Genevieve Nisly Photography

Go check out the new blog!

2008-04-09T18:44:00.004-04:00

As of April 9th, 2008, the blog is expired!

Be sure to go check out our new blog here:

Also, be sure to update your RSS or reader feeds. Hope to see you there!

Mary and Erik - Cleveland Courthouse

2008-04-07T14:00:00.002-04:00

Mary and Erik got our season off to a great start on Saturday. We were both hoping we hadn't lost our edge since we haven't shot a wedding since January, but once we started shooting, we fell into a groove right away and the ideas and inspiration flowed. It's always a little risky hoping for outdoor photos in early April, but Mary and Erik got a really nice break in the weather and we were able to have all kinds of fun near their reception site at the Old Courthouse in Downtown Cleveland.

As a bonus, we got to work with some of your favorite wedding colleagues, 2nd Mile Productions for Video and Scott Jones from Jerry Bruno Productions. Working with top talent makes our job much easier and really helps the flow of the day.

Once again, Brian and Susy from 2nd Mile pulled of the amazing feat of cutting together a same day edit of the day's footage to show at the reception. You can check out the results here:

Mary and Erik's same day edit

The Hartshorn Family

2008-03-26T23:09:00.003-04:00

The Hartshorns are a fantastic family but also not your typical family either. Once you look at these photos, you'll know what I mean. I know there is never a dull moment in that home and it kinda reminds me of my family growing up (minus the hair and with one less brother).

April, the oldest daughter, means a lot to our family as she has been our trusty babysitter since Rochelle was born. Both kids know her well and Rochelle even asks about April during the week.

This shot was taken during the preparation for the following "formal". Isn't Mom a good sport?

I can just picture this image as a long panoramic canvas

Images from the Boudoir Marathon

2008-03-26T22:46:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the delay ladies. I've been in bed sick for the past 3 days but I thought it was time to share some tasty images from this past weekend. So in no specific order, here are the teasers:

Thank you for a lovely time ladies. I hope you had as much fun as I did!

In hopes of spring

2008-03-12T18:52:00.004-04:00

With the lack of weddings to photograph, I need to give my fingers exercise and keep my mind in the creative mindset. This week when grocery shopping I found inspiration in a bunch of tulips. They were simply gorgeous and made me think of spring which I hope comes soon.I can almost picture these a a series of cards, the ones you buy boxed in set of 8, 10 or 12.

I also tried a couple very different approaches for me. Tell me what you think.

Ezra at 7 months old and Rochelle

2008-03-12T18:41:00.003-04:00

After photographing these babies recently, it was time to make sure ours was not omitted. Ezra's latest pleasure is playing with his feet. If that's all it takes to make him happy, I am happy to oblige.

Meanwhile his sister Rochelle has the bad bad habit of twirling her hair while sucking her thumb. Yes, it looks adorable but after 4 or more knots a day, she's loosing lots of hair.

Here I asked her to smile for Mommy so she posed for the first time.

This is what I am talking about:

In the press!

2008-03-12T18:25:00.003-04:00

Whoohoo, we are published again! This is our second Knot Ohio magazine in a row that we are having one of our couples featured (and I am quite sure #3 is about to happen).

You can check your newsstands or local Borders and Barnes and Noble for the Spring 2008 issue of the Ohio Knot. Joe and Jen's story can be found on page 41.

We had a great time capturing their wedding with the ceremony at Old Stone Church and reception at the Hyatt Arcade back in May. One of my favorite parts was the amazing details they chose that represented their personality so well. From the birdcage veil, flower arrangements from Fleurs de France and cakes from White flower, style was obviously present.

Here are some photos:

Here is one from the winter issue with Patti and Anthony's wedding:

Brogann

2008-03-12T18:13:00.003-04:00

I finally had a chance to meet the newest member of the Lynch family. Brogann is over 3 months old so it was about time.

I love Brogann's pudgy built and dark eyes.

Here he is with his brother Finnegan
I can't wait to see you all again soon, hopefully!

Little TJ

2008-03-04T18:06:00.002-05:00

I had the fun job of photographing a newborn last week. Ty James, or TJ for short, hadn't been out of the hospital 1 week when he was required to pose for me. He did really well and stayed alert most of the time.

For some reason all the images called out to me:"make me black and white" so I listened. Don't worry Erin, you'll also see some color images.

TJ could win a staring contest with this adorable face.

Come join our Facebook group!

2008-02-28T21:51:00.002-05:00

We just started a group on Facebook for past clients, future clients, hopeful clients, friends, family and cool vendors, so if you fall into any of those catagories, come join us! Other photographers are welcome too!

Genevieve Nisly Facebook Group

Favorite album pages Part 1

2008-02-26T09:52:00.003-05:00

In the past couple months we've been designing lots of albums but realized we never share any of our designs.

In our recent little survey (scroll down 5 posts or so) you told us some of the things you wanted to see. You asked for it so here are some of our recent favorites pages:

Brandon and Ashley's album

Michael and Danielle's album By the way, I still check back on that poll so you are welcome to keep on voting.

Happy Birthday, Genevieve!!

2008-02-22T15:58:00.003-05:00

That's right - today is the day that Genevieve turns the big 3-0.

She's been downplaying the whole 30 thing for a while now, but I think it's finally sinking in.

If you haven't already, be sure to wish her a happy Birthday!

James

And the winner is...

2008-02-14T15:19:00.002-05:00

While we have four couples that made it to finalist, all of them will also be winners. How is that possible you might ask. Here is the reason why: someone amazing photographer friends Andrew Jordan and Tom Forrest have offered to cover the weddings we can not. Can you believe that? I am so humbled that others would want to take time out of their busy schedules to help someone in need. Thank you guys! While I am thrilled, I'm sure the couples will be even more so.

Thank you also to all those who voted. The response was amazing.

Scott and Christina got the biggest response with over 400 votes. I (Genevieve) will be photographing their wedding on June 8th in Canton. Email me and we talk about the details.

Aaron and Madeline's wedding will be covered by Andrew Jordan on June 22nd. I will second shoot this wedding but he will be the go-to guy. Be sure to get in touch with him.

Sean and Tabitha's wedding will be covered by James on July 20th. Drop us a line and we'll fill you in.

Lastly, Rob and Jessica's wedding on October 10th will be photographed by Tom Forrest with James second shooting. Touch base with him to get the scoop.

I wish you all a lovely Valentine's Day!

March Boudoir Marathon

2008-02-12T13:43:00.001-05:00

First boudoir marathon session of the year. Here's the scoop:

Where: Hyatt Regency in Cleveland
When: March 21st and 22nd
Who: you all dolled up for some sassy and sexy photos
Why: as a present for your boyfriend, fiance or husband

Times are:
Friday March 21st
3 pm - booked
4:30 pm
6 pm

Saturday March 22nd
8 am
9:30 am
11 am - booked

Special rates for this B-marathon are

Option #1 for $250
1.5 hour long session
online gallery for viewing and ordering
50 retouched images minimum to choose from
$75 print credit

Option #2 for $400
1.5 hour long session
online gallery for viewing and ordering
50 retouched images minimum to choose from
$100 print credit
a 26 side 8x11 coffee table book designed by me

Option to buy the retouched images on CD for $100

Contact me to view sample images or album, get my boudoir questionnaire and book your session.

Debbie and Bill are tying the knot

2008-02-11T15:36:00.000-05:00

James has been photographing all the engagement sessions in the past several months and has done a fantastic job. I decided to do Debbie and Bill's engagement session to prove to myself that I still had what it takes. Thankfully they seemed really comfortable around me making it easy for me to capture tender moments. The extra bonus was the gorgeous light and moody sky.

Enough talking... on to the pictures taken in the Dover area:
Thanks for a fun time despite the cold. Can't wait for your October wedding!

Website overhaul

2008-02-08T19:18:00.000-05:00

We just updated the images on our website. Lots of brand new photos and some from this summer as well. Be sure to check it out!

Goals for 2008

2008-02-08T17:57:00.000-05:00

Most people tend to have goals like eating better, loosing weight and getting in shape. While I am certainly working on those, I have others that I could use some help with.

In 2008, I want to:
- spend more time with friends and family. We've been working 6 days a week and sometimes 7 but I think it's time to cut down a little.
- get to know our couples better
- photograph a proposal. If you are planning on popping the question or know someone who is, please PLEASE let me know. Moments like those are priceless.
- do more blog posts and specials which means you get rewarded for reading
- photograph twins
- do more maternity photos. This is where I am offering our first special: to our first two previous brides who book a maternity session, I will do the session for $50 (online gallery for ordering provided) and to the first two non-wedding clients to book us, I will do the session for $100(with online gallery). Maternity sessions need to take place by July. It is recommended to do the photos between the 30th and 36th week of pregnancy so you are still comfortable but visibly pregnant.
- capture at 2 babies within 10 days of their birth
- schedule at least 2 boudoir marathons
- get published in a national magazine/paper/book
- keep on pushing ourselves artistically

Am I missing anything? I'm open to suggestions.

Now I would like to get your opinions

Rochelle is now 2 years old

2008-02-07T16:51:00.000-05:00

Another year has come and gone and our baby girl is no longer a baby. She is now two years old and is already a big sister. She is doing her best to step up to her role as big sister and daily gives kisses to Ezra, tries to help comfort him when he's crying and holds the bottle from time to time.

Rochelle tried to enjoy her time out in the snow a week prior but she's doesn't like walking in it. I'm sure that will change soon.

Oh I should probably mention Ezra is now 6 months old. Photos of him coming soon. Here he is with Aunt Renee

This year her birthday was more low-key with just family as guests. We started things off with a little painting. It was her first time and she seemed to really enjoy it. I'm secretly (okay maybe not very secretly if I'm typing it here) she has some artistic inclinations like her parents.

