Barbie & Mike / Destination Wedding / Omaha, NE

In October, Michael and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Omaha, Nebraska for Barbie & Mike's destination wedding in Barbie's hometown of Omaha.  The ceremony and reception were held at the historic Joslyn Castle.  Here are a few images from their wedding day.  Congratulations Barbie & Mike!

Yup. Way behind, again... but here's some winter news!

Hey everybody!  Lots going on at CWP including a completely new loook for my website, so check it out if you haven't already!  

I will post images soon, but I wanted to be sure to update you on upcoming events:

Going on now thru December 7, 2009 is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Associations's annual online auction Bids For Kids, which I am a participant again this year.  Get some holiday shopping done while supporting kids and the environment!

Saturday, December 12, 2009 I will be hosting Holiday Pet Portrait sessions at Troutman Vineyards in Wooster, Ohio to help out Give Pets A Chance.  Contact me to arranage your appointment for only $20!

...then!!!  Coming in February - I'll be at the Winery at Wolf Creek in Norton, Ohio for Valentine's Day also helping out for Give Pets A Chance!  Arrange your time for either Saturday, February 6 or Sunday, February 14th, 2010! 

Thanks for all that voted for me in the Cleveland Fox 8 HOT List!  I unfortunately didn't win this year, but your support was wonderfully overwhelming to me, so thank you!!! 

Have you noticed my new logo and branding?  I just love it and wanted to share my design "secret agent!"  If you have your own small business and looking for logo design or marketing material help - I highly recommend contacting graphic designer, Amber Mabe.  Her portfolio is beauiful!  I hope you give her a call.  She's incredible to work with and has wonderful ideas! 

Lastly, please visit me on Facebook and "Become a Fan" of Catherine Widemire Photography!  Thank you for your continued support of my work! 

See you again on my blog real soon!  Enjoy the season!
Cat!

Earth Day 2009. It's Our Responsibility.

I was responding to a fellow photographer friend of mine and colleague on Facebook tonight about his images he was taking in Chicago while visiting there this week. He was documenting street life in downtown.

It being Earth Day today, I want to use the same quote I gave him about the people he captured to describe mother Earth. Here it is... "everyone" is the earth:

"'Listen to our story, give us hope.'" THAT's what everyone wants just one someone else to hear. It's our responsibility to hear that loud and clear."

Enjoy my photo too that I took today for the Earth Mosaic project. It's not too late for you too to be a part of it!

Thanks for doing your part, everyday to keep this world beautiful!
Cat

Earth Day "Week" & SGWS "Art From the Heart" Annual Auction!

I have two great events coming up this Saturday 4/25/09 that I want to share with you!

Electronic Recycling Day in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park

First in the morning: 8am - 3pm Get up early for a hike at Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville and bring your old electronics to be recycled! It's Earth Day "week" and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association is giving you a great reason to toss those monitors and old electronics you have sitting around in your basement. This event is for CVNP members only. Not a member? It's ok! Volunteer's will be on hand to help you sign up. Come visit me too as I hope to be chosen as one of the volunteer's for the days event!

Want more info on what you can donate? Visit the event page here!
Want to volunteer too? Click here and thank you!

Spring Garden Waldorf School (SGWS) Spring Auction "Art From the Heart"

That evening: Starting at 6:15pm - I will be attending SGWS annual Spring Auction in efforts to raise money and awareness for the school. There are tons of great items up for bid, of course including a portrait session from me! I would love to see your bids fly off the table!! Join me at The Galaxy in Wadsworth, tables still available for reservation.

Want more info on SGWS?
Interested in donating to the auction and want to learn more?
Have an item to donate?

Have an "April Showers" Earth Day Week!! Hope to see you this weekend!

More from Papyrus at Southpark - Bridal Event Sun. 4/26/09 12pm-6pm!

Check out the beautiful displays at Papyrus - Southpark Mall in Strongsville OH! Thank you to Alyson, Store Manager for the great images!!

This is going to be a great event for anyone who is engaged!! Hope to see you there!

Papyrus Bridal Event @ Southpark Mall/Strongsville Sun.4/26/09

I promise I am working on getting more client work up, but while it's fresh I wanted to invite you to visit the Papyrus store at Southpark Mall in Strongsville OH.

Going on now thru April 26th, they are hosting a bridal event within the store! Papyrus is known for their unique greeting cards, but did you know they offer custom invitations and announcements?

The ladies at Papyrus contacted me to join them, as they are hosting a Bridal Event at the store on Sunday, April 26th from 12noon - 6pm. When you stop by the store in the month of April, you can view some of my latest work and get more information on all kinds of great bridal services!!

I will be available to meet brides-to-be on April 26th up at the store, so please let friends & family know to stop on by!! I will be hosting a raffle for a free Engagement Session for those that attend on that Sunday!

Cheers to my brides!!!!
Cat

Oooh "Shoot!" Catching up - Winter 2008

Well, the holidays got the best of my time but I wanted to still post some of my favorite images from over the winter months. Enjoy!!

~Tommy / November 2008 ~

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~ Brendan & Elliana / November 2008 ~

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~ Baron & Bailey / November 2008 ~

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~ K. Family / November 2008 ~

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~ Sarah / November 2008 ~

Cornerstone of Hope - 6th Annual Benefit Gala 2/14/09

I might be behind on uploading photos from my holiday shoots and the firsts of 2009, but it was even more important for me to share my participation in an upcoming charity event.

Cornerstone of Hope is a comprehensive grief center offering both individual counseling and group support in a home like environment. They also offer educational programs and trainings to professionals and volunteers.

Each year, this organization hosts a benefit gala to help raise awareness to their cause and ultimately help to those who need it most, the grieving. When this opportunity posed itself to me, it was very important to get involved as I experienced the greatest of losses this past year with the death of my father.

I have donated a portrait session in hopes that the money raised will go towards support and tools for the grieving. I am so grateful to have family and friends surrounding me to help me thru this life change. For those that do not have this kind of support or need additional guidance on how to survive after the loss of a loved one - Cornerstone of Hope is there to help.

If you are looking for something to do this Valentine's Day, consider attending this benefit gala. For more information, visit the gala page of Cornerstone's website and thank you.

From the Sun News: Independence: Cornerstone of Hope planning its sixth Benefit Gala on Feb. 14

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