doing a mid-season check-in
There is a burst of energy that comes with jumping back into wedding season, where I’m making promises to myself like writing multiple blogs per week and posting on social media daily — the photographer’s version of New Years resolutions, except starting in like April. Anyway: because I am a one-person marketing team those things drop off in the middle of working on caring for couples, accompanying other photographers to their weddings and everything else life tees up out of nowhere. But we’re back, baby! I have a quieter August and I figured I would just use the time to get caught up to speed on a few highlights from the season so far.
April 20, 2024: Alex and Katie basically threw the royal wedding and I was working with Anna that day so I was lucky enough to play witness. The thing that stuck out to me most from this day was Katie’s dress that I can use no other word to describe but luxurious. It suited her personality and the elegance of the day perfectly and made for a timeless look I just know is going to translate well when she looks back at the photos fifty years from now. It was my first time ever being in the Old Cleveland Courthouse which makes you feel like you are the most glamorous person to ever live. I’ve been working with Anna for three years now and each one someone tops itself!
May 4, 2024: Meredith and Jordan are a breath of fresh air. Their wedding in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park had spring color, a lot of happy tears and a setting that is really hard to replicate in its cuteness: the Happy Days Lodge. I got to work with a new friend that day — thank you, Emily, for being the warmest photographer right away — and it was fun to just be a secondary pair of eyes for the day, taking in the insanity (complimentary) that was Meredith’s dress and the joy working at a venue like this can bring. Again: no misses this season!
May 18, 2024: Two weeks later, I was lucky enough to have another Meredith as a bride! Michael and her got married in her aunt and uncle’s backyard, thrifted dress in tow and garden party theme at a maximum. They took the most chilled approach to their day and it fit their laidback, family-oriented personalities perfectly. She got ready in the basement of the house; later, both of them wore an eagle pin and necklace to represent the eagle they saw the day he proposed. Plus: I got to witness my first log-cutting ceremony. Pröst!
May 31, 2024: My friend Michael was back in town and he invited me to shoot Ariana and Chris’ day at the Tudor House at Mason’s Cove in Akron. God: am I happy that I said yes! It was one of those days that stayed so aesthetically beautiful while holding true to the core of the plot. They shared personal vows prior to the ceremony, had a private dinner together while their guests spent time at cocktail hour and included journals in their detail boxes detailing the days leading up to their wedding and how they were feeling. Bonus: these florals from Jorgie Lee Weddings!
June 1, 2024: Last but certainly not least: Molly and Mike got married at Gather at the Lakes in Akron and I cannot think of a moment where they weren’t laughing and joking with their massive bridal party and families. These two clearly have some amazing people on lock in their lives and that evident during one of the consistently fullest dance floors I’ve seen! To top things off: they brought in a Swenson’s truck at the end of the night and that line did not quit. I somehow tried potato teezers for the very first time that night and now I’m hooked.
