alex & ben's wedding

I'm so happy to share Alex & Ben's wedding with everyone. You'll understand why when you see all the smiley faces in the photos. Everyone was relaxed, the weather was kind to us...just a good time all the way around.

I was warned about this cat. He only bit me twice and seeing how he was purring when he did so, I don't take it personally. Especially since he was kind enough to stand in for the ring pillow.
Prepping the bride always allows for many a QVC moment.

Here's Alex right after Mary was done working her magic. So gorgeous. This was taken at 2pm. Remember that...2pm....

Alex and Ben were introduced to each other by their moms. It seemed only fitting that their moms should present their kids to each other once again for when Ben saw Alex for the first time on their wedding day.



I LOVE this shot of Ben as he watches Alex come down the aisle.

The veil was on queue. "You may now kiss the bride," and "whoosh!" up it went.
I was really looking forward to shooting at the Venue. It's all brick and girders...beautifully industrial and small enough to still maintain a sense of intimacy. The indoor/outdoor aspect is also a plus with a nice view of downtown.


Yes. Those are tiny little individual creme brulées. Oh. My. God. So good. They had a whole desert table with a huge variety of gorgeous little treats.

Ok, now look at the photo below. This was taken after 8pm. This is after running around outside in the heat, after a few tears, after eating dinner. Now scroll up and look at that photo from 2pm. All Alex had to do was reapply a little gloss and she's still looking fresh and stunning. Seriously, ladies...I cannot pimp out Mary Kelly enough!

Fantastic idea. Alex and Ben had pails of flip flops around the reception so the ladies could dance in comfort.
...and dance, they did!


Congratulations, Alex and Ben!

venue: The Venue @ Smith Bros. / make up artist: Mary Kelly email: maryevangeliakelly@yahoo.com / catering: Zuppa, the Venue

laura & drew's engagement session

I've been dying to get Laura & Drew's engagement photos up here! We were without power for a week and everything piled up, but I'm catching up and can finally get to some of the fun stuff...like blogging photos I want everyone to see. :)

Laura is the author of the fabulous Bridal Cheek blog. You really have to check it out; she has excellent taste, very good sense, and possibly more important, a good sense of humour when it comes to all things wedding.
Traversing their favorite downtown neighborhood, we found lots of surprise pockets of loveliness, like this seemingly abandoned garden, overgrown with wildflowers and trees.


I've always loved this building. It's imposing and seems totally out of place in downtown Columbus. I don't know why I think American Gothic is funny every time**, but this scene really called for it. (**Probably because of the restraint it takes to keep a straight face and the inevitable cracking-up that follows.)
Oh, Collier West. How I love you so. Laura had posted about this amazing store on her blog and we just had to go by. The staff was kind enough to allow us to take some photos of Laura & Drew looking around at the pretties inside the store (which I'll post more of at a later time!)





They're very cute together. :)
Next stop: Jeni's ice cream!
Not a huge fan of the diamond industry, Laura and Drew designed her yellow sapphire ring together.
If I remember correctly, Laura chose her shoes before her dress. Girl after my own heart. ;)



I had a blast getting to know them a little better and I'm so looking forward to their wedding next spring!

stacy & ron's engagement session

I told Wolfgang I'd be home in two hours when I'd left to do Stacy & Ron's engagement shoot. ...I'm a big fat liar. I was there for a wee bit longer than expected. They have a beautiful home and we decided that would be a great place to do their session so they could just relax and play with their hilarious dogs and I could photograph them as they are.


One thing that struck me right away while scouting out locations in the house was that Stacy & Ron have photographs everywhere. Couldn't turn a corner without running into a bunch of frames...including several empty ones awaiting prints. Needless to say, I was thrilled to death that keeping these memories visible at all times was so important to them.

I took a LOT of photos of their dogs. They're terribly goofy and silly and play until they pass out. They had a little fun time battle royale toward the end of the session.


We decided to go to the pond before the storm hit and the hazy misty light was incredible.








We did the session only a few weeks before the wedding and I was so happy to get to know them a bit before hand. I knew working with them again would be just as entertaining as this shoot (and it was!)