Cousin Zeke in deep concentration

A simple cupcake with Dad's help to blow out the candles.

In contemplation of another year? No, just waiting until she can dig in and eat!

Holiday photos

2008-02-07T16:09:00.000-05:00

So I wasn't very good about keeping you updated with photos around the holidays. Here are some for you all to enjoy.

Christmas time is my favorite time of year: I love the snow, the decorations, the food, getting together with friends and celebrating with family. One of the best things is our yearly party with friends that James has been close with for over 15 years. The food and drinks are tasty and this year was extra special because we had a stunning flower arrangement from Fleurs de France and a elaborate and delectable cake from White Flower Cake Shoppe. Check them out:

The other fun part was a homemade photobooth. At first our friends were a little shy but as the night progressed, they relaxed in front of the camera.

Here's James demonstrating the step needed to take the photo

I am thinking of doing this at weddings this summer. Do you think guests would enjoy it? What is it about a camera and making goofy faces even when you are no longer a kid?

The finalist are...

2008-02-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

This was a very tough decision. We received so many wonderful entries from Moms, sisters, a boss, friends and of course brides and grooms-to-be. Most of the entries were for dates we are already booked but we received several for dates we do have open.

Because it was so hard to choose just three finalists, I went ahead and selected four. Be sure to read all the stories before you cast a vote for who you think should win our wedding photography. Last day to vote is February 13th.

To vote, you must email us at contest@genevievenisly.com and tell us your choice. Only one vote per email address please.

Here are the stories, edited slightly so as to shorten this already very long post:

Couple #1
Scott and Christina - June 8, 2008 - Akron Christian Reformed Church - Chateau Michele

In my college years, I figured out that I wanted to love people as an occupation (wonderfully idealistic, I know). To that end, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from a college in California (where I grew up) and, after great contemplation, moved to Ashland, Ohio to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. My time in Ashland fueled my desire to love people to a place of greater healing, so that they too might live a life of love and bring healing to others. It was there that my passion for learning, healing, and loving collided, which led me following graduation from seminary to take a position as a Resident Director at Malone College.
The first weeks I was at Malone, I became acquainted with my co-workers and most definitely noticed Scott, a Resident Director in a men’s dorm on campus. Throughout the course of the year, we became great friends, and the occasional run-ins turned into lingering conversations, road trips, and even a few flirtatious pranks. The attraction only continued to grow, and we both realized that, although the future was unclear, we wanted more than anything to be a part of one another’s future. Scott had made the decision to quit his job as an RD in order to pursue job opportunities that would allow him to work with an inner-city population but, just prior to that, he decided to go on a road trip with his two best friends to Central America the summer. So we started dating in April, and Scott left in June.

His time in Central America was stretching for the both of us. We were forced to rely upon emails, a few written letters, and even fewer phone calls. But the love in our hearts for one another increased by the day. Scott surprised me with an early return in August, and while we were afraid to speak it into existence, we both were certain that this relationship was heading towards marriage. Scott spent the next month in Minnesota, with his family, before returning to Canton to explore job opportunities. Upon his return, Scott learned of a position at Refuge of Hope, a non-profit organization in downtown Canton that provides resources and shelter for homeless men. He took the position in October with the understanding that it is only part-time until the organization can raise enough funds to make it a full-time position. Scott felt that, although he could be working somewhere else making more money, the reward of assisting and serving these men is far beyond the fleeting joy that more money in a paycheck could bring. And for me, the joy of seeing Scott invested in these men helps me to realize that redemption comes full circle.
My father is homeless. Through many and varied circumstances, my dad went from being a successful businessman to living on the streets. While family members have attempted to take him in and care for him, my dad has found his identity as a wanderer, preferring the unpredictable rhythm of the nomad to the steady cadence that a home or job might offer. This isn’t always easy to swallow, but I have found a comfort and abiding peace in the knowledge that, while my father’s desire is to continue to be a vagabond, Scott is reaching out to men just like my father all the time, extending to them faith, hope, and unconditional love along the way. I pray that someone might extend to my father that same grace and compassion Scott is able to give on a daily basis.

Scott’s commitment to love others has been abundant proof to me that “loving people” as an occupation isn’t too far fetched. In light of this, saying yes to Scott’s marriage proposal was a no-brainer for me. I am both humbled and ecstatic at the thought of doing life alongside him, learning and growing together through the ebb and flow of all that life brings. Although I am saddened at the idea that my father will be absent at our wedding, I can honestly say that, in light of God’s love, a wonderful step-dad’s support, and the amazing, sacrificial love of my fiancé, my cup truly overflows.

We are getting married on June 8^th, and doing the best to ensure that this wedding will not put us into debt. Scott’s income more than provides for his needs, since he is currently living with a family as we prepare to be married. Nevertheless, it does not afford us the money to splurge on photography. I am very fulfilled in my job at Malone College—these women give me life and remind me of what is truly important. But a Resident Director’s salary isn’t what one would call “extravagant” either. To win these pictures would be an incredible blessing, indeed. We are excited for what the future holds, and we would love for you to share with us our special day, capturing images of our lives. Quite honestly, should my dad ever re-enter the picture, it would be an incredible experience for me to share with him the pictures from my wedding, and your expert work behind the camera would give me the confidence that I am giving him the best glimpse possible into what that day looked like. Thanks so much for considering us…we truly appreciate it!

Couple #2
Madeline & Aaron - June 22, 2008 - Akron Christian Reformed Church

Aaron and I met in New Orleans, Louisiana over Christmas break of 2006. We were there on a service/missions trip that a group of students from our college (Malone) had taken. We gutted mold-stricken houses and began re-building them to restore homes of families affected by Hurricane Katrina. We also helped set up a distribution center to provide clothes and food for families in need. It was in the hall of the church when my fiancé saw me (sweaty and gross) laying tile and “started falling for me.” Throughout the trip we got to know each other and became very close friends, with absolutely NO intention of it ever going further. By March I considered this man to be one of my closest friends.

However, mid-March when we were hanging out one day my stomach felt funny; I couldn’t believe my goofy FRIEND was giving me butterflies! I suppressed them, yet, in the days to come they only grew. Then one afternoon we sat down and began to talk. He told me there was something he needed to talk about, but instead of politely listening I poured into him about how hurt I was feeling over the illness of my grandpa, I knew he wouldn’t make it much longer. I was very close to my grandpa, and was having a really difficult time trusting the Lord and leaning on him. Aaron said everything I needed to hear in that moment. I had come to a very dark place, and the Holy Spirit used him to work in me through gentle, loving conviction. In what seemed like his very next breath, Aaron expressed that he had feelings for me. Having been single for about two years, I immediately turned Aaron down and profoundly stated that we can only ever be friends. That night however, when it was awkward hanging out as friends with the knowledge of mutual feelings present, we discussed what it would look like to enter a courtship. Having both been in relationships in which Christ had not been the center, we were determined to first express each of our concerns and demands of a girlfriend/boyfriend. So we sat in his car until our conversation ended about 5 hours later, and we had arrived at the decision to allow this relationship a chance. We began dating March 2007.

We loved the fun and fellowship we had for the remaining month of school, but then summer came and I went to Brazil for 25 days on a service trip/study abroad program. The Lord brought us so close together during that time. God gave me such a peace about my relationship with Aaron. During my time there, I knew I needed to tell Aaron a part of my past which could cause the end o our relationship. I wept each day as I prayed for wisdom, and strength to share this part of myself with him. I prepared myself to accept the result, even if that meant discovering that Aaron wasn’t the man for me. When I got back to the states I told Aaron, and he just held me and let me weep. I knew that this news would directly affect any man that I might end up with. When Aaron finally spoke, his sentence went something like this, “If I am the man that is lucky enough to marry you someday, this would be a small price to pay to be able to spend my life with you.” In that sentence the Lord shown so bright through Aaron. His grace. His mercy. His unconditional love. Aaron and I then had an amazing summer together. For the next month I served as an intern at White’s Residential and Family Services in Indiana, which is basically an alternative Juvenile Detention Center.

Aaron and I are both Resident Advisors here at Malone College. As RAs, we are on duty one night each week. Aaron and I chose to have the same duty night. So the first Monday evening of November I figured Aaron was sitting in his dorm on duty when he was in fact at my home asking permission to marry me. Aaron’s story is that “Dad” cried. Dad’s story is that “Aaron” cried. Mom’s story is that they all sat there awkwardly waiting for Aaron to ask. When he finally got the guts, dad said that he would be honored to have Aaron in the family.That Friday on our way to my house on November 8th, Aaron stopped at a lake where we had had our first kiss months before. I got an idea of what was to come so I tried to run my hand down his side to feel if there was a box in his pocket. He immediately grabbed my hands and placed them on his butt saying “you never grab my butt,” and since that was about the MOST uncharacteristic thing for him to say, I knew what was up. He finally got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and spend my life with him. In the process he teared up and we were both blubbering by the time we left. I of course said yes and now am here to beg for the free wedding photography!

While being RA’s is a great ministry, we are unable to work much outside of school to help pay for a wedding. I work about 10 hours at a café on campus, but that only goes so far. By the way, did I mention I have 5 sisters and 1 brother?! My parents adopted three of my sisters when their parents (my aunt and uncle) died 15 years ago. My brother is getting married in August. I am in college. My 22 year old sister is in college at Kent State University. My 20 year old sister is in college. And I have a sister graduating this year. Did I mention my dad does self-employed construction and my mom is a High School music director? Despite their financial state, they have said since our engagement that they will “find a way” that “the Lord will provide.” And they have. And He has. We have already seen God’s hand all over our wedding. Aaron's parents have offered to pay for the reception, which are both HUGE blessings. My parents, loving but broke, and Aaron & I, also broke, are left to pay for our flowers, decorations, invitations, honeymoon, dress, favors, and of course, PHOTOGRAPHY! We would be so blessed if you would choose us as your couple to give the free wedding photography to.

