Yet another much needed update!

Hello all! Once again, it has taken months to check in on the blog. I'm sorry. This has been by far the busiest winter for the studio. We are still working on a few of our seniors from this years class. Almost wrapped up though. One in particular is FINALLY done! It's Joe, my son, and I finished his final edits this morning and will be sending them off to the lab later today.

My last post said I would put in some of "my boys", so Here are some of them.

Let's start with Joe, since he's fresh off the edit! This way I can get through typing stuff that might make me a bit emotional. Lisa and I are so fortunate to have the kids we have. We are truly blessed. Joe has grown into a fine young man. He will graduate with a perfect 4.0 for his entire school career at Adena High School. He is quite an accomplished musician with killer piano skills and a very good trumpet player, although he does not give himself enough credit.

Joe will be attending Otterbein College this fall and majoring in Actuarial Science. I can't believe he will be graduated in another month! And even though he is non-music major, he will still be participating in the Otterbein Cardinal Marching Band this fall!

Next we have another young man that I have known since his birth - because he and Joe were the two biggest kids in the nursery at Adena Regional Medical Center 18 years ago! Mitch is just like my own son. I'm very proud of him as well. Mitch has always been mechanically enclined and that is what he is going away to school for. I believe it will involve bigger farm machinery and the college is part of The Ohio Sate University at their Wooster campus. Mitch is always quick to help out his "other dad" down the hill for things I'm just not physically able to do myself.

There were quite a few other guys come through the studio and all are great kids. I go on and on about our Adena students, but I really mean it when I say they are all a great bunch and have done us all proud. And then there a couple a guys from Chillicothe, my alma mater. Dillon and Zach. I had a good time shooting them both and they made some good images. It was a lot of fun shooting Zach because I actually graduated with both his mom and dad - geez we're getting old. Dillon was good fun too and I so enjoyed meeting his parents and know that there will always be a lasting friendship there as well.

That is one of the most rewarding things that has come out of opening the studio. Sure, I shoot quite a lot of people that I know because Frankfort is a small community. But the people that I met for the first time have become friends and people that will always be known as friends - even if I never snap another photo of them. It's a very good feeling. I have met so many great people.

I had better get back to some editing. I have just a few left. I have Adena High Schools prom coming up in 2 weeks and then a few weddings. By then, my class of 2010 should really start taking off. I have some exciting new ideas for senior shoots this year - a whole different format. You'll all just have to stop in and see what I'm up to. Remember - if the lights are on, come on in, I'd love to see you.

Until next time,

John

2008 A Year In Review

I can not believe this year is pretty much over and this week we will begin 2009. There are probably a million blogs floating around out there with thank you's to everybody that helped make that particular business successful this year. I'm going to jump in there too and thank everybody that came through the studio from the little order to the huge order and all those in between. I was able to see more seniors this year than any year yet. And I've said before that these kids, the Adena kids in particular, are such a class. I've been very fortunate to know each of the kids that came through and that helped make eveyone more comfortable and the images show it. I look forward to seeing these young people graduate in a few months. I've had a few seniors from out of town that were great to shoot and I also hope to keep in touch and wish them the best.

The studio saw an increase in Family portraits this year, and again, these families were from the Frankfort area, so I knew them and really enjoyed capturing a moment in their lives. One was a return family and I certainly appreciate that! A few of the other families had been through with seniors, so they too were essentially returning customers, but I appreciate you all having the confidence in our work to return - it really does mean a lot.

We were a bit shy on the weddings this year and hopefully we can share those special days in 2009.

The studio decor' or layout changed this year to a more efficient plan. And I am again going to move some things around in the next week or two.

So what will be new for 2009? I hope to remodel the studio even further than just moving around furniture. I would like to paint and get images actually hung on thw walls for display. The rear of the studio needs further attention in my framing area. Please remember that we are also a full service custom frame shop.

