On their first anniversary, Heather and Colin took a picture holding a framed portrait from their wedding day.  On their second anniversary, they then took a picture of them holding that image from their first anniversary.  This November, they celebrated their third anniversary, and it was time for another installment of the ever-growing portrait.  It was so neat to be a part of this yearly tradition, and we got to take advantage of an unseasonably warm December day.  Heather wanted something with Christmas lights, and after thinking about possible locations, we decided Cleveland's Public Square would be the perfect place.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know Heather (and Colin, of course) through small group, and this girl is the best! I love her sass and her spunk, the bright-colored patterned leggings she wears, and the way she loves people really well.  She is a fantastic teacher and a fantastic friend, and I can just see her and Colin 50 years from now taking their 53rd anniversary picture, maybe a bit more gray and worse for the wear but still so much in love.

Ricciardi's Tree Farm served as the perfect location for Dakota and Steven's September wedding.  The ceremony took place in an open lawn under the shade of a large, old tree, steps away from the farm's two story barn where the rest of the festivities took place.  The bridesmaids' crimson dresses were a great selection for an autumn wedding, and their baby's breath bouquets and cowboy boots added a bit of "country" to the day.  As photographers, I think our favorite part of the venue was the rows of Christmas trees and fields where we took bridal portraits with Dakota and Steven.  The trees (which are now surely making their way into family homes with Christmas fast approaching!) added an element of intimacy to the images, like the couple was just getting lost in them.  And the fields with long grass were the perfect backdrop for some relaxed, "Hey, we're married now!" shots.  Dakota and Steven danced the night away with their wedding guests (with the ring bearer winning the best dance moves award) and roasted marshmallows over a bonfire under the stars.

Mike and Bree first met while out hiking, so it was fitting that their wedding ceremony took place in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park at the Hines Hill Campus. The day was simple and laid back in the best way possible, and they lucked out with an unseasonably warm October day.  The ceremony took place under a tall, old tree with an aisle lined with crunchy fall leaves (making it a bit more challenging than usual for Crystal Kay Photography and I to sneak around the ceremony quietly :-p).  Each member of the bridal party wore a pendant or necklace made from an actual leaf that had been electroplated with different metallics, and the coral-colored bouquets with bright cascading greens looked wonderful with the bridesmaids' emerald dresses.  Later, guests dined under the stars and strands of cafe lights and roasted marshmallows in adirondack chairs around a fire pit.

Ok, I may be slightly biased because I love his parents so much, but Quin could definitely do pretty well in a cutest toddler competition.  One of the most adorable things he does, and admittedly one of Evan's proudest accomplishments of fatherhood thus far, is his Batman impression.  Show him a picture, any picture, of the caped crusader, and Quin hoarsely exclaims "Batman", or rather "Bahmah", without skipping a beat.  It has been such a joy to watch Quin grow from a tiny baby to a little boy and to watch my dear friends grow into the role of parents.  It was so fun to capture some memories for them on an absolutely beautiful October day at Liberty Park in Twinsburg, OH.