Couple #3
Sean & Tabitha - July 20th 2008 - Deerfield Evangelical Church, Deerfield, OH

I am submitting my brother Sean and future sister-in-law Tabitha as they are a couple who deserve this free photography wedding package that you are giving away. Sean is 22, Tabitha 21 and they have been dating since their senior year of high school. Their relation continued as the two of them went to the Trumbull branch of Kent State University.

A little over a year ago, Sean was offered a job about 5 ½ hours away in Wabash, Indiana as a cottage assistant at White’s Residential and Family Services. There Sean ministers to the delinquent young men in his cottage who are being treated for drug abuse. Sean’s testimony is powerful with the boys as he exemplifies a “cool” guy the kids can relate to who hasn’t ever abused drugs or alcohol. Sean’s personal ministry with the boys also includes his love of sports. Whether Sean’s on duty or off he is always playing basketball or some athletic activity with the boys. He goes above and beyond his call as a cottage assistant and pours his life into these boys. I've heard Sean’s praises spoken, from the people in charge at the facility, to the boys in his cottage, to the girls from other cottages who see a difference already being made because of the Lord’s work in Sean. Many of the adolescents at this Christian detention center are not Christians, and Sean has been able to share his faith with countless numbers of them.

While we’re all happy for Sean’s ministry, it was difficult for him to leave his family and of course his girlfriend Tabitha behind. Tabitha went to see him some weekends, but the distance made strengthening and building a relationship difficult. About five months ago however, Tabitha was also able to get a job at White’s in a position similar to Sean's. At that point she left her family to go be and work with Sean.

A couple of months ago I helped my brother pick out a diamond ring for her. It was difficult for me to see him looking at rings that his paycheck at a detention center simply wouldn’t allow. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so sad as I did when he realized he couldn’t get the one he felt would be perfect for her. But we found another ring, beautiful and seemingly made for Tabitha’s hand. He had taken her out to the movies and when they returned to his little apartment on White’s campus he asked her to turn off a “light” he must have left on in a room. As she entered the room she saw “Marry Me?” spelled out on the wall in white Christmas lights, with reminiscent pictures placed all around the room with candlelight. When Tabitha turned around she saw Sean down on one knee and, without hesitation, said yes.

Since their engagement they have been attempting to plan their wedding. With significantly limited resources, planning their wedding has been difficult. As if that obstacle alone does not suffice, they’re planning their Northeast Ohio wedding from Central Indiana. Sean and Tabitha deserve this free wedding photography because they are a beautiful couple that deserves a beautiful wedding with beautiful pictures to remind them of it.

Couple #4
Rob & Jessica - October 10th, 2008 - Southeast Church of the Nazarene

Rob Williams & Jessica Carmichael are an amazing choice for the free wedding photography. Rob & Jessica have been friends for a couple years now. They met at Southeast Church, & their friendship has grown tremendously over the past few years. Jessica truly always had a “thing” for Rob, but he just didn’t seem interested in the same way. We never would have guessed that he would soon be proposing! Over the passed few months their friendship began to blossom into a beautiful bond. They shared most everything with each other and spent more and more time together.

In December of 2007 Jess took a trip to New Jersey to visit her childhood friend as a post college graduation celebration. “Forgetful Jess” left her phone at home. Rob didn't get a text while she was away and asked himself, "Why does this suck?” He realized then that he needed to tell her how he felt about her. December 19th 2007 he told her of his feelings for her & she shared that hers were exactly the same and had been for some time. January 1st 2008 they officially started dating! January 21st 2008, he proposed and she said yes!! Their solid friendship was definitely the best way to start, and since they now know they want to be together there is no putting the wedding off for Rob & Jess. This causes some financial crunches. They have a lot of work to do to get ready for their special day, and in a very short period of time.

This is a very compassionate couple who has a heart to serve people, and a strong desire to do missions work. Their common passion to serve others is another piece of what drew them toward each other. Last summer they went on a mission’s trip to Russia. Their mission was to reach the orphan youth. This is a generation that has been tossed aside, often left to fend for themselves in the streets of the cities or placed in orphanages with extreme lack of funding and workers. These children have very few belongings, consisting of an outfit or two and a pair of tattered shoes- most of which comes from overseas. The adult generation, are facing a serious depression due to economical and cultural reasons. They turn to alcohol and drugs for counsel, their habits leave them empty-pocketed and without money to raise their very own children making it easier for them to give their children up. The children of these orphanages are facing the same grim future as their parents. Many youth have communication deficiencies because they were never touched in a loving way or held while they were being raised. These children are the epitome of jaded innocence and it was Rob & Jessica’s passion to bring light and hope into the lives of these children. Because these children are so starved for attention and craving any kind of love, they would cling to Rob & Jessica’s team while they were there without ceasing. The teams took crafts to make, handed out goodie bags, small gifts and New Testaments in Russian. They took clothing, toys, balls, shoes and other items to distribute on their last day at camp. The children soaked up even the smallest gestures of love, such as a hug or a smile. All of these things, both material & not, are things that we take for granted. It was an amazing experience for them to reach out to and serve these children and again, try to bring light and hope into the lives of these youth.

Rob & Jessica are at it again. Their passion to serve others isn’t even at rest during preparation for a wedding. Their focus remains the same. Bringing light and hope into the lives of others. This year they will be working with a group in Cleveland to prepare for missions right here in Akron, OH. They are simply an amazing couple with loving hearts. Their marriage will be a blessing to all who come in contact with them. They deserve an amazing wedding and support as they prepare for this special day. Due to the fact that their wedding is in a short amount of time & they are still focusing on missions they really do have financial crunches to think about. They would be the perfect fit for this wedding photography give away.

Sincerely, Lisa B. Sister of the Bride and Hillary B. Friend of the Bride

Free Wedding Photography

2008-01-18T17:19:00.000-05:00

Yes you saw the title right. We did this last year and debated doing it again as we have few openings left in 2008 but we thought it was worth a try.

So here is what we offering to one lucky couple:
- 8 hours of coverage by James or I (haven't decided yet)
- online gallery
- DVD of retouched high-resolution images
- proofbook with all the retouched images

This free wedding photography is meant to be a blessing to someone in need. If you are planning an extravagant affair and can easily afford us but want to save some money, this contest is not meant for you. Sorry :( We love hearing from couples who are giving of their time and energy to help others or some that might have overcome hardships.

Anyone can submit an entry but the wedding must take place in Northeast Ohio in 2008. To enter, email us your submission at contest@genevievenisly.com The submission should have:
- couple's name
- photo of the couple
- wedding date and location
- tell us a little about the couple and why they deserve to win free wedding photography

Last year we heard from Moms, sisters, grooms and brides so don't be shy. You have until January 31st to enter.

On February 1st, I will post the 3 finalist (chosen by James and I) at which point you may all vote for who you think should win. Voting will end on February 13th and winners announced on Valentine's day. What a sweet way to celebrate, right?

Edited to add:
The wedding can be a simple affair: family's back yard on a Sunday afternoon or weekday civil ceremony at city hall. In fact you are more likely to be a finalist if you are getting married on a non-Saturday.

Also keep in mind that the email your send is viewed is your submission and will be posted here along with your photo for all to see and vote for.

Out with 2007, In with 2008

2008-01-18T17:02:00.000-05:00

This post is overdue but better late than never :)

2007 has been a difficult but also very rewarding year for us. I am so happy we've made new friends, captured timeless family memories, created art and added a little one to our family. Thankfully our couples were very understanding with the hardship surrounding Ezra's birth. We could not have done it without the help of several photographers who lent a hand. So here is a big THANK YOU to our couples and friends who made 2007 an amazing year for us.
I also wanted to finish this post with an email we received from our most recent bride. It read:

I just wanted to let you both know that we saw the pictures on the blogspot and they are absolutely amazing. We cannot express to you how much it means to me to know that you both were able to capture the feelings and emotions of our wedding, as well as the small beautiful moments that mean so much. Our family and friends are also in disbelief at how beautiful they are! We cannot wait to see the rest. Thank you again for being the most amazing photographers in the world, and creating pictures that we know will be the most amazing memory of our wedding. Julia & Sean

This comment made my day, nay my week if not my month. It's words like this that make our job meaningful and keep us motivated so if anyone has comments they want to email or even post on the blog, we would love to hear from you.

Sean and Julia - 01/05/08

2008-01-07T13:44:00.000-05:00

Sean and Julia both come from Italian families so we knew we would be in for a treat(s) at their wedding. They certainly did not disappoint from a stunning bride (Sean looked good too), gorgeously decorated church, tasteful details, a violin serenade during dinner and tons of cookies for dessert made by the family. It was a pleasure to capture all those things but even more so the joy and celebration that was written on Sean and Julia's face as well as on their friends and families.

Last moments before the ceremony at St John

Reception at Glenmoor Country Club where we managed to sneak a couple photos before festivities began The song "welcome to Miami" was pretty appropriate since they are moving there in a week. I know they will be missed.
Happy New Year you two and enjoy you new life as husband and wife in a new town!

Vasilios and Elenie - 12/30/07

2008-01-02T09:26:00.001-05:00

Well, we finished off the year with a fantastic and very unique (at least for us) wedding. Vasilios and Elenie planned a beautiful Greek Orthodox wedding at St. Haralambos in Canton with a fantastic reception at the new and very promising Metropolitan Center in Downtown Canton.

Even though the ceremony didn't end until after 5PM, we decided to go downtown for some photos outside anyway. This presents some interesting challenges for us, but is also give us the opportunity to capture images with a look and feel that you just can't get during daylight hours.

