Cincinnati Family Photos

I really enjoy photographing senior photos.   Simultaneously, we are paying homage to youth while witnessing witnessing parts of the adult they will become.  It's an exciting time full of transition and change.  Olivia and Kirby left me with a sense of hope and excitement after their session.  They both seem very driven and kind.  The future looks bright through their eyes, I really enjoyed that. 

This is a combination of senior photos and family photos.  Jill, is a wedding industry friend.  Her family runs Village Pantry Catering.  She added time to the girl's session so we could fit the entire family in some of the photos.  It was a gorgeous day at French Park.  I cannot wait until the weather gets nice, so I can visit again. 

Sisterhood

Celebrating 25 years of friendship, wild and free.   When Sara contacted me about a special shoot she wanted to set up with two of her lifelong friends, I was thrilled.  These ladies represent what togetherness feels like,  they represent what real support is.  They are proof that life is just better with good friends by your side.  In a way I am envious of this kind of bond, I can't imagine how special it must feel to know each other so well.  Thank you for the amazing day, ladies.  I am still buzzing from this shoot with you. <3Before we left for the shoot we spent a little time with Sara's daughter Ryman and her aunts.  These are the kind of images I love for.  Memories to last a lifetime.  

Olivia and Carson's Cincinnati Engagement

Olivia and Carson drove up from Louisville for their engagement session. Olivia is studying architecture so she suggested we meet at the Contemporary Art Center downtown.  The building, designed by Zaha Hadid is a work of art in itself.   We got lucky inside as we stumbled into the Unmuseum where there were two interactive exhibits we spent some time in.  I loved playing with the lights and reflections.  What an inspiring day!  Thank you for the amazing afternoon Olivia and Carson.

After the art center, we headed to one of my favorite parks.  We were lucky to experience some really beautiful light and color.

Welcome to the world little August

If you follow my blog, this family should look very familiar to you.  From their engagement session , their wedding, their maternity session and now as we welcome their sweet little son August into the world,  I am so thrilled and honored to be invited into their lives to share and document these milestones.  Being a new mother made taking newborn photos even more special to me.  I was able to relive and feel their joy on a whole new level.  Seeing the tremendous love they have for their sweet son was so refreshing.  I caught myself tearing up a few times as so many memories of my own son's first days came rushing back to me.   I wanted to tell them over and over to savor every second.  Somehow becoming a parent seems to speed up time.  But I also promised them what everyone has told them, with each new day it gets better and better.  <3

The Fields at the Fair

You remember Kendal and Joe's amazing wedding at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, right?  Well, when the most colorful and fun family I know wants to do a maternity session, of course we have to come up with something awesome.  Kendal and I had the idea of doing some kind of photos at a carnival over a year ago.  When she contacted me about setting up a maternity session we both knew it was time.  We met at the Dearborn County fairgrounds for this super fun session.  I am always grateful for the time I get to spend catching up with this family.  I am excited to watch them grow.

 

A Tribute to Love

When I think about my job and the impact it can have on people's lives, I wouldn't be able to do it if I didn't think it had meaning.  People trust me with their most intimate moments and feelings.  They trust me to document them and to be apart of their lives, even if it is only for one day.  I cherish my job, and there isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful and don't take the responsibility I have been given seriously.  Sure I like to make beautiful  images, but I know that the real impact in my work is in the moments I am able to capture, the feelings I am able to portray, and the precious memories I am able to give every single person who steps in front of my camera.

I have shared Kristen and Sean's story on my blog when I photographed their engagement photos and wedding.  Sean was diagnosed with brain cancer within 2 months of getting engaged to Kristen.  They fought very hard together to keep the cancer from spreading or getting worse.  For a few months, they were very successful.  They bought a house together, had great careers, and enjoyed their fur baby family.

