What do a couple that is going to get married, a couple that did get married, a few lady dancers, a beautiful Russian photographer, and a sweet little two year old have in common? Well, they have entered my little crazy world this week and I feel more than lucky. :) I have been busy, very busy, and I love it. I have some exciting posts coming up, so stay tuned!
Today I had one of those days where everything just fell into place beautifully. I had to run a lot of errands and finalize a lot of details concerning future projects I have planned. Everyone I dealt with had a smile on their face, I love when that happens. Makes me wonder if my attitude was different today too. Were people nice to me because I was engaging and I took my nose out of my phone for a minute to say hello?#@! :) Or was it because my shirt was the prettiest shade of purple, almost lavender. Purple always makes me happy!
To top it all off, I found this cupcake that I am now addicted to. It's from AbbyGirlSweets downtown on 5th St. I tried saving half for Dave, but he didn't get to it quick enough. ;) It is called chocolate covered banana. Yum!
My sister Nina graduated from one of Cincinnati's best nursing schools today, and I am so proud. She not only graduated with a 3.2 GPA, she did it while being a wonderful mother to one teenager and three little boys (one of which she had while on summer break) and while going through a major surgery. She worked hard. With the support of her husband and family she did it, Nina is a Nurse. :)
Watching my sister go through nursing school has given me an even deeper appreciation for the job nurses do, a job that far too often goes unnoticed. Nurses take care of us from the moment we enter the world until we take our last breathe. They are the caregivers of humanity. It takes a heart of gold to do what they do. The next time you are at the hospital remember to thank them or at least give them a warm smile, I know they will appreciate it. :)
Congratulations to the entire Good Samaritan College of Nursing class of 2010!
A letter I got from my sister when I was nine after having my appendix removed. It is so special to me. She has always been so caring and selfless.
She smiled like this the entire time.
Her nursing buddy, Judy.
She did it! 
Why am I the only one laughing? Must have been my joke! ;) 
With her husband, Kevin.
Here she is with my oldest nephew, Austin. Smiling in a picture with your mom can be so difficult as a teenager huh, Austin. ;) The little boys are home with their uncle.
Nina you are a beautiful mother, a caring wife, a loving daughter, and my best friend. Your heart is so warm and strong. I am proud of the positive impact you will have on so many lives as a nurse.
I love you Sis!
xoxo
This is Mya, she is turning two in a few weeks. She is the daughter of another one of the Amanda's in my life. I enjoy photographing her any chance I can get, do you blame me? Amanda, you really need to get this child into modeling asap. She loves the camera and the camera absolutely loves her.
She looks like a little doll here.
Okay, how cute is this outfit? Aunt Nikita bought it for her birthday. I have four nephews so buying girl's clothes is a treat for me. There is so much cool stuff out there for little girls. Since we did lots of soft photos in grass for her last birthday session, we wanted this one to have a funky urban feel so we turned her into a little rocker chick.
This dress is perfect for the location. Cute, cute, cute!
I am loving this light.
Look at her working the camera. 
Birthday girl.
So sweet.
We took a little break to play for awhile.
A little admirer came over to sit next to her while we were photographing. She is a future heart breaker for sure!
Did I mention she is barely two?
Love you Amanda and Mya!
Thanks for spending the evening with me in my neighborhood.
xoxo
We have all experienced, at one time or another, people entering our lives that we just connect with right away. Conversations come easy and you are comfortable putting your feet up on their couch. Amanda and Brian are these people to me. They are creative and fun. They are passionate about each other and their family, and they have a timeless, eclectic charm that comes through in their style and personality. When I was started building my portfolio I asked if Amanda and Brian wanted to do a couple's session for me. It was my first time meeting Brian, but immediately I could see why Amanda fell for him. He is handsome and creative, and just like Amanda, he has the warmest smile. It was an enchanting experience photographing their love. Those images are still some of my favorites in my portfolio. Their passion is so real and I was lucky to have the opportunity to capture it.
