Rachel + Brian | Date Night Couple Session

We decided to call this a 'Date Night Couple Session' because Rachel & Brian drove all the way from Charlotte, NC to New Castle, PA and then onto Cleveland, OH to meet us for drinks at Plum in Ohio City. After some delicious whiskey beverages and taste-y sharables we headed out to make some portraits without a destination or goal in mind. 
As you'll see these two turned a half hour of wandering around the alleys of Ohio City into the most playful, romantic date night ever! We had nothing to do with all those smiles and laughs...these two didn't need any input from us to be this awesome together! After Ohio City we headed towards the lakeshore and ended the evening the same way they spent their first date, sitting lakeside as the sun fell behind the horizon. We cannot wait for their backyard wedding next month!
 

Brand Shoot | Little Birdie Design Studio

Recently our team got together in a green house with three beautiful models and Little Birdie Design Studio's owner, Tori with a bunch of her knit scarves and hats! We are so inspired by the opportunity to work with local, small brands like Little Birdie. The collaborative spirit of the whole process is so refreshing! We're really proud of the images we made for her fall line... but it really wasn't hard because these goods are incredibly fine in person and on camera!

Molly + Ryan | Sunset Couples Session

Molly + Ryan are lovestruck and insanely good in front of the camera. They have this palpable energy between them that is drawn out and amplified by being together in nature, their favorite place. We tried something new for their session, we shot in a new location, in direct sun and had them nonstop moving around, like every 10 seconds I'd say "ok switch it up". At the end of the session, I wasn't sure I got anything I wanted but when I saw the set come together I was in love with this little love story. I can't wait to share their wedding later, it's even more beautiful if that's possible. 

Ashley + Zach | Northern Michigan Wedding

You may recognize these two from the recent adventure we had with them in Colorado a week before their wedding! We shared a sunset hike in the Rockies and a week later we shared a Sand Dune hike in Upper Michigan. What is this life?

Well, I had the hardest time not selecting a thousand beautiful moments to share from Ashley + Zach's Northern Michigan wedding. Not only was the destination and the wedding absolutely stunning but these two are genuinely the sweetest and happiest people I think I've ever met. Zach's love for Ashley was SO apparent in his mood that day. Between their shared glances and constant smiles, everyone who witnessed these two that day was sincerely intoxicated by the joy they share in their adoration for each other. This is one we'll remember for a long time. 

Location: Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Maple City, Michigan
Venue: Snow Moon Ranch | Planning: Sincerely, Ginger | Florals: Stem & Sprigs | Cake: Sweet Tartlette | Beauty: Knoelle Artistry | Band: Other Brother Entertainment, Charleston, SC. | 

Ashley + Colton | Sand Dunes Adventure Session

Ashley + Colton made the drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico to meet us at Great Sand Dunes National Park. We arrived the day before and slept in the van (secretly) in the backcountry parking lot overlooking the dunes. We fell asleep to the quietest, pitch black night and woke to the white, hot sun trying to melt the sand and the van.

This place is incredible, vast and other-worldly. The wind sweeps sand in every direction until it's swirled into massive mounds that harmoniously blend into the pale blue sky at every vantage point. We sat back and watched as Colton and Ashley danced in awe; The most beautiful story, their love for each other, for adventure and for the moment. In the heat of the setting sun, at 10,000 feet elevation, they let the grains of sand sting by the millions against their skin and curled into each other for shelter; a sentiment worth documenting in any place but especially a place as beautiful at this.

Dress from KII Boutique, Albuquerque, New Mexico 

Vintage Camper Couple | Rocky Mountain Sunset Adventure Session

We've been so lucky to meet so many great creatives through Instagram in the last few years. It's such a powerful resource for connecting us with the people who see the world the way we do! 
That's how we met Chelsea + Lyn, these camper-dwellers from southern Ohio who are living the rocky mountain life in a beautiful campground in Colorado right now. We obviously bonded over our love of alternative living, travel, adventure and mountains!

We were on our campervan tour, heading through Buena Vista and these two just happened to be on our route! They saved us a campsite and we met at their camper-home just before sunset. 
Lyndon + Chelsea live a beautifully tiny, big life on the road. They invited us in, made us pancakes, offered us beer and then took us for a true mountain drive in their Land Rover. We headed up a private road as far as the Rover would go and hopped out to get to the top of the ridge where we could see all the peaks surrounding the valley and their little camper below us! Lyn kept saying he didn't know where the best light would be for photos but he knew this view couldn't be beat. We laughed and wandered until the last bit of amber light fell behind the peaks and then we finished the evening with dinner cooked over the campfire. We've never had a more authentic experience getting to know strangers than with these two! And what a beautiful home they have!

