Passion, Love & Happiness. I'm on a journey to capture these emotions from people who radiate their inner beauty and joy into my lens. I photograph because I adore weddings, a spontaneous lifestyle and meeting amazing individuals who will change my life. I hope that next unique someone is you.

I was lucky enough to photograph Paul and Melinda for their engagement session last year. I can’t believe how time flies and before I knew it, their wedding was tapping me on my shoulder. During their engagement session, I captured an image similar to this pose of them close and intimate nestled within sunflowers. To me, that photo represented not only a deep love, but anticipation and excitement. On their wedding day, I witnessed that same deep love but with a whirl of different emotions and quickly captured a similar image to reflect the development and growth of their feelings toward each other. I love the beauty of both images, but you can see the passion and fire in this one. Spicy!! More to come soon…
Vicki: (06.22.10 - 4:40 pm) Can't wait to see the beautiful pics you did for Melinda and Paul!
I’ll be honest, I’m picky with the vendors I refer. I really enjoy working with most professional individuals I know, but there are always a few that shine above the rest and if I was asking around for suggestions, I would want a trusted list of businesses I could count on to deliver upper class results. So if you ask who I would suggest for DJ services, I’m going to give you Paul Spitale’s name from Blackrock Sound Solutions in Buffalo, NY. Here’s why:
1. I like his music style. This might be personal preference, but when he’s allowed to choose his own songs they rock. (And word of advice....forget request lists and just let him do his job. No one wants to dance with Uncle Bob to Super Freak.) Which leads me to #2:
2. If a song sucks, he doesn’t make the crowd suffer through the whole 4 minutes with an empty dance floor. If a guest requests a tune that doesn’t jive with the crowd, he smoothly transitions to the next song to keep the party going. Trust me...this is awesome. I’ve seen way too many DJs take a seat and just make the crowd wait until the torturous song is over. Guess what happens....the energy dies and people leave.
3. He’s got great MC skills with classy talk. I’ve seen DJs make sexual comments during the garter toss which was completely embarrassing to the bride and groom or force them into a dance circle when they clearly wanted to run and hide instead. No worries with Paul. He works great with a crowd and always looks and acts professional.
Check out his rates and more information at his website: www.blackrocksound.com
Kate: (06.19.10 - 10:24 am) Too bad we didn't know about this guy before. We just booked a DJ not too long ago but was holding out because we didn't want to be stuck with a 'bad' one. We're still unsure...but had to go with someone.
I totally agree with comment number 3 (when looking into filmmakers I noticed in the films that in Buffalo A MAJORITY said really inappropriate remarks, especially during the garter toss. This was unlike the films I saw from other parts of the US, so it's very much a Buffalo-thing I believe).
This photo makes me want to grab a beer and toast. And I don’t even drink beer! More coming soon of these two lovebirds…
View Doug & Marianne’s complete wedding gallery
Music: “Bless the Broken Road” and “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
Ceremony Venue: St. Marys Memorial Park - Saint Marys, OH
Reception Venue: Union Hall - Saint Marys, OH
Caterer: Cathy Flynn
DJ: Ryan Ahlers
Wedding Dress: Mori Lee
I have a confession to make: less than 2 years ago I didn’t like kids. I would freely admit my trip to Disney World was ruined by allowing people under 18 in the park. I would sit in the smoking section of a restaurant just to avoid a toddler. My family would discuss 24/7 babysitting schedules in case I accidentally got pregnant. It wasn’t a secret...I just didn’t like kids.
That was until I met Mark, Judith and their daughter Naomi. The first time they came to our house, Mark plopped the 9-month-old on my lap for dinner. I was mortified but of course I didn’t show my panic as I stared at this little girl while she tried to steal the food off my plate. I was told she was thirsty and handed her bottle, then was embarrassed when asked how to give her a drink. I realized at that moment that my dislike of children really stemmed from fear. As an only child, I didn’t have any babies to practice the whole feeding, holding, diaper, baby talk thing with and I was totally out of my realm.
After several weekly dinners and outings, Naomi started to grow fond of “Aunt Dee”...(that is until Until Bill showed her his Blackberry could play music, dang technology!) and I couldn’t believe it, but I actually enjoyed the company of a child. She provided great entertainment and of course was always a fabulous subject to photograph.
So to the amazement of myself, this little girl had transformed me from Scrooge McDuck to… well, let’s just say I’m more Mister Rogers now without all the sweaters. And the wedding photographer who wouldn’t think of photographing kids is now obsessed with snapping shots of every tiny cutie I can get!
Judith Yount: (06.10.10 - 9:41 am) Dee, I see that you consider me one of the cuties :). Great pictures!