Posts tagged Summer | Page 15 of 22 | Columbus Wedding Photographer

Sarah & John – A Westwood Country Club Wedding in Rocky River

Familiarity seems to be the antidote to nervousness. Still to this day, I get nervous before each wedding. Not because I feel unprepared, but because I always want to do my best. Somehow, nervousness never manifested itself before Sarah and John’s wedding at St. Christopher’s Church and Westwood Country Club. At first, it seemed like nothing in particular was different. There was no reason for the change.

Then it hit me, and quite a while after their wedding. I had become more familiar with Sarah and John than usual. I get to know all of my clients, but I had gotten to know Sarah and John a bit better. Despite the long distance between us, I felt I knew them all the more well. Maybe it was because we got along splendidly at their engagement session. Or because I had already met Sarah’s family well in advance. I think the real reason is all because of Sarah and John. They are the warmest people you could know. They are the type to make fast friends with anyone. To be near them is to feel welcomed.

That feeling carried through their entire wedding. Sarah and John’s friends and family are much the same – very warm and extremely welcoming. It certainly made for a wonderful day. Added to the wonderful people were some amazing locations. St. Christopher’s is a great place for a wedding. For Sarah, it was made all the more special by her uncle. Her uncle happens to be a priest and he happily completed their wedding. The reception, held at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River, was astonishing for many reasons.

It turned out to be the perfect place for the creative portraits. The golf course and club house make for some stunning scenery. Furthermore, Sarah’s design for the reception was spectacular. Flowers literally decked the tables, chairs and ceiling. Working with HeatherLily, Sarah’s floral design was filled with bright purples, soft pinks and pale whites. Flower arrangements were even hanging from the chandeliers. It was a sight to be seen.

To cap off the amazing day, we stepped outside after sunset for a few nighttime shots. The front portico made the perfect backdrop for a final portrait, despite the cars shuffling in the background. Admittedly, I had a really tough time choosing a few photos to highlight. Below is just a very small handful of my favorites, and way more than normal. Enjoy!

A Westwood Country Club wedding in Rocky River with Sarah and John. A Westwood Country Club wedding in Rocky River with Sarah and John. A Westwood Country Club wedding in Rocky River with Sarah and John. A Westwood Country Club wedding in Rocky River with Sarah and John.

Ceremony venue: St. Christopher’s Church, Rocky River
Reception venue: Westwood Country Club, Rocky River
Floral design: HeatherLily
Cake artist: Wild Flour Bakery
Bride’s gown: Elegance by Roya
Men’s tuxedos: Vera Wang
Entertainment: The Orchestra, Jerry Bruno
Hair & make-up: Rainbow Room

Leah & Adam – A Film Engagement Session at Baldwin-Wallace University

I guess the secondary title of this post could be “A Music Lover’s Engagement” given how Leah and Adam met. Not too long ago, they were both students at Baldwin-Wallace University. While there, they met through the school’s music program. So it was only natural for us to return to Baldwin-Wallace for their engagement session.

Most important was to spend a little time inside the conservatory, just down the hall from where they met. Adam, still having access to the university, arranged a private music hall and a Steinway piano for the session. Right from the start is was clear that both Leah and Adam are very talented, but also such a great couple together. The laughter you see below is genuine, caused by Leah messing with Adam’s playing.

Afterward, we headed out onto the university campus and nearby Coe Lake park. As the sun approached setting, we wandered around, snapping photos as we went. We’d stop and chat for a little bit, and then take some more photos. Time seemed to fly by. At one point I looked at my watch and couldn’t believe two hours had gone by so fast.

Looking forward, Leah and Adam will be married in Pittsburgh soon. But for today, I simply have some gorgeous highlights from an afternoon spent with friends. Enjoy!

Summer engagement session at Baldwin Wallace University with Leah and Adam Summer engagement session at Baldwin Wallace University with Leah and Adam

Yvette & David – Cleveland Museum of Art Engagement Session

Sometimes you have to be patient for the right moment. We had originally scheduled Yvette and David’s engagement session for November. Due to some very unfortunate circumstances, our plans had to be delayed. The delay, by good fortune, was worth it. The original day we had scheduled turned out to be rainy and cold. Our new date could not have been more perfect. It turned out sunny and warm for their engagement session at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Huntington Beach.

The session itself turned out amazing – definitely work for which I am very proud. Truth be told, the real magic was created by Yvette and David. They were absolute naturals, both together and in front of the camera. They’re loving, sweet, funny, and exceptionally easy to work for. They really made my job effortless, and I believe this comes through in the photos below.

As we often do, we simply wandered around the art museum campus, chatted, captured some photos, and wandered some more. Just before sunset, we headed over to Huntington Beach park in Bay Village to get some photos along the beach. Rain clouds were moving in, but held off (just) until we were through. In the end, some of my favorites are from the beach. Hopefully you enjoy the highlights below as much as I.

A summer evening engagement session at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Huntington Beach with Yvette and David. A summer evening engagement session at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Huntington Beach with Yvette and David.

Like all of my recent sessions, the above was captured on film. I simply love doing sessions on film. It makes me a difference, and I think better, photographer. I slow down and pay attention to each moment. Every “click” burns money, so I make sure it’s right before capturing a photo. For the technical among us, the above is a mixture of 35mm and medium format, diligently scanned by the wonderful people at Richard Photo Lab.

Tagged: Summer