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Laura & Joey – A Kent State University Engagement

I was early, but the rain was pouring down. Instead of scouting around Kent State, I decide to just get a cup of coffee and wait. In about an hour, my engagement session with Laura and Joey was due to start. I knew the rain would pass soon enough, but I hate waiting. I was excited to be back at KSU for another session and just wanted to get started. The sun began to poke through the rain, creating a rainbow over campus. Time to go.

When we were planning the session, Laura and Joey told me about how they met. Laura moved into a new house on campus with a bunch of friends. Joey did the same, and happened to be next door to Laura. In no time at all, Laura and Joey met for the first time. Now, this is where there is some debate. Laura says that she immediately called “dibs” on Joey to keep her friends away. She also said that he was a little oblivious at first to her intentions. Joey claims he was aware, but waiting for the right time. In any case, the right time eventually came.

And it eventually came in Florence, Italy of all places. Joey was studying in Florence for the semester, and Laura decided to visit. While in Florence, Laura and Joey had their first date. Imagine traveling all that way for a first date!

So of course a little rain wasn’t going to stop our engagement session. We met in front of the painted rock and off we went. Below are just a few of my favorites from this exciting evening, and thanks to Allie Herstich for the styling –

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

In the heart of campus – showing a little alma mater pride.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

I had scouted out a great location, but by the time we arrived, a van was parked in the way. While I was deciding what to do, Joey and Laura were left alone. I just happened to capture the candid moment above.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

We paid a visit to the houses where they first met. While just campus houses, they hold a special place for Laura and Joey.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

Matching Chucks – check!

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

After a quick outfit change, it was time for some individual portraits.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

Laura and Joey's Kent State Engagement session by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic.

I love the last moment above. It feels like anticipation to me. That’s all for today. More will be coming very soon, so check back often. I can say the next item to be published is an out-of-this-world gorgeous wedding from downtown Cleveland. Foodies will definitely want to check this one out!

VIDEO – VSCO Film with Custom Settings

Previously I published a video overview of the new VSCO Film preset package for Lightroom. The video got a great response, and thank you everyone for watching. Since that time, a new version of Lightroom and VSCO have been released. In the original video overview, I mentioned a couple key points about VSCO Film that I didn’t like, one being that it affects sharpening settings. I also noted an easy solution to this problem. Since that time, viewers have asked for a follow-up video demonstrating the solution.

So today we have a brief follow-up video which demonstrates how to mix VSCO Film presets with your own custom settings in Lightroom. In essence, we create a new preset after applying our favorite VSCO film emulsion and tweaking to match our desires. Creating a custom preset tailored to your style and workflow will help to reduce the time you spend editing, and get you back to shooting.

So that was my Sunday – quickly followed by a beer. I hope everyone enjoyed the video. Looking forward, the next item on my list is a post about VSCO recipes that I use. In essence, it will be a post showing example photos and the settings I used to create them. That’s all for today. Definitely stop back soon as I will have a lot more content coming quickly.

Molly & Dave – A Custom Heirloom Wedding Album & Presentation Box

After each wedding there is a ton of work to be done. All the photos must be downloaded, backed up, culled and selects edited. Then digital copies are uploaded for online presentation, client discs created and meetings scheduled. Most important is drafting my clients’ wedding album. I always present clients with a draft album design because it eases the design process. Clients may choose to change a little or a lot, but a good draft offers an excellent starting place. The final album and presentation box just arrived for Molly and Dave, and I could not be more amazed with the results.

Molly and Dave's custom heirloom wedding album and proof presentation box

Like so many of my clients, Molly and Dave chose a matching proof presentation box and wedding album crafted personally for them by the amazing team at Cypress Albums. For the exterior, they chose soft tones of platinum and green. The Heirloom album is wrapped beautifully in Japanese bookbinding silk, debossed with their names and wedding date. They also choose to include a presentation box to preserve and protect their wedding album. The box is also a great display piece. Concerning color, their choice reflects something I recommend – match the exterior design to your home decor instead of your wedding colors. This is because the album often ends up on display.

Molly and Dave's custom heirloom wedding album and proof presentation box

Molly and Dave's custom heirloom wedding album and proof presentation box

For the interior design, Molly and Dave chose to stick with our contemporary, clean look. The wedding photos are simply presented on a white background to best highlight the imagery. This clean design is always in fashion, so their wedding photos won’t suffer from changing trends. Molly and Dave also chose to include detail photos, which provide context to the album.

Molly and Dave's custom heirloom wedding album and proof presentation box

Completing the set is the proof presentation box. Each wedding photos is professional printed and presented in the gorgeous box by Cypress. Like the wedding album, Molly and Dave chose to match proof box to the album design. I love how the soft green ribbon ties the two together.

Molly and Dave's custom heirloom wedding album and proof presentation box

A big thanks to Brooke for modeling. The album weights a ton, so I needed a strong lady. I love you, Sweetheart. For those reading, I just go word more results are shipping my way. Hopefully I will have a chance to show more client designs in the near future.

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