Posts tagged Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Lauren & John – A Spring Engagement Session in the Valley

When I first met Lauren and John via the phone, things could not have gone better. Somehow, I have become a photographer for Hathaway-Brown graduates, of which Lauren is one. Of course Hathaway-Brown has some truly amazing graduates, so I definitely welcome this little niche. For their engagement session, Lauren simply said that they wanted something natural. Doing the engagement session at Cuyahoga Valley National Park immediately sprang to mind. It’s a gorgeous location year around and has a great pastoral feel.

And “natural” seems to be a good fit for Lauren and John. After all, they met in the most natural manner. Lauren was in New York to attend a friends Christmas party. John just so happened to be at the same party. Before long they bumped into each other and started talking. Lauren quickly admitted that John had no “game”, but he was a pleasure to be around. They talked the entire night, mostly about their favorite teams. Being a Seahawks fan, John has bragging rights of Lauren (at least this year).

It most have been a winning combination. Flashing forward, John had already sought permission from Lauren’s parents when he intended to propose. He wanted her family to be present, so he organized a trip to surprise Lauren at school. By the time the trip was organized, Lauren was set to graduate and move. John and her parents met her on the last week of school. Keeping things simply romantic, John proposed to Lauren at home with flowers and a ring. As she puts it, Lauren was so enamored with the ring that she almost forgot to say yes.

Lauren and John are clearly and amazing couple and I simply cannot wait for their Cleveland wedding. It should be absolutely stunning. For now though, enjoy some highlights below from their early spring engagement session, all captured on film.

A Cleveland spring engagement session with Lauren and John

Monica & Grant – A Family Photo Session in Cleveland

It all started as a weird series of text messages between my brother and I. A friend of his was looking to do a family photo session. We went back and forth on the details, and then things went kinda pear-shaped.

“What would you think about a trade,” my brother asked. Asking for more details, my brother offered up the goods – “Grant is a craft cocktail specialist, and he gives lessons.” My interest was officially piqued. I like to think of myself as a whiskey aficionado. In particular, I have a rather strong predilection for Manhattan’s. I discussed the matter further with my brother, and then started discussing the trade with Grant. What started as an idea, quickly morphed into something that would happen. The pear-shape idea went completely square and the whole thing was set in motion.

Grant and Monica would come to Cleveland for their family session and to give friends at my house a craft cocktail lesson. The next day, we would capture some family photos for them. After weeks of planning, the weekend finally arrived. The craft cocktail party went off without a hitch. Both Monica and Grant really hit a home run. I think everyone had fun, since people stayed until well past midnight. We met for the family session the next morning, starting at the Cleveland Museum of Art and then we headed into a local park. Monica & Grant’s family is small – just the two of them. They were recently married and wanted some good portraiture to add to their wedding photos. Personally, I’m thrilled with how everything came out.

Before I move onto the highlights, I thought I would share one of my favorite cocktail recipes. Warning though, these are strong and addictive –

Classic 212 Manhattan

2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 oz. Carpano Antica vermouth
2 dashes Agnostura bitters
STIR over ice till chilled
Serve up in a martini glass
Garnish with two Amarena Fabbri cherries

Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica.

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!

Tagged: Cuyahoga Valley National Park