The "K" Children-A Mini Session | Cincinnati Child Photographer

I get a lot of calls from people saying they really want to use me to photograph them/their children but don't have the time/money/patience/etc. for a full session. I can't tell you how many times I've delighted and surprised people when I tell them about my mini sessions. They are 1/2 the price and 1/2 the time and the best part is we still get LOTS of great images!

That's exactly what happened when Lynn called me. I've known Lynn for a long time and was excited when she told me she wanted to do surprise portraits for a father's day gift. The kids kept it a secret the whole time. Kudos to them for that! NOT an easy feat! I heard the pictures were a big hit-yay!

The "Z" Family-Preview for the new blogsite! | Cincinnati Family Photographer

Going along with the "teaser" for my new blogsite theme, I thought I would introduce you to the family that's going to be starring in a video among other things! SOOO can't wait. You actually may remember them from their session back in 2008. This time we decided to go casual & high energy! We ended with a trip to Graeters. I mean, any session that has ice cream in it HAS to be fab! The result is amazing. It doesn't hurt that they are just gorgeous! Luv you guys :) LOTS more of them to come soon.

Angie and her gorgeous girls. Her daughter and mine are bff's...awwww

They are smokin hot!

These "group hug" images really get to me. You can't see all of their faces but you can just feel the love.

Something about moms and their sons...

My absolute fav from the session-such a slice of life with three growing siblings!

The "S" Family | Cincinnati Family Photographer

I shot Allison's senior session last year. She was so bubbly and full of excitement as she talked about her hopes and plans for her senior year and college. Well, now it's all happening. She graduated on Sunday (YAY!) and is headed off to Clemson in the Fall. You can just tell when someone is going to get what they want and I had that feeling about Allison. I met her mom, Julie, at her session but just got the chance to meet the family a few days ago. Her brother is entering the high school and little sis will be a 6th grader at the same school my son goes to. Small world! They wanted a family portrait while everyone's still home. Julie said her favorite pictures are when they are in a park like setting so, off to the park we went! I mean, who knows when they'll all be together again. Probably Thanksgiving. That's just the way it works when kids go off to school. So, now they have these sunny memories of everyone together. It was fun working with you all. Good luck Allison. I know you're going to do great things :)

The "F" kids | Cincinnati Family Photographer

I love when things that seem tricky work out. It's definitely a feeling of accomplishment! I got a call from Tony, who saw my display at Lookout Joe and wanted a session for his kids. He works in New Jersey and comes home for the weekends and wanted to surprise his wife with portraits of the kids for Mother's Day (awwww).

It was a little tricky to schedule because of Tony's traveling and his wife having to be gone to get this done. I love scheming (for good reasons)! Mom was out of town & the weather was beautiful (well...it was a gorgeous looking day but it was about 45 degrees when we shot these pics but it was sunny so we told the kids to "look" like it was warm) Didn't they do a GREAT job?

They live in Anderson overlooking the river. BREATHTAKING! I told Tony I wanted to get a summer house there-LOL! I won't turn down an invite to go out there again so when you're ready Tony, just say the word :)

Lots of pictures with their dog...so much love. I have a lab so I know what a special place animals have in the lives of their "people families".

Looks like a park but these were taken on their property!

So convenient for them and breathtaking to photograph there!

Can you believe the view?

The "O" Family | Cincinnati Family Photographer

This is my first referral from the display I have up at Suburban Pediatrics in Liberty Township. YAY! I will post my pics of that display soon.
I so loved working with this family. They are from Nicaragua and have the most fantastic accents. Talking to Nikki on the phone to arrange for the session was so wonderful because I loved the sound of her voice (is that weird?). Anyway, they have a new home with a TON of empty wall space that they want to fill with portrait art so we decided an in home consult would best serve them. We met, took measurements and voila, came up with a plan for portrait placement and image ideas.
We met on a glorious evening. They've got their hands full with three boys under the age of five but being in a new environment without walls to confine them helped the boys stay occupied. The boys love trains so being on the tracks was "way cool". Thomas is a BIG part of their lives! They explored in the field and played on the playground. I was so glad we got some shots of grandma and Nikki. They've come a long way together! That's why I SO love location sessions. The newness, the freshness, the excitement.
Now we have so many images to choose from to fill those walls. Here are a few of my favs.

The "W" Family | Cincinnati Family Photographer

This is a 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY" post for Melissa. She's the beautiful mom in these pics. Her hubby, Rob, spilled the beans that she's celebrating her birthday today...the day I had set out to post some images from their session! I'd say good timing :)

I photographed this family at about the same time last year. About a month ago, Melissa sent me an email requesting a session to "get" the kids at these ages. They're only little once and they change so fast! You may think the boys looked much the same but notice big brother "E" has more teeth this time! It's those little things! And their personalities were changed. They were way more outgoing since they know me already and "E" is definitely NOT camera shy. She's a little fireball! She wasn't even walking last time we met and now she doesn't stop! Well...she did stop long enough for me to get some great shots of her! And she even shared the spotlight with the rest of the fam too :)

They are just about the nicest family I know (including my own-LOL). They just have a vibe I can't explain. Surely you know a family like this. Sweet, unassuming, fun-loving. You can just tell they love being together. It's hard to see that without "seeing" it but hopefully the images give you a taste of what I'm talking about.

Rob said she's a "Mama's girl" but, clearly, she and "Daddy" have a lot of fun!

There's the Mama and her girl. Precious. Gotta' love the finger pointing.

See how animated they are! I want to bottle that enthusiasm!

And a happy "E" to dance us out of this post! Thanks so much for sharing a wonderful evening with me.

Playing with "C" | Cincinnati Children Photographer

Thanks to my friend and client Lisa, who had a shoot with her adorable daughter back in the fall, I was introduced to little "C" and his step mom Michelle. What FUN! I have to say, I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I get to shoot seniors who are old enough to take direction and want to be at their session. That IS very nice. Then again, I love the excitement and boundless energy of a child. So, my job gives me a little of everything and I feel VERY lucky :) Thank you to all of my clients for this!

Michelle is going to surprise her husband with these pictures but said he wouldn't be checking out the blog so I "sneak peeked" some so she wouldn't have to wait! Michelle is such an amazing step mom. She and "C" have a very special relationship. I'm sure they both feel lucky to have each other. Because I am a divorced mom of two who remarried an amazing man, I know how meaningful these step parent/child relationships are. My kids and Josh adore each other. It's a unique bond that they and Michelle and "C" are fortunate to have.

"C" was definitely full of energy and excitement. We started in his yard, went to the street for some scooter/motorcycle riding, hid behind some trees, played football and ended with a snack of oranges! Whew! And I got to capture it all! That's the beauty of me being where "C" was, doing what he loves to do. Because, as I've learned from my clients and especially from my own kids; these precious stages are just stages and he will soon be moving on to other things. But a captured moment lasts forever. "C" will automatically be entered into the Baby & Child Portrait Contest being sponsored by my lab for a chance to win $500-$5,000! Just for having a session with me-no cost at all! How will I choose just one image to send in?

My fav. Sweet and innocent. Amazed by his toes. Can't they stay that way?

Awww...

He takes his motorcycle riding very seriously!

What's so funny?