a large(ish) family you become a pack and we stick together and playmates come to us. We are hard to move so we stay put, lol.

But (I know you don’t start a sentence with “but” – but I do) my mom has wanted a child of mine to go down to the house with them for years now and I finally caved. I gave in because Ellie deserves it. I am so excited for her to have one on one time. She will LOVE Sea World and Brad and I just can’t swing a trip to Sea World in the near future. She won’t have to share for a week. She thrives in quiet and there will be a lot of that. She will get to read and draw and color and listen and be listened to for a week. So this is good but I’m about ready to have a panic attack.

Off to find the strength to embrace Brynn’s constant drama and conversation for a week…..

4|10 update: they have arrived and Ellie is now the proud owner of 3 baby bobblehead tigers from a souvenir shop. She is in heaven.

by Cathy

1 comment

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April 8, 2009 - 12:11 pm Beth - Ellie will have a great time, and you will be very glad to have her back when the trip is over. It's always a safe feeling when the family is together. Keep busy while she is gone!

HARLEE | columbus, oh dog photographer

April 3, 2009 Posted in Dog

I’ve recently had a lightbulb moment. I love taking pictures of dogs. Everytime I go into clients homes to take pics of their children I have always taken shots of the dog(if they have one). I’ve never been asked, it’s just something I do. Then when I edit – I always love the shot of the dog and include it in their slideshow and the family always makes a comment and always appreciates it. I’ve done this numerous times but it wasn’t until recently with the addition of Moose (our pup), and talking with Pat and Emily (the Hidden Fence family), and taking pictures at a dog show (more on that later, heehee) and realizing that I religiously follow the work of two other dog photographers(on the west coast) that it all came together. 

Believe me, I LOVE photographing babies and toddlers and families. LOVE. But now I can also add dogs to that. 

Check this little piece of love love out…..

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Miss Harlee

 

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Proud mommy and poppy aka Sarah and Micah who are in the thick of wedding plans. I can’t WAIT to take their engagement pictures. You want to know why?

 

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Because they laugh. Photographers LOVE genuine happiness and love and laughter and all that mushy stuff.

 

img_0891_2-copylowLove this. Wish I had it of me and my boxer back in the day.

 

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Perfect light. Perfect pose. Perfect pug

Thanks you guys! See you soon.

by Cathy

7 comments

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October 14, 2014 - 8:41 am Bongard - What's up everyone, it's my first go to see at this website, and paragraph is truly fruitful for me, keep up posting these articles or reviews.

October 12, 2014 - 2:48 pm Twila - Thanks , I've just been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?

August 27, 2014 - 3:21 pm Maretti - Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Finding the time and actual effort to create a top notch article

April 6, 2009 - 7:21 am Jen - What great photos of Harlee, her mommy and papi! I love the photo in particular of Harlee strutting her stuff down the steps! :-) PS: Micah and Sarah are incredibly photogenic also!

April 3, 2009 - 9:05 pm Alison - I was gonna say the kissing dog one was the sweetest ever but the dog and legs is totally cute!

April 3, 2009 - 8:06 pm Rachel - Cathy...this shoot rocks! That shot with the dog and her legs is totally fantastic. All of them are. You kicked some serious butt with this session!!

April 3, 2009 - 6:24 pm sarah - cathy, we can not thank you enough for these great shots of our little lady!! we are so thrilled to have all these wonderful new family photos...and harlee is very excited about her modeling debut! thanks again, we are really looking forward to working with you again soon. sarah & micah

49

March 30, 2009 Posted in Personal

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  This hunkahunkaburninglove just had his 49th birthday. 

  • he has the same genetic structure as Dick Clark, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood …. sucks if you’re me:)
  • i refuse to believe it’s because he eats healthy and exercises
  • he does like Wendy’s chicken sandwiches though
  • and McDonalds filet o fish only on the way to Hilton Head
  • he HATES soda
  • it’s very entertaining to watch his face contort when he accidentally drinks some
  • he nibbles his thumbnail and rubs his feet together when he’s tired
  • he will not hear you if you talk to him while watching tv
  • he loves 24. loves.
  • he listens to talk radio. it makes me want to leave him when I am in the car with him.
  • he has a HUGE loadingthedishwasher learning disability. I’ve tried every approach. Passive Aggresiveness. Anger. Lovey Dovey. Doesn’t matter – he totally disrespects me and doesn’t rinse peanut butter off the knives or put all the glass on the bottom and plastic on the top.
  • he finishes 99% of 100% of what he starts
  • he has never complained about the messes I get myself into that involve him such as putting together scrapbooking kits and all the photography stuff that I need his help on. He just does it.
  • he likes to get to work early. crazyness.
  • he could be one of those guys that lived very minimally and off the land (with internet).

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  • he is the best dad. ever.
  • patient beyond comprehension especially with Jackson. Jackson is very lucky to have him on some days:)
  • puts them to bed most nights because that is the time of day that I am just done. done.

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  • will dance in his pajama bottoms so that I can figure out my camera. During this session I was trying to figure out my focus points (notice only brynn is in focus) and my speed. I like a little blur but not too much. This pic has too much but I still love it.
  • loves to listen to Queen and Lyle Lovett – has even forced me to go to a Lyle Lovett concert. I only did because he was once married to Julia Roberts.
  • can do a mean Jackson 5 impersonation
  • gets up every Saturday morning early to take Jackson and Ellie to karate, but first they go to a local donut shop. On the 30 minute drive there he creates skits with the most hilarious Elmo, cow and local sheriff voices. I can’t even describe it but when J and E try to tell me the story they can’t because they are laughing so hard. Saturday mornings with dad will be lifelong memories for them.
  • tries to only shop locally

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  • gets pounded while playing “got your nose”

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  • looks like this after pulling a sleeping baby out of a car after a long day and drive. C’mon people.

I love you Brad. 

by Cathy

7 comments

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September 2, 2009 - 7:18 am Sampson - Ok...here I am at work...supposed to be working and I am weeping! Beautiful!

April 25, 2009 - 9:27 am Carol Blackstone - Cathy, tell Brad the next time he is here I expect his Jackson 5 impersonation. He can entertain the whole family. Love Mom B.

April 1, 2009 - 1:51 pm Sharie - Cathy/Brad, you guys have such a beautiful family. Cathy your photography and what you capture are exquisite, and if I may say Bradley looks fabulous;) This is a beautiful and user friendly site, I wish you all the success.

March 31, 2009 - 3:11 pm Beth - Not the same brother I grew up with. Had to laugh about the dishwasher stuff-I'm just like him, Gary's just like you.

March 31, 2009 - 6:30 am Zoe Klopf Switzer - HA! Thank you for answering my silent prayer and putting some pics of your hubba-hubba-hubby on here. The best thing about you two is that you are just as gorgeous on the inside. LOVE seeing couples that still find each other foxy!

March 31, 2009 - 12:19 am Rachel - this is the sweetest blog post EVAH. And damn. he's hot :)

March 30, 2009 - 6:28 pm Katy - awww, what a sweet tribute.