Gifts of Giving

Gifts of Giving

When making your holiday shopping gift list this year, why not make this years gift giving special. I want each of you to think of ideas to shop small businesses and locally made items. Even though places like Target are tempting with their “deals” the real deal is that most to their products just got shipped in from overseas. It’s important that we remember and support entrepreneurs, crafters, artists and businesses that have items made in our country!

IDEA! There are lots of charities out there that are running online auctions right now, that you can pick up wonderful gifts and help support great causes. A great place to start that hosts online charity auctions around the country is “Bidding for Good”: http://www.cmarket.com/auction/BiddingForGood. A lot of these charities have events going on right now, just in time for the holidays! One that I support is thru the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA). They have an auction going on right now until 12/7/08 raising money for the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center (CVEEC). I am sponsoring this charity with a photography package that I put together to help raise money. In addition, I have bid on all kinds of great items like gift baskets of facial products, children’s books, an overnight stay at a local B&B and more! Check it out for yourself too, directly: http://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=73430134

The bottom line: With all the challenges we are facing in this economy, we should all be grateful for what we have and always find a way to give back. Now is the perfect time to give in your own lives.

For more ideas and places on the web that you can support local, small businesses and charity efforts thru the holidays and all year round, please visit the sites below, thank you & happy holidays!!

Bidding for Good (Charity)
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/BiddingForGood

Etsy (small and home based businesses)
www.etsy.com

Craigslist (small businesses & great finds)
www.craigslist.com

Mimi Vanderhaven (Cleveland/Akron OH local newspaper supporting local business)
www.mimivanderhaven.com

Girl Shop Spot (online local shopping resource)
http://www.girlshopspot.com/

Indie Bound (supporting unique local businesses)
http://www.indiebound.org/

Ideal Bite (holiday “green” shopping ideas)
http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/categories/category/Holidays%20&%20Gifts

Happy Thanksgiving....What am I a thankful for this year?... the talent I have that allows me to capture the joys of families in photographs.

Newest member of PPA! (Professional Photographers Assocation)

I am very excited to announce that today I have made it to the next step in my goals as a photographer and joined the Professional Photographers Association (PPA). PPA is the world's largest nonprofit organization for professional photographers.

Joining PPA is a wonderful opportunity for me to receive the support I need as a photographer to help me grow my business and improve my craft.

A fundamental belief that I have is that education and inspiration keep me creative and a make me a better person. PPA is one tool that will open up great opportunities on my journey.

Want to learn more about the organizations I belong to? I encourage you to visit the websites below:

Professional Photographers Assocation (PPA)
Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Assocation (CVNPA)
Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society (CVPS)
Cleveland+ (Ambassador!)

Family Photography Fundraiser for SGWS!

I have always been a creative person and I feel the importance to share that with others. It is also our responsibility to understand the importance of schools that help develop our children into creative individuals. That's what Spring Garden Waldorf School (SGWS), in Copley, is all about.


Waldorf education started in Germany and focuses the education process using a sensory environment. In this world where the arts are being dismissed as unimportant enough to eliminate them from certain public school systems - Waldorf celebrates art in the everyday student experience. I challenge you to learn more about the importance of Waldorf education and the Spring Garden Waldorf School located right in your backyard, in Copley OH.


Unlike traditional parochial schools, SGWS does not have the parish funding to help support the expenses of maintaining the school facility, salaries and all that goes with a private institution. In order to keep tuition as low as possible, each year, SGWS hosts an auction to benefit the school and ultimately the children of SGWS. This auction takes place each spring.


I do not have children that attend SGWS. But a dear friend of mine has a son who does, and I have watched that boy grow into a young man because if his education at SGWS. That should show you how much this means to me in that I have helped by volunteering my time toward this worthy educational system.


Here's where I am asking for your help this holiday season. I am offering you, a $50 family photography session to benefit the 2009 SGWS Auction. This can be booked now thru the end of the year and just in time for the holidays.


There's no catch. It's all about giving. Happy Holidays! Contact me right away to book your session. Be sure to mention the SGWS auction to receive this special rate.

For more information on how you or your business can donate to the SGWS 2009 Auction, please contact Colleen Smith at sgwsauction2009@gmail.com. Thank you!

