I struggled to title this blog post because there were two themes that I felt like would summarize Amy and James' love story: 

1. Family Over Everything

2. Marry Your Best Friend

Amy and James were referred to me by my second shooter, Ryan. At the time, Ryan was new to wedding photography, and felt that handing them off to me would be the wisest decision, and I'm so glad that he did! It was a pleasure getting to know Amy and James over the course of the engagement and wedding. 

Amy and James chose to do an engagement session with me this past February, which is where I got to meet their kiddos, Alex and Alaysia (two of the most well behaved children I've ever had the pleasure to photograph). We of course got one of the coldest, most bitter, February days that Cleveland has to offer, so we opted to do their engagement photos in my studio downtown. It was so apparent to me, from the moment Amy and James walked through the door that they were an unstoppable team. Two people who complimented each other in the best ways possible. Their engagement photos turned out super cute, and the family photos we did with Alex and Alaysia were the epitome of a beautiful family. After that, it was time to dive into planning.

As we got closer to their wedding date, and COVID got worse, I was forced to move out of my old studio due to some unforeseen circumstances. Luckily, I was able to pull things together and find a new, smaller space in the same building. Once I was moved in and settled, Amy and James came to meet with me in my new studio to plan out out the photography schedule for their wedding. I like to think my passion for photography may have rubbed off on Alex and Alaysia a little bit because after our meeting Amy informed me she found a bunch of photos on their iPad of a photoshoot Alex had with Alaysia in the studio while Amy, James, and I met! 

On the day of their wedding, Ryan and I met Amy and James at the hotel they were getting ready at and began to document their day. Amy and her girls seemed at ease and excited for the day to begin. As they wrapped up their hair and makeup, it was time for Amy to make a few edits to her vows that she'd be reading to James later that day. After snapping a few shots of her and her bridesmaids in their matching robes, it was time for me to run outside to get ready for James' pre-formal portraits. 

James and the guys had already headed outside because it was getting warm in the room they had been in, which made it super easy to get things moving. I could tell that James and the guys were all ready to have a good time. We quickly got through the groomsmen's photos and moved on to family photos. As we waited for James mom to arrive, it was time for a pep talk from James' dad, former Cleveland Brown, Al 'Bubba' Baker.  I could tell that family and commitment were two important themes that the former Pro Bowler had instilled in James, and as they concluded the pep talk, shook hands and hugged I knew this wedding would be something special.

Once we wrapped up James' portraits, it was time to hustle him and the guys to the church while Amy moved outside for her portraits. Amy looked absolutely stunning in her dress, and with her bridesmaids by her side we took some gorgeous pre-formals outside of the hotel. We were running just a bit behind schedule, so with the help of Ryan we flew through the pre-formals and made up for the time we lost.

Ryan and I booked it to the church to set up before Amy and her bridesmaids arrived. In true COVID fashion, Amy and James had to make some adjustments to their wedding day. Because of those changes, they opted to add a 360 degree video live stream to their photography services, which can be seen here. 

As I waited at the front of the church for the processional to start, I could see James welling up with emotion and with each passing bridesmaid, it was becoming harder and harder for him to contain. As Amy made the turn down the aisle, it had become too much to hold in. I knew in that moment, that this was the real deal, James was crying tears of joy. He was finally getting to marry his best friend. 

James struggled to contain his emotions through the ceremony and during their vows and I could see Amy's face light up as the man she chose to spend the rest of her life with promised to love her more than anyone ever had. The ceremony was short and sweet, but full of laughs and tears or joy. After the ceremony concluded, we moved into family photos inside the church, followed by a few with Amy and James alone. Happiness was exuded from the entire family, Amy and James coming together ultimately united two families as one and they all couldn't have been happier.

After a quick Jimmy Johns stop for the bridal party, it was time to start bridal party photos! Amy and James chose to stop at the Cleveland sign in Tremont and a quick stop in Ohio City. I could tell the bridal party was antsy to get the party started at the reception, so we made the most of our time out in Cleveland capturing some beautiful moments. As we wrapped up Amy and James' couples portraits, we realized the party bus had departed and left them on the West side of Ohio City! After a couple phone calls, their pick up was coordinated and Ryan and I headed for the reception venue. 

With COVID still very prevalent, Amy and James had to switch their reception venue to something smaller. Luckily, they were blessed with a beautiful day so the venue was able to keep the garage doors open to allow for more air flow and social distance! The parents and bridal party entered the reception which meant it was time for toasts! Amy's dad, gave a toast congratulating the couple and further endorsed the beautiful unity of the two families on that day. After that, the best man and maid of honor gave their toasts followed up by none other than Alex and Alaysia who had been put on the spot by Amy and James. James' dad concluded the speakers for the evening with a prayer, blessing Amy and James as well as the newly formed family and friends in attendance. 

After dinner, it was time for the first dance, mother son dance, father daughter dance, and a dance with James and Alaysia... as well as a surprise. Amy and James first dance was one of celebration. They had accomplished something worth celebrating, they found the person they had been created for and sealed the deal! James and Alaysia had an adorable daddy daughter dance that Amy and Alex just had to jump in on. Smiles and laughs filled the room as the new family celebrated their love. But it didn't end there, a couple of bridal party members had a surprise in store for Amy and James. They wrote a rap to the Fresh Price of Bel Air theme song about Amy and James!

The rest of the evening was full of dancing, cheers-ing, singing and celebrating. As I packed my bags, reflecting on the day, I couldn't help but smile to myself. I was fortunate enough to witness and be a part of a really special day. I got to photograph the unity of two best friends, inspiringly in love and at the same time I was a witness to two beautiful families coming together and bonding as one. My job and my clients never fails to humble me and remind me why I got into this business: to capture memories of one of the most important moment in a family's life.