Maddie and Mark's Sunset Session

Remember Maddie and Mark from yesterday's post?  I had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous couple once again a few weeks after their wedding.  We decided to to a natural photo session since their wedding was in the city.  I took them to one of my favorite locations in Kentucky.  What a perfect day.

I love when I get a chance to book these kinds of sessions after the wedding.  It is more relaxed than wedding day because we aren't on a time crunch.  It also gives us a chance to get a larger variety of looks and go to multiple locations.  The ultimate bonus is being able to run through a field of wildflowers without worrying about getting dirty.  Brides pay too much for their dresses to only wear them once.  :)  

Jessica and Craig's Colorful Summer Covington Engagement

When I met Jessica and Craig in Covington for their engagement session we got around 15 minutes of photos in before it started pouring rain.  We decided to  wait it out in my car, the rain didn't stop, but it gave us a good opportunity to get to know each other.  They are a fun loving couple who I felt like I had known forever.  I love when I click with couples so quickly.  It makes spending time with them on their wedding day feel like way more fun than work.   We met up again a week later for round two.  This time the weather was perfect and I was able to take them to some of my favorite spots.  I am very excited to spend the day with them at Neltner Farm for their wedding next month.  Here are a few of my favorites from both days.  Look how cute that dress is!

Jacqueline and Chip's Columbus Wedding

I drove up to Columbus a few weeks ago for Jacqueline and Chip's outdoor wedding.  It was a gorgeous day.  Jacqueline and Chip both looked fantastic, with huge smiles on their faces from the moment they saw each other for the first time.  It was such a pleasure to photograph such a loving couple.  Thank you for being so gracious and for choosing me to photograph your big day!

See their Park of Roses engagement session here.

Something old, borrowed and blue. This is my favorite!  Jacqueline, you are stunning!!He is smitten looking at his new wife. The party was so much fun!!!

Megan and Ryan's Williamstown Lake Kentucky Engagement

Megan and Ryan's love story is so sweet.  Their parents have been best friends their entire life, so they pretty much grew up together.  It wasn't until they were stuck on a cruise ship together for a family vacation that they realized their life long friendship had turned into love.  And now they are getting married, how exciting!   We did their engagement photos at Megan's family lake house on Williamstown lake.  The wonderful thing about Kentucky is the farther south you go, the more beautiful it gets.  I love these photo.

Carly and Ryan's Boathouse Engagement

I took a beautiful drive up to Jamestown, Ohio for Carly and Ryan's engagement session.  They are getting married next year here at Carly's family vacation house.  The house sits on a gorgeous lake.  After a warm greeting by Carly and her family,  I was given a tour of the ceremony/reception location.  Talk about being giddy with excitement.  I love backyard weddings that are comfortable, laid back, and full of personal touches.  It was so nice getting to know Carly and Ryan and hearing all about their love story.  They were so sweet together, laughing and joking the entire time I was shooting.

I drove home with a huge smile plastered on my face, attitudes are contagious and being around love makes me happy.  I cant wait until their wedding!  This is Carly and Ryan's sweet daughter.  

Hannah and Jimmy's Military Engagement Session

August seems to be a tough month for soldiers.  Two members of my family have been called to duty and lately I have been getting a lot of inquiries from military couples who are interested in setting up a photo shoot before their significant other leaves.  I hate that these couples will be separated for such a long period of time, but I am very happy I get to help them create special memories they will be able to hold onto while they are away.  Part of what I love about my job and what I think I'm pretty good at is allowing the couples I photograph to really connect during the shoot.  I encourage a lot of kissing and touching.   Getting your picture taken can be a little nerve racking.  By finding comfort in each other I am able to capture real moments, and if kissing embarrasses you then I usually get to capture a pretty amazing laugh. :)  I like to give people a good variety of intimate images and nice formal pictures.

Hannah and Jimmy have been together for five years.  They are planning their wedding for next August.  I was happy to hear they wanted to sneak in an engagement shoot before Jimmy leaves for Afghanistan.  They were both down to earth and we had a great time driving all over Kentucky to take these images.  I just love how good Hannah's red dress looks with Jimmy's military fatigues.  Lots of love to you Jimmy, stay safe. :)

Caroline and Rhett Cincinnati Wedding Photography

  I photographed Caroline's sister, Stephanie's wedding last year and totally fell in love with her family.  I have honestly never worked with a more caring group of people.  I was so excited when I found out I would get to hang out with them again at Caroline and Rhett's wedding.  Caroline is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out.  It wasn't hard to take her picture because all she did all day was smile (unless I was forcing her to give me a serious look).  She and Rhett live in Tennessee.  They had family from all over the country come to Cincinnati to help them celebrate their love.  What a party!  Caroline and Rhett, thank you so much for the opportunity to spend such a wonderful day with your friends and family.  It's a little bittersweet knowing there are no more sisters in the family for me to photograph.  :) I will miss you guys!!Ft. Thomas Florist blew me away once again with their creativity.  I adore the cotton ball inspired boutonnieres.Pineapple wedding shoes, yes!!