The Greeks know how to celebrate! Talk about a high energy, high fun factor reception.

Elenie's father joined the band with his accordion for a few numbers.

Thanks for a wonderful experience Vasili and Elenie!

The Claus family

2007-12-31T17:40:00.000-05:00

We had the joy of photographing Dominick and Nicole's wedding over 2 years ago and were thrilled to hear that they were expecting a little one this past summer. I had the felling they would be amazing parents and sure enough...Dominick is a devoted and caring Dad and Nicole a loving Mom. They sure made my job easy!

I should also mention that they named their little guy Dominick.

Possible thought bubble for this photo: "Ya Mom, I know I'm cute and all but you are crimping my style right now"Keep me posted on your 4 future kids :) I had a wonderful time seeing you guys again!

Genevieve

Nick and Becky - 12/29/07

2007-12-31T14:29:00.000-05:00

Becky and Nick did a fantastic job of peppering their day with little things that made their wedding very much their own. Everything from the pickle pin favors (there's a really good story behind that), the gifts to each other, the date, and locations chosen all had specific meaning behind them and all served to make the day very significant for them and their families. Becky also gave us lots of time to play at Powers Auditorium in Youngstown which provided endless possibilities for some really cool images. It was likes being a kid in a candy store for Genevieve and I.

Becky's gift to Nick: Vegas Baby!! And some really cool cuff links to boot. Have fun, Mr Awesome. :)

Becky's Dad sees her in her dress for the first time.

Nick cooling his nerves before the ceremony at Saint Patrick's.

Nick and Becky standing at the very same spot on the same day of the year that her parents stood 30 years before.

Nick surprised Becky at the altar with the wedding ring she had wished for on a future anniversary.

Becky and Nick watch the same day edit done by 2nd Mile Productions.

Brandon and Ashley - 12/22/07

2007-12-26T12:37:00.000-05:00

This last Saturday, we had the opportunity to photograph the awesome wedding of Ashley and Brandon. It didn't take long for us to figure out that these two and their bridal party were going to be a lot of fun, and they did not disappoint. The atmosphere the whole day was high energy and fun which carried over to the dance floor very well. Brandon is an Army Ranger stationed in Texas with 43 soldiers under him, so I can definitely understand why he would want to let loose and have some fun!

Brandon putting the finishing touches on his dress blues.

The ceremony at The Federated Church in Chagrin Falls.

We finished off the day with a beautiful reception at The Bertram Inn in Aurora, Ohio with flowers by Lowe's Greenhouse.

Congrats, guys and thanks for having us!

Gift Certificates now available!

2007-12-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, we have something new for you!

If you can't decide what photos from your session to get your family, or if you just want to let them pick themselves, you can now buy them a gift certificate redeemable in our online galleries. You can use them to buy prints, canvas wraps, albums, greeting cards, or anything else that we sell online. You can check them out in the "Public Products" section of or our "Client Login" area, or you can just go here.

Mary and Erik and Engaged!

2007-12-19T18:03:00.000-05:00

Mary and Erik braved some blustery downtown Cleveland weather for their engagement session this past Tuesday. Erik used to live and work in the area so he was able to point out some cool places to go to that I might not have found on my own. Stay tuned come April if you would to see their wedding images too. Congrats, guys!

The Davidson/Mraz Family

2007-12-18T10:46:00.000-05:00

Finally some snow!! I've been waited to go out and shoot in the snow and it finally happened. I met up with the Davidsons at their home a few days after Sara and Eric Mraz celebrated their wedding with a reception for their Ohio friends and family. Eric and Sara are going to be heading back over to Germany in a few weeks and Sara thought it would be a good idea to do some family photos before they take off.

The newly-weds.

Brand new online gallery system!

2007-12-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

So how many of you already noticed that we have an all new online gallery and shopping cart system? If you did, give yourself an A+ and a double star.

If you go to our website and click on "Client Login" (formally "view an event") you can see what we call our "Jump" page with links to all of the current galleries. The reason we changed the name is that it is now so much more than just a way to view events. You can now order albums, digital media, pay retainers, make payments towards your wedding balance, or even book portrait session all through the new system. The new system has allowed us to offer much more and cooler products with better options, and ordering them has never been easier, so go check it out!

If we did a session for you in the last few months, chances are good that your session is already loaded in the new system and ready to go.

Hurray for new things!

Michael and Danielle - 12/08/07

2007-12-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

How do I begin to describe kindness and sweetness of Danielle and Michael and not to mention smartness? For starters, because of a water main brake they took the time to write and draw out maps for a detour route when they should have been getting ready. They frequently checked in with us making sure we had enough food and drinks and I know they took good care of all the guests that traveled to celebrate this special day with them. James and I feel lucky and blessed they asked us to photograph their wedding. They made our job easy by showing their genuine emotions throughout the day.

Danielle in deep concentration while getting ready at the Glidden House

Stunning shoes from Italy Guys also in deep concentration (notice the best man's tongue)
Sharing a moment with Grandma before leaving for the churchCeremony at St Paul's in Cleveland Heights

The reception followed at Rockefeller Center and it was a nice transition architecturally speaking1st dance followed by father daughter dance This was quite a dancing crowd Enjoy your honeymoon over Christmas brake you two!

The voting results are...

2007-12-07T12:21:00.000-05:00

Lots of people voted for us in my Fox Cleveland contest and that means so much to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The results came in and we finished... #2. Not bad really considering there were over 90 photographers listed and James and I are some of the younger photographers on there. It gives me high hopes for next year, if they do it again, that we can do even better :)

Ezra is 4 months old!

2007-11-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

Ezra turned 4 months old and it was time for more photos. He had his latest doctor's visit and all is good with him weighing in at 8 lbs 10 ounces. He's finally starting to grow out of the newborn phase which means more awake time and facial expressions.Finally some smiles from the little guyOur kids have no idea what they are in for in terms of documentation for the rest of their LIVES!!! I kinda feel sorry for them... well not really!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Nisly Family and more

2007-11-20T22:59:00.001-05:00

So it's been a little while since our last post. Anybody miss us? Anybody think we are at home twiddling our thumbs and bored out of our minds? If you are thinking that, think again! We are already planning ahead for next year, working on new sample albums (and I found a new company I am excited about), commercial projects and our own Holidays amongst other things.

In the craziness of October I forgot to post photos of Ezra at 2 months old:I've been dying to use this ivy in our back yard and I finally had the perfect opportunity. You should have seen the neighbors wondering what I was up to.Before you get to see any of what's in store, let me share some of our latest photos. A month ago our church had baby dedication and James' entire family was in attendance. Afterwards we took the time to celebrate James' birthday, he turned 27, and take our yearly family photo. It's amazing how quickly families change with newborns. Here are some photos from that day which fell on Ezra's 3 month birthday:

I must say that James comes from a good looking family.

A few days later, we (I) had to get some colorful photos of my favorite season along with our kids:

I have some plans for canvas wraps of some of these

Finally (thank you if you are still reading this), we are also working on our own Christmas cards to be sent out in a couple weeks. Some of you received last year's card. If you would like one this year, drop us a line with your address and we'll add you to our growing list. I'm curious to find out if we'll need to order more than 200 cards like last year. We're doing our part to keep the USPS in business.

Becky and Nick are getting married!

2007-11-07T13:24:00.000-05:00

About an hour after I finished the session with Ashley and Brandon, I met up with Becky and Nick for their engagement session. There was a temptation to go back to all the same places and do all the same things I had done with Ashley and Brandon two hours earlier, but we ended up going a totally different direction and doing very different things that better represent Becky and Nick and their relationship. Congrats, guys, and we'll see you soon!

James

Becky and Nick met at a bar where Nick was tending bar at the time, so this just seemed appropriate.

Ashley and Brandon are engaged!

2007-11-07T13:08:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's a little risky planning engagement sessions this late in the year, but Ashley and Brandon lucked out with clear weather, bareable temperatures, and a TON of wind. I had some indoor and covered locations in mind just in case, but thankfully, we didn't have to rely on them. Stay tuned for their wedding photos in the not too terribly distant future. Can't wait!

Luke and Stephanie - 11/03/07

2007-11-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

What a wedding to end the season on! I can't believe how all the details came together beautifully. Everything was present:
gorgeous church, yep
stunning light, definite yes
fun bridal party, check
desire for unusual photos, but of course
beautiful decor at the Renaissance, yes
tasty and elegant looking cake, yes again
great dancing music from the Jerry Bruno Orchestra, check

but more than all that, Luke and Stephanie were a joy to be around. They are so nice and sincere. They both wore their emotions on their sleeves and made it very easy to capture meaningful moments. We feel lucky to have gotten to know them.

On to the photos:

Both the getting ready and reception took place at the gorgeous Renaissance Hotel

Ceremony at the Grace Church right before walking down the aisle

The limo drivers who followed us to this location could not figure out why we stopped here for photos. It made me chuckle inside.
I told you the decor and flower arrangements by Neil Leeson were stunning

The ladies at White Flower Cake Shoppe outdid themselves on this cake
Finishing off the night in style

Other great vendors:
video by 2nd Mile Productions
coordination by Amy Shipman from At Last Event Planning

November special and cards

2007-11-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

I've never tried posting a special on the blog before so we'll see how this works and if you all like this. Be sure to read the entire post to find out what the special is.

Recently I've had several people ask if I design cards and I certainly do. I've just not shown any samples or given any prices so I thought it was time to remedy that.