When I got the email from Kristen letting me know Sean wasn't doing well, that his cancer had worsened and that he was given a small window of time, my heart sank.  It wasn't that I was naive that this could happen, it was that I hoped so much that it wouldn't.  They are young and have fought so damn hard.  Kristen told me that Sean asked her if she had enough pictures of the two of them, how thoughtful of him.  Of course Kristen said no and asked if I would come over to snap some casual photos of them together at home.  I was more than happy to do this for them.

When I got to the house I didn't know what to expect.  I was around 7 months pregnant, and I did not want my emotions to get out of control.  It wasn't like that at all.  Sean looked great.  He needed help getting around, but he still had that beautiful, vibrant spirit I was able to see each time I photographed him.  We joked a lot and he smiled so much.  He looked at Kristen with those same loving eyes I had seen the first time I met him.  It was very touching to witness.

Sean passed away December 8, 2015 at his home surrounded by Kristen's love.  He fought so hard, it was very sad to see the news of his passing.  But, I know he is now at peace, and we have to find comfort in that.  I encourage each of you who is reading this blog to take time everyday to appreciate the love in your life, not because it could be gone tomorrow, but because it is here today.  Live in the moment, let your worries fade.  There is no better time than now to accept love, to give love, and to appreciate the life you are given.  We aren't ever sure how how much or how little time we have with the people who mean so much to us.  What you do with it is up to you.  The impact you make on other people's hearts is your legacy.  We need each other to heal and to grow.  My heart has been so heavy for Kristen.  Today, as she says her final goodbyes to her husband, I hope she is surrounded by peace and is able to someday heal from her loss.  She has handled every day with such strength.  She comforted her husband through sickness and health.  The vows she took were sincere.  I admire her greatly.

This is my favorite picture of Sean from that day.  Look at that spirit in his eyes.  He was a very warm, compassionate person. I am happy to have had the chance to get to know him.  Kristen took time off of work to comfort and take care of Sean.  She slept right beside him every night. Their sweet family.  Sean's best friend Scott was there to help Kristen take care of Sean. He absolutely adored her.  And she took such good care of him. 

Emily and Enzo

When Emily contacted me about setting up a session with her and her son, Enzo I was thrilled.  She wanted to capture the love she has for her little man and the special relationship they have.  She and her husband Todd are wonderful parents.  I look up to the way they haven't totally lost themselves in parenting, instead they incorporate Enzo into their activities.  He's such a sweet little boy who is so social and smiling every time I see him.

Now that I am pregnant, I have such a huge appreciation and a new found fondness for motherhood.  Emily has been so amazing answering all of the wacky questions I might have.  She doesn't judge, something I admire greatly in a friend.

I am grateful for the opportunity to give her these special images of her and her little boy. :)

First up, a few Polaroids

Raven's Senior Portraits

Raven is one of the most creative, kind hearted young spirits I know.  For her senior pictures she wanted to do something different.  She told me she wanted her pictures to be " super trippy,  late 60s dreamy".  My heart could explode when I get these kinds of requests.  I interpret that into trust your gut and make some art.  She was a beautiful muse to create with.  I brought lots os film and all of my magic cameras.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day.  Raven is amazing with her hoop.  I have been obsessed with the videos she posts on social media.  What a beautiful form of expression!  We had to include it in her pictures. I have been experimenting with a lot of different film lately.  I love the look of this one.We snuck in a couple of polaroids on Impossible Project film.

Louisville Family Portraits

Are you ready for some serious cuteness?  Chris and I drove down to Louisville this week to take pictures of our friend Cole and his new family.  It was my first time meeting Mary, Cole's wife,  I adored her from the first minute we walked in their home.  She greeted me with a big hug and huge smile.  I felt like I have known her forever.  They showed us one of their favorite spots downtown where we spent some time taking relaxed pictures.  After that Mary's parents cooked an amazing dinner for us.  We got to experience southern hospitality at it's finest.  It was a wonderful day full of so many laughs.  We are very lucky to have such beautiful people in our lives.

Alright, now onto the pictures, because their little guy Max will bring a smile to anyone's face, this little dude is the cutest.