Emma McMahan
lifestyle + portrait photography
based in hamilton ohio
I love to tell stories. To me, each event I attend and capture, and every individual I have the honor to work with has a story to tell that is worth telling. These stories are better seen than heard, and oftentimes I find the magic moments that otherwise are too fleeting to remember. That is why I fell in love with photography in the beginning and still to this day is what brings me the most joy in my business. Memorializing stories in imagery to last decades.
Welcome! I'm Emma!
Cincinnati Wedding Photographer and Lifestyle Portraits
Photographing Weddings and Lifestyle Portraits sessions are more than just a job for me! I love telling the stories of the couples, families, businesses and individuals that I work with. Traveling is an added perk, I love exploring new places! One of my favorite things about my business is how I have been able to turn a passion for art into a living where I continually am blessed to meet new faces, reconnect with familiar ones, and see love in news aways with every click of my camera. You will see through the sessions and events on this blog how love grows in unique ways. How people change for the best year after year. And also how I see the world around me.
I started this journey when I was fresh out of high school. I didn't know how greatly my life would be impacted from capturing weddings and families. It has been such an honor to do so over the last decade. Being able to capture my hometown and surrounding areas has been such a treat for me! I LOVE Cincinnati and I am proud to claim the title of a Cincinnati Wedding Photographer. It is a tight but large community of creatives in this region. I am thrilled to work with the best of the best! You'll find some amazing wedding industry vendors linked in the weddings blogged here. Their work is so important to what I do, it isn't only photographs that matter at the end of the wedding day, although they may last the longest ;)
weddings
engagements
Senior portraits
Lifestyle family
Editorial
business branding
the mcmahans
Kate and Sarah’s Rhinegiest Wedding
Getting ready in an Air B&B overlooking the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline, Kate and Sarah prepped for their wedding day. Full of excitement, the house was buzzing with music, chatter and a whole lot of laughter. We snuck to get both girls ready with out seeing each other. The anticipation was felt throughout the entire room they finished up with the final touches before the first look. Some of my favorite details were Kate’s late grandmothers brooch and ring as her something old. The items where found safe and sound after a house fire, the trinkets were invaluable and definitely gave me shivers when I heard the wonderful story of how they discovered them weeks before the wedding
After the gowns were on, we were off to George Rogers Clark Park for the first look and bridal party photos. The park is beautiful and sits right on the river over looking Cincinnati. Surrounded by charming old homes and victorian-esque features, the first look had us all in tears! Kate and Sarah each had hand written letters to exchange, and even though those of us watching couldn’t read the words or hear what the two had said to each other, we felt it through those sweet sweet emotions on their faces as they turned to see each other in wedding gowns.
The Bridal Party! Such a fun group- and all so excited to witness the people the love saying “I do!”
Once at Rheingiest, the families were arriving and we were getting ready for the ceremony! The venue is beautiful! I loved all of the vintage industrial touches mixed with Kate and Sarah’s earthy style. All of the hand lettered signs were created by one of the maid’s of honor, Kaitlyn! I am a sucker for anything handmade at a wedding! Family and friends were seated, and the bridal party began their grand entrance down the aisle. Both Kate and Sarah’s fathers walked them down to the greenery adorned alter. With silent anticipation we watched the two exchange hand written vows, and we hung on their every word!
After the vows and many hugs later, we snuck out to take a mini tour of the brewery. The reception was SO MUCH FUN! I have never seen so many guests all on the dance floor! Between the awesome beer, Cincinnati chili and amazing frozen cheesecake pops, everyone was having a blast! Oh and the music helped too!
