Stephanie & Ben – Music Lovers Engagement
I think it was very clear to Stephanie what she wanted to do for her engagement session. While Stephanie and Ben got engaged at the Cleveland Zoo, she wanted to incorporate something much more important for their engagement session. I was not surprised either. From the get-go, we shared a mutual love for music. Whenever we chat, we end up exchanging our current music notes. Stephanie and Ben introduced me to The Dawes and Head and the Heart. I made sure they knew about Iron & Wine. Step inside for a music lovers engagement session around various Cleveland neighborhoods.
Danielle & Matt – In the Valley Sun
The only way I can tell Danielle and Matt’s story is to say they rock! Ever since we met, Danielle and I have kept in close contact nearly weekly. It’s really been nice to get to know Danielle, and her wedding plans, through the various questions she sends my way. It’s almost as if I could picture her wedding day as well as Danielle herself. When it came time to plan their engagement session, Danielle and Matt almost made it too easy. They just wanted to have a great afternoon together and enjoy some of their favorite places. They also wanted a new experience. Step inside to see what we put together for Danielle and Matt’s personalized engagement session.
Molly & Dave – Fun Photos in the Rain
Being a wedding photographer, and an organized person, I must maintain a detailed schedule. Sometimes it feels like I’m keeping a schedule just so the weather can change it. So was the case for Molly and Dave’s engagement session. The first try was rained out completely. So, we tried again. The day started off clear and it looked like we would have nice weather. Step inside to see how this day turned dreary yield some amazing photos, with sacrificing a thing.
Katie & Jonah – a family engagement in Kirtland
When I first met Katie, her mother was kind enough to come along to the meeting. It was so nice getting to know them together. Their excitement for Katie’s upcoming wedding was infectious. Later, Katie and I put together a great plan for her engagement session with Jonah. As a pleasant surprise, the entire family joined in. Step inside to see why this was a welcome surprise and some beautiful photos from Katie & Jonah’s autumn engagement session.
Molly & Zac – Summer Simplicity
An engagement session that feels simple is usually a great one. Working with Molly & Zac felt very simple and comfortable from the beginning. I consider all of my clients to be friends, and this was especially so for Molly & Zac. Prior to working with them, I already considered Molly’s family to be personal friends, but that’s a story for another day. Step inside to see how a simple session can be the best session.
Katie & Jonah – A Simple Kiss
Sometimes all it takes is a simple kiss. More from Katie & Jonah’s session coming very soon. For the photographers, this was processed with the new VSCO Film from Visual Supply Co.
Preview – Molly
Just a simple preview from Molly and Dave’s rainy engagement session around downtown Cleveland. More coming very soon.
Jessica & Justin – Cleveland Sports Engagement
Jessica and Justin first met at work. They said their relationship was nearly unavoidable. I can certainly understand why – they make an extraordinary couple together. The locations we chose for their downtown Cleveland engagement session were also unavoidable. I asked if there were any places that are special to them, and almost in stereo, they responded with the same ideas. Jessica and Justin are both huge sports fans. In particular, they love the Cleveland Cavs and Cleveland Indians. Take a deeper look at this engagement session to see how we carefully worked Cleveland sports into the session.
Katie & Rob – Sunny Spring Engagement
Two things are true about weather – people talk about, and it will always disrupt the best plans. If you want to BBQ, then it’s going to rain. Just hung up your winter coat (looking at you Heidi)? Then it’ll snow. Planning at skiing trip? Heat wave! This has been especially true in Cleveland lately. We have had non-stop cold and rainy weather. The first time we scheduled Katie & Rob’s engagement session, it turned out to be windy and wet. There was even a little canine mishap, but she’s all better now. Step inside to see how a quick reschedule and some luck created a gorgeous sunny spring engagement.
Lindsay & Patrick – Back to the Beginning
Lindsay and Patrick met as members of a business fraternity while attending Kent State University. At first they knew each other as friends. They grew closer and by Lindsay’s 21st birthday their relationship was moving in fast forward. After a stint of long distance dating, they have finally found themselves in the same city again and soon to be the same family. For their engagement session, we thought nothing could be better than to return to where it all began. Step inside to see how this unique engagement for a unique couple turned out.
Film – Star or Dinosaur
Before digital, there was only film. It was a barrier to amateurs becoming professionals because of the high cost of film processing and the even high technical knowledge required. Photography was both a pursuit in the light, and in darkrooms that smelled of sulfur. Once the digital revolution began, the claim among professional photographers became film is not dead, yet. The operable term being yet. Now, most children have never seen film and most people think it is dead. Step inside to find out whether dinosaur film is dead, and can it be a star again?
Monica & Eric – Snow is in the Air
This engagement session was a make up day. Monica wanted falling snow for her personalized engagement session and the original date would not work. Being flexible, we held off for one day so Mother Nature would cooperate. Finally, the snow came falling down just in time. Step inside to see how the falling snow contributed to great results!
