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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Jennifer & Chris – Downtown Cleveland Wedding
I had the perfect location in downtown Cleveland picked for Jennifer and Chris’s formal photos. The entire wedding party jumped off the transportation and up lined for photos. Just as I lifted the camera, the clouds opened and rain came pouring down! All of us ran for cover; gathered under the narrow eve of a building. It was pouring and we were trapped. What to do next?
Published – The Knot Magazine – Jamie & Ethan
Right about now is a good time to imagine me dancing around my office doing The Robot. It’s actually happened three times. First, when I found out I would be published in Professional Photographer Magazine. The second time was when I got a call from TheKnot.com asking for photos to feature in The Knot Magazine. And most recently was just about five minutes ago when I got a email from The Knot with images of the final feature. Step inside to have a gander at our latest magazine feature.
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.
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
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.
Rachael & Michael’s Cleveland wedding
I finally finished editing all 569 of Rachael and Michael’s wedding photos. To this date, their wedding contains the most photos I have ever delivered. I tend to edit really tight so my clients receive only the best photographs. With Rachael and Michael’s wedding, I just couldn’t cut any more. It felt like I was choosing between my children (not that I have any, just saying). Make the jump to see a few good photos.
Preview – Rachael and Michael’s Cleveland wedding
We had a long drive home that night. Michael, my second photographer, and I were exhausted. Slowly we began to recover and started discussing the night’s events. We knew we had captured a really special wedding. It was not until later that we both realized how special it really was….
Creative Wedding Photos – Polaroids
Back again with a little more of Jamie and Ethan. I mentioned before that they were dream clients. They really let me experiment in many ways to provide creative wedding photography unique for them. Given this latitude, I went all out with Polaroids.
Jamie & Ethan – Cleveland wedding
Have you ever had a day where everything seems to go your way? I had one not too long ago. A couple was recommended to me by a fellow photographer. So that’s good. Then the couple hired me to photograph their wedding in Cleveland. OK, getting better. Then they gave me complete creative freedom! I nearly had a creative orgasm on the spot. Read on to learn about their wedding and what I did to make it special.
Bailee & Aaron – Cleveland Botanical Gardens wedding
Out of the blue I received a call from Bailee. She was searching for a wedding photographer and their wedding was just around the corner. By some luck of Oden, I was free for their big wedding day. The luck was not hers, but mine. You see, they were getting married at my favorite venue of all time. Hit the jump to see the great location and some of my favorite photos.
Will your wedding album outlast changing fashion?
For couples, there is a lot to consider when designing a wedding photo album. The easy stuff is whether the album quality made and printed on acid-free, archival paper. Just about any wedding photographer can provide a high-quality album. But what about a great design that outlasts changing fashion?
Have you ever seen a dated wedding album? Maybe your parents or a friends wedding album? Just a few bad choices can quickly can quickly ruin a wedding album. Photos stylized with too many actions or page layouts that are more about fashion than thoughtful design can “age” quickly. This is a problem that I see a lot. The following tips may help when working with your photographer to design your album.
