Stephen:Christina Engaged!

Okay, one more e-session for today, and then the rest tomorrow (and hopefully, two weddings too!).

So, engaged couples often wonder "How can we make our engagement session the best it can be?" Mine and Robb's answer is very often "Be YOURSELVES!" Don't be afraid to hold hands, hug, talk, laugh, kiss, or make goofy faces at each other. Do whatever it is that the two of you do. THAT'S going to give your photographers a lot of great, natural, candid shots of the two of you. That's not to say we're not going to ask you to pose in those standards that your mom and dad are going to want to frame...but you're going to love your photos more if you have chemistry between the two of you while in front of the camera. And somehow, without being told Stephen and Christina had just that. Chemistry. And that is why their session really rocked. Because these are photos of Stephen and Christina being who they are. In love, and silly, and romantic, and it makes everything perfect.

Christina, a former dancer, makes Stephen dance with her in random places. I think he's doing a pretty good job playing along!

See the silliness? It's perfect!

Robb has shot near this church before, but I hadn't gotten the opportunity yet. I loved it! Good find, dear husband!

The side of the church made for a great smoochin' shot!

Both Xavier alums...we had to go to campus as well. As a UC student, I barely escaped breaking out in hives... (kidding!). But I would've suffered through it for Stephen & Christina!

Such a natural shot...which is why it's great. I'm sure they do this kind of thing all the time.

I loved how there were just enough leaves that had dropped to give this that early fall look. So romantic.

Christina & Stephen - here's to next year! We can't wait!

Mark:Jessica Engaged!

Another e-session for everyone!

Meet Mark & Jessica! These two were seriously up for just about anything, which included dancing in the street at Alms Park. Jessica said Mark didn't dance...but I think he does, and she just never knew, because he did pretty good!

Enjoy the pics!

This is seriously my favorite of the entire session! I'm not sure how many different directions Robb had to twist to get this angle, but I totally love it!

I love the lens flare from this sunset shot!

Jessica got a little sassy, but Mark seems to take it pretty well. ;-)

Jessica & Mark - it was so great working with you on this session! Robb and I can't wait until your wedding!

Mike:Beril Engaged!

Finally getting some blogging done...we've had a ton of engagement sessions the last couple of weeks that I've needed to post!

We'll start with Mike & Beril. They are Cincinnati natives, living in Texas now, but planning an awesome wedding in March. On a trip up to visit family, we squeezed in a session between rain showers. They are seriously fun people!

The Levee is always a great place for photos!

And so is Covington.. Riverside Drive is very popular this time of year!

So, the funny story here is the Mike & Beril apparently are consistently teased about how much they are texting on their phones... and so in the photo, they are texting each other. If memory serves me correctly, I think Beril was first to hit "Send."

Robb and I are super excited about this Irish-Turkish-with-a-St. Patty's-Day-flair-shindig next March - and we know that Mike & Beril are going to be awesome to work with!

Thanks for testing Mother Nature with us - it was so much fun!

Matt:Brittney Engaged!

A few weeks ago, Robb and I ventured out to spend a couple of hours with Matt & Brittney to shoot their e-session. What fun these two are! We are so looking forward to their wedding in November!

We started at the always popular Norman Chapel.

And ended up in downtown, right before a Bengals game let out (that's another story!)

See, I told you they were fun!

Robb and I really like it when couples aren't afraid to be their silly selves - it shows your personality in your images, and they make great photos like these!

Matt & Brittney - Robb and I are so looking forward to working with you in the coming weeks! Your wedding is going to be a great time!

Eliot:Melanie Married!

Oh my.... this post has taken a couple of weeks, just because we simply couldn't decide which pictures to blog!

Eliot and Melanie have this extraordinary energy about them, and such love between them. And it showed in every single image. Just narrowing it down to 17 photos...it's a lot for a blog post, but once you see these, you'll know why we had trouble choosing.

First, the church. St. Elizabeth is stunning. It has such grace and character in its old age... and it was absolutely the most perfect venue for Eliot & Melanie.

And then...Melanie. Such an amazing spirit. And she just oozed pure joy and happiness all day. By the time she had her veil on, even I had tears in my eyes.

Robb grabbed some fun shots of the guys through the day... it always feels a little unfair, since the guys can get ready in a matter of minutes, but I really like this one of Eliot getting his tie on.

Eliot sent Melanie presents throughout the day. One of the last before the ceremony was a "list" of the reasons he wanted to marry Melanie - how completely romantic is that?!

When the moment finally arrived, and they were joined together at the altar...well, you can see for yourself how over the moon happy they were.

Another beautiful moment during the ceremony...they were so wonderfully expressive of their love. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the building - mine included.

Their exit from the church was certainly full of fall color and big, happy smiles!

A sporty red getaway car is ALWAYS fun!

The great thing about working for another photographer is all the great ideas they have - this is what Eliot dubbed "the band pose." And he had such a great group of guys to play the part too!

A shot of the groom, looking quite dapper in his suit!

The happy couple in front of one of the spectacular stained glass windows.

And finally, a couple shots of the newlyweds enjoying their first dance together as Mr. & Mrs. See that love and great energy? That's why we do what we do, and we're thrilled that Eliot & Melanie allowed us to be a part of their day!

Eliot & Melanie - you both have truly been a blessing to so many people, and have been such a joy to work with. If ever there were two people made for one another in this world, it is the two of you!