Follow their adventures on their Insta @mobile_millers

Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Hine's Hill Wedding Workshop

Last month we hosted our first "official" workshop. We shared and learned so much in our two-days in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we even put together a styled shoot and photographed the work of some of the best vendors this area has to offer! Our models for the Hine's Hill wedding shoot were not only gorgeous in front of the camera but their acting skills were award-worthy! 
We loved sharing our documentary approach with like-minded photographers and we learned more from them and our experience than we ever imagined! Take a look at our day one recap! Vendor list below!

Venue: Hine's Hill Campus
Models: TJ Alleshouse + Grace Dwyer
Stationery: Baci Designer
Tablescape: Oak & Honey Events
Florals: Ashley's Floral
Ceremony Chairs & Table: Miller's Party Rental
Dress: Woosea Designs (Amazon)
Neck Tie: I print stuff
Not Pictured: Taproot Catering, Brothers Band Oh, CVNP Stanford House

Ashley + Zach - Boulder | Colorado Adventure Session

In the mountains we find ourselves. And for these two that is true. In the midst of a very active season in their lives, Ashley + Zach made time to reconnect on a hike with their cute pup Quimby (a week before their wedding). The hike through the evergreens and aspens was brief. And before we even got winded, layers and layers of grey and blue rocky mountain ranges greeted us while the sun laid it's golden haze across the snowcaps in the distance.
We talked about the future, our collective plans to hike a 14-er and to make more time for things like this. Colorado has a way of delivering perspective and on this evening, we all needed it. 

Ashley + Zach took full advantage of every overlook and outcropping, they sat in the dirt and kissed their dog. They let the summer night fade without hurry. It's was a beautiful story to tell. 

Mandy + Wade - Ohio Farmhouse Wedding

 

After spending the morning with her girls in the historic farmhouse, Mandy calmly got dressed while awaiting the rain shower that showed up uninvited for their first look. Rain on a wedding day is a common fear in Ohio but Mandy & Wade gracefully endured the light showers to make memories out in the fields at Brookside Farms before their barn ceremony + reception. As a heavy fog quieted the scene, we found quiet places for shelter under the evergreens along the creekside. Guests enjoyed the smell of dinner from the smoker as they arrived to the ceremony. And they partied into the night while these two thoroughly enjoyed everything the night had to offer. 

Venue: Brookside Farms
Catering: Taproot Catering
Bride's Make Up: Andi Wheatley Artistry
Florals: Ubran Orchid
Planning: Tricia Dever
 

 

Rooftop Elopement Styled Shoot

Rooftop elopements should totally be the next thing. We love a mountain top but when one of those isn't in the itinerary, a rooftop is basically the next best thing.
Our friends in the local arts district here in Canton asked us to put together a styled shoot to feature their new wedding stationery + clothing lines. This was our first styled shoot using all local vendors and we loved the way it turned out. 
For your entourage clothing and stationery needs be sure to check out Print & Press, they're the best in the area! Other vendors listed below!

Be sure to give props to our local friends for putting in the work to make this shoot so pretty:
Venue: McKinley Grand Hotel
Photography by Mallory + Justin & Co
Styled by Mallory
Florals by Beloved Floral Design
Stationery & Invite Suite by Letterpress Jess
Backdrop by ELBOWGREASE
Beauty by Andi Wheatley Artistry
Gown from Doreen Leaf Designs
Table from Linen and Timber For Sale $250
Cake from Cake Wasted
Jewelry from Little Kiln Art Studio
Entourage Clothing from Little Chicago Clothing Co
Models: Lainey, Mikayla, Taylor & Luke
 

Rachel + Michael | Romantic Industrial Wedding

This incredibly joyful day with Rachel & Michael was mostly spent exploring downtown Cleveland, wiping happy tears and laughing hysterically. They also got married and it was really sweet. These two planned a really tasteful, simple, romantic, and really personal day that was brimming with love from their family and friends. The best part is, you can totally tell from these photos because they were so in love, in the moment and true to themselves.  
Their romantic, industrial wedding vibe at The Lake Erie Building is definitely one of our favorite wedding vibes! Vendors listed below!

