2.1.26Self-PortraitSet up the backdrop for something and shot a self-portrait while I was at it.

2.2.26A Lovely Green StaircaseLove the color 8K chose for this staircase. The preserved green tile and black and white motif work beautifully with this shade of green.

2.3.26A Quick OnePerry Contracting had me photograph their work at a dentistry office this morning before the next round of snow hit the Tristate.

2.4.26Full BarsAs seen walking out of the Cincinnati Art Museum this evening. I like that they’ve lit the trees so prominently along the new driveway up to the roundabout.

2.5.26Indoors and OutHad an apartment shoot this morning that took me to a building in Ludlow, KY. Two of the apartments featured lovely colorful stained glass windows (pictured) that enlivened the room considerably. With these being monochromatic, empty apartments, a bold splash of color like this adds a strong sense of character that makes the mood in the room considerably warmer and brighter than the dreary cold beyond. I managed to photograph someone crossing the street as I lined up for a straight shot on the tiny window.

2.6.26Mahler Symphony No. 4Tabita Berglund conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra through Mahler Symphony No. 4. Photographed for Fanfare Magazine.

2.7.26Sunset On MulberryWhile waiting on Lammi to come out of his house, Travis, Ronny, and I sat in the car chatting while the sun set to the west. Though it was in the single digits and uncomfortable to spend time outdoors, the warmth of that sunlight on the undisturbed areas of snow at the bottom of frame is undeniably beautiful.

2.8.26Sketching SFSketching buildings is tedious and I kind of hate it, but it’s the only thing I want to draw. Wish I preferred something else.

2.9.26Bar ProgressNot sure what’s going into the Plymouth Street space in Mt. Washington, but it will have a bar of some sort. I think it’s a coffee shop? Anyway, I’ve photographed the progress on this place on and off for years and it’s wild to see how far it’s come during that time.

2.10.26The Great ThawAfter what feels like an eternity below freezing without a break, we randomly got a 60ºF day in February. The thaw has begun. Sidewalks have begun reemerging. The streets are no longer lumpy with ice and snow. The air doesn’t burn your lungs when breathing deep. The sun feels like it’s accomplishing something for once.We loved it so much, we went for a walk, stopped for a beer at Darkness, and ended up doing steak night with Chelsea and Vince at Hometown Heroes. It was delicious, cheap, and put me in a meat coma when I got back home.Unplanned, fun evenings like this are essential to fighting winter blues.

2.11.26New PlazaClosing down Plum Street and building this plaza next to the renovated convention center is a good move. There is so much more life on this block after removing the Millennium Hotel and making use of that bit of land that was formerly fenced in for years. As I typed that, I realized how empty this photo is. Rest assured there were more people present just out of frame.I dressed improperly for my walk with Myrtle around this stretch, so I didn’t linger. I’ll check it out again once it gets a bit warmer. Curious to see how this block competes with Fountain Square for programming.

2.12.26Documenting Kumasi MCYou’ve seen this place from Central Parkway before. The Obama mural on the south-facing side makes it instantly recognizable. This place has been empty for over a decade at the time of this writing, but before it was cleared out, it was home to the Kumasi Motorcycle Club. After a series of shootings culminated in the unsolved murder of a man outside the building in 2014, the city shut it down for good.The owner today says the club was started by some Vietnam veterans. After some time, it became a regular hang-out for neighbors. If you search for it, you’ll come across a really good Flickr album of photos of the club and who I assume are its regulars from the mid- to late-2000s.The first floor has a load of hand-painted murals on several walls and part of the ceiling as you walk in. Though a lot of the building’s interior has deteriorated and is in a state of renovation, the amateur quality of the remaining murals is endearing and gives you a sense of what the club used to feel like. The two floors above it are primed to receive new apartments.

2.13.26Vitamin DAisle 4 treats seasonal depression if you stand in it long enough.

2.14.26Empress ImpressesI love all Cincinnati chili and don’t subscribe to the “Skyline is the only good one and everything else is an affront to God” thing half of Cincinnati pretends to believe. Honestly, when someone says Gold Star is trash and Skyline is amazing, I know their opinion can be disregarded; they need attention more than a coney.Neither Ashley nor I celebrate Valentine’s Day, especially now that Ashley’s work is so centered around it. Going to a nice restaurant on Valentine’s Day is a headache, so we normally find something alternative to do every year, if we even remember to do anything at all.This year, we decided to go to a neighborhood chili parlor figuring it wouldn’t be busy. We debated a few options before landing on Empress—the oldest still-operating of the brands with only one location left in Alexandria.The photo sums up the decor perfectly. It looks like an old Taco Bell inside, the food is delicious, and we got out of there having spent $30 total. Definitely headed back sooner than later.