Posts tagged Cleveland lifestyle photography | Page 5 of 9 | Columbus Wedding Photographer

February – A Time for Celebration

It’s February, and around our house, it’s a time for celebration. Of course there are the typical “holidays”, Valentine’s Day and Marti Gras. For us, though, there are more reasons to celebrate!

First, Valentine’s Day is a little more special for Brooke and I. When we started dating, it was on Valentine’s Day in 2000. We’ve been together for 13 years. While our wedding anniversary has replaced our Valentine’s Day “dating-iversary”, it’s still special to us. Valentine’s day marks our beginning and it always will. Unfortunately, this year one of us spent Valentine’s Day quite ill, but Brooke is on the mend now.

February is also special because it bares Brooke’s birthday. In fact, today is Brooke’s birthday. So, I got her a very special treat. In the south, lane cake is a serious tradition. Often times unheard of in the north, lane cake plays second fiddle to other southern traditions such as BBQ and black-eyed peas. Every family has their own recipe for this delectable cake. Typically, booze is shunned in the south, so most cook’s find a way to hide spirits in foods. Lane cake is no different. It’s loaded with bourbon, our favorite spirit. Some families load so much bourbon into their lane cake that it becomes an adult-only dessert. Otherwise, it’s just simple white cake, Italian meringue frosting, and a filling of pecans, raisins, and other goodness.

A big thanks to the amazing Kim Coryea at Hummingbird Bakeshop for putting together this custom cake. We will certainly enjoy every last bite. Happy birthday to my amazing wife. Brooke – somehow I have always loved you, even before Valentine’s Day, 2000. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Brooke's birthday lane cake by Hummingbird Bake Shop

Summer Family Portraits in Downtown Cleveland

It’s not often I have a chance to do a nice family portrait session. And it’s even more rare to do a session for a friend. That’s why I was so excited to work with my friend, Sarah. She was looking to do some family photos with her wife Melissa and son Julian, and I jumped at the opportunity. By why be so excited about a simple family session?

To understand, we have to take a little step back to how I know Sarah in the first place. Being a wedding photographer, I have to work with many different people nearly every weekend. Typically, there is very little consistency and you meet new people all the time. Developing solid relationships with other people contributing to a wedding is important. And that’s one way I know Sarah. We’ve worked with each other on a few different weddings. I’m always happy to arrive and see Sarah working her hair styling magic. She’s just a dream to work with. And I think she feels the same way. She’s more than happy to refer work my way.

Speaking of which, there are other ways I know Sarah and Melissa as well. In December, I will see Melissa again at her sister’s wedding thanks to Sarah. Also, I have worked with Sarah’s cousin before. So all the more reason that giving back is important. If I have the chance to help a friend, I’ll take it. And Sarah feels the same, which is great for both of us. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing their family again, but for now, enjoy just a few favorites from their loving family portrait session in downtown Cleveland –

Summer family portraits in downtown Cleveland

Julian was a real dream to work with. He was not camera shy at all, and filled with energy.

Summer family portraits in downtown Cleveland

I think the last one on the left might be my favorite. Their are many other portraits from this session, but we’ll save those just for the family. Again, and million thanks to Sarah and Melissa for making Sunday so much fun. Can’t wait to see you both again!

Sailing Grenada on Film

We finally found a break in our hectic schedules. When we were young, it was so easy to take family vacations. As my brother and I have gotten older and have careers of our own, it has become much more difficult. However, the end of March was our time. It had been decades since we had sailed together as a family. So long, in fact, that Brooke had never been. We booked our trip and started to gear up for a week sailing Grenada (one country) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (another country). I was excited to momentarily step away from wedding photography, and cold Cleveland. Now I just needed to decide what to bring.

I gave myself a fun little challenge – one camera, one lens and one film stock. Then lens wasn’t even a zoom and there was no digital “crutch”. Below are a few favorites with minimal commentary –

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – St. George, Grenada. Below, my father at the helm and Brooke taking her first turn.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Sailing has it’s own language. Unless you speak it, things can get really confusing.

Sailing Grenada on Film

My brother moving us through the water at six knots, and Brooke taking a sunset swim.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Pulling into Hillsborough Harbor on Carriacou Island at sunset.

Sailing Grenada on Film

My brother waiting at the fish market while our Dorado was cleaned at fileted.

Sailing Grenada on Film

We almost made Peter the new masthead on the boat.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – colors from Clifton Harbor on Union Island. Below – Angelo photobombing my brother.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above – Happy Island and rum punches. Also my brother making some iphonography.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above- Brooke looking radiant at Happy Island and back on the boat.

Sailing Grenada on Film

Above and below – Mopion Island, which might be the most photographed island in the world. The island is tiny and the single umbrella is perfect. We left our mark, albeit in temporary charcoal. I can say one thing – the island definitely needs a bottle opener.

Sailing Grenada on Film