Alicia's Family Pictures - Pickerington, Ohio

Alicia called me last Tuesday to schedule some "last minute" family pictures and I was so happy that we were able to squeeze in a time Thursday to meet up and snap a few quick pictures of her, her two sons- Andrew and Isaiah, and her amazing boyfriend- Jeff. I'm not going to do much talking (typing?) about them because I think the pictures speak for themselves - Alicia has an amazing, gorgeous family and she's wonder woman for pulling all of them together, finding time in everyone's busy schedules for the family pictures and more importantly, getting those guys to wear pink! It's amazing what one hour and coordinated outfits can do!

Seriously, how cute are these two!?

Keep smiling!
Kaylina

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Meet Sierra: 2013 Senior Portraits - Granville, Ohio

Meet Sierra. She's a 2013 Senior at Liberty Union High School. We met up last Sunday in Downtown Granville to shoot the first session of her senior portraits. As you can tell, she's gorgeous and quite the track star. Her mom and two sisters stayed close by the whole time and when her best friend made her way over toward the end of the shoot, we spent a few minutes snapping some fun family pictures.

Sierra will get a full blog post after her second session in the Spring. But I know she was excited to see them and I was too excited to wait. So here's a short sneak peak from her first session...

Sierra, thanks so much for choosing me for your senior pictures. I can't wait to do your second session in the Spring!

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

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See. Help. Tell.

A few weeks ago I posted a blog about checking in on your New Years Resolutions and making the most of the last 90 days of 2012. And as I wrote the post, I cringed thinking about the most important resolution I had made and how I hadn't even given it the old college try in the first 9 months of the year. I had promised to give back.

Within a week of me posting that blog and guiltily ignoring my neglected resolutions, I got an email from one of the girls at ONELIFE. God is good.

I eagerly agreed to photograph the event they were holding to celebrate the launch of their website and their organization at Capital University. I am so happy to say that I attended the launch Wednesday night and I have been so inspired by their organization, their cause, and their vision.

Madison Mikhail and her three gorgeous sisters founded ONELIFE on three easy principals: See. Help. Tell.

See.
ONELIFE's website provides users with access to accurate information highlighting the most urgent issues impacting lives around the globe.

Help.
ONELIFE connects users to reliable non-profit organizations that can help causes they are passionate about.

Tell.
ONELIFE uses social media and, more importantly, YOU to spread the word and tell the world.


ONELIFE is the product of many, many years of love and labor from Madison, her sisters, her family, and her friends. It is an organization that is still growing and changing and it needs your help. Please, check out ONELIFE on Facebook, on YouTube, and Twitter. Check out what they're about, share their videos, and use the hash tags #ONELIFE and #seehelptell to spread the word and your passion. For more information about how to get involved email info@seehelptell.org.

You won't regret it.

Keep smiling,
Kaylina

The energy in the room when the doors opened at 8pm never waned throughout the night. Although the site did not officially launch until midnight, guests were kept busy with a red carpet background (a step and repeat banner for those of you in the know) for photo ops, a photobooth, and desserts and drinks.

Guests could make ONELIFE bracelets at each of the tables when they needed to rest their legs and take a break from dancing or listening to the sweet stylings of the Wake Fold Quartet.

Thank you so much to Madison, Sarah, and all of the volunteers that made the night such a success. And special props to DJ Enigma for the music that gave me so many great action shots, G and P Productions for the amazing videos that you can find at ONELIFE's YouTube channel, and Lisa of Siders Photography for working the event with me.

To check out even more pictures from the ONELIFE launch click here.

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Meet Tom Marvolo Riddle

We've had Tom for 4 weeks now. And he was nothing but adorable. For the first two days. And then he turned ornery. He plays the way that all kittens do- by biting and scratching. I'm not sure who appreciates it less, my hand or Schnickas, our 19 pound, 4 year old cat. But I think she's on to a good solution. When Tom gets annoying- she sits on him. 

Tom's new favorite thing is to wait until I'm in my most comfortable, deepest sleep and then start "playing" with my face. He's cute all right but I'm pretty sure he is every bit the dark wizard he's named after. After waking me up 9 times last night we finally had to resort to mind games. Now, the mortal enemy of all cats worldwide guards our bedroom door: the vacuum cleaner. I'm not proud of it. But I intend on getting a good night's sleep tonight.

Keep smiling,

Kaylina

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Cassie and Ben Uditis: Lancaster, Ohio Wedding

He was visibly nervous. Even a stranger could tell. But the day was here, and Ben couldn't wait to marry the love of his life. Cassie had been planning (and stressing a little) the whole engagement. And the closer the wedding got, the more the roles were reversed. It was his turn to sweat a little. He came by the boutique to drop off a few things his bride and the girls had forgotten at the house. From the porch of the boutique I couldn't hear the conversation as he handed over Cassie's veil to his mom but they hugged a million times before she started to tear up. It was 10 am and those were the first of many happy tears shed that day.

When I met Ben and Cassie for the first time 6 months ago it was obvious they adored each other. Then when we had so much fun during their engagement session, I was convinced: they were made for each other. I feel so blessed that I was allowed  to document their big day and pick up on the small details. Like the way their faces lit up and their hands stopped shaking as soon as they saw each other on the opposite sides of that aisle. The way Ben took the time to rub Cassie's arms at the alter because it was chilly out and he wanted to make sure she was warm. Or the careful planning that went into the surprise OSU football tickets Cassie had tucked in her garter for Ben during the garter toss.

It was truly a beautiful night full of little moments, little looks, and lots of happy tears.

Cassie and Ben thank you so much for choosing me! I am so blessed and so honored to have been a part of your day. I wish you the best in the future - I know that you two will have a million more little moments to make up an incredible lifetime together.

Keep smiling!
Kaylina

She started the day with a little bubbly to celebrate the arrival of the big day. Cassie and her bridesmaids were looking gorgeous all day thanks to the wonderful staff at Unique Beautique.

I may have gotten her addicted to Pinterest, but Cassie had some amazing homemade centerpieces to help decorate her special day, along with an adorable message on her shoes, and a personalized coat hanger for her most priceless dress. So I'd say it was worth it.

The ceremony was on a beautiful day and at the gorgeous Cheers & Lakeside Chalet. Cassie and Ben's mom did a great job picking out the venue and a wedding photographer couldn't have asked for more.

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