Cincinnati Family Portraits

Today I want to share a special session I recently did on a tree farm in Kentucky.  Bonita and her family were my very first post on this blog back in 2010.  I was thrilled when she contacted me to set up another session.   When we were discussing where to go for the session she mentioned her grandfather's farm in Kentucky where Bonita grew up.  Her grandfather just recently passed away and she thought it would be a beautiful tribute to him.  I was thrilled with her idea.  I met her on the farm and ran around with her and her children for a couple of hours.  It was a very special experience.  He children have so much personality and they adore their momma so much.  They loved exploring the place where she grew up.

Katie and Evie's day at the park

Katie is leaving for Afghanistan very soon.  She is going to be away from her daughter Evie for a few months.  We did this photo session just for fun and to give Katie beautiful images of her and Evie together to help her get through these next few months.  I love how sweet and sincere these photos are.

 Please take care of yourself Katie, we'll miss you and make sure to give Evie lots of love while you're away. xx 

Kelly and Justin's Historic Covington Engagement

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hanging out with Kelly and Justin in historic Covington for their very special engagement session.  I had a blast getting to know them.  They are so laid back and cool.  I am so excited for their wedding next year at Moonlite Gardens! I have been dying to do a wedding there. ;)  Thanks for the amazing day Kelly and Justin!  

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.

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!

Love+Bash

Sunday was a proud day for me, I had a smile plastered on my face all day long.   I still cant believe Jen and I did it.  We came up with the idea for Love+Bash 6 months ago and Sunday we made it happen.  We couldn't have done it without the help of some of the most kick ass wedding vendors, hair stylists, make-up artists, stylists, and models in the city.   Our goal was for all of these creative people to showcase their work in a setting where the sky was the limit.  They took it to the moon!  I  am so thankful for all of the amazing people who helped us create such a spectacular event.  Everyone brought it and everyone should feel as proud as I do.  I also want to thank everyone who came.  It was great to meet so many new people and to also see so many of my clients and friends there.  I wasn't able to get very many pictures, I was so busy and my hands were shaking from nerves.  Luckily Andrew Ducker Photography was there to document the day for us.  Thanks Andrew!  Head over to the Love+Bash website to see his pictures.

The floral designers made these fabulous bouquets for the fashion show. Row One by: Inspired Floral Design and Marti's Floral Designs Row Two by: Yellow Canary Row Three by: Inspired Floral Design

The 70's Inspired table designed by Your Wedding by Jen, Inspired Floral Design, and Sweet Cakes, Ltd. Events.Katie of Inspired Floral Design made this dream catcher out of embroidery hoops and hemp string.Jen found these squirrel place card holders at a thrift store.  How perfect! These little guys were the stars of the show.  From the Kitschy table designed by Your Wedding by Jen, Marti's Floral Designs, and Five Dot Design.This was my display.  I brought in my record player and used records for my signage.Sweet Cakes Ltd. EventsLewis&Cruse Jewelry made from your wedding flowers.

Gowns by BeartieMy sister grabbed this picture of all of the vendors.

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.

Family Photos at Devou Park

Ashley and Adam planned a special family photo session with their dogs Missy who is 11 and Kendra who is 9.  We took them to Devou Park, where the fall colors were gorgeous.  There is nothing like crunching through piles of leaves chasing a couple of dogs on a warm sunny day.  I could have stayed there for hours :)  Thank you Ashley and Adam for the fantastic evening.

I think this one is great. I have been obsessed with this kind of lens flare since I watched Pride and Prejudice for the first time a couple of months ago.  It is so beautiful and dramatic.The view of Cincinnati from Devou Park is spectacular! 

Jessica and Ricky Cincinnati Maternity Photographer

Jessica and I first met when we worked together years ago.  I always thought she was such a pretty girl and so, so sweet.  I was so excited when she asked me to come to her parent's beautiful log cabin for a maternity session with her husband, Ricky.  They are adorable together.

Jessica's parents house was kind of a sensory overload.  It is full of gorgeous antiques, my favorite.  Since Jessica also booked a newborn session we thought it would be a great idea to shoot it at grandma's house so we can use some of her amazing furniture.  One more month until baby Zoey is here and we get to have more fun,  I can't wait.

