Tagged: cleveland wedding photographer

Victoria & Joshua – Best Friends Engagement Along the Shore

We originally met at a Starbuck’s in Avon. It was a quiet, fun conversation. From the start you could see that Victoria and Joshua are more than just engaged to each other. They’re engaged with each other. Best friends really. They listen to each other and laugh at each other’s jokes. They’re simply comfortable with each other, and in love.

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 –

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

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

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

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.

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

 

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

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

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

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

Victoria and Joshua - best friends engagement session along the shore

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.

Alicia & Drew – Evening Sunset Engagement in Kingsville

I felt like I was running late when I left Cleveland. I pushed the gas pedal a little more as I flew east on interstate 90. Time to exit, and I headed up the off ramp. Crap! I took a wrong turn. This had to be the most confusing exit ramp intersection ever. After a couple quick turns, I was back on the correct path. The tarmac turned to gravel; just a couple more turns and I would be there. Finally, I arrived and I was a little early – just perfect. At the last moment Alicia, Drew and I decided to push back the session to later in the day. Being spring, the days are getting longer…faster. More than anything, I wanted to capture Alicia and Drew in the gorgeous evening light.

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 –

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

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

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

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 - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

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

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

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.

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

Alicia and Drew - evening sunset engagement session in Kingsville, Ohio

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.

Gravity & the Importance of Thanking the Team

This morning I have been sitting in my office doing chores. Then it dawned on me – my chore this morning is actually pretty important and could be of interest to others. So here it is – gravity and the importance of thanking the team. Yes, I am might use a space analogy to demonstrate the importance of team work and recognizing good work. I have to warn you though, this post could get a little punnie (Ha!).

The Bride and Groom are the stars at any wedding. All of the vendors then orbit around their gravity to form the wedding event. As a photographer, I’m a small part of the wedding solar system. Every satellite in the team has to do a great job with beautiful synchronicity to create an amazing wedding for our clients. Team work is crucial, and so is giving thanks. As just a small part of any wedding, I should be thankful to all the vendors who keep the wedding running and looking amazing. The day of the wedding, I make sure to personally thank anyone I can find. I also like to follow-up later with a more substantial thank you.

The follow-up really helps to cement my heart-felt appreciation, but it also pays additional benefits. It gives me a chance to market my business (albeit slyly) and to strengthen my brand with others. All of this will help me to find and work with my perfect clients. Whenever possible, I try to include a little gift for the vendor.

Including an album for the vendor is a perfect choice. It communicates the quality of my work – but also the quality of the vendors. When done right, albums can be effective and affordable-ish. I deliberately choose images that reflect the vendor’s best work. I make sure these are printed large and get attention. I also make sure to use the vendors name and logo in the layout. The rest I fill in with great photos showing the happy couple. Collectively the album is about the vendor. But it is also about my work.

I package each album nicely and in a manner consistent with my branding. I then take the time to hand-write a very personal thank you note. Both of these actions ensure I am remembered as a person and as a business – separately. I want them to remember that it was nice working with me. I want them to say “you should hire Hunter Photographic”. Hopefully the difference between those two points is clear.

I don’t create a personalized album for every vendor. Instead, I start by picking the ones who’ve done an amazing job. After all, I want to work with a great team. Second, I also consider vendors who seek a similar client as myself. This helps to ensure I find the right clients in the future. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or resources to send a personalized thank you to everyone. Instead of doing something small for many, I do something big for a few.

Why go to all this trouble? Here are a few reasons –

  • Brand recognition and distinction
  • Increased marketing reach
  • More contact with the type of couples I love
  • Giving thanks feels great and it’s the right thing to do!

So that was my chore today. I’m excited for two reasons. First, some friends will receive gorgeous gifts that they deserve this week. Second, I’m also excited for what the future could hold. I’m definitely looking forward to new doors opening.

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