When I first met Megan and Matt, Megan confessed to me that she was having trouble finding a wedding photographer near cleveland that she believed in. She literally told me she was frustrated and saddened – she wanted something different for her wedding photography.
There are a few talented wedding photographers in cleveland, but what megan was voicing was that she wanted to find someone who would provide her images that were unique to her and Matt. I love when I see that in a couple – it excites me as a photographer to work with couples who want me to push the envelope and craft them something unique and personal.
Images like the two above are unique and personal to Megan and Matt. I believe that wedding photography is a way to communicate the essence of a person and the heart of a couple.
And I think wedding photography done right looks different than what we often see everywhere. I think it should be timeless, but not repetitive or trite.
I think great wedding photographers know how to tell story. The image above is a candid moment of Megan and her mother as Megan was getting ready in the morning. This was real – not staged. You can absolutely see the pause and the moment they spent together.
Megan had given Matt a gift before the wedding of a hunting bow. I’m not a bow hunter (I know next to nothing about it) but Matt was freaking out. Apparently it was a pretty epic edition of a bow he has always wanted, and Megan hit the target dead on. (Yes, sorry for the pun).
As I went back to find the ladies at the hotel, Megan was just about to get into her gown. I LOVE these little moments, they can pass by so quickly.
After dressing, Megan came into the attached room with her bridesmaids and family waiting. They LOVED seeing her in her wedding gown. Tears and exclamations rolled over Megan. She was (and is!) a beautiful bride.
Matt had given Megan a gift as well – and it moved ther to tears. I love that I captured the motion of her fanning herself to keep from crying 🙂
The ladies were a BLAST to hang out with. I had so much fun creating natural images with them!
Their outdoor wedding at Fellows Riverside Garden (near youngstown – a bit of travel for this cleveland wedding photographer!) was perfect for the sunny and warm day that it was.
I was able to quickly capture quite a few images of Megan as she came down the “aisle” with her father.
I ♥ outdoor wedding ceremonies. It can be tricky to hit the righting just light, but after 8 years of being a wedding photographer, I’ve learned a few tricks.
Great wedding photography is really about the above – moments preserved in time.
… and moments stolen together.
Ok… so I drove by this incredibly awesome (yet absolutely dilapidated) building earlier in the day. I asked Megan if she trusted me, if she’d let me take some creative risks with her wedding photography. She did. And the risk paid off. Seriously friends – trust your wedding photographer’s instincts.
The building was creepy and junky, but the beauty of these two pop off against it so perfectly.
I love the simplicity of these images.
And I loved the fun we had making them!
Some close friend had put together a really fun video for Megan and Matt to enjoy on the wedding day. It was a sweet creation, and gave Matt the ability to see one of his friends who couldn’t be in the wedding party due to an overseas commitment.
The reception was awesome. Megan later told me that she actually got to enjoy her reception. It’s amazing how often brides and grooms can’t actually enjoy the party they’ve spent so much time working on.
We snuck out for some epic night wedding photography. I LOVE creative challenges, and with just a few minutes out in the gardens by the reception we made some beautiful imagery happen.
Wait – don’t get scared of the spider below 🙂 He was spying on me as I did my ring shots in a small garden pot I found outside. I about pooped myself when he walked by the rings while I fired off my flash!
Megan. Matt. I enjoy you two. Congratulations – and please enjoy these for the years to come!