There are several options that I will try to keep simple (tax not included):

A. small bi-fold cards (4x5.5)
in quantities of 25
with envelopes
available in standard, pearl, linen or watercolor finish
$80

B. medium bi-fold cards (5x7)
in quantities of 25
with envelopes
available in standard, linen or watercolor finish
$95

C. square tri-fold cards (5x5) - displays most images with 3 sides
in quantities of 25
with envelopes
available in standard finish
$105

D. standard postcard (5.5x4.25) - great for large quantities and no envelope licking
in quantities of 100
front color and back B+W
available in standard finish
$95

Now here are some samples of the outside of cards (keep in mind there is generally text inside provided by YOU- ya you need to do a little work too)

These two are just one side of 3 for a tri-fold card

I can picture this with the pearl (slightly iridescent finish) paper

This one would be great as a bi-fold 5x7 on linen paper

For those of you still reading: good for you. This is where it gets good. For anyone who books a portrait session in November, photos must be taken by the 30th, I will include a complimentary set of 24 postcards in option A or B. I'm keeping one for me - he he. Sessions need to start at least 1.5 hours before sunset, with the time change that means about 5 pm. For $250, you get an hour long session, a $100 print credit and an online gallery to choose the prints from. Book now for your best pick on dates!

Bradley Family

2007-11-02T15:50:00.001-04:00

Things were a little touch and go when it came to scheduling this session with bad weather amongst other things. Thankfully it all came together beautifully at Stan Hywet. The Bradleys are such a fun and good looking family. I could have easily taken and posted many more images but here a few.

Here's the whole gang: Dad, Mom , Sam and Anna

Last days to vote

2007-10-31T11:46:00.001-04:00

I finally took the time to read all the comments people have left on the my fox Cleveland contest. I must say I was floored. I had no idea how nice the comments would be and I had a tough time holding back the tears. That is the main reason I love my job so much; because I can create and capture heirlooms than families will cherish for generations. Even if we don't end up winning this, I will treasure those words even more.

We are currently in #1 and would certainly like to keep it that way. If you're reading this you have probably already voted with every email address you have. But what about your Mom and Dad? Or the members of the bridal party? They have until November 10th to vote.

They can go here to vote: My Fox Cleveland Contest

Thanks so much for all your votes and comments so far. They mean a LOT!

Grant and Jennifer - 10/27/07

2007-10-29T14:37:00.000-04:00

The central theme that popped up time and time again during Grant and Jennifer's wedding day was their relationship with God in their individual lives and how they were using that as the foundation to start their new life together. It was great to see this impact various parts of the day from the prayer before the ceremony, to the ceremony itself and the toasts during the reception.

The engagement session gave me an idea of the chemistry between Grant and Jennifer which made them very easy to photograph together. It's great to see a bride and groom put each other so at ease when together.

Party music at the Portage Country Club provided by the fantastic Grand Avenue Band

Toutes mes felicitations!

Ed and Lisa are engaged!

2007-10-29T14:00:00.000-04:00

Well, we didn't hear anything from the ghost of Squire's wife, but I had a great time with Ed and Lisa at the famously haunted Squire's Castle in Willoughby. The forest directly behind the castle had just turned a golden yellow days before which made for a fantastic backdrop. The weather didn't much cooperate, but lucky for me, good light can pretty much be found anywhere.

Tara

2007-10-24T14:40:00.000-04:00

Darbie, Tara's mom whom I used to work with, asked me if I did senior photos. Sure I do, just not very frequently and not your typical in studio poses. So off we went to the Seiberling Naturealm. Once there I had Tara nestle in Japanese grass, climb trees and lay on the ground. Thankfully she was more than willing.

Tara's twin sister, Lauren, came along so we do a couple photos with the 2 of them

I've been wanting to try something different in terms of texture for a while and this seemed like the perfect opportunity since the wall was already textured. What do you think?

Thanks Tara, Lauren and Darbie! I had a great time taking these.

Eric and Katie 10/20/07

2007-10-22T21:53:00.000-04:00

It was obvious on Saturday that Katie and her Mom put a lot of care into planning a wedding that with the help of Tricia Dever of Always Eventful and the staff at Glenmoor, turned out to be an elegant, well-oiled event. They took a chance with an "East Coast" style reception timeline which had people up and dancing between courses; a fantastic way to eliminate any chance of boredom or monotony during the reception.

I'm not sure I've seen a groom treat a bride so well as Eric treated Katie on Saturday. From the gifts brought to her every hour leading up to the ceremony to the beautifully decorated hotel room, I would said Eric did it right. It looks like Katie can look forward to a wonderful life with a caring husband.

Matt and Megan are engaged!

2007-10-22T11:20:00.000-04:00

Last week I had the opportunity to meet up with Matt and Megan in the quaint little downtown district of Chagrin Falls for their engagement session. The weather was perfect, the light was gorgeous, and Matt and Megan were a lot of fun to hang out with. What more could I want?

Justin and Akhila to tie the knot!

2007-10-17T21:58:00.000-04:00

I love it when people know when not to take themselves too seriously, and that is exactly what Akhila and Justin did for our engagement session in downtown Cleveland. They're goofy, carefree moods seemed to infect each other and it became clear that they have a really good time together. I'm pretty sure we were the only ones in the downtown area that wasn't planning on attending game 4 of the ALCS, but we had a great time anyway.

Katie and Brian are getting married!

2007-10-16T14:05:00.000-04:00

After a little back and forth with Katie about a fun place to do an engagement session, we finally settled on a slightly less than orthodox but perfect setting: the Cleveland Zoo. We had a great time roaming around looking at the animals and finding interesting little corners, walls, textures, and environments to take photos in. My favorite was the rain forest exhibit; there are lots of cool places to shoot in there. Great idea, Katie!

Matt and Christina - 10/13/07

2007-10-15T14:39:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, we had the honor of photographing Matt and Christina's wedding; a beautiful affair that began and ended in the heart of Downtown Cleveland. We had an early-ish ceremony which gave us a ton of time to go all around Cleveland for a relaxing and fun time capturing images of the couple and the bridal party. It felt kinda odd not being up against an insanely tight schedule for photos and I think we got some amazing stuff because of it.

One last deep breath before heading down the aisle.

The majestic Old Stone Church on Public square. There's just something cool about shooting a ceremony at a location that's on the national list of historic places.

After our "Tour de Cleveland", we ended up on the 21st floor of the Huntington building for an elegant reception at The Metropolitan Ballroom. The centerpieces and candles provided by Fleur De France made the place feel very inviting and tunes by Scott Jones of Jerry Bruno Productions kept the place hoppin' all night.

Christina, I already have some images in mind that would look stunning on your walls but we'll talk more about that later. Congrats you guys!

Another Trash the Dress - Brandywine Falls

2007-10-11T14:45:00.000-04:00

After having so much fun with Marc and Megan back in June, we decided along with 2nd Mile Productions to do another "anything goes" bridal session, but with a very different feel this time. Instead of urban grunge, we went for nature and everything it has to offer. Brian, of 2nd Mile, was able to find some willing participants in his client list who agreed to get dressed up and have a little fun in the name of our art.

While we thought we were going to have nice, cool October weather to shoot in, we ended up sweating our butts off in 90 degree weather while hiking around Brandywine Falls hunting for cool spots to shoot in. It was so hot, in fact, that it took very little prodding to get Jen and Jeremy in the water at the end. Thanks guys!!

After the fact, we did a recap of the session for the Northeast Ohio Wedding Show where we explain the what and why behind the sessions, so be sure to go check it out.

Also, a HUGE thanks goes out to Neil from Neil Leeson Decor Floral for providing us with a beautiful flower bouquet to take with us for this session. Thanks Neil!

Ok, enough blather; here are some...uh, ok, a lot of images:

Kara and Tony to be wed

2007-10-08T11:27:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday, we met up with Kara and Tony at their Alma Mater, Mount Union College, for some engagement photos. We got a chance to talk to them about their wedding coming up which is starting to sound pretty fantastic. Can't wait!

Congrats, guys, and we'll see you in May!

Pete and Alyssa - 10/06/07

2007-10-08T10:53:00.000-04:00

Pete and Alyssa planned for a nice fall wedding and included fall colors as well as leaves in the decor. Nice weather was vital for their outside ceremony and little did they know it turn into a very NICE and balmy 89 degree day.

Taking photos of Alyssa and Pete felt more like hanging out with friends then working. They are so fun to be around. Alyssa has such a heartwarming laugh. Pete first showed us his seriousness but once the ceremony started he relaxed and had a great time.

It's been while since we'd been at Walden Country Inn and they've since added a top notch spa. It's such a fantastic location that I'm keeping it in mind when family asks for wedding recommendations.

"Serious Pete" lives up to his nickname

Some gorgeous light after the ceremony

Alyssa gets to nanny these girls and they did a fantastic job as flowergirls

I'm so glad I was able to be at your wedding Alyssa and Pete. We'll be sure to get both your impressions after your honeymoon for the podcast. Thanks for asking us to capture you two!

Genevieve and James

Meredith and Greg to be wed

2007-10-08T10:45:00.000-04:00

Meredith booked us a couple months ago but we didn't get chance to meet Greg until now for the engagement session. Poor guy had just had a job interview and very little sleep so we did our best to keep the session short.

We can't wait to photograph your wedding in August!

Holiday Deadlines

2007-10-07T00:06:00.000-04:00

While the weather we are having is not likely to remind us that the holidays are fast approaching, I assure you, they are. I know many of you are hoping to either give photos as presents, hang some canvases in your home or even show off your album when you get to visit your families. For this reason I am posting here some deadlines to ensure that everyone can get what they want by December 25th.

Orders must be placed:
- for prints, by December 10th
- for canvases, by December 1st
- for fine art albums, the list of 10 favorites to start design by October 20th, approved design for order by November 10th
- custom designed cards by November 10th

Thanks for your understanding!

Genevieve

Stephen, Trica and little Dane

2007-10-04T18:46:00.000-04:00

I was thrilled to have Tricia contact me to take photos of their newborn Dane. He was 10 days old when we took these and I'm sure he already has changed some. Thankfully the weather was perfect and so was the light.

