• studio3z photography {the blog}

    If you have landed here...bless your soul.  Welcome to our little tiny corner of the cyber world, based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Below you will see favorites from our sessions we do professionally, and also loads of personal nonsense that we hope at least will entertain you.  If nothing less, you can keep up on our adorable children.  Really, they are worth the trip back here time and time again in and of itself.

    My name is Jess.  My hubby is Brett.  We are crazy about each other, our 4 babies, and our art.  Welcome to our world.

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Category Archives: portraits

couple | local creatives

We did a family shoot for the *other* Z family (as I call them around here) a few weeks back, and it was so fun meeting up to grab some shots of just the two of them for their businesses. These two creatives are the owners of Zug Media and Studio Z Films here in Cincy, and let’s just say, they ROCK at what they do. Brides, if you’re looking for someone to film your wedding you must check out their work!

Steve and Reagan, you were a blast to shoot! Glad we could talk you into sushi Steve. ;)Must do it again soon!

July 1, 2011 - 4:22 pm

katie elfers - Reagan – you are seriously the coolest girl I know and you look fantastic. Steve… not too shabby yourself :) Great job Z-crew, from both sides of the camera!

July 2, 2011 - 11:19 am

Reagan Z - Thanks again Jess & Brett for such a fun photo session. Love this pics & love you guys. Had great laughs hanging out after too.

July 5, 2011 - 1:50 pm

Bobbi Sheridan - LOVE THESE!!!!! And Reagan… I HAVE to know… where oh WHERE did you buy that perfectly perfect dress?!!!?!

July 6, 2011 - 9:49 am

Reagan Z - Hi Bobbi, thanks so much for your comments! I got the dress at http://www.francescascollections.com/ which we have in Cincy. They have stores all over. Similar chic stuff as Anthropology but without the high cost. Great accessories too.

April 21, 2014 - 9:42 am

Milagros - Your answer was just what I nedede. It’s made my day!

October 23, 2014 - 7:08 pm

insurance rates for business - Wow, that’s a really clever way of thinking about it!

the old dead grasses {film}

This spring we were cutting down the old dead grasses from last year and the boys were working on it with me.  I suggested they make a fort in the back woods with the grasses.  They asked me to help them out and I gladly accepted.  Our boys help us remember what it is like to be young, carefree spirits.  Deep inside of us all there is the little child we once were that has somehow been overshadowed by the man/woman we have become.  Having these children to cherish, hold, and watch grow up helps us remember what it was like to be young and to stay young in spirit ourselves.  It helps us to realize how fragile and dependent upon one another we all are.  We need to get inside their little world from time to time and learn from them.  We can learn to have a more humble and contrite spirit and lean on each other for support as they do.  Never lose touch with your inner child.  ~brett {baba}

May 26, 2011 - 9:40 am

Cassie - This looks straight out of Where the Wild Things Are. Love it.

May 27, 2011 - 2:53 pm

Patty Mabry your cousin - That last picture of your little boy; what is it? Both my boys sucked those fingers! I love your comment about playing. We forget that we should let go and remember the “child” inside us sometimes. Thanks for the reminder.

May 27, 2011 - 4:07 pm

Katie - It’s so wonderful getting to know your beautiful family through jess’s point of view on this blog. Seeing the same sense of love and wonder coming through in your voice is so sweet. Thanks for posting Brett. It’s so easy to fall in love with the Z family :) (oh yeah, and your film work is gorgeous!!)

May 30, 2011 - 8:30 pm

Gabe - great images and wonderful words. thanks for sharing this Brett.

June 7, 2011 - 8:40 pm

Rachel B. - Oh, wow! How did I miss these? These are so pure and beautiful. Makes me almost long for fall since these have a very autumnal feel to them.

February 8, 2018 - 10:42 am

Kombi Servisi - great images and wonderful words. thanks for sharing

film {experiment in light}

This is Brett, the other half of studio3z, writing my first, hopefully not last, blog entry.  Hello all!

So, we’ve decided to start shooting film again and I took my first roll of medium format film a couple of weeks ago.  I’m calling this my first “film experiment in light.”  There is something about film that draws us in to the images…something I can’t amply describe, but I like to call it “The Van Gogh Effect” because film grain and blur reminds me of his amazing textures and I love how it seems so much more pure, raw, and organic than digital.  And, I am an organic purist at heart.  There is  something deeply emotional about film in that it requires more time, effort, and patience.  Film also requires us to have a deeper connection with the subject that is elsewise absent.  This is what I love.

Well, I decided a few months back that I wanted to get back full circle to where this all began, but was dragging my heels on it.  When Jessica and I first started shooting together, I shot a lot of film.  Some of those photographs are still some of my favorites to date, but I could never get past the ease and convenience of digital.  This all met with a crescendo upon attending the WPPI conference this year.  This is where I became friends with a kindred spirit, Gabe McClintock, the incredibly talented man behind the camera of Perspectiveye Photography. Gabe was instrumental in my decision to start shooting film again and he was very helpful and graciously in lending me his ear on this venture.  If you haven’t checked out his work before, then indulge your senses and visit his blog here.  He shoots a lot of film these days and was one of my biggest inspirations for this endeavor…thank you Gabe!  I was also privileged to hear a couple of excellent and inspiring film artists speak at WPPI this year, Elizabeth Messina of Kiss The Groom Photography and Jose Villa.

