Brand New Website

It is 5:30 a.m. I have spent the last 2 weeks glued to my computer redesigning my website.  Culling through folder after folder sifting through 1000's of images I feel a huge sense of accomplishment today.  I cant believe how far I have come as a wedding photographer over the past year, yeah I am tooting my own horn.   I still have a long way to go, but to me the sky is the limit!   I am afraid to type too much because the lack of sleep has me a little delusional...

Besides all of the new images, my site didn't change too much.  I like presenting images against a clean white background, I feel like it makes them feel important, like art.   I didn't change the music, because I am in love with those piano pieces, even after listening to them over 400 times while rebuilding.  They are just so beautiful.  I added a little more info and a cool sliding gallery to my home page, other than that it should feel like home.

I used a company called  ShowIt to build and host my site.  They are geared toward photographers and have tons of great features, most I have not even utilized yet.

Take a look at my site by clicking here.

Next on my to do list, sample albums, blog revamp, and an art website. Here is a screen shot of my home page.

Taking risks, thinking big, being bold

I am not the kind of person who sits down on New Years and makes a list of  things I want to change about myself.  My philosophy is to constantly evaluate my actions and life and to change whenever change is needed.  I try to be a genuine person with a warm heart and to stay open to new ideas and inspiration.   I am by no means perfect.  I spend too much time on my computer, I don't see my family and friends as much as I should,  I am a little hard headed, I sometimes procrastinate, and after thinking about that John Lennon quote I posted below, I know that there is a part of me that allows fear to get in the way of my dreams.  As I grow as an artist I am learning to turn that fear into a tool I use to push myself creatively.  When I conquer fear I feel a huge sense of satisfaction.  When I take risks I feel empowered.  When I think big, big things happen.

This is year is going to be fantastic.  I plan on thinking as far outside of the box as I can both artistically and with my business.   I plan on diving in head first with the full confidence.   Here is a little bit of what I have coming up and what I am really excited about ...2  new websites (I am finally putting up an art site), my first destination wedding in Mexico, working with my new partner/friend, Jen Daut on love+bash, Cincinnati's very first Indie/Alternative Wedding Expo(full post on that soon!),  new equipment purchases, dusting off my film cameras for a little fun, and a few personal portrait projects I have stirring in my head.

2011 is going to be HUGE, just wait and see!

Last winter I had a 2 month love affair with a flock  of crow.   I wonder if they are roosting in the same place?  I might have to give them a visit soon. :)

Black Friday On Etsy

In honor of Black Friday, and of me not physically participating in Black Friday, I decided to do a little desk shopping on Etsy.  There are tons of sellers offering great deals today.  I put together a wish list of things I am dying to get.

I think this little black dress is so adorable.  What better reason to put your hair up than to show off your heart! :)  It is handmade by Alexandra Grecco.  Check out her Etsy store here.   

I have been admiring this ring by artisianlook for about a year.  Their jewelry is all hand made and it is all exquisite. They also do custom work.

I love embellished bobby pins.  I can't ever decide on bangs or no bangs, these pins by myhandmadecrafts are perfect for the in between times. When it comes to necklaces, I am drawn to vintage, ultra feminine looks like this one I found here. I like how ornate it is. These clutch purses by Red Ruby Rose are always a favorite of mine.  I scream out loud every time I see them.  They are so cool.  Rowena, the store owner designs and hand makes each of these bags using textiles made from her own artwork.I found these earrings at  A Thousand Joys.  I love the shape and the color. I took a book making class in college.  It was a lot of fun.  It made me really appreciate all of the hard work and fine craftsmanship that goes into making a  book like the one below.  This gorgeous, handmade book by GILDBookbinders is perfect for journaling or sketching.  (I want this bad, but I think I might be too afraid to write in it because it is so beautiful.)

I adore this print by Tina Tarnoff.  Check out her store to see some of the awesome jewelry she makes out of the paper cut Art as well, it is so unique.

I am always thankful for love

Love is my inspiration, and love is my muse.    Love lets me lead and knows when I need to follow.  Love gives me the confidence to be me, a better me than I was yesterday.  I trust love with my heart and all of my dreams.   Love encourages me to push myself farther than I ever thought possible, love encourages me to think.  Love is my smile, when it is most sincere.  Love is all of my senses dancing together at once.  Touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, and hearing.  Love  is an overwhelming emotion that takes over my entire existence, a connection with another person that feels like magic.   The way it happens, the feelings you get, it's a gift.  When it finds you, you won't want to let go.

To me, he is love.

Together I know we can do anything, because we believe in love and we believe in each other.

iPhone Thursday and I am having a show!

