Land's End Engagement Session: San Francisco, California // Nina + Drew

The past few months have been such a whirlwind, yet I found myself reminiscing about last October at Lands End in San Francisco with Nina and Drew. It dawned on me that I never blogged their engagement session, so of course, I got right on it. I haven’t looked at their images in a while and doing so makes me even MORE excited to go back this upcoming October for their wedding.

We explored Land’s End and Sutro Baths together this day - my oh my, what a beautiful place! I’d never been before, but I 100% understand why people flock to this spot now. It offers an amazing views and an array of textures - the forest, rocks, sand. We tried our best to find some quieter pockets and nature did not disappoint us with one of the most colorful sunsets my eyes have seen.

California, you’re a babe. See you soon, Nina and Drew!

21 C Museum Hotel Wedding: Cincinnati, Ohio // Julie + Andrew

This wedding - where to even start? I connected with Julie and Andrew right from our first phone call and I truly could not wait to see this day come together. They wanted to keep things super simple, so they had an intimate ceremony with their immediate families and closest friends at 21 C Museum Hotel here in Cincinnati. We dodged the rain for photos, hung out on a rooftop for a bit and then made our way to their “reception”/ dinner at one of the yummiest restaurants in Cincinnati - Sotto. If you haven’t been, Sotto is an Italian restaurant situated underground, dim candle light everywhere and the caico e pepe of your dreams. After dinner, they made their way to a local karaoke bar, Tokyo Kitty, so they could celebrate into the night. I honestly couldn’t think of a better plan. I felt like part of the fam on this day and I’d relive it over and over again if I could. They even surprised me while taking their portraits post-ceremony that their marriage would be announced in The New York Times the following day with one of my photos. Like woah! I’m inspired by Julie and Andrew so deeply for making this day their own.

Check it out for yourself below, along with the crazy, talented vendors involved who made this day possible.

Dress: Lovely Bride // Lovely Bride NYC

Florals: Katie’s Blooms

HMU: Parlour Cincinnati

Suit: Paul Smith Designs

Venue: 21 C Museum Hotel Cincinnati + Sotto

Rhinegeist Brewery Wedding: Cincinnat, Ohio // Kathleen + Mike

Kathleen and Mike married on a cold, January day at Rhinegeist Brewery here in Cincinnati, Ohio. From the moment we stepped into the day, we felt nothing but love and gratitude. The weather so poignantly reflected the day - complete calm and peace. Kathleen got ready with her best gal pals in a home previously owned by one of my past couples that married in 2017. The universe is funny isn’t it? The space and light was familiar to me, but different because this was their story. It was an interesting challenge to photograph a space I had been in plenty of times before, but in a different way and for different people. It’s truly one of my favorite things to be thrown into a setting I’ve never been in before along with one that’s familiar. Each circumstance forces me to be quick on my feet, but slow to wait for moments and the light to hit juuuust right. These are the things that make me love this job so so much; it never gets old.

The whole day was truly such a joy and I say this every time in complete sincerity because we get so darn lucky with the couples who trust us in documenting their love stories. Mike and Kathleen met four years ago through mutual friends and wanted to share their love for family through this day. Mike’s side of the family is Greek, so of course, there was plenty of dancing to be had at their reception. We were thanked, endlessly, by guests throughout the day. These people were strangers to us just hours earlier and by the end of the night, we felt like family. I can’t say there’s anything better than that, folks.

I’ll hush up and let you enjoy it all below. Cool? Cool.

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Here are all the lovely vendors involved in this day:

Venue: Rhinegeist Brewery

Makeup: Ari of AV Beauty Bar

Dress: Essence of Australia from Fabulous Bridal

Planning: All Together Wed

Florals: Amelia Florist

Sweets: Spoon Fulla Sugar

Catering: Revolution Rotisserie

Invites: Zazzle

Rentals: All Occasions

In-Home Anniversary Session: Cincinnati, OH // Jessie + Andrew

When I have the chance to photograph past couples, it’s truly the biggest blessing. I know that sounds uber cheesy, but it’s beyond true. I photographed Jessie and Andrew’s wedding in 2017 and have been lucky enough to document each year in their lives since. They recently moved into a home built in 1853 and have been renovating it over the past year. The photos below depict a cold, Sunday morning spent together. They expressed a vision for this session right away, wanting these photos to depict where they are now in their lives. Not necessarily a lovey-dovey engagement session like prior to their wedding. We moved from room to room as they told me what their day-to-day looks like in each. Whether it be making coffee in the kitchen, eating meals in their living room, or cozying up by the fireplace everyday to read. Each piece of furniture and decor had purpose and meaning; it all represents who they are together.

