And Carrie and Kevin are so much fun to work with. I know I say it a lot, but they are particularly fun. At points I had trouble doing my job because I was laughing so hard. They both kept each other entertained, and my self as well. I would be awesomeness when Carrie and Kevin did the handshake from Community (those of you who watch the show will know what I mean). Oh – and their execution was perfect. I have to admit I was a little jealous. I might have been practicing with Brooke ever since. I’m not saying I was, but just maybe.

I think you can see their true personalities in the engagement photos below. Carrie and Kevin’s happiness is not manufactured. They really are that amazing together. So, here are just a few favorites -

Oh Bella, Carrie and Kevin’s lovely dog. She was so curious about the entire experience.

I just love the sunlight pouring over Carrie, and the clean background below. This location for photos is definitely a favorite.

I love the photos above and below because of the expressions. Their hands almost tell half the story.

Above, a moment of excitement. Below, a shared private moment together in the evening sunset.

The light was fading fast, and turned a deep orange. We took a quick break and then finished up the session. Above, you can see how orange the light became.

I promised a blimp. I am not sure why the Goodyear Blimp was flying on Friday, but it was over downtown. I particularly like the last photo. It takes a private moment and keeps it private. I simply love how it turned out. Looking forward, we can’t wait for Carrie and Kevin’s wedding in October after their amazing engagement session. They are simply a dream to work with.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

The photo above of Todd alone is one of my all-time favorites from this year. The golden colors framing him in are just perfect. As always, we have much more coming soon, especially since I am on a blogging kick lately. Definitely check back for more, or add us to your favorite RSS reader.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

For their autumn engagement session, we headed over to Barlow Park in Hudson, Ohio, a place familiar to both Annie and I. I love the old barn still present at the park. Bailey, their rescue dog, was an added touch. We love having dogs along for engagement sessions, especially loveable rescue friends. Below are just a few favorites of mine, with some notes.

Rescue dog Bailey with his lovely owners.

Sometimes a failed kiss can be cute. Above and below, I think someone got a tongue in the ear!

I love the photo above. Annie and Derick’s hands are expressive enough to carry the entire photo.

The sun grazing the grass in the last photo is my favorite. I love the golden hues and wish I could find them year round. For the photographers, the colors came alive when the photos were processed through VSCO Film. We are really looking forward to Annie and Derick’s wedding. It will be so nice to see a friend get married and help at the same time.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

Joanna’s sense of style also gave her away. She works in the New York fashion industry and her knee-high boots fit her perfectly. Because they live out of state, the date for their engagement session had to be carefully chosen. We timed it perfectly to coincide with a Thanksgiving visit. Me? I was just happy to get out of the house for a few hours. For their session, we went to an old favorite, and some new places as well. We started in downtown Cleveland around the art museum, and then headed to Lakeview cemetery and the Coventry Neighborhood in Cleveland Heights.

A few personal favorites are simply included below -

Above – Joanna looks radiant in her purple dress. Below – David smirking to Joanna off camera as she cracks a joke. I always like to include a couple individual portraits.

Scenes from a deserted parking garage above and below. Who new a simple location could look so nice.

Due to the weather, the leaves fell really late. You can still see some hanging on in the photos above and below.

This last location is one of my favorites. I love how the height of the lamp mirrors Joanna and David together. I’m really looking forward to their upcoming wedding. It’s always so nice to work with such a fun couple. That’s all for today. but look for more coming soon.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

And they both love furry best friends! We met at their house for their engagement session. Victoria and Joshua were waiting outside with their two dogs. When they first met, each of them already had a furry best friend. Now, they’re a 12 legged happy family. At first the dogs were a little shy, so we took it easy. I spent sometime outside and inside getting to know them, and bribing them with treats. Before long, the dogs were warmed up and ready to go. And what personalities they have! They were jumpy, fun and bright during the entire session.

