Yesterday Dave and I took a mini road trip 2 hours south of Cincinnati to Bardstown, KY. We drove down to check out a venue for a wedding I have coming up. While we were out we did a little exploring.
The next three were taken by Dave while I was driving. I adore these and will be ordering prints very soon. I love how much he likes to experiment, it pushes me to do the same. 
This past week was packed with lots of great photo sessions. I have been editing nonstop ever since. I am thankful for the awesome opportunities I have been given. I love that I have a job that does not feel like work to me. I love that I have a job that fulfills my need to create. I love that I get to be home with my dog by my feet and Dave in the other room. Though I love it and feel like I can do it all day, I am learning I need to pace myself and take a little time to relax in between sleep and sitting at my desk. When I need a break I need to take a break. If I need an ice cream, I need to go get an ice cream. If I need to go to the gym, well, that is another story...
This is one of my favorite pictures of my boys! :)
Last weekend was Maifest, a little German festival held in the Main Strass village of Covington, KY every year. Since I am living in that neighborhood now, I had to go out with my camera for a little while to check out the festivities. Just me and my 50mm out on the streets. :) These are my favorite kind of pictures to take. Real, raw, documentation. The more contrast, blur, and grain the better for me.
It's always so nice to spend the evening with two love birds. Especially love birds that make me laugh. Jen and Paul are getting married in October, and they picked me to be their photographer. :) We had a blast taking their engagement pictures. By the end of the session my cheeks were seriously hurting from laughing so hard. Thanks for keeping me on my toes Paul, and Jen thanks for being so sweet. I cant wait until your wedding. :)
This one is my favorite.
Yummy light!
They were so affectionate, this is what I love about engagement sessions. It is a beautiful moment when all of your focus is on each other. 
This is the park where they got engaged.
Love, love love this!
If you suddenly seeWhat has happened to me
You should spread the word around
And tell everyone here That it is perfectly clear They can sail above it all on what they've found It cries for you It's the best that you can do Like a sound that's everywhere I can hear it screaming through the air
Long live rock and roll
-Dio
What do a couple that is going to get married, a couple that did get married, a few lady dancers, a beautiful Russian photographer, and a sweet little two year old have in common? Well, they have entered my little crazy world this week and I feel more than lucky. :) I have been busy, very busy, and I love it. I have some exciting posts coming up, so stay tuned!
Today I had one of those days where everything just fell into place beautifully. I had to run a lot of errands and finalize a lot of details concerning future projects I have planned. Everyone I dealt with had a smile on their face, I love when that happens. Makes me wonder if my attitude was different today too. Were people nice to me because I was engaging and I took my nose out of my phone for a minute to say hello?#@! :) Or was it because my shirt was the prettiest shade of purple, almost lavender. Purple always makes me happy!
To top it all off, I found this cupcake that I am now addicted to. It's from AbbyGirlSweets downtown on 5th St. I tried saving half for Dave, but he didn't get to it quick enough. ;) It is called chocolate covered banana. Yum!
My sister Nina graduated from one of Cincinnati's best nursing schools today, and I am so proud. She not only graduated with a 3.2 GPA, she did it while being a wonderful mother to one teenager and three little boys (one of which she had while on summer break) and while going through a major surgery. She worked hard. With the support of her husband and family she did it, Nina is a Nurse. :)
Watching my sister go through nursing school has given me an even deeper appreciation for the job nurses do, a job that far too often goes unnoticed. Nurses take care of us from the moment we enter the world until we take our last breathe. They are the caregivers of humanity. It takes a heart of gold to do what they do. The next time you are at the hospital remember to thank them or at least give them a warm smile, I know they will appreciate it. :)
Congratulations to the entire Good Samaritan College of Nursing class of 2010!
A letter I got from my sister when I was nine after having my appendix removed. It is so special to me. She has always been so caring and selfless.
She smiled like this the entire time.
Her nursing buddy, Judy.
She did it! 
Why am I the only one laughing? Must have been my joke! ;) 
With her husband, Kevin.
Here she is with my oldest nephew, Austin. Smiling in a picture with your mom can be so difficult as a teenager huh, Austin. ;) The little boys are home with their uncle.
Nina you are a beautiful mother, a caring wife, a loving daughter, and my best friend. Your heart is so warm and strong. I am proud of the positive impact you will have on so many lives as a nurse.
I love you Sis!
xoxo
This is Mya, she is turning two in a few weeks. She is the daughter of another one of the Amanda's in my life. I enjoy photographing her any chance I can get, do you blame me? Amanda, you really need to get this child into modeling asap. She loves the camera and the camera absolutely loves her.
She looks like a little doll here.
Okay, how cute is this outfit? Aunt Nikita bought it for her birthday. I have four nephews so buying girl's clothes is a treat for me. There is so much cool stuff out there for little girls. Since we did lots of soft photos in grass for her last birthday session, we wanted this one to have a funky urban feel so we turned her into a little rocker chick.
This dress is perfect for the location. Cute, cute, cute!
I am loving this light.
Look at her working the camera. 
Birthday girl.
So sweet.
We took a little break to play for awhile.
A little admirer came over to sit next to her while we were photographing. She is a future heart breaker for sure!
Did I mention she is barely two?
Love you Amanda and Mya!
Thanks for spending the evening with me in my neighborhood.
xoxo