Kristina and Mike's Catawba Island Wedding

I was happy to return to Catawba Island Club last month for Kristina and Mike's wedding. I had been looking forward to this day since I met with Kristina and her family, and it exceeded my expectations. Tina B Florals did an amazing job with the flowers, and even the weather cooperated. Here are a few favorites:



We talked ahead of time about getting some sunset photos since Catawba Island usually has spectacular sunsets. We had just finished shooting, and I turned around in time to catch Kristina and Mike stealing a kiss.and the other side of sunset photos....gorgeous light on their faces










Congratulations Kristina and Mike. Warm wishes for a long and happy life together.

Jon and Lesley

Here are a few favorites from Jon and Lesley's gorgeous wedding at the Hanna Theater. The Hanna was recently renovated, and it's so beautiful inside. This was the theater's first wedding, and the staff did a great job from where I was standing.

Congratulations guys!

Baby Will + Family

Here are a few favorites from Baby Will's family portrait session. Allow me to gush for just a moment: what a gorgeous baby boy!

The Gene Experience

I recently had the utter pleasure of getting my hair cut by Gene Belikov. Just in time, too. I nearly frightened guests at this weekend's wedding with my horrible hair.
Although he left many broken hearts in Cleveland with his recent move to Chicago, he happened to be in town this weekend, and made a special trip to my friend Christy's house to cut our hair.

Getting your hair cut by Gene is a sensuous experience. There's no other way to say it. When you sit in Gene's chair, he gives you his complete, undivided, intense attention. He listens. He considers your features. And then he picks up his scissors, and you realize you are in the capable hands of an artist.

When I mentioned to him that getting a hair cut by him is rather special, he said that other clients have said he has "good manners" when it comes to cutting hair.

Um. Sure. Good manners.

Anyway, a word to my Chicago brides: if you have a chance to get out to Vernon Hills, do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment with Gene at ZaZa Salon. I haven't been to ZaZa, so I can't speak for the salon, but I can tell that Gene is amazing. When I step out of his chair, I feel like he has examined, loved, and carefully cut every single hair on my head. He's a true artist, and it's a pleasure both to be worked on by him, and to watch him work.


That's one happy client.

Gene, good luck in Chicago. I'm secretly hoping no one comes to see you at ZaZa so you'll return to Cleveland and continue cutting my hair. But I realize that's just a tad selfish. So I'll settle for wishing you well in your new city.

Laura and Michael's Wedding

I had to lead with this hauntingly gorgeous image of Laura. We only had a few minutes to do some photos on the green at Mayfield Country Club, and this was from the last series we did. It is my absolute favorite image from the whole day. I just love her intense expression. She looks like she's going somewhere enchanted, and you can follow if you dare. And yeah, maybe I am watching Harry Potter while I blog, and it's affecting my post ;) But just look at that photo and tell me she doesn't look enchanting.



No one was brave enough to try to put on Laura's veil, so her wedding planner, Amy Hissa, stepped in to do the job.


Congratulations Laura and Michael! You were so fun to work with, and I can't wait to see you again to show you your photos.

Southern Italy + Southern US = Romance

Giuseppina and Jason tied the knot in a moving ceremony at St. Anselm's. Though we had lovely overcast weather while she was getting ready, it poured after the ceremony, and I was disappointed that we couldn't go to Holden Arboretum for photos. Then I saw the beautiful natural light inside LaMalfa, and I changed my tune. Fast. You can't do this in a garden:

The setting at LaMalfa let me try some things I've been wanting to do for a while. I was just waiting for the right opportunity, and there it was. The setting lent itself to some very formal poses, but when it was time for some more relaxed photos, Jason could really make Giuseppina smile. It was great to see such a happy couple.






Congratulations Giuseppina and Jason!

Bill and Sara's rock n'roll wedding

Sara and Bill met in a band, then returned to the sight of their first cd release to celebrate their wedding. They tied the knot in the historic Akron Christian Reformed Church, then rocked out with family and friends at The Lockview. If you live in Akron and haven't been to the Lockview, I suggest you go. The food was awesome and the atmosphere was cozy.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from this unique wedding...


Bubbles floating down as they ran from the church to their getaway car--
-- a classic Ford Galaxie. I shot this from my car, as we were driving to the reception.

With that gorgeous dress fluttering about as if she had just stepped out of a myth, I couldn't resist a few urban goddess photos.



Congratulations Bill and Sara. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.