I am very lucky to get such amazing clients who allow me  to experiment and push things creatively.  Thanks so much Jessica and Ricky for allowing to capture this special time in your lives.  See you next month!!! 

Crystal's Cincinnati Senior Pictures

This is my step sister Crystal.  Her plan is to grow up to be "the coolest special education teacher you have ever met".   She loves to read and to hang out with her BFFs when she is not studying or working.  Crystal has an "I don't take any crap" kind of attitude and I just love it!

I think these turned out great!  Crystal looks beautiful and her personality came through in every one of her images.

Coolest senior pictures ever!!

Cincinnati Senior Portraits

Im not going to lie, once in a while I pop out my senior memories book for a night of reminiscing.   I was a senior in 1996, which for me was a year of great times I will always remember,  but also a year of  bad hair, high waisted jeans, scrunchies, and clod hopping military boots.

My senior pictures were taken at the "it" studio that everybody was going to at the time.  On picture day I gathered up all of my favorite outfits and my best friend and we headed to the studio.  I thought it was so cool to have my pictures taken by a professional photographer.  I felt so special that day.  In 1996 I loved my pictures and  I wanted everyone of them, today I cringe at my pictures and feel awful that my dad spent so much money on prints that are still in the box.  No CDS back in those days... The studio used cheesy gold studio lighting and metallic backdrops.  They had  ladders and a fake graffiti wall with '96 spray painted on it.  My pictures were just corny.  One day when I am brave enough I will post them...though I will say this, the zipper on my jeans was at least 12 inches long.  I was wearing "mom jeans" at 17. :)

When Adrienne's mother contacted me about setting up a Senior photo session, she said she wanted something personal and special for Adrienne.  She wanted to shoot in Devou Park and Mainstrasse.  I love that more and more seniors want to take their pictures outside of the studio.  It makes the experience so much more exciting and unique.  Senior pictures don't have to be corny studio pictures anymore.  They can actually be pretty creative and cool pictures, instead of pictures you want to hide from 15 years later. :) We ran all over Covington.  I honestly felt like a 17 year old in a 32 year olds body that day.  It was a lot of  fun.  Adrienne is very pretty and so, so sweet.  She was a natural in front of the camera.  She brought along her best friend, Polly to be our performing artist/comedian and she did a great job keeping us laughing all evening. :)  Thanks Polly!  And thank you Adrienne for choosing me to take your senior pictures! :)

Amber and Bryan Sun Lovin' Session

You remember Amber and Bryan from their wedding pictures I posted here, right?  Well, I was lucky enough to spend another evening with them a couple of weeks ago for their day after session and it was wonderful! :)  The weather was perfect, the light was AMAZING and Amber and Bryan rocked!   Ahhh, so pretty!Bryan's family has a farm in Silver Grove.  This truck belongs to Brian's Dad.  He uses to sell food at the local Farmer's Markets in Campbell County.  Personal props are the best props. :)My favorite!

Caelen's Almost One

Caelen's Dad, Jhagger (who is named after Mick Jagger, his mom just spelled it different :) ) is Dave's good friend.  Every time he's at our house, I tell him how much I would love to take pictures of his little boy.  Finally just in time for Caelen's first birthday,  we managed to work out a time that worked for everyone. :) I met Caelen, Jhagger, and his girlfriend, Anna at Ault Park for their photo session.  This little boy is too cute for words.  I had a great time chasing him around the park and hanging out with Jhagger and Anna.   Ault Park is always the perfect place to go for a family session because of the diversity and size of the park.  Oh yeah, and because it is gorgeous there, year round!

Jhagger is a giant, really, he's like 6'6.  Little Caelen is following in his dad's footsteps for sure.  At just over 10 months he is already bigger than most kids his age.For those of you thinking about booking a fall or holiday photo session contact me soon through my website or email me here  nikita@nikitagross.com to set up a date.  I still have lots of November dates available, but I am sure they will book up fast. :)

Scooter

My work allows me to meet some pretty amazing people...

who have pretty amazing houses.

Tomorrow I will post the engagement session I photographed on Scooter's farm.