A Family Lifestyle session with Michelle & Amir categories: portraits

Michelle and I stood in the her beautiful living room and chatted while Amir was upstairs getting ready. Michelle mentioned being Filipino, which immediately lead to a long conversation about our shared past. While we chatted, I slowly flipped through their wedding album. It would be an understatement to say Michelle, Amir and I share similarities. We are the same age and we all live in the same small corner of Cleveland. We share an appreciation for good food, travel and new experiences. We are even dog lovers. Eventually everyone was ready and we started the family session.

Due winter stretching late into the spring, we decided to simply capture their family session at their home in Lakewood. After all, it’s a gorgeous place filled with light and color. No need to go outside into the cold, especially with their new son Michael. Instead, we kept to the warmth of their home, which I honestly preferred. Staying inside allowed us to captured portraits in a relaxed, comfortable and warm environment. No need to rush due to the cold winter outside.

My favorite part of the entire family session had to be Michael. Being only 8 months old, you would expect a restless boy. The exact opposite was true. He was calm and relaxed the entire time. He wasn’t spooked by the odd events. If anything, he was a ham. I think you can see how relaxed he was in the photos below. Each photo turned out so loving and warm and I’m excited to share just a few highlights below.

Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family Family lifestyle photography session with the Teleron-Khorshad family

It was really hard to choose some favorites. Between Amir’s loving embrace of Michael and Michelle’s radiant smile, it was tough to narrow down the photos. One of my favorites is Michael’s faux-hawk seen just above. I’m still blown away by how well the film turned out. Like just about every session I shoot, this one was captured on film as well. I love how the colors and light came out so…ethereal. And for Michelle and Amir – thank you so much for having me into your home. It’s a treasure I won’t soon forget.

Danielle & Matt – A Clifton Club Wedding in Lakewood categories: weddings

I’ve been anticipating Danielle and Matt’s wedding ever since we first met over a year ago. They’re such a wonderful couple together and the whole wedding plan was a perfect fit. To say they’re the ideal client would be an understatement. Danielle and Matt’s wedding took place right in my little Lakewood neighborhood. I could literally walk to their wedding, although I didn’t. Lakewood’s Congregational Church and it’s Georgian design would be the backdrop for the ceremony, while the vaunted Clifton Club would host the wedding reception, all just block’s from my home.

As I had hoped, their wedding earlier this week turned out perfect. The ceremony, backed by sunny blue skies, was intimate, emotional and beautiful. For the wedding reception at the Clifton Club, Danielle and Matt had planned a detail-laden outdoor affair. While the inside of the club is gorgeous, the reception took place on the lawn, ringed by glowing lights. The flowers provided by Lakewood’s Cottage of Flowers had a distinct vintage flare to match the light, airy feeling. As the sun set, guests danced the night away under a soft incandescent glow on the patio.

Danielle and Matt’s wedding felt like home for me, and not just because of the location. Over the past year, I had gotten to know Danielle and Matt through their engagement session and many planning emails. I also happened to photograph an earlier wedding this month where Danielle and Matt were guests. Not just for me, but for everyone, their wedding was comfortable and quaint.

Before the ceremony, Danielle and Matt chose to do a first look on the Clifton Club lawn.  And to add a little more, we escaped briefly at night from the wedding reception to capture a few more portraits in the Lakewood neighborhood. Below are a few favorites, and some fun ones, too -

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Above – Danielle’s simply stunning Casablanca wedding dress and a brace of colorful, matching bridesmaid dresses.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

A first look for Danielle and Matt, on the back quarter of the Clifton Club lawn.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

 

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Biodegradable confetti flew as they exited the wedding ceremony. A confetti fight might have broken out!

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Formals can be fun! Above – my favorite groomsman keeping everyone laughing!

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

The beautiful ladies on the front lawn of the Club.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle’s details had a distinct vintage wedding flare. I love the menu and seating chart written out on an old window pane. And everything was personal – a close friend’s homemade lemon sorbet was served after dinner.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Above – some paperwork to be done. Below – a smoke on the patio to end the dinner.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt’s sunset first dance above, and a few portraits in the neighborhood below.

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Above – running through the neighborhood with sparklers, just for fun. Below – let the party begin!

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

Danielle and Matt's wedding at the Clifton Club in Lakewood, Ohio

OK – this last one is kinda special. It violates nearly every compositional rule. Their are weird lines, the subject is centered, the frame is not filled, and it’s lit with direct flash. I still love it though. He wanted a photo and jumped into the frame. Definitely a personal favorite, even if no one else likes it. That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Elise- High School Senior Portraits Around Lakewood categories: portraits

I focus on weddings around the Cleveland area almost exclusively. However, I’ve spread out a little lately to take on some high school senior portraits for students around Lakewood and Rocky River. The sessions are a welcome change from weddings. Instead of working hard for one client over months and photographing large groups of people, senior portrait sessions offer a completely different approach. I love working with a single student for a few hours at a time. The concentration on just one person can have magical results. So I was happy to take on another senior portrait session when Elise and her mother, Mary, contacted me.

All three of us wanted some variety in the pictures, so we planned the afternoon session for multiple locations around the Lakewood and Cleveland areas. After a little time in my Lakewood studio, we headed out into the beautiful October weather. We shot a little in Cleveland’s west flats, as well as locations around Lakewood.

For each senior portrait session, I like to include something personal about the client. For Elise, she was absolutely in love with her mid-eighties Mercedes Benz. This opened us up to shooting at a location I had on my list for a long time – a simple car wash in Lakewood. I knew the light streaming through the wash bay in the evening would be truly magical. In the end, the shots at the car wash turned out to be my favorite, and we happily avoided the standard car wash cliches.

Here are just a few highlights and some personal favorites -

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

Shooting in a truck parking lot might not seem like a good idea a first. However, the light passing through the golden fall leaves creates a gorgeous color palette with Elise’s fair skin and blonde hair.

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

Elise brought an amazing variety of outfits to her senior session. This allowed us to mix and match the outfits and create something unique for each location. Not to mention, she just has great style!

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

I drive by this car wash nearly daily and I have always wanted to shoot here. The light can be really amazing. I just love how the light seems to flood everything and be constrained at the same time.

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

Right as the sun was setting, we were able to capture the last photo below. I love how the light moves through the water spray. Elise’s “straight” glance is also priceless.

High school senior portraits for Elise in Lakewood and Cleveland

So that’s all for Elise’s senior portrait session. We had a great time, and Elise and Mary were very happy with the results. I was just happy I could help. Looking forward, I will have a few more senior portrait sessions coming soon and I’m really looking forward to them. The sessions are definitely a welcome change of pace.  To see what we are working on this very moment, stop by Facebook for a quick peak.