You might remember Stephen and Tricia from our first blog postings. You can see some photos of their wedding here and scrolling down.

Thanks for asking me to do these. Enjoy your little one!

Keep it commin'!

2007-10-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

We can hardly believe it, but we've made it to the number three position in the MyFox Cleveland "Best of" contest. If you haven't voted yet, get over there and do it; if you have, tell your friends and family! Numero uno is within sight! Whoohoo!!

Go here to vote

Thank you so much to everyone that has voted and left comments; seeing what you all have written has been an amazing recharge for both Genevieve and I. Thanks!

Steve and Libby - 09/29/07

2007-10-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, Steve and Libby made legal what started for them in law school years ago. Despite a few hiccups with the flowers early on, everything went just as Libby had planned, and planned, and planned and........ok, you get the idea.
A litte last minute primping by the ever-faithful bestman and brother, Rocco. There WILL be no shiny forheads in THIS wedding.A proud father looking on
Libby and Steve had the dubious distinction of having one of the last receptions at Quaker Square in Downtown Akron before it gets converted to dorm rooms for the University of Akron. We'll miss shooting in the "Don Drumm" rooms; it doesn't get much more "Akron" than that.Steve couldn't help but explain to everyone at the reception how Libby and her family had pretty much planned the wedding before they were even engaged. Evidently, they had everything set, and all she needed was a ring.

One thing is for sure, these people know how to dance.
We worked with a DJ that we had never met before called Music Connection. Jim from Music Connection turned out to be a really cool guy and a great DJ.

Congrats, Steve and Libby!

Lucky number seven!!

2007-09-30T22:08:00.000-04:00

One of our images got the attention of the judges over at the Wedding Photojournalist Association for one of their quarterly contests; so much so that they ranked it number seven in its category. Whohoo!

Thanks to the White Flower Cake Shoppe for supplying a gorgeous collection of "mini-cakes" for us to photograph.

You can see the rest of the contest results here.

Here it is, the lucky number seven!

Mini-Vacation

2007-09-29T11:48:00.000-04:00

Prepare yourselves for lots of photos and posts since we have some catching up to do.

My Mom flew in from France to spend quality time with her grandchildren so James and I decided to get away and relax (as per her suggestion). Where did we go, you might ask?

On day 1, we got to see this:

That should be a dead giveaway as to where we were. Then we walked around some to visit a place I've wanted to see for years:

The palace of Fine Arts

We ended up taking a couple portraits of each other since it's hard to get 2 of us in the same photo

Night by the bay

Day 2: Napa Valley

Day 3:
Muir Woods with Redwoods Trees over 250 feet tall. These photos don't show the scale of things.

I love old Hitchcock movies so I had to take several shots reminding me of scenes in Vertigo

Reyes Point Lighthouse

I had a difficult time believing these desolate beaches and coastline are in California

Day 4: Sonoma Valley

Final Dinner with view of the moon on the outside patio at the Carneros Inn with amazingly unique drinks

Thanks for looking!

Genevieve and James

Brian and Amanda - 9/22/07

2007-09-28T12:43:00.000-04:00

Ah, it's good to be back home. Our much needed mini-vacation did us well, but it did throw off our posting schedule for this week. More on that later.

I had a really, really tough time narrowing things down to just a dozen images from Brian and Amanda's wedding this past Saturday. With 24 bridal party members and lots of family, there was just a lot going on at any given moment. One thing that made the day a lot of fun is that we got to work with our favorite videographers and good friends Brian and Susy Morris from 2nd Mile Productions. Brian put did one of his now famous "Same Day Edits" which basically amounts to a suicide editing session between the ceremony and reception in order to a have four minute video recap for the reception. It was the first time we got to see one, and I must say, it was amazing. You can see what they put together on his blog here:

2nd Mile's Same Day Edit

Alright, on to the images:

As usual, Meghan and the team at Glenmoor Country Club put together an amazing environment for a reception. Flowers by Neil Leeson.

Gotta love the French bussle; it always provides for some great image opportunities.

Thanks for the cigars, Brian!

Brian and Amanda, thank you so much for having us along on your day; we had a great time!

James and Genevieve

Be right back

2007-09-25T11:29:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone,

Genevieve and I skipped town this week for a mini-vacation and we left before we had a chance to blog Saturday's wedding. When we get back, we'll have a wedding and our adventures to blog about so stay tuned!

Also, if you are waiting to hear back from us about anything, we'll be hitting the e-mails on Thursday when we get back, so please be patient with us.

Later!

James and Genevieve

Vote for us!!

2007-09-20T11:53:00.001-04:00

MyFox Cleveland is trying to find out who the best Wedding Photography studio is in the Cleveland area so why don't you go tell them!

You can cast your vote by going to the website below and clicking on the "vote" button. You'll need to enter your e-mail address and they will e-mail you a ballot. Just be sure to check your spam folder 'cause it might get sent there. Thanks!

VOTE!!!!

Rob and Sarah - 9/15/07

2007-09-18T13:06:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, I had the good fortune of second shooting with Jamie Jansen. It was the first time I have ever shot a wedding that we hadn't booked ourselves, so it was a very interesting experience. Jamie shot with me in July while Genevieve was on bedrest due to complications with her pregnancy, so it was nice to return the favor.

Sarah quickly made feel very comfortable around her and her bridal party, and I was able to fall right into my usual shooting groove.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's......LIAM!! Sarah's riot of a younger brother. That kid had one heck of a good time.

Evening entertainment at Windows on the River was provided by The Shout Band who put on one doozy of a motown set. These guys were GOOD! Super tight harmonies and infectious dance steps kept the dance floor packed to capacity for hours.

Congratulations Sarah and Scott, and thanks for having me along, Jamie!

James

The Jones Family

2007-09-17T18:36:00.000-04:00

Over the last few years we have gotten to know Scott Jones while working weddings together. He is a fantastic DJ and we always look forward to working with him.

This time instead of capturing some quick photos of him behind the mixer, we decided to schedule a photo session as a gift for his wife Denise. It was nice to spend more time with her and to finally meet the boys Maddox and Mason.

Their family and ours actually has a lot of similarities: husband and wife 3 years apart with the wife being the oldest, two children close in age. Maddox is a few days older than Rochelle.

Northeast Ohio Wedding Show - Episode 6

2007-09-11T23:11:00.000-04:00

There's a new episode of the Northeast Ohio Wedding Show up over at www.neoweddingshow.com
about getting the most out of your photography and videography. Go have a listen and leave us some comments telling us what you think!

Episode 6

Olenger and Jennifer - 09/08/07

2007-09-10T22:39:00.000-04:00

We've been looking forward to Jenn and Ollie's wedding since we did their engagement photos and saw Ollie's contagious smile. Of course he did not disappoint on the big day. There were some tears too but they were of happiness so of course we captured them.

Jennifer got ready with her ladies at the Renaissance.

She and Ollie then met at the Hyatt for some photos before the ceremony.

It was nice to have access to the grounds at the Botanical Gardens where the ceremony also took place.

We often post photos of the bride walking down the aisle, now it's time to show the groom.

These are the tears I mentioned:

At the end of the ceremony, they were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Pratt which is Jenn's last name. Everyone had a good laugh and we especially did since that happened at our own wedding and we haven't seen it happen since.

Olenger's son Xander did a phenomenal job the whole day. Father and son sharing a hug:

Some dancing with music provided by the fun and refreshing DJ Scott Jones

Then we took a quick trip to the amazon inside the botanical gardens.

Thanks for having us photograph your wedding Ollie and Jenn. Be sure to take tons of photos on your honeymoon with that new Nikon D40.

Genevieve and James

Damon and Carrie - 9/1/07

2007-09-04T12:46:00.000-04:00

Damon and Carrie officially got married last weekend up in Michigan, but we had the pleasure of shooting their Ohio reception this weekend at The Conrad Botzum Farm situated in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Damon and Carrie are actually good friends of ours as were a good number of the guests which made for a very fun, enjoyable, and relaxing day of shooting.

The farm is a great environment to shoot in, especially with the weather and light we had on Saturday. Genevieve and I had time to make good on about half of the ideas we had swimming around in our head that day.

Carrie arrives at the Farm after putting her dress on.

Carrie and her Grandfather share the dance floor.

As the night wore on, a mist began to rise up from the grass. Right before we took of, we grabbed the couple and put them between us a pair of headlights.

Congratulations, Damon and Carrie!! Now, go relax for a while.

James and Genevieve

Ezra and Rochelle

2007-09-02T13:02:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone, it's James posting this time. We've had a lot of people mention that they were watching the blog for updates on Ezra, so here it is.

He has been home for three weeks now, and we are finally getting into a groove with having him around. Both Genevieve and I are a little sleep deprived because of his feeding schedule, but he's getting a lot better at eating what he needs so feedings are now going a lot faster. The first week was pretty tough, but it has been getting a lot easier since then, thankfully. The last time he was weighed, he was gaining a little over an ounce a day, which is really good for a premie so that was a big relief. 4lb 9oz never sounded so big.

Yesterday, Rochelle got to hold Ezra for the first time which was a lot of fun for both her and us. Of course, we had to pull out a camera and document this momentous occasion.

Thanks again to you all for your thoughts and prayers; it has been a very trying two months but it is very, very good to be on this side of everything.

Here are the pics; enjoy!

Northeast Ohio Wedding Show - Episode 5

2007-08-28T22:13:00.000-04:00

Be sure to go check out episode 5 of the Northeast Ohio Wedding Show in which Brian interviews Jerry Bruno and Scott Jones of Jerry Bruno Productions about the relative merits and hiring a band versus hiring a DJ.

