The Lenders - family shoot!

This evening I had the chance to shoot a fellow photographer and his family over at Holden Arboretum. The last time Paul and I were there we were knee deep in snow so it was nice to finally get to actually SEE the arboretum this time.

Let me also tell you - shooting another photographer? Only nerve-wracking by THIS much! ;-) Here, we have Carter, future heartbreaker for sure!

The very cute Paige!

and the family together!

You can trust me when I say that there are many outtakes from this shoot which I will share once I have moved and got myself all settle in! I just couldn't NOT post these!


.

Andrea & Keith - The Wedding Part I ~ Rehearsal

This past weekend I had the opportunity to shoot the wedding of Andrea & Keith - you may remember their engagement shoot? The whole weekend was fun, fun, fun and as such, I am breaking the posting of this event into two posts, the rehearsal in Part I and the wedding in Part II - out Friday!

Whenever I book a wedding I always let the bride and groom know that I will be attending the rehearsal too. This gives me the chance to figure out the time-line of the ceremony, check the lighting situation, where the advantageous spots are for shooting, and also to meet people the wedding party and their families in a more comfortable relaxed setting.

The wedding and reception were being held at Windows on the River, Cleveland OH which is a gorgeous place for both should you ever be looking for such an event location! I can't say enough about the staff at Windows, they were total professionals and they ran everything without a glitch! Excellent excellent venue! My second shooter for this wedding was Paul Lender, Left of Center Photography.

From the start of this rehearsal until the end, we saw not only how this couple are so very much in love but also how much their family and friends mean to them. They are fun, happy and just enjoying life - as evidenced in the photographs we took!

When I booked with Andrea & Keith they also invited Paul and I to the rehearsal dinner that was taking place afterward which was being held at The Corner Alley in downtown Cleveland. There they had the VIP room which held a bar, 4 private lanes for bowling and seating areas for the buffet that was served.

Both Paul and I had fun here and we knew without a doubt that the wedding the next day was going to be just as much fun........

Stay tuned for part II ~ the Wedding Day posting Friday!

*All rehearsal and wedding photographs will be on the official website by Friday, March 26th! Keep a look out!


.

Ben & Brittany - The Wedding

I recently posted about an engagement shoot I did for Ben & Brittany. Ben is the son of a great friend of mine and I was lucky enough to be chosen as their wedding photographer!

This past weekend, I traveled down to Columbus Ohio early enough that I could capture the entire event from rehearsal through to the reception! It was one of the best wedding I have been to AND photographed. Ben and Brittany are young, vibrant and completely in love, and the same goes for their friends and family. Overall a very warm, fabulous crowd of people to be in the company of.

The wedding was held at St Brendan's Church, Hilliard Ohio. A GORGEOUS church both inside and out!

The rehearsal began and everyone was told where to go, where to stand, what to do and how to do it!

After a couple of 'run-through's' they managed to figure it out and then it was off to go eat and celebrate what was to come........ The Digger and Finch Restaurant was the perfect place to go!

The next morning, I had a lot of running about to do. Shoot the girls at Kenneth's Salon in Dublin, OH then rush over to the boys to shoot them. Both groups were very relaxed, the boys managing to get a few games of Wii tennis in! The guys didn't have a CLUE about how to use the cuff-links, the ties or anything! I felt so old .......

Then in no time at all, it was time to head for the church!

The ceremony was everything I knew it would be and more! The photographs from that will be posted once I have the complete set to the bride and groom! :-)

After the ceremony, it was time to head out and get shots of the bridal party. Let me tell you how hot it was. It was HOT HOT HOT! I checked afterward and the temperature reached 100 degrees. WAY too hot for a bridal party to be out for more than 20 minutes in tuxes and dresses!

I got the shots I needed and it was time to head for the reception which was being held at The Makoy Center.

Once there, the cake was cut, the bouquet was thrown, the dances were danced. Before that all happened though, there were the speeches! The best man was emotional :-) and the Maid of Honor was HILARIOUS! She had written a poem for the bride and it was just fantastic!

As I mentioned, it was one of the best weddings I have been to and just looking through the photographs as I edit them is making me so happy!

Congratulations Ben & Brittany, hope it was all you wanted it to be and more!

Live a long and happy life!