https://justingriffithphotography.shootproof.com/

The Tipp City Photographer, Tipp City, OH (2026)

06/16/2026

Final update on the Roger Presley Trail and Garden.

I finished clearing the trail at 8am and it is now unobstructed and back to the original trail width.
I still have some cleaning up to do, but it was a beautiful and welcoming sight to walk the entire length of the trail without running into 5 foot w**ds, poison Ivy, an excess of mosquitoes and ticks.

When I made the initial post, I was pi**ed that Roger was upset. He has always had a difficult time finding help and the city and parks department are only concerned with the service road that lines the Freeman prairie and Roger's trail.
I have watched it get bad for almost a year, so I'm just as guilty of letting it go as everyone else was. It may not have been my responsibility or my job, but Roger's trail has hosted over 300 photo sessions of every kind over the last 6 years. It's as much my trail as everyone else's.

I live downtown so my mower and w**d eater set-up isn't ideal for this, but it's all I had. I had to make 6 trips in between sessions, ended up needing to buy a machete because apparently you can't just buy a scythe anymore. Three bags of trash I collected and all of my clippings I mulched up. It would have been easier with a gas mower and trimmer, but it also could have been knocked out by a crew sent by the city in an afternoon.

I will continue to take care of it as I see things needing done. Roger's legacy is one of the few things I cherish in Tipp City. We should all help maintain the trail's integrity. As an avid hiker and land conservationist, if you bring it in, bring it out when you leave. Some of the trash I came across was wild. Lots of alcohol and more than a few condoms 🧐 way to be safe I guess? There are not enough trash cans on the trail so I guess I will work on getting more. That would help out exponentially.

I didn't want to include anyone or set up a large scale clean up day because I wasn't convinced that I wouldn't get in trouble for cleaning it out. I suppose it's still a possibility, but since no one of any official capacity has said anything, go clean up areas that need it. You don't need permission to make an impact somewhere.

I hope you're able to go and enjoy Roger's or any of the other amazing trails In Tipp or elsewhere. Go on an adventure and listen to some of Roger's amazing stories.

06/15/2026

Here's an update on the Roger Presley trail for those who have been asking. (Trail is clear as of 8am on 6/16) 💪🏼

I took the initiative myself and began clearing out the trail Sunday morning. I came back again with my son Sunday night and again this morning.

I've cleared a little over 3/4 of a mile back to the original trail width, I have from the trailhead/garden to trail marker 8 still to do. I'll be going back tonight to finish up cutting.

Things that I still need help with.
There's a flower bed that's barren on trail marker 5 if anyone with a green thumb would be willing to plant something in it. The trail needs to be raked from everything I've cut down (I don't have a rake or a blower)
I've bagged up 2 bags of trash but there's more at the retaining pond on 571 that needs picked up and a few spots along the river.

I will be working with Roger to set up a "trail needs" section on the bulletin board at the trail head to post anything Roger needs help with.
I still haven't heard a peep from anyone at the city or parks department. The trail has been overgrowing since last summer which was Roger's whole complaint that the city wasn't tending to it.

I could have organized some sort of clean up day but generally when I host events no one shows up and I had the ability to go and do it so I did.
Since I'm back there so often- likely once I get it all cut back and cleaned up I'll just help maintain it as I have time to do it.

Thank you all for helping me raise awareness for Roger and his trail. His legacy is super important to me and I can't see something he worked so hard for become unusable.

06/14/2026

Did you know that Brayden doesn’t wave back when I wave at him on the street? The running gag for the last 4 years because we live a few blocks apart and I wave to him all the time and he looks at me like I am an actual Martian and keeps walking or driving every single time.
Man, This kid. He was late too.
I’ve taken what feels like every possible kind of soccer photo for this kid over the years, but we’re finally doing senior photos. My first of the class of 2027.
I don’t get let in to the Tippecanoe field very often. I think this is only my 3rd time in 6 years. Thankfully we had a beautiful sky to work with.
Brayden is a good kid despite not being a waver. His kick marksmanship has really improved up until the last two kicks of the night. He sailed them out of the stadium and across the street. 😂
I’ll have a few sessions with this handsome guy this year. Thankfully he will not be kicking any more balls at me from here on out.

06/13/2026

Roger gave me a message this morning that he wants shared.

