Sometimes you come across couples where the love just radiates from them. You can tell that they are so completely smitten with each other. That’s Jen and Patrick. The warmth and kindness they had towards each other.  All the tenderness and smiles. After finishing their engagement session, it left me all in love with love. Haha. I can’t wait until next month when I get to photograph these two exchanging their vows.

Angela and Jon are two of the sweetest individuals you will ever meet.  This gorgeous duo moved to Ohio not too long ago from Florida to continue to pursue their musical career. You could check out this guitar/flute duo’s website for some amazing sounding music. Being from Florida, they wanted to have some winter engagement photos done…especially since this would be their first time getting to experience snow! While we managed only to get some light snowflakes for their session (because Ohio weather can never make up it’s mind on what it wants to do! Haha), we left with some amazing shots of this loving couple.

Reception & Ceremony – Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade
DJ – Anne-Jeanine & Justin of Something New Entertainment

It was such an absolute pleasure to get to work with Danny + Kara on their special day.  These two are such a darling couple and were so creative with the decor and theme of their wedding day – it was all very art deco / old hollywood with lots of glitz, gold, and sparkle. PERFECT for a New Years Eve wedding!  I adored the old type writer for the guests to leave notes for the bride and groom. They had a confetti station where you could fill a bag with sparkly bits of paper and pick up a fun hat and noise maker. All the details of the night were a-MAZING!  Here’s a snippit of some of my favorite images of their big day!

Ceremony + Reception – The Bertram Inn
Hair – Salon Alverez 
Flowers – Sue at  Lowe’s Greenhouse
DJ – John Kerata of The DJ Crew 
Videography – Jason & Vince of Rad Cinematography

While Jamie and Robert may have been over 2,000 miles away from their wedding location, I would have to say they were one of the most involved bride and groom I’ve had when it came to planning the details of their wedding day photography. I loved it! And because of all the attention to details (note Jamie’s wedding day check sheet in the slideshow), their big day ended up being an absolutely stunning day…despite the chill and rain that came upon us that day. Along with their family and friends (and the help of an amazing DJ – John), the dance floor definitely got heated up later in the night! Special thanks goes out to my second shooter for the day, Tim Averre!

Here are some of my favorites from Jamie and Robert’s big day!

Ceremony – Holy Rosary Church in Little Italy
Reception – Cleveland Marriott East 
DJ – Magic Galaxy Entertainment
Hair & Makeup – Imagine Salon & Spa

Sometimes you just know you are going to have a fun time photographing a couple from the moment you first start chatting with them.  This is how I felt about Tiffany + Mark. Their warmth and sincerity was evident from the get-go and it is obvious that they also know how to keep in the company of equally amazing folks! What a celebration they had!  Check out some of the highlights of their big day below. Must also give props to  Tim Averre, my amazing second shooter, from that day. Thank you.

Enjoy!

Now that the December holidays have concluded, it’s time to do a little catch up with some of the holiday portrait sessions on the blog! I know it’s the new year and some of you may have already put your Christmas trees away (scrooges! Haha), but I held off on sharing these because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise for anyone’s holiday cards that they sent out to friends and family!

So here are a few of my favorites from these sessions.  I’m so incredibly thankful to have such wonderful clients!  I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays and that you have much love, wealth, & happiness in 2013!

I like to take the opportunity every once in a while to give back with my photography and donate a session for a good cause.  When my good friend Anne contacted me to donate a photo session for the Junior League of Cleveland‘s 100th Gala, I was totally on board!  Funds from this event will help to pay for 2009-13 Signature Initiative – Youth Aging Out of Foster Care.  And it’s because of this event that I was able to meet the lovely couple of Becca & TJ, whom bid on my auction donation. These two stunners will be wedding in this coming year, so what a perfect auction prize for them to win!

Check out a few of my favorites from our chilly session at the Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood. 

On days like today, when the unfortunate death of innocent children & unknowing adults is made known in the national media, it reminds me why I am so grateful for what I do for a living. We will NEVER know all the details of what tomorrow holds, or when it may be the last day we have with a loved one.  So to be able to capture those moments that mean the world to my clients, it also means the world to me.  I just have to think these families and friends affected by this tragedy today, will surely be eternally appreciative of those last few photos they have of their loved ones from which to remember them by.  Along with the many before that.  So if I can make hearts happy with my photos, than I feel like I’ve done my job.

So with all that being said, I’ve unfortunately let the everyday grind distract me from sharing with you LOTS of loving moments that I’ve captured over the last few months. So here’s some fall catch-up for you! I hope that it brings a smile to your face despite all that has gone on today.  (And please make sure to hug your loved ones today and let them know how much they mean to you!)

The Wilson Family:

The McGlinchey’s:

The Weinzimmers:

When Erin first messaged me about doing family portraits, she told me that it wouldn’t just be her immediate family, but also her hubby’s siblings and parents, plus their kids.  She was like, “are you sure you are up to doing a session with 8 adults and 7 young kids?”  I will fully admit, that can sound a bit daunting, but I was totally willing to give it a shot! And as with any portrait session with kiddos under the age of 5 (even if it’s only 1 kid, and not 7), there were moments of tears, running away, and not wanting to pose (see the photo with grandma and the boys), but we made it work and I think we got some great shots out of it.  What do you think?

So Jacqui and Josh are already enjoying the wonderful moments of parenthood with their new little lady, Luciana, whom they welcomed into their family at the end of September.  But before this pretty lady joined them, we headed out to the Goodyear Blimp Hangar, where Josh works, and around nearby Wingfoot Lake Park for some maternity photos.  Can I say both were equally cool to visit!  As a self-proclaimed neat freak, I was uber impressed by how meticulously clean the hangar was kept! And the park is definitely a hidden gem! A great place to meet up with friends and family. But “any who”,  here are a few of my favorite images from our maternity session!

Ceremony/Reception: Elyria Country Club
Flowers: Off Broadway Floral & Gift
Cake: Wild Flour Bakery
DJ: Jerry Bruno Productions

Heather + Scott’s wedding on rolling green hills of the Elyria Country Club was nothing but gorgeous.  Heather’s awesome planning efforts made for a simple, yet very elegant event.  Small pops of yellow, grey and blue. Candles and table lanterns for a warm glow and ambiance to match the ever endearing affection between the bride and groom.  Below are some of my favorites from the day!

We’ve definitely had a few hot days this summer…but I think the day of Amy’s + Charlie’s outdoor wedding, it was probably the hottest day all summer.  I remember looking at the temperature on my phone seeing it say 98 degrees on my drive over. HOT! But that did not keep from making their day amazing.  With an intimate ceremony on a deck followed by a tented backyard reception, it was absolutely stunning!