Emma McMahan

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

Allison & Jake – Ault Park Wedding

Cincinnati Wedding Photographer – The Fehrs

Allison and her girls got ready at the cutest AirBnb, and spent the morning celebrating her upcoming nuptials. Music and laughter filled the rooms, and anticipation was in the air.

After getting into her stunning gown, Allison and her bridesmaids made their way to Ault Park for her first look with Jake before the ceremony. We had the most perfect September day. Beautiful skies, amazing colors and wonderful weather. We all were so excited to be enjoying the celebration with such a beautiful setting around us.

Jake and his groomsmen spent their morning in downtown Cincinnati getting ready together in preparation for the day ahead. Before leaving the hotel to head to the venue, they enjoyed some time relaxing at the bar. Jake was all smiles as he arrived at Ault Park to get in position to see his bride for the first time on his wedding day!

Something truly beautiful and unique about an Ault Park wedding, is that while it is still open to the public, the venue space is closed and private. This gave Ally and Jake a perfect intimate and gorgeous setting for their first look together. My favorite moment from this part of their day, was how Allison wanted to greet Jake. She walked up to him and before turning him around to see her, she gave him a long hug. It was peaceful, and so romantic. The two instantly seemed to relax at just that simple touch and were ready to lock eyes. When Jake turned around he had immediate tears and the biggest smile! I love first looks for this very reason.

After their time for a few portraits alone, we joined the rest of the wedding party for portraits before the ceremony! Everyone was so excited to be together, this is such a fun friend group and the love they all share for Allison and Jake is so apparent!

The sweet wedding party was more than happy to give the bride and groom some time to enjoy a few moments alone for portraits before the ceremony guests arrived. We ventured around the grounds, stopping at some of my favorite locations at Ault Park.

In the most etherial fairytale like gardens at the park, the ceremony was set up surrounded by pops of blush pink tones from the roses. It was more than dreamy, when you are in that space of the park it feels like you have been transported to some little charming castle garden! After everyone settled in and the live music began to play, it was finally time for the moment everyone had been waiting for all day! Ally looked stunning as she walked down the lawn to her husband to be.

It was a ceremony of sweet joyful tears, laughter and a few surprise elements from inside jokes with the couple’s friends. Perfectly Jake and Allison!

After the ceremony and time spent with family taking a few portraits, the newlyweds shared an intimate champagne toasts together while their guests mingled at cocktail hour!

After the guests settled into their seats, the party officially started with a grand entrance that was so much fun!

Some heartfelt speeches were shared before the couple took to the dance floor. Ault Park transported us all day to an enchanting space that felt far far away from city life, all light up at night made it even more magical!

The night only got better and better as Allison and Jake’s family and friends joined them in celebrating! Ally had one more surprise for the evening as she slipped into an adorable second dress to spend the rest of the night dancing away!

Vendors

Gabby Williams

Ault Park

Floral V Designs

Chefs Choice Catering

Charlie John