So thank you all for another great year. Remember to stop in an see me. If the lights are on, I'm there, even if the "open" sign is off. So please stop in if you like, I'd love to see you and visit for a while.

John

Too busy to blog?!?!?

I am REALLY falling behind on this blog deal. My apologies!

Seniors have been in full swing and will probably start to slow as we are getting mighty late and closer to yearbook deadlines. I just wanted to talk a little about "my kids". I've had the best time photographing these fine young people. I've said in previous posts how lucky our community is to have such fine kids and it truly is a direct reflection on the parents and the community. But I have also had the opportunity to photograph a few seniors from other schools - even as far away as Dayton and they all have been a great group of kids. We are all so lucky as parents. Most of the Adena seniors, I know quite well as my son is also in that class and I have seen most all of them grow up. I'm extremely proud of my son, Joe, and his accomplishments, but I am also proud of all of the seniors I've had come through the studio. And I wish them all the best in whatever they plan in the future and I look forward to being around to congratulate them on their successes, and if need be to be here for them should they need somebody to talk to or share their experiences.

Enough of the sappy stuff. I have a few images to share of a few of the girls I've shot recently. This first one is Ms. Megan White from Circleville HS. What a great family. I really loved meeting Megan and her parents. I hope to catch a few of Megan's basketball games this year. We shot these the same day Hurricane Ike decided to roll through the Ohio Valley! Outside shots were "difficult" to say the least!

The next two young ladies are both local girls that are like sisters. They were both a lot of fun. Hannah and Whitney. Both were members of our Warrior Marching Band as senior members of the color guard. And both wrote incredibly sensitive, tear - jerking messages which I had to READ and record for the senior section of the end of year video. It wouldn't have been so hard had I not known these girls for all these years and known their fine parents.

Whitney first:

And now Hannah:

So there's a few. I'm sorry if this post is a little image heavy, but these three are "my girls" and I wanted to share. I've shot a few more that I'll post later and my next post will have some of "my boys". Maybe finally post some of Joe and my other "unbiological" (as Hannah might say) son, Mitch. I'll try to do this before Christmas!

Remember, if my lights are on, stop and see me - sit and have a Coke and visit. I enjoy it when my friends stop in the shop.

John

Well, I said I would try to do better on the blog postings. Haven't been very successful.

I had the pleasure to participate in Scott Kelby's PhotoWalk yesterday held in Cincinnati and hosted by David and LaDawn Ziser. PhotoMarathon may be a better label! (No Whining allowed, yeah right). It was a great day. Our route was FIVE MILES!! I got to spend the day with my brother, Mike and we got to enjoy ourselves by jumping out of the "production" mode and into just shoot for yourself mode. We were among many international cities to participate with something like 8000+ photographers. Our group in Cincy had a little over 50 participants ranging from professional photographers to artists and graphic designers. A diverse group with many different perspectives. A good time was had by all.

Senior season has finally kicked into gear. It's been a lot of fun the last few weeks. I've had the pleasure of photographing a lot of kids that I've seen grow up, including my son, Joe. And I've even shot my princess, Kacie. For one of Kacie's prints, I decided to try it in a metallic finish and Ihave to say it is a very nice print.

You can catch Kacie at the International Sunflower Festival in Frankfort next weekend as she competes for Queen!

Kacie

I have a few sessions scheduled today - Sunday!?! Am I crazy? No. Not completely. I can be found in the studio most Sundays. As many of you know, I have a day job in Columbus during the week which makes scheduling difficult. I think it helps the clients too, especially seniors involved in so many activities.

Which brings me to....High School football season has finally opened! Our Adena Warriors were victorious in 2 overtimes defeating the Greenfield McClain Tigers. A hard fought battle from both sides. I was on the sidelines for most of the action and during the halftime performance of the Pride of the Warriors, Adena Marching Band under the direction of Senior Field Commander Joe Warth. The kids put on a great show playing and marching to this year's competion show and finally ending with a spirited rendition of "Head Chop". You have to see it to believe, folks. The picture does not do the performance justice. You would think somebody's going to get hurt, but all returned home safe.

