Kyle and Jimmy had a beautiful wedding at one of my favorite venues. The Inn at Oneonta is a beautiful property along the Ohio River. The couple wanted a relaxed, easy going wedding where they could enjoy time with their family and friends. From Kyle's bright blue shoes to the dinosaur cake topper, every single detail was a true representation of their fun loving personalities. It was my pleasure to spend the day with these two.
I heard she was a badass woman, I got to see she is a badass mama.
I watched Grace carry her sweet girl Clementine up a hill on her back, without a complaint, just to be able to share a waterfall with her. She took off her shoes, so she could let the mud slip between her toes. She asked her to be quiet so that they can hear nature. She showed her how the natives caught water with their hands. She gives her the confidence to explore without fear and the guidance to show her the way. She is the kind of mother I aspire to be.
It’s my first year being a mother. I have noticed in myself the strong urge to connect with other mothers, and to see how they interact with their little ones. It warms my heart, and I learn so much from the experience. I didn’t quite grasp the underlying bond I would have with other mothers, there is something so raw about the shared experience we have., whether this is acknowledged or not. There is no denying the immense love we have for our children and the sacrifices we make everyday to ensure they feel secure and happy.
I also quickly noticed there are a lot of photos of my son his dad, but not very many with me. If there are photos of us, I have a ponytail, no makeup, and look tired. Like most mothers, I am the one with the camera, I want to remember every moment. Inspired by my shoot with Grace and one I did with my friend Emily awhile back I decided to put together a special Mother’s Love package. It is a 2 hour photoshoot with you and your kids doing something you love or at a location that is meaningful. Maybe, you just want to get dressed up and feel great, I don't blame you one bit. You deserve it. Whatever you choose, I want to document it for you.
In honor of my very first Mother's Day, I am offering $100 off these special sessions the entire month of May. What a great last minute Mother's Day gift, huh? Feel free to email me for more info nikita@nikitagross.com
Nikki and Dustin's wedding, held on their family's property was one of my favorite. It was personal, relaxed, full of creativity and love. Every detail was thought of. I hadn't met the couple before their wedding day, but as soon as I walked into the beautiful bed and breakfast where Nikki was getting ready I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend. Bikes play a very important role in their relationship, it is something they enjoy together. Dustin actually proposed to Nikki at a women's bike convention, on stage in front of hundreds of people. How sweet! Another really special part of the day was the location. Dustin and his family spent many months building bridges through the woods that led to a romantic spot for the ceremony. They built seating in the hill for all of their guests. It was unbelievable. It's hard to call what I do work when I get to be in nature surrounded by such beautiful people, who are celebrating love. Thank you Nikki and Dustin.
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. :) 
If you have attended an event or booked your wedding at The Bell Event Centre, you have probably seen Maddie. She is one of the smiling faces running around making sure everything is running smoothly. She is the kind of person who makes everyone she is around feel special. When she contacted me to photograph her wedding, I was very flattered. I knew it was going to be a very special day. Maddie, Mark, and all of their friends and family were so gracious. It was way too fun to call it work.
The Bell Event Centre looked amazing for their reception. I love the look on their faces when they saw it. 
CSC Special Events lit up The Bell beautifully. 
I have so many weddings from last year to share. I figured since we are covered in snow and freezing cold why not start with a nice summer wedding. I had the pleasure of spending July 4th with Kevin and Katie on the B&B Riverboat for their laid back, intimate wedding. The day was a lot of fun. My favorite part was when Kevin got out his guitar and sang for Katie, I am such a lush for special moments like that.
Before the boat took off along the river, we jumped off for a few minutes to capture some nice portraits. I really like the one below a lot.
I have become utterly obsessed with my Polaroid cameras. I have about 10 or so varieties and a fridge full of film for them. Over the past few years I started taking them everywhere I go, including weddings. Whenever there is time I will pop one out and try to grab a few shots. I love the dreaminess and nostalgia of using film. They make wonderful thank you gifts for my clients.
Here is a collection of some of my favorites. These were shot on Impossible Project and gifted expired Polaroid film.
