THE DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY

The Merold Family

2011-12-01T17:58:00.001-08:00

Josh and Jamie are a vibrant couple whose youthful spirit and wholesome personalities have built a solid foundation for their two children Max and Avery. Jacinda and I were so excited to photograph this great family, and after a few cancellations in hopes for better weather, we met in historic Burton, Ohio for an afternoon of coffee, conversation, and photos! Here are some of our favorites from the day.

We were able to take a quick break to shoot a few Anniversary photos for Josh and Jamie. We used an old saw mill as a background and came up with some truly stunning images. Their love is so apparent!

Jamie surprised us with some delicious cookies and a very thoughtful thank you card! It is rare to find a family so generous and fun to be around. We felt so blessed to be able to share time with this inspiring family, and look forward to hanging out very soon!

Ohio Sky Parlor Sessions - Tremont, Ohio - Photography

2011-10-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Ohio Sky is a Cleveland based rock band about to release their debut record entitled "Curses". Through Jim Stewart, one of Cleveland's best Sound Engineers, I was allowed the opportunity to shoot some video for an upcoming short film featuring three acoustic songs performed in a semi-restored Victorian home in Tremont, Ohio. While there, I couldn't help but shoot a few stills. It was a fun evening, and I hope to work with them again soon. Learn more about them at Ohio Sky

Julie's Senior Portrait Session

2011-10-16T13:43:00.001-07:00

I have know Julie for many years, and she is a very vibrant young girl who is very involved in her school and church community. It's hard to be around her and not smile! I had the pleasure of photographing her sisters senior portraits a few years ago, and Julie asked me to do the same for her this year. Julie was very excited about the shoot and gave me only one direction : Graffiti. I did a little research, and we found some great spots and took some fantastic photos. Enjoy!

Thanks Julie for a great session!

Eric and Deanna : A Special Engagement

2011-10-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

Eric is one of my best friends. We have many fond memories growing up of acoustic guitars, prom, lar dogg's house and the pekin road blues, la studio, websites, turbo saturns, and much more. When he came to me with the great news that he intended to make his girlfriend Deanna his wife, I was thrilled. I was also excited that he had a great plan to have the whole thing photographed, without her knowing. Byron and I had many talks with Eric and with each other on how we could pull off the super covert operation we dubbed "Project Awesome". Somehow we were going to have to document a proposal in stalker like fashion. Being seen meant ruining the precious moment. Remaining undetected and still catching the frames would be an incredible success. This was something none of us had ever done before.

Twenty-four hours before the event was to take place, Eric called to let me know he had finally made a decision on the when/where/how's. I was in Michigan and somehow had to get myself back in Cleveland with enough time to get into position. Eric, Deanna, and Stephen were going to be enjoying sun rays and the new dock at the Fuhry resort, which left hundreds of acres of surrounding forest as our camouflage. Stephen played the roll of coordinator, acting as the liaison between Byron and me and the soon-to-be engaged couple. We communicated via text messages, and navigated via gut feeling. Using a dust covered rear windshield with a poorly drawn map of the property on it as our guide, Stephen suggested two locations, one for each of us. We established "the Go sign", and wished each other luck. The next hour and a half was spent sneaking, crawling, whispering, and communicating through the cloud while we each found our way to the perfect location. After weeks of planning and what seemed like hours of crawling into position, I found myself directly across the lake behind a tree, laying on the ground, eyes and lens locked on Eric and Deanna as they relaxed at the end of the dock.

And so the photos begin. The first couple images were test shots and capture them sprawled out, Deanna completely unaware that there were two guys with cameras in the woods waiting for what would be one of the most exciting moments of her life.

At this point, Stephen has left to "go back to the cabin", and Eric suggests to Deanna that they should get up to have some lunch. It doesn't take him long, however, to divert her attention back to him. My heart is pumping at this point and I'm nervous. I'm excited for my friend, and I'm excited to get these shots!

Eric was able to get Deanna to come back to him, and he began to tell her how much he loved her.

She looks at him, nervous about what she thinks may be coming.

And then, the ring!!

She leans down and kisses him! I can hear her from across the lake, "really? really!??".

She said YES!

This was probably my favorite shot of the day:

Eric finally clued Deanna in that there were photographers. She couldn't believe it! In this shot, Eric is pointing out Byron who had crawled 200 feet on his stomach to get into position!

Celebration ensued, and I was able to grab a few more stunning shots of this newly engaged couple!

And, of course, the witnesses:
Stephen, aka The Coordinator, aka White Eagle, aka Man of Many Talents, aka That Guy:

Me:

Byron:

Rex:

Oliver:

Congratulations to the both of you! I can't wait for the excitement of your wedding day to build over the next several months!

Some Favorites from 2009

2009-11-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

2009 was a great year for weddings! Here are some of my favorites.

open mic night

2009-01-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to find a good way to take discreet pictures without the flash in dark indoor areas. It seems like if I crank the ISO way up and shoot in black and white, I can get some cool looking shots. The graininess doesn't even bug me. I took these shots at Rider Inn in Painesville. My favorite part was definitely when this group of guys formed a makeshift bluegrass band a played a few songs. I especially liked this clawhammer banjo player. He looked like he belonged down south about 50 years ago.

For some reason when I loaded them on my computer, they changed from black and white to color. I don't know why, but I'm kind of glad they did. Here they are!

this guy was really good at bass, and joined the band 5 minutes before they played.

if you could of heard what he played, you would know why i took this shot.

i always forget how good she is.

close to my favorite shot of the night

my favorite shot all night.

i definitely enjoyed this kid. and he played a larivee, so i didn't have much to complain about.

don't you think?

blogger not meant for photo

2008-12-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

i guess i'm realizing that blogger really isn't the best place for a photo blog. the drop in quality after each image is uploaded is unreal. comparing each image from the web to its original place on my computer is like looking at two completely different exposures. any suggestions for blog websites where dramatic compression doesn't exist for uploaded photos are certainly welcome.

thanksgiving 08, a little late.

2008-12-21T20:13:00.000-08:00

here are some shots from thanksgiving at my mom's this year. we ate turkey. and it was tasty.

kittens

2008-12-20T17:16:00.000-08:00

i've tried the traditional traps. i've tried the tomcats. i've taken matters into my own hands, and have tried broom and boots. i've used all the baits. peanut butter. cheese. other stuff. but i've finally decided to move from boyish games to all out war, and have introduced new artillary into the battle of ownership of my home. their names are abner and gordon, and they are currently in boot camp, preparing their minds and bodies for the task at hand, the reason they have come. so i thought i'd share. ps. how about the sweet photo blog?

abner and gordon enjoy a tasty meal together.

abner contemplates life.

airborne!

gordon prepares to pounce.

abner is known for 'wringing gordon's neck'

abner in his October pose.

gordon would rather be taking a nap.