Looking back, here is one of my 35mm film shots from the first wedding Jessica and I ever photographed:

Now, coming full circle, I’m shooting with my new (old) Contax 645 medium format camera.  This frame below is one of my favorites from the first roll I ever shot a couple weeks ago:

The water and light were so wondrous that I couldn’t stop shooting, so here are a few others…

That same day, the kids and I hung out with Grandma “Nanny” Beth, my mom, at Waffle House.  The vintage Waffle House feel and the beautiful light pouring through the windows all added up to what I felt was “film ready”…well, I’m actually getting addicted to it and now everything is seeming “film ready” these days:

We look forward to sharing more of our film experiments in light with you in the upcoming weeks.

brett & jess

April 27, 2011 - 7:46 am

Gail - GORGEOUS!!! You’re great with the film camera Brett! I look forward to seeing what else you capture in the months to come!

April 27, 2011 - 8:05 am

Bobbi - Loooooove!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 27, 2011 - 8:38 am

Mama - Aaaaahh…YES.. Spending time with family – there is NOTHING like it on this planet! Your children and grandchildren grow up way to fast… capture/cherish/inhale every moment you can… it is fleeting!

April 27, 2011 - 8:46 am

Stephanie Lyell - Beautiful. Film does have such a wonderful aura around it. I look forward to seeing more!

April 27, 2011 - 1:30 pm

Gabe - Brett these are incredible. The depth the film adds to your images is beautiful. I can’t wait to watch you and Jess’s journey with this medium…I know it’s going to be amazing!!

April 27, 2011 - 4:43 pm

Sarah - I’m taking a film class in school and am discouraged because it seems useless yet awesome. I’m glad to see that there are others out there who can make it worth something still, thanks for the inspiration!

April 27, 2011 - 5:30 pm

Jess W. - Those shots of Gabe are incredible, especially *love* that first one. Very much looking forward to seeing more! Oh, and who is that dapper couple in the first photo? ;)

May 4, 2011 - 11:21 am

amanda reynolds - Love these!!! Yay for shooting film again, isn’t it amazing?!?! Just sent 5 rolls off yesterday, the suspense alone makes it all worthwhile! ENJOY :)

July 14, 2017 - 10:13 am

Vinç Kiralama - I’m taking a film class in school and am discouraged because it seems useless yet awesome. I’m glad to see that there are others out there who can make it worth something still, thanks for the inspiration!

August 1, 2018 - 12:29 pm

Şerifali Nakliyat - Şerifali Nakliyat olarak uzun yıllardır İstanbul’un tüm ilçelerine ve Türkiye’nin dört bir köşesine yük ve eşya taşımacılığı yapmaktayız. Şerifali Nakliyat uzman personel desteği ve modern nakliye araçlarıyla kusursuz hizmetin öncüsü olan Şerifali Nakliyat firmamız, en iyi fiyat şartlarıyla nakliye hizmeti vermektedir.

January 22, 2019 - 3:36 pm

Ümraniye nakliyat - Ümraniye bölgesinde yük ve eşya taşımacılığı yapan nakliye şirketidir.

January 22, 2019 - 3:37 pm

Sancaktepe nakliyat - Sancaktepe Nakliyat

January 22, 2019 - 3:37 pm

İstanbul Ankara Nakliyat - İstanbul ankara nakliyat hizmetleri

January 22, 2019 - 3:38 pm

Kadıköy nakliyat - Kadıköy nakliyat

January 22, 2019 - 3:38 pm

Tuzla nakliyat - Tuzla nakliyat ve taşımacılık hizmetleri

February 27, 2019 - 3:15 pm

İstanbul Şehirler Arası Nakliyat Ambarı Firması - İstanbul Şehirler Arası Nakliyat Ambarı Firması Olarak İstanbul Ankara nakliyat ambarı hizmetlerini en uygun fiyat teklifleri ile gerçekleştirmektedir.

Michael {head shots}

I grew up going to a very small High School that had a graduating class of about 30.  Most of us had been there from Elementary School, some from Preschool. We grew up together with a unique bond that more resembled sisters and brothers.  We had a lot of fun.  One of my good friends from there, Michael, recently contacted me to have head shots taken.  I hadn’t seen Mike in years, so it was a blast to hang out for a couple hours and talk about life.  Our class is also in the midst of planning our 15 year reunion (YIKES, we’re old!), so I am extra sentimental…..I’ve also been extra scanner happy these days!  Below are a couple shots of me, Mike, and some good friends.

Michael has recently pursued acting.  I loved hearing his story about literally just picking up one day and giving acting a try.  It has been one of his mini-dreams, and he is just taking off!  He has already been in a few movies, and even had a role in the recent “Ides of March,” that was filming in Cincinnati.  Go Mike!!

I really think these shots represent him well, and his many sides, from goofy to serious.

Mike, so proud of you for taking this step!!! You’re going to do so well!

March 21, 2011 - 9:20 am

Gail - OOOH — LOVE these Jess! And I admire anybody who just picks up their life to make it in Hollywood! So cool!

March 21, 2011 - 11:05 am

Becky - Love the pics! Can’t wait to see all the places you go, Mike.

March 21, 2011 - 11:17 am

Mike Olbinski - Awesome job…shots like this make me wish I could shave my head and look studly like that :)

March 21, 2011 - 9:29 pm

Dave - Looks great

March 22, 2011 - 5:07 am

Emilie - Great photos!! I love the b&w ones.