Jeni + Gautam Wedding: Civic Garden Center & MadTree Brewing

We had so much fun with Jeni and Gautam for their engagement session that we knew their wedding day would be a blast. Because of the misty rain that morning, the wedding ceremony was relocated from the patio to the inside of the Civic Garden Center, but we were still able to capture their first look and some portraits in the lush green surroundings. 

Jeni had henna painted along her hands and arms as an homage to her husband's Indian heritage. And she had Gautam's name hidden within the design – it was fun to watch him search for his name during their first look! 

Seriously, what a gorgeous fairytale setting! 

Jeni and Gautam's reception was at MadTree Brewing in Oakley. They infused some Indian culture into their dinner – cardamom lassi drinks and saag paneer pizza served up fresh from Catch-a-Fire Café inside the taproom. Instead of the usual flower arrangements, they decorated each guest table with a perfectly curated selection of board games – including Cards Against Humanity, Cads About Matrimony, Jenga, Uno and Operation! Their cake was decorated with an intricate floral henna design. And the highlight of the night was their surprise first dance / Bollywood mashup! 

Eden Park Engagement Session with Tess & Mo

Tess and Mo had their engagement session in Eden Park (my favorite Cincinnati park!) on a not-too-humid August evening. They got to know each other through a running club in Rochester, NY, and soon realized their friendship was more than that; the spark between them was mutual. When we met Tess at Coffee Emporium (Mo was busy in Rochester finishing up his residency), we bonded over running stories and a shared appreciation for coffee! Kyle and I are looking forward to capturing their upcoming January wedding - we're hoping for some picturesque snow!

Clifton Engagement Session with Jeni & Gautam!

We had a blast hanging out with Jeni & Gautam during their engagement session while we hit up several sentimental favorites from their getting-to-know each other phase. Our first stop was Highland Coffee House, where they had their first date – and where their conversation went on long enough that they lost track of the time! Our second location was in the Clifton Gaslight District at a semi-secluded park bench at the intersection of Middleton and McAlpin. Jeni and Gautam used to take walks here to sit surrounded by wildflowers and gaze into the nature preserve... and, probably, each others' eyes! Had to say it. Right down the street at Mt. Storm Park, we finished the session just before sunset, where Jeni and Gautam had shared their first kiss! 

Sidenote - it was a bit of a sentimental evening for me and my second photographer/assistant/life partner as well - we spent five years together in the Clifton Gaslight District during our various relationship stages. There's just something magical about that area! 

Ashley + Kevin: Eden Park Wedding!

Ashley & Kevin had an intimate June evening wedding at the Eden Park gazebo in front of their closest friends and family. Luckily, the infamous Cincinnati humidity gave us a break and the weather was perfect. Beforehand, the guys chilled out at Ashley & Kevin's house and we managed to get some cute portraits of Kevin with their dogs! The ladies got dressed in a luxurious room at Hotel Covington that had a view of both the Queen City Building and the Ascent at Roebling Bridge. The flower girl was a little photographer – she had a blast capturing moments with a Fujifilm Instax camera! After the ceremony, we wandered up to the overlook for more portraits - had to seize that golden hour light!