Just three weeks before my own wedding, I had the privilege of attending the wedding of one of my closest friends from high school.  Elizabeth and Gavin shine together… and they are a such a pleasure to watch.  Now, I was a guest at their wedding, but how can I go and not bring my camera??? Their wedding was out at Botzum Farm in Akron, Ohio.  And, although the weather didn’t cooperate, it didn’t rain on anyone’s parade!  The bride walked down the aisle on her father’s arm and under an umbrella… rain whistles passed by, and brought on some laughter… but nothing steered my attention away from the way Gavin looked at his Bride throughout the whole ceremony.  They were something out of a Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Romance, poetry, faith and warmth of heart… how could I not try to capture it?   Here are some of my favorite shots…

As the world of photography expands further into the digital world, the role of a photographer is moving right along with it.  No longer are we glued to a tripod, under a velvet hood with hour-long exposures.  We can now capture images practically in the dark with just the snap of a shutter.  And, as photographic technology takes it a step further, we photographers are now entering a new and exciting world… VIDEO!  My new camera, the Nikon D3s not only surpasses my previous D3 in its image capture abilities, but now adds HD video to its list of attributes.  I’m so excited to now be able to offer clients– kids, families, weddings and bar mitzvahs, alike– a more complete photographic experience.  Adding film, captured with a look and feel consistent with the still images really adds somthing special.

Now tasked with learning how to incorporate this new feature… the fusion of images, moving and still, I turned to my go-to guy… my 6-month old nephew “Baby J” to be my guinea pig… What do you think??

For the fourth year, I got the treat of spending an afternoon taking outdoor family photos with Mr. R and Miss E (and their parents, of course)! These kids are definitely some of my favorite people around! They are so cute, and so sweet– and always excited to play and take pictures! Taking advantage of the extraordinary beauty of the autumn leaves, we explored areas of Chagrin were every turn provided a new picturesque backdrop! You just need to watch out for Mr. Water Snake, right guys?!?

So much fun playing in the leaves!

Miss E treated me to an original song she composed for me. I think it should be #1!!!

Here is a sample of the new and improved video slideshows we’re presenting your photos with…!  This video is from a outdoor location session that was part Bar Mitzvah photos, part family photos, and part child portraits.  These videos have been a huge hit in the studio– so many people have wanted to take them home with them, give them as gifts to grandparents, or even post them to Facebook, that we’ve added them to our product line!

Check it out!

August was a great month– filled with weddings, lots of pregnancy and newborn sessions, and tons of family photos, both in the studio and outdoors with natural light!  Here is a slideshow featuring a little bit of every photo session from August 2009.  Can’t wait to see what September brings…!