Again, I'll choose just one photo from each event and portrait session -- it was tough to decide on just one photo -- but the one I chose has meaning to me...
July 2010
Jen and Scott's Engagement Session (aka our excellent adventure!). Again, it was so hard to choose just one -- I had gorgeous sunset photos, lovely lake reflections and lots of easy going natural laughter. I chose this one because Jen saw a photo like this somewhere else and she was hoping I could emulate it. I love it when a bride-to-be shares ideas with me! This was the last photo of the day -- I laid flat on the sand to get this shot, while Jen and Scott lay on the other side where the depth of field would blur to a nice creamy bokeh. I loved it as did they -- and I'm thankful for the suggestion - it has become one of my favorite engagement ring shots!
Of all the photos of Rachel and Brandon's wedding - this one resonates with me the most. Why? Because their wedding day survived many mishaps - a bridal bouquet that was overchilled and sorta dead brown in spots, a thunderstorm in the middle of their outdoor vineyard wedding, a tornado just before the reception, a reception hall with only enough power to light up a string of Christmas lights and the DJ - no airconditioning in mid 90 humid heat, no sit down dinner (it had to become a buffet), and more. I was amazed that even though 1/10th of that would be enough to rattle any bride and groom -- Rachel and Brandon let it all roll -- they laughed it off. They embraced the true meaning of this day, as did their guests. No one left. In fact, they carried the party over to another location once their time was up at the reception hall. This photo reminds me that it's not what does or does not happen at a wedding that "makes" the wedding. It's how you choose to react to it. Their wedding was one of the most challenging and most rewarding I've had the privilege to photograph.
Amanda and George got married! They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at Puska's Outdoor Party Center in Lorain. This was another difficult choice - I remember George asking me to take a picture of their rings on their fingers -- it struck me that he was the one that asked -- so proud he was to have married this wonderful lady. The picture I chose, however, was of Amanda. Amanda had crazy beautiful eyes.
Ava Belle is born! My beautiful first grandchild. She has gotten so used to having a camera pointed at her that a photo session is just another aspect of spending time with Grandma.
August 2010Vanessa's Senior Portrait. Vanessa has many interests - two of which were her horse and her music. For this portrait I blended a photo of her playing her guitar onto a music book that she brought with her.
Bethany and Ed's Engagement Session. I'm looking forward to Bethany and Ed's August 2011 wedding in Columbus. We photographed their engagement session at the Franklin Conservatory (also in Columbus). What a gorgeous place - fitting for this gorgeous couple. This photo -- I love the natural expression of love on both their faces and I absolutely love the way the wind swept Bethany's hair across her face.
Melissa and Dale get married! Actually, she was a client that I "lost." Over the months, as my Facebook friend, I had gotten to know her better through her status updates and often laughed at some of her quirkier posts, as well as "awwwwwed" over her very sweet posts about her love for Dale and her children. She had gotten to know me as well. She commented often on my updates, which I really appreciated. it was nice to know that even though she wasn't a client, she was becoming a friend. I was honored to be able to attend her wedding as a guest. And of course I brought my camera :-) Because of our Facebook connection, I knew that her dad meant the world to her and they had recently experienced some circumstances that made his walk down the aisle with her extra special. I think the look on his face says it all.
Rachel and Brandon -- again! Rachel and Brandon - the couple from the crazy tornado wedding. I knew that in the year up to their wedding day that Rachel had meticulously planned her wedding down to the smallest detail. I also know that she had her heart set on vineyard photos (their ceremony was at a vineyard in Lake Chautauqua, NY and thwarted by a thunderstorm midway through). I was so moved by how well they cheerfully dealt with all the mishaps on that day, that I wrote to Rachel while she was on her honeymoon and offered her a free Ohio vineyard portrait session. We had fun and they got their vineyard pictures.
September 2010Ashley and Justin got married! One of the nicest people and families I've ever met with so much symbolism woven throughout the wedding day. Butterflies and horseshoes, Irish songs, bagpipes. And so much love. They were married at Milan Villa, lined with these incredible willow trees, which were gorgeous, but I chose this portrait from .our session at Vermilion Beach when the sun was at an angle that caught the beach and lit Ashley's face so beautifully. I couldn't choose which to post - especially since there were such strong "moment" shots as well. So you get both.
Judy and Mark's Family Portrait Session. I met Judy and Mark when I photographed their June 2009 wedding. They added a member to their family since I last saw them -- and asked me to take a family photo. It was really nice to see them again -- and I'm so glad they contacted me. I love to reconnect with the people I've met and worked with.
Heather and Brian -- I love love love this portrait. One of my favorites of the year. First of all -- Heather and Brian are the most sincere and down to earth people on the planet. As far as the portrait goes, when we arrived at Huntington Beach, I had the thought of what I wanted in mind, but in reality, we had a 30-minute time frame that landed perfectly at sunset, with the wind blowing just right...the wind, the sunset and the beautiful lines of Heather's body/dress... I think I sighed out loud when I saw this in my viewfinder :-)
October 2010
Delmont's Senior Portrait. This guy could be a Hollister model. Hollister markets their company as "laid back and effortlessly cool." That's Delmont.
Nicole, David, Aleah and Mayah. Remember Mayah - my first newborn picture at the beginning of the year? This is the rest of the family :-) This photo is one of the "outakes." I love love love the way David and Mayah are interacting. It's a cute moment leading up to the next shot.
November 2010Jen, Mike, Kate and Anna -- another beautiful family. I also love Wade Oval Pond in University Heights. Gorgeous in spring - spectacular in autumn. I really wanted to capture a family blended in the midst of a "landscape" photo. This was the perfect day for that.
Kait - Senior Portrait Session. In mid November we still had plenty of gorgeous autumn and the weather was unseasonably mild. I enjoyed my session with Kait at Shoepfle Gardens. This pose reminds me of a throwback to 50's Hollywood. I love the look of quiet confidence in her eyes with just a hint of a smile.
November 2010
Les and Jessica got married! I say I love each and every couple that I've worked with -- and it's true. Jessica and Les are no exception. They are both very laid back, friendly and gracious and I remember their wedding "flavor" as being a wonderful celebration among close friends. I fell in love with this photo as soon as I saw it on my camera....the lines of the stairs and railing...and her beautiful graceful and elegant stance.
Tony, Karmyce, Kyndall and Kennedy - Family Portrait Session. Karmyce called me to do another Christmas portrait for her family (I photographed them in 2009 and Kyndall's "Princess and the Frog" session in the spring). We met at Tower City. At the beginning of our session I thought it would be really cool to get a photo of the children outside looking into the "Halle Building" windows. As a lifetime Clevelander, I appreciate the historical significance of the "old downtown." I only wish Mr. Jingaling was still around!
December 2010
James turned one! Jennifer, one of my 2011 brides, bought a portrait session as a gift for her sister (what a thoughtful gift, I might add!). I love the pensive look on James' face in this photo. It really looks like he's taking it all in, doesn't it? He was a sweetheart and I really enjoyed spending time with him, his mom and his aunt!
And we're done! I am thankful and appreciate the friends I have made this past year. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way. And I look forward to more friendships and more opportunities to capture "moments" in 2011.
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