Wednesday, February 28, 2007

What a wonderful surprise!!!
I opened a package from Unveiled Bridal Designs and pulled out 6 beautiful veils that Dorene designed for my bridal shoot with Natasha!!! I just cannot say enough about Dorene and her work. If anyone is looking for a unique custom veil you must checkout www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com


Here are a few pictures I just took of my favorite veil. I told Dorene that I wanted something edgy/unique/ fun and this is what she created.....

Natasha will look so awesome in this veil along with a great pair of pink heels! How fun?!


Raspberry pink hat veil: Champagne ostrich feather cluster with hand dip raspberry tips. Mixed with goose biots & and goose fan feathers in raspberry. Also in the feather mix are dyed turkey feathers, embellished with one Swarovski crystal button. The veil in a full French tulle hand painted Raspberry. This veil was such a wonderful surprise! Thank you sooooo much Dorene!
p.s. Lee and I are taking the kids skiing tonight so hopefully I will have some fun pictures to post tomorrow:)

Saturday, February 24, 2007


Don't stress we have plenty of time...

You know you are some place special when you hear this from your photographer.

PicturesbyTracy- Celebrating the quality that makes each child unique and beautiful. Great locations, cool angles, lighting, and fresh ideas.

If you’re interested in me photographing your little one just give me a call to set up a time. Once wedding season is here my time is very limited so it’s best to book in April or May

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Tracy Abston and I’m a wedding + portrait photographer in the Dayton/Cincinnati area. This is where I post my most recent work, what’s new, contest, and personal.

If you are interested in lifestyle photography or getting married I’d love to hear from you!



Saturday, February 17, 2007

The Results of the Contest

I really believe all the finalist deserves to win and I’m blown away with the amount of friends and family that voted….over a 1,000!!!!



With 317 votes the winner is……….

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Natasha!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Natasha you will be modeling for us in May! My gift to you is a manicure, pedicure and an album of prints from the shoot:) The following vendors are providing hair, makeup, flowers, and veils.

THANKS SO MUCH TO OUR FAVORITE VENDORS
The Flowerman: will be providing a bouquet of light green hydrangeas, light pink roses and ivory open roses.


Unveiledbridaldesigns: The talented Dorene is working on design several veils with different looks (vintage, funky, romantic).


LancĂ´me makeup artist: My friend Vicky will help you create a look that suits your personality & enhances your best features for the shoot.


Sheer Joy: My fabulous stylist Sherry Cole will be doing the hair.

A special thanks to all the girls and everyone that took the time to vote. This was a very close contest and like I said at the top of this post "I believe all the finalist deserves to win" So Ashley, Leah, Brandi and Michelle.....I’ve decided to do something special for each one of you…you’ll receive an email with the details this weekend. ~T

Friday, February 16, 2007


Oh My Gosh!!!
We have a new baby in the family... Katie Lee Abston… My brother and sister-n-law just had a precious little girl that we all immediately fell in love with. The funny part of this story is that they already have a 13 and 10 year old and now our Katie Lee. I’m happy to say that everybody is soo happy except for one “ Snowball”. Snowball used to be the baby of the family and mommies little boy but I’m happy to say that he is adjusting little by little….

Katie Lee you are beautiful and we love you,

Tracy, Lee, Payton & Skyler

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Voting

This is so much fun guys! The votes have been pouring in like crazy all morning ...these girls all have a ton of friends & family pulling for them!!! Voting ends Friday evening and I plan on announcing the winner sometime this weekend.



* make sure you select a bride when voting! A few have come thru with their vote being: select...those have been deleted. You must choose a name.

*If you have more than one email address I ask that you be fair and only vote one time.

I would like to have more contest this year, here are a few thoughts a free boudoir session, after the honeymoon shoot (with wedding attire), maybe even a wedding...who knows;) If you have any suggestions let me know!

~T

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Bridal Contest Voting Time!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Thank you to everyone that entered my bridal contest.... all of your letters were wonderful. I had no idea this was going to be so hard to choose my favorite entries.


Bride#1: I have a soft place in my heart for teachers and I feel like Ashley really deserves a day for herself.

Bride#2: Leah is such a beautiful loving girl and her story reminds me so much of my own.

Bride#3: Natasha....I have know her since she was just a little girl with stringy hair and glasses; she has grown into such an amazing & gorgeous young lady.

Bride#4: I lovc that a mom wrote in for her daughter. Brandi is not only very photogenic but also a total sweetheart.

Bride#5: Michelle has such a cool, edgy, 1950's style and I think she would be great for this session.

Now I need your help... read the 5 stories that I have selected and then vote for your favorite!





Bride #1: Ashley

When I read that you are having a contest to win a bridal shoot, I knew I had to enter. Erik and I were married in August, less than a month before I started my first year of teaching kindergarten. The school year has been extremely busy and chaotic, and I feel like I haven't had much time for myself.

I spend my days with 22 kindergarteners, much of it is spent sitting on the floor and getting messy. I wear old clothes to school because I'm constantly getting splattered with paint, glue, markers, glitter - sometimes worse (if you know what I mean!) When school started and life got hectic, I decided to cut my hair and donate it to locks of love. I cut off a foot of hair and now it sits just above my shoulders. I have always had long hair, and it has been difficult adjusting to my new look. I wear my glasses to school and pull my hair back to keep it out of my way. Needless to say, I look less than glamorous on a day-to-day basis.

