I visited the Boston area briefly in the fall of 2009 and had the opportunity to capture this gorgeous family again. We all had a super busy Fall and Spring and are finally checking the photos out and putting a montage together for their wall. So I decided to post a few photos of this most beautiful and wonderful family.

The Dean of the Conservatory had a definite vision for the cover. He just wanted the medal - nothing else, because he felt that it really spoke for itself. So that is what we did. Just the medal on black velvet. You would assume that one little medal and one plain backdrop wouldn't cause any problems. I won't get into the whole story, but suffice it to say, a certain person and I had to sweat this one out.

But I am very happy with the result. (sorry I only have a small version of the completed cover).

I also took the medal on a tour of the Conservatory to take its picture with some other backgrounds. Here is one of my favorites...

If you have ever thought about doing these type of images, I wanted you to know that I can help you create them. Call or email me to talk about it.

Think about it...

Nika and Patrick met while they were still in high school and they have stayed together through college and nursing and medical school. High school sweethearts that get married are rare, but the ones that allow each other to grow and develop during those challenging years, have incredibly strong bonds.

With most wedding packages, I include an engagement session. I do this for two main reasons: one, it gives me a chance to get to know my couples better, and two, it gives my couples a chance to learn to relax in front of the camera and just be themselves. You can check out their e-session from this past winter here.

Nika & Patrick's wedding took place on a warm and and slightly wet Ohio day at St. Peter's Church in North Ridgeville. The ceremony was a beautiful and traditional Catholic service. Afterwards we took family photos in Oberlin (where Nika grew up) and then traveled on to the reception at the Elyria Country Club in Elyria, Ohio.

Bridal Gown: 2BeBridal purchased at Bridal and Formal in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff purchased at Catan Fashions in Strongsville, Ohio.
Flowers: The Carlyle Shop in Oberlin, Ohio.
DJ Services: House of Entertainment in Wellington, Ohio.
Ceremony Music: Mayfield String Quartet from Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Hair and Makeup Services: Belleza Salon and Spa in Lorain, Ohio.

Check out some of my favorite photos.

I've never seen this before. Her niece, Goldie, helped the bride on with her garter. Hilarious and adorable.

Her sister, Mia, helps her on with her dress.

The gorgeous bride!

The handsome groom! I know, this couple is ridiculous right? Just wait until you see them together!

Walking to the church between downpours.

Nika's mom, Connie is wearing the top of her own wedding dress! How cool is that!

Nika & Patrick did the traditional bouquet and garter tosses, including the part where you make the "winners" put the garter back on. This time was particularly hilarious because the DJ brought the winner woman's boyfriend up onto the dancefloor. That is him with Nika's grandmother holding him down while the winner man is putting the garter on her with his teeth! So funny. They were really good sports.

Then they wanted him to put it further up her leg so Nika and Patrick could have more happy years together.

It was an amazing night. Everyone had a blast and I was honored to have been a part of it. Thank you!

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are so difficult because 13 is such a rough age. Most 13-year olds don't want all that attention focused on them, so it is truly an accomplishment for them to complete their study (hard enough on its own), but then to get up in front of their friends and family and be the center of attention.

Aaron's service took place at the Conservative Beth El Congregation in Akron, Ohio. For this reason, I could not be present to photograph the actual service, so I took photos during the rehearsal.

Then I met up with the family again on Saturday night for the party at the Fairlawn Country Club in Akron. The theme for the Bar Mitzvah was "The A List" (A for Aaron). It was an ode to the red carpet at the Oscars. Once the guests walked down the red carpet, they entered the reception and were entertained by the amazing DJs Soundtastic Enterprises from West Virginia. Not only did these DJs play music, but they set up a whole light show and had a dance crew that taught the guests dances and kept the party going.

There was a chocolate fountain and cheesecake assortment by Mary Welch of Chocolate Mischief.

It was a beautiful evening and a rocking party. Ruby and Kipp didn't miss one detail. And Aaron did a wonderful job and looked the part of a star in his James Bond inspired tuxedo.

Best wishes to your whole family and thank you for sharing the day with me.

Check out this beautiful blue glass Yad. It was brought back from Israel.

The hard work is done and now it is time to party!

Just one corner of the large ballroom area.

The sun-filled cocktail hour room.

James Bond, himself.

007 cufflinks, of course!

The gorgeous family.