(Update ❤️ as of 6/16 at 8am the trail is clear. )
But keep reading about Roger Presley Trail and Garden

For those who don’t know- this is Roger Presley. He is the creator and caretaker of the trail in Tipp City that bears the same name. It is a wonderful natural river trail that will lead you alongside the Great Miami River and offers some truly amazing views. Some use it to exercise or walk their dogs, but I have been using it for years to unwind, find peace and take photos.
Roger was once responsible for maintaining the entirety of the trail which starts just across the street from Tippecanoe’s stadium off of the bike path and ends at the new retaining pond on 571. In recent years he has given control of the trail to the city and he’s stayed back to watch over his garden at the trailhead.
He’s brought up concerns with how overgrown the trail has become and he feels like the city is only concerned with things that bring in revenue. I can’t speak specifically on that but I hate to see Roger frustrated. I spent the summer with him a few years ago listening to all of his stories and seeing the pride on his face when he told me how he solved some specific trail problem and how he’s had to fight to do this thing or another thing…It’s easy to get wrapped up and lose track of time. He has made me late on countless days, but I will never not stop to talk to him.
That’s what we do for our elders. What if no one stops? What if a story gets lost because there’s no one to tell it to.
I don’t want that for him or for anyone who tries to talk.
What can we do?
the aspect I love most about the trail is that it isn’t as sanitized as the other trails in the area. It’s memorable. There are places to explore. It’s not just an out and back trail. with a little creativity it ties into Kyle park’s river and horse trails, which connects you to the Miami river recreational trail, which ties in to the Taylorsville Dam and everywhere else. I don’t want it to become just another paved walkway though which is more than likely what it will become in the future if it isn’t forgotten altogether.
If you use this trail in any capacity and you see Roger, go ask him how you can help. Walk the trail with him. Listen to his stories, clean up limbs and trash…but go enjoy it. The overgrowth will be tamed best by people using the trail.

06/12/2026

If anyone asks me where I prefer to be, my answer most days will be; In the clouds.
That’s an unusual statement for someone historically afraid of heights. 17 years ago i crawled off the elevator at the top of Kings Island’s Tower. Losing my mind. Hyperventilating. While my wife laughed at me and could NOT believe how I was reacting, I definitely decided in that moment that I didn’t like heights at all.
Photography for me needs to feel grand. When starting out with cheap gear one of the ways I would make my photos have that pop was to go up high. It was an unfortunate realization but one I’ve slowly become addicted to.
The views are better. Problems feel smaller. The air feels different on your skin. You become more focused and intentional with what you’re doing. As someone who is also clumsy because I just Frankenstein around the world with reckless abandon, I pay attention to every step and finally slow down. (If you’ve worked with me on the ground, imagine that)
If you would have told the person crawling around and clinging to to floor of the KI tower that 17 years later I would be hanging off of a cliff with one hand and taking photos of Maleah with the other I never would have believed you.
I probably would also ask, Who is Maleah?
Well she wears platform sandals to cliff hikes and she looks amazing in the clouds. I had the night off but still wanted to shoot. I made a post. I put an offer up on my discord server. Crickets. I sent a message to Maleah on IG, like a true hero she saved the day and wanted to go on an adventure.
We ended up here because she was basically already in the area. I took one look at the sky and knew it was the place to go.
It was hot. I understood why my evening session cancelled. I literally felt like I was melting, but we do hard things to adventure and make people feel beautiful. Maleah is someone I have worked with since the very beginning of my tenure in Tipp. Numerous family sessions, senior sessions and now a self love adventure. She is chill but will also let a MF know and she is phenomenal to photograph.
Maybe a little more adventure than she bargained for. There was a couple that climbed up the cliff before us and were eating Domino’s when we walked out onto the top. They were super sweet and they hyped her up the whole time.
I love that she had so much fun with it. I’m beyond thankful I have so many great people I can call at literally any time and within an hour or two I’ll be off on a pretty amazing adventure and have photos like these when it’s over.

06/11/2026

Addison messaged me out of the blue, “Hellloooooo, when can we go on an adventure?”

I asked what she was doing that night and asked if she could swim.

