Cincinnati based wedding and family photographer
HI, I'm Stephanie. THat friend with a camera
I’ve always been drawn to stories. When I was younger, that meant creating whole make-believe worlds with my best friend or getting completely immersed in the life of my American Girl doll—the books, the clothes, you know what I mean. Later on, it looked like falling into the lives of unforgettable characters in the books I read in school—Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird. Even something as simple as The Office—ordinary people, living their stories—pulled me in.
I love thinking about my own story—the main character, the setting, the themes, the highs and the lows. It’s a story. It’s my story, and it’s good. But it’s not just mine—it’s yours, too. It’s every single person on this planet. We’re living our stories every day.
That’s why, when I photograph people—whether it’s a wedding day or a quiet afternoon at home with their kids—I want to document things as they truly are.
I have been photographing weddings and families for 15 years. I have met amazing people, witnessed many stories, weddings, babies, and messy beautiful living.
Every year I am as excited as the last to see who I will meet, and what kind of meaning-filled stories we will tell together.
I want to capture a small piece of your story in photographs. So tomorrow, next year, or many years from now, you can return to this chapter—this beautiful, chaotic, once-in-a-lifetime chapter—and remember your very good story.
I want to capture a small piece of your story in photographs. So tomorrow, next year, or many years from now, you can return to this chapter—this beautiful, chaotic, once-in-a-lifetime chapter—and remember your very good story.
About the Artist
A few things about me - I am a huge extrovert. I love getting to know new people, which is probably why this job has been such a good fit for my soul. Every time a new person opens up their heart to me and allows me to make images of their story - a little spark lights up inside.
I like old country music, bluegrass, and singer-songwriters who pour out their souls through lyrics and notes.
Gardening is fast becoming my favorite hobby. The dirt, watching things grow, nurturing, being outside, it’s all just so good.
The two things that mean the most to me - my faith and my family. There is great meaning and beauty in them both and I will spend my life putting them on the highest pedestal.
Yes to: Being real, kindness, being outside, looking up, praying, playing, optimism.
No to: Being fake, making perfect photos for Instagram, social media or anything besides your own joy and rembering.
What I'm Probably Doing Right now: Playing catch with my son, gardening with my daughters, planning a camping trip, drinking a cup of coffee, trying to be outside.
Nostalgic documentary wedding and family photography
What it's like to work with me
Style
My work is nostalgic, real and moment driven. I work in film and dgital mediums towards that aim. Film adds an unmatched nostalgic and almost nameless quality that I have fallen more and more in love with over the last few years. Digital has been my workhorse that has allowed me to shoot fast and free allowing me to capture many beautiful, funny, meaningful moments - both add to the story I am telling. The aim of my photography is to make you feel something. Feeling over perfection.
How I work
I come to each wedding and family session with the belief that what is before me is beautiful as it is. I don’t want perfection. I don’t need flat lays or perfectly clean homes. Messy is real, and messy is beautiful. I truly 100% believe that. So I observe. Observation, attention and admiration drive my photographic practice.
My clients
The people I work with are present and filled with gratitude for their one wild and precious life. They aren’t waiting for everything to be perfect. They are couples who value presence and joy over perfectly curated feeds and boards. They are parents who want to remember these pure and fleeting moments in time. They are ready to celebrate love and family, joy and presence. They are committing to love and seeing the good everything.
A little of my story
We make pizza almost every Friday night. The littlest up on a stool, my oldest probably just made a hilarious 11 year old humor joke, music playing on the record player, a dirty pot on the stove. Gosh it's good, and I'm so thankful for this photo.
I love to document the messy the beautiful and real, especially on film. This is taken on a little toy camera of my daughter with her favorite unicorn headband in our messy van. And I love it so much, it's real and this photo will bring me back.
This guy. We're going on 17 years of marriage and I am so thankful for every single one. It's messy, it's imperfect, but every time I feel his hand in mine I feel safe, I feel happy, I feel love.
I live in an older Cincinnati neighborhood. One with sidewalks and neighbors you can walk to. I used long of living in the country, but this little Mid-western neighborhood life has grown on me. I love documenting my kids life here.
But I do love bringing "country-living" to the city with our little chicken coup and garden. Being out back with my hands in the dirt and collecting eggs makes me a happy mama.
This is my messy garden, getting better every year, but always calling and always healing. I always feel closer to God out here. "Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.”
A little of my story
We make pizza almost every Friday night. The littlest up on a stool, my oldest probably just made a hilarious 11 year old humor joke, music playing on the record player, a dirty pot on the stove. Gosh it's good, and I'm so thankful for this photo.
Photo by: Kaytlynn Eggerding
A little of my story
I love to document the messy the beautiful and real, especially on film. This is taken on a little toy camera of my daughter with her favorite unicorn headband in our messy van. And I love it so much, it's real and this photo will bring me back. And that's what I love to do for others. Capture their real and beautiful.