Venue: Lake Erie Building
Florals: Fair Rarity Flowers
Shelley's Cafe" (home baker based in Bend, Oregon)
DJ: Brian McDonald
Make Up: Maggie Kleinman Artistry
Gow: Nicole Miller from Moon and Back Bridal
Suit Designer: Sid Mashburn
Chuppah- handmade by the couple

Emily + Katie - Waterfall Adventure Session

We met up with Em + Katie at the top of a stairway on a busy road in Cleveland. The stairs led us to this nook on the shore of Lake Erie. It's amazing that a little piece of nature like this exists among a whole city of collapsing structures, gentrification and concrete. It rained a ton that week so the waterfall was flowing like crazy and these two ladies were loving like crazy!!

Em + Katie love out loud. They shared laughter and quiet moments and so many adoring looks that we caught on camera! This was one instance where I truly felt the importance of our job as documenters. These two will forever have these records of their emotions to look back on; to see how the other looked at them and to feel that all over again. 

Meet Em + Katie

2017 Collected| Wedding inspiration

This rustic yet modern wedding inspiration is for the couple who has really good taste in design and in food + drink but doesn't need anything traditional at their wedding. This look features a build-your-own bourbon cocktail bar set in front of a handmade weaving installation, a custom made table, mismatched bridesmaids and a stacked rug ceremony stage...the earthy and slightly moroccan vibe the vendors pulled together for this collaborative shoot make for a beautifully eclectic wedding style that touches on some really great trends for the 2017/2018 seasons.
This style inspiration was created by a collaborating team of wedding professionals for an event we founded called Collected. You can learn more about it below and also get in touch with all the vendors!

//About Collected//
Four years ago this event was a hair-brained and selfish attempt at making more friends in our local market. We didn't know any wedding vendors or any other photographers back then and it was lonely. So we reached out to some really amazing people and asked them to work with us. Everyone far exceeded our vision and expectations not only with their work for Collected but with their giving spirits and kind hearts. Those people are solid, real life friends today and we couldn't be more thankful for that hair-brained idea that turned into something we never imagined. For the last four years, Collected has been an event for wedding photographers and vendors to retreat. To make photos we want to make with stylish details and on-brand models. The photos and inspiration are for our couples! The style, the ideas, the handmade items it's all in hopes of encouraging couples to think outside the box when it comes to their wedding. And to be personal, unique and purposeful in the design. 

Collected is a true collaborative event meant to build the networks and portfolios in the vendor/photographer/model markets. As the founders, we collect the wedding vendors and encourage them to work as a team creating work for the style/vision we set before them. Each year is better than the year before, I swear, I don't know how that's possible.

For the photographers and models, things get crazy and chaotic (hence the new hashtag #collectedchaos) but there is a method to the madness. The alternative group shooting style get's us out of our little bubbles, out from behind the camera a bit and tests our boundaries. At the end we're more in-tune with who we are and what we want for our own businesses. Shooting the work of each vendor allows us to use our creative passion to help others grow their own businesses and that part feels pretty good, but selfishly we're also boosting our referral circle by making friends. 

There's food, drinks and it's always a really good time. The theme is always on-trend so we can all make beautiful, impactful images to share and showcase our skills! If you're interested in joining the Collected chaos in the future, you can check out the new website here and sign up to collaborate. 

We'll eventually be doing vendor highlights over on the blog there but for now, here's the Mallory + Justin take on 2017 Collected. Be sure to check the list of amazing contributors at the end!  We're humbled by your friendship alone but the amazingness of this event continues to surprise us!

Thanks so much to these amazing creative collaborators:

Venue:
Varian Orchards
Styling By:
Oak & Honey Events
Backdrops & Installations By:
Elbowgrease
Florals By:
The Red Twig
Catering By:
Bahler Street
Bourbon Bar By:
Tom's Foolery Distillery, Chagrin Falls Ohio
Cake & Cupcakes By:
A Cupcake A Day
Stationery Design By:
Lovely Somethings
Table & Leather Accessories By:
Linen & Timber
Chairs, Silverware & Plates By
Lasting Impressions Event Rentals
Wedding Gowns By:
Moon and Back Bridal
Hair & Make Up By:
Beauty by Mermaid
Bridal Accessories By:
Entwine Bridal
Some Decor Accessories (Vintage Rug & Goblets) By:
Birchwood Supply
Wedding Rings By:
Liza Michelle Jewelry

Models:
Katie Rosiu
Grace Dwyer
Whitney Prather
Anthony Alleshouse
Mark Hoover
Jonathan Mullins
Kate Bee
 

Sam & Mark | In-Home Session

 

Sam & Mark and their tiny retro apartment. In it was everything they needed so long as they were home together. With Ghost, their all-white cat. We spent the morning pressing coffee, eating bread topped with the sweet honey from their hive and talking about all things life. Mark changed the record and Sam sat on the bed so Ghost could find his place in her lap. Photographing these two in their home, their private, intimate space brought out some very real and lovely moments. There's a beautiful, natural and quiet connection between the two of them together...and my camera. 
Read more about their honey on our new blog The Wonders Blog.
 