Yes, I know I have posted this picture of Arnold's before.  I just felt it was very fitting for this week's iPhone post because it is where I am having a show Saturday night at 7.  I am part of a really fun photography group that has group shows once a month.  This month it is my turn and I would love for you to come!  It is always a great time, lots of drinking and mingling,  and there will be tons of great art for sale.    For those of you that are not familiar with Arnold's, it is Cincinnati's oldest tavern.  When I was in college we used to go there to unwind after every test, it was always a wonderful, laid back atmosphere, and the food is outstanding.  Check out their website here.

I hope to see you there!!

*The address is 210 East 8th Street Cincinnati, Oh.  There is plenty of parking across the street at the public lot.  The show will be upstairs.

His memory became mine

It was just another day at the thrift store.  I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I just needed to get out of the house for a little while.  I was rummaging through a shelf full of vases and kitchen pots when I saw the bucket.  I was drawn to it immediately.  I think it was because it looked so old, genuinely old, not that faux old junk you see in department stores.  This thing had history.  I picked it up and carried it around.  After a few minutes of shopping I got sidetracked by a chair or something and rethought buying the bucket.  I sat it down it down in a different spot.  Yes I am one of those people.  When I am shopping I sometimes pick out things I want, then  randomly sit them down somewhere else when I talk myself out of  buying them.  I am positive most store employees hate me for it.  This time I was glad I did it.  When I walked by the bucket again, now in its new home,  a very old man was smiling ear to ear admiring it.  When he saw that I noticed his excitement he told me how he used to carry his lunch in a bucket like this everyday as a kid.  The enthusiasm in his voice was intoxicating.  "This thing has to be over 80 years old, since I am 88" he said.  I asked him if he wanted to buy it and he said "Oh no honey, I don't need one of these anymore".  He didn't need it anymore, but I did.  I needed it because I wanted to remember his smile and vivacity.  I wanted to remember the story he told me.  I wanted to remember how happy it made me hearing it.  I bought the bucket. :)  Suddenly within a few moments his memory had become mine.  The bucket was a memory of his of his youth and it was now my memory of an encounter with a stranger that made my day.

What was once used to carry a young boy's lunch is now used to hold a young woman's plant. Perfection.

Caelen's Almost One

Caelen's Dad, Jhagger (who is named after Mick Jagger, his mom just spelled it different :) ) is Dave's good friend.  Every time he's at our house, I tell him how much I would love to take pictures of his little boy.  Finally just in time for Caelen's first birthday,  we managed to work out a time that worked for everyone. :) I met Caelen, Jhagger, and his girlfriend, Anna at Ault Park for their photo session.  This little boy is too cute for words.  I had a great time chasing him around the park and hanging out with Jhagger and Anna.   Ault Park is always the perfect place to go for a family session because of the diversity and size of the park.  Oh yeah, and because it is gorgeous there, year round!

Jhagger is a giant, really, he's like 6'6.  Little Caelen is following in his dad's footsteps for sure.  At just over 10 months he is already bigger than most kids his age.For those of you thinking about booking a fall or holiday photo session contact me soon through my website or email me here  nikita@nikitagross.com to set up a date.  I still have lots of November dates available, but I am sure they will book up fast. :)

Coming up for air

I want to start this post by thanking everyone for all of the sweet comments and emails.  They really mean a lot to me.  It is amazing how a simple  "I'm thinking about you" note can really lift your spirits. :)

Dave and I have been taking a lot of walks over the past few days.  It is refreshing to get out of the house,  to let loose and to talk.  We talk about Cid, about our life together, about our dreams, our future.   Strangely enough,  I believe this experience has made me a better version of myself.  It has motivated me.  I don't want to waste time on things that don't fulfill my life and make me happy.   I want to spend more time with the people I love and I want  to make those people feel good.  I want to hold Dave's hand a little bit longer,  and stay in bed with him a little bit later.   I am always talking about truly experiencing and appreciating my life.  If I am going appreciate life then I must also respect death.  Death is bitter and it hurts, but it is also forgiving, and it is peaceful.  It is the end of one way of life, but the beginning of another.  I am thankful for all of the wonderful years I had with my dog.  He taught me about love and loyalty, about being enthusiastic and most of all, adaptable.  Yes, there are still going to be some sad days ahead of me.  The happy memories I have out number the sad ones and there have been too many tears on my blog lately.  I am ready to move on and to smile again. :)

Thanks again for all of your support.

These are from one of our recent walks in Ault Park.

Saying Goodbye

The past few days have been the hardest of my life.  After a very short battle with cancer, I am sad to say my sweet Cid has passed away. He made it out of the surgery and was at home.   He waited until he could say goodbye to all of us then he went to sleep very peacefully.  Cid's death was as perfect as his life.  He was our warrior and going through chemo and living without a leg just was just not his style.  I am sorry, but I just cannot find the words to write on my blog this week.  My heart feels a little empty right now,  I just want to be with Dave and to remember all of the wonderful times we had with Cid.