How can I even start? I had SO much fun with Dawn + Paul shooting their engagement photos. We had an amazing day full of fun and excitement. We started in a beautiful setting at Brandy Wine Falls, one of Ohio’s largest waterfalls. After such a long winter for everyone, it felt so good just to get back into the outdoors. Fresh air, natural beauty... It was the perfect place to start.
Getting to know these two awesome people really made me feel great. Believe me, I always get along with all of my couples that I get the chance to meet. But I think that Dawn, Paul and I really connected on a different level. We have similar interests. We laughed at the same jokes. We really had a great time. It was like I was hanging out with old friends.
These guys were fun. I mean seriously, we laughed the entire time. After the waterfall, we made the journey to downtown Cleveland. After hitting up East 4th, they took me to the spot where Dawn took Paul on their first date. A small abandoned building in the flats covered in graffiti. With such rich textures and fantastic art up on the wall, it really made for a special spot for their engagement photos.
After spending the day with them, I really can’t wait for their big day to come. Their engagement session helped us form a bond of trust. Once their wedding day comes, they can focus on enjoying every moment of their special day. They will know that I will be there, right by their side, to tell their story in the best way possible.
Enjoy the slideshow below of most of my favorites!
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I wanted to share some of my favorite images from my first wedding of the season. I was second shooting for my friend Melody of Photography by Melody. We always have so much fun working together, and this time was no different.
On the way to the wedding, it just started pouring buckets of rain. It was a shame because we had planned to go to Mentor Headlands Beach for pictures after the ceremony. But the rain didn’t dampen anyone’s mood (get the pun). After arriving, I got to go take some picture of Nick and his guys getting ready. They had spent the morning fishing together and were gearing up for the rest of the day’s festivities.
I always like working with the guys when I second shoot. It’s a completely different atmosphere than being surrounded by the Bride and the rest of the ladies. Guys just like to be tucked away and left to their antics. Cracking jokes, relaxing, and then cracking more jokes… but I know deep down they are just as pumped for the day ahead as everyone else.
After a beautiful ceremony at St. Bede’s Church, we were happy to see that the rain had stopped and left us with a gorgeous sky and a perfect temperature. With a crazy bridal party in tow, we headed over to the beach and got some hilarious shots…. O-H-I-O from both the girls and the guys. Again, I was just backing up Melody who I am sure got pictures that blow mine away. I snuck in my shots in between. Everyone had an amazing time and had a lot of fun. We made it back just in time for the Happy Couple to start their receiving line at La Vera Party Center. Toasts were made, dinner was served, and the night officially started with a very sweet first dance with the happy couple. I’m sure everyone danced until the lights came on…
Amanda + Nick, I wish you the best of everything. It was an honor being a part of your special day!
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He wanted to show how well different creative visions can come together, create amazing artwork and all get along. Comradery in the industry is something that is not always found, but when it is, amazing things can happen.
Abe selected an incredible location for the shoot. Midwest Railway Preservation Society is located on the west side of Cleveland and is home to a wide range of historical and abandoned train cars. It was such a rich and textured environment for a photoshoot. We were like kids in a candy store selecting which train car we would go in, or which background would work best for the style we would each be going for.
Speaking of my creativity, I could not write another word without mentioning Jessica, of Jessica Vidmar Photography. Jess has been my friend and constant inspiration for many years now. When we work together we push each other to go beyond our comfort zone and create visually stunning images that we can both be proud of. I could not imagine having anyone else along with me on such a project.
So the original idea was that a video production company captured behind the scenes footage of the day. There was even a host who interviewed all the photographers on their creative process. After some time, a teaser video was released that got everyone excited to see the final project. Unfortunately, the project never got finished, and the idea was canned. The video guy gave some excuse about getting too busy to finish the project. It was an utter disappointment. Everyone came together on a beautiful day back in September to make something special. Fun was had. Creativity was found. Beautiful Images were created. And friends were made. It was a success on all of those fronts, and by no means a waste of time. I think it was just a failure in communication and a lack of completion on the back end. That being said, I wanted to share with you some of my best images from the day, as well as a couple fun behind the scenes shots. I had an amazing time and I look forward to working with all of these people in the future!
Here is a link to the teaser video to show how awesome it was going to be:
Focus Teaser -- AA from DennisShanaberg on Vimeo.
Classic. Elegant.
Those are the two words I would describe Michelle + Will's special day. A beautiful ceremony at the Holy Rosary Church downtown in Little Italy was just the start of the day. As we made our way through the busy streets of our charming little district of Cleveland, we really had a great time. After that, we went to the Cultural Gardens along MLK to grab some super romantic shots of the two of them. I love the image of the two of them walking towards one another and coming together in a warm embrace! Definitely one of my favorites from the day!
