Blog | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Didi & Henry – A Golden Winter Engagement in Downtown Cleveland

We met in the courtyard of Didi and Henry’s apartment building. In the shade, it was quite cold. Henry and Didi ran inside to grab Penelope and we were off. Once in the sun, you could feel the heat baking down. Well, it was still February, but it felt wonderfully warm. Anyhow, just to have beautiful, golden light in February was welcome. We drove over to Shaker Heights for some photos with Penelope, Henry and Didi’s lovely adopted dog. There after, it was time for just Didi and Henry.

As we walked around the museum campus near downtown Cleveland, we talked about what they do and how they met. Both Henry and Didi attend Case Western Reserve University for a special program in medical research. They met in a similar fashion. They spend their days researching at the outer edges of medicine. Henry completely lost me when I asked about his current research. I consider myself well-informed, but I didn’t understand a lick about what he’s researching. Let’s just say his work could lead to innovations in human skull formation. Yup, that’s all I could understand.

Together as a couple, Didi and Henry are some kind of amazing. Sharing the same career interests is wonderful. They also share a deep interest in each other. Spend just a little time with them and this becomes evident. Below are a few favorite photos from our short time together in Shaker Heights and around Cleveland.

Didi and Henry - Golden Winter engagement photos in downtown Cleveland

Penelope was a bit scared at first, and clung close to Henry and Didi.

Didi and Henry - Golden Winter engagement photos in downtown Cleveland

Above, Henry looking dashing. Below, Didi and Henry caught in the golden light near the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

Didi and Henry - Golden Winter engagement photos in downtown Cleveland

Above and below you can easily see why I love evening engagement sessions. The light in the shade takes on a blue tone, while the sunlight itself goes to a peachy golden color.

Didi and Henry - Golden Winter engagement photos in downtown Cleveland

Above are a couple real film photos. I love using film for the amazing quality it allows, but more so for how it changes my approach. Everything slows down and peaceful moments are captured.

Didi and Henry - Golden Winter engagement photos in downtown Cleveland

Didi and I share one distinct thing in common – a love of shoes. She planned to change her shoes multiple times. My favorites were the purple ones at the end, but I’ll personally stick with my well-worn brown pair. There’s more coming soon, so stop back again. Until then, you can keep up with our latest work on Facebook. Also, check out our latest feature about growing a successful photography business.

Guide to Growing a Wedding Photography Business

I have some recommended reading for you. Don’t worry, this one is easy and short. If you are a wedding photographer, or considering becoming one, definitely check out the latest guide from PhotoShelter – How to Grow a Wedding Photography Business. This PDF guide features a lot of great content covering everything from marketing to client care. It also features input from top industry professionals including Ryan Brenizer, Brian Dorsey and your’s truly. You can get your free copy here.

In the guide, I discuss a few topics critical to starting a successful wedding photography business. Key point include correcting for the inevitable mistakes, creating a cohesive brand, and building your site for solid SEO performance (that’s Google, y’all). I highly recommend getting a copy for yourself. I plan to read it cover-to-cover tonight.

But wait, there’s more! When PhotoShelter interviewed me for the guide, we talked for a solid hour. The whole process has been a pleasure. However, there were a couple tips I forgot to include during the interview. To provide additional benefit, I though I would include the additional information right here.

Are you absolutely certain?
Photography can sound like a wonderful career. People have visions of running all over the world photographing amazing clients in beautiful locations. But that’s not how it works. In reality, photography is tough. It doesn’t pay well and you have to work very long hours. Of the hours you do work, very few are actually spent capturing photographs. The balance of the time is spent running a business, caring for your clients, editing photos, and really boring stuff like….taxes!

So ask yourself this – must I become a professional photographer to be happy? If you like your job well enough and enjoy time with your family, consider remaining a very serious amateur. There is nothing wrong with being the best damn amateur photographer ever. However, if you are chasing a vision in your head that you can’t get out, then maybe it is time to become a pro. One commonality among the professionals I know is an insatiable drive to capture a certain vision again and again. It’s not something they can let go.

It’s a vision thing
Being a master at business and client relations is important, but when it comes to any creative pursuit, you need a solid vision that defines your work. Developing this vision is like developing a muscle – it needs work each and every day. Here are some initial steps I took to hone my personal vision –

Use a tool like Google reader to build a large collection of work that speaks to you. Google reader is a great tool for curating work from other photography blogs.
Over time, decide which of the collected works really speak to you. Eliminate all those that don’t.
Hone the remaining list down to those that share common visual themes. What you like creatively will begin to stick out.
With your list of “visionaries” in mind, take the style you have curated and make it your own. Add your personal touch.

The above is not something that has an ending. It’s a muscle you must constantly exercise.

It’s always personal
The saying “it’s just business” makes my skin crawl. Who could think such a thing?! Business is, and should be, very personal. Build your photography or creative business around relationships. Serve your clients well and constantly surprise them. Show them you care about more than just their work. Demonstrate that you care for them as people. As I mention in the guide, a core component to my brand is that I want my clients to feel as though they were given a gift. This is a critical part of what I do for my clients – and it’s deeply personal for me and for them.

That’s all for today. Definitely checkout the guide. Also, stop back here often. I will be adding much more content for photographers very soon. Until then, you can keep up with our current work on Facebook.

Molly & Dave – A Wedding for Valentines

Molly, Dave and I met in the beautiful lobby of the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland quite some time ago. We talked about their upcoming wedding, how they met, and what they were looking forward to in the future. It was the perfect setting since their wedding was planned for the same place. We also got along famously from the beginning. They’re quite possibly one of the nicest couples I have met, and desperately in love.

I think Dave loves Molly because she sees the good in everything, and because she is a great mother to their dog, Bella. She cares deeply for the well-being of all, loves her family and loves her friends. I think Molly loves Dave because he is a rock. He is quite funny and quirky, yet sincere. They both have an amazing sense of style and go together like Dolce and Gabbana.

Their romantic wedding at the Renaissance matched them both perfectly. It was filled with loving friends and family. The ceremony was sincere and touching. The toasts at the reception were funny and quirky. Everyone was lively and the style was impeccable. Of course Molly and Dave looked dashing together. His polka-dot cummerbund seemed to fit perfectly with Molly’s flower-laced dress.

Held so close to valentine’s day, the wedding seemed styled for the occasion. While unintentional, the detailing on Molly’s dress looked like a series of hearts. The cake was pink and beautiful red roses provided by Arne’s amazing team at Blooms Cleveland. Below are a few emotional favorites from this wedding of love.