I’ve finally moved my blog to a new home…It is no longer a separate url as here under wordpress, but sits nice and cozy with the other links on my actual website. Sorry, if there’s been any confusion. But either way, stay tuned. I’ve had a busy few weeks and will soon post some new stuff.

Here is the new link: http://www.ninagphotography.com/blog/

Today, I drove out to Oldham County for a family portrait session.  We scheduled the session in the evening (6 pm) to take advantage of nice, warm light, but as the day progressed I was worried about the weather – it had been cloudy and not very pretty all day!

Shortly after we arrived at our location, though, clouds parted and the sun finally came out of hiding! Thank goodness!!  Not that I must have bright sunshine for outdoor pictures, but it makes pictures more interesting when you can use it. Here are some of my favorites:

...and of course we had some fun, too!

Fall is the best time for some family portraits, especially when Christmas is just around the corner. I have just a few dates available this fall, so schedule your session soon!

Recently, I photographed Alma, Jerry and their cute little daughter Anna at Papa John’s Park.  Here are some of my favorites:

Look at her angel face!

Louisville wedding photographer Eric Graf was the main photographer and had hired me to document some details and the ceremony.  I documented this beautiful ceremony for just 2 hours and some of my favorites are below.

Congratulations to Peter and Genevieve!

On Sunday I attended the scariest birthday party in town…the Louisville Zombie Attack! The (6th annual) Zombie Attack is actually celebrating the birthday of Lyndi Curtis, John King, and Mike Welch. Hundreds, if not several thousand people dressed as Zombies, celebrate this with a walk on 8/29 at 8:29pm from the corner of Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road to Bearno’s about half a mile down Bardstown Road. 

I’ve always wanted to shoot this event, even if it was just for myself and not for publication. So, Sunday I ventured down to see what the fuzz was all about. The free event featured zombies of all ages and types.  I saw sloppy zombies, slutty zombies, scary zombies, young and old zombies.  It was quite amazing to see how serious some people got into their make-up and character. One zombie in particular really scared me when he chased me with his chainsaw…………twice!! He wouldn’t leave me alone!

I was a little disappointed, though, when I saw a religious zealot preach to the crowd on the corner of Bardstown Road and Cherokee Parkway that there was no such thing as a zombie. “When you die, you do not return as a zombie!” Well, duh!  In return the crowd chanted  ”Jesus was a Zombie.” (see below)

this guy came after me with his chainsaw

The crowd for the Black Crowes.

After a long day at HullabaLOU on Saturday I returned for an even longer day on Sunday. My assignments started at 1:20pm and ended around 11pm.  Fortunately, the weather wasn’t quite as hot as the day before.  Still, it seemed like more people were taken to first aid stations for heat related illnesses than Saturday. 

I saw (and photographed) Terry Adams Rock and Roll Quartet, Andrea Davidson (local musician, you should check out), Hog Operation, Taj Mahal, The Black Crowes, The Zac Brown Band, Dwight Yoakam, Loretta Lynn, Dave Matthews Band. (These images are in order of appearance)  The highlight of my day was seeing Dwight Yoakam! Overall, despite the heat, it was a great day!

                                                   ***These images are copyrighted***

Blues legend Taj Mahal impresses the crowd with his guitar talent.

Louisville's own Bluegrass band Hog Operation plays on the Bluegrass Stage in the Paddock on Sunday.

A heat related emergency happened after 3pm at the Kroger stage. The victim was treated on site and removed from the sunny infield.

Chris Robinson with The Black Crowes.

Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson signals a peace symbol to the crowd during Sunday's performance on the Kroger Stage.

Zac Brown Band plays on the main stage.

Zac Brown Band was popular with the fans.

I was only able to get a short glimpse of Loretta. My friend Tonya paid $80 to come and see only her. She left immediately after her concert and was satisfied!

People were calling her name, she was quite popular with the crowd.

Country singer Dwight Yoakam, a Kentucky native, plays on the Fleur de Lis Stage Sunday night.

Dwight is wearing his signature tight pants and a cowboy hat pulled down in his face.

dwight yoakam

Dwight Yoakam's band was dressed in glittery jackets. They put on a rockin' show!

Does this need a caption?

I finally got a clear shot without the jumbotron video guys in the way.

Country musician Zac Brown came on stage with Dave Matthews Band to play "All Across The Watchtower" a Dylan song. This is the view from the press box. Pretty sweet view, huh?

Photographers were allowed to shoot the first three songs. I also photographed the fans, especially fans trying to stay cool.

