Carrie the Musical - a public service announcement

If you have not yet seen Carrie the Musical by Showbiz Players at the Carnegie, then you are in serious danger of missing out on the best way to kick of the most wonderful time of the year (Halloween, that is!)

While the script is not the highest of arts (it is based on a horror movie that is based on a horror novel) it is superbly performed by a cast that is star quality from top to bottom . Every single performer up on that stage is singing their heart out. Seriously - the vocal performances make it worth the price of admission.

But wait, there's more! I was really impressed with how well the set and lighting dictated the mood for the show. Well done and well designed all around.

Now get thee to the theater and see this show! It is a bloody good time (see what I did there!) (Admit it, you laughed.)

Newbs.

Wow. I sure did abandon blogging thing as soon as I started. I guess that means I am missing an opportunity to tell you a bit about me. Maybe I should start by talking about my style and philosophies when it comes to my art. Actually, I am quite interested to hear this myself! Let's start with newborn sessions, shall we?

I love babies. No secret there. I wish I had more. If life hadn't happened I may have had 10! It is such a special (yet challenging) part of your life. It really is trial by fire, preparing you for all that is to come with this parenting gig. I guess that is where my lifestyle approach to photographing these tiny humans comes from. I want to capture those first few moments at home. Where does the baby sleep? Where does the family hang out? What is the look on the babe's face as they stare into your eyes? What is the look on your face? These are the things that make up our memories. These are the moments we will want to hold onto. 

 Don't get me wrong, I think babies look super cute laying in a basket, or in that frog pose. At the end of the day (or first decade of parenting) you will still think those images are cute, but what memories will they stir? My most cherished images of my kids are of our everyday life. The pictures that remind me of how they looked laying on the bed as I changed a diaper or how we spent long afternoons watching PBS kids and letting a big brother get to know his little sister. Your life is art and I capture it.

   (The blanket in this picture was mom's as a baby. She has a picture of herself at 7 weeks in this very blanket.)

Even in the studio, this early time is all about relationships, not props (not that I am against a pretty headband or cute dress, but the baby is the star!)

(Mom spun and dyed all of that luscious wool!)

So there we go - my approach to newbies and little ones. In short, I am all about the family, the love and the light. Everything else is secondary.

          

A view of the city...

One of my theater companies had an event at the Prima Vista restaurant in East Price Hill's Incline District. I will admit I didn't get it at first, then I saw this view. An amazing part of Cincinnati with an amazing future. The arts are alive and well in Cincinnati and it just keeps getting better! 

MY (FRIEND’S) OLD KENTUCKY HOME

One of the cool things about being heavily involved in the theater is the people. We theater people are a crazy bunch and I love it that way. One of my friends from college (and also my MUA/ hair stylist/ pin up diva/ resident historian and pirate) found her dream home a few years ago and has been making it her own ever since. I finally got my kids out there for a visit and they didn't want to leave. Honestly, neither did I. Wide open spaces, a pond to skip rocks in, Niki’s cooking (grilled pizzas!) and animals to snuggle. I can see why she had to have this place.