Summer Days

Things have been a little crazy here as of late…the poor blog has been a bit neglected.  I am working hard to keep things balanced this summer with my kids, business, and life.  Some days, I must admit, I am failing miserably but overall I think I may be learning how to make all this chaos fit into one very blessed life.

This week has some great items in store including an adorable baby session that I photographed today.  (Did I mention that she’s adorable?)  And stay tuned tomorrow for a “Wedding Wednesday” featuring a very talented business that you won’t want to miss.

For now, I leave you with this.  I love finding light like this.

$25 gift card to first person who knows where this shot was taken.  (Answer coming in a future blog post…along with more gorgeous images.}

Classy Akron Wedding Photography {Donny & Maris}

Maris was joyful when I arrived at the salon as she and her friends and family got ready.  She knew the day would be the one she’s been waiting for.  The one she’d done all that traveling for.  They had prepared for every detail–a perfect location, a classy band, an elegant dress.  There was only one aspect that couldn’t be cared for in advance–the weather.

It  rained that day.  Actually, it poured.  But, the rain couldn’t stop the joy.  Donny & Maris were married under the cover of the Conservatory at Stan Hywet.  Despite the last minute changes, the wedding was beautiful and the bride and groom glowed along with the rest of the festivities.  I think in the end, they made their own sunshine.

I think the difference between great weddings and fabulous weddings is the details.  And trust me, details there were.  Here is Maris’s head piece.  Gorgeous, right?

Stan Hywet made the perfect backdrop for the day.  Donny and Maris were actually the first couple to ever be married in the front of the Conservatory.

Donny and Maris opted for a First Glance.  I love it.  I love capturing this moment when they first see one another and they can be alone for a time before the ceremony begins.  Some brides and grooms have confessed that it was their only time alone the entire day.

Maris has such grace about her.

More yummy details.

I had to include this shot.  Look at the cool stitching on the programs.

Donny’s father toasted the couple…

…followed by Maris’s sister.  And it may have been one of the cutest toasts I’ve ever heard.

Donny and Maris, thank you both for sharing your day with us.  It was a pleasure.

Some of the wonderful people and places who made their day possible:

Ceremony & Reception Location: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Colors: Black & White with Pops of Red

Florist: The Towne Florist

Bakery: West Side Bakery

Gown Boutique: The Country Bride and Gent

Videographer: Aaron Ruegg

Hair Stylist: Martha Vale

Makeup and Bridesmaid’s Hair: Carol Martin’s

Click below to view the slideshow.  {Please be patient.  It may take a moment to load.  Anyone viewing on Facebook or in an RSS feed, click here.}

3 Years Old!

I feel like a bit of a broken record but I don’t know how time flies so fast.  My sweet little niece is somehow three!

I love watching her and Eden grow up together and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of them.  I just wish the future would come a little more slowly.  It will probably feel like tomorrow and they will be in each other’s weddings.

I can almost hear her laughing in this next one.

Look at this little lady!

Happy Birthday little {A}!  Love you lots.

Downtown Akron Shoot

Last week we went to downtown Akron to shoot a senior session.  There will be a sneak peek of that session soon, but until then, I will leave you with a couple fabulous shots I got of our lovely intern (who may kill me for this.)

And just to prove I am not totally mean…Here’s one she got of me:

Hey, that hair flip isn’t easy to pull off.

Akron/Cleveland Children’s Photographer {K & L’s Sneak Peek}

Sometimes life is just not fair.  Everyday I get up, wash, blow dry, brush, straighten, spray, and smooth.  Yet, still, my hair doesn’t look as cute as Miss {K’s}.  This little thing was born with GREAT hair.  It’s poker straight…thick…perfect.  She can run around for an hour stop and shake her head, and it’s right back to a Pantene commercial.  {And she’s only four.}

And her brother is not so bad looking himself.  :)  Little {L} was not a huge fan of a photo session but with a few tricks we ended up with some great shots.

Neither was a big fan of my stools.  :(

But, it wasn’t anything a couple packs of Gushers couldn’t solve.

And…it’s a good thing Gushers did the trick since they coordinate perfectly with their green and blue.

