Engagement category | Page 2 of 26 | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Sami & JohnHuntington Beach Engagement Session

I can imagine how they met. Sitting next to each other in business class, noticing one another over time. An unnoticed glance from her. A hidden glance back from him. Bumping into one another at the home of a shared friend. A relationship that starts cool, but builds quickly. At least that’s how I imagine it in my head after talking to Sami and John during their Huntington Beach engagement session.

Like my wife and I, Sami and John started dating on Valentine’s Day. After a few years, they were engaged. As Sami tells it, she thought something was odd that Christmas Eve in the park. It was unusually warm for winter. Nonetheless, John gripped is jacket tight, sweating the whole time. They hiked for some time, eventually reaching a hidden bridge. He shed his unnecessarily thick jacket, producing a ring and a heart-felt proposal.

Now it’s nearly time to cross another bridge. In just a few short months, Sami and John will be sharing vows during their Cleveland wedding. Oddly enough, this isn’t the first time I’ve photographed Sami. She was also in her cousin’s wedding, which I captured earlier this year. Below, you can find some highlights from their Huntington Beach engagement session. We also had the opportunity to visit many other spots around downtown Cleveland. Hope you enjoy!

Huntington Beach engagement session with Sami and John. Cleveland engagement photography with Sami and John

Cleveland Engagement Photography – Museum of Art – Clare & Kyle

The quarter made a clang as I dropped it into the parking meter. I checked the time on the meter as I heard a car door shut. Glancing left, there stood Clare. She was a vision in midnight blue standing in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her dress was an ocean at night; the last hint of blue before all goes black. The neckline was decorated with a constellation of stars. “Oh hi Hunter, I didn’t see you there,” Kyle said from my right. A little speechless, I simply said said “Oh hi.” Looking closer, I noticed the ever so subtle match between Clare & Kyle. He wore a dark blue neck tie speckled with silvery polka dots. It was finally time for their Cleveland engagement photography, so we set off across the green, chatting as we went.

After just a few minutes, it becomes clear that the match between Clare and Kyle is more than fashion. They stood side-by-side in front of the museum as I took a few photos. They gripped each other tight, whispering small jokes between them. Clare would light up with a smile, followed shortly by Kyle. Then the mood would change. She would simply melt into him, just enjoying the closeness. As the engagement session went on, the mood rolled like waves between happiness, love, and comfort.

About halfway through their engagement photography session, we took a little pause for something special. And it requires some explanation. Clare and Kyle will be have a traditional Cleveland wedding, with rather normal vows. As an opportunity to do something different, they each wrote a simple note detailing why, exactly, they would marry each other. Kyle read his note first as Clare shed a tear or two. Then Clare read her note. At the end, Kyle said “You have to hug me now,” and Clare ran forth and leapt into his arms. I swear those photos below are really, really real.

To end their Cleveland engagement photography session, we headed over to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The gardens have quickly becoming a favorite spring and summer photography location. Following a quick outfit change in the car, we got started again. Taking our time, we moved through he Italian, Greek and Hungarian gardens, capturing engagement photos as we went. The clouds finally cleared and we captured some sunset photos just before the end.

It’s really easy to get excited for Clare and Kyle. They truly are that rare, stunning couple who makes my photography work super easy. To say the least, I cannot wait for their upcoming Cleveland wedding. If it’s anything like their engagement photography, it’s bound to be amazing.

Cleveland engagement photography at the Museum of Art and Cultural Gardens with Clare & Kyle Cleveland engagement photography at the Museum of Art and Cultural Gardens with Clare & Kyle

Chicago Engagement Session – Katie & Brian

When the winter wind whips, Chicago is the last place I want to be. At least, that’s what I tell myself. In truth, I’ll make a trip home to Chicago anytime I have the opportunity. Thanks to Katie & Brian, I had opportunity to return once more to the city I love. A winter Chicago engagement session might seem odd, but it makes perfect sense for Katie and Brian. After all, they’re Cleveland wedding will be in the December, 2016. While it may have been a bit chilly, I thrilled with how the photos turned out.

Initially we met at Chicago’s Rockery building, only to find out that we couldn’t shoot there without prior permission and paying a huge fee. So we headed out into downtown Chicago, stopping initially at the old Union station. We simply worked along the river for the rest of their engagement session. Starting from Union Station, we worked north to River Walk and then south to the Chicago Museum of Art.

By the end of their Chicago engagement session, we were all a little bit cold. After some hugs goodbye, we all hoped in cabs and set off across Chicago. I might have stopped at The Gage for a quick Manhattan (I highly recommend it). Below are some highlights from their wintery Chicago engagement session in downtown, all captured on film. Hope you enjoy.

A winter Chicago engagement session with Katie and Brian

For the photographers among us, the above was shot on Fuji 400H using a medium format Contax 645 and developed/scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

Category: Engagement