2008 Bids for Kids Auction starts November 21st!

November 2008

I am pleased to announce my participation in the 2008 CVNPA's annual online Bids for Kids auction benefiting the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center! Starting November 21st - December 7th, you can bid online for a one hour family story portrait photography session with me! I also am including an 8x10 print of your choice.

Learn more about the importance of this great cause here! Happy bidding!

Elliana at 18 months old

November 2008

It seems like just yesterday that Elliana celebrated her first birthday! Now, on this last gorgous autumn day, I captured her growing up and turning 18 months old.

Isabella's Autumn

October 2008

The best part of autumn are the colors! Isabella got to enjoy being outdoors which is a favorite weekend pasttime for her. Mom wanted images in her pumpkin costume, but little Isabella would have nothing to do with it :) So that's when we headed outdoors in her favorite pink Harley jacket instead!

Stearns Violins

October 2008

Master Craftsman, Rodger Stearns and his lovely wife Eunice, allowed me into the magic of string instrument restoration, while photographing them with their grandchildren. Their two grandchildren are no stranger to my lens. They are so fortunate to have so many experiences that will enhance their lives. See the behind the scenes of what the world knows as one of the best violin restorers. Want to know more? Visit them online or arrange to visit them in Hartville!

Tracy & Tom's Wedding Day

October 2008

Tracy & Tom got hitched this October - literally! Country kids at heart, they created the theme to their wedding around their love for horses and good old country living. Remember their engagement shoot? We also were honored to visit the Cleveland Mounting Unit where the bridal party had a ton of fun riding "into the sunset." My favorite moment of the wedding? The perfect cake smash! Witness it below! Thanks to the bride & groom for allowing me to capture all the fun!

Mapleside Fall Fest

October 2008


Pumpkins, corn field mazes - finding treasures and friends! That's a great way to start the autumn season. Where a better place too, then Mapleside in Brunswick!

Saturday Night Kids

September 2008

It was a toddler party at one families home as little boys and girls had a great time playing together and becoming better friends!

UK & US Ralph Families

September 2008

It's not often you get to capture generations of families when those families span the Atlantic Ocean! I was privileged to photograph The Ralph's when one Akron families' mother, father and sister visited this fall from England. What made it even more special was the addition of the newest child, meeting her British grandparents for the first time.

Welcome Mercedes Benz & Infiniti of Bedford Employees & Families!!

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to visit my website and blog!

I am very honored to extend this photography opportunity to Mercedes Benz and Infiniti of Bedford employees & families this autumn & holiday season!

Sessions are being booked now - and some of the most colorful autumn days are just a week or two away - so do not delay!

Want me to capture you and your family dressed to the nines while staying warm indoors? Contact me to discover the exciting exclusive locales I am reserving for holiday photo sessions.

Referrals! - The best compliment you can give, is a referral to a friend. For your kindness, every five clients you refer that hold a session, I will extend a complimentary session to you. Thank you.

Know a future Bride & Groom? Contact me to learn about my creative Bridal packages - like none other in NE Ohio!

Thank you & I look forward to seeing you from behind the lens!

Catherine Widemire

Autumn Campaign 2008

This weekend, I began a postcard campaign in the Akron area. If you received one of these postcards at your home, I welcome you to contact me for more information on how to best capture your children and family. The most vibrant autumn colors are just around the corner - so call to reserve your time now! Thanks for visiting my site!

Vote for me!

Hi everybody,

I was nominated on Fox 8's Cleveland HOT List for best photographer in Cleveland! :) This is a huge opportunity for me to get noticed and grow my business. By now all of you have either had photos taken by me or have seen my work. It would mean everything to me if you would go online and vote and leave a review.

Please shoot this link out to anyone you know that knows me to vote also. The contest is going on now thru Nov 7th so go go go!!!! :)

Thanks for your support!!!!!Vote & leave a review here: http://myfoxcleveland.cityvoter.com/contests/fox-8-hey-butler-hot-list/2360/weddings/photographer

Thank you, Catherine

CVPS - First Place Winner!

July 2008 ~ Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society Annual Photo Contest

I am an active member in the Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society http://www.cvps.org/. For the 2008 Annual Photography Contest, I was honored with a First Place win in the catagory: People & Activities in the Park.

