creative sessions are so much fun!  they’re sessions built on a concept or a theme.  over the break, some of the big shots model team members, kaitlin and i headed downtown to shoot this mad men inspired shoot.

this shoot was AWESOME.  as with mad men, the images convey a mysterious, dark mood.  the models were totally in character.  they researched their outfits, makeup, hair, etc. and it shows!

mad men is one of my favorite shows so for many reasons, i LOVED planning and shooting this session.  i’m so excited for you to see how it all came together!

i’ve had calls asking whether we are hiring an assistant.  i tell them, “no, we already have one”.  you may not even know that so, today i’m formally introducing kaitlin.  i’ve featured her on my facebook page a few times but over the course of the past year and a half have never had her on the blog.  omg!  where do i start?  kaitlin is among the best decisions i have made for bigshots EVER!  hiring an assistant can be a daunting task; weeding through applicants, meeting with them and trying to decide if they’d be a good fit.  it was something josh and i knew we needed to do so we set out on this journey and i’ve never looked back.

i thought kaitlin was a timid suburban girl until i got to know her better.  not that i’m a party animal, but i like to have fun and we do!  kaitlin is not only fun but thoughtful, hard-working, efficient, and dedicated.  and gorgeous!  have you seen the images of her on here?  ok…i’m going to sell her so much that someone is going to come in and sweep her away.  anyway, i think the best way for you to get to know kailtin is for her to tell you a little bit about herself.  i had her answer a few questions so…(drumroll) heeeeeres kaitlin:

favorite website: pinterest.com
favorite snack food: doritos or any kind of fruit
favorite candy: sour patch watermelons
favorite drink: ice tea lemonade
favorite clothing store: forever 21, tj maxx, dsw
favorite place in Cincinnati: hyde park, ault park, downtown
favorite thing in my closet: my dress collection or all my boots
favorite bands/artists: sara bareilles, radical face, fall out boy…I honestly like everything!
my dream job: being a photographer, like marla! learning from her is amazing.
my hobbies: photography, singing, playing guitar, hooping, hanging out with friends.
3 things you should know about me: i want to start a dog rescue, I have an amazing puppy named prince, and i’m obsessed with all things Disney,
what I’m insecure about in photographs: doing the “serious” look
my friends would describe me as: goofy, caring, and nice.

these shots were all taken in my home.  i wanted to try having a session like this and found i love using furniture and backdrops found in the home environment.

wow!  what a great year 2012 was!  thank you so much to my amazing clients with whom i had the pleasure of working.  couldn’t have done it without you!   i chose my favorite images from each session and put together this video.  i hope you enjoy it as much as much as i do!

an unknown author wrote this poem.  i added in the first verse based on what’s going on in the world.

Thanksgiving is a time to
remember those
who are not free in the world
or spend their days being thankful
just to be alive.

Thanksgiving is
a time to reflect on the changes,
to remember that we, too, grow and change
from one season of life to another.

Thanksgiving is
a time of changing seasons, when leaves turn golden
in Autumn’s wake and apples are crisp
in the first chill breezes of fall.

Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
As we see the beauty of Autumn,
let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours…
let us think of our families and friends..
and let us give thanks in our hearts.

we had a much smaller gathering this year than the last time josh and i hosted thanksgiving in 2010.  i was thinking it would be “hum drum” but it turned out to be warm and full of so much energy.  i worked as hard as if we were having our usual 20 plus people !  everything except the cornbread muffins were 100% homemade:  the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole…all made by me (with some help peeling and chopping by josh)!   i’m so thankful that my mother-in-law was there to assist with prepping the bird, making a salad and picking up fruit.  my cousin ellen brought delicious cranberry dressing that i’m thankful is gone because i couldn’t stop eating it!  same for my parents’ yummy apple pie.  i’m thankful for everyone who joined us and helped us realize what we’re really thankful for were them!

some of the yumminess!

kiddos worked hard to help set the table we all sat around.  so thankful for that!

love seeing everyone connecting!

monty’s first thanksgiving! we are all thankful he is in our lives!

My first name is: Stanford

My dream job: Sports Medicine

My favorite music/artists: Big Sean

My favorite movie (s): In Time

My favorite book (s): Hunger Games

My favorite website: Youtube

My favorite magazine: Sports Illustrated

My favorite high school moment: Prom

I have never… Been skydiving, which i would like to do.

If I had $1,000 I would… Spend a small amount but save the rest.

I love Big Shots Photography and working with Marla because: I had a very fun time working with her. I really enjoyed how everything was very natural, which made me comfortable. I did not expect photo shoots to be like that which made it very fun!