Rhett is known for his bow ties.  I love that a lot of the guests at the wedding wore them. Love this one of Rhett's sister and grandfather cutting loose on the dance floor. :)Sisters. 

Katie and Chris Cincinnati Art Museum Wedding

Chris and Katie's wedding is my last wedding of the year and let me just say I am going out with a giant pink bang!! This wedding was full of so much style and personality.  I loved everything about it. See Chris and Katie's Keeneland engagement session here.

Katie's dress she purchased at European Bridal fit her personality perfect. So cute and so much fun! I love the pink shoes! All of her girls signed special messages to her on the bottom.

Yes, even her ring is pink!Katie is an amazing designer, she made her invitations and program with artwork she created herself.All of the girl's wore gorgeous magenta dresses accesorized with a Neckalina.  Katie and her BFF Valerie are the duo behind KaVatee, an awesome company that makes these 3 in 1 accessories.  They are so hot!  Check out their website here. Chris looking dapper. :)I love this one! Katie and Valerie, the duo behind KaVatee.

The Cincinnati Art Museum, one of  my new favorite venues!  Thanks so much to Meggie, the museum's wedding coordinator  for  once again for making sure things ran flawlessly. Katie's creativity was everywhere.  Almost all of her decor is DIY.  She created all of the canvases and framed signs as well as the centerpieces.  Check out how cool her card holder is. And just when you think the party is over....Katie comes out with a pink limbo stick, YES!!  Thanks to my awesome assistant Andrew for capturing this one, the limbo winner!

Robin and Jeff's Cincinnati Art Museum Wedding

I love every wedding I get the opportunity to photograph.  There is something so special about being around two people in love.  I love seeing all of the emotion and how happy people are together.  Robin and Jeff  are at the top of my list of favorite couple's ever.  They are the most generous, gracious, laid back people you will ever meet.  Together I just know they are going to be unstoppable.  The chemistry between these two is infectious.  All of the vendors involved in the wedding were smiling and singing their praises all night.  It is because of people like Robin and Jeff that we love what we do.

Their gorgeous wedding was held at the Cincinnati Art Museum.  I love that we were able to incorporate some of the museum's art into their pictures.  Robin was the ultimate DIY bride.  She made everything from her button bouquet (which was unlike anything I have ever seen), to the cupcake stand and menus.  Instead of flowers her bridesmaids carried letters   that spelled out Jeff and Robin's last name, how cute!   She put a lot of work into her wedding and because of that her wedding was unique and personal.  My favorite kind of wedding to photograph. :)

Robin and Jeff I can't thank you enough for choosing me to be your photographer and allowing me to spend this special day with you.  xoxo

Vendor info

Art museum event coordinator-Meggie King Dj-Joe Hriffin Cupcakes Home Grown Cakes Make up- Heidi McKenna Hair-Jackie Uher Rawe Officiant-pastor Brian Eastman Second Shooter/Amazing Assistant Andrew Ducker

Tiffany and Andy's Kentucky Wedding

You might remember these two from their engagement session I posted here.  Tiffany and Andy were married last month in front of their closest friends and family.  It was a gorgeous day full of lots of love and lots of emotion.  Tiffany was such a pretty bride and Andy was on of the proudest grooms I have ever seen. I had so much fun at this wedding.  Thanks for having me Tiffany and Andy!

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.

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.

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!

Stephanie and Michael Kentucky Engagement

Stephanie and Michael were married on Friday.  Can you believe Stephanie is just as sweet as she is pretty?  This was one of the most loving weddings I have had the pleasure of photographing.  I will have a full wedding post soon. In the meantime enjoy their engagement pictures we took earlier in the week.  Michael, who is in the military,  got into town from Germany just in time to sneak this session in before the wedding.  I am so glad I got a chance to meet him before the big day.  These two will be heading to Germany to start their new life as husband and wife very soon.  How perfect is it that there is a German flag left over from Maifest in the background. :)My favorite!

Friendship Park and a pretty bride

Jessica, beautiful, beautiful, Jessica.  Thank you for rocking out another photo shoot with me. :)

I photographed Jessica's wedding a couple of months ago.  I asked her to get back into her dress for an informal bridal shoot, no pressure, just fun.  We met at an awesome park along the river called Friendship Park.  The park is full of some of my favorite things, gorgeous plants and art.  A perfect backdrop for sweet pictures.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Margie and Joey Kentucky Wedding Photographer

Margie is a total sweetheart.  She always has a beautiful smile on her face and will greet you with a hug and a sincere compliment.  She and I have been friends for years, every time I am around her it is a good time.  When I first met Joey he greeted me with a warm smile almost as big as Margie's.  He is a real gentleman.  They compliment each other well.  I had a wonderful time with the two of them on their wedding day.

