Rachel & Ryan | Mon Ami Winery Wedding

Rachel and Ryan met during a night out in Chicago … over some banter. These two are both so witty, it doesn't surprise me in the least that they joked with each other all night. It was probably hilarious. :) The only problem? Rachel lived in Chicago while Ryan called Cleveland home.

According to Rachel, it almost didn't matter because Ryan was "so upfront with his feelings" that she was ready to make it work regardless.

"My favorite thing about Ryan is his unwavering desire to make me happy," Even when I'm upset or feel self-conscious, he does whatever he can to make me feel better, beautiful and loved. I have never had to question the fact that Ryan loves me and will love me no matter what."

I can personally attest to that just from watching the two of them from behind my camera. Ryan wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Rachel, and it's one of the things that makes them so fun to photograph.

Ryan chimed in: "Rachel's the most caring and thoughtful person I know. Everyone sees it the first time they meet her, and I will always cherish it."

Rachel and Ryan, thank you so much for inviting me to document your day. You two are beautiful people, and I'm really so honored to have been your photographer. Enjoy this crazy ride! 

Rachel's dress was gorgeous, with buttons all down the back. And don't even get me started on her shoes!

Ryan kept stealing glances at Rachel during the ceremony. Adorable!

Rachel's sister made her awesome brooch bouquet!

Favorite! I love the creamy skin tones from the Fuji 400H film!

Ceremony: Immaculate Conception Church Reception: Mon Ami Winery Florist: Mary's Blossom Shoppe Cupcakes: Becca Ritterspach DJ: Pete Troy Entertainment Makeup Artist: Natural Wave Salon Hair Stylist: Staci Leyda, Scott Talbott Salon Bride's Dress: Alfred Angelo, Linde's Bridal and Prom Bride's Shoes: Etsy Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Angelo, Linde's Bridal and Prom Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse Honeymoon: Greece!

August Goals + Creative Juices

It's August?! How is it August?? This summer has gone SO quickly, and if I'm being perfectly honest, I'm having a hard time keeping the balance I was determined to stick with at the beginning of the year. Summers are always filled with lots of shooting--weddings, newborns, families, engagements--and I always want to do it all! It's a tough lesson for me to learn that I'm just one person and can't say yes to everything while still staying balanced in my personal life. I suppose I'll always deal with this struggle. It's one that reminds me I'm human and helps me appreciate the little moments in the midst of the crazy. And August will be just that … CRAZY! Nathan and I get to escape to the UK in September (YAY!), so August will be reminiscent of exam week in college--cram as much in as you possibly can and somehow, some way it will all get done. Here's to a productive month!

• Finish my second book from August and read one more (25 in 12): And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini and Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle
• Go to the pool at least one more time!
• Make a healthy, summer-y dinner and eat it al fresco
• Enjoy an Indians game
• Submit two weddings
• Edit at least five weddings
• Get caught up on vendor photos

I've been obsessing over So You Think You Can Dance this summer (it's my first season ever!), and I was captivated by Jessica and Casey's performance last week to Hozier's Like Real People Do. This song is beautiful, and I especially love the folksy + waltz feel. Check it out:

Anyone else loving SYTYCD or another show this summer? I've also been watching season after season of Survivor while I edit. It's so not something I ever thought I would get into, but I'm loving it!

Collected 2014 | Northeast Ohio Collaborative Wedding Shoot

Northeast Ohio is full of talented, creative, inspiring people. I'm so lucky to have the chance to regularly work with some of the best of them. And last month I had the chance to work with a whole slew of creative wedding professionals at a collaborative event called Collected.

My dear friends Mallory + Justin created Collected to give local vendors in this industry a chance to create for themselves. And also come together and get to know and inspire each other. It was so fun to be a part of Collected, and I'm so grateful to Mallory + Justin for inviting me!

The event was held at Mallory's parent's house (thanks, Bairs!) in Waynesburg, which was really the perfect setting. Talk about gorgeous property! Heather of Fair Rarity, Janelle of With Love and Whimsy and  Colleen of Borrow Rentals made the backyard look even more beautiful with this first setup ...

Many thanks to Jessica and Frankie for modeling for us. :)

For me, one of the best things about Collected was that I got to shoot a ton of film. I really do get giddy when I pull out my Mamiya, so that was inspiring in and of itself.

Maggie of MKleinman Artistry did a fantastic job on the ladies' makeup throughout the day.

Just look at this bouquet in the next set. Heather! You are phenomenal!

Amanda of Baci Designer always, always impresses me with her pretty stationery.

Rebecca is gorgeous. Does she not look straight out of an Anthropologie magazine??

A little Aztec inspiration ...

Brian, you killed it!

Fuji 400H | Richard Photo Lab

Collected 2014 hosted by Mallory + Justin Photographers

Vendors Florals: Fair Rarity Furniture + Accesories + Styling: Borrow Rentals Creative Styling: With Love & Whimsy Events Makeup Artist: MKleinman Artistry Stationery: Baci Designer Baked Goods: Salvino Dolci Headbands: Little White Feather Shop Photographers: Mallory + Justin, Carolyn | Carolyn Ann Photo, Heather | Inlux Photo, Lisa | Brightside Photo, and yours truly! :)

Jaclyn & Alex | Hines Hill Stone Cottage Intimate Wedding

These nuptials have been a long, long time coming. Jaclyn and Alex met in FIRST grade on the playground. Come on. So cute! What is so remarkable though is that you'd never know these two grew up together. There is a sense of comfort between them, but they also treat each other with complete respect and tenderness and love, almost as if they met just a year or two ago. Watching them from behind my lens, it seemed as if everything was new and they were in awe of the each other. This was one of the most heartfelt weddings I've ever had the pleasure of photographing and the whole morning was really sweet.

Jaclyn and Alex elected to have an intimate wedding, which I so appreciated. I have really come to love intimate weddings for their personal flair. Not only can you really make the day your own with a lot less, but you get to spend quality time with the people most important to you. And let me tell you, Jaclyn and Alex have some awesome people in their lives! Take a look at their fantastic day ...

The morning started off DARK. I mean, rain clouds were everywhere and it seemed inevitable that their outdoor wedding would be moved indoors. Miraculously the sky cleared and the whole morning was dry!

What a fantastic place for a wedding! Hines Hill never disappoints. And the Stone Cottage is so quaint.

Jaclyn's family is Scottish and she incorporated all kinds of Scottish touches throughout the day, including this luckenbooth ring attached to the boutonniere. So cool!

Jaclyn, you are seriously gorgeous. I love this photo of you putting on your vintage hat!

These two are really so cute. :)

Meet Mia, Jaclyn and Alex's beloved dog.

Can we talk about this gorgeous hat? Its lace is from her mom's wedding dress. What a thoughtful touch!

We had a ton of time for portraits, which meant we got to wander all over the Hines Hill property. I so appreciate Jaclyn and Alex bearing the humidity for the sake of these photos. :) And do they not look straight out of The Notebook in these photos?

What a fantastic morning. Thanks for inviting me to share in it, Jaclyn and Alex. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and fun!