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I'm Aaron...a Cincinnati wedding photographer who relocated to the Midwest from Phoenix. I love hoops, traveling, and hanging out with my people. If there is a tasty treat involved, all the better.

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Best of 2021

Jan 5, 2022

Filed in : Engagement, Family, Personal, Portraits, Weddings

I love making year end blogs for my work. It’s such a great way to look back on all the good stuff people were up to and all the good stuff I created for them during it. This year comes with a bit of extra reflection. 2021 was my last full year of living in Arizona. My wife, our lazy dog, and I are moving to Cincinnati, Ohio in February! There are a lot of little reasons why. Mostly, we have always lived for adventure, and it felt like a good time to try a new one. This will be the first time either of us have moved away from where we were brought by family, and it’s exciting and terrifying. But the scary stuff is also part of the excitement. We can’t wait to figure it all out together.

While the list of reasons why we’re moving is long, it doesn’t include Arizona or the people who we love here. This has been a wonderful home for us and we sure don’t plan on losing connection with the people that mean the world to us. I’ll be back for some weddings in the first part of the year, but we’ll be back fairly often to see family and friends too.

Looking back on the images I made last year, it feels pretty great. I get to show off the Arizona I love in this post, but my work also brought me to Philadelphia, Sonoma, near the Great Smoky Mountains, and more. I was also able to photograph a banner dedicated to my dad in Minnesota. During the (still ongoing) pandemic, it has often felt hard to feel as creative or sharp as usual dealing with stresses that come along with everything. I’m sure most of you out there can relate. Yet, I am still here. Still making what I think is great work. Still working to get better all the time.

I am bookending this post with two unusual images of winter. The first was the rare desert snow we received early in 2021. The second is the only photo I’ve included in these year end blogs I didn’t actually produce. It was snowfall in December of 2021…as it fell on our new home we’re about to close on in Cincy. Credit ZIllow for that photo, but to me it still belongs in my year in review post as it represents the next step for me and this business.

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I did making them. Cincinnati couples (and worldwide as always), let’s do this!