My New Love…

I am in love with one of our new custom products for 2010.  These are gorgeous.  The Image Portfolio Box is one of the most elegant photo display options I’ve ever seen.

I think my favorite aspect is the versatility.  Swap these matted photos in various frames or easels for a display that never gets old.  {Plus the box looks awesome on your coffee table.}

They’re perfect for engagement sessions, family & child sessions, maternity, boudoir and even a great wedding album alternative.

Wedding Wednesday {Best Cleveland Area Wedding Vendors, Tips, & Ideas}

(I know.  I know.  It’s Thursday.  But doesn’t Wedding Wednesday have a much better ring to it?)

Allow me to introduce Ryan to you.  He is one of the DJs at Beach Boyz Entertainment and I asked him to tell us a little bit about himself and the business.  I firmly believe that your wedding entertainment is an essential piece of hosting a wedding people enjoy.  If your guests aren’t having fun you will be disappointed and believe me so will they.

Some DJs in the industry are fantastic and others are just so so.  Do yourself a favor and hire a fantastic one like Ryan here.  :)

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a person who loves to have fun and take life by the horns. I have been married now for 7 years and I have two sons. Austin and Trevor. Austin is 6 years old and in the first grade and Trevor is 3 years old. They are incredible. I just recently bought a home in Firestone Park and loving it. It’s so nice to have the freedom of owning and doing whatever I want, which means, I was able to get a Pet! We have 1 cat named Charlie and a Dog soon to come!

2. Tell us about Beach Boyz Entertainment…where are you located?

Beach Boyz is a wonderful DJ Service. The customers come first. That’s how we separate us from everyone else. It’s not our show, it’s theirs. We want to cater to all that our clients want. We have around 20 guys at the present time working for Beach Boyz. Range from Rookies to guys who have been there for 15 years.

3. How did you become a DJ?

I used to work at Todaro’s Party Center in Akron as a busboy so I got to see DJ’s first hand and got to see how much fun people had. I wanted to be that guy who provided the fun. I loved it when Beach Boyz DJ’d the parties because they made it a night to remember. So that’s why I decided to become a DJ. Didn’t know music too well and was a little quiet, but wanted to try. Now I know thousands upon thousands of songs and have been with Beach Boyz for 11 years. I get to provide the entertainment and provide the smiles as people walk out the door remembering how much fun their event was!

4. What do you think is the most important role of a DJ at a wedding reception?

The most important thing about the role of the DJ is becoming the one to take care of the flow of the night. For Weddings, we make sure that all events are planned, ready to go…and we keep a good pace. If you let the party drag out and check in the guest(s) of honor, then people lose interest and the client thinks “what’s next…” Being able to work the flow of the music is most important too! Anyone can hook up an IPOD and run music off of it all night, but do they really know how to work the crowd. Do they know what song to play next to keep people dancing? No. They usually just have a pre-determined list and just the play button. We don’t do that. We work the crowd off the lists the Client provides plus what we feel would keep the dance floor alive. Also, our DJ Service works closely with all Photographers and Videographers. That’s the last thing a Bride and Groom would want…no pictures for a special event on their Wedding Day…a Father-Daughter dance could be missed. All Vendors know what is coming up. We Emcee the event and Coordinate all events.

5. What should a bride and groom look for in a DJ?

As you look for a DJ, get to know them. Get comfortable with them. The reason I say that is because they are the one’s DJing the night you are going to remember the rest of your life. The DJ makes or breaks your reception. People don’t really remember the food, or the drinks…but they remember the music.

6. What are some unique things you (Beach Boyz) offer?

Beach Boyz offers a variety of unique things. We have basic lighting to intelligent lighting…Fog Machines/Snow Machines/Bubble Machines/the list keeps going. We have props for all kind of events when it comes to Kid Parties (Hula Hoops/Miniature Bikes/Wide Selection) to keep people entertained. We also interact with the crowd. We don’t stand behind the DJ Table with our arms crossed the whole night or sitting down eating and drinking alcohol. We don’t eat and we don’t drink alcohol at events. Our concern is the Bride and Groom…not our party life!