The rest of the evening was in the beautiful Pine Ridge Country Club. I can never complain about spending my time there! Their large white room is completely... well, classic and elegant. Perfect for these two wonderful people. I couldn't be happier for them! Here are some of my favorites from the day! Enjoy ~
So all of this started because of a quick question from Dan during the initial consultation. "Can you make a gas station look cool?" Hmm... hadn't heard that one yet. But, I am always up for something different, so I ask him why? It turns out they have a story straight out of a movie book. They randomly met at a gas station in Mentor almost seven years ago. It is such a cute story about how they saw each other through the window and exchanged a smile. Dan stopped her before she pulled away to ask her for her number. Ah.. I love hearing stories like theirs.
So we decided to go with the theme of how they met. We journeyed down to Mesopotamia, Ohio to the End of the Commons General Store and old fashioned gas station next door for their engagement shoot.
Here are some of my favorites, and as always, enjoy the slideshow at the end!
I can not say this enough. I LOVED SHOOTING THIS WEDDING.I think I really just loved this couple :) From the first moment I met Nina, I think we understood each other perfectly. It was like I was just met someone who I've known for years. She mentioned she was getting married at Mansfield Reformatory (now, the ohio state reformatory, but I've always known it as just 'mansfield') Now, the only other time I have been to this venue was about ten years ago when I visited for their annual haunted house. It's an old haunted prison!
I couldn't have been more excited! Now, I love shooting weddings. They are fun and the people are great. But THIS is my kind of wedding. Non-traditional to the extreme. I was in heaven.
Vintage Sideshow was the theme the picked out, and it transformed what is normally a very spooky place into a venue that was perfect for the two of them. Nina looked stunning! Absolutely beautiful. Dustin was perfect too! They are such sweet, kind and down to earth people. It was an absolute honor being part of their special day. I could go on and on, but I will let the photos speak for themself. At the end, please enjoy a very special slideshow put together for the happy couple. Enjoy ~
A few of the photos in the slideshow were taken by my friend and extremely talented 2nd shooter, Melody Peltoma.
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My first wedding of the year was absolutely amazing. A beautiful April day at Geneva Lodge with two wonderful people. Ellie gathered breathtaking inspirations from pinterest to achieve a homogenized style for her special day from beginning to end. The small details worked into every facet from her antique broach on her dress to her dazzling bouquet from Daughter's Florist.
I am so lucky to work with such amazing people. This was a wonderful way to start the year!
Here are some of my favorites from the day.
And Ellie... oh, Ellie.. words can not even start to describe.. how absolutely gorgeous you are!!
*and she is just as kind and sweet as she looks :)
John is one lucky man!
Thank you both for an amazing day! I had so much fun working with you and all of your amazing friends and family! I wish you both the best of everything!
And now, feel free to enjoy their slideshow ~
It was both an honor and a privilege to photograph Stephanie and JJ's Engagement session. All I can say, is those two love birds are some troopers! 8 degree weather... doesn't stop them! so why would I let it stop me? I'm always up for a challenge. Besides some frosty, rosy cheeks, we had a fantastic time together on a brisk Sunday afternoon in NE Ohio. These two people are going to be amazing to work with come September. Genuine, fun and absolutely wonderful to photograph! Here are some of my personal favorites from the day! Enjoy ~
For more amazing pictures, please, enjoy the slideshow.
]]>Yep. It's even wrapped in satin... |
Love. |
Now isn't that better than a disc?
It's up to you.
Album Epoca ladies and gentlemen. Only the best for my brides :)
"creating unique products to celebrate extraordinary moments"
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Saturday September 22 was an absolutely beautiful day to get married. I couldn't have been happier to spend the day with Melisa & Damon. They picked a magnificent venue. Gervasi Vineyard in Canton is a little slice of Italy in our own back yard. Every single detail in the Villas from the plaster walls to the oversized wooden doors to the sprawling vineyard in every direction gave the day that extra special touch. Everyone was just blown away. And to be there with these two people, it was perfect.
Melisa and Damon are very much in love. You could see it in their eyes, all day, every time they smiled at one another. And, I have to mention it, Damon's reaction to seeing her the first time was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. They were both just totally happy and having a blast all day.
