Tagged: wedding photographer

Joanna & David – Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement

I knew it was Joanna and David when they stepped out of the car. They were in town for Thanksgiving, and their engagement session. I meet most of my clients in person just as they start planning their wedding. Not so for Joanna and David, since they live in the Manhattan. We initially met and got everything booked through telephone meetings and email. When they arrived at the session, I knew the couple I saw was them because of their presence with each another. She leaned into his shoulder and laughed as they exited the car. He gripped her hand tight.

Joanna’s sense of style also gave her away. She works in the New York fashion industry and her knee-high boots fit her perfectly. Because they live out of state, the date for their engagement session had to be carefully chosen. We timed it perfectly to coincide with a Thanksgiving visit. Me? I was just happy to get out of the house for a few hours. For their session, we went to an old favorite, and some new places as well. We started in downtown Cleveland around the art museum, and then headed to Lakeview cemetery and the Coventry Neighborhood in Cleveland Heights.

A few personal favorites are simply included below –

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Above – Joanna looks radiant in her purple dress. Below – David smirking to Joanna off camera as she cracks a joke. I always like to include a couple individual portraits.

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Scenes from a deserted parking garage above and below. Who new a simple location could look so nice.

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Due to the weather, the leaves fell really late. You can still see some hanging on in the photos above and below.

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

Joanna and David - Sunny Thanksgiving Engagement Photos

This last location is one of my favorites. I love how the height of the lamp mirrors Joanna and David together. I’m really looking forward to their upcoming wedding. It’s always so nice to work with such a fun couple. That’s all for today. but look for more coming soon.

Stephanie & Ben – Wedding in Rocky River, Cinco de Mayo, the Derby, and Super Moons

I was so excited that I ended up being early. By 10:30 in the morning, I was pacing around my office waiting to go. I just wanted to start, damn it! By 11:20 I just couldn’t take it anymore. I jumped into the car and drove over to Stephanie and Ben’s house. A rapped the door knocker, but no one was home. I went to the car, threw my stuff in the back and gave Stephanie a ring. Thankfully, she was just around the corner and almost home. The biggest reason I was so excited is because Stephanie and Ben are amazing, but their wedding was also a strange culmination of events. Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, the Kentucky Derby, a super-moon and their wedding all wrapped into one.

Starting with Stephanie and Ben, they are the kindest people you could imagine. They care for one another, and genuinely care for others as well. Knowing Stephanie, you’d completely understand why she’s a nurse. Both Ben and Stephanie love music and share their passion at concerts and trips to SXSW. Equal to Stephanie, Ben is just a cool guy. He’s the type of person you’d want have a beer with over a football game. Of course it doesn’t hurt that we share a passion for cars!

Their wedding in Rocky River and at the Club at Key Center in downtown Cleveland was amazing. Filled with friends and family, the wedding featured a designed inspired by the day’s events. For example, the reception was beautifully decorated. Stephanie and Ben celebrated the day by featuring Margaritas and Mint Julips at the bar. Whether you wanted to celebrate Mexican heritage or your southern roots, the drink choices were perfect. The band was also rocking the house. Being music fans, Stephanie and Ben found the perfect band to light up the Club.

It was also Super-Moon Saturday. We had planned to sneak out from the reception for a portrait in front of the giant moon, but alas there were clouds. Nonetheless, we got some amazing photos, just a few of which are previewed below –

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie looked beyond beautiful in her gorgeous, slender dress. She was perfectly flawless!

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above you can feel the excitement. Her family and friends were anxious for her and Ben as well.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above – custom-made cufflinks. Below – two very cute nephews.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

I love that Ben escorted his parents down the aisle. It was a personal touch that really made a big difference.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

A little trip-up with the vows is always good for a laugh.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Although it’s hard to tell, Stephanie and Ben had amazing weather for early May. Blue skies, full sun and mild temperatures.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

I love proud fathers, as seen above. Below, did I mention the cute kids.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie’s sister and Maid of Honor was thrilled for the new couple. The excitement continues below.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Another personal touch – Stephanie’s sister made her a clutch, by hand, out of their grandmother’s wedding dress.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

 

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Above and below – a stylish design featuring purple orchids to match their wedding colors.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

A hand-drawn seating card and mint julip above. And Stephanie and Ben’s very touching first dance below.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Last but not least – Fitz and the Tantrums to end the night.

Stephanie and Ben's Rocky River wedding, Cinco de Mayo, The Derby and Super Moons

Sure we might have missed the super-moon due to a few pesky clouds. But how do you improve on perfect? That’s all for today. More than anything, I hope Stephanie and Ben enjoy their preview before the depart for their honeymoon tomorrow. I, however, have a full week ahead. There is much, much more coming all week long.

Sailing Grenada on Film

We finally found a break in our hectic schedules. When we were young, it was so easy to take family vacations. As my brother and I have gotten older and have careers of our own, it has become much more difficult. However, the end of March was our time. It had been decades since we had sailed together as a family. So long, in fact, that Brooke had never been. We booked our trip and started to gear up for a week sailing Grenada (one country) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (another country). I was excited to momentarily step away from wedding photography, and cold Cleveland. Now I just needed to decide what to bring.

I gave myself a fun little challenge – one camera, one lens and one film stock. Then lens wasn’t even a zoom and there was no digital “crutch”. Below are a few favorites with minimal commentary –

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – St. George, Grenada. Below, my father at the helm and Brooke taking her first turn.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing has it’s own language. Unless you speak it, things can get really confusing.

Sailing Grenada on Film

My brother moving us through the water at six knots, and Brooke taking a sunset swim.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Pulling into Hillsborough Harbor on Carriacou Island at sunset.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

My brother waiting at the fish market while our Dorado was cleaned at fileted.

Sailing Grenada on Film

We almost made Peter the new masthead on the boat.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – colors from Clifton Harbor on Union Island. Below – Angelo photobombing my brother.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – Happy Island and rum punches. Also my brother making some iphonography.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above- Brooke looking radiant at Happy Island and back on the boat.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above and below – Mopion Island, which might be the most photographed island in the world. The island is tiny and the single umbrella is perfect. We left our mark, albeit in temporary charcoal. I can say one thing – the island definitely needs a bottle opener.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sunset dinner of spiny lobster in the Tobago Cays.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing Grenada on Film

Detail of a fishing boat and sunset in Hillborough above.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – pulling back into St. George and the Timoneer, the largest sail boat I have ever seen. Below, enjoying one last Carib in St. George.

Sailing Grenada on Film

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