Talking with high school seniors is so much fun, and every time I talk to teenagers, I hear the same themes: so much hope and excitement for the future ahead in the midst of so much uncertainty! Samantha is no different. She is talented and driven, but still asking those same questions- WHAT COMES NEXT?! Life is so funny and it never changes. We're always wondering what our next steps should be...one minute you're in kindergarten picking out new markers, the next you're starting your first day of college, and then you get married, have a baby, your baby starts crawling and you turn 26.

But I digress...haha.

Samantha is a ballerina, a singer, an actress, and, as you'll see from the pictures, basically a model. She chose Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens for her pictures, and I was thrilled to be able to shoot there at the peak of the Fall season here in Ohio. I was also super excited to take some of her dance pictures in the gardens and along the Birch Tree Allee, and we discovered some really pretty spots off the beaten path around the Service Drive on property. All in all, it was a fun day and I had some fun editing pictures (Stan Hywet produces the MOST DRAMATIC pictures, perfect for black and white).

Congratulations to Samantha, and best of luck as you figure out your next steps after high school. You'll be so great no matter what you decide. Thanks for letting me take your pictures!














To see more, visit my online portfolio here.

I have a pretty wedding to show you.

I had the pleasure of meeting David and Mariah when they rented the Piggery. They mentioned that they were still looking for a photographer, and then I was lucky enough to get hired just a few weeks before their wedding :)

They were a DELIGHT to work with, had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception, and had the most wonderful friends and family. I was so honored to be a part of their special day.

Here are some of my favorite shots:















Venue: the Piggery at Anna Dean Farm
Wooded pictures taken down the road on the Towpath Trail

Hi everyone!

It's been a long time (7 months! wow). Something about being pregnant and having a baby takes a lot out of you ;)

Getting back into the swing of things today with a post about my current *favorite* trend- lush weddings in raw spaces. There's something about the mix of old & new, soft & hard that makes factory weddings or weddings in "rough" spaces so goshdarnbeautiful. I've always been fascinated by old, decaying buildings, and I think that's why I love the idea of hosting a gilded event in an airy old space with lots of brick and windows. Love it.

Inspiration from around the inter-web:


OHIO BRIDES: you're in luck. There are a couple of cool venues in the area to help you with this look. As always, contact the venues for the most up to date information and pricing!

 The Lake Erie Building (also known as the Screw Factory), Lakewood, OH

This space is so cool. Raw, industrial, urban. Lots of windows, tall ceilings and just such a cool space.



Check out more pictures here of a beautiful wedding shot by Shutterhead Studios.

3. 78th Street Studios, Cleveland

A lot of cool spaces to host private events small to big. Rates vary by studio chosen: SmARTspace at 78th is probably the biggest (dinner seating is 250). Rates are listed on the website. A true DIY space, perfect for the creative Bride.


4. The Wooltex Gallery, Cleveland

A super cool space- lots of brick and big windows.

This morning I read an article discussing the merits of a co-ed shower (the article focuses on baby showers, but applies to any kind of shower where two people are getting gifts), and I immediately felt very old-fashioned, and to be totally honest, kind of stupid.

Image via Glamour and Grace HI everyone. Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. To be totally honest, I've just had a pretty severe case of writer's block. For awhile, I've wanted to take the blog in a different direction, but I haven't been quite sure where or how that would work.

Image via Bella-Fiori Events.

Rose petal aisle runners are beautiful and classic, but unless you're a florist, you may not know just how many petals you need to achieve the look you see all over Pinterest. That's where Petal Garden's "Petal Quantity Calculator" comes in handy: input your coverage type, area and aisle length, and it spits out just how many petals you'll need to achieve the look you're after for your wedding.