To give you and idea of how important the dogs are to Madeline and Scott, let’s go back a little. Madeline had planned a trip to the Hocking Hills for her and Scott. Scott, having already purchased the engagement ring, decided the trip would be the perfect opportunity to propose. While walking the dogs in the woods, Scott stopped, knelt down and proposed to Madeline – and her dog! Clearly the answer was “yes” from both, else we wouldn’t be here today. I just love that dogs can be that important.

And what an amazing session it was. Madeline has such an incredible sense of style. Her blush-colored skirt really pops on film. Both her and Scott were awesome together during the whole session. It was really nice getting to know them better as we walked around Wade Oval and chatted about their lives together, their careers, and wedding planning. Speaking of wedding planning, they have a stunning wedding planned for the Cleveland Courthouse in November. It should be a blast and I’m very much anticipating the big day. For now though, below are just a few highlights to enjoy!

We headed into the Chagrin river valley to start with a few photos of the new family together, including their favorite furry friend. Lucy was very skeptical of me the entire time, but eventually she gave up and relaxed a bit. I love having dogs along on engagement sessions. They always put everyone at ease. Having a furry friend present at the start can serve as we welcome distraction. One of my favorites below is Kevin holding his old friend. With Lucy’s role complete, she jumped into the car and headed off with Kevin’s parents.

We spent the rest of the sunset session strolling around the park and downtown Chagrin Falls. The light near sunset was gorgeous, casting an even peach glow over the town. Some of my favorite photos were with the historical Chagrin Falls police car. The black and white Chevy captured on film really adds a timeless quality to the photos. I also love the impromptu dance shared between Alyson and Kevin.

Their wedding isn’t far away, and it’s even scheduled for my birthday. I’m sure their wedding will be a gorgeous treat, but for now, enjoy a few highlights below.

For photo-minded readers, all of the above was captured on my Contax 645 with Fuji 400h, with developing and scanning by Richard Photo Lab. Film always rocks it!

Rachel and Eric are an amazing couple. During their ceremony at Dover Congregational Church in Westlake, their pastor and personal friend recited the typical vows – good times and bad, thick and thin, forever more. But for Rachel and Eric, those vows have already come alive. They’ve been with each other through good and bad, sticking tightly together all the while. Having done the same for a friend of mine, I love that they asked a close friend to conduct their wedding ceremony. It made the entire event more meaningful and personal.

Also making their wedding unique and personal was Rachel’s aunt, who not only did hair and make-up for the wedding, but also sang during the ceremony. Let’s not call it singing. Let’s call it a performance! After all, Rachel’s aunt is a professional opera singer. Making the entire wedding day perfect were Rachel & Eric’s friends and family. They both have amazing parents that are so warm and kind. Then there were the small things – lovely kids, an amazing design, and a bridal party that was ready to have fun.

We had a tough schedule and dodged rain most of the day, but Rachel and Eric’s Clifton Club wedding still came out amazing. Below are just a few highlights to enjoy.

Ceremony – Dover Congregational Church
Reception – The Clifton Club
Floral Design – HeatherLily
Cake Artist – Paige Tallaksen
Bridal gown – by Justin Alexander, The Perfect Bride
Entertainment – A Bride’s DJ

“To the hotel,” I replied, while pointing down the street. “Is that a problem?” She waved me through and I continued on my way. Over the past few weeks, some Hollywood types have invaded Cleveland for movie filming. We seem to get this about once per year, since Cleveland can look similar to New York. Streets are shutdown and crews are everywhere, trying to control traffic. While it has meant headaches for most, I have managed to avoid the issues. However, Robin & Josh’s wedding started in the heart of downtown Cleveland. This meant some last minute changes to avoid filming, but flexibility lead to a great outcome.

The day was gorgeous and started simply enough. Josh gathered with his friends while getting ready in a hotel room. Robin, just a few floors down, nervously completed her preparation. The big moment was just around the corner. When all were ready, we headed out for an emotional first look.

Robin and Josh wanted their wedding photos to feel like Cleveland. For the first look, we chose a bright street corridor in downtown. The light echoed between stone buildings, creating the softest light. I could feel Josh’s anticipation as Robin approach. Occasionally, I would give him hints about where she was. Then came the big reveal. Robin was smashing in her beautiful sheath dress, while Josh looked dapper in his dark gray suit. Honestly, I wanted to steal the suit. We spent the next couple hours moving around the city, capturing Robin and Josh together, along with the bridal party.