2015 was my busiest wedding season yet. I had a lot of fun working with really amazing couples. It was also one of my most difficult wedding seasons because I was pregnant most of the year. Things worked out pretty awesome as far as timing. I had all of my weddings shot by the time I was in the 7th month and was determined to have everything delivered before the holidays and my due date. I worked very hard to make that happen. Blogging and sharing images had to take a backseat while I focused on staying ahead of schedule. Growing a baby really sucks the life out of you, literally. Writing posts and organizing images was the last thing on my mind after shooting and editing, and getting as much rest as possible for my little meatball growing inside of me.
Giving birth was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had an amazing support team and it was exactly the way that I wanted it to be. We are a little over two weeks into our new life and everyone is trying to figure out a rhythm. Right now our biggest concerns are eating enough and sleeping. I am trying to sneak in a little work in between nursing sessions, just so I can feel normal again. It takes me 2 times as long to get things done, but my time management skills have become pretty amazing through the process.
I appreciate your patience while it has been pretty quiet over here. I am very excited to finally be able to share some of the gorgeous weddings I had the pleasure of photographing last year. Over the next month or so I will be putting together posts and sharing them. I hope you enjoy them.
Here is a Polaroid of my little man, Nico. He is such a sweet little guy. I am so excited to watch him grow and smother him in love.
When I think about my job and the impact it can have on people's lives, I wouldn't be able to do it if I didn't think it had meaning. People trust me with their most intimate moments and feelings. They trust me to document them and to be apart of their lives, even if it is only for one day. I cherish my job, and there isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful and don't take the responsibility I have been given seriously. Sure I like to make beautiful images, but I know that the real impact in my work is in the moments I am able to capture, the feelings I am able to portray, and the precious memories I am able to give every single person who steps in front of my camera.
I have shared Kristen and Sean's story on my blog when I photographed their engagement photos and wedding. Sean was diagnosed with brain cancer within 2 months of getting engaged to Kristen. They fought very hard together to keep the cancer from spreading or getting worse. For a few months, they were very successful. They bought a house together, had great careers, and enjoyed their fur baby family.
When I got the email from Kristen letting me know Sean wasn't doing well, that his cancer had worsened and that he was given a small window of time, my heart sank. It wasn't that I was naive that this could happen, it was that I hoped so much that it wouldn't. They are young and have fought so damn hard. Kristen told me that Sean asked her if she had enough pictures of the two of them, how thoughtful of him. Of course Kristen said no and asked if I would come over to snap some casual photos of them together at home. I was more than happy to do this for them.
When I got to the house I didn't know what to expect. I was around 7 months pregnant, and I did not want my emotions to get out of control. It wasn't like that at all. Sean looked great. He needed help getting around, but he still had that beautiful, vibrant spirit I was able to see each time I photographed him. We joked a lot and he smiled so much. He looked at Kristen with those same loving eyes I had seen the first time I met him. It was very touching to witness.
Sean passed away December 8, 2015 at his home surrounded by Kristen's love. He fought so hard, it was very sad to see the news of his passing. But, I know he is now at peace, and we have to find comfort in that. I encourage each of you who is reading this blog to take time everyday to appreciate the love in your life, not because it could be gone tomorrow, but because it is here today. Live in the moment, let your worries fade. There is no better time than now to accept love, to give love, and to appreciate the life you are given. We aren't ever sure how how much or how little time we have with the people who mean so much to us. What you do with it is up to you. The impact you make on other people's hearts is your legacy. We need each other to heal and to grow. My heart has been so heavy for Kristen. Today, as she says her final goodbyes to her husband, I hope she is surrounded by peace and is able to someday heal from her loss. She has handled every day with such strength. She comforted her husband through sickness and health. The vows she took were sincere. I admire her greatly.
This is my favorite picture of Sean from that day. Look at that spirit in his eyes. He was a very warm, compassionate person. I am happy to have had the chance to get to know him. 
Kristen took time off of work to comfort and take care of Sean. She slept right beside him every night. 
Their sweet family. 
Sean's best friend Scott was there to help Kristen take care of Sean. 
He absolutely adored her. And she took such good care of him. 
