Mason, Class of 2017 …

This Handsome guy and his beautiful Momma met me at Devou Park on a warm Sunday evening.  The weather was beautiful and we were able to freely enjoy the park as we wandered into several spots from the Behringer-Crawford Museum to Rotary Grove.  The park was bustling with folks, many of whom were enjoying a good game of golf in the unseasonably warm weather.  From there we found ourselves on the old brick roads of downtown Covington, where we admired the gorgeous architecture and character that was around each corner.  We could hear Reds fans cheering across the river as they watched their favorite team in the last game of the season.  I genuinely enjoyed the great conversation and ease of our walk with these two.  It was easy to see with these genuinely kind and brilliant folks that "beauty and handsome" aren't only skin deep in this fantastic family.  Thank you, Tina and Mason, for the wonderful time and for the opportunity to photograph the start of this new season for you all.   I look forward to round two on the Soccer Field with you both! ~ B 

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Towering Beauty in Over-The-Rhine ...

City shoots are always a fun sort.  For this one, we found ourselves in Over-The-Rhine and Washington Park.  They aways lend themselves well to great images.  The old German architecture, the towering buildings and brick paved alley ways are amazing, even the graffiti is awesome in it's own right!  There is always so much life in these spots and it can easily add a nice twist to our vision.  This gorgeous Senior and her beautiful Momma were a lot of fun to stroll the city with and they were so open to venturing into different territory; walking into the middle of streets, under posted signage, sitting on private doorsteps, laying down in grimy alleys and even running through the fountains.  It is easy to find a new perspective on a shot in a place like this.  And if you can't find it, it's natural for passerby's to offer their personal thoughts on the composition.  One person sharing his concern over our choice of ragged old door frame versus the next one that was covered in beautiful flowers and fresh, colorful paint.  His statement along the lines of, "She's too pretty to be in that place" ... what he didn't understand is, that with this girl, that "pretty" begins internally and the radiance that comes from that can brighten the darkest and gloomiest doorstep on their own.  This beauty walked with a fantastic confidence that towered like the gorgeous buildings we stood between and when she kicked off her shoes and freely wandered barefoot, her joyfulness and contentedness were contagious.  Hanna & Michelle, it was a joy spending the evening with you two.  Thank you for the time, I wish you all the best for your Senior year! ~ B 

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Welcome To The World Little Bean ...

The day may have been cold and rainy but spending a couple hours with this sweet family you would never have known.  This beautiful babe was a mere six days old and teeny as she was she filled a big space. I walked into her gorgeous nursery, blankets in tow, and watched these new parents as they doted on their sweet girl.  As a parent with older children it is easy to forget how amazing new babies are.  The moment I held this girl I felt as if I was holding something incredibly precious and I was.  Each teeny baby is a huge reminder of our short time here, of how quickly they grow and how wonderfully inexplicable loving them is.  This small addition squeaked and stretched her way through our morning together, more contented than I would have thought.  Her delicate arms stretching out her clenched fists as she'd gather her head in wrinkles with big yawns and knees pulled in tight, sleeping through most transitions.  Her chubby, soft cheeks and her tulip shaped lips puckered as she dreamt.  I couldn't help but step back and envy the season for this couple, though it's a convoluted, sleep deprived, worry filled one, it is also one filled with a flooding of love that like water seeping into cracks, can cast great light on even the hardest to reach of corners.  B & A, your E is absolutely perfect and I wish you many, many blessings in life.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of these treasured moments with you!  ~ B

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Joy is Evident ...

What amazing weather we had for the end of November with this beautiful family of 6.  They were troopers as their brood ventured through downed trees, dry creeks and steep inclines as we sought the sun in open spaces.  I was genuinely impressed with the love that they exuded for one another as these siblings not only joked with one another but even spoke of being inspired by one another.  As I inquired to the "secret" of their warmth for each other, both parents joked, but in truth it was obvious that there is an inner joy residing in this family of 6 and that joy works to develop a love and respect that seems ten fold.  These sweet kiddos and their wonderful parents were a fun crew to wander with.  I am so thankful you, A & M, allowed me the absolute privilege of photographing your beautiful family! ~ B Gallery

Rainbows in Random Places ...

