Steve and Andrea Engagement Session

Steve and Andrea had to book me despite it being more than 100 miles of travel to go to their engagement shoot in Toledo Botanical Garden. As you may notice this photographer travels for e-sessions. Now, back to business:

Walk through a botanical garden on the day of engagement. It was a beautiful summer day, we lucked out with weather.

Just like good wine an amazing image needs a pairing. We stay away from cheese though, no one likes cheesy photos.

I know I could have started with this straight forward portrait of the couple, but what fun would that be?

I love directing my couples to run towards me for a photo. It's full of life, cinematic and athletic experience.

As an added bonus, it loosens everyone up. You may notice now that this session will be a series of 2-photograph stories.

Every shoot needs a reflection. I always try to find them, here, I was on the other side of the lake for this shot. Good thing my lens reached the couple nicely.

I call these little series a power play. I tell the couple to push back at each other as hard as they can on a count of three.

One, two, three and they push harder than each of them expected of the other. It causes some great laughter.

Are these series of two stories doing anything for you? I love telling stories using people. Because people tell their own stories in the end, they just need a couple of hints here and a couple there. Like here, I asked him to "look cool for a shot as he holds his tie".

Well... you can only look cool for so long before your true fun-loving self surfaces and causes your loved one to break out in laughter.

Using a wider lens for the same scene as before creates a beautiful scene setting shot. I love thinking like two photographers.

She be looking at him like he's Superman. Ladies, you hold the key to bringing out the best in your men- true story.