John Osterhoudt Photography

08/30/2026

Founded in 1853, The Shrine of St. Martin of Tours, Louisville, KY has been a home to thousands upon thousands of Catholic families, but today downtown heard something it hasn't heard since about 1947: the Shrine's bells in their full glory.

It's been almost 5 years now that I walked into this church, smelled the incense, saw the skeletons of St. Magnus and Bonosa, heard the choir, and never left. The positive impact this place and its people has on so many lost and seeking souls is immeasurable.

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

I'll be there with my camera ❤️

07/30/2026

I've recently been reflecting on something. So often, the bride and groom are thrilled to receive their photos after the wedding. (And I am also very excited to share the photos with them.) But what is really interesting is that those same images will become more and more valuable with... time.

The photos are for the bride and groom, of course. But they are also for their kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, close friends that they haven't met yet, and so forth. People that I more than likely will never meet. And there is something about that that is very beautiful to me.

I begin with photographing the grace-filled nature of the Sacrament of marriage, we then take richly symbolic portraits, and move on to once-in-lifetime family moments.

Even when they’re first shot, these photographs tell one of the most meaningful stories people can experience. But then they grow in meaning and importance as the years progress. “Photos we posed for last month” can one day become “photos of my grandparents when they were young.” And a lot of other things in between.

I have the privilege of putting my creative skills at the service of God and of families. I’m blessed every time a bride and groom invite me to their wedding mass. I pray for many more opportunities to evoke smiles like the ones you see on the faces of Simon and Liz here.

-John

PS - Shout out to the great Alissa of for capturing these behind the scenes shots!

07/22/2026

07/18/2026

When Simon and I first met, it was during a self-inflicted time of discipline, undertaken in an effort to become better men and better Christians. We were in the same Exodus 90 group last year, and hence are brothers in that forever.

It was therefore a special privilege to be invited to photograph his wedding to the beautiful and elegant Liz.

The day was beautiful in every way, with so much prayerfulness, attention to detail, and party business.

Praise God for marriage like this, I'm so grateful to help preserve the memories.📸 🙏

And I have to give a big shoutout to Alissa Tuttle of Tiny Wings Photography who joined me to photograph this wedding and took a number of these particular photos. I can’t say enough good things about Alissa. Meeting other Catholic creatives like her has been one of the greatest joys of doing this work, second only to what we’re all photographing: the Grace of God flowing through the Sacraments.

-John

06/24/2026

Not long after I reclaimed my faith as an adult, the Dominican Friars of the Province of Saint Joseph began playing a pivotal role in my spiritual life. Confessions available every day, great impromptu talks about books, wise spiritual counsel, many 7am masses, and so many great photographs on so many special occasions. Through all this, I’ve gotten to know many friars who live at St. Louis Bertrand in Louisville, even having the amazing opportunity to photograph the most famous friar of all, St. Thomas Aquinas.

This past weekend I had the privilege of meeting and photographing more students of Aquinas, the good friars of the Godsplaining podcast. Wow! Every friar I’ve met has been unique, holy, friendly, and strangely normal, if I can say that. Frs. Gregory, Joseph Anthony, Bonaventure, and lived up well to the wonderful impression my Dominican friends have left on me. Their retreat on the spiritual lessons from Narnia (awesome!) was so nerdy, cool, and potent, but my favorite part was attending and photographing the Holy Mass in the Dominican Rite, where after the Consecration, the celebrant assumes an ad orientem cruciform posture. Powerful symbolism that makes for some great photos.

Thank you so much to Godsplaining for the invitation and I hope to see you and your team again soon!

-John

06/17/2026

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

06/12/2026

Had the opportunity to capture the engagement photos for these two back in November, and am now excited to be capturing their wedding this weekend!

06/04/2026

5 wedding-day portraits to get on your special day:

1 - A kiss under the veil. I love this photo of Maddy and Caleb, with the sunlight peeking out from the trees from behind.

2 - The recessional. Maria and Joey's photo here was staged with their bridal party. You could also include family, friends, and have a larger group in the shot. This is such a fun photo to have and look back on!

3 - Slow dancing. Ava and Ian have a great slow dance photo, with focus on the bride looking at her new husband.

4 - Standard portrait. Don't forget to get a standard portrait! Your mom will probably want this one framed. 😉

5 - This last one is a creative shot, I brought the camera low to the ground and held the bride's veil right up to the camera, which creates a unique angle. Angling up towards the top of the church building is almost symbolic, as it points up to Heaven above. Great photo of Simon & Liz!

-John