Alli & Dan – a stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland
Let’s start with – Alli and Dan’s wedding was truly amazing! It was a great way to end a busy wedding season. For a few reasons, we were so excited to be a small part of their wedding day. They are such a great couple. Also, the location was simply stunning. This wedding happened to be my first Jewish wedding. Last but not least, the ceremony and reception were full of energy and love. The energy permeated everything. I usually have fun at weddings, but Alli and Dan’s wedding at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland was truly a blast! Step inside to see this amazing wedding a learn a little about our excitement.
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.
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.
Jessica & Justin – Mentor Wedding at La Malfa
Just a few days before Jessica and Justin’s wedding in Cleveland, we were finalizing the locations. It was at this point I realized how much I welcome familiarity. I had gotten to know Jessica and Justin pretty well through their engagement session and Justin’s sister’s wedding (is that too many ‘s?). With just a little work, we had everything wrapped up and ready to go. Now all we needed was the late October weather to cooperate during the rainiest year Cleveland has ever had. Just in time – the weather broke and strong sun came through. Step inside to see a few highlights from this gorgeous wedding.
Published – The Knot Magazine – Holly & Brian
It’s really rough spending Christmas in Florida with family. Of course, I’m saying this with a pound of sarcasm. It was weird being in the warm Pensacola climate at Christmas time, but we survived just fine. The 15-hour drive home seemed to take forever, but I was greeted with some amazing news when we arrived. As I always do, I promptly fetched the mail from our mailbox. Stuffed inside was about 25 pounds of late holiday cards, Christmas catalogs, and other detritus. However, hiding among the treasured cards and other trash was a curious little package. In a Christmas habit, I gave the package a squeeze and a shake. Then it hit me! I tore into the package and was greeted by long awaited, but temporarily forgotten news. Step inside to see what has me doing the robot dance in my kitchen!
Jessica & Alex – Decadent Downtown Cleveland Wedding
The wedding was just a couple weeks away. Jesi and I had finalized all the last details and I was just wrapping up my location scouting. We were all set for their amazing downtown Cleveland wedding. At the time, I did not know how amazing it would be. Jesi & Alex may be the most multi-faceted couple I have met. During the year we worked together they moved across country, planned a wedding, started new jobs, bought a house and even appeared on the HDTV show “House Hunters”. I simply love working with high-energy couples who have big plans. Jesi & Alex’ wedding was no different – full of decadence, personality and style. Step inside to see a few favorite moments from one of the best weddings of the year.
Preview – Molly
Just a simple preview from Molly and Dave’s rainy engagement session around downtown Cleveland. More coming very soon.
Molly & Zac – Wedding of Love, Family and Seersucker
A little over five years ago, my wife and I wed and we have been blessed ever since. In large part, we owe a debt of gratitude to our dear friends Patsy and Paul, who are responsible for introducing Brooke and I. When Patsy’s little sister, Molly, called to inquire about wedding services, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to offer my gratitude to her family for the blessings they had helped bestow on my little family. In the end, working with Molly and Zac was more rewarding than I could have imagined. Step inside to see a wedding filled with love and family.
Katie & Mischa – Victorian Wedding in Chautauqua, New York
“That’s where you are getting married” I said with a slack jaw, while staring in awe at the Hall of Philosophy. Katie was giving me a tour of the Chautauqua Institution, a gated lakeside community famous for it’s summer programming and dedication to education. I arrived early on Friday to take a little tour and do some location scouting. Katie has many fond memories of spending her summers at Chautauqua, so she decided to host the wedding there. A fun and memorable wedding is personal, so step inside to see how Katie and Mischa built an amazing weekend from personal experience.
Katie & Rob – Cleveland City Skyline Wedding
June was a month of discovery. In that single month, I happened upon many new locations and people, all of which were wonderful. Katie and Rob were responsible for introducing me to both Ponte Vecchio Restaurant and the Superior Viaduct in Downtown Cleveland. The viaduct is whats left of an old rail bridge across the Cuyahoga river. Only the stone abutment remains. However, buildings have sprung up around the viaduct, creating some of the best light in the city. Have a look at Katie & Rob’s wedding to see how the Viaduct made the perfect location for a great wedding.
Katie & Jerry – Horses and Horsepower Wedding in Fairfield
On a sunny day out in the open ocean, you can look down and see the particular shade of deep blue that seems to go on forever. That entrancing blue is my favorite color. It is also one my favorite things about Katie – her eyes have the same endless blue. What I love about Jerry is his stoic nature, oh and our shared passion for auto racing. Apparently, Jerry really knows how to wrestle a fast car around a small parking lot. But most importantly, I love that Katie and Jerry gave me trust and allowed me to influence their wedding plans. Step inside to see how a little trust and a lot of planning went a very long way.
Katie and Jerry – First Look
This post is the first is a two-part series for Katie and Jerry’s wedding in Fairfield, Ohio. Today we are featuring the first look photos. Later will come a post detailing their entire wedding.
Simply put, Katie and Jerry are like family. They were referred to me by close friends and former clients. We share much in common and hit it off right from the start. They had requested to do a First Look before the wedding ceremony, which is one of my favorite things. To make it special, I spent a couple weeks building the perfect plan. I don’t live near Fairfield, so I had to do all the planning over the internet. Step inside to see how we pieced the First Look plan together from a far and got the perfect results.
Holly & Brian – Kirtland Wedding at Holden Arboretum
“Over there, under the willow tree” said Holly, as we were standing in the rain. With that simple instruction, I could see her vision with crystal clarity. We were location scouting at Holden Arboretum for Holly and Brian’s wedding in Kirtland. There are a million great locations to choose from at Holden, but it had to be this particular willow tree. Step inside to see why the willow tree was the perfect location.
Jennifer & Chris – Downtown Cleveland Wedding
I had the perfect location in downtown Cleveland picked for Jennifer and Chris’s formal photos. The entire wedding party jumped off the transportation and up lined for photos. Just as I lifted the camera, the clouds opened and rain came pouring down! All of us ran for cover; gathered under the narrow eve of a building. It was pouring and we were trapped. What to do next?
A Bird, Boat, Bike, and Bridge
I often find myself location scouting for weddings on odd days here and there. Add to this that I am easily distracted (look, something shiny!), and I typically come home with a grab bag of images. Included in this post’s grab bag is a healthy dose of alliteration.
Crafting Heirlooms
My modest Cleveland home is filled with fine-art prints of all sorts. There are family photos, photos of friends, some clients and even some crazy prints. For example, a large print of two friends dressed for a wedding as Dumb and Dumber. Seriously, a wedding! We also have a few albums, all of which we treasure. When developing our recent branding redesign, we also reconsidered the fine-art prints and albums we offer. To match with the our clients expectations and the brand, we had to make improvements. Step inside to learn how we have applied an heirloom approach across all our products.
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!
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 Photos – The Very Best of 2010
Back again with another best of 2010 post. If you missed the very best of 2010 engagement photos, please stop by and have a look. For today the focus is on weddings. 2010 was an amazing year in weddings for me. Our business grew substantially due primarily to great clients. Our clients are truly extraordinary and this year set a new bar. Step inside to meet our amazing clients and to see some of the best from this year.
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.
