Denise Kappa Photography - The Blog

Happy First Birthday Alexis!!

2011-03-31T20:15:00.001-04:00

Ohio Squirrel eating an Orange - who knew?

2011-01-28T15:51:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seen a squirrel eat an orange. That orange has been in the front yard for more than a week. Today I saw this squirrel up in the tree enjoying the treat. Can't believe he climbed up there with it. I would have loved to have seen that! I ran and got my 70-200 lens, made the switch and shot a few frames through the family room window. A second later he was looking down at the ground. He had lost his grip and dropped it! Even though I used my longest lens - I had to crop severely for this closeup.

First Birthday complete with Cake Smash

2011-01-23T17:18:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday to Connor!

December and Christmas Portraits

2010-12-10T11:17:00.006-05:00

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

2010-01-08T16:31:00.008-05:00

We had quite a bit of snow during the night and it was very cold.

I bundled up in two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, two warm shirts, two scarves, a hat, a hood and two pairs of gloves; one pair with fingers, and a pair underneath without. Next I tried on a pair of Bill's lace up work boots. A little too large, but the two pairs of thick socks helped fill in the voids.

Bill and I headed to the old quarry park. We weren't the first ones to leave our footprints in the fresh snow, the deer and raccoon had already been there earlier. For a while I almost forgot how much I hate the cold. It just felt good to walk around and explore the familiar park - now it looked so different; but it was beautiful! Eventually my fingers became so cold and numb that I had a hard time operating my camera. It was time to climb a long set of stairs that led us up and out of the park.

Free Photoshop Action

2009-11-20T21:03:00.004-05:00

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Witches and Vampires

2009-11-20T13:54:00.002-05:00

October's Party

2009-10-27T22:01:00.007-04:00

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

George Cooper

The park is the site of an old quarry. Moss covered stones form beautiful sculptures amongst the trees and leaves.

Another Day in Paradise

2009-10-26T22:01:00.003-04:00

I've been out shooting everyday. I know once winter hits I will be spending much more time indoors shooting stock images. For now, I just want to play.

More silky water - and a couple with a baby.

Glorious Autumn

2009-10-23T11:46:00.012-04:00

We are surrounded by beautiful parks. I think most people that live around here take them for granted.

Jennifer and Todd's Wedding

2009-10-07T13:55:00.007-04:00

A gorgeous wedding and truly radiant bride. Best Wishes Jennifer and Todd!

2009-07-21T09:34:00.003-04:00

Summer is slipping by so quickly and the evenings have been a bit cooler than normal for this time of year. I have to get back down to the lake soon.

Hummingbirds

2009-07-20T20:49:00.004-04:00

Every summer we put out the hummingbird feeder. They also love to feed on the Hosta, Trumpet Vine and Rose of Sharon flowers that bloom freely every year in our backyard.

Seasonal Produce

2009-06-29T16:35:00.002-04:00

I love to set up isolated still life stock photos using fresh fruit and vegetables.

Springtime - I just love it!

2009-06-07T18:48:00.003-04:00

I had to add a few more peony photos to my portfolio this year. The pink ones are my favorite - they even smell sweeter.

First Golf Shots of the Season

2009-05-28T19:36:00.001-04:00

Bill actually didn't golf much last year so this year I am encouraging him to get out more - and of course let me tag along.

Spring has arrived!

2009-04-25T10:02:00.002-04:00

Quick Snaps of a Beauty

2009-03-23T12:46:00.005-04:00

She is so cute and just had a fresh haircut - I just had to take a few shots, much to her dismay. Didn't use any studio equipment - they were taken very much on the fly as she just wasn't in the mood.

Cropped and given a bit more attention.

Can't wait for Spring

2009-03-16T12:16:00.009-04:00

It's been such a long, long winter which as usual has zapped some of my creative energy. I had an opportunity to visit a horse barn the other day. I enjoyed sitting in the sun with the cats and horses. Of course they all got attention from my lens.

Gingerbread Houses

2008-12-15T21:28:00.006-05:00

Each year I build some graham cracker houses for my grand daughters to decorate with candies.

I photographed a favorite holiday decoration - nesting soldiers and decorated a Christmas Card and envelope for my grand daughter that lives out of state.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-04T07:47:00.006-05:00

Veggie Tails

2008-09-11T13:50:00.005-04:00

A trip to Jamie's Flea Market yielded many vegetables and fruit. Good for eating and stock photography.

