Tagged: Engagement session

Sarah & John – Engagement session by the lake

Sarah and John found me first. The timing for our introduction was just right. We chatted via email and on the phone about their upcoming wedding in Cleveland. Sight unseen, they decided to book me. Admittedly, it was a little rushed because we were excited to work with each other and didn’t want to loose the opportunity. Flash forward a few weeks and we were meeting in person for the first time. Sarah and John were in their car, sitting in my drive way. I was packed and ready to, so we headed off for their engagement session. I think when John met Sarah the timing was just right as well.

Sarah and John first met through work, which can be a sticky situation, but the timing worked perfectly. As they got to know each other, their work roles diverged, taking them in different directions. As their personal relationship came together, their work connection drifted apart. The timing worked just perfectly.

And they are perfect together – both beautiful, both smart, and both funny. Sarah and John’s relationship even has the little things, like their height. Sarah is just the right height to comfortably lean on John’s shoulder.

For Sarah and John’s engagement session, we chose to soak up the summer near the lake. We were briefly joined by their two dogs, so we visited a dog park in Rocky River. Then we headed off to downtown Cleveland for a little more formality. The light was brilliant, so I shot most of the engagement session on film.

Below are just a few favorites featuring Sarah and John (and a little of Reggie White too) –

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Gorgeous light pouring through above. Below, the ham that is Reggie White.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Love Sarah’s dress. She made some great choices for the day.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Above – a little magic. I wanted some sun flare, but I didn’t expect this much. However, it’s a happy accident. I love, love, love the results.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

As the sunset, it added just a little extra pop that you can see above and below.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

We ended the day on a point sticking out into Lake Erie. We almost lost the light as the sun set, but we managed to catch the last peachy tones of the day.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

Summer engagement session by the lake with Sarah and John.

The last photo is so quiet and still. I absolutely love it. While this may be the last photo, it kinda wasn’t the end of the session. After the engagement session, I headed out to dinner with Brooke. We just so happened to bump into Sarah and John again, which gave us a chance to meet the entire family. It was such a treat to meet the family before the wedding. It makes me anticipate Sarah and John’s wedding that much more. Can’t wait!

Natalie & Sean – A Colorful Engagement in Downtown Cleveland

When we met on the courthouse steps, we took a few minutes to shake off the nerves. It’s not unusual for couples to arrive a little nervous. Truth be told, I was a little nervous as well. Maybe nervous isn’t the word. “Amp’ed” might be the better term. After chatting for a few minutes we got started. Normally, the first few photos don’t make the selection because the nerves show. This was not the case for Natalie and Sean’s engagement session in downtown Cleveland. Something was definitely different.

The first photo below, is in fact, the first photo. Right from the start Natalie and Sean appeared completely comfortable with each other. Nerves that may have been there were completely gone. This was also true for the rest of the evening session. As we wandered to different locations around downtown Cleveland, Natalie and Sean were completely engaged with each other. In hind sight I can completely understand why. They make each other laugh constantly. If laughter is the key to love, then Natalie and Sean have it in spades.

For locations, Natalie and Sean simply allowed me to pick out some favorite spots, with the stipulation that we stop by the Brown’s Stadium for a few truly Cleveland-themed photos. Happy to oblige, we included the stadium and the Browns without throwing a football around. Come to think of it, this is the first time I have included Brown’s Stadium for an engagement session or wedding.

Below are just a few favorites –

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

On the courthouse steps above, and at Brown’s Stadium below.

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

Above – a found patch of green grass in our drought environment. Below, looking out across the city.

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

I love Natalie’s peach necklace peaking out about, and the hard sunshine below.

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

The Art Museum above and below, which I am starting to use in new ways.

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

Downtown Cleveland engagement session with Natalie and Sean

That’s all from this Monday evening session. I certainly can’t wait for Natalie and Sean’s wedding in Akron. Too bad it’s a few long months away, but it will arrive before we know it. Definitely stop back soon as I will have quite a few more engagements and weddings coming soon. Until then, enjoy the fading summer.

Renee & Cheney – A Lakeside Engagement Session

As usual, I had over-packed. I was standing in the Lakeside parking lot trying to decide which camera I should bring with me. I had to bring the digital as a back-up camera, but which film camera should I bring? I knew I would be shooting film, but I just needed to decide how. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Renee and Cheney pull into the parking lot. It was time to go, so I just grabbed one camera and jumped into their car. Renee and Cheney had traveled from across the country for their destination engagement session at Lakeside, and what a perfect location it was. For those unfamiliar, Lakeside is a small vacation community along the Lake Erie shore.

Renee had spent her summers in Lakeside when she was growing up. Her family owned a couple cottages in the community and Lakeside became her summer home. So when we discussed locations for their engagement session, Lakeside was the obvious choice. I always love doing sessions in Lakeside because it’s relaxed and so picturesque. I was also meeting Renee and Cheney for the first time. Being out-of-state clients, they had booked me for their wedding after a brief video conference. However, I think Renee and Cheney were more excited to spend time with each other. Since the end of the school year, they have been living in different states.

The session could not have been more perfect. The weather along the shore was warm, but not to humid. Even the evening sun was casting a warm glow across the shore.

Below are just a few of my personal favorites –

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Gotta show a little school pride. Apparently, Wheaton students are know as “Wheaties”.

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

After changing, Renee asked if her dress looked OK!?! I simply said “don’t let my wife see that, or I will have to buy one”. Her dress was truly smashing.

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Above – wandering around the Lakeside neighborhood. Below – time for ice cream. Renee and Cheney were curious why I took a photo of the clock. Now we know.

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Above – matching shoes! Below – love in the sunshine.

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

As the sun approached setting, we headed out on the jetty for some photos by the shore.

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lakeside, Ohio summer engagement session with Renee and Cheney

Lesson learned – never say to someone who can run the 100 meters in under 12 seconds “let’s run for this photo”. My idea of running and Renee’s idea of running are two entirely different things. To passer’s by I’m sure it looked like a dashing couple running away from a slow guy with a camera. Thankfully, we still got a few nice photos. So, that is all for today. I can’t want for Renee and Cheney’s wedding next year. Definitely check back soon. I will have many more weddings and engagements coming shortly.

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