Field Commander, Joe Warth

"Head Chop" Senior Buddy Barnes on the carry.

Images of the football team and marching band will be available for purchase on the website. There will be a gallery for both. The band gallery already exists. To access those galleries, select Client Proof from the top toolbar. For band, use band as the username and password. For football and cheerleading use warrior as the username and password. I'll do my best to keep both galleries up to date each week.

Well, that's it for now. I need to grab some lunch and prepare for the sessions coming in this afternoon. Stop in and see me. If the lights are on, I'm there.

John

Saturday's Fair Day

Not sure if I'll have an update every day at the fair as I doubt I will be coming home every single day - maybe to feed and water the chickens.

Anyway, the goats are all snug in their pens, they've been wieghed, rabbits are weighed and aweigh we goooo. Joe's rabbits weighed decent. Kacie's market goat came in at 100#. I had guessed 102! Maybe I should get a job at the guess-your-weight game at King's Island.

I said I would explain about the pie. My dad passed away suddenly in 2004 from a heart attack. He was quite the pie maker. They were incredible. He entered them in a lot of contests and enjoyed entering his apple and cherry pies in the fair every year. He placed every single time he entered - then we all got to EAT them! The best prize of all. When Kacie was about 6 or 7 dad taught her the recipe. Kacie wrote it out as they went. We still have that paper with little kid handwriting, backward "k"'s and "R"'s, very cute. Dad passed in the month of April. At the age of 10 yrs old, my daughter Kacieinforms us that she is now going to carry on the Warth tradition and enter pies in the fair. So this year is her 5th year. She has done well, placing every year. Dad would be so proud. So Friday night about 8pm Kacie says I have to make my pie. We had no ingredients! Lisa said, you know I think the pie is out this year and you should have seen the reaction. I believe entering pies is extremely important to Kacie and her way of honoring her grandfather. Her boyfriend David was here and he called around, found the apples she needed and they went to get everything at Kroger's. He even made sure she woke up when she needed to to get the pies out of the oven. Her attention to this and honoring Dad's memory makes me so proud. She is quite the young lady. And the boyfriend is a good kid too.

The schedule is goat showmanship this afternoon. Remember to support the Junior Fair if you can this week and we hope to see you at the fairgrounds.

John

Vacation! Or is it...

Hi all. With a spur from my friend, Mila, I am finally making another entry. It's been 4 months! I'm sorry, I'll try to do better, but not as much as my little brother who seems to blog 4 times a day! (www.michaelwarth.com)

This is Ross County Fair week! Woohoo! Some of you may not know, but Lisa and I are 4H advisers with the Ragged Ridge Ramblers club. My specialty is rabbits and Lisa is with miscellaneous projects, although I of course will advise for photography projects. It's been a very busy week preparing for the fair, but it is finally here. Joe's rabbits weigh in today and I am all hooked up and ready to take Kacie's goats out as soon as princess finishes primping. I hope you all can can out and support this year's fair. And any businesses that can, please come out to as many livestock sales as you can and help out as many young ladies and young men that you can. I fear this year may be a tough one as we all have been dealing with rising prices on everything. But it really means a lot to the kids - and it means a lot to the parents as well. So, if you can, please support the Junior Fair Livestock Sales. I am again this year, but I have teamed up with the Frankfort Merchants. It will allow me to be in a large group of businesses that will end up supporting many kids. I believe Marci said they helped about 25 kids last year.