Evening Session at Lake

2008-09-04T20:51:00.003-04:00

My second session with this family. We met at 6:30 and finished before sunset. The lake was calm and the wind wasn't even noticeable.

Air Show and Peace Rally

2008-09-02T14:41:00.005-04:00

Each year on Labor Day we go downtown to view the Labor Day air show and also the Peace Rally in the park.

Burke Lake airport is to the right of this scene. They take off and land on that airfield and fly over key Cleveland landmarks - the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Science Museum, and the home of the Brown's football team.

The Navy Blue Angels were the final group to perform.

A Vietnam Vet stands vigil in front of a memorial of boots. Each pair of boots is tagged with a photo and the name of an Ohio military member that was killed in Iraq.

The Duck Pond

2008-09-02T14:30:00.004-04:00

Another session at the duck pond. I enjoyed some freedom with this image and added a few effects to give it a story book feel.

Future Model

2008-08-31T22:23:00.002-04:00

This evening on the beach I met a nice young man who told me that he would like to be a model.

Family Sunset at the Lake

2008-08-28T11:02:00.006-04:00

These are some of my favorites from the other night's dramatic sunset session at Huntington beach.

Sunset at the Lake

2008-08-26T16:37:00.007-04:00

The beach is a perfect backdrop for romantic portraits. I particularly like the drama of the lake waves crashing onto the rocks in the background.

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Clague Park Location

2008-08-23T12:01:00.012-04:00

The gazebo, duck pond and walking bridges make this a lovely natural setting for photography.

Little Italy - Cleveland, Ohio Now that's Italian!

2008-08-17T10:18:00.020-04:00

The Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy is always a huge celebration. It's hard to believe that it has already been 5 years since I participated in the celebration in Ortucchio, Italy, the birthplace and childhood town of my maternal grandparents. This year I celebrated in the United States like so many other Italo Americanos. I wonder if I have room for one more bowl of pasta?

Part of a very long mural that is painted on a wall on Murray Hill. It depicts the immigration and history of the Italian-Americans that live in this neighborhood.

The real reason for the celebration.

I didn't notice it at the time, but while editing the image I realized that there was something very familiar about this man; his nose, his hands.....yes, he looked related. Maybe he saw something familiar about me, too and that is why when I passed him the second time, he asked me to take his photograh.

This little boy looked so much like my sister's boys - so cute! He was holding a nice bowl of cavatelli and meatballs. I asked his mother for permission before snapping this photo. Is he of Italian descent? You bet, "100%" his mother proclaimed. Buon appetito bello ragazzo.

More at the Lake

2008-08-16T00:55:00.006-04:00

I think I have found a great place to spend the remainder of the summer. I love how each time I am there the background is different, but always beautiful!

Many thanks to Shawn Richter, Caught On Film Photography located in San Diego, for your kindness and help - you are a wonderful teacher.

Beach Photography - Lake Erie

2008-08-11T14:22:00.006-04:00

I did a little shooting at Huntington over the weekend. I wanted to scope out the area and practice some techniques I've been wanting to try. The first photo was taken during the afternoon and the last one is at sunset.

Book on Photographing Children by Jim Miotke

2008-08-09T11:46:00.011-04:00

Author, Jim Miotke is a photographer and teacher. I am honored that Jim requested two of my photographs for the book. I am looking forward to viewing the book when it is finally in print. You can reserve a copy at Amazon.

Digital Scrapbook Page

2008-08-08T14:05:00.016-04:00

Digital scrapbooking is all the rage and it's not just for the home crafter. Professional photographers are using it as well to create one of a kind storyboards, photo books, and other frameable photo art. Below is a simple example of a scrap page. I took a couple photos from a recent session and pulled them together with a theme scrapbook page kit.

If you think this is something that you would enjoy, check out Digital Scrapbook Place
for lesson, tutorials, freebies and fun.

This little guy had just turned 2-years old - a very challenging and cute age. The session lasted about 90 minutes and was action packed!

Stock Images Fresh From the Garden

2008-08-07T17:19:00.012-04:00

As a stock photographer, I try to remember to make everyday events count. Here is an example from this past week. Summer gardens are in full swing. My brother brought me a jar of home canned tomatoes with herbs and a squash and zucchini from his garden and I had some tomatoes, basil and parsley. I had all of that and a few other items assembled on the table as I was getting ready to make dinner. I stopped arranged the vegetables and snapped a few before continuing with my cooking.