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Jacklyn & Adam – A Summer Engagement in Bay Village

After a couple photos, I stopped and asked “Not too difficult, right?” Both Jacklyn and Adam nodded as they stood in the driveway of Jacklyn’s family home in Bay Village. We had just begun their summer engagement sessions and the nerves were starting to settle. Just a few minutes prior, we were all running around making final wardrobe decisions and polishing off a drink to calm the nerves. At this point, the session was well under way and developing a flow of it’s own.

The plan was rather simple – start at the family home and then move out to other locations around Bay Village, including Huntington Beach. We would end the engagement session around sunset in downtown Cleveland. I had the perfect place picked out with a great city view. Jacklyn was really excited to feature her hometown in the engagement photos. Adam, being from St. Louis, was just happy to explore the city a little bit more.

As the session went on, we shoot a little and then talk as we moved from one spot to another. At one point, I was reminded of Jacklyn & Adam’s engagement story. They’re a refreshingly down-to-earth couple, and so is their engagement story. It starts simply enough, with Jacklyn and Adam relaxing at home. Jacklyn knew the engagement was coming soon, but not exactly when. She had just finished getting ready, when Adam beckoned her over. As she approached, Adam started to talk about love and life together. As Jacklyn puts it, these kind of statements were out of character for Adam. Apparently, it was so out of character that Jacklyn exclaimed “Are you proposing or something?” In that very instant, Adam turned white. Realizing the moment she was in, Jacklyn of course said yes, which brings us back to today.

Below are just a few highlights from the session, all captured on film. I love how we were able to highlight so many locations from around Bay Village, especially Jacklyn’s home. For Adam – Martin says hello. He’ll know what that means. For everyone else – enjoy!

A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam. A summer engagement session in Cleveland with Jacklyn and Adam.

Brittany & Phil – A Well-Documented Love Affair

After receiving Brittany’s email, I was left with a feeling of familiarity. Something about her message left me curious with a sense of Déjà vu. I started a quick hunt through my email archive and it didn’t take long to identify the familiar source. I had chatted with Brittany previously when she was planning her wedding. While I didn’t end up capturing her wedding, she had reached out to me once more to capture her first anniversary photos with, now husband, Phil.

I think Brittany & Phil have a truly brilliant plan for their life together. They intend to get professional photographs every year on or around their wedding anniversary. I’m thrilled just to be included as the first photographer in this plan. Honestly, my wife and I believe the same, but are rather lacking with our actual execution. Something tells me this won’t be the case for Brittany & Phil.

So why does this plan make so much sense to me? We say “love affair” when we speak of couples whose connection seems transient. Instead, I like to believe “love affair” should refer to life-long passions tied to your most dear partner. Rather than speaking of a transient connection, “love affair” should speak of deep, smoldering, lasting lives together. “Love affairs” should be the kind of relationship we tell out children about. It shouldn’t be transient or temporary, but instead documented and savored.

So here is a salute to Brittany & Phil’s well-documented love affair. I certainly hope you enjoy the little highlights below from this life well-lived – together.

A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil.

Diane & Joe – A Summer Wedding at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club

Before Diane & Joe’s wedding, there was some frantic back-and-forth between Diane and I. We were debating whether more coverage time was needed for their upcoming wedding at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club. On one side, more time could be helpful. On the other side, adding more time was really just “gilding the lily” that would come at a cost. We settled on leaving things as is.

That is, until I arrived at the wedding. In a calculating way, I just decided to arrive a little early. After all, there is always value in having a little “extra”, whatever that extra might be. Doing so gave us all the luxury of time for their beautiful summer wedding. Showing up a little early and staying just a little late cost me nothing, but it would ensure the best opportunity to capture a great wedding.

The extra time made capturing little details all that much easier. Like Diane’s beautiful blue suede wedding shoes embroidered with delicate white lace. The extra time made organizing their emotional first look that much easier. I absolutely love Diane’s look as Joe turned around to meet her eyes.

The extra time just made for a more relaxed day. Capturing Diane & Joe with their wedding party became such a joy. Universally, each person in their wedding party was so nice and absolutely wonderful to be around. The same story is true for the Bride and Groom’s parents, who were so gracious and welcoming.

More so, the extra time gave us the opportunity to slow down and capture everything just right. So much so, that I brought out film for the wedding, which is a rare treat. We even ended the night with some gorgeous sunset photos on film. For Diane & Joe – thank you so much for having me as a small part of your wedding day. It’s been a thrilling experience. I certainly hope you enjoy the highlights below.

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