There’s a long “loves” list for Robin and Josh’s wedding. The wedding ceremony and reception were at Night Town, a very famous Cleveland Jazz Club. Before the patio-side ceremony was a period for the Tisch, with Robin hosting the ladies and Josh the gentlemen. I love that the ceremony started with “Groucho glasses” and the beautiful voice of Josh’s sister. Robin circling Josh during the wedding ceremony was seven times heaven. I especially love that they honored their guests and desired to capture portraits of them all. The ice cream bar was also a special treat towards the end of the wedding reception.

More than anything else, I love the simple moments – Robin almost crying after signing the ketubah, time with the kids, a solo sung by the mother of the groom, and a kiss to end the night. Below are just a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy.

By the day of Lauren and James’ wedding, the forecast was called for 100% awesome. Making the day even better were the locations and their friends. Lauren and James smartly chose to simplify the wedding schedule by also doing the portraits at Westwood Country Club. The day started with a private first look between Lauren and James. Just moments before the first look, James read a letter from Lauren, which got the emotions and tears started. After the emotional first look, we stepped out on the the golf course The bridal party portraits. I love the royal blue bridesmaids dresses and how they matched Lauren’s shoes. The groomsmen also looked so sharp in their gray tuxes.

The entire bridal party was amazing, starting with James’ father as best man. The ladies were also lovely. Each one was attentive to Lauren and so engaged in the ceremony. I love that Lauren and James privately shared communion during the ceremony.  I also love that the aisle way was lined with candles. And the confetti-filled send off of the couple from the ceremony was so much fun! Kicking the evening off was a wonderful cocktail hour on the patio under the setting sun.

Towards the end of the night, we even had a moment to sneak outside the club for just a few photos at sunset. It was the perfect cap to an amazing day. Below are just a few highlights to enjoy -

The last photo above is one of my favorites. This little guy partied like a rock star, and then burned out early. I almost felt the same way. Lastly, a huge thanks to Daniel at Westwood County Club! Your graciousness is beyond what I could expect or want.

Reception venue – Westwood Country Club, Rocky River
Ceremony – Bay Presbyterian Church
Bridal gown – Paloma Blanca, from The Bridal Garden
Bridal hair & make-up – Color Nation Salon & Spa
Floral design – Jan Dell Flowers
Cake artist – Wild Flour Bakery
Entertainment – The Avenue Band, Jerry Bruno Productions

At the start of Erica and Seth’s engagement session at Holden Arboretum, it was clear that Seth was just back from somewhere. Erica and Seth were chatting about his trip and all the fun he had. I asked about the destination. Seth had returned once more to Kentucky for the Derby. The Derby is one of his favorites and he goes every year. Given the stories being told, I asked if it was for the bachelor party.

That brought up the second subject – honky-tonkin’ in Nashville. Apparently, Seth will head south again soon for his bachelor party in Nashville. As a big country music fan, he’s goin’ out honky-tonkin’ with friends and family. Now that the stories were sorted, we got started with the engagement session. We walked across the valley and into the crab apple meadow. I had scouted the location earlier in the week and knew it would be perfect. All of the crab apples at Holden were in bloom. The entire meadow was alight with pinks, whites, purples and magenta.

Not only was it the crab apple collection, but the rest of the flowering trees were in bloom as well. With the session right at sunset, the scenery could not have been better. Nor could Erica and Seth be any better together. Having not seen Seth in days, it was clear that Erica missed him well. We spent the rest of the evening walking around Holden and catching up. Below are some highlights from the all-film session. I certainly hope you enjoy. As for Erica and Seth, I simply can’t wait for the wedding. Something tells me it’s going to be a blast.

We met rather late for the spring, and didn’t start shooting until after 6:00pm. As we strolled through Holden Arboretum, we chatted about their wedding and how they first met. Occasionally, we would stop for a few frames. We even climbed into a make-shift tree house, not pictured below. Then we would walk and chat some more. We visited my favorite willow, and a deep stand of spruce pine . All the while, the sun sank lower in the sky. The tones slowly went from raw daylight, through golden yellow, to orange crush.

By the end of the session, we had left Holden Arboretum and reached Patterson Fruit Farm. Just as the colors peaked in vibrancy, we walked down into the apple orchard. The sunset had finally reached my favorite, peachy colors. A this point, we had only 15 minutes to wrap up their all-film engagement session. Then before I knew it, the light was gone for the day. There was no need to go any further. Holding the film in my hand, I knew I had captured Michelle and Adam’s personality and love. I happily smiled to myself as I realized it was perfect.

