Calm Photos

Lebanon, Ohio - a small town located between Dayton and Cincinnati, is known for its historic buildings, restored homes and antique shops. It is everyone’s vision of what small town America is all about. Lebanon’s claim to fame includes the historic Golden Lamb Restaurant and Inn, a favorite stop for U.S. Presidents dating back to Abraham Lincoln,  and serving as the stage and backdrop of the late 1970’s movie, Harper Valley PTA.

Most people who grow-up in Dayton have fond memories of Lebanon, primarily because it was the little, scenic town you’d drive through on the way to summer camp at Camp Kern, a evening at a Red’s game in Cincinnati or a day of fun at Kings Island.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to photograph the formal portraits - both individual and group - of the Lebanon City Council. That was around the holidays, so afterwards I captured some classic, decorated storefronts along Main Street.

Just last week I re-visited Lebanon and photographed the interior of the historic Nixon-Brant House, a restored home that is open to the public which dates back to 1808.

3H494CarShowbyJimCrottyFW.jpg

Originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.

Memorial Day Weekend at Lincoln Park in Kettering, Ohio. Go-cart races, car show and perfect weather.

Woodland Cemetery in Dayton is much more well known, with many local notables buried there, including the Wright Brothers and Paul Lawrence Dunbar. But I often prefer visiting and photographing the older section of nearby Calvary Cemetery, especially during spring.

My apologies to a few of my local competitors, but guess what ?!?  I’m staying in Dayton ! Yeah !

Yup, despite the challenges I’ve faced over the last five years (I started Picture Ohio, llc in April 2003), I have worked hard to build my reputation as a professional photographer here in Ohio. If anything, I think it has become more clear to me recently that I’ve been selling myself short when it comes to my reputation and the quality of my work.

Previously I announced that I was going to relocate to Dallas, Texas. But all those plans have changed.

I will still be moving out of my current retail space at the end of June. At that point I will be relocating my photography business to my home (which I’m currently searching for) somewhere in the Dayton area. From there I will continue to grow and develop my assignment and editorial photography services for publishers and corporate clients, provide on-location portraiture services, sell licensing rights for my stock images and begin marketing and conducting regular scheduled photography workshops, to be held in the field and at different venues throughout Ohio.

Sales of fine art prints of my work with Ohio nature, landscapes, wildlife and cityscapes, as well as other scenic locations throughout the United States, will continue by way of my online storefront, for retail customers, and direct purchase, for commercial art dealers.

Cool. Now I don’t have to change the name of my business to “Picture Texas.”

. . . lies a better place.

One of warmth, peace and love.

For Emma and Chloe

It’s not the best choice when it comes to a web site name (but I guarantee you, the site is probably at the top of all Google photography searches), the following is great resource of information and inspiration for all photographers, whether pro or amateur:

60 Photography Links You Can’t Live Without at CameraPorn