Best of 2022 | Megan
It's that time of the year again where we sit down with each of our staff members and put together a compilation of everyone's best or favorite images this year! This week we are kicking things off with Megan's best images from 2022.
Worship Nights / Feb. 22
Here are some of my yearly favorites!
Describe your year in one word: Overwhelmed. I know it might be strange word to pick, but I don't mean that in a bad sense. This year I was truly overwhelmed by the amount of joy, laughter, and peace that came from this past year. 2022 was just overflowing with grace and so many blessings that it's hard to pin down one word to describe it. I'm just really grateful for this year.
Most Frequently listened to song or album: song - My music taste was over all the place this year. I listened to a wide variety of artists including Phil Wickham, Drake Milligan, and The Score (shout out to them for the number of songs I've used in my senior reels, haha)
Favorite candy while editing: I can honestly say that candy really isn't my thing, but we usually end up with a stash of suckers at the studio - so the occasional watermelon or strawberry sucker is the way to go for me :)
Most Watched TV Show: PSYCH reruns, or The Chosen for sure.
PS Varsity Boys Basketball / Jan. 2022
Favorite Moment this Year: This is such a tough question! Celebrating with my '22 seniors clients at their end of year party is definitely at the top. Although, I've loved every minute working with my spokesmodels for '23 and all my senior clients. From the bottom of my heart, I'm so grateful for each and every single one of them. I also loved taking the Cheap Camera Challenge! Unpopular opinion, the Canon was my favorite to shoot with ;)
Favorite sport to shoot this year: Baseball/Softball, hands down, without a doubt.
An obstacle you've overcome this year: Creating a work life balance. So many times I'll get home from a session and not be able to do anything until I edit sneak previews, etc. I can't help it, it's just so easy to get really excited over that.
What is an accomplishment this year that you are most proud of? Boosting senior sales and the number of clients I'm so grateful to work with! Before this school year had even started, the number of senior clients I have had doubled. So so so beyond blessed for that.
Cheap Camera Challenge: Portrait / June 2022 (also might be biased, but this is definitely my favorite picture from '22)
Average # of photographs per game/event: 1,500 - 2,000 per game, 300-750 posed session
Favorite new skill or technique you picked up this year: OFF CAMERA FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Y'all have no idea how this intimidated me, but I was finally convinced that this was the way to go with my senior clients and it has made so. much. difference. It's a total game changer.
FM Lady Jets Softball / May '22
PS Fall Senior Night / Oct. 22
Least favorite thing to photograph this year: I don’t necessarily have a least favorite thing to photograph this year. Instead, I would say I have a ‘hardest to photograph”. That would be fall senior night at Preble Shawnee. I have so many of their football senior boys as clients so I've really gotten to know the students far more than just on the sidelines. These 12 guys had a really tight knit bond and it's been so much fun to watch them go after their goals on the field together. After the football game and the majority of the people had left, they had one last huddle and I just so happened to get a photograph of them walking off the field from that. So bittersweet.
Senior: Colin S. / Aug. 22
Something that got you through this year: I couldn't have made it through this year without a couple things :) First and foremost, my faith. My verse of the year was Psalm 30 which talks about how there is always joy after trials. For those of you that know me personally, you know that for me, the past couple years have just been really heavy. This year was truly the first year in a long time where I could take a deep breath and life didn't feel so heavy and it was amazing. Secondly - my friends and family, you're my inspiration in life and wouldn't be here without you all. Lastly, I couldn't have made it through this year without my seniors. You all are such talented, passionate, mature, and strong individuals who I've been so blessed to know. You each have taught me so much about life. We've laughed, celebrated, and even cried together - and I'm so grateful you've allowed me to be a part of your year!
MVCTC NTHS Inductions / Mar. 22
Seniors: Amaya D. & Anjel M. / Mar. & May '22
Gracie & Matt / Oct. 22
Senior: Parker M. / Oct. 22
And lastly, we asked everyone one last question - what are you looking forward to most in 2023 professionally? Working with all my senior clients for the class of '23 and '24!!!
what are you looking forward to most in 2023 personally? There are so many things that I'm looking forward to for 2023. I can't wait for some of the family roadtrips and time spent with close friends and family. Mostly, just enjoying all of life's little moments with my favorite people :)
Wendy & Keith / September ‘21
Senior: James Z. / Oct. 22
Senior: Jackie F. / Aug. 22
PS Varsity Baseball / May '22
Ryan & Abby / Aug. 22
PS Prom / Apr. 22
Thank you for taking a moment to read about my year and check out some of my favorite images from this year! Because of all of you, the team at Champine and I get to life our dream careers every single day and I'm so grateful for each of you.
Stay tuned for next week when we will be highlighting the next member of our staff!