After a little while with the dogs, we headed out on our own. We stopped by a local outdoor mall in Westlake, and then headed to a personal favorite – the beach at Huntington Park in Bay Village. Below are a few favorites from this Sunday evening -

I think dogs know they look best when standing on their hind legs. Below – a great wide shot of a fluffy furry monster.

Above – I think the dog was more afraid of the hydrant than the hydrant of the dog. Below, Victoria looks amazing in the late afternoon sun.

The framing above is one of my favorites. Also a favorite – the oblivious woman talking on a cell phone.

Whenever possible I like to capture individual portraits during engagement sessions. The lines in the above photos make them favorites.

Love the last two, especially the photo on the left. The flare from the low sun is just gorgeous. I also love Victoria’s expression. Looking forward, we are already getting excited for Victoria and Joshua’s wedding, but that is a story for another day.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

We met at their family property, filled with forests and meadows. After chatting for a few minutes, we headed across the meadow and up a hill to the forest. “Are you OK crossing rough ground with your equipment,” Drew asked. “I was a boy scout,” I said, which seemed to address any concern. We were looking for a waterfall. Alicia and Drew have spent hours together in the meadows and sitting by the falls. Eventually we arrive at the beautiful falls. The waterfall was just a simple drop in the forest, but it was surrounded my hemlocks and moss made lush by spring rains.

Alicia and Drew’s relationship may have matured on this land, but it started in college. Alicia and Drew have known each since college, and as Alicia puts it “I have had a huge crush on Drew since the end of college.” As is typical, she was dropping hints, but Drew missed them. I am notorious for that as well. They continued to spend time together, and after separate mission trips in Africa, their relationship really took off. Now, their wedding is just around the corner, but that is a story for another day. Below are a few favorites from their gorgeous engagement session -

Above – Alicia and Drew in evening light passing through the forest. Below, Alicia looking up to Drew.

We came across a transmission line right-of-way cutting through the forest. Underneath the wires, the sun was streaming across the field, lighting up the tan grasses. Below, a covered bridge around the corner from their property.

Alicia and Drew have such fun together. They really are the perfect couple – great fun, deeply loving, caring and oh so beautiful.

Just before sunset we hopped over to the Lake Erie shore near Conneaut, Ohio. The peach-colored light cast a amazing tone across the beach.

I like the last photo in particular because it looks like they are ready for what is ahead. What’s ahead looks sunny and bright. For the photographers out there, the majority of the above was shot on film. The balance is digital processed with VSCO. You might spot the differences, you might not. Well, that’s all for today. Many more coming soon.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

Dogs are an important part of new families, so it makes sense for them to be a part of any special moment. Over the years, I have amassed a small collection of dog portraits captured during engagement sessions. Below are a few favorites for you to enjoy. Most of the photos were captured this year and last, around downtown Cleveland.

Above, Meatball with Danny and Deanna. Below, Bella with Molly and Dave. Bella was rescued from a crack house and now enjoys the perfect life.

Above, Tara and Brian’s dog putting on a show. Below, a Hungarian Vizsla named Roo living up to his namesake.

Above, Johah and Katie with their lovely dog at Holden Arboretum. Below, Erika and Scott’s dogs getting really curious.

Above, Penelope (a rescue) with Didi and Henry. Below, a beautiful B&W of Danielle and Matt with their loved one.

Lastly, good friends Annie and Derrick with Riley the rescue.

I have been sitting on this post for a couple weeks and am so happy to have it finished. I’m so excited to finally feature a few more dogs. That’s all for today. More coming very soon, especially now that spring is here and summer is just around the corner.

P.S. – You know that thing dogs do when they dream? Monty is laying behind me, woofing and chasing squirrels in his dreams. Love it!

See y'all soon,
Hunter

Kelsey and Zak regularly take their Hungarian Vizsla, ‘Roo, to the Case Western Reserve University farm for walks through the fields. The farm is the perfect place to for a dog named Kangaroo. The open fields of grass and woodlands provide the perfect playground. It’s also a great place for an engagement session. The setting provides for the gorgeous open landscapes that I love.

