The O'Niel House is a bed and breakfast built by the founder of General Tire. It's an intimate and beautiful space for a wedding (and an awesome spot for Wedding Photography). Dean and Kathie sure took advantage of the setting for their wedding day! A gorgeous ceremony on the patio was followed by a dinner in the great hall of the house. I also absolutely loved the juxtaposition of Dean and Kathie on their motorcycle in front of the very traditional tudor style facade of the house! Thanks to Dean and Kathie for having Black Dog Photo Co. as a part of their big day.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  Want more information about the O'Niel house? Here's a link:  http://www.oneilhouse.com

Brad and Amanda got married at St. Hillary in Fairlawn. It was an intimate ceremony with family and close friends, and cozy reception at a lodge in the Sand Run Metropark. I know I've said it before, but one of my favorite parts of being a Wedding Photographer is seeing the personal touches couples give their weddings. As I walked up to the lodge, I felt like Thoreau in the woods of New England! Although the day was damp and chilly, the fire and family made it feel warm and cozy. Thanks Brad and Amanda for having Black Dog Photo Co. as a part of your day!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS     This fall has been awesome. I can't remember a prettier October, and it sure shows in the photos we've taken. Where have you gone to experience the great color? Share it on our Facebook page!

If you haven't noticed already, I love fall. The crisp nights, the smell of wood smoke and leaves, delicious food, the wine harvest...I could go on and on. Not to mention the beautiful color painted across the rolling hills of the Cuyahoga Valley. The beauty, however, is fleeting. Before we know it, we'll be immersed in winter's pastel blues, pining away for the warm orange and yellow hues of fall. Alas, what is a person to do? Preserve the beauty in photographs! 

To that end, here are seven tips to help you create pretty autumn photos. Grab your camera and get out there before the moment is gone!

1. Use a Polarizing Filter
The saturation of colors that you get with one of these is fantastic. It is particularly useful in getting lovely blue skies, but you’ll find that it decreases some of the haze that you often get at this time of year also.

2. Shoot in the Golden Hours
While you can get great results at any time of the day – I love shooting fall colors at the end of the day just before sunset when the light is golden. This accentuates the reds and golds even more than normal.

3. Don’t ignore the Overcast Days
Some people keep their cameras in their bags on days where the sun isn’t shining – but they can actually be the best days. I like overcast days because they help create a mood that you can’t get on a sunny day – plus the images are nice generally nice and rich.

4. Look for Contrasts
One way to accentuate the colors in your shots is to think about framing your shots in such a way that the different colors contrast with one another. Golden leaves on a blue sky – a red leaf on a lush green grass etc.

5. Avoid Shooting Into the Sun
Shooting into the sun will result in shadows, lower saturation of colors and lens flare (which further reduces the impact of colors)  On Sunny days – keep the sun at your back. If you do have to shoot into the sun use a lens hood or shield your lens with something to avoid lens flare.

6. Play with White Balance Settings
Sometimes Auto mode with White Balance won’t give you the most vibrant results. Warm up your colors by increasing the color temperature a touch (not too much). You can do this by increasing the kelvin numbers or by selecting a setting like ‘cloudy’ if your camera has semi-auto settings. 

7.  Underexpose Your Shots (slightly)
Pull back the exposure on your shots a touch and you’ll find that it gives your colors a slightly deeper saturation. 

Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/autumn-fall-photography-capturing-colours#ixzz28WfZJ2o6

I posted a few of my efforts, enjoy!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  I forgot to mention football. How did I manage that?

I had a pretty cool experience yesterday. October is breast cancer awareness month, and the NFL is a great supporter of the American Cancer Society and breast cancer awareness. The Brown's Women's Organization partnered with the Cancer Society for an event at the Hope Lodge yesterday. Browns players and the Women's organization decorated cookies, assembled gift baskets, and played bingo with the survivors staying at the Lodge.

I am a pretty huge Browns fan. As I was driving to the event, I was excited to meet the players. It was cool to shake the hands of, and talk with, the players we cheer into battle on Sundays. I was in for a surprise though... The big, burly football players were not the strongest people in the room. The strongest people I spoke with were the survivors locked in a battle every day. Never before have I seen a bigger contrast than seeing NFL player Jordan Cameron, a picture of health and athleticism, put his arm around a patient, who was a picture of frailty. Our eyes can be deceiving. They may be skinny, their hair may have fallen out, but the residents of the Hope Lodge have a wealth of strength in spirit. It shows in their eyes. It shows in their unbelievable "glass half full" attitude. It shows in the passion they showed for their team.

Now that's inspiration. The life we are granted, and the lives of those around us, are a gift. Be thankful. Be passionate. Be happy. 

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PPS     Want to learn more about the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge. Hit the link: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/Cleveland/cleveland-about-our-facility

Fall is the perfect time of year for beautiful portraits in Northeast Ohio. The colors are starting to pop, and the sky is that gorgeous shade of blue that is only revealed on a crisp autumn day. 

Take advantage of the season. Take advantage of a great deal as well. Black Dog Photo Co. is offering 50% off Family Portrait sessions until our son Tommy's birthday, October 26th. A portrait session at the location of your choice is just $37.50! 

Don't wait too long. This is Northeast Ohio, and nobody knows when this beautiful fall will morph into winter!  Get in touch with me here to reserve a time for your family.

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS     We had a clam bake by the fire on Sunday night with some great friends. I think we'll have to make it a fall tradition! Do you have a favorite fall activity? Share it with us on our Facebook page.

The leaves are changing here on Broad Blvd.. A sure sign that fall is upon us, my favorite time of year. Ash and I were married in the fall, and our son Tommy was born in October. It is a beautiful time of year here in Northeast Ohio, and a perfect time for an outdoor family portrait. To celebrate Tommy's birthday, we are offering half off family and children's sessions until his big day (10/26)! The next couple of weekends will be the height of color, and Black Dog Photo Co. still has limited weekend time slots left to take advantage of all mother nature has to offer. Give me a call or shoot me an email to reserve your time soon!

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS   Cool nights bring dreams of big steelhead running up the Rocky River to devour my flies with abandon. Keep an eye out for big fish photos on our Facebook page (I'm an optimist at heart...).

TJ and Jess got hitched an a beautiful evening in Bay Village. I love it when a couple's personality shows in their wedding. All the details of this wedding certainly fit TJ and Jess' laid back personalities, and it shows in their wedding photography too...from the cocktails served in mason jars, to the pulled pork smoked at the event, to smores made over a campfire. Take a look at some of the photos, and watch the fusion video too. I bet you'll have a sudden urge to make yourself a cocktail and enjoy a nice summer evening...

sit.stay.smile.
Ryan

PS  Working hard at planning the details of your wedding? Give me a holler and see how Black Dog Photo Co. can be a part of your day here: contact.

PPS This Akron Wedding Photographer loves some good BBQ. The pulled pork sliders at this wedding were the bomb. What's your favorite BBQ? Share it on our Facebook page?