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Anna & BryanKirtland Country Club Wedding

“Stop it, you’re going to make me cry” seemed to be a common refrain at Anna & Bryan’s Kirtland Country Club wedding. I had arrived early and took some time to look around the country club. Clouds loomed overhead as I walked around. Soon, I joined the ladies in a small room upstairs. Anna was in the make-up chair. Her bridesmaids sat around a small table telling stories while eating lunch. I would hear “stop it, you’re going to make me cry” from time to time as I photographed details.

The sense of exuberant joy welling up continued through out the day. I could have sworn I saw Anna shed a small tear during their first look on the country club lawn. Later, bridesmaids were beaming with joy, while at the same time just barely holding back. For the portraits, we had wandered deep into Kirtland Country Club’s golf course. I think we were by the tenth tee. We started to head back for the wedding ceremony. While walking back, I kept checking over my shoulder.

We arrived on the back lawn where the outdoor ceremony would be held. I organized the family and started taking portraits. Keeping and eye on the horizon, I sped up the pace. I could see in the distance, that dams were about to break. The first dam to break would be the sky. The storms had finally arrived. We just finished the family photos and everyone rushed inside. Meanwhile, the outdoor ceremony setup was quickly moved indoors. The second dam to break internal.

Tears finally arrived during the upbeat and heartfelt ceremony. Tears continued during the toasts at dinner as family shared fond memories. At one point I almost cried. Anna’s father ended his toast with “to Bryan and Anna, and all the connections.” I guess you had to be there, and you can be. See the video below by Leigh Zeidner Pictures to get a real sense of how power his toast was.

I hope you enjoy all the highlights below. And to Anna & Bryan – simply thank you.

Anna and Bryan wedding at Kirtland Country Club by Hunter Photographic Kirtland Country Club wedding photography with Anna and Bryan First look at Kirtland Country Club by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Kirtland Country Club wedding photography with Anna and Bryan Anna and Bryan wedding at Kirtland Country Club by Hunter Photographic Wedding ceremony at Kirtland Country Club by Cleveland wedding photographer Hunter Photographic Kirtland Country Club wedding photography with Anna and Bryan Anna and Bryan wedding reception at Kirtland Country Club by Hunter Photographic Kirtland Country Club wedding photography with Anna and Bryan Anna and Bryan wedding at Kirtland Country Club by Hunter Photographic

Make sure you check out the video featurette from Anna and Bryan’s wedding as well –

Ceremony & Reception Venue – Kirtland Country Club
Wedding Design & Planning – Kirkbrides
Videography – Leigh Zeidner Pictures
Hair & Make-up Styling – Lindsay London Bridal Beauty
Floral Design – Urban Orchid
Cake – Luna Bakery
Dress Boutique – Something White Bridal Boutique
Entertainment – Scott Jones, Cleveland Music Group

Cleveland Family Photography – Holden Arboretum – Henry & Didi

At first, I thought I had arrived early, but I turned to noticed Henry and Didi pulling into a parking spot. It’s been a while since I have seen them and they look as good as always. A few years ago, I was lucky to capture their Cleveland engagement session. In the short time since, so much has changed.

Henry and Didi are now married and have a beautiful little boy. He’s growing so fast, and so are Henry and Didi. Henry is about to embark on the next phase of his career, which will take him out to the Pacific coast. Soon after, Didi and family will follow. So this might be the last I see of this fantastic family. When planning their Cleveland family photography session, we kept coming back to the same idea. The session had to take place at Holden Arboretum and it had to be at sunset. As luck would have it, their family photography session turned out perfectly.

The sun beamed strongly across Holden as we walked through the beautifully manicured gardens. The resulting colors are filled with pastels and bright highlights. More importantly, Henry & Didi’s little boy was so well behaved. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a young boy so calm and relaxed in front of the camera. By the end of the session, we had captured some wonderfully intimate moments between this young family. Below you can find just a few highlight from their family photography session, all captured on gorgeous film.

Cleveland family photography at Holden Arboretum captured on film

For the photographers among us, the above was captured by a Contax 645 and Nikon F5 on Fuji 400H and developed/scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

Cleveland Engagement Photography – Museum of Art – Clare & Kyle

The quarter made a clang as I dropped it into the parking meter. I checked the time on the meter as I heard a car door shut. Glancing left, there stood Clare. She was a vision in midnight blue standing in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her dress was an ocean at night; the last hint of blue before all goes black. The neckline was decorated with a constellation of stars. “Oh hi Hunter, I didn’t see you there,” Kyle said from my right. A little speechless, I simply said said “Oh hi.” Looking closer, I noticed the ever so subtle match between Clare & Kyle. He wore a dark blue neck tie speckled with silvery polka dots. It was finally time for their Cleveland engagement photography, so we set off across the green, chatting as we went.

After just a few minutes, it becomes clear that the match between Clare and Kyle is more than fashion. They stood side-by-side in front of the museum as I took a few photos. They gripped each other tight, whispering small jokes between them. Clare would light up with a smile, followed shortly by Kyle. Then the mood would change. She would simply melt into him, just enjoying the closeness. As the engagement session went on, the mood rolled like waves between happiness, love, and comfort.

About halfway through their engagement photography session, we took a little pause for something special. And it requires some explanation. Clare and Kyle will be have a traditional Cleveland wedding, with rather normal vows. As an opportunity to do something different, they each wrote a simple note detailing why, exactly, they would marry each other. Kyle read his note first as Clare shed a tear or two. Then Clare read her note. At the end, Kyle said “You have to hug me now,” and Clare ran forth and leapt into his arms. I swear those photos below are really, really real.

To end their Cleveland engagement photography session, we headed over to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The gardens have quickly becoming a favorite spring and summer photography location. Following a quick outfit change in the car, we got started again. Taking our time, we moved through he Italian, Greek and Hungarian gardens, capturing engagement photos as we went. The clouds finally cleared and we captured some sunset photos just before the end.

It’s really easy to get excited for Clare and Kyle. They truly are that rare, stunning couple who makes my photography work super easy. To say the least, I cannot wait for their upcoming Cleveland wedding. If it’s anything like their engagement photography, it’s bound to be amazing.

Cleveland engagement photography at the Museum of Art and Cultural Gardens with Clare & Kyle Cleveland engagement photography at the Museum of Art and Cultural Gardens with Clare & Kyle