Kelsey and Zak even showed me a new feature of the farm. Tucked away in a forested corner is an old mansion. Currently it’s used for special events. For their session, it added just a little touch more. Below are a few favorites from a good afternoon with friends.

The open grassy field above is one of the reasons I love the farm. The golden hues are simply amazing.

Roo was so excited during the entire session. Below, you can see how he lives up to his namesake.

Kelsey and Zak truly do make an amazing couple together. You can really feel the love between them.

Below you can see they have fun together as well. Zak seems to be the instigator, which just puts Kelsey in stitches.

The framing on the last photo is quickly becoming a favorite. In an open space, the framing still suggests a moment of privacy. Of course it’s easy to love with such an amazing couple. That’s all for today. We have another engagement session coming momentarily. Then, I have planned a post on just the dogs from engagement sessions. Should be fun.

P.S. – For the photographers, above is a mix of film and digital (as is typical for me). The film is Kodak Portra 400 put through a Mamiya 645. The digital is processed via VSCO film. I’m sure you’ll spot the differences.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

As we walked around the museum campus near downtown Cleveland, we talked about what they do and how they met. Both Henry and Didi attend Case Western Reserve University for a special program in medical research. They met in a similar fashion. They spend their days researching at the outer edges of medicine. Henry completely lost me when I asked about his current research. I consider myself well-informed, but I didn’t understand a lick about what he’s researching. Let’s just say his work could lead to innovations in human skull formation. Yup, that’s all I could understand.

Together as a couple, Didi and Henry are some kind of amazing. Sharing the same career interests is wonderful. They also share a deep interest in each other. Spend just a little time with them and this becomes evident. Below are a few favorite photos from our short time together in Shaker Heights and around Cleveland.

Penelope was a bit scared at first, and clung close to Henry and Didi.

Above, Henry looking dashing. Below, Didi and Henry caught in the golden light near the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

Above and below you can easily see why I love evening engagement sessions. The light in the shade takes on a blue tone, while the sunlight itself goes to a peachy golden color.

Above are a couple real film photos. I love using film for the amazing quality it allows, but more so for how it changes my approach. Everything slows down and peaceful moments are captured.

Didi and I share one distinct thing in common – a love of shoes. She planned to change her shoes multiple times. My favorites were the purple ones at the end, but I’ll personally stick with my well-worn brown pair. There’s more coming soon, so stop back again. Until then, you can keep up with our latest work on Facebook. Also, check out our latest feature about growing a successful photography business.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

When they met, Laura had moved to Cleveland from Nebraska for a nursing internship. John was a resident at the same hospital. John took the first chance. He asked Laura out on the very last day of her internship. Normally, nurses can be a little skeptical of resident doctors. However, on the advice of a trusted friend, Laura gave John a chance. They went out on their first date and sparks must have flown. John spent the next day helping Laura and her sister pack her things for the trip back to Lincoln. Something stuck though.

Over the next few months, John and Laura kept in constant contact as a romance began. That brings us to today. Laura and John are happily engaged and planning a wedding for this summer. For their engagement session, we spent a little time in downtown Cleveland. We also headed for a more pastoral setting in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We took a chance on the weather and everything worked out. We even caught just a fleeting moment of sunshine. Below are just a few of my favorites -

By the dockside – they look so smashing together.

Above are just a couple pensive moments – John in his car and Laura at the coffee shop.

From the moment I met them, I could tell that Laura and John really have fun together. He makes her giggle. Below you can see that they both keep each other laughing.

A quick portrait of just John. I asked for a serious face, so Laura danced in the background to get him laughing. She was right – laughing is better.

Laura is a true Husker fan. John, not so much. He’s more into soccer. I’m sure she’ll change that soon.

When I’m out moving around, I sometimes spot great locations for photos. I’ll simply add a location to my mental index and save it for just the right couple. The red barn above is one of those places. I saved it just for Laura and John. And they look so dashing here. Definitely a favorite! That’s all for today, but more is coming very soon. Until then, keep up with our current work on Facebook.

See y'all soon,
Hunter