Tagged: cleveland wedding photographer

Carolyn & Dan – Portugal, Neanderthals, and Love Found

Carolyn and Dan are lucky in more ways than one. They have a family, especially and sister, who loves them dearly. Carolyn’s sister was kind enough to gift them photography to celebrate their upcoming wedding. Carolyn and Dan are lucky in other ways as well. They had to travel to a foreign land to find each other, but find each other they did.

Both Carolyn and Dan had similar interests in college. Dan studied anthropology, and Carolyn history. They both traveled to Portugal one summer to participate in an archaeological dig. They spent the summer digging for historical artifacts and neanderthals (sadly, no neanderthals were found). What they did find was each other. Meeting them now, it seems as though they were destined to meet. Dan makes Carolyn smile constantly. Carolyn makes Dan laugh when he’s trying to be serious.

For their engagement session, we simply spent an unusually warm afternoon around downtown Cleveland. We toured Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood and then headed downtown. We ended the session in and around my studio in Lakewood. It’s with great gratitude that I had a chance to work with them. Their next stop is a wonderful wedding in North Carolina. But for now, some of my favorite photos are included below –

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

Under the canopy, the light takes on a different shape. I love how the light entering at the edges falls across Carolyn’s long hair.

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

I suggested a serious look, but what I got was a bit of giggling.

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

OK, there is a good chance that they’re no longer laughing with me. They may be laughing at me, because I can be a little crazy sometimes. Crazy fun, I swear!

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

How could Dan not fall for her. You could practically swim in her crystaline blue eyes.

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

You know what they say – the couple that laughs together, stays together!

Carolyn and Dan's engagement session in downtown Cleveland

Dan looks quite debonair in those last couple photos. That’s all for today. Definitely stop back soon for more as we have lot’s in line. Also, check out our page on Facebook where you can keep up with our current work.

Tara & Brian – University Circle Engagement

For some crazy reason, we volunteered to host Thanksgiving for the first time at our house this year. While I certainly love having family around, I needed to get out of the house by Sunday. Thankfully, I had something fun to look forward to. Tara and Brian were in town to visit with family and we decided to schedule their engagement session as well. Their dog joined in, which is always something I welcome. Tara and Brian didn’t have a special location in mind, so we chose some beautiful favorites of mine.

We met over in the University Circle area and spent some time with their gorgeous yellow lab. At first, their lab was a little skeptical of me, as you’ll  see below. But I think he just wanted to be the center of attention. Don’t all dogs? Our lovely Monty always wants to be the meat in the sandwich.

The weather could not have been better for the session. It was unseasonably warm and we had a thin layer of cloud cover. Even better, Tara and Brian are so easy to work with. They clearly have fun together and the afternoon seemed to just breeze by. Without a doubt I am looking forward to their wedding this summer. They have an amazing location selected and I think their wedding will be one of the best all year. Really excited!

Below are just a few of my favorite photos from the session –

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

Photos of dogs in mid-bark or mid-shake always crack me up. They move in such mysterious ways!

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

See – such a sweet dog.! Tara’s even sweeter. She simply looks so beautiful in the photo above and below. I can see why Brian lovers her so.

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

I love the sparse photo above. It really helps to contribute to the quite moment shared between Tara and Brian.

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

The sun beaming in from behind us was perfect. It seemed to create the perfect colors and highlights.

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

Brian’s actually a funny man, but the “serious” photo above is a nice change of pace. Truthfully, we were laughing the entire time.

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

Tara and Brian University Circle Engagement Session

I really love those last two photos, especially the detail of Tara and Brian’s arms folded together. That’s all for today. We will have lots more soon. Until then, you can keep up with our current work on Facebook.

Alli & Dan – a stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Let’s start with – Alli and Dan’s wedding was truly amazing! It was a great way to end a busy wedding season. For a few reasons, we were so excited to be a small part of their wedding day. They are such a great couple. Also, the location was simply stunning. This wedding happened to be my first Jewish wedding. Last but not least, the ceremony and reception were full of energy and love. The energy permeated everything. I usually have fun at weddings, but Alli and Dan’s wedding at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland was truly a blast!

Working with Alli and Dan could not have been better. Normally working with an out-of-town couple can have some challenges. However, Alli’s family was a huge help. Working with her mother before the wedding made all the difference in the world. Plus, I felt a personal connection to Alli and Dan. They were referred to me by friends and live in my old home town – Chicago.

The wedding was entirely hosted by the Renaissance, with the ceremony and reception in different rooms. The design created by Kim Singerman of Noteworthy Events was stylish, opulent and understated all at the same time. Various tones of white were used throughout and it looked amazing. The reception was lit beautifully to really show off the hotel. To compliment the great design, the team at Stephen Tokar Floral & Designs brought in some amazing floral arrangements. They draped a custom-made chuppah in white orchids and used complimentary flowers to decorate the tables.

So what really kept the guests going late into the night? None other than the Jerry Bruno Orchestra. They were so much fun and created an high-energy atmosphere. Below are just a few of my favorite photographs from the day –

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli’s sisters and mother helped her to slip into her gorgeous wedding dress. The full veil was perfect for Alli. We then headed out into downtown Cleveland for a first look.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Coordinating a first look in an open space can always be tough. Thankfully, it was a little easier this time because we had a great team to help out.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Oooh – so exciting! The anticipation always kills me.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

I love Dan’s reaction to seeing Alli for the first time. That reaction is why I always recommend a first look if my clients are willing.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

One of the best times during a Jewish wedding ceremony is signing the Ketubah (marriage contract). The families gather around as the rabbi reads the document and the bridal party signs it. I really like the wide-angle photojournalistic shot above.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

As I noted above, Alli and Dan’s wedding chuppah was gorgeous. It was draped top to bottom in white orchids, candles and beaded crystal threads.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

All happiness and cheers on their wedding day!

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

The reception design created by Noteworthy Events and Stephen Tokar was lavish and classic! Simple white flowers throughout to match each place setting. Even more so, the lighting design really lit up the room (pun completely intended).

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli’s sisters gave the most heart-felt and hysterical toast. They know Alli and Dan so well, and clearly love them to death.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan’s first dance backed by the Jerry Bruno Orchestra was great. All of the wedding guests stood and cheered the happy couple.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

 The photo above is definitely my favorite. I have a real soft spot for emotional father-daughter dances. Plus, you can just see Alli’s sister in the background snapping a pic of her own.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Of course it wouldn’t be a wedding without the traditional Hora dance. Alli’s mother later commented that it was one of the longest and largest she has seen. I believer her! I was exhausted by the end.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

I think you can see the real excitement above. Everyone, including your’s truly, was so excited for Alli and Dan. You gotta love weddings full of love.

Alli and Dan's stylish autumn wedding in downtown Cleveland

To end, the Jerry Bruno Orchestra doing their thing. One of Alli’s bride’s maids jumped in on the singing action. So, that’s all for today. Definitely stop back soon as I have more coming to the website. Also, give us a “like” on Facebook where you can keep up with our current work.

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