Blog | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Lauren & Ben – Cleveland Museum of Art Engagement Session

Before Lauren and Ben’s session at the Cleveland Museum of Art, there was some discussion about timing. They wanted to make sure a morning engagement session would work well, especially since I shoot most sessions near sunset. With some encouragement, a morning session it would be. I knew Lauren and Ben wanted (and deserved) the best. I love that my clients but such careful consideration into each session. Lauren and Ben even wanted me to select my favorite location. Love them!

So the museum it was. I might say “the museum”, but what I really mean is the entire Wade Oval area. We walked around the museum, Wade pond and Case Western Reserve University. The University itself is gorgeous and well worth adding to the mix. I guess including a school makes sense too, even if it’s not the right one. After all, Lauren and Ben met in school at Kent.

They were both in the same bible study together. From the way Ben tells it, Lauren immediately caught his eye. Being a little bashful – and who wouldn’t around Lauren – Ben took his time. To get to know Lauren better, he’d go out of his way on campus just to bump into her. By complete “accident”, he’d be in the right place at the right time. Like any great relationship, they started off as friends, and remained so for a while. But things developed from there.

And that’s why we are here today – two great friends in love. Below are some highlights from their engagement session, all captured on film. I certainly can’t wait for their wedding at Gervasi Vineyards. I know it will be simply stunning. For now though, enjoy some favorites below.

A Cleveland Museum of Art engagement session captured on film with Lauren and Ben A Cleveland Museum of Art engagement session captured on film with Lauren and Ben

Sarah & Kyle – An Evening Engagement Session by the Lakes

I was standing in the library parking lot at Coe Lake waiting for Sarah and Kyle to arrive. The plan for their evening engagement session was to start at Coe Lake in Berea, then head over to Huntington Beach in Bay Village to wrap up at sunset. It wasn’t until just a few minutes ago that I realized we planned their engagement session beside the shores of two lakes – Coe and Erie. Strange, but true. Maybe I should plan the same in the future, since I love how the photos turned out!

When Kyle and Sarah did arrive, I noticed something strange. Or, at least, it was strange to me. “You’re a paratrooper,” I asked Kyle. I had noticed something on his car that gave away his past. His paratrooper past seemed strange relative to how I had seen the two of them together. They are both very loving and clearly close friends. Furthermore, the idea of a hardened paratrooper didn’t seem to match with what I know of their engagement story.

Kyle hatched the engagement plan a full year in advance. Each year, Sarah and Kyle color Easter eggs together. It was this yearly tradition that initially gave Kyle the idea. Flash forward a full year and he was ready. Again they were coloring eggs together when Kyle scrawled a message on one egg with a clear wax pencil. Into the dye went the egg and the message was revealed. The note on the egg was presented – “Sarah will you marry me.” Of course the answer was yes, or we wouldn’t be here today.

That is some serious planning and a seriously brilliant idea! It definitely ranks as one the best engagement stories I have heard. I guess a good story deserves good photos. I certainly hope you enjoy some of my favorite highlights below –

A summer sunset engagement session at Coe Lake captured on film with Sarah and Kyle

Caroline & Todd – A Downtown Cleveland Wedding at the Hyatt Arcade

It was going to be a very long day, but we were well prepared. The longest wedding of the year was finally here, and certainly it was one of the most important. It was Caroline & Todd’s wedding day and everything had to be perfect. Thankfully, the locations were gorgeous and all within easy reach of each other. The ceremony would be at St. Ann’s Church, just up the hill from the Cleveland Museum of Art, where we would do the wedding portraits. Finally, we would end the day at the Hyatt Arcade in downtown Cleveland for the wedding reception.

When I arrived at Caroline’s family home, all the ladies were quickly getting ready. There was an excitement that goes along with any big day. After shooting some details, including Caroline’s gorgeous Jimmy Choo’s, it was time for her to get ready. One of my favorite moments of the wedding took place in the morning. Without any prompt from me, Caroline’s mother, grandmother and sister-in-law gathered around as she got ready – watching, listening, helping and hugging.

The rest of the wedding day was filled with similar intimate moments. Todd’s look from the altar as he saw Caroline for the first time was priceless. Caroline beamed with joy as Todd said his vows. A big hug from grandmother put a seal of approval on the entire ceremony. After the ceremony, there was a big exit to an awaiting Ford limousine. We headed off to the Cleveland Museum of Art for some bridal party photos. Mostly, the photos simply became friends and family having fun together. At the reception, the great moments continued.

The wedding reception design put together by Caroline and Valarie from Kirkbrides was simply stunning. Long tables filled the reception at the Hyatt Arcade. Each was decorated in a theme of chevron and purple. Even the guest favors were tied neatly with a chevron-patterned bow. And the three-tier wedding cake was simply amazing. The wedding reception got off to a poignant start with a emotional first dance, followed by personal and heartfelt toasts. Dancing and partying then followed late into the night.

And I do mean late into the night. The reception went past 11:00 and concluded with everyone dancing around Caroline and Todd to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. That was…AWESOME! Across the street we went for an after-party event at the Corner Alley. If you asked me a year ago if I would see a bride bowling in her dress, I’d have thought never. Well, you never know what you will see at a wedding!

I’m so thrilled with how everything turned out and I certainly hope you enjoy the highlights below.

Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd. Hyatt Arcade Cleveland wedding with Caroline and Todd.