Prom 2022: A Royalty Recap
This year, we had the opportunity to cover not one, but SEVEN proms (two not pictured)!! Each of this year’s proms were so much fun and we hope that all of our students had memorable and safe evenings! As we wrap up prom season this year, we wanted to take a minute to congratulate all of our prom courts as well as this year’s Prom Kings and Queens!
Dixie
Mike covered DHS’ prom this year. Congratulations to the entire court & DHS Prom King Zach Fremder & Queen Karlee Smith!
National Trail
Maddie covered NTHS’ prom this year. Congratulations to the entire court, as well as Prom King Rion Garber & Prom Queen Trinity McKinley!
Preble Shawnee
Megan & Debbie covered PSHS’ prom this year. Congratulations to the entire prom court, and Prom King Ethan Woodard & Queen Gracie Lovely!
Tri County North:
Megan & Mike covered TCNHS’ prom. Congratulations to the entire court as well as Prom King Luke Eby, Queen Shawnee Krull, Prince Jon Shirley, and Princess Cara Waddle!
Twin Valley South:
Debbie & Mike covered TVSHS’ prom. Congratulations to the entire court and Prom King Grant Ulrich, Queen Morgan Harrod, Prince Kasey Blair, & Princess Claire Fogle!
A huge thank you to each of our schools & our students for allowing us to capture your special memories! We hope you all had an amazing Prom 2022!
Best of 2021 | Debbie
This week on the blog - we highlight Debbie's year covering Twin Valley South!
Hello, I am Debbie, and I have worked at Champine Photography since 2015. Before joining up with Mike and Trina, I worked as a Paraprofessional in Preble County assisting special needs children and adults for 32 years. When I started with the company we only had two schools. It has been amazing to be a part of such a fast-growing company while doing something I enjoy. I have met so many wonderful people throughout this journey including co-workers, students, parents, and school employees. Many of these people, I can now call “my friends.” This career has taught me to overcome some insecurities along the way. I would have never expected myself to go in front of a crowd of people and do what I do, but there is something about putting that camera around my neck, and building my confidence. When not doing photography, I enjoy spending time with my family, and traveling with my husband, Doug.
When I am editing, I like to listen to all sorts of music, songs from the 80’s, 70’s, and Country, so it is difficult to choose just one favorite song that I listen to. I really enjoy seeing the groups Journey, REO Speedwagon, and James Taylor in concert in the last two years.
My favorite editing snack is anything chocolate.
I love to watch the television show Blue Bloods, and I have enjoyed the NetFlix serieses: Virgin River, and Outer Banks.
My favorite moment this year was when we were able to take mini-sessions for the Holiday Season, and I was able to take photographs of children and families with Santa Clause. Also, I was able to take more baby pictures.
My favorite sport to take photos at is basketball with baseball being very close to being my favorite too.
Something I accomplished this year: I was able to complete an online Photography class through Sinclair Community College to enhance my skills as a photographer and editor. I plan on taking more courses in the future.
The biggest obstacle that I faced while being an employee of Champine Photography is taking pictures at football games. When I first started taking pictures at football games, I did not know much about the game of football; however, over the past six years, I understand the game more, and this allows me to take better pictures!
Average number of photographs taken at events: I usually average around 3,000 to 3,500 per event depending on the type of sport activities or number of games.
Favorite skill or technique that I picked up this year: increasing my editing skills and being able to edit while at home. Also, being able to use different types of cameras.
My least favorite sport to shoot is probably wrestling. This is mainly due to the fact that I am still learning the sport.
Something got me through this year: With all of the uncertainty of the current pandemic, I really relied on my family, friends, and co-workers to keep everyone safe and healthy throughout the year. To be back in the schools taking photographs of students and student athletes and seeing fans in the stands again really made me happy and to be fortunate enough to be working again helped me get through the year.
Something looking forward to in 2022: I am looking forward to continuing to grow as a photographer and expand my duties and responsibilities with Champine Photography. I look forward to taking photographs at more schools and events. Also, I look forward to taking more photographs of babies and children.
Best of 2021 | Megan
As most of you know, over the past few weeks, we’ve been highlighting everyone on our staff and their favorite images of 2021. This week, I (Megan) get to share a little insight with you all on my year working with our seniors, couples, and our PS and TCN students!
Here are some of my yearly favorites!
Most Frequently listened to song or album: song - Infinite by Coby James, artist - Jeremy Camp
Favorite candy while editing: watermelon Jolly Ranchers
Most Watched TV Show: CSI re-runs! Miami, Crime Scene Investigation, or NY, I spent more time watching crime shows this year then I care to admit.
