Tagged: Fall

Torri & Lucas – A Sunkissed Film Engagement Session

Just after I parked and unloaded my gear, Torri pulled in and was ready to go, but there was a problem. “Lucas is running late, but he should be here in a moment,” Torri said. After a few minutes, another car pulled up and I asked if this was him. “No, you’ll know Lucas when you see him,” She said again. Curious, I asked for more details. For the next 10 minutes, we joked about Lucas’ choice of transport. I must say, it’s quite stylish. I’d love to have a van like his. But enough about cars.

We spent the afternoon wandering around downtown Cleveland for their engagement session. Sometimes a loose plan is the best plan. Instead of picking specific locations, we just picked a single place to start – Brown’s Stadium. From there, it was wanderlust. We just moved around as needed. We’d stop and I would shoot a couple rolls of film, and then we would move on. It was a nice, fun, and easy engagement session.

And I guess this approach was fitting for Torri and Lucas – they are nice, really fun, and easy to get along with. I really think their personality comes through in the photos below. Clearly they’re in love, but you can see the fun as well. It truly made for a relaxed session. To cap things off, we did visit one planned spot. The spot is so small, it really doesn’t have a name. It’s just a small patch of green beside the road with a great view of the city, but it’s special to Torri and Lucas. We finished the session with a few sunkissed portraits as the sun set over the lake. We also ended with an inside joke. Lucas and Torri and very close in height, so Lucas jumped on a set of books for a boost.

Below are a few favorites for everyone to enjoy.
A sunkissed film engagement session in downtown Cleveland with Torri and Lucas

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

Torri Mimms and Lucas Yousko engagement session

I’m still giggling over the photo above with the books, and I’m still in awe of the last photo. Torri looks so smashingly gorgeous! That’s all for today. Shortly after the holidays, I will have more coming soon.

Sara & Ryan – Autumn Engagement Session in Chagrin Falls

This year has certainly been one of engagement sessions. The vast majority of my wedding clients choose to include a personalized engagement session. In addition, I’m often contacted by couples looking for stand-alone engagement sessions, typically due to out-of-town or destination weddings. So is the case for Sara and Ryan. They will be getting married out-of-town next year and they needed a special engagement session during the autumn season.

We met up at Jeni’s Ice Cream in Chagrin Falls. I don’t know how, but all three of us resisted getting a scoop, which is a tough act of will power. As we wandered around downtown Chagrin Falls, we talked about how they met and how they got engaged. Like Brooke and I, they simply met at a bar. Sometimes a simply story is a good story. I asked about their careers. Both Sara and Ryan work for the military, which is not unusual for my clients. However, after hearing a client has a military career, I tend not to ask additional questions. Not because I’m not interested, but because questions can often be met with “I can’t talk about it.”

We decided to mix up Sara and Ryan’s engagement session a little. We worked around downtown Chagrin Falls, and then headed for a local MetroPark in the valley.

Below are just a few favorites to share from their all-film engagement session –

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

I think the above and below are my favorites. They came out just perfectly and really represent Sara and Ryan as a couple.

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

The evening sunlight in the MetroPark was simply perfect. Some locals may object to their Steelers outfits, but I don’t discriminate 😉

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

Autumn engagement session in Chagrin Falls with Sara and Ryan

So that’s all for this personalized engagement session captured on film. For the photographers out there, this is Fuji 400h on Contax 645. The black and whites are still Fuji 400h, but desaturated. Nothing but the best!

Erika & Scott – First Tease and Wedding Highlights

I’m never late, but I have never been this early before. Through some oversight on my behalf, I arrived at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian church for Erika and Scott’s wedding a full hour early. I guess early is better than on time, and certainly better than late. Soon enough Erika and Scott arrived. I was really looking forward to their wedding, because it would start with a rather unique event.

Erika and Scott had something very special planned. “First looks “are growing quite popular these days. I actually encourage clients to consider a first look. However, traditionalists often want the experience without bucking tradition. So, enter the idea of a “first tease.” I forget who suggested it first, but I immediately jumped at the idea. I could feel the tension in the morning. Erika and Scott were certainly anticipating the “first tease” as much as I. The anticipation was almost like stored energy, ready to be set loose.

We carefully choreographed the entire event, while also keeping it simple. Most important was that Erika and Scott did not see each other. We separately headed to the second floor to get started. Everything went perfectly, and Scott even had a special surprise for Erika.

Below are just a few of my favorite highlights, including the whole sequence of the first tease. Enjoy!

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Above and bel0w – tension building during morning preparation.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Above – a simple doorway to create a “secure” first tease without peeking. Below – exchanging love notes.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

I love that the bridesmaids joined in for the moment, and for support.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Above – Scott simply asked Erika to hold out her hand. Below – presenting a special gift.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Erika admiring her new bracelet above and heading off to the ceremony below. Mission accomplished!

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

One thing I love about Erika and Scott is they are dog lovers. It was great to have their dogs at the engagement session, but even better to have them at the wedding.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Fun portraits above and below. The entire bridal party was such a great group! It was all laughs, all day.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

A beautiful couple and small details.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

Highlights from Erika and Scott's wedding at Lyndhurst Community Presbyterian Church.

I love the first tease and I love the dogs, but nothing beats Erika and Scott together. They are so great together and it really shows. I’m just thrilled to have them as clients. That’s all for today. More work to come soon!

 

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