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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Elise – Real Film vs. VSCO Film
So a simple question – which one of the two presented photos is real film? As many of you may know from my prior post, I happen to shoot both film and digital. I have also been playing around with VSCO Film lately, a new preset package designed to make digital photos mirror their film counterpart. I’m definitely not a fan of preset packages because the results can often times look unnatural. However, the idea behind VSCO Film seemed to be entirely different. Step inside to see a comparison between VSCO Film and the real deal.
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.
Preview – Molly
Just a simple preview from Molly and Dave’s rainy engagement session around downtown Cleveland. More coming very soon.
Initial Impressions – VSCO Film from Visual Supply Co.
If you have been around here long enough, you know that I shoot a mixture of digital, film and polaroid. I love each for the qualities and capabilities that they bring to my visual voice. Film brings amazing colors, depth and range. Digital brings versatility, speed, and accuracy. Visually speaking, I have always favored film. Now enter VSCO Film, which promises to make digital photographs look like film. Does it work, or even matter? Step inside for my initial impressions and some samples.
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.
Dillard Family Lifestyle Portraits
“Have you ever heard of Jose Villa” asked Cyndi. In that moment, it felt like fireworks went off. “Absolutely” I responded, adding “Do you know Jonathan Can…” Cyndi jumped in with “Jonathan Canlas…I love him!” At this point, I knew we were going to have an amazing family lifestyle portrait session. When your clients know and respect those that influence your work, it’s just going to be a good day. We spent the rest of the evening walking around Cleveland shooting photos and talking shop. Step inside for more about this amazing family.
Jessica & Justin – Cleveland Sports Engagement
Jessica and Justin first met at work. They said their relationship was nearly unavoidable. I can certainly understand why – they make an extraordinary couple together. The locations we chose for their downtown Cleveland engagement session were also unavoidable. I asked if there were any places that are special to them, and almost in stereo, they responded with the same ideas. Jessica and Justin are both huge sports fans. In particular, they love the Cleveland Cavs and Cleveland Indians. Take a deeper look at this engagement session to see how we carefully worked Cleveland sports into the session.
Katie & Rob – Sunny Spring Engagement
Two things are true about weather – people talk about, and it will always disrupt the best plans. If you want to BBQ, then it’s going to rain. Just hung up your winter coat (looking at you Heidi)? Then it’ll snow. Planning at skiing trip? Heat wave! This has been especially true in Cleveland lately. We have had non-stop cold and rainy weather. The first time we scheduled Katie & Rob’s engagement session, it turned out to be windy and wet. There was even a little canine mishap, but she’s all better now. Step inside to see how a quick reschedule and some luck created a gorgeous sunny spring engagement.