And they deserve perfect. Michelle and Adam are great people and great together, which I think you will see below. So feel free to enjoy some rather special highlights -

Before I depart, some quick notes for the photographers among us. The above is all-film and 90% shot on a Contax 645. I was also lugging around a Nikon 35mm. The film is Fuji 400h in the Contax, and Portra 160 in 35mm. Most often, I shoot heavily back-lit. However, if you find yourself running out of light at sunset, turn around and bathe the subject in the sun. A sundown, the intensity of the light is low enough not to cause unwelcome squinting. See the last one as an example. Happy shooting!

“What would you think about a trade,” my brother asked. Asking for more details, my brother offered up the goods – “Grant is a craft cocktail specialist, and he gives lessons.” My interest was officially piqued. I like to think of myself as a whiskey aficionado. In particular, I have a rather strong predilection for Manhattan’s. I discussed the matter further with my brother, and then started discussing the trade with Grant. What started as an idea, quickly morphed into something that would happen. The pear-shape idea went completely square and the whole thing was set in motion.

Grant and Monica would come to Cleveland for their family session and to give friends at my house a craft cocktail lesson. The next day, we would capture some family photos for them. After weeks of planning, the weekend finally arrived. The craft cocktail party went off without a hitch. Both Monica and Grant really hit a home run. I think everyone had fun, since people stayed until well past midnight. We met for the family session the next morning, starting at the Cleveland Museum of Art and then we headed into a local park. Monica & Grant’s family is small – just the two of them. They were recently married and wanted some good portraiture to add to their wedding photos. Personally, I’m thrilled with how everything came out.

Before I move onto the highlights, I thought I would share one of my favorite cocktail recipes. Warning though, these are strong and addictive -

Classic 212 Manhattan

2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 oz. Carpano Antica vermouth
2 dashes Agnostura bitters
STIR over ice till chilled
Serve up in a martini glass
Garnish with two Amarena Fabbri cherries

Soon enough, everyone was arriving and things started to get hectic. It was at that time that a nice calm came over me. Things were going well. Not just well. There must be a better word for it. Natalie and Sean’s wedding was going spectacularly well. The day was shaping up to be unexpectedly special. After the ceremony at St. Vincent’s, we headed over to University of Akron for some portraits, and then off to the wedding reception at Portage Country Club. Normally, a wedding day doesn’t fly by for me, but this one had. Making the hour drive back to Cleveland that night, I knew I had captured something like lightning in a bottle.

Sitting at home on Sunday, I could finally see why I was so excited on Sunday. It all started with Natalie’s blush-colored wedding dress. It wasn’t white or even off-white. Her dress was the palest of pinks. The wedding also had amazing friends and family, who were happy throughout. Sean and the gentlemen looked great in their tan suits. There were bridesmaids peeking, a funny priest cracking jokes about the father of the bride, and a groomsmen winking. Sean celebrated the union with typical style, the University was alight with purple blossoms, and we even had sunset portraits. My favorite moment – when the cake was so good that Sean refused to give any to Natalie.

Now the wedding season is in full swing, and Natalie and Sean’s wedding was the perfect way to start. I’m really looking forward to showing them the photos, and sharing more with you soon. For now, enjoy the highlights below.

Special thanks to -

Church – St. Vincent’s Church, Akron
Venue – Portage Country Club
Bridal gown – designed by Mori Lee, from Abbott’s Bridal
Floral design – Lori Reilly, Reilly’s Originals
Cake Artist – The West Side Bakery
Bridal Hair & Make-up – Georgies Salon

The wedding itself was held at a rather new location in Cleveland – the West 78th Street Studios. Think of it like a vintage warehouse filled with some of the best art studios in the city, plus larger event spaces for weddings. Erin and Dan smartly scheduled the ceremony upstairs and reception downstairs to create a comfortable and cohesive experience for their guests.

What else is there to love about their wedding? I love how Erin and Dan gave each other matching love notes, completely by accident. I really enjoyed walking with Dan to the first look, where he saw his beautiful bride for the first time as she emerged from an elevator. Their friends were awesome, and the locations were once-in-a-lifetime perfect, like the Federal Reserve vault. We even got photos with Superman, but those are just for Erin and Dan.

Below are just a few highlights to enjoy. I do want to offer a special thanks to the team at Something New Entertainment. AJ and Justin made the entire night that much more special. Also, big thanks to Hilary Gent of smARTspace/Hedge for making sure everything ran tick-tock.

Based on those last couple shots, I think Erin and Dan both had a blast. That’s all for today. To Erin and Dan, thank you! For everyone else, we’ll be back with more. The wedding season is just getting started.