No one ever just shows up in my inbox looking for an urgent adventure. I enjoyed working with her and her boyfriend last month and knew pretty instantly that I wanted to work with her again.
It was very hot yesterday so I knew water was going to be a focal point. The word adventure means something different to everyone, but to me it means bushwhacking through an eroded canal channel, wading through chest high water, then going from the stream to the river to let rapids dance over you, then a hike through the prairie at sunset.

We were never hot. It was a great way to stay cool and enjoy the beautiful sunset. The mosquitoes then showed up and proceeded to attack every bit of exposed skin while we raced back towards our cars.

She said she wants to go skydiving next. Now that is an adventure.

06/10/2026

It’s Wednesday.
Which is three days since my last post. Longtime followers know what that means. I got banned 🙄🙄🙄
What was so horrible that got me in trouble? A maternity session. Feel free to go back and look at it if you didn’t see it. Tell me what was so obscene about it because I couldn’t for the life of me understand it. Oh well, onto the next.
Thankfully I also didn’t feel well during that time period so I just enjoyed the peace and quiet.
But now we’re back and I need stuff to do. I also posted a sale prior to getting tossed in facebook jail which I’ve spoken to quite a few people about- Reminder that you have until Saturday to purchase a session. Simply expressing interest doesn’t enable sale pricing. I will yet again use the Kohls example. You see a dress (session) you like there and It’s on sale from June 5-13th if You walk in and get the dress on the 22nd and take it up to the register, you can’t say it was on sale this day to this day and I would like it for the price I saw when I wanted it. That’s not how sales work.
This photo was in the midst of a spicy session. I don’t think it's inherently sexy. The description of it definitely wasn’t. We were searching the back of the rock quarry to avoid all the people who were walking around. At first I really wanted to use the crescent shaped depression of dirt and rocks to be used like when a terminator travels back in time, but that seemed silly. Instead we messed around and found something that feels very emotional and vulnerable. Which isn’t something I like to shoot. I prefer to frame and pose women as being strong and powerful. Full of beauty. But this is pretty reflective of how I was feeling when I shot it.

06/07/2026

We're going to call this a kickstart the summer sale.

I've had lots of people reaching out lately wanting sessions, but they couldn't fit my price point in their budget.
I have honestly been waiting for this, I saw it coming when inflation didn't get better between spring and summer, then the gas prices shot up which will further impact the price of everything as summer continues.

The price of photography as a whole is a highly debated topic and I have spoken at great lengths about it over the years. While I've always done my best to keep my services reasonable, I knew there would come a time when I would have to reassess how the business works. I think I've done some helpful things in making having moments captured be something that doesn't require selling body parts. I think I can do more.

I'm offering senior sessions for the class of 2027 at a 75% discount.

Family sessions at a 50% discount.

Self love (mild or spicy) at a 50% discount.
(I'll put pricing in the comments, I'll get zero reach if I put it here)
The sale lasts till 6/13. You can use your session any time and you don't need to know the date. These sessions must be paid in full (that's how sales work) and they never expire.
All of my sessions include all photos, rights and gallery hosting- in case you didn't know also.

Outside of sales, the best (and cheapest) way to work with me is to be a subscriber. Subscribers get a free yearly mini session as well as exclusive sales and session opportunities that are not offered on the main page. It's less than 5 dollars a month, it's an auto payment you don't have to think about. (Just throwing it out there)

I generally only do sales like this right before Christmas, but it feels like we all need something to be a little cheaper for a minute.

06/07/2026

I will not hesitate to say that I don’t like traditional maternity photos. They often feel so fake and repetitive.
I do on the other hand LOVE going a more spicy route. I think the pregnant female body is perfect. I love the accentuated curves and raging hormones. To me it just makes sense. I’ve never understood why motherhood and seduction are treated like opposites. Creation itself is an act of intimacy.
Dani and I have never worked together prior and I love that this is how we met. What an adventure. Tonally these photos were supposed to be bright and glowy. That is not what the vibe was on the day. It was hot, stormy and very moody.
We saw the sun exactly once at the very end of the shoot. After consulting the forecast and Dani, we shifted the timing and planned to get wet. Some of us got more wet than we intended. We were in the river, trying to figure out where it was safe for her to stand, I went first because I’m a gentleman. Rocky step, rocky step, rocky step…a vast void. This is the third time I have been in the river and went under. The other two times I just tripped, this time there was just no more land. Thankfully I was able to hold my hand and camera above the water and tread my way back to Dani and she saved my life, which is not hyperbole. Ya boy can’t swim and I’m pretty dense so I was moments away from sinking. It sounds super dramatic but It was the most calm near death experience of my life. Shout out to Dani. ❤️
She was great, outside of being a superhero. She went through it. I did not give her some soft ass experience. The places we went were hard to get to, uncomfortable to be in and we were being attacked by mosquitoes constantly. She just kept going, looking beautiful the entire time.