All the stars on the red carpet got interviewed about "who they were wearing" and other pressing entertainment questions.

All the hot moms had a blast getting dressed up for the red carpet event!

Aaron and his Mom and Dad took turns being lifted up in a chair.

The dance crew got the party started and kept it going all night.

And the night ended with a candy bar and cool sweatshirts as gifts.

Immanuel is a special church because they offer services in both German and English and as you may remember, Angelika & Frederick had a German-themed engagement session and their wedding continued the theme of celebrating their heritage.

It was a small and intimate wedding that featured dear friends and family including Angelika's son Johanes. You could feel Angelika's hand in all the details of the wedding from the programs that she designed to her beautiful dress that she also made.

After the service, everyone headed to the Cleveland Zoo for an intimate reception in the Wolf Wilderness Lodge.

The lodge is very rustic, but is also connected to an open front aviary and tanks for viewing beavers and other aquatic animals. It was the perfect location for their reception and the kids loved checking out all the animals.

Angelika & Frederick started things off with the German tradition of sawing a log with a two-handled saw. There are several theories about what this signifies. Some say it represents the challenges of marriage - at first it is hard to get your rhythm as a couple, then gradually you get the flow of working together. Others say the round piece of wood you cut off represents the first wheel on the baby carriage.

The beautiful couple ended the night with dinner and dancing to the sounds of the Polka Kings of Cleveland, Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine.

Check out their amazing invitation. Each recipient received a suitcase-style box with passport and maps. Too cute!

I hadn't been to DC really since I was a kid and I had never gotten to explore it with my camera - so I jumped at the chance to try something new. Sarah and Steve booked me a flight and off I went - like a traveling salesman. Let me tell you, it was really hard to pack my camera bag because I would have to be carrying everything around with me all day in the DC heat, but I also wanted to make sure I had all the equipment I would want. Choices, choices.

I took the DC metro system from the Baltimore airport and met up with Sarah and Steve downtown. This couple is SO sweet and SO thoughtful. They were the perfect people to be traipsing around DC with - always game for my ideas and coming up with fun ideas of their own.

It was one of the most exhausting days of my life with all the travel and running around in the 90 degree weather with my heavy camera bag, but it was well worth it. We even made a guestbook for their wedding with their favorite images from the day. It is such a great way to keep these special images along with the well wishes of your wedding guests. Check out some of the many fun shots we got. Aren't they such a cute couple?!?

We tried to time the session to the annual cherry blossom explosion. They came early this year, but we still managed to find some!

See you both in August for the wedding! The rest of you can tune in for those images later.

She has a great sense of self and personal style - and she is a lot of fun to be around.

We had a blast taking photos and I absolutely love them all. Here are some of my favorites.

T's mom hates this photo of her because the coloring makes her baby look dead. Sorry Tabetha, don't look! It is just too beautiful not to post.

See - very much alive!

Best of luck Tiara! I know you will be successful at whatever you choose to do.

We had aspirations of photographing her with her grandparents' horses. And I was super bummed when they decided they were just too nervous about how the horses would act. I had all these great ideas in mind, but we moved on and captured some fun and beautiful images of Anna.

Check them out...

We did a quick session so her family could send out some wallet photos with her graduation announcements, but we still had time to do some fun and different shots.

Best of luck Alex! See you around.

She is SO photogenic that few photos were rejects. Take a look at these images and you'll see why. We did some traditional "actor" headshots as well as some fun stuff too.

P.S. Thank you to the nice delivery man who let us briefly use his truck!

They share a love of their German heritage and decided to dress the part for their engagement session. We took full advantage of the lovely first flowers of Spring, and despite the CRAZY winds, managed to get some great photos.

Check them out...

Jessica's family approached me to create senior portraits that reflected her personality and style. We did some photos in the studio as well as around town. The only prop she brought in was the controller to her Xbox. Loved it!

She is truly beautiful and effortless.

Congrats on getting into your dream school. You are going to love it.

Meryl has an incredible head on her shoulders. She would always show up to babysit with a bag of books to read with my kids, and often a project too - and she was a freshman in high school! She doesn't get caught up in the drama of high school and is always refreshingly excited and open to life.

I know she is going to do some amazing things in her life. Thanks for coming out Meryl.

P.S. Brandy at Adeva Salon and Spa did Meryl's super cool hairstyle.