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Katie and Jerry – First Look

This post is the first is a two-part series for Katie and Jerry’s wedding in Fairfield, Ohio. Today we are featuring the first look photos. Later will come a post detailing their entire wedding.

Simply put, Katie and Jerry are like family. They were referred to me by close friends and former clients. We share much in common and hit it off right from the start. They had requested to do a First Look before the wedding ceremony, which is one of my favorite things. To make the First Look special, I spent a couple weeks building the perfect plan. I don’t live near Fairfield, so I had to do all the planning over the internet. Using Google Maps, I scoured the area for someplace suitable. I finally settled on Walnut Creek Stables. Walnut Creek is a horse farm and I knew the mix of stables, barns, and open pastures would be the perfect setting. Of course the location was made more perfect by the antique Ford Model-A that Jerry had hired. This most amazing conveyance is from the time when horsepower replaced horses.

There is really nothing more needed to setup the photos below. We simply stood back and waited for Katie to arrive. The rest unfolded perfectly on it’s own. To put a great finish on the First Look photos, we also captured their bridal portraits at the same time. Below are just a few of my favorites from a very large set –

Katie and Jerry First Look at Walnut Creek Stables

I love the curious horses. As soon as we arrived, they all stuck their heads out to see what was happening.

Katie and Jerry First Look at Walnut Creek Stables

The above is one of my favorites not because it’s a stunning photo, but because of the emotion of the moment.

Katie and Jerry First Look at Walnut Creek Stables

Jerry was very wise to select a tailor-made tuxedo for the wedding day. It fit him perfectly and was so much better than a rental.

Katie and Jerry First Look at Walnut Creek Stables

That’s all for today. Definitely keep an eye out for the second part, which should be posted in just a couple days. If you are considering a First Look for your wedding day, I say go for it. They are simply amazing for more reasons than just the photography. However, the photos always turn out great as well!

Holly & Brian – Kirtland Wedding at Holden Arboretum

“Over there, under the willow tree” said Holly, as we were standing in the rain. With that simple instruction, I could see her vision with crystal clarity. We were location scouting at Holden Arboretum for Holly and Brian’s wedding in Kirtland. There are a million great locations to choose from at Holden, but it had to be this willow tree.

It just rolls off the tongue – “We kissed, under the willow tree” or “He said,’I love you’, under the willow tree” or “We sat and watched the stars, under the willow tree.”

“Perfect” for Brian and Holly was found “under the willow tree.” When their June wedding day finally arrived, the heavy spring rains had just passed. The gardens were fresh and in early summer bloom.

Most meaningful for me was the warmth that flowed from Holly, Brian and their families. I could feel their welcome and kindness the entire time I was working with them. At one point, Holly’s mother could see I was a little anxious. With just a couple kind words, she permanently changed the way I work. Somehow, in that moment, I found a “photography zen” that sticks with me to this day.

Below are some of my favorites from their wedding day. I have become personally attached to Holly and Brian’s images and I had a tough time choosing among them. So, there are more below than usual –