Brandon and Amber Engagement

So I know I haven’t blogged in a while. But I’m still here. And I just did one of my most favorite photo shoots of all time.

Two of the most beautiful people I know, in an absolutely gorgeous location. I mean, disclaimer here, these are two of my best friends. I love them. I have shared many, many special moments with these two wonderful people. And in just about a month, we will all fly across the country to witness their marriage in front of Mt. Reiner.

I couldn’t be happier sharing such a special day with these two amazing people.

I was doing my best to capture a piece of their intense love for one another with their engagement pictures at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The day was perfect. I was on my game. And my camera was on fire. And these two lit up the forest. 

enjoy. feel free to check out the slideshow below.  

Brandon and Amber Engagement

the Hagans

Down at the Old Mill in Geneva with my folks last Thursday, enjoying some live music with fine group of people.  It was a great environment, and everyone was having a good time. I was watching the band, and I saw the opportunity for a moment that should be captured. I saw some people taking pictures with their cellphones, and I thought to myself, "no. this memory deserves something better than a cell phone pic." (don't' get me wrong. i love my iPhone:) But I happened to have my gear in the car, so I went out and grabbed it. And I think I may have caught the mood.

 


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~

my love of weddings and my new slideshow

I was talking with a friend who just got engaged recently. She was asking if I would shoot her wedding, or if I just wanted to be a guest. And my response really sums it all up how I feel about wedding photography. It's not just a job. It's my passion. I love what I do. And it's an honor every time I get to share that experience with a family. I mean, what better gift could I possible give, than the gift of their story, captured beautifully. I really do feel like I picked a great niche in photography. I mean, I get to photograph people in love. Capturing emotions are easy when they are smiles, kisses and hugs. When you can look at too people staring at one another, and see them staring into the eyes of the person they are going to spend the rest of their lives with, it can't help but move you. I'm blessed that I can share in their happiness.

Here is a collection of my photos from the last five years. enjoy.

Wedding slideshow

Cinemagrams just blew my mind

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. ~  

Photo walk Cleveland Lake View Cemetery

My awesome friend, Abe from Blind 7 Photography hosts monthly photo walks in Cleveland. Last weekend, we went to Lake View Cemetery. It's been a long time since I tried to photograph a grave yard. Back to basics BW Photography 101. I Wish I took pictures this good back then. I should dig some up (pun) and post them along side these ones. (you can blame my father for my bad puns.)
It was my first time at Lake View. It was awesome. This is no little piddly cemetery. It's HUGE. I mean, it has a castle in it. We have a former president (in the castle), more Rockwells than you can count, Elliot Ness, even the guy who invented the traffic light!
It was pretty cool. No really, it was like 30 degrees. But the cold, cloudy weather just added to the atmosphere. With the sun nicely tucked away, I could really get in deep with some of the textures of the rock. So it worked to my advantage. I was shooting with my new 50mm 1.4, 30mm 1.4 and 10-24mm.  Obviously having a blast. I was crawling all over that place. Fun stuff. As always, a touch of fun afterwards with Lightroom and Nik Silver Effects adds a little flare~

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)

with a little help from my friend

I'm getting an opportunity to speak to a photography class at John Carroll University tomorrow. (insert sound effect: oooooOOOOoooo) The professor is a former teacher of mine, Lisa Burroughs. I met Lisa at my tenure at Kent State.  I was two or three years into my degree (photojournalism) at that point. But, honestly, she was my first teacher who really made me think that I could take a good picture. She saw something special in me that I don't even know if I saw at the time. She is still on of my very favorite people and best friends to this day, but a huge inspiration as well. I would not be here today if it weren't for her support.
For the third time now, she's invited me to speak to her class about what I do as a photographer. How I got here. What I still do to move forward. She gives me a chance to show my work. My professional work, and my beloved and precious silly stuff too. (Let's just say, I am a well rounded photographer.) I put a piece of myself into each and every photo I take. And it's because she told me it was okay to do that. 

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

Little Lion Man

This week I had the sheer enjoyment of photographing little Liam. I've never seen a little one year old move so fast. When he crawled, his knees never touched the carpet. ZOOM>>>> there he went. So cute though. A little bundle of love. Such a joy to photograph. Look at this little lion man.

Looking forward to making him smile for years to come:)
~~~
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. <oh yeah, small detail. I had 5 days to put my first full display together> I rocked it. I made some canvases and metal prints. I grabbed some crafty ideas off of  Pinterest, and took what I learned from some Today's Brides Shows. I was pretty happy with what I came up with. Go Van's Photo for the quick turn around. You guys rock! (full disclosure: i work there:) I got a chance to talk to a bride or two. But total upside I wasn't expecting, I met some really awesome local vendors. And got to hang out with some other really awesome local photographers, Paul Thomas Photography and Martello Photography. Giving up some props for the local peeps. :) Josh Woodward from Bloomers Florist and everyone else there was so friendly. So it was an awesome weekend. So looking forward to booking weddings only 15 minutes from home. :) not going to lie :)
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.