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.
VIDEO – VSCO Film Overview
In the past I have done a couple posts concerning the Visual Supply Co. VSCO Film preset package for Lightroom. As you may know, I snapped up this package pretty quickly and have been using it for a couple months. I have never bought a preset package before and to this day, VSCO Film is the only preset package I own. There is a big reason for this. Included today is our first video, and I decided to tackle and overview of VSCO Film. Jump inside to see our first (low-budget) video and learn a little more about VSCO Film.
Elise- High School Senior Portraits Around Lakewood
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. Step inside for a look at how a great session turns out.
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.
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.
Lender Family – A Sweet Summer Sunset Session
When Paul contacted me about photographing his family, I not only jumped at the opportunity, but I was also sincerely touched. Paul is a professional photographer as well, and quite accomplished. His trust in me to represent his family well means the world to me. It’s often said that good work earns the respect of [...]
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.
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.
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.
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?
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 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.
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.
Pet photography – Lucy & Oscar
Pure love and a steely blue coat with a golden stare. That’s a weimaraner – all love and one of the most striking dogs you will ever see. Phil and Tammy contacted me for help capturing some great pet photography for their Christmas card. Apparently, Oscar and Lucy have graced the cover of every Christmas card they have sent. So, put two weimaraners together with the holiday season and what do you get? Step inside to find out and see the best pet photography of Oscar and Lucy.
Katie & Jerry – Urban + Orchard Engagement in Columbus
I must have looked a little crazy getting out of my car. After all, I brought my own apples to an apple orchard – and they were from the grocery store. That’s like bringing your own booze to an open bar party! However, I wanted to ensure Katie and Jerry’s engagement session at the orchard was perfect. It was late in the season and I wasn’t sure there would be apples left, so I would come prepared. I did get a couple funny looks. Step inside to see how the rest of the urban+orchard shoot turned out.
Lindsey & Matthew – Elyria Country Club Wedding
I am still surprised by “firsts” on a pretty regular basis. Certainly, my clients keep me on my toes. With Lindsey and Matthew, you just learn to expect a lot of firsts. To say they are exciting and dynamic would be an understatement. Their wedding at Elyria Country Club was not only beautiful, but a bunch of fun thanks to a surprising couple. Step inside to learn about all the “firsts”.Speak
Preview – Katie & Jerry’s Columbus Engagement
It’s 9:00 and I am flying down the highway, leaving Cleveland for Columbus. I have an engagement shoot later that day and everything is perfect. Then WHAM! Life always throws you a twist when things are going too perfect. For me the twist was traffic. The kind of highway traffic where you park the car and play football in the median. I was going nowhere and the shoot I had planned for weeks was in jeopardy. Jump inside to find out what happened and to see a preview of Katie and Jerry’s engagement photos.