Episode 5

Paul and Mandy - 8/25/08

2007-08-27T13:02:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, we had the pleasure of joining Paul and Mandy for their wedding in Chardon, Ohio. One thing was certain, and that is that Paul and Mandy know how to assemble a really fun bridal party. Hanging out with them was a true pleasure, and it made the day go buy very quickly.

Mandy, shortly after putting the dress on.

Paul's Father, who would later be the one to marry Paul and Mandy, leading the guys in a prayer.

Moments before the walk down the aisle.

Mandy's Mom sneaking a shot of Mandy and her Dad comming down the aisle.

After the ceremony, we headed over to Headlands Beach with the bridal party. The beach was cool, but what I got really excited about was the sandy dune area right before the beach that was covered with craggy trees and very cool looking grasses.

It also didn't hurt that the rain from earlier in the day left us with some really cool, moody skysapes.

Off to the reception! First dance.

Congrats, you guys, and thanks for bringing us along!

James and Genevieve

Bryan and Julie - 08/18/07

2007-08-20T14:45:00.000-04:00

Bryan and Julie gathered with about 90 of their close friends and family at the Hyatt Arcade in downtown Cleveland to celebrate what would turn out to be a very emotional day for those involved. Julie's Mother passed away some years ago, but her presence there was palpable.

A very nervous Matron of Honor pops the prosecco while an even more nervous bride watches in the background. She could put an eye out with that thing.

The dress hanging in a steamed up bathroom.

Bryan and the boys.

Bryan and his best man chillin' before the ceremony.

Julie left a basket full of tissue packs out for the guests as they came in. It's a good thing she did; they got used.

Julie's Father, John, delivered what was probably the most moving toast I have heard all year; there was barely a dry eye in the room. I'm just glad I had a camera to hide behind.
Julie's response to his toast.

First dance under the stars at the Hyatt.
We shot the prosecco popping Matron of Honor's wedding back in 2005 where we continued the tradition amongst her group of friends to illustrate how to, and how not to pose for photos. When we first saw them do this two years ago, we doubled over in laughter. The tradition lives on.

Why so fat?

Why so thin?

Bryan and Julie winding down out on Superior Ave. before heading off to the after party.

Mike and Cheri 8/11/07

2007-08-14T20:00:00.000-04:00

It turns out that a morning ceremony combined with an evening reception makes for a really long day, but the time was well spent with Mike and Cheri and their entourage of no less than 18 bridesmaids and groomsmen this past Saturday. We arrived at Cheri's parents house bright and early to get the prep stuff, then off we went to St. Columbkille Church for an 11:30 ceremony.

With a healthy four hours to kill before the reception, we trotted our way across greater Cleveland beginning at the Hyatt Old Arcade where we made good use of the Art Deco surroundings.

From there we headed to the Cleveland Museum of Art which happens to be a very popular place for wedding parties.

Why is there a photo of a fire truck in a wedding blog?

I'm glad you asked! Mike, as well as several of the groomsmen, serve as firefighters in their community. The boys down at the station seemed to be in pretty good spirits, so they pulled a truck out for us to play with.

From there, off we went to Casa di Borally for a night of Italian food served family style, and fantastic entertainment provided by TKO Entertainment.

Kyle and Carolyn - 08/10/07

2007-08-13T19:05:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful time with a wonderful couple on a wonderful day we had this past Friday. If you think I'm exaggerating, it's because you don't know Kyle and Carolyn. They are some of the kindest whole hearted people you'll meet. For being a tough guy who likes to play football, Kyle also has a gentle spirit. When I asked him how long they had been together, he answered without batting an eye: 7 years, 6 months and 18 days. They are one of the few High School sweethearts that made it to the wedding day and we have a feeling they'll last. After that amount of time, it's so nice to see a couple still very much in love and have only eyes for one another.

Kyle and Carolyn met privately (except for us) before the ceremony at Holy Angel to do the formals early

Her brother lead the way into the ceremony

Leaving in a vintage Rolls

Reception at the Club at Hillbrook

Our competition is starting young

The Jerry Bruno Orchestra did a great job as always. They let Dana, the maid of honor, sit in and demonstrate her talent on the drums.

The guests really got into it

Winding down

Paul and Nicole - 08/05/07

2007-08-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

It's been a little while since I've been able to take wedding photos. Paul and Nicole's wedding was my first attempt at dipping my toes in without taking the full plunge. And what a wedding it was for us to capture! We had a fantastic time capturing the fun and vibrant couple. Thanks for making our job easy guys.

Paul is probably one of the coolest grooms we've seen. Check out the shades and shoes

For some reason I love the 3 ladies clasping hands simultaneously combined with the angle

The ceremony took place at Stan Hywet which certainly makes a wonderful backdrop.

Don't Mom and Dad look proud?

Afterwards we roamed the grounds for photos and it seemed impossible to take a bad photo of Paul and Nicole

Gotta love the shoes

We also went downtown for more fun shots before heading to the reception at The Student Union Ballroom at the University of Akron

The dance floor remained packed most of the night

Except for when...

France and Switzerland

2007-07-31T17:44:00.000-04:00

No wedding this past Saturday? Some of you are quite perceptive! We enjoyed our one Saturday off since May and this past May is when we visited my family in France. I thought it was time to post some photos from our trip.

Rochelle managed to fall asleep on my lap in the airport while waiting for our connecting flight to Frankfurt. She has her own passport with stamps from 4 different countries. That little girl is quite the traveler!

My family lives in the Alsace right near the German and Swiss border so we enjoy taking little trips nearby. The local wineries are fantastic (not that I enjoyed any this year since little Ezra did need any).

We strolled Zurich with my brother where it rained hard.

Here is my fam:
Sister Annie with hubby Phillippe and Lucas

Brother John who goes by Jdat, here posing for his my space photo

Parents John and Gloria

The cousins Rochelle and Lucas learned to play and walk together while we were there.

Oh and us

Genevieve Nisly Photography on theknot.com

2007-07-28T17:40:00.000-04:00

Remember Patti and Anthony from last December? The Knot has chosen their wedding to be featured in their "Real Weddings" section of the current issue of The Knot Ohio magazine, as well as The Knot Ohio website. Check it out!

Genevieve Nisly Photography on theknot.com!

Little Ezra and big sister Rochelle

2007-07-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

First off, I need to thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers, well wishes, congratulations, offer for help and understanding we've received in the past month. It means so much to get that kind of support when going through rough times and we wouldn't have made it as well as we have if it wasn't for so many friends and God.

Thankfully we are over the rough part. Ezra is doing better everyday. It's amazing the rapid changes he is going through. He still has some fattening up to do and in the meantime he is being well taken care of at Akron City's NICU. We get to see Ezra daily but the drive is getting old so we hope he gets better fast and can go home with us soon.

Here are some photos of our recent hospital visits: Ezra.

I am also doing better everyday. I can't wait to get back to photographing weddings. It feels like an eternity since I've held a camera. I feel like a child awaiting Christmas day and it's been a good reminder of how much I love what I do.

I must also thank James for stepping up to the plate. He's been amazing with Rochelle, taking care of our home and photography while I've been out of commission. What an fantastic husband I have!

Also since it's been a while, I thought I would post some photos of Rochelle. Here she is in her room playing kitchen or pretending to work her laptop like Mom and Dad.

Yes Rochelle sucks her thumb

Outside for some pool fun. Helping Dad blow up the pool.

Rochelle is such a blast. She certainly keeps Mom and Dad entertained.

Gotta love this outfit Grandma sent from France. Check out the cool shoes:

Isn't she just adorable?

NEO Wedding Show!

2007-07-24T22:00:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, I wanted to fill you in on something new that Genevieve and I (James) have been working on that we are really excited about.

Several months ago, we were talking with some good friends of ours who are also in the business, and we wanted to come up with a way that we could use our shared experiences in the wedding industry, and our knowledge of the local wedding market to help brides plan their own wedding.

What we came up with is the Northeast Ohio Wedding Show; a bi-weekly podcast about all things wedding planning, but specific to this region. The show is a collaborative effort between us, Brian Morris of 2nd Mile Productions, and Tricia Dever of Always Eventful Event Planning.

At the moment, we have the first two episodes up, so go check them out and let us know what you think!

NEO Wedding Show!

Faith and Jamie - 7/21/07

2007-07-23T14:20:00.000-04:00

So how many of you remember Faith and Jamie from back in January? That's right! They are the couple that won the free wedding contest! We got the feeling from their submission and the comments from those who voted that Faith and Jamie were fantastic individuals greatly deserving of whatever blessing we were able to give, and they did not disappoint. Both the couple and the bridal party were a fantastic group of people to be around and we felt quite honored to be a part of their day.

The ceremony took place at Linwood Park in Vermilion, Ohio, the home of Faith's Grandmother where she got ready.

Faith and her Grandmother

Fun on the docks at the Cleveland Yacht Club in Rocky River

Jennifer and Grant's Engagement Session

2007-07-23T10:43:00.000-04:00

The beautiful and historic Stan Hywet hall and gardens provided a fantastic environment for Jennifer and Grant to relax, have fun, and have me photograph them doing it. Lucky for us, Jennifer used to conduct tours of the grounds so she knew the place very well and knew where all the cools spots are. Congrats guys, and we'll see you in October!

Little Ezra Nisly is here!!!!!

2007-07-16T10:11:00.000-04:00

On July 14th at 8:30AM, Genevieve gave birth to our baby boy, Ezra Sanford Nisly. He had to come a little earlier than we hoped, but he seems to be doing very well. He only weighs three pounds, so he has some growing to do before we can take him home. Mom is still recuperating, but she should be able to come home in a few days.

Jeremy and Julia 7/14/07

2007-07-16T09:22:00.000-04:00

July 14th 2007 turned out to be a very big day for not only Jeremy and Julia, but for Genevieve and I as well, as you have either already read about, or are soon to read about in my next blog post. It was an elegantly simple affair with a strong fabric of family relationships that connected every aspect of the day together.

