Social Media Mini Sessions

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Lately I have had a few people ask me to help them update their social media profile pictures with professional images.  I think this is a wonderful idea.  In the world we live in now, social media is where we go for jobs, dates, and to meet new friends.  Your image is the first thing people see.  Why not have that image be something that makes you feel confident and good about yourself?   These sessions are not only perfect for professionals, but also great for artists, musicians, or anyone who just wants a really good image to freshen up their profile.  Did I mention having a photo session with me is fun?  I love when I am able to make someone feel great.  It's probably the best perk of my job. Here are the details... The mini session fee is $150 for one person.  Included  is a 30 minute photo session on location with me.  I will give you 10 high resolution images in an online gallery for you to download.  You can use these images however you want... for press releases, your business website, dating websites, social media.  You can also purchase prints from your gallery if you want.  Contact me here to set up a session nikita@nikitagross.com.

Here are a few examples of images I have done in the past.  Remember, this shoot is about you and your personality.  Together, we  will create images to suit your needs.  It can be as serious or as fun as you want.

Cincinnati Author Carol Knuth

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I was thrilled when Author Carol Knuth contacted me to do some head shots for her new book, Rhodes' Home coming out very soon.  I spent a good three hours getting to know her and hearing her story about growing up in foster care.  She is a beautiful soul and a true survivor.  Through her books and volunteer work she is able to be the voice for so many children who are struggling with some of the same obstacles and abuse she faced.  It takes a very strong person to put herself out there so openly.  I admire you Carol.  Thank you for sharing your story with me and for this magical evening.

Rhodes's Home is a follow up to her first book The Garbage Bag Girl which you can find here on Amazon.     

Valarie and Shawn's New Family

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Valarie and Shawn were some of my very first wedding clients.  They had a pretty Bardstown, Kentucky wedding around 3 years ago.  I was thrilled when I found out  Valarie was expecting a little boy and wanted to do a maternity/newborn session.  Sweet little Elliot is a doll.  He slept the entire time I was at their home shooting.  Valarie was so gentle and loving with him.  She is going to be the best mom ever!  Thank you so much for including me in these precious moments of your life Valarie and Shawn.

 

The Happy Couple Duo

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I met this talented couple, Katy and Zachary,  last month at the Northside Bridal Show at Mayday.  They were showcasing their event entertainment business, The Happy Couple Duo.  I contacted them about setting up a shoot because I was so intrigued with them and wanted to know more about them.

I asked Katy to tell me a little more about how they got started and what they do and this is what she had to say...

"Zachary and I are high school sweet hearts and we met each other while attending The Governors School For the Arts in Virginia, a performing arts high school similar to the one here in downtown Cincinnati. We fell in love in a famous castle in Germany while on an orchestra tour at the puny age of 17.  We've been playing music, collaborating, and creating together ever since, almost 12 years later.

We began playing weddings and private events as a quartet at 17 through our performing arts school connections. We enjoyed the energy at events and decided to grow it into a business. We love to perform together!

We offer string duo and trio, DJ, music arrangement, LED spot and up-lighting, as well as custom artistic light displays. We can arrange any song (pop, jazz, classical, etc.) for violin/viola duet or for violin/viola/bassoon trio. Our string duo and trio music library is the most eclectic and offers the most variety of any other group in the tri-state. Our DJ library is extensive and covers every genre from top 40s to under ground and indie. We are the only music services in the tri-state area to offer DJ, lighting, and Live instrumental music."

Katy does most of the arranging and is working on a book.  They also just got funded through Kickstarter and will have a full length album containing their own violin/viola/bassoon arrangements of popular songs by current and past artists.

Check out their Facebook page and website to see videos of them performing.

 I was drawn to them after hearing them play some of my favorite songs by Queen and Nirvana on violin/viola and because they kept me dancing all night once they started DJing.  Their music selection was diverse and fun.  I had an absolute blast on this shoot.  It wasn't hard to get a smile out of them and their chemistry together is wonderful.

Experimenting with Ross and Laura

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Check out this super talented couple I had the pleasure of photographing.  When I called them up to ask to them to do a shoot, I planned on doing environmental portraits for my on going personal project Artists and Their Space.  Once I started shooting, I knew this wasn't just going to be a standard shoot.  I felt free to explore with them, to experiment.  Some things worked, some didn't, but that the beauty of creating.  We shot through light bulbs and light fixtures,  we used oil lamps and fluorescent bulbs.  It was a blast!  

Ross and Laura have been together since they were teens.  Musically, they are a force.  Ross plays guitar in the , The Tongue and Lips and Laura has her own band called Children of the Emerald Fire.  Together they just started a new band called Electric Citizen.  You can see them tonight at The Southgate House Revival.  Check out their demo here, I have been listening non stop.

Torri's Burning Man inspired shoot Cincinnati Photographer

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Torri, a friend of mine, took an amazing road trip to the notorious Burning Man festival with a group of friends last year.  When she got back and told me all about it, I had this crazy idea of setting up a shoot inspired by the clothes she wore there.  It was a ton of fun.   I am so happy to finally have time to edit the images.  Our friend Maggie did a fantastic job with Torri's hair and makeup.

First up is an image I shot and processed on my iPhone.

Jacalyn

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  This shoot was fun!  Jacalyn is also a wedding photographer, she needed some new promo pictures and asked me to help her out.  It is a very nice compliment when another photographer asks you to take their picture.  I love Jacalyn's personality, every time I see her she is smiling.  She is full of sass and style.  Thanks to Kelly of Cinci Makeup for the beautiful makeup, love those red lips!!

After the shoot we headed over to Jacalyn's studio, 915 Monmouth.  She shares the space with some of my favorite wedding vendors.  It was nice to unwind with some wine and good conversation with the 915 girls.  Their studio is comfortable and stylish.  Head over to their website and check it out.  They rent it out for parties, meeting, and events.