Some of the performers today were: Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Jason Aldean, Al Green, Huey Lewis and The News, War, Ben Folds, Michael McDonald,  VilleBillies, Relic, and others.

Here are some quick favorites:

Kri Martin of Louisville combines style with practicality by holding her fancy umbrella.

Andrew Moore of London, Ky wears his country gear to HullabaLOU. He is a big Zac Brown Band fan. They will play on Sunday.

With a towel protecting them from the sun Josh Keown and his girlfriend Tyann Porche listen to Ben Folds.

Michael McDonald performs his greatest hits.

Sara Evans puts on a great show.

Al Green still has some moves as he performs some of his greatest music on the Kroger stage.

Al Green, the master of romantic songs, throws red roses into the crowd.

…and here is the kicker. These two Kenny Chesney fans have the same name. Apparently, the one on the right had been previously married to the husband of the one on the left.  Now, they are best friends.  Julie, right, even threw his new wife Julie a bachelor party.

Julie Morley and Julie Morley came from Grand Blanc, Michigan to see Kenny Chesney. They happen to share the same name, because Julie, right was previously married to Julie's, left, husband. They are now best friends.

Friday, July 23, was the first day of the inaugural Hullaballou Music Fest at Churchill Downs.  With artists such as Bon Jovi, Cobie Callait, Sam Bush, Train, Doobie Brothers, Dierks Bentley and many others there was no shortage of great music.

I was there only briefly for Jon Bon Jovi, who played to an enthusiastic, yet thoroughly sweaty, crowd. A crowd, who had been braving high day time temperatures and heat indices of over 100 degrees.

More of that for me Saturday and Sunday. It should be fun.

Also, please check out the Courier-Journal webpage for more information and pictures.

Jon BonJovi rocked the house.

The stage lights of Bon Jovi clearly overpowered the moon light during Friday night's show at Churchill Down's HullabaLOU stage.

Jon BonJovi as seen from the sixth floor press box.

Here are some of my favorites:

Our session was a challenge in several ways. First of all, Julie is due in 4 days. The baby kept moving and tickling her. I had to work quickly and tried to keep her as comfortable as possible.  But I had some ideas, so the shooting went rather smoothly.

In addition, this has been a really hot summer with several days of 90 degree weather in a row.  Julie was a good sport about it though. She even agree to lay down on the grass for me.

When a younger sibling is old enough to be included in the picture I try to get a few with the sibling interacting with the mother and the belly.  Cooper is 3 and really enjoyed playing with mommy’s belly.  He’ll be a great big brother, I am sure.

Here are some of my favorites:

We initially planned to photograph most of it outside, but we quickly agreed to move many portraits to the inside, at least until the later part of the day.  It was just too muggy outside.  Later in the evening though I was able to try out some new techniques with the couple. The images I made at night, below, I have never tried with other couples!  Thankfully, they were patient enough to let me play a little.  Also, big thanks to my assistant Michael.

Enjoy the images.  Congratulations Holly and David….have fun in Key West (I love that place!)

more pictures to come……..

On Sunday I had the privilege of meeting Starr and her family for a portrait session.  We decided to go to Locust Grove, a beautiful location that offered us many options for pictures. Here are some of my favorites:

It was my honor to photograph the wedding of Kim and Mike at the Old Stone Inn in Simpsonville recently.  These two were just so much fun, always smiling and being silly in front of my camera.  Below are some of my favorite pictures:

Dear Kim and Mike: Thank you for the chance to attend and photograph your wedding. It has been an honor being one of your 20 guests.

Much love to you

xoxo Nina

  

Singer Musiq Soulchild brought couples in a slow dancing mood at the Crown Royal Darrell Griffith Foundation All Star Celebrity Affair at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

After Derby, I mean, after the media shuttle bus FINALLY dropped us off at our cars, and after I got home to rest a little I geared up again to photograph the Crown Royal Darrell Griffith Foundation All Star Celebrity Affair at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Wow, that’s a mouthful!

The event  started shortly before midnight and lasted well into the morning hours.  Sadly, when I left around 3 a.m. I felt the crowd was really just getting heated up. But I had to transmit and get at least a little sleep that night. Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Musiq Soulchild's songs move his fans.

Musiq Soulchild's back-up singer.

A reporter interviews Allan Houston, a former NBA Knicks player.

DJ Kid Capri really heats up the crowd.

I get home, transmit and pass out at 5 a.m.

THIS was Derby 136!