Jessica & Alex – Winter Fashion Engagement
Right from the start, Jessica and I were on the same page in a freakish way. It really began to scare me. Every time I had a good idea for their personalized engagement shoot, Jessica would write that day echoing the same idea. It was like she was reading my thoughts! Very weird. However, it made the planning for their winter engagement session fun and easy. Jessica and Alex love formal clothing, so we wanted their engagement photos to reflect fashion and formality right from the start. Step inside to see how we brought a little fashion into their Cleveland winter engagement.
Jennifer & Chris – Winter Wonderland Engagement
This must be the year for winter engagement sessions. My clients keep asking for winter scenery for their engagement photos and I am happy to help, but it’s cold outside! Well, at least I get to dress warm and spend the afternoon with some extraordinary people. For Jennifer and Chris, we had an awesome day and the sun even came out, a rarity for Cleveland. Step inside to see the best from Cleveland’s wintery wonderland.
Wedding Inspiration – Save the Date
Jennifer and I started to discuss how to use her engagement photos not long after her engagement session. Beyond feathering their nest with beautiful art prints, Jennifer wanted to use the photos within her Cleveland wedding. Custom save the date cards immediately jumped to mind and we started planning something special just for them. To ensure the cards were just right, I needed to learn a little more about their wedding plans. Step inside to learn more and see the simple yet elegant cards we designed.
Engagement Photos – The Very Best of 2010
WOW, what a year! 2010 went so fast I hardly had time to notice it was gone. With the new year comes a time for reflection. I regularly take time to celebrate what I have done well while planning to improve other things. This is especially true during the new year. Join me after the jump and help me celebrate some great engagement photos from 2010.
Anna & Chris – Winter Engagement in Little Italy
I’m quite a sight when bundled up for winter work. With snow boots, warm pants, fleece, ski jacket, gloves, and a wool hat (with a tassel) I look like an arctic explorer ready to take on polar bears. I do keep warm though, which is more than I can say for my clients. Anna and Chris wanted a great wintery look for their engagement photos, and we had a great plan. Due to the cold and wind, we would take a hot chocolate breaks every few minutes to warm up fingers and toes. At least, that was the plan. Step inside to see how Anna and Chris’ engagement photos in Cleveland’s Little Italy turned out.
Holly & Brian – Mentor Lagoon engagement, deer and scallops
Photography needs to be more than digital imagery. The end product must have meaning to the viewer or the photographs will fall flat. That is why I took some time to photograph Charlie Fry (the dog) with Jackie and Scott for their engagement photos. I took similar but different steps for Holly and Brian. Step inside to see how we made their engagement photos more personal.
Jackie & Scott – engagement and chocolates
It’s Friday and I am location scouting for Jackie and Scott’s engagement shoot the next day. I wanted to try some new places, so I thought I would check out Tremont. Specifically, down near Lucky’s Cafe. Then I saw it – and it was perfect. I had heard rumors of Lilly’s Chocolates, but that was all. I was right in front of Lilly’s and we were coming back here tomorrow; scenery be damned! Jump in to see some photos of the day and salivate over chocolate.
Cecilia & Roger – Ohio City Engagement
I knew I was going to make Cecilia and Roger’s engagement shoot different. After all, I want people to have a unique experience that is just for them. All week I had been brainstorming ideas and they were coming to me fast. We needed a mixture of styles to make this shoot stand out. In the end, I chose contrasts – natural and artificial light, posed and casual, dynamic and still. Make the jump inside to see how these contrasts balance.
Rachael & Michael – Engagement in the Valley
I previously published a little preview of Rachael & Michael’s engagement photos. This was done because I was (A) excited, and (B) waiting for the film to get back from my lab. That’s right, we shot it all – digital, medium format film and polaroids. Inside you can see a mixture of all three formats.
Preview – Rachael & Michael’s Engagement
We did something really special for this engagement session – we shot digital, film and polaroid photographs. Due to the mixed media, it will take me a little longer to process all of Rachael and Michael’s engagement photos. While waiting for the film to return from the lab, I thought I would post a quick photo preview.
Sherita & Troy – engagement
It was a blazing hot day. I could have fried an egg on my camera. I think it was 98 degrees and nearly 90% humidity. I was the lucky one, too. I try to dress nice most often, but chose shorts and a t-shirt for this day. Sherita and Troy had to tough it out in jeans. I don’t know how they made it, but their engagement photos turned out amazing. Jump inside for a look.
Kate & Brian – Rocky River Engagement
There are certain things that make me happy to be a Cleveland wedding photographer. The most notable is the scenery. Cleveland has a huge abundance of shooting locations. The Rocky River Reservation, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, downtown Cleveland, and any number of suburb locations are all great places to shoot.