When I heard Amanda and Brian were expecting a baby I was thrilled. Apparently they got pregnant the day after their photo session, Brian jokes that it might have a little something to do with their pregnancy! ;)
Little Harper was born April 18, 2010. As a gift to my dear friends I wanted to give them pictures of their new baby they can cherish forever. We really had a great time making these pictures. Once we started to get our creative juices flowing we all came up with great ideas to make the photos unique and personal.
She already has great hair. :) 
Beautiful
Yes, little Harper has a birthmark in the shape of a heart. Crazy, huh? Amanda said her other daughter, Ella also had a heart birthmark when she was born. I think it is because their mama is so darn sweet! :)
This is big sister Ella.
She went into her room and emerged as a little flower. I loved it, so cute!
A very proud papa! 
I have never seen a newborn smile so much.
Amanda had this suitcase laying in a spare room and a light bulb went off in my head. I was even more excited when I found out it was stuffed with awesome fabric swatches, perfect!
The following image was Amanda's idea. Brian is the band The KY Struts. We took out his other baby, a beautiful red Gibson guitar, and replaced it with Harper for a couple of photos inside his guitar case. The plush pink lining is so perfect for a little girl. :) 
Their house is full of very cool and unique things and music is very important in their lives. This one was Brian's idea.
Who doesn't love baby feet? 
Love this!
Amanda and Brian, I am so happy for you guys. Your family is beautiful and so is your love for one another. I am grateful to be part of it.
xoxo
If you are pregnant and would like to schedule a newborn session, it is important to schedule within the first 2 weeks of birth. The baby will sleep a lot then and we can get really creative with props and locations around your house. :)
I am completely honored that someone found my picture on the internet and wanted to use it as a book cover. The book is written by Judson M. Corey.. It is an inspirational book dealing with sorrow. He wrote it while experiencing the loss of his wife, Margaret to cancer. I will be honest with you when I say I have not read it yet simply because I am not ready. I know this story is going to be very powerful. I need to prepare my heart for it.
I am so thankful to be part of such a special book.
Here is the original image.
Here is the book.
"Photography is an art when it is used by an artist"
Ruth Bernhard
Monday, the worst day of the week for most people, has always been my favorite day of the week. I have never been one to keep a "conventional" schedule. I am a night owl, who enjoys work on the weekends. Before pursuing photography full time I worked as a waitress/bartender. As you can imagine, the weekend shifts are the best shifts. I was always off on Mondays. It was my day to do whatever I wanted and it is a day that Dave and I have off together. Luckily photography allows me to still enjoy my Mondays. I may have a meeting or a photo session here or there, but for the most part it is still my day to play! :)
I had a beautiful wedding on Saturday and rested all day Sunday, by Monday I was ready to get out of the house! :) Dave and I decided to take one of our mini road trips. This one was full of random adventures... We had Mexican food, visited three parks, held hands, walked by a raccoon sleeping in a tree, kissed, daydreamed, drove by a llama, laughed, and sat in comfortable silence all while traveling over 200 miles through 4 different counties. We took in every last inch of our surroundings and enjoyed each other all day long.
These are our iPhone photos of the day.
Trying out a new app on Dave.
We started in Eden Park.
I thought it was cool that my shoes matched the architecture.
We stumbled onto a wildlife habitat.
It is always nice getting lost in Boone County.
All of the waiting is over, Spring is finally here! Since it was so nice out yesterday, Dave and I decided to take a long drive down Rt.8 along the river. It was nice to turn everything off and just appreciate each other and our surroundings. The sunroof was open, the breeze was warm. We cruised at our own pace chasing pockets of glorious late afternoon light, my idea of a perfect day.
While we were out enjoying the day Dave snapped a few photos of me for my website. He really is becoming a great photographer, don't you think?
Sunshine Finally! Ahhhhh!
My Favorite
I am not really sure what i am doing with my hands, but I love this one because of the reflection of him in my sunglasses. ;)
I heart Rt. 8
I need that printed on a t-shirt. :)