 

2017 Wedding Trends - Ariel Pearl Center Styled Shoot

As photographers we have the joy of collaborating with so many creative artists in many industries. Recently we were asked to join a team putting together a classic wedding styled shoot at a new venue in Cleveland! Ariel Pearl is a pearl in it's own right! Mixed in to the Cleveland vibe this beautiful, elegant and timeless space has tiny hints of unique character and charm. Our associate photographer Lauren and I had a great time documenting the vision of these artists:
Venue: Ariel Pearl Center
Furniture & Decor: Borrow Vintage & Eclectic Rentals
Floral: Fair Rarity Flowers
Invite Suite: Seaworthi
Dress: Nicole Miller provided by Moon and Back Bridal
Cake: KB Confections
Beauty: Lindsay London
Jewelry: Liza Michelle Jewelry  
Pillows: Little Korboose
 

How to Price your Photography

We all struggle with this. Let's just get that out there. I don't think there is one of us who doesn't go back and forth on our pricing structure. It's a hard thing to determine what you're worth and what people should pay you for your work. It's hard because most of us don't have a formula for pricing, we just throw numbers out there and see if someone books. What we don't consider at that moment is all of the other parts of the equation; our cost of doing business, taxes and our actual income or our market value. 

LakeErieBuilding-Wedding-Becca+Vic-MJPhoto-127.JPG

There's a fairly simple formula creating a price structure that will earn money and profit. I'm not a finance expert and I'm pretty terrible with accounting but when we worked out this formula for our business, our business starting working for us instead of the other way around. 

So here it is in my simple terms. 
1. Service Pricing
First figure out your cost of doing business PER WEDDING or SESSION. Use this simple calculator to help you figure out what your cost of business is per year. It's a good place to start figuring out what your break down will be for each wedding or session. You may have more items in your specific list than this calculator offers so be sure to make your own spreadsheet and add in all your costs (and add to it often when you change things in your business). Consider things like your website subscription, gallery subscription, printed collateral that you send to clients, USBs, film, lens cleaning, gear/equipment etc, etc. 

2. Cost of Living
Figuring out your own specific cost of living is a challenge that requires many cups of coffee. Here's a calculator to help get you started. Once you've determined your accurate cost of living, you can accurately determine what your hourly/weekly/yearly wages NEED to be and work that into your base hourly/wedding rate.

3. Profit Margins/Perceived Value
This is where things become blurry for photographers (no pun intended). How do we determine our hourly rate or wage and our perceived value? Our business is everything to us, our hearts, it's our blood, sweat and tears. Well, there are a few places to start thinking about it practically and not emotionally.
A. Educate yourself on the pricing in your market/area by connecting with other photographers/vendors and seeing what they charge. Compare your services, your work and decide where you stand in a mixed group of peers. 
B. Outline the list of "perceived value" items you offer for your customers. By items I mean the elements of your business that separate you from the crowd. Quality, experience, unique services or offerings; for example we are a husband & wife team, that is a perceived value to our customers.
C. Once you determine all of your costs from Section 1 and Section 2, you need to mark up your services to account for your perceived value and that is your actual wage. You can do this in a few different ways but the most important thing to make sure of is that you find the sweet spot, not too much/not too little by doing the research I mentioned in part A. You don't want to price yourself out of your target client's budget but also don't want to undercut yourself out of your livelihood.

4. It doesn't add up?
This scenario is pretty likely if your business is new or you are just starting out as a photographer. If you did all the steps above and the end figure doesn't turn you a profit then you need to raise prices and/or reduce your cost of living and cost of doing business. It's very important to note that most small businesses don't turn a profit in the first few years. There's a lot of start up investments spent on gear, equipment and software in the beginning stages. You can also charge more the more experience you have and the better your work stacks up against other photographers in your market. It's always the goal to at least break even. Most photographers have supplemental income until they reach a point of consistent profit. 

This process for establishing your base pricing will have you on the right track to managing a business that'll work for you. It's not a get rich model by any means. There are also a number of other elements to be added to this equation down the line such as taxes, deductions, product sales and paying independent contractors/employees but that's for another time. 

As many times as I have read this, it seems comprehensive to me but I'm sure I left something out. As always, ask any questions, I'm happy to answer them to the best of my knowledge!