I find getting to know my clients as friends can really makes a difference. To create an memorable experience for Holly and Brian, we started with the planning. I simply asked “what places had special meaning to you”? Immediately, Mentor Lagoon came to mind. They have spent hours at the park walking, exploring and talking. Some of their best time spent together has been spent at the Lagoon. So, the plan was set.

I also suggested they set aside the entire day of the shoot just for them. No errands, running around or chores. Give yourself time and maybe even plan something special for after the shoot. I find this makes the engagement shoot a more lasting memory filled with happy emotions.

Aside from some absolutely crazy deer, the shoot went off without a hitch. I pride myself on planning, but overlooked that the local deer are in rut. This means the big bucks are going crazy trying to mate. Everyone was safe, but I didn’t dare take my eye off the deer. It was almost like the deer could care less about us.

Here are just a few of my favorite engagement photos from Mentor Lagoon -

I just love Holly’s pose in the above-left photo. It feels like complete peace mixed with bracing for the cold, crisp air. You can almost feel winter biting, which is fitting given the weather this week.

We did get a little lucky with the weather. Sun broke through the heavy clouds at times to create strong colors and lighting for the engagement photos. Unfortunately, light rain broke through at times as well.

My favorite part of the day – portraits at the Lake Erie shoreline. The lake makes for a soft, creamy and windswept backdrop.

This last one might just be my favorite. I love portraits that show true love and emotion. Technically, the photo isn’t great, but the emotion really carries the image.

How else did Holly and Brian make the day special? They planned a special dinner for after the shoot – scallops with mushrooms. I have to admit, I almost invited myself over for dinner! Apparently, the dinner was filled with discussion about their adventures that day. I think they will remember their engagement shoot for years to come.

That’s all for now. More will definitely be coming very soon.

P.S. – I am still having nightmares about big, angry deer chasing me through the forest. Just make it stop

See y'all soon,
Hunter

After an hour and a half in traffic, I was finally free and flying again. All of that for a simple two car wreck. I was graciously left with just enough time to get film and make the shoot. Katie, Jerry and I met in the Short North and then headed out. We shot a little in downtown Columbus, then headed to private apple orchard in Sunbury, Ohio. The one preview image below is from the orchard -

I am editing the digital engagement photos now. I will have a longer post online once I get the film and polaroid scans back from the lab. I definitely love the look of medium format film for engagement shoots, but waiting for results is like a little death. Thankfully my lab is good and fast. That’s all for now and check for more soon.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

Bailee and Aaron’s friends and family – find all the wedding images here

Bailee and Aaron had managed to reserve the Cleveland Botanical Gardens on a Sunday. Not only that, but their wedding was held in early June. The gardens were in full bloom. The rose were red, the violets were blue, Aaron love Bailee its true. On my scouting trip to the gardens the day before, I realized just how special their ceremony would be.

You’ve gotta believe too! The forecast said rain, rain, rain all week. However, by the time we stepped into the Cleveland Botanical Gardens for the big event, the skies had cleared and it was just another beautiful sunny wedding day in Cleveland.

Here are a few of my favorite photographs from the ceremony and reception -

I absolutely love the photograph above of Bailee dancing with her father. The expression on his face is so priceless. Not to mention, he is genuinely a nice man. Funny too! By the way, one last wedding tip for the photographers. If you ask your subject to wave their hands in the air, give them a sound effect. Weeeeeee!

See y'all soon,
Hunter

While I am a Cleveland wedding photographer, Molly and Justin’s wedding was held in Columbus, Ohio. I volunteered to help a dear friend of mine shoot the wedding in Columbus. After all, my friend shot my wedding, so I had to help. Molly and Justin looked beautiful that day, the weather was grand for early May, and the venues could not have been more gorgeous. For those that are interested, the wedding reception was held at the Columbus Athletic Club in Columbus, Ohio.

Enough said, here are some of my favorite photos from their wedding -

See y'all soon,
Hunter

For Troy it was an edgy portrait shot on a white background. I said “anyone ever tell say you look like Biggie”? Troy just laughed and I snapped a couple quick shots.

For Sherita, I went a little softer with the lighting and setup to create a portrait that really brings out her beauty. Meanwhile, Troy is in the background making funny faces at her. I think I grabbed a portrait just before she burst out in laughter.

I love my wedding clients and I certainly love giving them little surprises. To say the least, I am looking forward to their wedding later this year and the engagement photos in the spring. Imagine a Cleveland engagement in spring and a wedding in October. It really should be gorgeous!

See y'all soon,
Hunter

This dawned on me for the first time over the summer during a BBQ at a friends house. Below are, simply, some of the resulting images, and my friends loved the resulting images. I think half of them are using them on Facebook for profile images.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

OMG, OMG, OMG…the wedding I have been waiting for all year finally happened. And it was awesome. Jeremy, my assistant, and I got a insane amount of wedding photos. I will be editing the photos for weeks, but it was totally worth it. With wedding clients like Kate and Brian, you can’t help but to get excited.

Kate and Brian wedding was in Lakewood, Ohio and the wedding reception was in downtown Cleveland, Ohio at the BP Building. The settings could not have been better.

I even got a chance to pull out the big studio lights and use strobes on a stick at night time. I could not have done this without Jeremy. When it comes to lighting a wedding, you have to have an assistant. It just takes too much time and you don’t want to bore your wedding photography clients. Plus, you don’t want to look like a mouth-breathing fool either.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

At that point, they both wanted to capture some great photos of their little family before it grew one person larger. Since then, I am happy to report they have a healthy baby girl.

For their maternity portraits, we started off in Rocky River, stopped by my studio, and then went to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland. Some of the best photos are clearly from the park.

Within the park, we found a great little spot on the valley wall overlooking the river. The sun was setting and it really made for some stunning photos. I was really pleased with how these non-traditional maternity portraits turned out. Hope you enjoy.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

An early May wedding can be a little risky when it comes to rain. This time around, the weekend was all sun and no clouds the entire time. The weather could not have been better for a wedding. All over the Miami campus flowers were in bloom, birds were singing, deer were prancing, rabbits were hopping…OK, not exactly. But it was nice.

Even better was the wedding party filled with close friends and family. Here are just a few of my favorites -

The detailing covering the entire surface of Nancy’s wedding dress was absolutely amazing and it fit her perfectly.

When the girls were getting ready for the wedding at Nancy’s house, they were standing in a dark room. At first I was worried about the photos, but the light pouring through the window made for some great, edgy lighting.

I had the image above printed on canvas as a wedding gift for Nick and Nancy. I love how the photo conveys stepping into another stage of life. The detail in the full sized canvas is really amazing.

There may or may not have been a little drinking. I am not saying there was, just saying it could have happened.

The wedding ceremony getaway car happened to be a Bentley Flying Spur. I was instantly in love with that car and nearly got in it with Nick and Nancy, but thought that might be a bit much. Instead, I just took 50 photos of it (seriously).

During some brief formal photos, Nick and Nancy’s family and friends had me absolutely doubled over with laughter. Nancy’s sister had an especially dry wit that kept me laughing the entire time. I think their willingness to let go and almost forget I was there really made for some great photos.

So, that about covers the wedding at Miami. stop back soon to have a look at new weddings and engagements going online soon. Also, consider “Liking” us on Facebook for following the daily action on Twitter.

P.S. – I would gladly accept a Bentley Flying Spur, Mulsanne or GTC to photograph a wedding. Just sayin’

See y'all soon,
Hunter