Even when a HUGE storm came through about 20 minutes after the ceremony. It soaked everything, and we couldn't go out and shoot the landscape like we would've liked. It didn't even phase them, they were just having a good time. Who knew we would have the opportunity later to go out and get some of those special shots. That dip of them kissing in the vineyard is hands down, one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken.
Thank you to the happy couple for letting me capture your day. It was an absolute blast, and I wish the two of you the absolute best. Enjoy some of my favorites, and at the end, check out the slideshow from the day! ~
Enjoy the slideshow below:
Can't wait guys!
Here is a slideshow of the whole shoot!
A fantastic new spin on a wedding day: a first look. A special, private moment when the bride and groom see each other for the first time before the ceremony. You end up with some amazing personal moments beautifully captured.
Jess was so excited to see him. And I think it's pretty safe to say, he wasn't disappointed.
Here is the awesome Slideshow!!
She is an absolute beauty!
Q just knocks you away with that gaze! And Amanda, beautiful Amanda. So Pretty. I can't wait. Hopefully I get to photograph them down in Jamaica for their special day. I'm getting into this destination thing. Can't stop me now!
Feel free to enjoy the slideshow:
http://video214.com/play/ENhMKeu96aRToT613ZwZzQ/s/dark
Looking back on the pictures when I was editing, it made me realize something about this family.
They are one, special, amazing group of people. And I'm so happy that they are part of my life.
i should say thank you. I mean, you did introduce my parents. and today, april 29th. they are celebrating 34 years of marriage. so, thank you.
please enjoy my slideshow: the Hagans
enjoy~
So this past holiday, I am at a large gathering of friends and family. And someone mentions to me these awesome moving pictures. They send me a link, and I am instantly memorized at how cool they are. Beautiful even. It's like part of the picture is alive!
THEN, at the next family dinner, my one-day-brother-in-law-to-be shows me that I can download an app on my phone and MAKE THESE MYSELF! In like two minutes!! My mind is blown.
It changes how you can look at composition, story telling, hidden meanings. So often you look at a photo, and you make up a story in your head. Well, BAM. The picture is showing you part of the story! You can reveal a breath, a wink, a nudge, the future, the past... the possablities are endless. and I am tingly all over. how exciting!
Seriously. When I saw them last week on my screen, I was impressed, mildly amused. But I never thought a simple little iPhone could be capable of such magic. What I know about movies is limited, but I've been interesting in dabbling for a bit now. This is like my transistion. And I'm having so much fun!!!
So here it is world, my little moving pictures. They are alive and well. and some are kind of creepy. And I LOVE THEM. Thank you to Tim and Bill for showing me another creative outlet. You have no idea how much it means to me. ~
]]>Abe brought along a motley crew, and I had Megan with me. I think everyone had a pretty good time. I managed to grab a gorgeous portrait of her with the new 50. She is just too easy to photograph.
Well, I'm looking forward to more of these throughout the year. I love shooting for fun. It's good for the head to go out and play. I mean, I usually have that in the back of my head regardless of whether or not I'm getting paid. But come on.
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy
(too much? sorry. i love leaving cinematic references. i hope someone appreciates them)
I was in college, being pulled this way and that. I was taking really crappy pictures of sports (i don't know anything about sports) and feature shots and really bad black and white pictures of sidewalks (simply because I didn't have a car. I walked a lot). But she saw something in me, and she pushed it.
And here I am. I love what I do. I really, REALLY love what I do.
I love taking pictures. I love meeting new people, making them relax and feel beautiful. I get to go new places, and do different things everytday. I get to follow light, and try out new lenses, and just see where it all takes me. I mean, I never thought I would be a wedding photographer. But now, it's something totally different in my eyes. I get to share the most incredibly special day with people. I get to tell their story. I get to make them into pieces of art that will hang on their walls for years to come. They will look back at my pictures.. and smile.
who knew?
she did.
*thanks lisa
Looking forward to making him smile for years to come:)
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I would also like to mention, Photography by Hilary is now an official preferred photographer at the The Geneva Lodge. One of the loveliest places to hold any occasion down at good ol' GOTL. *wink wink nudge nudge* I grew up in Geneva, so it only made sense still living so close to home to reach out to such an establishment. Plus, I photographed a wedding there last fall and really had a nice experience. So they invited me to participate in a 'Grand Bride's Tasting Event' where I could display my work.
Later in the week I went to a seminar on Senior photography with Sal Cincotta. He is, as always, very inspirational. And he makes me want to jump into this crazy world with every thing I have, all systems go, give it everything I have with every fiber of my being. I need that every once in a while. Like a big ol' kick from the behind. Someone saying, go on. Take it. It's yours.