Originally Christen and Ben wanted their engagement session at the West Side Market in Cleveland but changed their minds this week (I think the gorgeous weather we’ve had may have something to do with it?) and opted to go to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today instead.  When it started SNOWING yesterday, I began to worry a bit how the shoot would go and hope that the sun warmed everything up quickly.  I shouldn’t have worried because in typical Ohio style, the weather was absolutely gorgeous today and the sun was quite warm as well as very bright which made shooting a bit more interesting!

Christen and Ben are members of the zoo so they knew what areas they wanted to go to and we wandered the zoo stopping wherever I went “oooo!”  You may notice one small thing in this session… there aren’t any animals!!!  While the zoo has some really awesome animals, it’s not quite where you can cuddle up next to them.  We instead opted to use the beautiful landscaping around the zoo to incorporate their love for this place into the imagery.  There is also that pesky fence and cage thing for animals that makes getting pics with them a wee bit more difficult!

It was such a pleasure working with you guys today!!!!   Can’t wait to see you again in July!

Just a little cuddlin’ in the Greenhouse 🙂

I know that they were both wondering why I had them sit there but maybe now my craziness makes a bit more sense. I loved the light here!!

 

I love Weeping Willows.  If I could, I would have a backyard full of them.  They are so pretty and perfect for pictures!!  I also love the random geese beneath the tree!  Oh… which means I lied.  There are animals in some of their pictures!!

 

 

Ahhh flowering trees!  My sinuses may not be as thrilled as I am but LOVE LOVE LOVE them.  And THEM in the picture.  🙂

 

I don’t pose much… and this is why.   The look of love is more genuine without me forcing it.

 

This savannah grass was pretty much awesome.

 

So are they!

 

I can’t decide if this one…

 

Or this one is my favorite from the day.  I love EVERYTHING about these shots.  Look at Christen’s eyes!  You’re beautiful my dear 🙂

 

Confession: I haven’t been to the Cleveland Zoo since I was 14 in 1995.  A lot has changed since then, namely being the Rainforest.  Back when I was there, butterflies flew around and it was so awesome.  I didn’t know that they had changed that area to the greenhouse (where there were no butterflies) and I found that there really aren’t a lot of neat photo locations inside the Rainforest.  Lots of really cool critters though!!!  We did a few spots inside but I have to say that the grounds are definitely where it is at.  We still had to get one shot with the waterfall because it’s just cool!

 

I was telling them earlier about how it’s strange but animals seem to really react to the camera shutter sound.  I’m not sure that they believed me but it was proven when I was compelled to take a shot of this guy (some sort of primate).  As soon as he heard the shutter he jumped closer to the camera and was staring me down.  Mind you, there are kids screaming and hollering yet he singled out the camera click.  I’m not sure if he liked it or not, but it’s always interesting to see their reactions to the sound.