This year has been a little different for me. Over half of the clients I have booked, I have not met until wedding day. They have mostly been referred by friends, and are drawn to my style of shooting via my portfolio. I always have at least one phone conversation, and many email exchanges before weddings day. It can be little scary at first, considering I will be with them all day on their wedding day. I have not had one bad experience with any of these weddings. In fact, once I meet up with the girl's and start photographing them, I feel like I have known them forever. This is exactly how I felt at Amy and David's wedding. As soon as I arrived to their apartment I was greeted with big smiles and just enough of a southern accent to make me feel at home. The first thing David said to me when I met him that day was that he was very emotional and was without a doubt going to cry. I was glad he felt comfortable enough to be so honest and open.
The day was one of those we had last month where the rain was lingering over us, but never really came. Amy and David's first look was one of the sweetest I have witnessed. Emotions were high and the tears of joy flowed unapologetically. I was so happy to have witnessed so much love. The day was super laid back and full of so many laughs. I was so happy have had such a wonderful experience with these two people. They got married at Friendship Park along the river in Cincinnati. It's a beautiful location with so many beautiful spots to take photos. 
The weather this wedding season has been very temperamental to say the least. The wonderful thing is, Mother Nature showed up with rain and disappeared, leaving glorious light at all of the right times. Most couples would have freaked out having an outdoor, DIY farm wedding with rain. Not Jessica and Craig, they stayed so calm and smiled the entire day. I have never seen a bride who kept it together as well as Jessica did. What was important to them was their love, spending time with family and friends, and that they were getting married. I think the rain added a bit of uncontrolled chaos that made the day more memorable. It also gave me the opportunity to create some stunning portraits of Jessica while we waited in one of the barns for it to pass. Looking back at the day, I bet Jessica and Craig would agree that they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
Neltner's Farm provided the perfect backdrop for Jessica and Craig's ultimate DIY intimate wedding. The scenery is stunning. It's here that I believe you get a glimpse of Kentucky at her finest. The farm is surrounded by hills and gorgeous trees. Jessica and Craig worked very hard creating all of the signs, the altar, and decor. Marti Heard Designs did a fantastic job, as usual with the floral designs and helped Jessica pull it all together. Everything had such a personal touch and was very creative.
When Emily contacted me about setting up a session with her and her son, Enzo I was thrilled. She wanted to capture the love she has for her little man and the special relationship they have. She and her husband Todd are wonderful parents. I look up to the way they haven't totally lost themselves in parenting, instead they incorporate Enzo into their activities. He's such a sweet little boy who is so social and smiling every time I see him.
Now that I am pregnant, I have such a huge appreciation and a new found fondness for motherhood. Emily has been so amazing answering all of the wacky questions I might have. She doesn't judge, something I admire greatly in a friend.
I am grateful for the opportunity to give her these special images of her and her little boy. :)
First up, a few Polaroids
Last month Amber and Erick invited me to their family home to photograph their intimate wedding on Kelley's Island. It was such a pleasure spending time with them and their family and friends. Everyone came together to help make the event very personal and unique. From the handmade bouquet to the homemade wine and beer, they made sure every detail was thought out and from the heart. These are my favorite kinds of weddings to be apart of. 
This location was very special for Amber. I was blown away when we arrived. It was perfect backdrop for unique photos. 
Amber's best friend did a beautiful job on her cake. It was so good, I went in for seconds. :) 
Amber and Erick had so many talented friends who performed some of their favorite songs.
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!
Once again, Devou Park provided the perfect back drop for an engagement session. Growing up, I visited this park a lot, so I shooting here is very comfortable for me. Each season brings unique charm and beauty.
It was a beautiful Spring day when we met for Ross and Claire's engagement session. Everything was lush and colorful. These two high school sweethearts along with their sweet pugs were a pleasure to work with. 
This love story is a very special one for me. Though I have gone back and forth in my head about how I want to write it. I decided the best thing I can do is be honest, to be true and hope to inspire people the way Kristen and Sean have inspired me. This love story is about strength, unconditional love, and vulnerability. It's about the better and the worse, the sickness and the health. I remember the day Kristen's mother called me to ask if I was available for the wedding which was only 5 months away. I was driving downtown, feeling a little crabby. I answered the phone while driving, something I rarely do. She sounded a bit nervous. She asked me if I was available on the date of her daughter's wedding and if I could shoot an engagement session within a few days of the phone call. She told me that within 2 months of getting engaged Sean, Kristen's finance had been diagnosed with stage IV Glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer and he was going in for surgery this week to try to remove it. I pulled over immediately. I snapped out of my selfish crabbiness and did everything I could to hold back the tears. Yes! I exclaimed to Kristen's mother. I will most defiantly do the wedding and I will clear my schedule for the engagement session ASAP.
