Hippy Wedding Love

Last month I had the pleasure of working with a very talented group of people on this 70's inspired  dream shoot.  The idea came from one of the table designs at Love+Bash (the alternative wedding show created by Jen Pritchard and myself).  Because there was so much hard work put into every little detail, we decided to set up a shoot using the ideas and concepts seen at Love+Bash with a few added elements and models.  I used my digital camera, my Holga, and my Polaroid camera to create these vintage inspired photos.  I am very excited to announce we got a huge feature on  Rockn'Roll Bride today!  Be sure to head over there and show some love! :) Thanks Kat!!

Thanks to the following people who helped make this shoot so awesome!

Table Design: Your Wedding by Jen/Desserts and Paper: Sweet Cakes Events, Ltd./Flowers, Handmade Dreamcatcher, Table Design: Inspired Floral Design/Hair: Shane Weber Salon/Models: Casey Linton and Nick Soloman (Nick is an amazing tattoo artist, check out the newest issue of Tattoo Magazine to see a full feature on his work)

Emily and Jay's Etsy infused Catholic Wedding

Over the past year I have gotten to know and really adore Emily and Jay.  Emily is one of the funniest people I have ever met and Jay has a huge heart full of nothing but love for his new wife.  Jay did this special little countdown dedicated to all of the reasons he thinks Emily is awesome and why he is so happy to be marrying her.  He posted the countdown on  facebook leading up to their wedding.  I looked forward to reading them, he always made me smile.  Sometimes they were super funny and sometimes they were super sweet.   Here are a couple of my favorites "‎#35... I love that when regulators comes on and we have to sing duet style you always let me sing the Nate Dog part..."I laid all them busters down I let my gat exploooooode." How funny is that.  I cant get this vision out of my head, the two of them singing this together, it cracks me up!  ‎"#6.... I like going out places with our friends and the looks we give each other from across the room. Like there's really no one else around, and anything or anyone else doesn't really matter."‎  Now that is freaking love! and I like this one too  "‎#15.... I love all the love letters that you write me. I have the top drawer in my desk at work full of them. I especially like the drawing of Ollie dog that asks if I want to marry his momma and adopt him!" but the best is #1 he posted it on their wedding day  "because she said yes and today in front of all our family and friends I get to Marry the love of my life Emily Rose Russell"  Doesn't that just melt your heart?

Emily and Jay's wedding took place at the breathtaking Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.  Emily and Jay are pround members of this church and were fortunate to be married by Bishop Roger J Foys, D. D.(that is kind of a big deal).  After the ceremony we took a little detour to take bridal party pictures and then headed  to the Madison for an afternoon reception full of love, laughter, and really good food. :)

Emily and Jay I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me feel so special and for giving me the opportunity to share this amazing day with you.  I love how much you appreciate and cherish your pictures.  I sent Emily this one below yesterday, she showed it to Jay and he said he was going to print it and keep it in his wallet, and that it is the kind of picture his great grandchildren will cherish. :) That my friends, is why I love what I do. :)

This was a very Etsy infused wedding.  I will add the complete list of vendors at the end of the post.

Upon our first meeting Emily told me that the most important part of the day was this moment below. How cute is this cake topper?  It even includes their sweet dog, Ollie.  I love it!The karaoke after party was at Molly Malone's Irish Pub.  It was too much fun!  Emily is a blast! :)

Thank you to my wonderful assistant Andrew Ducker for helping me capture the day.

Etsy Vendors

Dress: Bridal Bliss Designs, Alterations done by Tony King, Cincinnati Flower Girl Dress: Nastershum Girls' Necklaces: Marolsha, Muchodesign,  ShopJoliette All flowers and veil: Meadowbelle Market Cake Topper: Concarta Love banner on sweetheart table: Raven's Bloom

All of the decor, signage, Emily's brooch bouquet, and desserts were handmade by Emily and Jay

Tuxes: Folchi's Formalwear Bridesmaid dresses: Nordstrom

Hair: Sara Ruf DJ: Elite Signature Karaoke DJ: Will Corson Caterer: The Madison

See Emily and Jay's engagement photos taken in Covington here.

Ashley and Austin's Kentucky Wedding

Green grass, warm smiles, rolling hills, uninhibited affection, pretty flowers, beautiful weather, and love, love, love.  These are just a few reasons why I adored Ashley and Austin's gorgeous Kentucky wedding.  See Ashley and Austin's farm engagement session here.

Impossible Project Film

An image from a recent shoot I had with a very talented group of people.  I really, really love this film.  Tis the season to pay homage to the past.

Enjoy your holiday! :)

Natasha and Hank's DIY Kentucky Farm Wedding

You might remember Natasha and Hank from their engagement session I photographed at the Southgate House last year.  I have  been looking forward to their wedding ever since. These two have amazing style.  I fell in love with all of the little details they came up with to make their day unique.  They wanted their wedding to feel relaxed and natural.  Every single aspect of this wedding was do-it-yourself.  Natasha created the bouquets and all of the centerpieces, her sister and other family members made all of the food, a good friend helped build the photo booth wall and all of the signs, guests drank beer out of mason jars and set up tents so the party could go on all night long.  It was casual, creative, and full of so much love.