Julia getting ready with her Maid of Honor and sister to the groom, Leah.

Jeremy's father, Woody, who also officiated the ceremony, leads the girls in a prayer prior to the ceremony.

Jann Klose, Leah, and her husband Lars serenade the reception as Jeremy and Julia dance. You can learn more about Jann, a very talented songwriter, here: Jann Klose Thanks for CD, Jann!

Matt and Christina's engagement session

2007-07-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

We had the pleasure of spending a relaxed evening with Matt and Christina as we wondered around downtown Cleveland photographing anything and everything that struck our fancy. They have an awesome wedding planned for October that we can't wait to shoot, so keep an eye on this blog to see the conclusion around the middle of the month!

Brian and Kim - 7/7/07

2007-07-09T15:26:00.000-04:00

Brian and Kim were the first couple to book us for a 2007 wedding, and happened to pick the most popular date in recent history to have a wedding. We could have booked the mystical 777 about seven times over, but all I can say is that I'm glad Brian and Kim got to us first. It was a fantastic day with a really cool couple that was a lot of fun to work with. It's not easy planning a wedding from another city (they are Chicago residents), but they pulled off a beautiful wedding with the help of the Cleveland Marriott Downtown anyway.

Kim's trusty companion that has seen her through all the major milestones in her life. Meet Honeybaby.

Ceremony at the Marriott Ballroom:

Some awesome centerpieces by Al Wilhelmy Flowers and islands of light courtesy of the Marriott.

Entertainment provided by Ernie Ensign of Jerry Bruno Productions

Jason Presley

2007-07-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

Take a minute and go check out a blog post by our good friends, Brian and Susy Morris, from 2nd Mile Productions. They are doing something really cool for a really good cause so be sure to go take a look!

Jason Presley

Kevin and Jessica 6/30/07

2007-07-02T12:21:00.000-04:00

Kevin and Jessica chose the grassy terrace at the Atwood Lake Resort overlooking the lake as the setting for what would turn out to be an awesome ceremony under perfectly blue skies. These two really knew how to relax and take in the day and where a joy to work with.

Getting Ready:

The ringbearers provided a lot of entertainment:

A marine and a very proud mother:

Larry and Jodi 6/23/07

2007-06-25T11:58:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, we headed off to Wooster, Ohio to photograph Jodi and Larry's wedding at the College of Wooster. This is the second wedding we have photographed in Jodi's family, the first being Jason and Robin's back in August of 2005. Seeing so many familiar faces made the whole day a lot of fun.

Fabulous ceremony location at the College of Wooster

We then headed back to the Wooster Inn for a beautiful outside reception under the tents with entertainment by Todd of A Working Man's DJ Service.

Trash The Dress or After Wedding Session

2007-06-22T11:02:00.000-04:00

When James and I are shooting weddings, we often get ideas or come across situations with the bride and groom that we would love to explore but can't because of schedules, logistics, or having to be careful about keeping the dress clean for the reception. We thought that a really cool way to free us from some of the limitations and allow us to get some really interesting images and have a ton of fun doing it is to offer a post-wedding session where anything goes.

We recently did a session like this with Marc and Megan, a couple who's wedding we shot back in January. We thought we might further document the session by inviting our favorite videographers 2nd Mile Productions to come film the session. I can't tell you what a blast we had roaming around downtown Akron with an open mind to make use of whatever we found, and without having to look at our watches at all.

Even if we didn't or can't shoot your wedding, it's a great opportunity to get some amazing images that just wouldn't be possible on your wedding day. If you are interested, just contact us and we can give you the details. The possibilities are endless.

Be sure to check out 2nd Mile Production's blog to see a video that they put together for the session. http://2ndmileproductions.com/blog/34/trash-the-dress/

Brody and Monika 6/16/07

2007-06-19T16:51:00.000-04:00

Brody and Monika's wedding was a refreshing change of pace. It took place on a horse farm about 20 minutes outside of Marion, Ohio, which for those that are not familiar with the area, is the middle of nowhere.

It was really cool to see the very eclectic crowd, ranging from Brooklyn, to California, to Poland and elsewhere converge on the little farm. The contrast of cultures was very fun to watch.

Both Monika and Brody where a lot of fun to shoot with their laid back personalities and fresh fashion sense. Doesn't Monika look stunning in that veil?

Getting ready:

An Amish friend of the family offered to take Monika to the ceremony location on his horse drawn carriage.

The ceremony:

It's not a farm wedding without some fun in the barn and out in the pastures.

The farm.

Some friends from Brooklyn.

To finish off the night, a band of marauding...uh..."pirates" kidnapped Monika and Brody, threw them in a limo, and took them up to Port Clinton to finish off the night by a campfire with close friends and family.

Mike and Robin - 06/15/07

2007-06-19T10:41:00.000-04:00

After being together for 7 years, Mike and Robin planned their wedding in a few short months. Friends and family traveled from as far as Florida, England and Ireland to celebrate with them. What a gorgeous day it turned out to be. Despite some initial glitches all the details came together beautifully.

Getting ready and ceremony at St John UCC in Dover. Lots of nieces and nephews had a part in the wedding. They behaved so well but a couple were a little distracted for some of the ceremony.

Elegant decorations and flowers at Glenmoor Country Club by Cortney

Photo time on the grounds

Dancing prompted by Dan at Get Down Sound

Billy and Sarah - 06/09/07

2007-06-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

Billy and Sarah have such bubbling personalities. That's probably what initially drew them together but their relationship with God is what has kept them together to become husband and wife.

Sarah must have inherited part of her fun loving personality from her Mom who I think smiled all day long. Flowers by Dick and Son.

Guys praying outside the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

I love the layers in this image: Sarah and Dad about to walk down the aisle, the bell girl Gabby announcing the arrival of the bride and Billy beaming.

Not-so-formals in the church and outside

Reception at the Silver Lake Country Club with an elegant cake right at the entrance

I can't decide who's first dance photo I like best since they have such a different feel.
James':

Mine:

Family and children played a major part in the wedding

Matt from Hats Off Entertainment certainly got people on the dance floor. It's been a while since we've witnessed the hokey pokey with such enthusiasm.

Thanks for letting us capture you wedding Billy and Sarah! We had a great time and you made us feel like family.

Doug and Jenn - 06/08/07

2007-06-12T11:03:00.000-04:00

We had the pleasure to photograph Doug and Jenn amidst fickle weather. You'll see what mean with the photos of the windy ceremony at the Lakehouse Inn and Winery. At least we managed to avoid the rain.

Doug (on the left) is the brother of Marc (on the right) who's wedding we captured in January. It was nice seeing some familiar faces and being welcomed like family.

I know a bride doesn't want to get emotional and cry on her wedding day but to me they make for such meaningful photos. Just have a tissue ready.

I got a kick out of seeing everyone taking photos during the ceremony.

Doug is a lucky guy since he was actually saying "I do" to 2 lovely ladies: Jenn of course and her six year old daughter Mallory. It is so obvious that Mallory has stolen part of Doug's heart. Here they are right after the ceremony.

Some time with the couple around Geneva-on-the-Lake.

First dance at DeRubertis Party Center

Mallory's dip at the end of the a dance with Doug

Party people!

5 years of marriage for us

2007-06-11T23:43:00.000-04:00

Last Friday happened to be our 5 year anniversary. Originally we planned to take the weekend off but if you read previous posts, you'll see we had a recent trip to Europe where James and I enjoyed some time together in Italy as our anniversary celebration. That what quite a way to celebrate 5 years of marriage.

I can't believe it's already been that long. I also can't believe how far we've come in that short amount of time. God has certainly blessed our lives with a strong and loving relationship, a healthy and growing family, supportive friends and a flourishing business. What more could we hope for?

James: I am so happy to be walking on this path of life by your side. You are such an amazing husband: knowing when to be a leader or when a gentle nudge will do. You make me a better person. I love you and can't wait to see what the next 40+ years have in store for us.

Heather and Patrick

2007-06-04T20:49:00.001-04:00

What a fun day we had with Heather, Patrick, their bridal parties and family despite the heat. Everyone was pretty easygoing which made for some fun and laid-back photos. It's obvious these people know how to have a blast together.

Heather got ready at the Marriott at Key Center where we eventually came back to to avoid the heat.

Patrick and Heather couldn't keep their eyes off each other throughout the entire ceremony and smile.

Somehow the ceremony at Holy Cross didn't manage to grab everyone's attention.

James didn't have much prompting to do with the guys but he currently seems to be batting a 1000 in terms of cool different groomsmen photos.

Getting some couple/bridal photos before returning to the bridal party

The Courthouse made for a stunning backdrop to a reception.

Guys doing their thing on the dance floor.

Some of my favorite time on the wedding day: late night photos of an exhausted couple.

Video provided by our favs: 2nd Mile Productions
Entertainment by Brian at Academy DJs
Catering by A Taste of Excellence

Rebecca and Eric

2007-05-29T14:26:00.000-04:00

The second wedding we covered was on Sunday for Rebecca and Eric at the Club at Hillbrook. It was fun to see Eric bring out the best in Rebecca, especially her smiles. His easy going, fun-loving personality is just one of the reason Rebecca and his son Ben love him such much. Rebecca meanwhile brings elegance without even trying and balances Eric out nicely.

The flowers by Flowerville were a nice complement to the location and organic surroundings.

Rebecca and Eric meeting in private to start photos before the ceremony

I told you they like to smile together

Ketubah signing

The ceremony where more smiles abounded

Sneaking a kiss before joining the guest for cocktails

Some people need no help posing

Fun toast by Marla

Party time prompted by Ernie Ensign from Jerry Bruno Productions

Winding down