06/06/2026

Whenever there’s a moment of down time, I always come back to my philosophy for self love and the importance of it in your life.
If I could have anything written on my tombstone, without hesitation it would say “Love Yourself”
The goodness and peace that comes from simply loving yourself is unmatched. This concept was alien to me for much of my adolescence. Boys probably (certainly my experience anyway) are given less direction on finding value in themselves- But as a concept It is lost on our teens, we hear whispers of it in our 20’s and in our 30’s and beyond It becomes vital.
I was a chubby kid, from a poor family and I hated myself for years. Had I not heard the phrase “If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect anyone else to” I would likely still struggle with it. As I got older the saying has evolved to “self love isn’t about believing that you’re perfect, It’s about refusing to make a home out of places, people and things that make you forget who you are.”
The thing that no one talks about-that I see every single day is that the wealthy housewife with a great body, the working class curvy girl, the middle aged mom who puts her love into everyone else, the 20 year old bartender that everyone wants, the quiet nerdy 30 year old who doesn’t want to leave her apartment, The model who is the current example of societal body image perfection, The little girl who hears her mom talk down about herself, The plumber with his entire ass crack out in your bathroom, The CEO of the fortune 500 company who puts all their value in how much money they make….All of those people and more struggle with the same moments of self disgust and trouble finding their actual value. All of them. It’s a very human problem. One that evolves until the final thought is something tragic, I wish…. I regret.
It’s not always a physical thing- but it is the most common aspect. Even the physical prevention of loving yourself is all mental. When I lose this, If i didn’t have that, No one loves me so I can’t either. None of these realizations are valid and It’s all s**t you make up in your head. We all have the same options. Embrace it or change. Nowhere in there are you expected to settle. This is literally the only life you have. No do-overs.
Self love doesn’t mean looking in the mirror and pretending everything is perfect. It means refusing to wait for permission to exist in your own story. Main character energy as the kids call it.
That’s why my relationship with photography has changed. It used to be only centered around the beauty aspect. Helping people find the beauty they already have. I foolishly thought that’s where it ended for me. This is the only thing I can do to send you on your journey of self love and discovery. So I changed my perspective towards "How do you want to feel”
Most people approach a session asking How do I look? Am I thin enough? Will you hide this flaw? Changing the narrative allows for feelings that last longer than poses. Maybe she wants to feel powerful because she spent the last 20 years making herself feel small. Maybe she wants to feel soft because the world only ever asked her to be strong. Maybe she wants to be bold and loud because she’s always been told to stay quiet.
She just wants to feel like she’s enough, for him, for them, for her. Why is she always last? She wants to feel like she is living life instead of waiting for whatever she can spare for herself.

What I do has been boiled down to just taking pretty pictures. Sometimes that’s what people want. Sometimes it isn’t that deep. When it isn’t, I got you.
But when it is deep and you know you need something, but you don’t know what and you’ve got a nagging feeling that’s taking away from your ability to love yourself. I’ve got you there too.

Self love will always be my favorite adventure to go on. It will always be the cheapest service I provide. The impact of the experience will be felt across all areas of life- and that should’t be cost prohibitive.

We are all waiting for the day we become enough. Enough to be seen, desired, enough to stand in the frame.
I wasted years believing that the best version of me was somewhere in the future. The cruel joke is that the younger version of me would give anything to become the person I am today. When your kids or grandkids find photos of you decades down the line- they wont see wrinkles, stretch marks or wonder how much you weigh. They’ll see someone who loved life, that laughed and went on adventures. Someone who was there. Maybe that’s what self love becomes. Leaving behind evidence that you existed, lived life to the fullest and never waited for permission to participate.

Think about it. How would you want to feel?

The Tipp City Photographer

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