Thanks to my gorgous little subject, Grace (see "Grace" blog entry), for her help! I was very excited to win this particular catagory because of my portrait work.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a special place in my heart. I am a member of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association http://www.cvnpa.org/ and a true advocate. How many people can say they have a National Park in their "backyard?" Get out their and enjoy what's ours. Learn about the Great Blue Heron - go for a hike or a bike ride! Ride the Scenic Railroad http://www.cvsr.com/! In a world that gas prices rule our life, get out of your car and enjoy the natural world that surrounds you!!


First Place - "A State of Grace" / People & Activities in the Park

Tracy & Tom

July 2008 ~ Brecksville, OH

Engagement time is so sweet. Tracy & Tom are going to be saying "I do" in October but I was there to capture all the joy of their engagement time. These two are a country boy & girl that I can only imagine first kissed on a straw bale while dreaming at a full moon.



Wedding packages thru Catherine Widemire Photography can include an Engagement photography session. With Tracy & Tom's Engagement session, they will receive a full size matted & framed photographic piece, to showcase at their wedding reception from their Engagement shoot.

Ozzie & Brutus

June 2008 ~ Cleveland Hts., OH

Meet a pair of Australian Shephards that are two of a kind but so separate in personality. Ozzie (light colored) is sweet and "innocent" and Brutus (dark colored), well - let's just say he's named well.

Baron & Bailey

June 2008 ~ Akron, OH

Word made it's way around my neighborhood pretty quickly that their was a photographer close by! These two little ones are a treasure and when they got in front of my camera, were as adorable as could be! Meet Baron & Bailey!

Marge & Blackie

June 2008 ~ North Royalton, OH

Family pets have always been something near and true to my heart. Marge & Blackie were photographed as a surprise to their owner for her birthday!

Diane

June 2008 ~ North Royalton, OH

Home is where your heart is. For Diane, her love is her beautiful flower garden.



After her shoot, Diane custom matted and framed her images to display as art throughout her home. This will give her year round enjoyment of the thing she loves the most.

Brendan & Elliana

May 2008 ~ Hinkley, OH

Big brother Brendan & Elliana love the outdoors, so it was very fitting to hike Hinkley Lake to catch them in action!

Grace

May 2008 ~ Brecksville, OH



It is an honor when families will travel to have me photograph them. This little girl, Grace, came in from the Grand Rapids, MI area for a shoot at Brecksville Reservation. It came down to the minute if we were was going to have sunshine or not! Heavy storms were in the area overnight and into that morning.

An updated note about this shoot... I was honored with a First Place win for one of the images taken at this shoot. More to come in a future blog entry :)

Kim & Walt

May 2008 ~ Mogadore, OH



First time expecting parents, Kim & Walt received a prenatal photo shoot as a baby shower gift! These can be arranged by presenting a gift certificate from Catherine Widemire Photography or as a surprise before the shower, as they did.



I photographed Kim & Walt at their golf course home and near by Mogadore Resevoir. Then a print of their choice was made up, matted & framed, to be ready to display at baby's shower. Once the shower was over, they were so excited to have this beautiful piece of art to hang just outside of baby's nursery. What a special gift it was!

Tyler Family

May 2008 ~ Akron, OH



A family that bonds is strong. These photographs of the Tyler family show that. Jason, Becca and their two sons Liam & Declan played & bonded while I captured every special moment. They represent why I love doing what I do. Being able to freeze time and love is what my photography is all about.

Laura & James

May 2008 ~ Akron, OH



There is nothing more special than capturing a mommy-to-be. To achieve this, I took Laura to one of my favorite places in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Everett Road Bridge. It was fun getting looks from horse mounted passer byers, as Laura showed her belly to the camera. She was a great sport!



After our shoot, we me up with her husband, James and their son, Benjamin. James' heritage from England shined thru to their son, as they played "Pooh Sticks" on this bridge.

Elliana

May 2008 ~ Akron, OH



It's Elli's first birthday! This beautiful little girl has the biggest dark blue eyes just like her mommy. She is a joy to photograph. Enjoy!

Laura & Paul

Spring was a very busy time for me. The weather was unpredictable it seemed, every time I had a scheduled session. Huge storms would roll in or it was scheduled to be blazing hot! Shooting in early morning or late evening was critical. I took advantage of the light and made some beautiful images! Enjoy!

April 2008 ~ Rockside Station/Independence OH

This couple flew in from Ft. Lauderdale for a family wedding and while in town, wanted me to capture them in the blossoming start of spring here in NE Ohio. Just being married three months earlier, these two were ready to play the part & loved the camera!