Lizzie and James' OTR Wedding

What happens when two of the nicest people you have ever met get married?  It is one amazing party and there isn't a single person there not having fun.  From the minute I spoke with Lizzie's amazing sister Becca, who helped coordinate and design the event,  I knew I would it was going to be a special day.  Lizzie and James are in love.  It is the kind of love that makes you bite your fist, James actually did when her first saw his girl, it was the sweetest.  And from what I learned at their wedding, everyone around them is in love with them.  They both have this rare kindness about them, they put others before themselves.  It felt great to be around something so awesome.   

The ceremony was at Washington Park and the reception was at Woodward Theater.  Thanks to my assistants/photographer/friends, Leeka and Chris for all of your help telling their story.  

Be prepared to see more of these two.  We took lots of Polaroids and recently did another shoot in front of one of my favorite Cincinnati murals.  I will post those next. 

Polaroids at Neltner Farm

I have been bringing Polaroid cameras to weddings over the past 6 years.  I would sneak in a couple of photos to satisfy my need to make art with the couples I photograph.  I love the spontaneity of instant film and the dreaminess adds such a special feeling that is impossible to replicate.   I say it over and over, each photo is a one of a kind piece of art.  

Last year was the first year I decided to offer Polaroids as an option to my wedding packages.  The response has been overwhelming.  Almost every single wedding I have booked since adding the option wants Polaroids at their wedding.  This makes me so happy.  I get to make art while celebrating love.  

I haven't shared an entire collection of wedding images, so I decided to showcase this very special wedding I photographed earlier this year at one of my favorite venues, Neltner Farm.   Some of this film is 17 years old.  I just love it's very unique charm.  These are from 2 shoots.  A week after the wedding we went back to the farm to experiment more.  Mandy and Landon were so patient and grateful.  I appreciate them giving me so much time to create these.

Here is a little iPhone video I made while creating with Mandy.

Mandy and Landon's Neltner's Farm Wedding

Mandy and Landon were married a few weeks ago at one of my favorite places to work, Neltner's Farm.  It was a hot summer day and everything, especially Mandy's big smile was shining bright.  Mandy and Landon are carefree and fun.  He has a great sense of humor and she loves to laugh.  I can't think of a better way to spend their lives together.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend such a special day with the two of them.

Here are some of my favorites from the day.

Rebecca and Steven at Ault Park

The biggest perk of my job has always been getting a glimpse at the intimate parts of people's relationship.  It is when people trust me enough to open up and show me how they love that my adrenaline starts pumping and I know I will create something authentic.   I encourage a lot of touching and connecting during photo sessions.  Posed pictures are pretty, but the ones that sing to me are the ones that capture the emotion.

I spent a beautiful morning with Rebecca and Steven at one of my favorite parks recently.  I left with a full and happy heart.

Thank you for sharing your love with me you two.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Kyleigh and Derek

I have had the extreme pleasure of photographing Kyleigh's family over the past 7 years.  From family photos, to senior photos, to anniversaries, it has been an absolute honor to document so many joyous life moments.  Kyleigh has always been a very driven girl.  Her calm, level headed attitude is a breath of fresh air.  She is living proof that the new generation of adults are respectful and hardworking.  She busted her butt to become a nurse and I have first hand experience, because of a recent sickness in my own family,that she is a good one. (By chance, a dear person to me who is hospitalized right now has been taken care of very well by Kyleigh).

Derek is a perfect fit for Kyleigh.  He is laid back and so sweet.  Whenever he is around Kyleigh he lights up in a way that lets you know their love is the special kind.  Together, they have already bought their dream home far from the city, their peaceful oasis.  I am so excited to watch them grow together as a couple.

Thank you for the amazing day Kyleigh and Derek.  I can't wait to see you again soon.

New Year's Eve Wedding at The Bell Event Centre

I can't think of a better way to ring in the New Year than spending it celebrating love.  I am excited to share some of Hannah and Zach's wedding today.  Inspiration hit me to present a wedding entirely in black and white and this wedding was perfect.   I love how it makes things feel timeless and you are really drawn into the emotion in the images. Here are a few of my favorites.  Thank you to Dana Rogers for being an amazing second shooter for this wedding.  Her use of light fit with my editing perfectly.

Kat and Andrew's Spring Grove Wedding

It was serendipitous the way Kat and I met.  She was visiting The Lodge, where my studio is to go over details for her wedding reception that was to be held there.  She and her fiancé were planning  a small wedding at Spring Grove Cemetery.  As she talked about the day I was secretly thinking how cool it would be to photograph it.  Since it was only a couple of weeks away, I assumed she already had a photographer.  Fast forward a few days, Kat contacted me to discuss hiring me to photograph her wedding.  She wanted ceremony coverage and creative portraits and gave me creative freedom to do whatever I wanted.  I was thrilled to work with them.  We have been so lucky with the weather this fall, their wedding day was not excluded.

Here are a few of my favorites from the day starting with a wicked Polaroid.

Jennifer and Dan's Ohio Wedding

Dan and Jennifer drove home to Ohio from Colorado with their sweet dog to celebrate their love with their closest friends and family.  The only thing dramatic about the day was the weather.  It started with a sky full of clouds that eventually moved out in time for their sunny ceremony.  Jennifer's big smile and warm personality lit up the room.  What a dream day to photograph! Happiness is contagious, I was floating on cloud nine at this wedding.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the day. 

Pam and Joe's Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Wedding

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is one of the most beautiful wedding locations I have had the pleasure of working at.  You are not only surrounded by art, but the landscaping is also so inspiring for me.  Pam and Joe were wonderful to work with.   They wanted their wedding to be intimate and relaxed, the park was the perfect backdrop for their aesthetic.   It was another one of those days when my job was way too much fun to call it work.