When I met Kristen and Sean for their engagement session they were vibrant and happy. They joked a lot. I asked Kristen what her favorite thing about Sean was and she said she loves how smart he is. Sean said he loves how much she makes him laugh. I wanted to make sure the session wasn't about anything but them enjoying each other. It was the day before a life changing surgery, I didn't want any of the focus to be on that and neither did they. We laughed and talked and got to know each other. I left Kristen with a polaroid to hold onto while she was waiting at the hospital.
Sean's surgery went well. They removed a lot of the tumor, he has to go through frequent radiation and daily chemo treatments. He is currently still undergoing chemo to keep the cancer from growing They have to take things day by day, enjoying every minute they are given with each other. Something we all should do, really.
I hadn't seen Kristen and Sean since the engagement session. When I arrived on the wedding day I was so excited to spend the day with them. Everyone was in good spirits. Kristen looked absolutely stunning. They did a first look so they would have more time to spend alone that day. From the time Sean first set eyes on Kristen he lit up and admired her all day. Though Sean's cancer is something that has become an very important part of their lives, on their wedding day it was barely even mentioned. The day was about celebrating the present and their hopes for the future, about celebrating their love.
I have kept in touch with Kristen throughout the past few months since the wedding. I am so happy to say that Sean is doing great. He is still battling the cancer, but has not let it stop him from getting his degree, landing a dream job, and getting a house with Kristen. They even adopted a second dog, though I think that was more Kristen's idea. ;) I feel very fortunate that I have crossed paths with these beautiful couple. I hope the huge love they have for each other continues to give them the strength to continue living a life full of happiness together.
I can never say enough about how gorgeous the Bell Event Centre is. 
I had an amazing time working with Sara and Forest. When they contacted me about setting up their engagement session I loved all of their ideas. They wanted to do something that represented their fun personalities. They gave me lots of freedom to experiment and were up for any crazy ideas I had. It was a pleasure getting to know them. I am sad that I wasn't available for their wedding later this month, it has good time Kentucky written all over it, my favorite.
This image is one of my all time favorites. I tell people all of the time, I never overly plan locations. Sometimes you gotta just keep yourself open to what inspires you and leave room for magic to slip in. We decided to stop by one of my favorite sunset spots when we were just about wrapped up. Construction trucks were driving on the other side of the levee, which sent dust flying everywhere. It made for a surreal, moody atmosphere that was just perfect. 
I snuck in a few polaroids. I love the way these turned out. 
Spring weather, gorgeous flowers, and a beautiful couple in love. This is my idea of a way to spend the perfect day. Brett and Kat were so much fun to photograph. Their wedding later this year is going to be so much fun, I can't wait!
Here are a few of my favorites from their engagement photos.
Raven is one of the most creative, kind hearted young spirits I know. For her senior pictures she wanted to do something different. She told me she wanted her pictures to be " super trippy, late 60s dreamy". My heart could explode when I get these kinds of requests. I interpret that into trust your gut and make some art. She was a beautiful muse to create with. I brought lots os film and all of my magic cameras. Here are a few of my favorites from the day. 
Raven is amazing with her hoop. I have been obsessed with the videos she posts on social media. What a beautiful form of expression! We had to include it in her pictures. 
I have been experimenting with a lot of different film lately. I love the look of this one.
We snuck in a couple of polaroids on Impossible Project film.
Are you ready for some serious cuteness? Chris and I drove down to Louisville this week to take pictures of our friend Cole and his new family. It was my first time meeting Mary, Cole's wife, I adored her from the first minute we walked in their home. She greeted me with a big hug and huge smile. I felt like I have known her forever. They showed us one of their favorite spots downtown where we spent some time taking relaxed pictures. After that Mary's parents cooked an amazing dinner for us. We got to experience southern hospitality at it's finest. It was a wonderful day full of so many laughs. We are very lucky to have such beautiful people in our lives.
Alright, now onto the pictures, because their little guy Max will bring a smile to anyone's face, this little dude is the cutest.