Margie and Joey's ceremony and reception were held at Riverside Garden's in Dayton, Ky.  I love this venue.  It is right on the Ohio River and it is loaded with character and charm.

Margie looked amazing.Ft Thomas Florist did a great job with Margie's flowers. This is one of Joey's nieces.  I like how she and Joey share the same dimples. I love the next two images. :)Their cake is by My Lil' Bakeshop in Maysville.

Natasha and Hank are Engaged!

I love, love, love this engagement session.  Natasha and Hank are a cool, creative couple.  They picked the perfect locations for their shoot.  Everything was laid back and fun.  We started the session at the Cincinnati Public Library downtown.  Natasha, who is also a photographer,  knew the verticle lines in the library would be a visual wonderland.  I definitely agree with her.  It was very hard for me to stay at a library level of quietness when I was shooting because I was so excited about the way the pictures looked. :)  Next,  we went to the historical Southgate House , a music venue/gallery/neighborhood bar, in Newport, KY where Natasha and Hank first met at a concert.  This place is simply amazing.  I have been to many shows here, it is a good time, every time. ;)  Click here to read all about the Southgate House's rich history.

It was pretty much light heaven when we were there!           We also roamed around Newport making a quick stop at Hank and Natasha's old house. Remember those silhouette cutout things we made as kids.  Mine was on the fridge for ever.  Total Inspiration!

Amanda and Michael Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

Amanda and Michael, or Mandy and Mo, as their friends call them are absolutely the best clients/friends a girl could ask for.  Not only that,  they are the sweetest, most laid back couple ever.    Their wedding was very chill, no formalities,  just a beautiful, loving ceremony surrounded by tons of close friends and family members.

Everything about this wedding was personal and unique.  Mandy wore her mother's vintage wedding dress.  All of the decor was set up by Mandy's dearest friends.   Jefferson Hall,  where the wedding and reception were held,  is owned by Mandy and Mike's close friends(who are also good friends of mine).   The music was hand picked by Mandy and Mo.  (I am not going to lie, when I walked in and heard Pink Floyd playing I knew was going to be a perfect day!)  They wanted their day to be a celebration of their love,  simple and without fuss, just like them. ;) It was a beautiful wedding day!

Mandy wore Calvin Klein shoes and her mother's vintage wedding dress from 1966.  She is stunning!Petals and Glass from Cincinnati arranged these gorgeous flowers. I heart all things vintage!  Mandy's wedding band is her grandmother's from 1939. The super sweet ceremony. Mandy grew the herbs used in the center pieces.  Her friend Dawn grew the smaller pots of herbs for favors.  The John Lennon quote they attached to the pots was perfect. Mandy's smile can light up a room. Mandy and Mike's dear friends Aaron Hall and Scott Florian did a wonderful job with the food.

The desserts were made by different family members and friends.  You know you are at a kick ass wedding when this is how it ends.  

Jessica and Craig Cincinnati Wedding Photographer

Couples always snicker when they tell me they met in a bar.  I think it is great! What better place to meet?   When you go out,  you are all dolled up, you are surrounded by your friends, you are relaxed, you are having fun.  You are you at your best.  And yes, the alcohol does help with nerves and hesitation.  ;)  When you meet the person you are meant to spend your life with I don't think it matters where you are.  The chemistry is there.  You know when it feels right and to deny that because of where it happened would be a tragedy.  Jessica and Craig met in a bar and a couple of years later they met again at the altar.

Jessica is a little shy, having so much attention on her on her wedding day took a little getting used to.  She had a great group of girls around her to keep her calm and relaxed.  Jessica and Craig saw each other for the first time when Jessica's very proud father walked her down the gorgeous aisle of St. John's Church.  It was amazing to witness.  When Craig took Jessica's hand and walked her up the alter I could see all of Jessica's shyness go away, her smile lit up the church.  Craig was her strength.

I had a wonderful time with Jessica, Craig and all of their family and friends, who traveled from 18 states and as far as Amsterdam to witness their love story.  Thanks for sharing in this special day! :)

Jessica and the girls started at Mi Salon in Florence for hair and makeup..

A classic bridal portrait.Jessica's gorgeous flowers were arranged by the Secret Garden.Craig seeing Jessica for the first time.This one is so special.  Dad giving away his only daughter.   St. John's church in Covington is breathtaking. I drive by this church daily, I had no idea all of this color was going on inside.  I love this!Timeless flower girl attire, I love it!Some of Craig's friends from New Jersey and college celebrating the great garter catch this guy just made.