The Fennell Wedding / Oct. 16. 21
Favorite Moment this Year: There are wayyy too many to count, but some of my favorites include; photographing our first destination wedding, late nights at the studio with the rest of the team (and all the laughs), working with my senior rep team, and really getting to know the people at the schools I’m so lucky to be able to work with.
Favorite sport to shoot this year: Football! After this many season of football, you think I would understand the sport, but I’m still clueless (ha ha). Even so, I loved every minute of watching the PS Varsity boys go so far in the season!
An obstacle you've overcome this year: The biggest obstacle I faced this year was finding balance. Like so many people, I had to walk through so much at the end of 2019- the beginning of 2021 and I’ve been so critical of myself. This year, I really tried to focus on healing and recovering from some of that and it hasn’t always been easy - but it’s definitely been worth it.
Second Shot for Shiloh Photography / April ‘21
Average # of photographs per game/event: 2,500 per game, 500-750 posed session
Favorite new skill or technique you picked up this year: This year, I really focused on finding consistency in my editing techniques, which has been really great! We also started working with digital medium format cameras at the studio. I started incorporating this into my senior sessions at the studio - which has been amazing!
PS Varsity Football / Playoffs Round 2 / Nov. ‘21
Senior Rep / Logan G.
Least favorite thing to photograph this year: I don’t necessarily have a least favorite thing to photograph this year. Instead, I would say I have a ‘hardest to photograph”. That would be the graduation ceremonies for the class of 2021. When I started with the company, last year’s seniors were freshman. I had the chance to honestly kind of watch them grow up and become the amazing and strong individuals they are. It was so special to watch them graduate, but so bittersweet at the same time!
Senior Rep / Gracie L.
Something that got you through this year: I had three things that got me through 2021. The first being my faith and church community. My Bible verse of the year was Matthew 11:28, and it has really helped keep me going this year. Secondly, my coworkers! the four of us honestly spend so much time together we’re basically family - sometimes this job can be extremely stressful, but I’m so thankful that I have such a great group of people who are always there ready to laugh off the little things with me. Lastly, I could not have gotten through this year without my senior clients and their families. If any of you are reading this, thank you from the absolute bottom of my heart for entrusting me with your senior portraits. You all are some of the most genuine people I have ever met and working with each of you makes the tough days worth it!
PS vs DHS Varsity Baseball / Day Air Stadium / April ‘21
And lastly, we asked everyone one last question - what are you looking forward to most in 2022?
There’s so much to look forward too next year, but the thing at the top of my list is getting to work with my ‘22 + ‘23 senior rep team. This year’s group has been such a fun and exciting bunch that I have loved working with. Next year’s reps are an outstanding group of individuals and getting to work with them is going to be absolutely amazing!
Second Shot for Cori Dianne Photography / Dayton Art Institute / August ‘21
PS Homecoming / September ‘21
Senior Rep / Brett W.
Senior / Megan C.
First Destination Wedding / Kentucky / June ‘21
TCN Varsity Football / Homecoming Game / October ‘21
I have had a really exciting 2021 and am so looking forward to everything that 2022 will bring!
Stay tuned for next week when we will be highlighting the next member of our staff!
Best of 2021 | Maddie
Here at the studio, we can’t believe there are only a couple weeks left of 2021. So we thought we’d celebrate by asking each of our photographers to find their favorite images from this year and reflect on what all we’ve done! This week, we’re taking a look at Maddie's year in review.
This was really the first year that each of us took on our own school and spent time getting to know the students and communities. Maddie covers National Trail and her images are a great representation of her year at Trail!
We also asked everyone to give us a little insight into their yearly favorites, too!
Most Frequently listened to song or album: Heroin by Badflower
Favorite snack while editing: Maddie's favorite thing to snack on is a variety of candy!
Most Watched TV Show: Trailer Park Boys
Favorite Moment this Year: Maddie said her favorite moment this year was vacationing with her family.
Favorite sport to shoot this year: Basketball
An obstacle you've overcome this year: Maddie's biggest obstacle this year was dealing with mental health. Once again, this applies to all four of us. Being a photographer takes a lot of mental toughness, and sometimes finding the balance of dealing with the pressure of this job and other can be a lot.
Average # of photographs per game/event: at least 4,000 per game
Favorite new skill or technique you picked up this year: Maddie's favorite new skill from 2021 was taking up cross stitching!
Least favorite thing to photograph this year: Tennis
Something that got you through this year: Maddie said the two things that got her through 2021 are her cat and listening to music!
And lastly, we asked everyone one last question - what are you looking forward to most in 2022?
Maddie said next year, she is most looking forward to warm weather and the hiking adventures she is planning!
Maddie has had a really exciting 2021 and is very much looking forward to everything that 2022 will bring!
Stay tuned for next week when we will be highlighting the next member of our staff!