This session is not the typical for me. It was out of my comfort zone to spend nearly 100% of my time letting them be, not guiding much at all. Andrew showed me his office and Jessie her paint studio (a recent hobby, she's decided to take on, like woah). All the while, their not so lil pup followed us around. This is the stuff that really gets me inspired, the everyday and seemingly mundane. Jessie and Andrew are true visionaries; I simply showed up with my camera to document.

Twenty Eighteen: A Year In Review

Well, damn.

To say I’m in complete awe is an understatement. The exercise of looking back through the archives of 2018 became a time for me to reflect and relive my appreciation for those who let me in to document the moments below. It’s truly so humbling to look back on these images and know that they mean something to people in them. And to think that there are connections living beyond them blows me away - the new friends I’ve made and places visited that I never thought I would. It all stems from people trusting me to come into their lives and document it in my own way. Not just the happy moments, but the moments of loss and longing for those not present, or moments of trepidation that come before walking down the aisle. It’s all so real and true to a larger metaphor…of life as a whole. Here’s a small slice of it all below.

You’ve been good to me, 2018. See you soon, 2019.

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Kiana Lodge Wedding - Seattle, Washington // Becky + James

What a joy this entire trip was - we traveled all the way to Seattle to meet Becky and James and photograph one of the most important days of their lives at Kiana Lodge. It was a total honor to say the least, as Becky is a beyond talented wedding photographer herself. The weather was like nothing the locals had seen this time of year - bright blue skies and golden sunshine. We embraced it completely for their outdoor ceremony. It was just as lovely as they come! The tide came in right around when they exchanged vows adding so much depth and deepness to the words they recited. Zac and I were running around on this day like kids in a candy shop, attempting to capture the immense beauty of it all through our eyes. Take a look below to see all the goodness. Thank you Becky and James for it all; you two are one-of-a-kind.

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Heithaus Studios + Event Space Wedding - Cincinnati, Ohio // Olivia + Nick

Where to start? Olivia and Nick’s day was beyond lovely. They got ready on an overcast day here in Cincinnati, Ohio and had their first look at the 21C Hotel Downtown. This moment was one of my favorites from the whole day because we found a spot right next to the hotel’s spa where they met in the middle of staircase. I loved the metaphor of meeting in the middle; my heart was swooning for sure. Olivia and Nick are some of the most calm, cool cats I’ve ever met. I had the pleasure of photographing their best friends’ (Tyler + Blake’s) wedding last year, so Zac and I felt beyond welcome and part of the crew already.

After tying the knot, we made our way to the Heithaus Studios and Event Space in Camp Washington. This place is a DREAM and Olivia and Nick’s wedding was their first one. The studio space is owned by a local photographer and used to be an old firehouse filled with the most beautiful details; I can’t imagine a more perfect setting for these two lovebirds. The groom, Nick, designed all of the beautifully minimal invites and paper goods. I love noticing all the little details throughout a wedding day and seeing how they represent the couple. Details aren’t everything, but it’s all part of a larger story ya know?

I still have to pinch myself when looking back on wedding stories like this one because these moments are so dang special. You don’t have to be on top of a mountain or in the desert to create memories that last forever. Thank you so much for letting us in, Olivia and Nick.

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The AMAZING vendors involved in making this day possible: 

Ceremony Location: Crossroads Uptown

Reception Location: Heithaus Studios + Event Space

Florals : Una Floral

Invites + Paper Goods: Nick Dean Smith (the groom)

Wedding Coordinator: Social Design and Events

Desserts: Haven Bakery + Brown Bear Bakery

Catering: Daveed’s Catering

Make-Up: Cynthia Crist - Emma Maue - Greenline Salon

Hair: Emerson Hill - High Five Salon

Bride's Dress: Mikaella // Lace Bridal Boutique

Groom/Groosmen Attire: Trevor Furbay

DJ: Brenan Pogliono

Videography: Ben Nelson

Ampersand Bay + Resort Wedding - Adirondack Mountains, New York - Bridget + Nick

This weekend was one that’s impossible to forget. I learned pretty quickly why Bridget and Nick hold these mountains so close to their hearts and decided to get married amongst them. We arrived a few days prior and had such a lovely time exploring, hiking, checking out the local go-to’s and immersing ourselves in it all. Bridget’s family vacationed here quite a lot, mostly because her late father loved it so much. It was such an emotional day, but so special. After the ceremony, Nick’s dad took us out on a boat and we happened upon a cluster of islands to explore and take portraits on. We later deemed it sh*t island once we realized it was frequented by the local birds - but beautiful still.

Their reception started just as the sun dipped below the horizon and I remember smiling ear-to-ear while capturing the emotional and warm toasts given by family and friends. We met so many new friends all from back home and even had the chance to see the Milky Way at the very end of the night. I had never seen it so clear before.

Bridget and Nick, thank you a thousand times over for including us in this day. It means so much.

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