I could really use a day that is just for me, a day to feel beautiful and pampered. I am getting ready to take a huge test in March - a test that determines whether I will get my 5-year license to teach in Ohio. What better way to celebrate passing my test (hopefully!) than my very own photo shoot!

Thank you for considering my entry. No matter which lucky lady gets chosen, I know the photographs will be amazing!


Bride #2: Leah

A Bride. It is what I have dreamed of being since I was a little girl. Of course, the dream featured the beautiful white dress, the flowers and the prince on a white horse. As a child, I wore my “wedding gown" in many pretend weddings out in the garden dreaming of that day. That dream is now coming true and that day has come. I am finally a Bride!! After years of my heart being broken, looking for the “one” and a wedding called off. I have finally found him. The One, my prince. He is everything I have ever wanted and needed. He is my soul mate, my best friend, and my true love. All past hurt and broken promises I now view as a blessing that has led me to him and our special day. These are a few reasons why I would love for Tracy to take pictures of me as her bride. Not only because she is a fabulous photographer and fun to work with, but because I am walking on clouds, have sparkles in my eyes and sheer joy on my face from a dream coming true.


Bride #3: Natasha

"My husband, Ben, and I met in college our sophomore year. It did not take long to see that he was the perfect guy that I was searching for. We fell in love and in two years we were married.

It is now three years later, and we both are still very much in love. But as time goes by I realize how much I miss being a bride. I am an event coordinator so I work with brides and weddings on a daily basis. I see their faces light up when talking about their dress, their squeals of delight when their favorite dj/band is available, and their eyes sparkle when explaining the wedding cake. I get excited for my clients but at the same time I do get envious. I was engaged for only four months before I got married, and 21 of those days were spent overseas doing missions work, a trip that was planned a year and a half in advance. I did not get the chance to fully appreciate what it is like being a bride. The time that I was home, it was full of prompt decisions and stress. I missed out on a lot of things a bride normally takes pride in. My bridal party, including the groom, were all scattered through out the United States, making it very difficult to get much help from them. If it were not for my family, I would have not been able to pull it off. I give much of the accreditation to my mother and grandmother. They were my strength through this hectic, but happy time.

Not many people get a second chance. So when I heard about the contest I felt as if this could be my second chance. I would love to relive those bridal days and get the opportunity to fully appreciate being a bride. This time there will be no other trips or lingering decisions that could distract me from fully taking it all in.

I appreciate your votes, and will be praying that those of you who need a second chance may receive it."



Bride # 4 Brandi

As her mother, I have watched through the years how dedicated she is with everything she strives to do. She has always been a very well-rounded person having participated in dance, many sports, religion, and education. Brandi has many friends and family who think she is special. Since she was just a little girl, her smile has lit up the room whenever she enters. She is a fun-loving, compassionate, beautiful person inside and out.
Brandi graduated with honors from Butler High school. She graduated from Ohio State University and is now attending the University of Indianapolis, studying hard to earn her degree in clinical psychology while working and being a new bride.
I haven't included a picture but i know you have plenty! I hope that you will consider her among your choices for your spring shoot as I'm sure it will be a blast and she would really enjoy it. She's always been a bit of a "ham" as I'm sure you could tell from the slide show! After all these years of hard work in school, preparing for her wedding and her new life as Mrs.Luedtke, I'm sure she could use a little pampering and relaxing fun and would do you proud as a representative for your photography. .Good luck picking some lucky girl, I'm sure the choices are many.


Bride #5 Michelle

Ok so I’m reading your blog again and I see the photo shoot contest.Why do I want to do your photo shoot....well I’m a bit of a ham and I am willing to wear any shoes. (the scars on feet prove it.) I am unique and will use any excuse to be involved in something edgy and creative. My wedding felt like it was five minutes long so I would love to wear my dress again. I’m not whiny or afraid to get dirty. I can laugh at myself and follow directions. Finally being your photo girl would make me the happiest girl in the world. So lift me up in some heels and fake eyelashes and I am ready to go.



Friday, February 09, 2007

Bridal Contest

Hey guys! Only 4 more days!!!

I have received sooo many wonderful entries for the Bridal Shoot. Feb. 14th I will post my top brides and let you all help me choose the winner. The winner receive's a bridal shoot along with hair, makeup, flowers, and complimentary prints.

P.S. I do have a few extra surprises in store as well:)
~T

Friday, February 02, 2007



Ok I have a little secret...

I’m hearing from my friends that there’s a huge buzz going around on The Knot message boards across the country about “boudoir shoots.”

...a few years back before my wedding business took off I came up with this idea to do what I called "Romantic Photography" better know as Boudoir...I absolutely loved doing these sessions and what it did for my clients self esteem and confidence was nothing short of fantastic.

So here you go...


Before the wedding, your anniversary, Christmas, Birthday ect... Guys love this surprise! These sessions are for anyone who wants to share these intimate photos with the someone special in their lives. Boudoir Photography takes place in the privacy of your home, your bedroom, or in the space you choose. It can take many forms depending on your level of comfort or personality. Make it playful or shy, subtle or sultry - or just let it happen. This is you at your best and feeling sexy while creating wonderful images at the same time........ I hope to create not only the images you desire, but also make the process of taking them comfortable, memorable and a fun experience.



Sessions are limmited June thru October. Email your enquiry to email@picturesbytracy.com

PaperBride.com
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