I arrived at the hotel, gave Jan a call and then headed up to their suite. When I exited the elevator, to my right, was the pool deck. The sun was shining but the deck was cast in soft shade. The lighting on the deck couldn’t have been more perfect. “Our apologies, but the pool deck is closed for the season” read the sign on the glass double doors. Bugger! Double bugger!

I met up with Jan and Dusty in their room and immediately noticed a sliding glass door onto the deck. Unfortunately, the deck for the suite was fenced off from the larger deck. The location was just too perfect to let go. We had to get access to the deck. Jan made a quick call to the hotel manager and the deck was unlocked just for their wedding photos. The sun was beginning to set, which created the most amazing light.

To start the photos, we decided to do a wedding reveal. Jan and Dusty wanted to see each other before the ceremony, which I always recommend for photos. Dusty and I went to the deck and waited for Jan. After a couple portraits of just Dusty, Jan came out in her wedding dress. Immediately I could see the connection between them. I think you will spot the reveal photos among the small collection below.

Jan’s wedding dress was absolutely gorgeous. The fabric and detail were stunning. And of course she looked radiant with it on.

I think you can see what I mean about the pool deck. The light was amazing. Reflections from distant buildings made all of the wedding photos really pop!

Later, we headed down to the street to get some additional variety for their bride and groom portraits. We even stumbled into their favorite park along the river.

On the bus, Dusty was trying to balancing Jan as gently as possible, while the driver did his best to give us all motion sickness. I could not help but to snap a few candid photos as the flickering sunlight passed by.

Dusty really wanted a creative formal photo with all of his groomsmen and the best man, his brother. Just after the wedding ceremony, we grabbed the following shot at the Athenaeum theater. Just a little extra lighting made the photo really come alive.

So when in doubt, ask for access. Frankly, I was prepared to jump the fence or fight off ninjas to get great wedding photos. But I guess a call to the manager was the easy way. Jan and Dusty are an absolutely amazing couple and deserve the very best.

That’s all for now. Next up will be some great pet photography of two weimaraners, but that is for another day.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

Bailee and Aaron’s friends and family – find all the wedding images here

Bailee and Aaron had managed to reserve the Cleveland Botanical Gardens on a Sunday. Not only that, but their wedding was held in early June. The gardens were in full bloom. The rose were red, the violets were blue, Aaron love Bailee its true. On my scouting trip to the gardens the day before, I realized just how special their ceremony would be.

You’ve gotta believe too! The forecast said rain, rain, rain all week. However, by the time we stepped into the Cleveland Botanical Gardens for the big event, the skies had cleared and it was just another beautiful sunny wedding day in Cleveland.

Here are a few of my favorite photographs from the ceremony and reception -

I absolutely love the photograph above of Bailee dancing with her father. The expression on his face is so priceless. Not to mention, he is genuinely a nice man. Funny too! By the way, one last wedding tip for the photographers. If you ask your subject to wave their hands in the air, give them a sound effect. Weeeeeee!

See y'all soon,
Hunter

While I am a Cleveland wedding photographer, Molly and Justin’s wedding was held in Columbus, Ohio. I volunteered to help a dear friend of mine shoot the wedding in Columbus. After all, my friend shot my wedding, so I had to help. Molly and Justin looked beautiful that day, the weather was grand for early May, and the venues could not have been more gorgeous. For those that are interested, the wedding reception was held at the Columbus Athletic Club in Columbus, Ohio.

Enough said, here are some of my favorite photos from their wedding -

See y'all soon,
Hunter

OMG, OMG, OMG…the wedding I have been waiting for all year finally happened. And it was awesome. Jeremy, my assistant, and I got a insane amount of wedding photos. I will be editing the photos for weeks, but it was totally worth it. With wedding clients like Kate and Brian, you can’t help but to get excited.

Kate and Brian wedding was in Lakewood, Ohio and the wedding reception was in downtown Cleveland, Ohio at the BP Building. The settings could not have been better.

I even got a chance to pull out the big studio lights and use strobes on a stick at night time. I could not have done this without Jeremy. When it comes to lighting a wedding, you have to have an assistant. It just takes too much time and you don’t want to bore your wedding photography clients. Plus, you don’t want to look like a mouth-breathing fool either.

See y'all soon,
Hunter

An early May wedding can be a little risky when it comes to rain. This time around, the weekend was all sun and no clouds the entire time. The weather could not have been better for a wedding. All over the Miami campus flowers were in bloom, birds were singing, deer were prancing, rabbits were hopping…OK, not exactly. But it was nice.

Even better was the wedding party filled with close friends and family. Here are just a few of my favorites -

The detailing covering the entire surface of Nancy’s wedding dress was absolutely amazing and it fit her perfectly.

When the girls were getting ready for the wedding at Nancy’s house, they were standing in a dark room. At first I was worried about the photos, but the light pouring through the window made for some great, edgy lighting.

I had the image above printed on canvas as a wedding gift for Nick and Nancy. I love how the photo conveys stepping into another stage of life. The detail in the full sized canvas is really amazing.

There may or may not have been a little drinking. I am not saying there was, just saying it could have happened.

The wedding ceremony getaway car happened to be a Bentley Flying Spur. I was instantly in love with that car and nearly got in it with Nick and Nancy, but thought that might be a bit much. Instead, I just took 50 photos of it (seriously).

During some brief formal photos, Nick and Nancy’s family and friends had me absolutely doubled over with laughter. Nancy’s sister had an especially dry wit that kept me laughing the entire time. I think their willingness to let go and almost forget I was there really made for some great photos.

So, that about covers the wedding at Miami. stop back soon to have a look at new weddings and engagements going online soon. Also, consider “Liking” us on Facebook for following the daily action on Twitter.

P.S. – I would gladly accept a Bentley Flying Spur, Mulsanne or GTC to photograph a wedding. Just sayin’

See y'all soon,
Hunter