OK, so that's what has happened on the personal side. On to business. It's been a pretty good spring, and I've had a bit of time to get ready for the rush of seniors. Adena's prom was a blast, we had so much fun and all the kids were great. Just last week, I had the honor of shooting "The Pride of Adena - Warrior Marching Band"!!!! I said in the previous post how fortunate this community is to have the caliber of young people we do. It is reflected intensely in the group of fine students that make up this band. So you parents and members of the community have done a fine job - and so have these young people. There are something like 13 or so seniors in this band. And I have the great pleasure of introducing the 2008/2009 Field Commander, my son, Joe Warth. What an honor and responsibility, Lisa and I are so proud of him and his accomplishments. We also have a good group of underclassmen and even a few middle school students. They've been working very hard this week at band camp and it shows - catch their performances at the fair next Saturday. And all the area school's marching bands.

I have several seniors booked this month, including my son! I'm still looking for reps at some of the schools, particularly Paint Valley, Southeastern and Zane Trace, so if any students catch the blog, give me a call and I can tell you all about it. Ms. Andrea Conley is one rep at Huntington HS and Mr. Jordan Dewitt reps for us at Chillicothe HS. They have special rep cards available that can get you discounts on your senior packages. I will do more than one rep at a school, so if you are interested or know somebody that might be, please call me.

Well, that's about it for now. I think Kacie is about ready to take these beasts out to the fairgrounds. And she's yet again entering an apple pie. She was up until about 2am taking care of it. I'll tell you why the pie entry has such importance in my next post.

Hope to see you at the fair.

John

Well, Here We Go!

I've recently overhauled the website. It seems that most photographers are going with websites that use flash. I went with a company called Flashpalette.com because they get great reviews over at the Silverlake Forum and their marketing director is just the sweetest young lady you would ever want to meet. Got you a plug there, Lindsay! I can't say enough how easy it was to get the site composed and loaded. And how easy it is going to be to update the site with new images as work comes in.

Just to give a kind of year in review. This past year was incredible. It was the best year I've had in business yet, but also a difficult personal year. The entire year was quite an emotional and physical challenge. The family had a difficult time dealing with the illness of both my grandmother and grandfather. The summer was quite a trying time for all of us and especially difficult for Mike (brother) and I to work our day jobs and also concentrate on our businesses. Then in August, not just our grandmother passed, but grandpa passes 12 days later. This happened probably duirng my busiest time of year. It's a wander Mike and I are still in business. I have to tell you, without customers like you, I would have gone under. Not financially but the emotional strain of dealing with business in general would have been too much. So a huge thank you to all my seniors, families and brides and grooms - I could not ahve done it without you. Geez, sounds like an old cliche', huh? It's true. You are all very special to me.

So here it is April - I almost typed March! I am gearing up for another whirlwind of a year. This year should really be something. Joe is will be a senior and my princess, Kacie will be a Sophomore. When did that all happen!? This class of 2009 at Adena HS is quite the group. They are all great kids. We are so fortunate to have the kind of youth we do in Frankfort, Ohio. I've seen these kids grow up, coached many of them in Little League and hopefully I can help preserve a big part of their lives with their senior portraits.

AND HOPEFULLY YOU KIDS WILL GET SCHEDULED BEFORE DECEMBER!!!!! No really, there is a yearbook deadline and we want to make sure we have plenty of time to get everything done. It's never too early to give me a call.

Let's see, where will I be May 10? I have the distinct honor and privilege to again share an important activity in all high school students' lives. I am the official photographer for the 2008 Jr. / Sr. Prom at Adena High School. What an honor. I am so excited - plus, I get to keep an eye on princess and that boy. Oh, when did my little girl grow up? Seriously, this is going to be so much fun. I have a custom designed, hand-painted scenic backdrop coming form my friends at SilverlakePhoto.com - thanks Travis and Paula - that pertains to the theme of the dance. I am not going to reveal what it is, but - here's a thought - for the first 2 couples that can guess the "style" of the backdrop, I will give them the highest package of the night. Just drop me an email at john@johnwarth.com, put prom in the subject line and tell me what the design will be. I'll use the time stamp on the email to determine the winners.

I think I've rambled enough for this first entry. If you see the lights on in the studio, stop in a say hello.

See ya,
John