What do you do when you're off for the weekend?  You grab your daughter and one of her friends and drag them out for impromptu pictures.  When we arrived T expressed that she felt as if she was in a giant's house with the large, expansive pillars and wide open spaces.  Likening it to a scene from "Jack and The Beanstalk".  The girls ran freely around this place, uncontained by the influence of an outside world that buzzed loudly by in passing vehicles, they sprinted and laughed throughout the garage, finding perfect echo spots and picking which color was their favorite.  The giggles echoing through these open walls rang sweetly across the cemented ground.  What a blast to just enjoy a unique space with these cheerful beauties, proving that anything, even parking garages, can lend itself well to photographs! ~ B

Crowned by Queen Anne's Lace ...

I am one lucky girl to get to spend my weekends wandering about beautiful places with some of the friendliest people you'd find.  I knew that would be the case for this shoot, what I didn't know is that it would be times 100.  We arrived at the Cincinnati Nature Center on what was their Hoots and Hops night.  There was the obvious fragrance of ale in the air and countless sweet smiles of staff and visitors roaming the trails along side my senior and her Momma.  As we maneuvered through the attending Cincinnati Observatory's incredible scopes set up for night viewing, we were greeted with kind words and laughing people the entire time. Good strangers jumped in for a quick game of photo bombing as they'd pass through, offering compliments and congratulatory accolades to my beautiful senior whose glowing eyes glistened & changed amazingly as the sun's dancing rays landed upon them in different places. This girly fit perfectly among this reserve, sitting amidst lace-y flowers enhanced by her smile, while the grasshoppers skittered about as if speaking a fitting "how do you do?" to this lively beaut.  It was my absolute pleasure spending the evening with this charming chica and her beautiful Mom.  Thank you so much for granting me the opportunity to record this ticket in time! ~ B Gallery

Bluegrass bands and busy streets ....

If there are two things Cincinnati folk love for certain, it's the parks and restaurants here.  Put that and restaurant week together and it is going to make for one busy week.  This was evident as we wandered the streets of Over-The-Rhine and through Washington Park Thursday.  A city with life; real, genuine, walk about life, is a fantastic thing to see and while it altered our angle of this senior session a bit, we went with it. We followed the sun and enjoyed the sounds of a brilliant bluegrass band in the pavilion on a perfect Summer's night.  We weaved our way through the busy streets and the teams of kickball in the park as we made our way around Music Hall and over to Vine St.  And when the sun was settling in the sky just so, we wound our way over to Eden Park and Twin Lakes for a little change of scenery.  The entire time enjoying the great company of this incredibly kind, humble and beautiful senior, along with her sweet Momma.  So incredibly grateful for the privilege of documenting the beginning of a life changing year for this stunning gal. ~ B Gallery

Tadpoles, Bull frogs and Turtles, Oh My!

I believe one of the most underutilized gems in Hamilton County is the Cincinnati Nature Center.  This place has trails that seem new every time, a play scape like no other and countless critters just waiting to be noticed.  It is among my favorites for  sure, which is why meeting this beautiful family of five there for photos was an easy decision.  This gorgeous family wandered through the park with an ease, grace and happy that was so naturally them. Their interactions oozed love and patience and it was absolutely a pleasure following them around the center; watching the kiddos spot tadpoles, listening to their squeals of delight over the sounds of the very nearby bull frogs, hearing the pitter patter of sandaled toes across the wood walkways over the water.  There is nothing sweeter than watching little people discover the things around them and it made this shoot a cheerful and spirited evening of fun. ~ B Gallery

Sisters ....

How lucky am I that I got to spend an afteroon with these sweet sisters and their parents?!  Nothing like talking favorite colors and ballet with these beauties! ~ B

The Book Thief....

In an effort to encourage our 4th grader to read more, we have agreed that we would do small photo sessions after each book.  I know, I know, I haven't a real clue what I've gotten myself into, but I do know that she seems to be on board with the idea.  So that said, last night we a spent little time putting together our girl's take on a new favorite character, Liesel in "The Book Thief".  SG really embraced the idea of understanding the character and worked hard to invoke her own interpretation in the 20 minutes we had, all the while in our own, simple back yard. In addition, giving her contributions real credit truly gave her a noticeable confidence!

Next time, maybe we'll have even a little more fun and freedom with it.  I am really hopeful this has struck a cord with our sweet chica! ~ B