Engagement category | Page 12 of 26 | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Courtney & Bill – A Winter Engagement in Lakewood

I try to make engagement sessions memorable for my clients. I always suggest that the session be a small part of a more romantic day. For example, I suggest they plan a nice dinner for after the session. I also like to include locations that have special meaning for my clients. For example, where they first met or where they were engaged. So was the case for Courtney and Bill. We returned to where they met, and spent many hours together.

While Courtney and Bill currently live in Florida, we returned to where they met for their engagement session. It also happens to be my current home town – Lakewood. To make things really personal, we also visited the Kenilworth Bar and Grille. They first met at the Kenilworth, through mutual friends I believe, and lived nearby before moving to Florida. And like any good session, it started with a beer at the bar.

From there, we simply wandered around our home town, stopping from time to time for a few photos. While it was bitterly cold, I think the entire session came out wonderfully. I especially love Courtney’s bright pink coat and Bill’s scarf. We ended the session by the lake shore. While a bit windy, the shoreline made for a gorgeous backdrop. Below are just a few highlights. Personally I can’t wait for their Cleveland wedding. Thankfully, Cleveland is a lot warmer in September.

A winter engagement session in Lakewood, Ohio with Courtney and Bil

Lauren & James – An Engagement in the Sunny Valley

The weekend of Lauren and James’ engagement session was an exciting one for me. In addition to their session, I had two others planned. It was going to be a busy weekend, but I was filled with creative energy. I felt as though the whole weekend would go perfectly, and the results exceeded my expectations, especially with Lauren and James.

On Saturday afternoon, I pulled into my parking space in the Cuyahoga Valley. I was just a little early, as always. I dug my gear out of the trunk and my phone rang. “How can we find this place,” Lauren asked. “Can you tell me where you are and I will guide you,” I responded. It’s amazing how many answers can spring from that one simple question. After going back and forth for a moment, I finally realized where Lauren and James were coming from. I watched as they descended into the valley from the hilltop and guided them into the parking lot.

We then met while standing in the parking lot, and for the first time. Like many of my clients, we first met only by phone. Both Lauren and James were beaming. Hardly nervous at all, they were ready to start their engagement session. We had a simply plan for that sunny Saturday afternoon in the valley. We would simply walk around, stopping to take pictures from time to time. The location offered everything we needed, so we chose to keep the session simple.

As we walked, we chatted about how they were engaged. Both Lauren and James love the outdoors, and often go on hikes together. So James planned a very special adventure for the proposal. He charted a course through the woods and laid treasure at the end. The next day, he lead Lauren on a hike. He gave her a compass and some simple instructions to follow. Soon they arrived at a hidden fire-circle in the woods. James then presented Lauren with a treasure map. She quickly located the stashed loot – a buried box containing highlights from their life together. It was at that moment that James proposed, while alone together in the woods.

I’d like to think that Lauren’s smile that day was like the one just below – full and beaming with joy.
Sunny evening engagement with Lauren and James

Lauren and James were such naturals during their engagement session. I think the love really comes through. And the gorgeous light doesn’t hurt either. At this point, I’m just waiting to see them again at their Cleveland wedding. I’m certain it will be amazing!

Carlene & Arlo – Rock n’ Rollers Downtown Cleveland Engagement

Carlene and Arlo are real rock n’ rollers. They first met at a concert benefiting a friend at the House of Blues Cleveland. Like so many love songs say, things started with a bang. Now, they are planning their upcoming wedding, conveniently also at the House of Blues.

I actually know Carlene from a prior wedding. I met her first as a bridesmaid in her cousin’s wedding. She made the entire day A.W.E.S.O.M.E. It was such an amazing wedding, simply made better by Carlene’s amazing sense of humor and bright personality. For the same reasons, her engagement session was also that much better. We lucked out an had amazing weather, despite the early March session. To match well with their upcoming wedding, we chose a city-scape theme, highlighting some great areas around downtown Cleveland.

Being huge music fans, we had to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Carlene and Arlo. With the warm weather, we were even able to spend some time by the lake shore. I recommend to clients that they plan something special for the evening after their engagement session. “Do you have anything special planned for this evening,” I asked. Carlene replied with the expected – “We’re going to see a concert at the House of Blues!”

Below are just a few highlights from this amazingly fun engagement session, all caught on film.

Crisp winter dowtown engagement session with Carlene and Arlo. Crisp winter dowtown engagement session with Carlene and Arlo.

I love the broad scene caught above. It’s the only frame shot digitally. For the photographers lurking about, the rest are all Fuji 400h (even the B&W) shot on a Contax 645. That’s all for today. More to come soon.

Category: Engagement