Kevin Lush Photography Wedding Photography Blog

On a misty Autumn Saturday afternoon in October, I photographed my 233rd wedding, and my second at Cox Arboretum MetroPark this Fall.  The wedding would take place in the glass-walled atrium “Huffman Gallery with the reception taking place in the Fifth Third Conference Center to the south.  One of the most interesting getting ready areas at any wedding venue is the MeadWestvaco Theatre.  The Arboretum staff was available to assist throughout the day, and their “private event” signs kept non-wedding guests away.

It’s a major wedding day dilemma that many couples grapple with when planning their wedding: whether or not to see each other before the ceremony. Traditionally, it was considered bad luck for the couple to lay eyes on each other before saying their vows. However, times have changed, and more and more couples are opting for a “first look” (or at least a “first touch” on their wedding day.

Let me start by saying that I can’t say enough about this classy couple and their wedding planner (sister-in-law). This couple was a little older and very eager to spend the time necessary to capture beautiful wedding images. I was eager as well but then throw in the fact that the Cincinnati wedding venue was the Tri-State Warbird Museum! For 6 hours I was able to combine my love of wedding photography and my love of aviation photography. My mind was blown!

A 10 hour wedding day timeline is perfect for couples who want their wedding day documented by their photographer but don’t need the full day. Having multiple locations on your day works really well with a 10 hour package too. Couples that choose the 10 hour wedding package often have better photos because they have enough time built into the day for all the required photos as well as impromptu photos.

I have put together 19 helpful questions you should ask your wedding photographer before booking. These are applicable to wedding photographers in Dayton, Cincinnati, and beyond. Feel free to use these when comparing wedding photographers prior to boking.

In September 2023 I had the pleasure of working with Jena and Chantelle of Blush and Bloom Wedding Planning in Dayton Ohio. They communicated effectively prior to the wedding and left no details to chance. They were both detail oriented, friendly, and fun. As for the pieces of the wedding day I was part of, Blush and Bloom did an excellent job completing their duties as wedding planners.

My 231st wedding as a Dayton and Cincinnati wedding photographer took place in September 2023 at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. This quirky and fun couple wanted to have their ceremony at St. Henry (across 741 from the Arboretum) and have their reception inside at the Arboretum.  It was a gorgeous 80 degree early Autumn Saturday, and the wedding day was fantastic.

In June 2023 I had the pleasure of photographing my first ever wedding at The Estate At Sunset Farm in Bellbrook Ohio. I had been looking forward to this wedding for about a year in part due to the awesome bride and groom and in part due to the venue. I’d been seeing beautiful social media posts featuring the estate, and it was finally my turn to create beautiful wedding images here.

Just before Christmas 2022, I photographed this thoughtful couple’s wedding at Polen Farm in Kettering, Ohio. It had been a few years since I shot a Polen Farm wedding, so I was happy to be back. Once every two or three years I photograph a November or December wedding. While these are always fun, this one was different.

“Kevin was amazing. I was very impressed with the quality of the photos. He made us look good, which is a huge task.” – Tracey Just before Christmas 2022, I photographed this thoughtful couple’s wedding at Polen Farm in Kettering, Ohio. It had been a few years since I shot a Polen Farm wedding, so I was happy to be back. This couple was having a pre-Christmas wedding complete with Santa Claus and presents for the kids. It was a great day for everyone, and a great day to end the 2022 wedding season as a Dayton photographer.