On the way to the farm we stopped by the Leapin Lizard to get this image of Natasha and Hank in front of their gorgeous stained glass window.  Natasha fell in love with it at Love+Bash last month.

Natasha's mother giving the couple her blessing, so sweet! Natasha and Hank collected decor from local thrift stores to use on the tables.  The plates they used were all vintage finds they plan on donating back to the Goodwill. They bottled their own lemonade for favors.Natasha's sister did an amazing job on the cupcakes and desserts.Are you ready for the quickest ceremony ever...it was four minutes long.   There is that yellow wall that I love to photograph.  It worked so well with the colors of their wedding.

Holga magic.

Another Holga image.  This one is a crazy double exposure collaboration image taken by Hank's little brother Alexander and me.  I love it!

This one was taken with my 35mm film camera.  The film I used was expired in 1997.

Jordan and Kent's Love Session

Jordan and Kent met in England where Jordan is originally from.  I cant tell you how much I love her British accent and the fact that she calls all of her friends "mate".  After six years of marriage these two are still full of admiration and passion for each other.  It was really beautiful to photograph.

Stephanie and Michael Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

I knew there was something special about Stephanie the second I met her.  It was her smile, it was so warm and so sincere.  We sat in our meeting and she told me about Michael and how their relationship grew through many years of their life.  Michael, who is the military has been stationed in Germany.  They have spent hours communicating via Skype and phone calls.  It was tough, but their love got them through it.  I first met Michael the week of the wedding when he got into town.  We set up a last minute engagement shoot and I got to know this wonderful man Stephanie told me all about.  This was one of the most heartfelt weddings I have had the opportunity to be part of.  These two have so many people in their lives who care deeply for them.  Every conversation I had at their reception was about how genuinely kind they are.  I am so thankful they asked me to be part of this special time in their lives.  Stephanie and Michael I wish you the best of luck in your new adventure as husband and wife in Germany. :)

I had to post this picture first because it is one my favorite wedding photos to date.  I love this barn, I have driven past it 100's of times.  When I was thinking of locations for Stephanie and Michael's photos I knew it would be the perfect backdrop to use since Michael is in the military.  It turned out better than I could have imagined.

Stephanie and the girl's got ready at Stephanie's parents house in Ft. Thomas.Stephanie's dress from Fabulous Bridal was a perfect fit for her personality.Stephanie wore her grandmother's earrings.This amazing sash was hand made for Stephanie by one of her friends.  Unbelievable!Michael and the guys hanging out at his parent's house before the ceremony.  Michael seeing Stephanie for the first time.The ceremony was held at St. Therese in Southgate, KY.I love this one taken right after they walked out of the church.  Ft. Thomas Florist did a wonderful job on the flowers.  I love the colors Stephanie chose.The reception was held at Riverside Gardens in Dayton, Ky.   A very sweet father daughter dance.The toasts got a little emotional. :)

Shelly and Kenny Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

Shelly and Kenny were married at St. Bernard's church in Dayton, Ky.  The day was filled with the most laughter I think I have ever experienced at a wedding.  Shelly has the prettiest smile and the sweetest Kentucky twang.  When I first met Kenny I had the impression he was Mr. Serious, I was dead wrong.  He is just as fun and silly as Shelly, they made sure above everything else, they had fun on their wedding day.  I was glad to be part of it. :)Shelly's maid of honor was helping put the garter on when her earring got stuck on Shelly's dress.  Gorgeous!

Shelly and Kenny are huge Kentucky Wildcat basketball fans.  The bus was a blast!  Jessica was the best maid of honor ever!  She made sure Shelly looked amazing throughout the day.  She was also my go to girl all day.  Thanks Jessica!

Cincinnati Wedding at The Bell Event Centre

I feel very fortunate for the opportunity I had to travel to Mexico earlier this year to photograph Shanean and Ryan's destination wedding.  I got another opportunity to spend time with this gorgeous couple at the Bell Event Centre for their reception recently.  The Bell, which is a renovated church/bell and clock museum/event space is loaded with charm; vaulted ceilings, antique clocks and bells, colorful stained glass, marble and terrazzo floors.    The Bell Event Centre offers the option to have your ceremony and reception in the same location.  There is a beautiful courtyard that overlooks the city that is perfect for cocktail hour and photos.  The food is so, so good.   I feel safe saying it is the best I have had at a wedding to date. :)  They can accommodate up to 350 guests and have a full service staff of chefs, servers, bartenders, ect. that are very professional and courteous.   It was wonderful working with such an outstanding group of people. :)

See images from Shanean and Ryan's destination wedding here, their sexy day after beach shoot here, and underwater fun we had in Mexico here.

Shanean is so beautiful.Inside The Bell Event Centre.  There is a huge collection of bells and clocks to admire throughout the venue. Shanean's mother made their cake.  So good!! Time to break it down! Shanean and Ryan have a super fun group of friends! :)I made a slideshow of the images from Mexico so that all of the guests could see the wedding.  I love this image of Shanean enjoying it at the end of the night.  Thanks to my assistant, Justin for capturing it.