DERBY 136: If three words were to describe Derby 2010 they would be: mud, muddy, and mud pit! Ok, that’s four words.  But seriously, this has been the wettest Derby I’ve ever attended and I’ve been to six Derbies.

But even though I also went to Churchill Downs the previous day on a beautiful, sunny Oaks Day and I still had more fun shooting Derby in the rain! 

I prepared myself with wrapping my gear in plastic bags, taping them tightly to the lens.  That’s the only thing I cared about not getting wet. I know for a fact that at one point I looked like a wet poodle from being out in the rain in the infield. My shoes were muddy and later I found mud on other parts of my clothing. But it was FUN being there!!! 

I shot pictures for the Courier-Journal. My assignment was “hats” and later for the race I was on the roof of Churchill Downs. Some of the pictures below never made it in the paper.

Jamie Harris of Louisville has been coming to the Kentucky Derby for 14 consecutive years. She came prepared all wrapped in plastic as she is sitting on her favorite bench in the Paddock.

Keri Kirsch of Louisville, came prepared all wrapped in plastic.

Dennie Humphrey kisses his girlfriend Saundra Turner after she lovingly tied his tie. Humphrey owns the Monkeywrench, a local bar.

Plenty of beautiful faces and pretty hats among the Grandstand. Then,…. I ventured into the infield – oh boy!

Mud wrestling was happening where ever you looked.

He's making attempts at cleaning himself up.

Boys will be boys, and girls will be girls. One of my favorite pictures of the day!

After transmitting these pictures I made my way to the roof of Churchill Downs to shoot the Derby race. Once I got up there I realized I must have the best vantage point, but it was quite a bit windy up there. Here are the pictures from up there.

The photographers line up for the "money shot".

We could see from the roof how this poor guy fell from the Port-o-Pots just as another comes out of one.

The Paddock with the Derby horses.

The crowd in the first turn.

The Derby horses make their way to the starting gates.

Calvin Borel riding Super Saver wins Kentucky Derby 136

Jockey Calvin Borel pumps his fist after his win. This is his third Derby win.

The Winner's Circle as seen from the roof.

The Louisville skyline as seen from the back of Churchill Downs' roof.

All in all it was a wet but also very fun Derby.  I just realized I hadn’t shot the Derby for the Courier-Journal since 2004, it was good to be back.  After Derby I got ready for my next assignment that same day. See the pictures of the Darrel Griffith party above.

The night before the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” all of Louisville was buzzing with activity. 

Derby Eve is traditionally one of the most active nights in Louisville with parties all over town, people out in the streets and bars open longer than usual.  Louisville’s population of famous people, at least for the next 2 days, skyrockets as celebrities descend on Derby City in their Lear Jets and stretch limousines.

Personally, I don’t get too excited when I see someone famous coming down the red carpet.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s still exciting, but as long as I don’t get a one-on-one with a celebrity it won’t get me too excited. Now, the time I ran into Lenny Kravitz in South Beach Miami or the time I was able to meet Willie Nelson on his tour bus – THAT was a different story!

Friday night I photographed the Julep Ball at the Galt House for the Courier-Journal.  The Julep Ball is a star-studded event that benefits the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.  For a seat among celebrities, to dine on gourmet food served on silver plates and to dance to top-notch musical acts one has to pay $500 per person.  But it’s for a good cause.

Here are some of my pictures:

Tampa Bay wide receiver Mario Urrutia, Jr., jokes with local reporter, Chaz Rough, of the Visitors and Convention Center.

Comedian Ron White, left, is interviewed while holding a Scotch. Actor Oscar Nunez, from The Office, is to the right.

Best-selling author Nora Roberts arrives with guest.

Winner of American Idol's second season Ruben Studdard appeared on the red carpet with his wife Surata Zuri McCants.

Emmy Award winning actress Jaime Pressly stops for interviews. Jaime's appearance attracted a lot of attention from male fans along the red carpet. I still can't believe she is younger than me.

Sports caster and first female NBA scout for the LA Lakers, Bonnie-Jill Laflin appears, fittingly for Oaks Day, with a Lilly in her hair at the Julep Ball.

Actor Ken Davitian makes his interviewer laugh at the Julep Ball. Davitian is best known for playing "Azamat Bagatov" in Borat.

Fancy hats were surprisingly not that common at this event where cocktail dresses and tuxedos are proper attire.

Teen Beauty Queens dance to the music of DJ 2nd Nature.

It was fun, but as soon as I transmitted from site, I hurried back home to rest up for Derby.