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.
Lindsay & Patrick – Back to the Beginning
Lindsay and Patrick met as members of a business fraternity while attending Kent State University. At first they knew each other as friends. They grew closer and by Lindsay’s 21st birthday their relationship was moving in fast forward. After a stint of long distance dating, they have finally found themselves in the same city again and soon to be the same family. For their engagement session, we thought nothing could be better than to return to where it all began. Step inside to see how this unique engagement for a unique couple turned out.
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?
Monica & Eric – Snow is in the Air
This engagement session was a make up day. Monica wanted falling snow for her personalized engagement session and the original date would not work. Being flexible, we held off for one day so Mother Nature would cooperate. Finally, the snow came falling down just in time. Step inside to see how the falling snow contributed to great results!
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.
Jan & Dusty – Columbus Athenaeum Wedding
I did my research ahead of time and knew the perfect locations for Janet and Dusty’s wedding photos. They were staying the in the Columbus Renaissance Hotel, and they have a giant roof-top pool deck. Just imagine shooting really high up with the skyline as the backdrop. Unfortunately, November, Ohio, and wedding photos at pools don’t normally mix. Jump inside to see what we did for Jan and Dusty’s wedding photos and to see some great photos.
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
Holly & Brian – Mentor Lagoon engagement, deer and scallops
Photography needs to be more than digital imagery. The end product must have meaning to the viewer or the photographs will fall flat. That is why I took some time to photograph Charlie Fry (the dog) with Jackie and Scott for their engagement photos. I took similar but different steps for Holly and Brian. Step inside to see how we made their engagement photos more personal.
Jackie & Scott – engagement and chocolates
It’s Friday and I am location scouting for Jackie and Scott’s engagement shoot the next day. I wanted to try some new places, so I thought I would check out Tremont. Specifically, down near Lucky’s Cafe. Then I saw it – and it was perfect. I had heard rumors of Lilly’s Chocolates, but that was all. I was right in front of Lilly’s and we were coming back here tomorrow; scenery be damned! Jump in to see some photos of the day and salivate over chocolate.
Cecilia & Roger – Shaker Heights Wedding
There is a reason I don’t trust weathermen. Oh, they say they have science on their side, but I don’t buy it! Frankly, I look at the weather forecast with the same certainty I as politics. For Cecilia and Roger’s wedding in Shaker Heights, the weather was supposed to be fare. Maybe, just maybe a change of rain in the morning. I woke up on Saturday morning and it was pouring down rain. There was no break in sight. Make the jump to see how things can still turn out right.
Cecilia & Roger – Ohio City Engagement
I knew I was going to make Cecilia and Roger’s engagement shoot different. After all, I want people to have a unique experience that is just for them. All week I had been brainstorming ideas and they were coming to me fast. We needed a mixture of styles to make this shoot stand out. In the end, I chose contrasts – natural and artificial light, posed and casual, dynamic and still. Make the jump inside to see how these contrasts balance.
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.
