Tagged: Engagement session

Katie & Matt – Morning Engagement at Craighead Farm

Katie was responsible for finding the location, and it was perfection! She hunted, called contacts and finally secured access to Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio. The farm breeds champion hunting and jumping horses. Fortunately, I also had a small connection to the farm. While I’m not an equestrian, my family is filled with passionate hunters and jumpers. When I arrived, I was lucky enough to bump into the owner. We shared a few stories and then I met up with Katie and Matt.

They were waiting by the barn. It had been some time since we had seen each other. We first met while they were visiting Ohio. Today, they were back in town from Chicago for their engagement session and wedding shower. As we wandered the grounds, we chatted about their upcoming wedding, how they met, and life in Chicago. I’m a former Chicagoan, so I was keen to learn what has changed.

Needless to say, the session went perfectly. Every turn around the farm reveals a cool new spot. I think I lost it completely when I spotted the dock hanging over the water.

Below are just a few personal favorites.

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Above – take a moment to appreciate Katie’s shoes. Below – one of the sweetest horses ever.

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

A couple individual portraits above. Below, relaxing on the dock. Too bad we couldn’t find a boat.

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

At the front of the property is a beautifully ornate English garden. Katie and Matt looked simply perfect under the dogwood.

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

A little sprint above, just for fun. Below, inside the white stables.

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

We spotted the willow tree from across the pond. It was smaller than I first thought, but everyone looks good under a willow tree.

Katie and Matt's engagement session at Craighead Farm in Novelty, Ohio

I like ending on a last moment of fun. That’s all for today. For Katie and Matt, I simply can’t wait for your wedding. It’s going to be awesome. Check back soon as we will have many more weddings and engagement sessions coming.

Alexis & Joe – Dowtown Columbus Engagement on Film

I stood at the counter with an old Nikon film camera in my hands while the salesman at Columbus Camera Group chatted me up. This was the third camera shop I ‘d visited in just a couple hours to fulfill my shopping list. OK, the F100 was coming with me. It joined a bundle of film in the trunk of my car. I got the itch about a week earlier. The itch that says “let’s try something different”. So for Alexis and Joe’s engagement session in German Village and downtown Columbus, it had to be film. It also had to be an evening shoot. After all, the solstice had just passed.

I was a little early when I rang Alexis. “Sure, come on in”, she said. After some searching I found their door. Alexis was in a gorgeous periwinkle dress, hunting around her kitchen for something.

“You said pastels look nice, right?”

“The dress is beyond perfect”, I responded. And the dress was…just…perfect.

Alexis went on to explain her nervousness as Joe came down the stairs. All of my clients start off nervous, but soon settle into a little rhythm. Alexis and Joe would be no different. In fact, their engagement photos around German Village and downtown Columbus came out perfectly. It’s not the film or the evening light, although that helps. The photos are exceptional because, at the very core, their about a girl and a guy in love. The love shows. So does the friendship and kindness.

Below are just a few favorites from this beautiful evening engagement session –

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

The German Village Book Loft is a favorite place for Alexis and Joe. Thankfully, the staff let us take a few shots inside.

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Above, just a fleeting caught moment.

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Just as the sun was nearing the horizon, we sat for a drink in an outdoor bar. At just the perfect moment, we finished our drinks to capture the fading, peach-toned sunlight.

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Alexis and Joe's summer evening engagement session in downtown Columbus

Even though Columbus is my home town, it’s been a while since I spent anytime in downtown. It’s amazing what they have done with the city, and the river front in particular. It’s gorgeous and I could definitely get used to shooting in the city. Thankfully, I will be back in Columbus soon for Alexis and Joe’s wedding. Can’t wait!

For curious photographers, the above is Fuji Pro 400h shot on my Mamiya 645-AFDII. I didn’t use the Nikon F100 because I had to test it before using it professionally.

 

Sheila & Beau – A Hot Summer Morning

I was just finishing setup at the studio when my phone rang. It was Sheila and Beau, and they were early! I quickly wrapped up and ran down to meet them. Once back upstairs, we chated for a bit as I got everything together. The idea was to start with just a few photobooth-esque shots. Hence, why we were in the studio I never use. After just a few frames we abandoned the hot studio and headed outside. Finally, a breeze.

Sheila and Beau had found me from all the way down in Cincinnati. Their wedding, scheduled for next year, will be in Cleveland and we simply can’t wait. They’ve picked some great locations and the entire team for their wedding is simply awesome. Even the amazing HDZ crew is helping out. And it all makes sense once you know Sheila and Beau just a little. They’re some of the most laid-backed people I’ve met. Fun, easy, happy and they clearly love to party. They even met while partying – at a concert.

For their engagement session, we kept things simple and wandered around downtown Cleveland. We hit a few spots over a couple hours and spent sometime getting to know each other. The sun was blazing hot, so we kept to the shade where possible.

Below are six simple favorites –

Sheila and Beau's hot summer engagement in downtown Cleveland

I’m pretty sure Sheila and Beau thought I was nuts when I screamed “Woo Hoo” and threw my hands in the air. I guess I managed to convince them, somewhat 😉

Sheila and Beau's hot summer engagement in downtown Cleveland

Sheila and Beau's hot summer engagement in downtown Cleveland

In the above, I love the little bit of sun grazing them in the shade. It’s a lovely highlight.

Sheila and Beau's hot summer engagement in downtown Cleveland

I am sure you have seen that wall on my blog before. I simply love the soft tones. That’s all for today. Since we have been shooting like mad lately, much more will be coming soon.

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