Jillian & Nick | Maternity

It was freezing, absolutely freezing, when Jillian and Nick and I met for their maternity session. The way this winter's gone it's not really surprising, but I was still a little bummed we wouldn't be galavanting around the Lake Forest Country Club property. You know what though? Shooting half the session indoors really pushed me to use window light in new ways. I love the quiet photos of Jillian in front of the huge leaded glass window and the intimate ones of the two of them just inside the rim of light. Jillian and Nick are going to be fabulous parents, and even though they're dressed for a boy here they're being surprised in just another month or so! I can't wait to hear if they'll be loving on a little boy or girl. :)

Fun fact: We learned at the beginning of the session that Nick is in Rotary with my dad. How random and funny is that??

Jillian, you are gorgeous. I love this one of you + baby!

They don't look cold, do they? ;)

Amber & Josh | Urban Cincinnati Wedding

Amber knew almost immediately that Josh was the one for her. It happened over Chinese food.

"I remember looking at Josh during our first dinner together at Friendship Chinese and immediately feeling like he was the one for me," she said. "I went home later that night and told my roommates that I really felt  like I could marry him, which shocked all of us as I was never 'that girl,' but I just knew in my gut that he was my one."

Amber and Josh are so kind. Some of the kindest people I've ever met. They're positive and happy. They're genuine, and after just one meeting with them you know that they are interested in you and what you have to say. They love laughing together, and they don't take themselves too seriously. They support each other no matter what. Amber and Josh's Cincinnati wedding was a joyful celebration because of who these two are separately and together.

Congratulations, you guys! Thank you SO much for your hospitality and generosity. I left your wedding with a big smile on my face. :) You two are the real deal.

I loooove photographing weddings in Cincinnati!

Beautiful, Amber!

While I was with the girls, my fabulous second shooter Jeni was with the guys.

Amber and Josh had the sweetest first look ...

Then it was off to Over-the-Rhine for some urban portraits …

LOVE this shot that Jeni captured just above! The benefits of having a second shooter: While she was capturing this, I was capturing the photo above this one.

You two are fun. :)

Amber and Josh signed their ketubah before the ceremony.

Ceremony and Reception: The Madison Event Center Florist: Rosi Wood Bakery: Gigi's Cupcakes DJ: DJ Toad Hair and Makeup: Salon Beck Bride's Dress: Belle Bridal Boutique, Watters Bride's Shoes: Nina Bridesmaids' Dresses: Carrie Karibo Boutique, Social Tuxes: Formally Modern Tuxedo (Chicago) Transportation: Crown Car & Coach

Baby Jameson | Newborn

What a sweet session! Baby Jameson was not very interested in being in front of my camera, but he pulled through with a little help from mom and dad. :) Amy and Shaun are friends of ours, and it was incredibly special to see how awesome they are with their first baby. Shaun is a baby whisperer. For real. Jameson just melted in his dad's arms, which was quite helpful and adorable to photograph. And Amy? She is the most happy, upbeat new mom I've ever seen. She has such a great attitude about motherhood and more energy than me! Jameson is one lucky baby.

Congrats, you two, on your little guy!

Baby yawns are the best!

And can we talk about how adorable Jameson's nursery is?! Amy is quite talented. :)

I love that one on the left up there. It looks like they're having a little chat. :)

See Jameson melting in his dad's arms?? He is SO content!

Love, love, love!

101 in 1001: #57 Go on a Girls Trip.

This past weekend my college BFFs and I traveled to Chicago to have a girls weekend in honor of our dear Susan who is getting married in one month! :D Four out of the five of us were there (Lindsey's in Scotland with a new baby girl!), and it was SO good to see them and chat about everything and nothing all weekend.

Two of the most important things we realized over the course of the weekend were a) we look a lot older now than we did in college (what's up with that?!) and b) we did some pretty weird things in college. I think we've always known the latter (I won't even begin to get into our inside jokes), but every time we're together we laugh so hard we cry over the random memories: the videos we made, the experiences we had that no one else would find funny and the things we did while cramming five of us into a 3-ish bedroom apartment.

Because we missed Lindsey and we can't ever leave anyone out, we obviously made a paper-plate-on-a-stick version of her to tote around the city. I really wish I was kidding. Actually, no, I don't. Because this is just another normal day for us and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Leah, the resident Chicagoan, lined up some pretty awesome stuff for us to do: a delicious brunch, manicures, aromatherapy making (see below) and more.

On the way home to CLE, I listened to an audiobook I've been wanting to read: MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend. It was the perfect read (or listen!) after a weekend with my own best friends. I realized, while listening to Bertsche talk about the different stages of friendship, that I am extraordinarily lucky to have many lifelong friends that know me inside and out. And these four girls, who I met freshman year of college in good old Morris Hall, will always be lifers.