Some couples might choose New York City over Cleveland for their engagement session, but Julia and Colin did the opposite—and for good reason. Though they call NYC home, Julia grew up in Cleveland and still has deep ties to the area, making it the perfect place to celebrate this season of their lives. 

They were married here in the fall, so choosing the Cleveland Museum of Art for their summer engagement session felt like a meaningful way to honor both their past and future. With its stunning architecture and lush landscaping, the museum also offered a touch of Central Park charm—one of their favorite places in New York—right here in Cleveland.

When we planned their session, Julia shared that she loved how my work beautifully blends classic portraiture with artistic, vibey images. With that in mind, we approached their engagement session with a sense of freedom, combining romantic, posed portraits with organic, playful moments. They wanted images that felt true to them—elegant, yet effortless.

To bring their vision to life, I used three distinct cameras throughout the session. The Contax 645 was ideal for dreamy, romantic portraits. The Holga, with its plastic lens and signature light leaks, created a fun, artistic element, while the Olympus point-and-shoot allowed me to capture the in-between moments—the ones filled with movement and spontaneity.

This combination of tools helped me document Julia and Colin’s genuine connection. One of my favorite moments happened when I prompted them to take a deep breath and just look into each other’s eyes. The quiet peace and love between them were undeniable, and it was such a joy to witness.

Julia and Colin, your warmth and energy made this session unforgettable. It was an honor to document this chapter of your story before your beautiful wedding day!