Caroline and Stephen Rabbit Hash Kentucky

I met this gorgeous couple along the river in Kentucky at a little town called Rabbit Hash.  Stephen grew up in Boone County so this place has always been part of his life.  It was the perfect spring day.  We met right before sunset and the wind was blowing just right.  Caroline greeted me with the warmest smile.  She is a total sweetheart. I was in heaven taking these photos.  Caroline and Stephen are adorable together.  Caroline is a very modestly beautiful girl.  It was nice hearing Stephen complimenting her throughout the evening.  Caroline was a skater for Disney on Ice so Stephen being the sweet guy he is, took her to Disney World to purpose.  I love it! Thank you so much for this amazing evening you guys!  I cant wait until your wedding in the fall!A couple of polaroids from the shoot.

Personal Work

I have been working on these images for a very long time.  It's finally time to share a few.

Thank you to my beautiful Model: Kristina Roach and Make Up Artist: Kelly Ledford of Cinci Makeup

Some of these images are part of the show Specific and available for sale at Synthetica-M Gallery in Brighton.

Katie and Chris Keeneland Engagement Session

Last week I drove to Lexington for this special engagement session at Keeneland.  These two were so awesome to be around.  Katie is full of so much energy and Chris loves to sit back and watch her go. :) They balance each other out perfectly.  Chris is a firefighter in Lexington and Katie is a designer whose company Kavatee, which she started with a a friend from Design School, is launching a really  awesome new product, the Neckalina this Friday.  See their feature on Cincy Chic. Katie is wearing a necklace from the collection in these photos. It is too cute!  I adore the vintage dress she picked up on Etsy too.

Katie and Chris, I am so excited for your wedding at the Cincinnati Art Museum later this year! Thanks for choosing me to be part of it. :)

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.

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. :)

Suzanne and Brian

I adore these two!  Suzanne and I have been friends for a couple of years.   I met Brian for the first time a couple of months ago at a party of a mutual friend.  When I saw them together I could tell that they were a perfect match for each other.  They are both super cool and laid back.  They both love to have a good time.  Brian plays guitar for Kristen Key and Suzanne is not only gorgeous, but also a complete sweetheart to be around.

I love these!

Family Session on a Farm

Jennifer contacted me a few months ago about setting up this very special family session.  She has had a very tough year in and out of the hospital with a blood disease that has changed her life dramatically.  She has fought hard, with the support of her loving family and friends she is home feeling better.  This photo session is her way of celebrating her life and her family. I am so happy to be part of it! :)

We did the session at Jennifer's parents house, which happens to be on a glorious farm in Kenton County.  Jennifer, her husband Chris and her daughter Avery showed me around the farm while I snapped pictures of them.  This farm has what every great farm should have, cows, roosters, an orchard,  a huge barn, and lots of dogs protecting the place.  Ahhhh... my dream house for sure!

Bardstown Kentucky Wedding

I have been brought to tears more than once while editing these wedding photos.  Sometimes I get so lost in my camera on a wedding day I don't get to actually soak in all of the emotion going on in front of my lens.  I see the a wedding as magical moments that I will later piece together to tell a story.  When I look back through the images I get to relive the day as a viewer again.  This wedding was special, the love between Valarie and Shawn is so evident in their pictures.  I am so happy they chose me to be their photographer.

The wedding was held about 2 hours south of Cincinnati in Bardstown, Kentucky, which is also known as the Bourbon Capital of the world.

We started at a local hotel where Valarie, her sisters,  who both served as her bridesmaids, and her mother got ready. Valarie's sisters wore jewelry they made together with Valarie at The Bellevue Beadery.  I like how Valarie dressed her shoes up to match the girl's dresses. April Christine,  did a fantastic job on Valarie's makeup. All of the guys had personalized cuff links.

Since we were in the Bourbon capital, you have to have a variety of bourbon to choose from.    Valarie and Shawn opted to do a first look, which is when we set up a very special meeting between the bride and groom before the ceremony.  Seeing each other before the ceremony allowed them to spend more time with their guests at the reception. It was very sweet and full of emotion and  I was able to capture every bit of it.

I just love LOVE! :)     Valarie's flowers were  arranged by the local flower shop in town, Bardstown Florist. The ceremony took place at My Old Kentucky Home, an absolutely gorgeous outdoor venue. After the ceremony we headed to Bardstown Country Club. They prepared a wonderful dinner that was followed by delicious cheesecake for dessert.

Thanks for sending me home with leftovers Valarie.  Dave was a happy guy when I walked in, lemon cheesecake is one of his favorites!:)    This was taken as I was getting in my car to leave.

Perfect! :)

Gina and Mike Part 2

A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of joining Gina and Mike at Mike's family's house, along the river in Kentucky,  for an amazing reception.  If you follow my blog you remember  how laid back and intimate their wedding was.  The reception was just as intimate except this time they added a few more people and a boat to the party. :)

This is our view from the house.     This is Mike's grandmother.  Her husband bought the property for his family to have a gathering place for parties and summer fun.I loooove old barns!!!!

Mike's family is HUGE!  I got to hear stories from three generations about the memories they had of the house growing up.  This is a hole from a bb gun.  One of the little girls at the party told me that her dad put it there when he was younger.

There were amazing little treasures all over the house.

Coming up from the river.

Gina and her dad.

Gina's nephew taking a little break. Party time!! :) So I am really embarrassed to admit that as much as I love the river, this is my first time out in a boat. (unless you count the BB River boats) I had a blast!  I was hooting and hollering the entire time!    I love this!!! When Mike's grandfather bought the property for their summer house he also bought up all of the property next to it.  It is now occupied by his family.  They have their own little town. :) Captain Mike Beautiful Gina

Bubble time with Ethan. Gina's niece enjoying one of the cupcakes her mother made.

I bribed Gina's son with my camera at the wedding.  If he would do what I asked I would let him take a picture.  He loved it.  He would keep asking me all day to take a picture and when I let him he would just keep shooting and shooting.  Looks like he got a hold of his aunt's camera this time! :) I love these girls! Mike's mom did an amazing job organizing the party.  Thanks for such a great time! :)

Once it got dark we headed down to the river for the biggest bonfire I have ever seen.  The amount of stars we were able to see was breathtaking.  I need to get out of the city more. :) Mike and Gina, thanks again for allowing me to be part of so much fun! :)