Gina + Dan Engagement Session ~ Fuel the love

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. 

"And here we are, six years later." 

melt my heart...

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!

Please enjoy the slideshow!

Nina + Dustin Mansfield Reformatory Wedding

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. 

Ellie + John

Vintage. Elegant. Glam.

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!

Wasylyk Family

Ladies and gentlemen... I give you.. the magnificent Wasylyk family. 

total disclaimer: i love these guys. And I am totally honored to capture the first addition of their family, little Matthew

This is the second installment of Matt and Kim's FIRST YEAR BABY PACKAGE In these photos, Little Matt is one month old. We took some beautiful pictures as a newborn (slideshow here)

For the first shoot, I just wanted to focus on the little baby. Small details, natural light, his soft serene face... 

And then last week, we did these amazing pictures. Set in my studio, we did their first family portraits. Now, I went in tight & used dramatic lighting to really try to highlight their overwhelming love for this little man.. and each other :)

I couldn't have been happier with the results. Please enjoy, some of my favorites:

Sorry, I couldn't help but include this one. It just makes me smile :)

And now, feel free to enjoy their slideshow ~