Alice told me I could choose any location in Cincinnati for their engagement session.  Since I don't photograph sessions in Cincinnati often, I reached out to a few photographer friends for location ideas, poured over Google street maps, researched images from various neighborhoods and finally chose what felt like the perfect location in an emerging downtown neighborhood called "Over the Rhine".  When I gave Alice the address of where we would meet, she told me they had just bought a loft on that very block of Vine Street. 

It was quite sweet documenting the very beginning of their life together in this new place.  I loved thinking about how familiar these buildings and streets and parking lots will be to them over time, and how much these images will mean to them if they ever choose to move on from this neighborhood.  What I love most about documenting weddings and engagements is that they are a new beginning...all of the couple's joy and hope and imagination are unfurled before them in this one, fleeting moment of life.  And this was one of the most complete beginnings I have ever photographed...an about-to-be newlywed couple, a first home, an old neighborhood and a new relationship transitioning into something special, something bigger than itself and full of so much promise.

"Twenty days." Linda happily reminded Raul as they laughed and snuggled closer.  In less than twenty days, I will have the pleasure of documenting Linda, Raul and Raul's adorable daughter, Robin, as they celebrate their wedding day.  I adored how easily these three slipped from moments of hilarious laughter into quiet moments of peaceful contemplation.  I can only imagine the immense amount of energy, love and emotion they will bring to their wedding day...