snow falling in the arizona deserttribute to my father roger kes in prior lake minnesotafun photo of bride tossing bouquet to groombride and groom lookout out over lake in tennesseegates pass tucson engagement session couple looking at each other at sunsetsmiling hand biker ryan pinney holds his medalsengagement photo outside of arizona studios at nightcouple standing in front of colorful wall at desert botanical gardencouple looking in opposite directions in black and whitegroom feeding bride grapes sonoma weddingthree kids laughing during photo sessionbride and groom hold hands walking through botanical gardencouple look at the camera separated by cactusgolf cart driving by bride and groom as they watchcouple silhouetted against setting sun in desertwoman makes rock and roll hands while sticking tongue outhand biker ryan pinney and wife meagan pinney by a bikecouple lies on floor with batman and superman t-shirtsbest man puts boutonniere on groomengaged couple sitting across from each other enjoying cartel coffeebirds eye view bride walking down to groom for first lookbride and groom puts head together under veil at churchhappy bride and groom walk out of wedding ceremonybride getting hugged by groom crying happilyexpecting couple with their dogs in front of their gray brick housecouple laughing in black and whiteman kisses woman on forehead at superstition mountaiswedding ring sitting on agave plantcouple holding hands looking at each other in gardenbride smooths out grooms handlebar moustachewoman jumping in the air in front of superstition mountainsbride and groom talk to zoom guests at rooftop weddingbride smiling at bridesmaids before wedding ceremonygroom getting bowtie adjusted by dadbride and groom kissing at sunset tennessee weddingcouple dancing during engagement session among cacti and mountainbride in the sun descending stairs in black and whitemother and son laughingcouple cuddling on desert trail stepsbride and groom kissing on church stepscouple hold hands looking at each other in desert mountain scenebrother and sister fake laughing togethercouple holding hands walking under treeman holding fiance at sunset in front of superstition mountainsbride and groom laughing holdings hands in front of buildingfamily silhouetted against sky waving hands in the aircouple cuddling on rock in front of mountainkid being tossed in air during wedding receptionbride and groom kissing outside seen through glass in doorman and woman cuddling in the desertwedding ceremony in front of vineyards and mountain backdropman sticking out chin while fiance laughs at himbride waiving flowers and groom being thankful after wedding ceremonycouple cuddling in desert at salt rivermike hardesty realtor looking at art sculptureman surprises fiance with hug while she laughsbride and groom under arch at phoenix desert botanical gardengroom with arms around groomsman while both laughbride and groom walking through desert grassbride and groom hold hands in front of ivy covered brick wallman silhouetted walking under a tree at sunsetwoman getting piggy back ride in desert while both smilebride and groom having fun holding up bouquet together laughingbride and groom kissing under her veilfather throws child up in the air while he laughs and mom watchesbride and groom hold hands in the air together after wedding ceremonyman and woman put heads together and hold each other while smilingryan pinney rides handbike on desert roadbride and groom walk between guests during bubble exitmorro rock at sunset in california with ship in frontgroom kicks wedding guest at reception for funbride and groom kiss among vineyards in californiacouple hold hands in arizona desert as sun lights up the scenecouple wears batman and superman props during engagement sessionbride and groom silhouetted at sunset throw arms in the airwind blows womans curly hair in the wind in front of mountaincouple standing on rocks near salt river watercandid family photo people laughing and cuddling sitting on grassflower petals tossed in air in front of bride and groom kissing by cactusbaby laying swaddled on national parks blanketfather holds laughing sonwedding party walking near mountains in black and whitebride walked down aisle by mother and father while dad daps guestman with arm around fiance kisses her headcouple on mountain top holding handsgroom trying not to laugh during photo with groomsmenmother of the bride smokes a cigar after ceremonyman wearing hat sits on steps and smiles while sun flares inwoman in red dress held by man in suitgroom twirls wife in silhouette at sunsetgroomsmen lined up in flying v formation against greenerybride huddled in prayer with bridesmaids before wedding ceremonykid laughs with hands on his head in front of muralcouple with arms in air celebrating after dc ranch wedding ceremonybride and groom back to back holdings hands in front of bougainvilleawoman with head on mans shoulder at desert botanical gardenfour siblings walking together smiling in front of greenerybride smiling while getting squeezed by groombride and groom holding drinks in front of their name sign at weddingdaughter of groom hiding behind tree at backyard weddingwoman walks fiance down from mountainfunny photo of man with hands on head of fiancewedding party in front of wooden wall and treessenior smiling in front of corn in minnesotagroom dances in front of bride at wedding receptionbride closes her eyes and smiles while lit in direct sungroom kisses bride while sitting on rock in desertbride laying in grooms arms as she reaches out and smilesbride and groom kiss on copper bridgecouple smiling while holding each other at arizona science centerbride and groom holding hands walking among forest in show lowwoman smiling while fiance kisses her and squeezes from behindwoman holding shoes running through desertbirds eye view of first dance at wedding receptioncouple looking in opposite directions in front of yellow wallbride twirls groom in front of wooden wallparents playing with child who is looking at their handscouple looking at each other in the tucson desertcouple kissing at sunset in sonoma vineyardjewish bride and groom up on chairs during horabride and groom touching heads at sunset among treessunset silhouette of bride and groom in front of building and skyman proposing to woman at sanctuary resort in front of mountainman smiling in front of colorful mural for headshotfamily sitting on red brick steps smiling and looking at each otherbride embraced by bridesmaids at wedding receptionfamily photo in front of tree and river with sun coming through leavesbride getting ready and hugged by new momkids laying down eating candy at weddingdog sitting in grass wearing big bro bandanacouple walking away in forest at show low weddingman twirls fiance under the moon at night during engagement sessioncouple holding each other on side of mountain at sunsetcouple dances at wedding reception while smiling and having funold dog dressed up for july 4thhistoric red brick home in cincinnati ohioThank you to all my clients, second photographers, and other vendor friends for another great year. I can’t wait to get to Ohio and start photographing Cincinnati couples and showing off their home and my new one. As always, I’m available for travel anywhere in the world. Let’s make 2022 awesome!
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