7. Do you have any fun stories or experiences that you can share?

I have tons of stories that could take up pages as to things that have happened in my 11 years so I will keep it short and sweet. The experiences I have meeting new people every weekend are awesome! But the best part is when you run into those people down the road and they remember you! They say they still talk about their reception and how much fun they had. They say that every family gathering they have, their reception comes up as a topic every time and memories start flying out their mouths and they can’t stop talking about it. That is the best experience. I once had a Bride and Groom I DJ’d for 5 years ago…well, their friend got married this past summer and they were guests. They came up to me and said “you were our DJ and I am so happy to see you here tonight. We told them to go to Beach Boyz and get Ryan.” So for couples to remember me that far down the road is the most amazing feeling. I love being a DJ and I will leave you with a quote that I will hold true to and you will see how much I love being a DJ by this quote:  ”The day that this becomes a job is the day that I call it quits”

Thanks for talking to me and hope to see you all soon!!

Here’s a couple shots from a wedding last season where Ryan is keeping the floor hopping:

Gabby’s Corner {What to Wear?}

Hello all!   Contrary to the last “What to Wear?” post, this time I’m focusing on a calmer look.  I found these awesome styles at http://www.gap.com/.   These neutral colors are simple and easy to coordinate.   I hope these ideas help inspire your family.

{All images will link to gap.com for online purchasing.  All images are copyrighted by gap.com.}

The combination of the tough jacket and slender jeans creates a modern look that is pretty and practical.  (=

This sweater paired with the “cadet khaki” pants is a great simple look.  Tie in the green jacket if you want a more layered feel.

These green Capri’s matched with a cute sweater shows a softer side of the army theme for a little girl .  Also, these leather sandals complete the comfy and stylish outfit.  (=

Outfit number two for a little girl is a little less sweet and has a slight edge to it.  The interesting design on the bermuda shorts will stand out with the plain tee and will go perfectly with these slip on  converse.

These aviator pants are perfect for a little boy.  Choose a shade of gray for the shirt and you’re done! It’s that simple!

Another way to go could be tan pants and  navy blue or green shirts to tie in with the rest of the family. =)

I hope you like my ideas!

Peace.

Older But Maybe a Little Wiser

The thing I have been dreading for the past ten years happened yesterday. Each day it grew closer and closer.  I knew I couldn’t avoid it, but I sure tried.  Despite all my efforts, it’s official…I am thirty.

I’m not really sure how it happened since I am still so super hip, (right?!).  :)  But, hey, overall it’s not too bad. I think I might have learned a little.

Ten years ago I didn’t know how to forgive.

Ten years ago I didn’t know I could miss someone with all my heart.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that marriage is HARD but worth it.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that wedding and portrait photography would make me happy.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that life is not a fairytale but a journey.

Ten years ago I didn’t know that I could ever love anyone as much as I love my babies.

It might not be what I ever imagined it to be, but it’s my life and I love it.

All the photos above were taken by Dave.  Beautiful, huh?  Dave’s birthday is actually today.  {Yes, ironically, our birthdays are only a day apart.}  Stop over on his Facebook page and wish him a good day.

Merry Christmas!

With all my heart I truly hope your Christmas is full of joy, peace, and love.  Heritage Studio and Gallery will be closed for the holidays until January 4th.  We will still be taking calls and checking e-mail, but I may get back to you a little slower than usual.  I will be doing a lot of this the next two weeks:

As I prepare for Christmas and all the joy it brings I have been reminded lately of those who may not be having such a Merry Christmas this year.  Please keep the following in your prayers:

• {A} a 16 year old who has had terrible complications following the flu causing a heart attack and the need for surgery on her lungs and heart
• The family of the NILMDTS session I did last week.  Their precious little boy only lived a few minutes and I can’t imagine facing the season after that.
• An family from church who found out Monday that their daughter’s cancer, AML M5 (acute myeloid leukemia, subtype M5) has returned.  She had surgery today that went well but a long road ahead of her as chemo begins again.

Take care this week.  Take lots of photos and eat a ridiculous amount of chocolate. (It doesn’t count right around Christmas…magical calories or something.)

With Lots of Love,

Amy